Family raises alarm as Calgary police search for missing woman
Posted Mar 6, 2024 9:53 am.
Last Updated Mar 7, 2024 10:27 am.
Calgary police are asking for help from the public to find a woman reported missing last week, though she hasn’t been seen for some time.
Chelsea, 29, was last seen on Saturday, Feb 17, according to investigators.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the woman’s family contacted police after not being able to get in touch with her.
Police say despite taking several steps to find Chelsea, investigators haven’t been able to confirm her last known location.
Chelsea’s family and police are concerned for her well-being.
Lacey Melvin is the woman’s aunt, and says the last time Chelsea was seen, she was getting out of an Uber or taxi in Rundle and going into someone’s house, but her family doesn’t know what house, or who the house belongs to.
“I totally believe she’s in danger,” Melvin said. “This is abnormal for Chelsea, she reaches out to her sister every day. They did have a recent fight but it’s not normal for her to hold a grudge against her sister.”
Her family believes Chelsea may have been taken against her will and is in a lot of danger. Melvin says Chelsea has been in sex trafficking before, but has always tried to be safe.
Now, concerns are arising that the woman may not even be in Calgary anymore.
“Our family is very stressed and very very worried. Chelsea has a little girl that wants her mommy to come home,” she continued. “We’re not telling her very much, but she just misses her mommy very much.”
Kate Price is the executive director of the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking, she says in most cases, victims often know their traffickers.
“However, there are still cases present where there is an organized crime element or something along those lines, it’s just less common than knowing your trafficker,” she said.
Earlier this week, a post was made to Instagram suggesting someone saw Chelsea at the Calgary International Airport with two men.
Calgary police say it investigated the allegation and don’t believe it is legitimate.
Chelsea is 5’7″ tall and 120 pounds with a slim build, blonde hair, and brown eyes. Chelsea also wears glasses and has multiple tattoos on her face and chest.
The Calgary Police Service no longer shares the last names of people reported missing or shares details on whether any of those individuals are found deceased.
The service said this change was brought forward by its missing persons team after feedback from families and those who have been found safe.
Anyone with information on the woman’s disappearance is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.
