#BringThemHome – Diet Coke and Hair-Spray

A Step Forward in the Fight for the Missing

If If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know how deeply I care about missing persons cases. I’ve spent countless hours researching, writing, and advocating for those who have vanished, and for the families left behind searching for answers. When I heard that Wyoming passed Senate File 114 (SF 114), a law aimed at standardizing how missing persons cases are handled, I felt something I don’t always get to feel when writing about these cases: hope.

On February 27, 2025, Wyoming took a major step toward improving how it responds to missing persons reports. It might seem like a dry administrative change, but in reality, it’s a lifeline for families who have long been met with confusion and delays when trying to report a loved one missing. In a state known for its vast wilderness and small, spread-out communities, those delays can mean the difference between a safe return and a cold case.

Why This Law Was Needed

For too long, Wyoming lacked a consistent approach to handling missing persons reports. Families trying to file reports often faced unnecessary roadblocks. Some agencies would accept cases right away, while others refused due to outdated policies. Imagine the heartbreak of knowing someone you love is missing and being told that law enforcement won’t even take the report. That was a painful reality for many families, and this law finally addresses it.

Wyoming’s remote landscape adds even more urgency. When someone disappears, it isn’t always about reviewing camera footage or pinging a phone. It’s miles of open land, unpredictable weather, and a race against time. Indigenous communities especially have suffered, seeing loved ones go missing with little to no law enforcement response. The need for change has been clear for far too long.

What the New Law Does

Senate File 114 introduces key safeguards to prevent cases from being ignored or delayed:

Mandatory Acceptance of Missing Person Reports
All law enforcement agencies in Wyoming must now accept any credible missing person report. No refusals. No delay.
Time-Sensitive Data Entry
Once a report is filed, agencies must enter the individual’s information into state and national databases within eight hours. This requirement removes the wait and ensures faster coordination.
Clear Jurisdiction Guidelines
The agency responsible for the case is now clearly defined. If the person’s last known location is confirmed, that jurisdiction takes the lead. If not, it defaults to where the individual last lived. This clarity stops cases from getting bounced between agencies.
Centralized Case Management
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will serve as the central hub for all missing persons records. This ensures consistent documentation and easier communication between departments.
Ongoing Oversight for Long-Term Cases
If someone remains missing after 30 days, the case must be compiled into a full investigative file and submitted to the Attorney General and the DCI. This ensures continued oversight and attention.

What This Means for Families and Law Enforcement

For families, this law is life-changing. They no longer have to fight just to open a case. The burden is no longer on them to navigate a flawed system.

For law enforcement, this removes confusion. It outlines clear responsibilities and creates enforceable steps. Officers now have the structure they need to act quickly and consistently, without inter-agency conflict or interpretation.

A Step Toward a Better Future

This law is part of a growing movement to improve how missing persons cases are handled across the country. Some states have already implemented similar changes, but many still lag behind. While this is a victory for Wyoming, it also signals the beginning of what still needs to be done nationwide.

I’ve covered far too many cases where time was lost due to red tape. I’ve read accounts from families who begged for help and were turned away. Seeing this law pass gives me hope that momentum is building. Maybe, one day, no family will be left to suffer in silence when someone they love goes missing.

To every advocate, lawmaker, family member, and leader who fought for this legislation, thank you. This win belongs to you. And to every person still waiting for answers, please know that your story matters.

If you or someone you know has struggled to file a missing person report in the past, feel free to share your experience in the comments. Your voice deserves to be heard.

xoxo
-S

This week marks the six-year anniversary of the disappearance of Kierra Coles, a pregnant 26-year-old postal worker from Chicago. On October 2, 2018, Kierra was last seen walking near her apartment, and despite ongoing investigations, she has not been seen since.

Her family, friends, and community continue to seek answers, as the pain of her absence remains as fresh as the day she vanished. Six years later, we reflect not only on Kierra’s life but also on the relentless search for justice and closure.

Timeline of Events Summary

Kierra was last seen on surveillance footage walking past her car on the night of October 2, 2018. The footage shows her in her postal worker uniform, even though she was off duty that day. After this sighting, she vanished without a trace. Her car was later found outside her apartment with her purse, phone, and lunch inside.

The last person to have spoken to Kierra was her boyfriend, with whom she had a somewhat rocky relationship. He was cooperative in the beginning but has since moved out of state, adding to the complexity of the case.

October 2, 2018 – Kierra Coles was last seen on surveillance footage at around 10:43 PM, walking near her apartment on the South Side of Chicago. The footage shows Kierra dressed in her postal worker uniform, even though she had called in sick that day and was not on duty. This has raised questions about why she was wearing her uniform.

Earlier in the day, Kierra was reportedly seen withdrawing money from an ATM. She seemed calm and went about her business without any sign of distress. Her car was found parked outside her apartment with her personal belongings inside, including her purse, phone, and lunch. The presence of these items suggests she did not plan to be gone for long.

Timeline of Events Breakdown

October 3, 2018 – Kierra’s family became concerned when she failed to show up for work and didn’t answer calls or messages. Her mother, Karen Phillips, went to Kierra’s apartment to check on her. Finding no sign of Kierra and her car still parked outside, Karen filed a missing persons report with the Chicago Police Department.

October 4-5, 2018 – Chicago police began investigating Kierra’s disappearance. They checked surveillance footage from Kierra’s neighborhood, which provided the last known sighting of her. Investigators also interviewed friends, family, and Kierra’s boyfriend, who was cooperative at the time but has since moved out of state.

October 11, 2018 – The United States Postal Service (USPS), Kierra’s employer, offered a reward of $25,000 for information leading to her whereabouts. Kierra’s family also raised additional funds, bringing the total reward to $49,500. Despite the large reward, no solid leads emerged.

November 2018 – Searches were conducted in several locations around Chicago, including nearby forests and rivers. Kierra’s family organized vigils and canvassed the neighborhood, passing out flyers in hopes of finding new information.

2019-2020 – As time passed, Kierra’s case gained more media attention, but no significant developments occurred. Investigators have not publicly named any suspects or persons of interest. Kierra’s family, particularly her mother, has remained vocal and persistent in keeping her name in the public eye, holding vigils and using social media to appeal for information.

2021-Present – While Kierra’s case remains open, there have been no major breakthroughs. Chicago police continue to classify her disappearance as a missing person investigation. Her family continues to search for answers, refusing to give up hope.

Investigation Efforts

Chicago police and Kierra’s family quickly launched searches and public appeals for information. Despite surveillance footage and a few promising leads, Kierra’s case has grown cold. The fact that she was pregnant at the time of her disappearance has only added to the urgency for answers.

The postal service and community members even raised a $49,500 reward for information leading to her whereabouts, but it hasn’t generated any new solid leads.

Theories Surrounding Kierra’s Disappearance

Foul Play by Someone Close
Many have speculated that Kierra’s disappearance involved foul play, particularly someone she knew. Attention has fallen on her boyfriend, with whom she was reportedly arguing in the days leading up to her disappearance. While no concrete evidence has linked him to her disappearance, the fact that he has since moved away without further cooperation in the case raises questions.
Random Act of Violence
Chicago has faced its share of violence, and there’s the theory that Kierra may have fallen victim to a random act. Though the neighborhood where she disappeared wasn’t known for high crime rates, there’s always the possibility that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Voluntary Disappearance
A less likely theory is that Kierra disappeared on her own volition. Those who knew her, particularly her family, strongly dismiss this idea, as Kierra had been excited about her pregnancy and looking forward to her future.
Human Trafficking
Sadly, human trafficking is a theory that often emerges in missing women cases, particularly in major cities like Chicago. While there’s no direct evidence to support this, it remains one of the darker possibilities that investigators have not completely ruled out.

Impact on Family and Community

Kierra’s family, particularly her mother, has been relentless in keeping her name in the public eye. They’ve held vigils, led searches, and continue to push for answers. Kierra’s mother has publicly stated that she knows someone out there knows what happened to her daughter, and she is determined to find out.

Her disappearance has also brought attention to the disproportionately high number of missing Black women and the lack of media coverage in such cases. This has spurred conversations about why cases like Kierra’s don’t receive the same national attention as others.

Current Status

Despite several years passing since her disappearance, the case remains open, and authorities are still seeking information. Kierra Coles has not been forgotten by her family, the Chicago community, or those following her story. Every day without answers is a day her family remains in agony, but they hold onto hope that Kierra will be found and that justice will be served.

Who to Contact

If you have any information about the disappearance of Kierra Coles, please contact the Chicago Police Department at (312) 747-8274 or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455. You can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

xoxo
-S

As an amateur true crime writer, I strive to provide accurate and well-researched information. However, please be aware that I am not a professional investigator or journalist, and my work is based on available sources and my understanding of the case. There may be inaccuracies or incomplete details in my posts. I encourage readers to seek out additional sources and verify information from official and professional channels. Thank you for your understanding and support.