Venika Williams, a 28-year-old mother of four, was last seen in Newark, New Jersey, on December 22, 2017. She worked as a hairstylist from her home on Dewey Street and was reportedly headed to Jersey City for a hair appointment that day; it is unclear whether she ever reached that destination. The last contact with her family was a text claiming she was in Jersey City and being held against her will by a man. No further communication followed.

At the time she disappeared she was wearing a black leather coat, a red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, red sneakers, and carrying a red purse. She is described as a Black female with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 3 inches tall and about 140 pounds, with a tattoo reading Tanesha on her left hand and SAMIR on her right arm.

Venika’s then-boyfriend was later convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for stealing nearly $20,000 in disability benefits intended for one of her children; six days after Venika vanished he changed the PIN on her debit card and accessed funds for more than two years. It is not publicly known whether he is considered a suspect in her disappearance. The case remains unsolved. If anyone knew Venika, saw her on December 22, 2017, or has information about her whereabouts, please come forward.