The family of Sydney West announced on Monday that they are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to her return.
West, originally from Chapel Hill, has been missing since September 30 in the San Francisco area, where she lives with friends. The release from West’s family states that she was last seen at 6:45 a.m. on the Golden Gate Bridge.
The West family hired a private investigator and dozens of tips have been followed up on, but none have led to Sydney’s whereabouts. She last spoke to her family on September 29 — the night before her disappearance. Her phone, social media and bank accounts have not been used since her disappearance.
“We know that there was a lot of pedestrian, car and bicycle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge the morning Sydney disappeared. Someone may have seen something — any piece of information could help lead us to Sydney. We are now hoping that a reward might encourage someone to provide information that is helpful in finding her,” said her parents, Kimberly and Jay West.
“Not knowing where she is is unbearable and every parent’s worst nightmare. To our family, including her younger sister, her grandparents, her friends and everyone whose life she touched–including those who never even met her but know of her ‘story’, we’ve had such an outpouring of love and support throughout this horrific ordeal. We just want her to come home.”
Also known as “Syd,” Sydney West is described as being 5-foot-10, weighing 130 pounds and possibly carrying a black backpack. She’s believed to have last been wearing as potentially wearing dark leggings and a teal sweatshirt, with her light brown hair in a ponytail or bun and wearing Vans shoes.
“The best thing that we can do is raise awareness and really try to drive up the volume for our search,” said Jay West at a vigil on October 15, “and let as many people know as we can that can see her and report information to the tip line that’s in San Francisco, at the police department.”
Private investigator Scott Dudek can be contacted at 925-705-8328. The $10,000 reward will expire on April 1, 2021.
San Francisco authorities can be contacted at a 24-hour tip line at 415-575-4444. Authorities encourage anyone to call if they have information regarding West’s current whereabouts or activity on September 30.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone in North Carolina who may have had recent contact with Sydney to call Investigator Ashley Woodlief at 919-245-2909.
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