The search continues for a Texas woman who went missing in 2021.
Cynthia Bah-Traore was last seen in Grandview, where she worked as a substitute teacher. Bah-Traore’s family mostly lived in Nebraska, but her son mentioned that she had not been home in two days — leading them to talk to her estranged husband, according to NBC.
The estranged husband allegedly told Bah-Traore’s younger sister that she was in the hospital. However, the sister claimed she called the hospital and a nurse informed her Bah-Traore was not a patient. Bah-Traore’s mother reported her missing the next day.
Nine days later, Bah-Traore’s car was found abandoned along Interstate 35 near Waco. The vehicle was discovered during a historic winter storm. Police said the car battery was dead, it had no gas, and Bah-Traore’s purse was not inside, according to KXAS.
Family also mentioned Bah-Traore’s mental health issues which date back to 2013. They believe she was experiencing mental health issues on February 3, 2021, when surveillance footage showed her walking around a convenience store before her car was spotted driving away.
Bah-Traore’s also noted that she had no ties to Waco, making it unclear why her car was discovered there. Bah-Traore has two sons, one who was living with her in Crowley, and her eldest who was staying with his father 20 minutes away in Fort Worth.
The FBI is assisting in the ongoing search, but Crowley police Lieutenant Michael Tate told NBC that their leads have been exhausted.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Bah-Traore, who was described as standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 160 lbs. She was last seen wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, black pants, and grey and white shoes.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should call Crowley police at 817-297-2276.
Bah-Traore’s case is being covered as part of CrimeOnline’s “Finding the Lost: Black and Missing” series, which will feature a missing Black person every day in February. The full series can be read here.