Kierra Westine Barnett was 21 when she was last seen by family at her home in the 6700 block of Old Sandhill Road in Edward, North Carolina, on December 20, 2006. Her disappearance was reported to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office on December 25, 2006. Kierra left behind a young son and a family who kept searching as the case went cold.

Investigators noted that criminal activity may have been involved, shifting the inquiry away from a simple runaway. Kierra had a history of substance abuse and mental health struggles and had prior contacts with law enforcement. She is described as a Black female, brown hair, brown eyes, about 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and roughly 125 pounds. She sometimes used the surname Barnette and the given name Kiema.

The circumstances of the evening of December 20 remain unclear and few leads have been reported. If anyone knew Kierra, her movements that week, or has information that could help, please come forward.