The family of Jahnay Bryan, a 23-year-old Cornell University graduate, is pleading for answers as they continue the search for their loved one, who has been missing since Oct. 16.
Jahnay was last seen near West 8th Street in Los Angeles at around 9 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Jahnay’s disappearance is particularly haunting for her family, as her sister, Jahque Bryan-Gooden, revealed that Jahnay had previously expressed fears about going missing.
“Being a Black girl and getting trafficked, or someone kidnapping her—those were her biggest fears,” Jahque said in an interview with Dateline. “She vividly told a friend, ‘If something ever happens to me, find me.’”
On the day she vanished, Jahnay reportedly sent an unusual email to her ex-boyfriend proposing marriage and referencing work with a city department.
Her sister described the message as out of character and grammatically incoherent, raising concerns about Jahnay’s state of mind.
Unanswered Questions and Frustration with the Investigation
Jahnay’s path to Los Angeles is unclear. After graduating from Cornell University, she briefly returned to Pennsylvania before losing regular contact with her family.
An email sent to her ex-boyfriend in August mentioned her plans to relocate, but Jahnay’s sudden disappearance two months later has left her loved ones searching for answers.
Jahque expressed frustration with the investigation, claiming at least nine witnesses reported seeing Jahnay in Los Angeles, yet there have been no significant updates.
Volunteers from the Black and Missing Foundation are now assisting the family, organizing community search efforts to find Jahnay.
Former Senator Steven Bradford highlighted the disparity in attention given to missing Black youth, who make up 40% of missing persons cases despite being only 15% of the youth population.
“When Black young women and children disappear, resources are not committed to find them,” Bradford said, contrasting Jahnay’s case with that of Hannah Kobayashi, a White woman whose disappearance garnered widespread media attention and swift resolution.
A Bright Future Interrupted
Jahque described her sister as “brilliant, caring, and a natural leader,” explaining how uncharacteristic it is for Jahnay to go off the grid.
“To know that people who care for her the most haven’t heard from her—it’s scary. It’s not like her,” Jahque shared.
Police describe Jahnay as a Black female with black hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 125 pounds, and was last seen in Los Angeles.
Call for Help
Anyone with information about Jahnay Bryan’s whereabouts is urged to contact the LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800.
