The Chicago Police Department is looking for a pregnant postal worker who’s been missing since Oct. 2.
Kierra Coles, 26, was last seen on an apartment surveillance camera from outside of her home just two weeks ago. She’s an employee at the United States Postal Service and is about three months pregnant, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The missing woman’s mother, Karen Phillips, said she became concerned after not hearing from her daughter for a few days and her calls going straight to Coles’ voicemail. She reported her daughter missing on Oct. 4.
“I talk to her every day,” said Phillips said. “I knew something was wrong. It’s just not like her.”
(photo credit: Chicago Police Department
Phillips said her daughter’s vehicle has remained parked outside of her apartment building in Chicago’s South Side for the past two weeks. She discovered Coles’ purse and cellphone inside the car.
Regina Kennedy, a family friend, said the victim went to an appointment with her aunt and a friend just hours before she went missing. She expressed that the entire episode seems “so out of character for her, and we’re scared.”
Police said the 26-year-old called out of work on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 3, saying that she didn’t feel well, but on camera she was seen wearing her uniform. Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said they’ve been interviewing people who may have been familiar with Coles’ whereabouts the day she disappeared.
“Leads are very important to us now,” Guglielmi added.
Chicago detectives are looking into possible foul play in connection with Coles.
Phillips told WLS her daughter could have possibly became overwhelmed by everything going in her life, but added that Coles’ planned her pregnancy with her boyfriend once she secured full-time employment.
“Maybe something did happen where she was overcome with a lot, you know when you are pregnant you are emotional,” said Phillips. “I want to say she just went somewhere and didn’t want to tell nobody and then she will just come home but I don’t feel that.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, branch of USPS that investigates crimes against its employees, offered a $25,000 reward on Monday for Coles’ safe return home. Another $2,500 is being offered by the victim’s postal union.
“At this point, anything is possible,” said Julie Kenney, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “We’re just looking for information.”
Phillips and Coles’ father, Joseph Coles, are holding onto hope that they’ll soon find their daughter.
“Everything was looking good for her,” Phillips said. “Everything was how she planned it.”
Coles has a heart tattoo on her right hand. She’s about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.
