OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — A worried mother in Oakland is pleading for answers after her 21-year-old daughter, Heaven McGee, disappeared more than five months ago.
The mother, Tamisha, says her daughter has been missing since January 2023, and despite the efforts of authorities, the mystery of her disappearance continues to weigh heavily on the family.
“I will never stop searching for my baby until I know exactly where my daughter is,” said Tamisha, her voice filled with anguish.
The Disappearance
Tamisha last saw her daughter on January 17, and McGee was last seen again on January 20 in Stockton. Six days later, after failing to hear from her daughter, Tamisha reported her missing to Oakland Police.
Since then, the Oakland Police Department has been working in close collaboration with federal investigators to follow up on cellphone data and other investigative leads.
The search for McGee has taken law enforcement to Solano and San Joaquin counties, but so far, there have been no definitive answers.
Authorities Believe McGee May Be a Victim of Human Trafficking
During a press conference on Wednesday, investigators revealed that they believe Heaven McGee is a victim of human trafficking.
Authorities indicated that the commercial corridor of Stockton was where McGee was last seen, though no further details have been provided.
Oakland Police Acting Deputy Chief Nicholas Calonge reassured the public that they have not given up on finding McGee. “I want her family, our community, and anyone who can hear my voice to know that we have not given up or forgotten about her,” he said.
FBI Joins Investigation
The FBI is also involved in the search, and Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani emphasized the importance of finding McGee, not just as a missing person but as a daughter and loved one.
“Heaven is more than a missing person case file. She is a daughter, a loved one, and a young woman who deserves to be found and brought home to her family,” Virmani stated.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help solve the case.
Turning to the Public for Help
Investigators are now reaching out to the community for help. Oakland Police Officer Bradley Sides said, “We don’t know everything, so we’re asking the community — whatever piece you have that could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need to bring Heaven home.”
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What You Can Do
Anyone with information about Heaven McGee’s disappearance or any leads related to the case is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department or the FBI. The community’s involvement could be the key to bringing McGee home and providing answers to her devastated family.
What Do You Think?
How can the community help in cases like these? Should more attention be given to the growing issue of human trafficking in local communities? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
