A woman who disappeared without a trace as a toddler in 1999 has been found alive more than 25 years later.

Andrea Michelle Reyes was just 23 months old when she went missing from her father’s home in New Haven, Connecticut.

Authorities quickly suspected that her non-custodial mother, Rosa Tenorio Andrea, had taken her.

Later that year, a felony warrant for custodial interference was issued for Tenorio. A second warrant followed in 2009, but despite investigations by multiple agencies, including the New Haven Police Department, Andrea was never found.

For more than two decades, investigators attempted to track Andrea’s whereabouts.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) listed her as a missing person and even released five age-progression images between 2010 and 2014 to show what she might look like as she grew up.

Still, the case remained cold. Officials believed Tenorio had taken Andrea to Puebla, Mexico, but no trace of them was found.

The case was reopened by the New Haven Police Department in 2023 and led to a major development.

A woman in Mexico contacted Andrea’s father, believing she might be his long-lost daughter. To confirm the claim, police partnered with Othram, a forensic lab specializing in advanced DNA testing.

Using their KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing, a sample from the woman was compared to Andrea’s father’s DNA profile. The results confirmed what many had hoped for - Andrea Reyes, now 27 years old, was indeed the child who had vanished in 1999.

It has not been publicly reported whether authorities have located Rosa Tenorio Andrea. Police have confirmed that an arrest warrant for her non-custodial mother remains active and valid within the United States. They believe the kidnapping suspect is still in Mexico.

Andrea’s case is part of Project 525, a collaboration between Othram and RTI International, which aims to resolve all 525 juvenile missing persons cases listed in NamUs.

Her identification marks a promising milestone for the project, as she is the seventh person in Connecticut to be found using this advanced DNA technology.

New Haven police chief Karl Jacobson said Andrea's case reflects the hard work of New Haven officers and detectives.

“This case reflects the hard work of our officers and detectives,” he said, per The Guardian. “While cases may have investigative leads exhausted at the time, no cold case is ever truly closed.

“We remain committed to resolving every cold case, and this is a perfect example of that effort," the police added.

Featured image credit: Othram/NAMUS/New Haven Police Department

Gigi Hadid has addressed her appearance in the Epstein files, calling the situation disturbing and saying it left her feeling "sick to my stomach."

The 30-year-old supermodel responded after a fan accused her of staying quiet, leading her to post a detailed reply on Instagram that was later reported by E! News as having been taken down.

Hadid and her younger sister Bella were mentioned in a December 2015 email exchange between Jeffrey Epstein and another person whose identity was redacted in files released by the DOJ. In her response, Gigi made clear she had never met Epstein and said reading his comments about her was deeply upsetting.

The model said she had initially stayed silent because she did not want to distract from the experiences of Epstein's victims. But after seeing the fan's message, she said she felt it was important to make her position plain.

What Gigi Hadid said

The fan wrote, "I had to unfollow u bc u ain't talk bout those files Gigi."

Credit: Instagram

Hadid reportedly replied, "Horrible to read someone you've never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context."

She then explained, "I don't want to take away from the stories of real victims of his; but your comment made me realize maybe its not clear - and it's important to let you know."

Hadid also pushed back on suggestions about how she entered the fashion industry. She wrote that she "grew up privileged" but said her parents "protected me and taught me the value of hard work. The same hard work that got them to this country and gave them careers."

Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

She added, "We applied for and my mom brought me herself to meetings with agencies in NYC just before I turned 18, two of which she was signed to in her career - Marylins and Ford…"

Hadid said she met with 10 agencies, and only a few offered her a contract, including IMG Models. "I signed to IMG in 2012," she wrote. "And I've worked hard every moment since."

The email exchange in the files

According to the material released, the December 2015 exchange began when the redacted individual asked Epstein, "How did the Hadid sisters become models and make so much money?! I don't understand…"

Epstein replied, "You know," and the other person then wrote, "The father paid the agency."

Epstein answered, "No," before later adding, "Because they follow directions, its that simple."

Hadid directly addressed that exchange in her response. She wrote, "To be named in those files, I think I was 20-21 at the time he would have written that email - is disturbing, and I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being."

In a separate comment, she also told the fan, "sending love thanks for your support x."

Her life away from the backlash

Not long after her Instagram response, Hadid was seen out in New York City on Friday in a dark navy shirt, light blue jeans and a tan coat, paired with burgundy loafers and a yellow purse. She wore her blonde hair in a bun with dangly earrings and sunglasses.

The model has also recently been seen with boyfriend Bradley Cooper in NYC. The pair were first linked in 2023, and last year in March Hadid gave rare insight into their relationship during an interview with Vogue, saying they have a "very romantic and happy dynamic."

The pair were first linked in 2023. Credit: Aeon/GC Images / Getty

She added, "To find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be. I just feel really lucky."

Hadid also said, "I respect him so much as a creative, and I feel that he gives so much to me: encouragement and, just, belief."

Hadid previously dated Zayn Malik, and the two share daughter Khai, five. Cooper is also dad to daughter Lea, nine, whom he welcomed with ex Irina Shayk.

Featured image credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

Here’s everything we’ve seen so far since the US Justice Department began releasing the Epstein files.

This week, the department released the long-awaited documents tied to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Photos, videos, court records, and investigative documents were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress with a strict deadline.

So far, the files include high-profile names, graphic references, controversial photographs, and early testimony from victims who sounded the alarm decades ago.

Jeffrey Epstein posing alongside Michael Jackson in an undisclosed location. Credit: US Department of Justice

Pictures of Clinton In A Hot Tub

Several newly released photos feature former US President Bill Clinton. One shows him lounging in a hot tub with his hands behind his head, while another shows him swimming in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and an unidentified woman, whose face is hidden.

The 79-year-old has never been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims and has consistently denied knowing about his crimes. His spokesperson called the photos “decades old".

“They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be,” Angel Ureña said.

“There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We're in the first," they added.

Bill Clinton is pictured in a hot tub with Ghislaine Maxwell and an unidentified woman in another picture. Credit: US Department of Justice

Trump Mentioned The Lawsuit, and Andrew Sprawled Across Five Women

The lawsuit states that Epstein allegedly introduced a 14-year-old girl to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the 1990s.

According to a 2020 file, Epstein “playfully” elbowed Trump and said, “This is a good one, right?” Trump reportedly smiled and nodded.

The girl said, “they both chuckled,” and that she felt uncomfortable, but was too young to understand why at the time.

She does not accuse Trump of abuse, and his name appears sparingly in this first release. Trump has denied wrongdoing and said he cut ties with Epstein around 2004.

Meanwhile, one photo shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, lying across five redacted individuals, with Maxwell smiling behind them. Epstein does not appear in the image.

Andrew, who was stripped of royal titles after allegations linked to Epstein’s circle, has denied all wrongdoing.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles, is pictured lying across women. Credit: US Department of Justice

Other Celebrities In The Mix: Jackson, Jagger, Tucker, Ross

The documents reveal the most diverse celebrity photo set from any Epstein release to date.

Michael Jackson appears in two photos - one alongside Epstein, both fully clothed, and another posing with Clinton and Diana Ross in a small space with several faces blurred.

In another photo, Rolling Stones icon Mick Jagger poses with Clinton and a redacted woman in cocktail attire.

Actor Chris Tucker is also seen in multiple images, including one at a dinner table beside Clinton and another on a plane tarmac with Maxwell.

The DOJ clarified that being named or pictured does not indicate wrongdoing.

A picture of Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton, and Diana Ross was in the files. Credit: US Department of Justice

'Lolita' Quotes Scrawled On Women’s Bodies

Among the most disturbing details are photos showing references to Lolita, the Vladimir Nabokov novel about a man’s obsession with a 12-year-old girl.

One image shows the quote: “Lo-Lee-ta: The tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth,” scrawled across a woman’s chest.

Another has the line “she was Lola in slacks,” and a third, written on a foot, reads: “She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock.” A copy of Lolita is seen in the background.

Additional quotes, such as “she was Polly at school,” are written on other women’s chests and necks. The women’s faces are redacted, and their ages are not known.

Photos also show Epstein on a plane pointing out of a window, along with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, standing beside a woman with a blurred face.

Gates has said it was a “huge mistake” to associate with Epstein, telling CNN in 2021: “It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there.” A spokesperson denied any professional relationship between the two.

Other figures pictured in the files include Woody Allen, Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and Qatari royal Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousef Bin Jassim Bin Jabor al Thani. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by any of them.

More bombshell Epstein files released by Democrats showed sentences from Lolita written on a girl’s chest. Credit: House Oversight Committee

Epstein Threatened to Burn Woman’s House Down

One of the earliest reports to the FBI about Epstein is also included. In a 1996 complaint, artist Maria Farmer accused Epstein of stealing personal photos she took of her 12- and 16-year-old sisters.

She said the financier sold the images to potential buyers and threatened to “burn her house down” if she spoke out.

“Epstein is now threatening [redacted] that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down,” the file states.

Farmer confirmed the account was hers and said she feels vindicated: “I feel redeemed.”

A photo of Epstein with unnamed girls released by Democrats. Credit: House Oversight Democrats

DOJ Accused of Failing Legal Obligations

Despite the Friday deadline, the DOJ admitted it could not release all materials in time. Officials cited the need to protect victims' identities and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

However, more than 550 pages were fully redacted, including a 100-page grand jury document. Lawmakers argue the DOJ has failed to explain these redactions as required by law.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the review process is ongoing, sharing that he expects "several hundred thousand more" files to be released over the coming weeks.

But patience is wearing thin as Congressman Ro Khanna, who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Republican Thomas Massie, threatened action.

“The DOJ's document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law,” Khanna said.

Featured image credit: US Department of Justice

A North Carolina mother who vanished without a trace more than two decades ago has been found alive — stunning her family.

Michele Lyn Hundley Smith was 38 years old when she disappeared in December 2001.

According to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, she left her home in Eden to go Christmas shopping at a Kmart in Virginia — and never returned.

Her sudden disappearance sparked immediate concern. At the time, authorities described the case as 'troubling,' launching a widespread search effort that stretched across North Carolina and Virginia.

Massive Search Effort Included FBI

Multiple law enforcement agencies — including the FBI — poured 'countless' hours into tracking down leads and searching for the missing mother of three.

Investigators pursued numerous avenues, desperate to determine what had happened after she left for what should have been a routine holiday shopping trip.

A missing person flyer distributed during the investigation warned that Smith should be considered “endangered” and emphasized that she 'would not leave her kids by choice.'

Despite years of searching, the case went cold — until now.

Michele went missing in 2001. Credit: Facebook

Found ‘Alive and Well’ After Tip-Off

Nearly 24 years later, authorities confirmed that Smith has been located.

On Friday, officers received a tip that ultimately led them to find her 'alive and well' at an undisclosed location in North Carolina, officials announced.

While her precise whereabouts have not been made public, police confirmed that her family has been notified.

The revelation has left loved ones grappling with a wave of emotions.

Family Reacts: 'She’s alive, she’s alive'

Barbara Byrd, Smith’s cousin, shared her shock and relief in an interview with WFMYNews 2.

“I kind of want to go outside and scream, ‘She’s alive, she’s alive” Byrd said.

But alongside the relief comes a flood of unanswered questions.

“My biggest question is to her … what happened all those years ago in December? What made you leave? What happened?” Byrd said.

Despite the decades of uncertainty, Byrd revealed she never truly believed Smith had died.

“I never thought Michele was dead. I knew she was alive. It’s just a feeling that I had my whole life,” she said.

Michelle Hundley Smith has been located after two decades. Credit: Facebook/Bring Michele Hundley Smith Home

Daughter Speaks Out in Emotional Facebook Statement

The emotional toll of the discovery has also been deeply felt by Smith’s children.

In a lengthy statement posted to Facebook on Sunday, one of her children described the past few days as overwhelming.

She didn’t shy away from sharing the complicated mix of feelings she’s experiencing.

“As far as my opinions and feelings on my mom…I am ecstatic, I am p***ed, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map! Will I have a relationship once more with my mom?” she said in the statement posted on a Facebook account dedicated to finding her missing mother.

“Honestly I can’t answer that because I don’t even know. My initial reaction would be yes, absolutely, but then I think of all the hurt…But even then, my mom is only human, just as we all are,” she wrote.

Even amid the pain and uncertainty, she reflected on the memories that still matter.

“When my mom was a part of my daily life, she showed me a love and bond that will never ever be forgotten.

"There were mother-daughter arguments of course, but right now all I can remember are the smiles we shared, the times together that were happy, and the love I felt!”

While Smith has now been located, one major question remains unanswered: why did she leave?

Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding her motive for disappearing in 2001, and it is not immediately clear what circumstances led to her decades-long absence.

Featured image credit: Facebook

When eight-year-old Cherrie Mahan vanished just 50 feet from her Pennsylvania home in 1985, the community held onto hope that she would be found safe and sound.

For 39 long years, the case remained a chilling mystery.

Then, an unexpected twist emerged when an anonymous woman took to Facebook, claiming to be the missing girl. She even reached out to the State Police.

However, the Pennsylvania State Police have since released a heartbreaking update on her identity.

Cherrie went missing after being dropped off by the school bus near her home. At the time, no one could have imagined the tragedy that was about to unfold. The only clue was a blue 1976 Dodge van with a mural of a mountain spotted in the area, leaving the case cold for nearly four decades.

The recent claim reignited a flicker of hope among her family and investigators that the case could finally have a happy ending.

But that hope was crushed when it was revealed that the woman who claimed to be Cherrie was not likely her.

The woman had initially posted her theory on a Facebook group but was quickly removed by the administrators. She then left a voicemail with the police department, providing her name but has remained silent since.

Authorities have been unable to reach her on her phone number. They tracked down her fingerprints using the name she provided, but unfortunately, the fingerprints did not match Cherrie's. The police confirmed via The New York Post: “An initial review of these fingerprints indicates that she is not Cherrie Mahan.

“At this point in the investigation, law enforcement has not had in-person contact with the woman claiming to be Cherrie Mahan.

"If the caller decides to make herself available to the Pennsylvania State Police or any other law enforcement agencies, her claim will be investigated.”

This isn't the first time someone has claimed to be Cherrie. In fact, four separate women have made similar claims over the years, all proven to be false.

There remains a $5,000 reward for information leading to finding Cherrie or someone connected to her disappearance.

Cherrie, who would now be 46, is the daughter of Janice McKinney, who is understandably weary of false claims. When news broke of the latest claim, she was skeptical, noting that hoax claims usually occur in February or August, around the anniversary of Cherrie's disappearance and her birthday.

“In February and August, I expect craziness. This just hit me different,” she told the Butler Eagle.

“If you wanted your 15 minutes of fame, you’ve already blown it.

“People are mean, they are cruel, but this affects me really crazy. It’s gonna be 40 years since Cherrie’s been missing.”

Credit: National Center For Missing And Exploited Children