A Georgia woman who has been missing since the end of 2020 remains unlocated five years on, leaving her family and the community still searching for answers.
Sonie Toe, a 24-year-old resident of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was last sighted on December 31, 2020, leaving her sister’s apartment. According to WCIA, her disappearance came just a month after a perplexing incident where she was found in the back of a stranger’s pickup truck, an event that led to her being admitted to a psychiatric facility.
Reports from WMBF reveal that Toe was discovered injured in a wooded area at the time. Her sister informed the authorities of Toe’s mental health struggles; however, Toe claimed that the hospital did not diagnose any issues.
During the incident, her sister noted that Toe appeared disoriented and struggled to recognize her. It was later uncovered that Toe had survived in the woods for two days, as reported by WCIA.
“She insisted she wasn’t assaulted or raped; medical tests confirmed this. However, she had scratches on her arms,” her sister shared with the media. “She was caked in mud, speaking incoherently, and seemed entirely out of sorts.”
Toe had relocated to Georgia a few months prior and was residing with her sister when she mysteriously disappeared.
Robin Martinelli, a private investigator hired by Toe’s friends, believes Toe may have been sex trafficked — noting an incident in which Toe brought her sister to a home to pick up her belongings.
“Sonie knew the code to get into the house. Just like all the other girls did,” Martinelli told WCIA, claiming the other girls may also be sex-trafficking victims.
With limited leads, officials have not confirmed whether Toe is or was the victim of sex trafficking.
However, Toe’s father told WMBF that he was passing out flyers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in November 2021. He said it was in that area where someone spotted Toe at a Boost Mobile store in September 2021, almost a year after her reported disappearance.
Despite this information, Toe remains missing. Myrtle Beach police said they have not recovered any credible evidence proving Toe was in the area.
“Even Myrtle Beach police couldn’t even help me. Until this day, they haven’t given me any information,” Toe’s father said.
It is unknown whether foul play is involved in Toe’s disappearance. Martinelli told WMBF that it is unclear whether Toe left willingly, but she believes she is still alive.
Toe was described as standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall and having brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to call the Myrtle Beach Police Department at 843-918-1300.
Sonie Toe’s case is being covered as part of Crime Online’s “Finding the Lost: Black and Missing” series, which will feature a missing Black person every day in February. The full series can be read here.
