Paighton Houston

Where is Paighton Houston? $10K reward, vigil held for missing woman who texted she ‘felt in trouble’ after disappearing [UPDATE]

Family and friends of missing Alabama woman Paighton Houston gathered for a vigil this weekend and prayed for her safe return.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Houston, 29, left the Tin Roof bar on 7th Avenue South in Birmingham at around 10:45 p.m on December 20. According to Sgt. Johnny Williams with the Birmingham Police Department, she may have left the bar willingly with two men.

“Paighton Houston was last seen at approximately 10:45 p.m. at the Tin Roof located in the 2700 block of 7th Avenue South,” Williams said. “She was last seen leaving the location with two heavy set black males. It was reported that Paighton appeared to have left the location willingly with the two males.”

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Friends posted on social media that Paighton didn’t know the men she left with. She sent a text message to a friend indicating that she could be in trouble.

“idk who im with so if I call please answer. I feel in trouble,” the text message said, according to Trussville Tribune.

There has been limited information on Houston’s disappearance. It’s unclear whether she was actually seen on security footage at the bar and it’s unclear who she reportedly left the bar with. Authorities have not named any suspects in the case and have not publicly released any security footage.

[Family Handout]
“We’re pretty much in the same place that we were when we first reported her missing,’’ Birmingham police Sgt. Johnny Williams told Al.com last week. “We don’t have any other leads. We’ve exhausted the ones we’ve had to this point, but we’ll continue to investigate and try to develop new leads.”

Williams reportedly added that Paighton’s disappearance is a “strange” case. He wouldn’t confirm if he felt that foul play was involved.

Loved ones held a vigil at the Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville, where they handed out candles and “Prayers for Paighton” bracelets.

“Every time you see this bracelet it just takes one little light to overcome the whole darkness,” pastor Vaughn Stafford said at the vigil.

On Friday, Governor Kay Ivey issued a $5,000 reward for valid information in connection with the case. Crime Stoppers is also offering a $5,000 cash reward for valid information.

Paighton stands 5-feet-2-inches tall and weighs around 123 pounds. She was last seen wearing a coral-colored T-shirt, blue Converse shoes and ripped blue jeans. She has a tattoo on her lower right arm that says “faith,” and a tattoo on her left arm that says “stren;th” (the g is replaced with a semicolon), on top of an arrow.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Birmingham Police Department at 205-2978413 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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[Feature Photo: Paighton Houston/Handout]