The online community is rallying behind the family of Taylor Maras, a missing West Virginia University student who disappeared from Pittsburgh airport on Sunday, January 28, 2024. In a Facebook post, Liz Gamble-Maras, the mother of the missing student, revealed that her daughter was last seen at the Pittsburgh airport wearing a teal baseball cap on Sunday.
While the circumstances surrounding Taylor's disappearance are unknown, her mother revealed that police suspect a possible sex/human trafficking scenario in the case. Liz Gamble also told Maras that it was unusual for her daughter to suddenly leave for college without her cell phone and car.
In an update issued early Tuesday, Liz revealed that authorities, including the FBI, have confirmed that Taylor boarded a plane on Sunday at the Pittsburgh airport. However, the destination is still unknown. Authorities have reportedly narrowed the locations to Charleston, South Carolina, and Tampa, Florida.
“We have received confirmation that she was at the airport and boarded a plane….We are working to confirm where and if anyone was seen traveling with her (potential areas of interest are Charleston SC and Tampa FL).” We will continue to update as we get more information.”
West Virginia University senior Taylor Maras is described as a white female with blue eyes and brown hair.
Taylor Meras's disappearance post has been shared more than ten thousand times
On Monday, January 29, Liz Gamble Maras, the mother of West Virginia University student Taylor Maras, took to social media to demand information that could lead to the whereabouts of her missing daughter in the wake of a suspicious disappearance.
Liz noted that it was unusual for her daughter to simply disappear without notifying her friends. She also stated that Taylor left behind her belongings, including her car and dog, something she rarely did. Liz requested information on her daughter's whereabouts and also revealed that authorities believe her daughter may be a victim of human trafficking.
Liz said in her Facebook post:
“My daughter is missing… She was last seen at the Pittsburgh airport wearing a teal baseball cap. 1/28/2024. Leaving everything and everyone behind. He'd never done anything like this before. She's a senior at West Virginia University… A police report has been filed and they suspect possible human trafficking. If anyone sees her, please report it to the police.”
In response to this appeal, the online community rallied behind Taylor's concerned mother and helped get the message out about her disappearance. The post has been shared more than ten thousand times at the time of writing this story. Many people also flooded her post with supportive comments, praying for her safe return. One social media user, Erin Thomas, commented:
“I'm so sorry Liz. I've shared this with all my friends I went to school with or worked with in Pittsburgh.
Her friend Sherri Tapley shared the message on her timeline and asked people to amplify the post so Taylor Maras can be safely located.
“This is my dear friend, Liz's missing daughter. You all know that Liz is my partner in the rescue mission. Please share so that she can return home safely.
The post was also shared by a Facebook group, “Missing Persons, Cold Cases and Human Trafficking,” with more than a hundred thousand followers. The group urged anyone with information about Taylor Maras to contact police at (304) 284-7522.
