Janice Richards Missing Person Case

Mar 08, 2021

Feb 01, 2022

Janice

Richards

19

16

61 inches

130 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Female

In the small, close-knit community of Utqiagvik, Alaska, formerly known as Barrow, the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl has left a lingering sense of unease. Sixteen-year-old Janice Cecilia Richards, an American Indian/Alaska Native female, was last seen on February 24, 2021. On that day, she reportedly told her family she was going for a walk and has not been seen or heard from since. At the time of her disappearance, Janice was described as being 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The last known description of her attire included camouflage-print jeans, a matching camouflage hoodie, a long purple jacket, and glasses. Immediately following her disappearance, the North Slope Borough Police Department launched an investigation into the matter. The local community, shaken by the news of the missing teen, rallied together to aid in the search efforts. Residents actively distributed flyers and utilized social media platforms to spread awareness and share any potential information that might lead to her whereabouts. However, despite these efforts by law enforcement and concerned citizens, no confirmed sightings of Janice have been reported since she vanished. The harsh and expansive Alaskan terrain presented significant challenges to the search operations, making a comprehensive canvass of the area a difficult undertaking. The circumstances surrounding Janice's departure from her home remain largely unclear, leaving her family and community with many unanswered questions. Investigators have had few leads to follow in the years since she was last seen. The case is being handled by both the North Slope Borough Police Department and the Alaska State Troopers. The lack of any significant developments has left the case in a state of prolonged uncertainty. The overview of this case is one of a young woman who seemingly vanished without a trace from her home in a remote Alaskan town. Despite immediate search efforts and community involvement, the investigation has been hampered by a lack of leads and the challenging environment, leaving a painful void for a family still awaiting answers. Anyone with information regarding the disappearance or whereabouts of Janice Richards is encouraged to contact the North Slope Borough Police Department or the Alaska State Troopers.

Feb 24, 2021

Barrow

Alaska

North Slope Borough

No

101332

North Slope Borough Police Department

Barrow

Alaska

North Slope Borough

99723

1068 Kiogak Street, Alaska

9078526111

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.north-slope.org/departments/police

21003098

2021-02-26

North Slope Borough Police Department

6044

Black

Brown

Brown

06/28/2026