Overview

Lashaya Nae Stine was sixteen years old when she went missing from Aurora, Colorado, on July 15, 2016. She left her home around 2:00 AM, taking only the clothes she was wearing and leaving behind her wallet, keys, phone charger, and other belongings. According to Lashaya’s mother, she suspects Lashaya left to meet a boy whom she believed was a bad influence. At the time, Lashaya was a straight-A student attending George Washington High School.
Lashaya was last seen on video in the area of E. Montview Boulevard and N. Peoria Street in the early morning hours around 2:23am. She had a job interview scheduled for July 16th but never arrived and has not been seen since. Her mother believes Lashaya may have been forced into trafficking. There was a reported sighting of a girl resembling Lashaya in the Colfax Avenue area; witnesses indicated that the girl appeared to be drugged and was being forced into prostitution. Unfortunately, by the time police followed up on this lead, the woman was gone.peared.

Detailed Case Breakdown

Lashaya Nae Stine: The Disappearance That Continues to Puzzle Investigators

On July 15, 2016, 16-year-old Lashaya Nae Stine disappeared from Aurora, Colorado, after quietly leaving her family’s home during the early morning hours. Nearly a decade later, her case remains unsolved, with investigators from the Aurora Police Department and the FBI continuing to seek information from the public.

Lashaya was considered an exceptional student with ambitious plans for her future. She attended George Washington High School, was an honor roll student, and had aspirations of becoming a nurse. She was also preparing for a medical internship and was scheduled to attend a job interview the day after she disappeared. According to investigators, she never arrived for that interview and has never contacted her family again.

What Happened?

According to investigators, Lashaya left her residence around 2:00 a.m. on July 15, 2016. Surveillance cameras later captured her walking alone near East Montview Boulevard and North Peoria Street in Aurora. The footage is the last confirmed sighting of her.

Her disappearance immediately raised concerns because she left behind many personal belongings, including items she likely would have needed if she intended to leave voluntarily. She also failed to appear for an important job interview later that day.

Investigators have never publicly identified a suspect, and no evidence has confirmed whether Lashaya left willingly or became the victim of foul play.

Investigation

The Aurora Police Department initially handled the investigation, which was later joined by the FBI Denver Field Office due to the complexity of the case.

Over the years, detectives have followed hundreds of leads. Numerous tips suggested Lashaya may have been seen in Colorado and neighboring states. Some reports claimed she may have become involved in human trafficking, although authorities have never confirmed those reports as fact. Investigators continue to treat those tips as unverified leads rather than established evidence.

One of the largest investigative efforts occurred in November 2020, when the FBI and Aurora Police executed a multi-day search at a residence on Lansing Street in Aurora. The search generated significant public interest but ultimately produced no publicly announced breakthrough.

Family’s Search for Answers

Lashaya’s mother, Sabrina Jones, has remained one of the strongest advocates for keeping the case in the public eye. She has repeatedly urged anyone with information—no matter how insignificant it may seem—to contact investigators.

Over the years, the family has participated in interviews, awareness campaigns, podcasts, and television features in hopes that renewed attention will generate new leads.

Latest Investigation Information

As of the latest publicly available updates:

Authorities have not announced any arrests, identified any suspects, or disclosed evidence indicating the case has been solved.

The FBI Denver Field Office continues to actively investigate Lashaya’s disappearance alongside the Aurora Police Department.

Investigators continue to request tips from anyone who may have seen Lashaya or has information about her whereabouts.

Lashaya remains listed as a missing person by the FBI, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Age-progressed images have been released to reflect what Lashaya may look like today.

————————————————

Lashaya Nae Stine was sixteen years old when she went missing from Aurora, Colorado, on July 15, 2016. She left her home around 2:00 AM, taking only the clothes she was wearing and leaving behind her wallet, keys, phone charger, and other belongings. According to Lashaya’s mother, she suspects Lashaya left to meet a boy whom she believed was a bad influence. At the time, Lashaya was a straight-A student attending George Washington High School.

Lashaya was last seen on video in the area of E. Montview Boulevard and N. Peoria Street in the early morning hours around 2:23am. She had a job interview scheduled for July 16th but never arrived and has not been seen since. Her mother believes Lashaya may have been forced into trafficking. There was a reported sighting of a girl resembling Lashaya in the Colfax Avenue area; witnesses indicated that the girl appeared to be drugged and was being forced into prostitution. Unfortunately, by the time police followed up on this lead, the woman was gone.

According to The Charlie Project, Lashaya may have also been spotted in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as in the states of Kansas, New Mexico, and Arizona. She had dreams of becoming a nurse and had been accepted for an internship at the University of Colorado Hospital.

This year marks nine years since Lashaya went missing, and her family still has no answers. At the time of her disappearance, Lashaya stood 5’6” tall and weighed approximately 150 pounds. She has black hair, brown eyes, and a quarter-sized round scar on her chest. Her hair was styled in cornrows at the time. It is possible she may have lost weight after her disappearance.

Lashaya was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, black stonewashed jeans, silver hoop earrings, and a silver watch on her left wrist. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Lashaya Stine, please contact the Aurora Police Department at 303-627-3100.