Rita Marie Shaw, 44, disappeared from her home in the 4700 block of Cerise Street in New Orleans on April 1, 2011. She was last seen at home by her boyfriend, and her mother reported her missing after Rita failed to contact family. It is not known whether Rita left on her own or was picked up; no communication has been received from her since that day.

Rita was described as a Black female, 5 feet 9 inches, about 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, a scar on her back and possibly another on her right wrist. She lived with schizophrenia and needed medication; family reported she sometimes self-medicated with drugs and alcohol when off her prescriptions. Her brother called her a solid person who would give you the shirt off her back.

Investigative progress stalled over the years. Detectives have changed over time, and by late 2021 the family said they had not had an update in nearly five years.

If anyone knew Rita, her routines, or movements around April 1, 2011, please share information that might help her family find answers.