Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell, a woman who disappeared Thursday night after dialing 911 from a roadway in Hoover, Alabama, is being searched. A $50,000 reward is now being given for information leading to her location.
Who is Carlee Russell?
Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell is a 25-year-old woman who went missing on Thursday night after she called 911 from a highway in Hoover, Alabama. She disappeared after stopping to check on a young child who was wandering alone along an interstate in Alabama.
Russell is described by the police as being between 150 and 160 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches tall. According to CBS affiliate WIAT in Alabama, she was last seen wearing a black shirt, black trousers, and white Nike sneakers.
When Nichole Russell stepped out of her car to check on the toddler, she had her sister-in-law on the phone with her. Then, a violent cry was heard, and the family member lost contact with Russell shortly thereafter.
When police came, they discovered Russell’s car nearby, along with her mobile phone, purse, wig, and Apple watch. However, neither Russell nor the child were to be found.
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In addition to the $5,000 raised by CrimeStoppers, an anonymous person has offered a total of $20,000 to locate Carlee Russell, according to CBS affiliate WIAT in Alabama. According to WIAT, the Keller Williams family increased the incentive by an extra $25,000, bringing the total to $50,000.
“A single witness has reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle with a light-complected male standing outside of Carlee’s vehicle, but we have no further information on that individual or the vehicle at this time,” Hoover Police Lt. Daniel Lowe said in a news conference Friday. Russell was also on her way home from work after stopping to pick up a meal, according to the police.
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“She’s known to be helpful and she has a big heart,” said Talitha Russell, mother of Carlee. “And she does know not to stop for anyone, even a child on the side of the road. But she did call 911. And I think she kind of let her guard down thinking they were so close. And when she got out of the car, she did tell my daughter-in-law, ‘I can’t just leave this little child on the side of the road.'”
According to Lowe, a significant search involving regional, state, and federal agencies is ongoing. The search effort is also being supported by a large number of volunteers that Russell’s parents gathered.
