In 2009, This 22-Year-Old Vanished In Florida After Attempting To Flee An Abusive Relationship, And Her Family Fears That Her Abuser May Have Been Involved

Facebook - pictured above is Laura
Facebook - pictured above is Laura

Laura Nimbach of St. Petersburg, Florida, was known by her friends and family as a very independent young woman.

She was a model student during high school and got accepted into Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, following graduation in 2004.

Laura’s initial plan was to study nursing in hopes of helping others. But, soon afterward, she shifted courses– dropping out of Wayne State and moving to Clearwater, Florida. This move reportedly came while Laura attempted to flee an abusive relationship.

Once Laura relocated to the sunshine state, though, her life only became more turbulent. Unfortunately, she began to struggle with prescription drug abuse– reportedly becoming unstable and constantly moving around.

Then, in January 2009, the then-22-year-old found herself in another abusive relationship. Still, it appears that Laura recognized the pattern and wanted to seek help.

She began living in domestic violence shelters located in Clearwater and was eager to join rehabilitation programs offered by the shelters.

By February 15 of that year, though, Laura’s life changed forever. That day, she was reportedly angry.

Apparently, someone was supposed to pick Laura up from the shelter for a date, according to her cousin.

Then, the next day, Laura decided to leave the domestic violence shelter for a still unknown reason. It is not clear where she went or what she did that day, though.

Facebook – pictured above is Laura

All that is known is that on February 17, 2009, the 22-year-old vanished. A police officer was the last person to spot Laura.

The officer had found her sleeping behind a building close to Memorial Park Cemetery and told her about nearby shelters. The officer also informed Laura that she was not allowed to stay behind the building overnight.

So, Laura got up to walk down an alleyway away from the officer, and that was the last time she was ever seen.

Later that evening, sometime between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Laura did make some phone calls and spoke with her ex-boyfriend numerous times. Although, it is unclear what those conversations were about, and she has not been seen or heard from since.

According to a Facebook group created by Laura’s friends and family, it was a fight to get the 22-year-old a missing person report.

“It took six weeks of several phone calls a day from different family members, and finally the FBI to get a missing person report filed,” said Rene Nimbach.

“Although the local police were not cooperative or even interested in assisting in the search for Laura, and her family at the time lived in Kentucky, Colorado, and Michigan, a long-distance search was put into effect via volunteers.”

Flyers were also hung throughout the community, and hospitals, shelters, and tent cities were searched.

Tragically, though, it has now been nearly 14 years since Laura disappeared without a trace. Her case has remained cold, and her family has remained puzzled by the catastrophe.

According to Laura’s parents, it was extremely uncharacteristic of the 22-year-old to lose contact with family. She would call her sisters and mother at least once a week to check in until the day she disappeared.

Laura was also reportedly in contact with her abuser leading up to the disappearance. So, her parents fear that he “could have done something to her.”

Still, though, the Nimbach family has been left without answers. So, in the meantime, they have taken to Facebook to raise awareness about Laura’s case and keep her memory alive.

“Happy Birthday, my sweet sister. I miss you so much! I would do anything for another day, another conversation, another memory,” Rene wrote on August 26.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart! I love and miss you so much. Please, please come home. May God bless and keep you wherever you are, my little angel. Love you tons, love mom,” wrote Sherry Nimbach.

At the time of Laura’s disappearance, she was five foot five, weighed 105 pounds, and had dyed-blonde hair and brown eyes. She also has naturally curly hair, a tattoo of her initials– “LN”– on her left wrist, and various piercings. Today, Laura would be 36 years old.

If you have any information regarding Laura’s disappearance or whereabouts, you are urged to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6153 or the Tampa Bay Crime Stoppers at (800) 837-TIPS.

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Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek

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