Writing a Missing Person Story > An initial missing person story

1			Write a 300-word story based on the following information: Enan Abo-Khila, 29, of 601 Ash, is missing. She was last seen by her brother, whom she lives with, about 5 a.m. Friday, according to Det. James Washburn of the Erie Police Department. Washburn wants to get the word out to the public in case anybody knows where Abo-Khila is. Washburn asks if you could invite readers to call the Erie police detective division at 870-1150 if they have any information that might be useful in finding Abo-Khila. Abo-Khila is about 5 feet tall with a medium build, dark complexion and black hair. She didn't take any belongings or personal papers, such as her passport and driver's permit, with her when she left. "And her stuff is still at home, so it's not like she was running away from anything," Washburn said. Abo-Khila is an Iraqi woman who has been in Erie for six months and speaks little English, "She has two brothers and a sister in the Erie area, and none of them have heard from her," Washburn said. She was supposed to walk to the International Institute, 517 E. 26th, for English classes Thursday morning but never showed up, Washburn said. Washburn said: "We have no reason to believe that foul play is involved right now. The house showed no signs of forced entry, and there were no signs of a struggle there. But considering the Iraqi culture, it does not suggest that she would walk away somewhere by herself. Women from that culture just don't do that." Washburn tells you there is "the language barrier" to contend with because, apparently, Abo-Khila does not speak English well. If she got lost, he says, she "would have trouble even telling someone where she lives. It could be a case where someone out there is trying to help her, but because of the language barrier, can't."