New clues in missing UMKC co-ed disappearance
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She was last seen driving towards a QT gas station in Kansas City

Toni Anderson, a 20-year-old University of Missouri-Kansas City student, hasn’t been seen or heard from since January 15. As her family desperately pleads for her safe return, new clues have emerged in her disappearance.

Anderson was last seen at around 4:10 a.m. on 40-Highway in Kansas City, as she left her job at Chrome entertainment bar. She told her co-workers she planned to stop at a gas station on 31st and Southwest Boulevard. Roxanne Townsend, one of Anderson’s friends, said that the last time she heard from her was at exactly 4:42 a.m., via text message, when the missing student got pulled over by police.

“It was exactly 4:42 when she texted me and said, ‘I just got pulled over again.’ She said ‘again’ because she gets pulled over all the time.”

North Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) did indeed stop Anderson before her disappearance, and just before she reached the gas station. According to KCPD spokesperson, Darin Snapp, she was pulled over for a traffic violation.

“Improper lane change is what she was stopped for. She stated to the officer that she was almost out of gas. There’s a QuikTrip real close. So the officer just told her, you know, ‘there’s a gas station right there,’ gave her a warning for the violation, and watched her actually go to the QuikTrip and that’s the last we have seen of her.”

Anderson’s ATM card was used at the gas station, but her GPS system stopped working while still at the station. It’s possible that someone could have dismantled it. Snapp said at this point, there’s no evidence that indicates foul play, but at the same time, her disappearance is “very concerning.”

Authorities are looking through video surveillance and using license plate readers in hopes of locating her. They’re also talking to friends, family, and anyone else who has any information at all to give, no matter how small.

Anderson was said to be on her way to the adult entertainment club, Shady Lady, but never made it. KMBC reports that her phone stayed on until around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.

In the meantime, her family and boyfriend created a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds to hire a qualified private investigator and to set aside “reward money” for anyone who can lead authorities to her whereabouts. So far the campaign has raised $9,710. Her parents said that she’s never went more than a day without checking in, and her classes were already lined up for school; she was scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Toni Anderson is a white female, stands between 5-foot-four inches or 5-foot-5 inches, and weighs around 140 pounds. She has blonde hair and green eyes, and was last seen driving a black 2014 Ford Focus, with license plate number 989 GAX.

Anyone with any information should call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.

[Feature Photo: Handout]