New Reward Offered in 2003 Disappearance of Alabama Teen LaQuanta Riley

Authorities continue search over 22 years later for missing woman who vanished at age 19

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:35pm

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Authorities in Montgomery, Alabama are renewing efforts to find LaQuanta Riley, who disappeared in 2003 at the age of 19. A new $5,000 reward has been offered by Crime Stoppers, adding to previous rewards from the city and district attorney's office, as investigators search for clues about her disappearance over 22 years ago.

Why it matters

Riley's disappearance has remained an open case for over two decades, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases, especially those involving young victims. The new reward and age-progressed photo aim to generate fresh leads and bring closure to Riley's family.

The details

According to reports, Riley left her Montgomery home in a dark green car, possibly a Ford Taurus or Chevrolet Caprice, on December 7, 2003. She was dropped off at her mother's home three miles away, where she asked her brother for a jacket before getting back in the car and never returning. Three days later, her mother reported her missing. Investigators later learned someone had rented an apartment in Riley's name in Stone Mountain, Georgia, but the tenant claimed Riley had only briefly stayed there before a fight.

  • LaQuanta Riley was last seen on December 7, 2003.
  • Riley's mother reported her missing to Montgomery police 72 hours later on December 10, 2003.
  • A few days after Riley's disappearance, her mother received a voicemail message from her daughter that was later erased during a power outage.

The players

LaQuanta Riley

A 19-year-old honors student from Montgomery, Alabama who disappeared in 2003 and has not been seen since.

Pam Riley

LaQuanta Riley's mother, who reported her daughter missing to Montgomery police and later received a voicemail message from her.

Montgomery Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating LaQuanta Riley's disappearance since 2003.

Crime Stoppers

An organization that has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of LaQuanta Riley.

Montgomery County District Attorney's Office

Also offered a $5,000 reward for information about LaQuanta Riley's disappearance.

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What they’re saying

“I can imagine her, some kind of way, getting to a phone – now she gets panicking. It was like she was saying, 'Leave me alone,' or maybe she wanted to go home.”

— Pam Riley, LaQuanta Riley's mother

What’s next

Authorities continue to investigate leads and encourage anyone with information about LaQuanta Riley's disappearance to contact the Montgomery Police Department, Crime Stoppers, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The takeaway

The persistent efforts to solve LaQuanta Riley's disappearance over 22 years later demonstrate law enforcement's commitment to finding closure for victims and their families, even in the most challenging cold cases.