Search Continues For Florida Woman Missing In Rural South Carolina

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Authorities are urgently seeking the public’s help in locating Jessica Rapsys, a 27-year-old woman from Jacksonville, Florida, who has been reported missing in Allendale County, South Carolina.

Rapsys was last seen in the Allendale area on the evening of August 13, 2024 – sometime between 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. EST. She was on her way to visit her aunt, reportedly, but “got lost while on her way.”

“Her aunt was trying to meet her halfway, but Jessica never showed up,” a missing persons flyer posted in the aftermath of Rapsys’ disappearance noted.

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On Tuesday evening at approximately 9:15 p.m. EDT, Rapsys’ vehicle was discovered by authorities with the keys still inside it near Martin, S.C. – an unincorporated community centered approximately four miles northeast of the Savannah River. Rapsys’ vehicle was discovered near the railroad tracks on private property belonging to Creek Plantation, a 14,000-acre horse, cattle and timber concern which straddles the banks of the Savannah.

Her vehicle was still “warm,” according to police… but Rapsys was nowhere to be found.

In addition to local law enforcement, agents of the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) have been assisting in the search.

“We have very little details as far as who, what, when, where and how,” Allendale County sheriff’s lieutenant Steven Robinson told The (Barnwell, S.C.) People-Sentinel. “We do need the public’s assistance. We located her vehicle out on Creek Plantation. We requested Hampton’s bloodhounds, they responded and did get a track but they were unable to locate anything. The SLED tracking team came down with the same results.”

Three helicopters – including two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aircraft stationed at the nearby Savannah River Site – searched for five-and-a-half hours for Rapsys on Wednesday to no avail.

Rapsys has been described as petite and “several years younger looking” than her age, with blonde hair and brown eyes. Authorities do not know what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance.

Individuals who may have witnessed any unusual activity – or may have have seen Rapsys – are encouraged to contact the Allendale Police Department at 803-584-7067 or the Allendale County Sheriff’s Office at 803-584-2184. They can also submit information through Crimestoppers or by phone at 1-888-CRIMESC (1-888-274-6372).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Callie Lyons is a journalist, researcher and author. Her 2007 book ‘Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal’ was the first to cover forever chemicals and their impact on communities – a story later told in the movie ‘Dark Waters’. Her investigative work has been featured in media outlets, publications, and documentaries all over the world. Lyons also appears in ‘Citizen Sleuth’ – a 2023 documentary exploring the genre of true crime.

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