An Alabama woman has been found safe after she went missing for two years and ceased contact with her family.
Nicole Denise Jackson was 21 years old when she left Birmingham in 2018 to travel to Munich, Germany. She kept in contact with her family for a while before she ceased contact a couple of years ago. The last time they heard from Jackson was Christmas 2018.
“After that, all communication stopped,’’ Ela Vaughn, Jackson’s sister, told Al.com before Jackson was found.
“None of the numbers we had for her were good.”
Jackson’s family received occasional texts for birthdays, but they got no answer when they would call the number. The young woman’s disappearance baffled her family.
“I know this is not like her,’’ Vaughn said. “When I say no one has talked to her, I mean no one.”
The family hired a private investigator in Alabama a couple of weeks ago, who helped them track her down. Jackson’s family thought she was going to Germany to attend college for free but recently learned she went to meet a man she’d met online. The investigator helped Vaughn access her sister’s emails and contact information for the unnamed man. The family contacted his employer and landlord to inquire about Jackson’s whereabouts.
On July 30, they received word that Jackson voluntarily entered a state department and proved her identity. Before hiring the private investigator, Vaughn was preparing to travel to Germany with Antonio Jackson, Nicole’s dad.
Jackson has yet to contact her family, but they’re glad she’s safe.
“I’m more at peace. I’d still like to hear her voice,’’ Vaughn said. “I’m happy to know our prayers have been answers. She’s safe, and she’s OK.”
“She’ll reach out to us when he’s ready,’’ she concluded. “I feel a whole lot better. She will eventually reach out. I know she will. ”
