Nine years ago, an outgoing hazel-eyed girl named Kara Kopetsky disappeared without a trace. Now, her family hopes that even a shred of new information could help find her.
For nine years, Kara's family has kept her smiling face in the community's mind through walks, fish fries and news conferences. They know someone has information about what happened to her.
"She was a sweet girl and we miss her," her grandpa Jerry Moore said. "It just don't seem right."
"Nine years has been too long," Kara's mother, Rhonda Beckford, said. "Having a missing child, especially for nine years, is the most frustrating thing a person can go through."
And the family still has no answers.
Surveillance from Belton High School shows video of Kara walking the halls on May 7, 2007, the last time she was seen alive.
It's what's on Kara's arm in that video — a bracelet — that her family thinks may hold a clue to her disappearance.
"My feeling is, whoever was responsible for Kara's disappearance, I think that they kept a trophy," Beckford said. "I think that they have this bracelet in their possession. If we can find out who that is and find that bracelet, that right there, that's physical evidence, and that something that we don't have right now."
With that, they hope they'll find closure.
"Kara is still out there," Moore said. "And we don't know if somebody has her held up or if she's dead or what. We don't know. If nothing else, we would like to have her to bury in our family cemetery."
Even the smallest bit of information can make a difference. If you know anything about what happened to Kara Kopetsky, call the TIPS Hotline (816) 474-TIPS.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
