In the autumn of 2021, a 17-year-old girl named Laniyah Whitted disappeared from Fayetteville, North Carolina. She was last seen by her family on November 16, 2021, when she was dropped off at Cape Fear High School. At the time she went missing, Laniyah was described as being approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Distinctive features include a birthmark on her forehead and piercings in her nose and belly button.
The last verbal communication her family had with her was a phone call on November 20, 2021.
The circumstances surrounding Laniyah's disappearance raise significant concern. Reports indicate that on November 20, 2021, she was with her boyfriend at a SureStay hotel in Fayetteville. An argument reportedly took place between the two, after which her boyfriend stated that she left the hotel. He also admitted to breaking her phone, which cut off her ability to contact her family or seek help. When Laniyah's mother, Visha Franklin, tried calling her on November 21st and 22nd, the calls went directly to voicemail. Alarm grew when Laniyah, uncharacteristically, did not show up for her job. On November 23, 2021, her mother officially reported her as a missing person.
The initial investigation into Laniyah's disappearance faced hurdles. Her mother expressed that the case was first classified as a runaway, which she felt delayed a more serious and thorough investigation. She advocated for authorities to treat it as a genuine missing person case. Law enforcement did question Laniyah's boyfriend after he was located at his school on November 29, 2021; he reiterated his account that she left after their argument and that he was unaware of her whereabouts. Despite the passage of time, the case remains active. In June of 2026, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office conducted a search of the Cape Fear River area along Deep Creek Road, employing K9 units, search and rescue teams, and drones as part of their ongoing efforts to find answers. The investigation into what happened to Laniyah Whitted is ongoing, and authorities continue to ask for the public's help for any information that might lead to her location.Last Seen: Nov 16, 2021
