Charlottesville Police Issue Missing-Person Alert for 17-Year-Old Nyonna Lashae Minor After She Was Last Seen Tuesday Evening in the City
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Charlottesville police are searching for 17-year-old Nyonna Lashae Minor and have issued a missing-person alert asking the public to help locate her. Police said the teen was last seen Tuesday evening in Charlottesville, and officers want anyone with information to come forward right away.
The alert identifies Minor as a Black female with black hair and brown eyes. Police said she is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. No details were released about where she may have gone after she was last seen, and investigators have not publicly described any circumstances that led to her disappearance.
What police say about the teenager’s description
Authorities released a physical description to help residents recognize Minor if they see her. In addition to her height, weight, hair color and eye color, police said she was last seen wearing a black and gold Duke hoodie, black leggings, and black and white shoes.
The clothing details may be especially useful for people who were in the area Tuesday evening or who may have seen her in the hours after she disappeared. Police are encouraging anyone who spots someone matching that description to contact law enforcement instead of trying to intervene directly.
At this point, officials have not said whether Minor was believed to be alone, whether she had any personal items with her, or whether there are any places she is thought to have visited after being reported missing. Those details have not been made public.
Tuesday evening disappearance prompts a citywide search
The alert says Minor was last seen Tuesday evening in Charlottesville, but police have not narrowed down the exact location. That leaves investigators depending heavily on public tips, witness accounts, and any video or other information that might help track her movements.
Missing-teen cases often move quickly in the first hours and days, when memories are freshest and possible sightings are easier to verify. For that reason, police are asking residents, business owners, and anyone who was out Tuesday evening to review what they may have seen.
People with surveillance systems, dash cameras, or doorbell cameras in the area could also have recordings that help fill in the timeline. Police have not announced any suspects or said there is evidence of foul play.
How residents can help investigators find Nyonna Lashae Minor
Police are asking anyone who has seen Minor or who knows where she may be to contact authorities immediately. Tips from family members, friends, classmates, neighbors, or store workers could all help narrow the search.
Even small details, such as the time she was seen, the direction she was walking, or the vehicle she may have entered, can be important in a missing-person investigation. Officials typically compare those tips with other leads to identify the most credible information first.
Residents who think they may have encountered Minor are urged to preserve any relevant photos, messages, or video rather than deleting them. That kind of information can help investigators establish where she was and when she was last accounted for.
What remains unknown in the case
Police have not released information about why Minor may have been missing or whether she has any known medical concerns. They also have not said whether the case is being handled as a runaway situation, an endangerment case, or another type of missing-person investigation.
No family statement was included in the alert, and investigators have not announced any organized search efforts, volunteer canvasses, or search areas. The public update focuses instead on identifying her and gathering information from anyone who may have seen her.
As of the alert, police had not said whether any new leads had emerged. Officials are expected to rely on continued public assistance until they can confirm her whereabouts.
Why the public description matters in a missing-teen alert
When a teenager is reported missing, the first description released by police can become the most useful tool for getting the word out quickly. Clothing, height, hair color, and other visible features help community members determine whether they have seen the person recently.
In this case, the Duke hoodie and the black-and-white shoes may stand out to people who were in stores, on sidewalks, or in transit Tuesday evening. Police are hoping that someone who noticed Minor will recognize the details now that her photo and description have been shared more widely.
Authorities have not given a timetable for the investigation, but they continue to seek tips from the public. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Charlottesville police.
