BELTON, Mo. — The parents of a missing teen held a march on Sunday to keep their daughter’s memory alive and appeal to anyone who knows what happened to her. Family members are keeping Kara Kopetski’s memory alive with buttons, t-shirts and more.
She was 17-years-old when she was reported missing five years ago. It’s a milestone her mother never wanted to reach.
“She was supposed to be at work at 4 o’clcok that day and she had every intention f being there or she wouldn’t have asked me to wash her work clothes,” said Rhonda Beckford, Kara’s mother.
A team of volunteers marched on Sunday with memorabilia. Terry Mason says five years ago she was compelled to help because news of the missing 11th grade girl pulled at her heartstrings and brought back memories of her own life.
“My brother was kidnapped when he was eight-years-old,” Mason said. “He was taken from an elementary school in Kansas City. He did get away from his pedophilia and all of it together brought back memories.”
Don Ross shares and uncommon bond with the Beckfords. His son Jesse was reported missing in 2006 during a college trip to Chicago.
“Jesse is kind of history for a lot of people and Kara is kind of the past but each day you look at the news and there’s somebody new,” Ross said.
Someone who has joined their unwanted ranks.
Kara’s mother hopes the $80,000 reward for information about Kara’s whereabouts is enough incentive to get someone talking. If you have information about Kara’s disappearance call the tips hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
