Authorities reported that Lauren Winstead went missing while traveling to her aunt’s home for a Thanksgiving dinner on November 28, 2024. Her family and friends have continued to pray for her safe return.
The Collierville Police reported that the 27-year-old left the house in Yazoo County, Mississippi, for a dinner event in the next town. She was driving a 2025 black Nissan Altima.
Moreover, surveillance footage showed her passing through the highway before her car disappeared from the records.
Family members mentioned that Winstead has a mental condition that impairs her judgment under challenging conditions. The Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of the situation.
Further, one of her friends, Brooke Dial, confirmed Winstead’s disappearance with her mom and stepmother. They revealed that the missing woman had turned off her phone and couldn’t be contacted through text or call.
However, she noted that there weren’t any suspicious activities on her bank account or social media. Officials have yet to determine her location as the investigation is ongoing.
Additionally, Dial claimed Lauren Winstead went missing while wearing her home clothes. She is approximately 5 feet and 7 inches tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Officials have put her at high risk as Winstead didn’t reveal any intention of leaving her home. Her family members have circulated pamphlets on social media, which have received thousands of shares.
Lauren Winstead was a religious person and often shared verses from the Bible!
Winstead was an easy-going person who often brought light into people’s lives. Her friends have described her as bright, charismatic, and kind.
A native of Washington D.C., Winstead had moved to Virginia to focus on her education at the William & Mary Institution. After taking a well-deserved break, she joined The University of Mississippi.
Moreover, Winstead graduated on May 13, 2020, and shared pictures from the celebration on her Facebook.
Later, she started working on renovation projects, which managed furniture repair and upholstery around the city and promoted her business among her 4.6k friends on the platform.
Apart from her education and career, Winstead enjoyed her leisure time by traveling. She recently visited Hong Kong and Thailand. Moreover, she raised funds for Hong Kong during the recent democratic protests.
Additionally, she believed God had her back at every moment of her life and often encouraged others to follow the Bible’s teachings.
Users have prayed for Winstead’s safety, as one wrote, “Please pray that Lauren E Winstead is found safe and sound! Please contact her family if you spot her around her last location.“
Meanwhile, many confused Winstead with another case that occurred in June 2022. The confusion arose as the victims shared the same name and came from nearby areas.
However, authorities solved the case a month later as the victim’s body was retrieved five miles downriver from the Bosher’s Dam.
Additional Information
- Authorities have urged anyone with information on Lauren Winstead to contact the Yazoo Country Mississippi and Crisis Line at (662) 746-8668 or (662) 746-5712.
- Lauren Winstead never reached her destination, and search officials speculate that she might have taken a different route to Collierville or Neshoba County.
