Sonie Toe, a 24-year-old college graduate from Champaign, Illinois, was a bright and caring individual known for being a stellar student and an active churchgoer. Described by her father as lively and eager to please, Sonie's life took a troubling turn in the months leading up to her disappearance. Just a few months after moving to Lawrenceville, Georgia, a disturbing incident occurred. About a month before she vanished, Sonie was found beaten in the woods and was subsequently hospitalized. Reports indicate she had been in the woods for at least two days. Her sister noted that Sonie was covered in mud, had scratches on her arms, and seemed to be in a confused state of mind, barely recognizing her. While her sister mentioned potential mental health issues to the police, the hospital did not find anything wrong. After her release, Sonie went to live with her sister.
The exact date of Sonie Toe's disappearance is reported with some variation. While some sources state she was last seen around 11:00 p.m. on December 26, 2020, others report the last contact as being on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2020, when she left her sister's apartment on Steelwater Road in Lawrenceville. At the time she went missing, she was believed to be wearing a yellow dress and did not have a car. Her cell phone was turned off after she left her sister's home, and she has not been in contact with family or friends since. This lack of communication was considered out of character for the family-oriented young woman.
The investigation into Sonie's disappearance has explored various possibilities. A private investigator hired by her friends believes she may have been a victim of sex trafficking. This theory arose after an incident where Sonie took her sister to a house to retrieve her belongings, and Sonie knew the code to enter the home, suggesting familiarity. In September 2021, nearly a year after she was last seen, a tip surfaced suggesting Sonie had been spotted at a Boost Mobile store in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This prompted her father, Joseph Toe, to travel to the area and distribute flyers. He spoke with several people who believed they had seen his daughter with two other individuals. However, the Myrtle Beach police were unable to find credible evidence to confirm these sightings. Sonie Toe is described as a Black female, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The Gwinnett County Police Department is the primary investigating agency for her case.
Last Seen: Dec 26, 2020
