The Elizabethton Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate an Elizabethton woman who has been reported missing by her family.
On Sunday, the Elizabethton Police Department receive a report of a missing person. A woman told officers she had not been in contact with her mother, 45-year-old Rebecca Jean Johnson, since May 1. The woman told officers she had texted Johnson on May 1 and her mother indicated in her text response that she “needed to get out for a while,” EPD Capt. Joy Shoun said, adding Johnson has not answered any phone calls or text messages since that day. “None of Ms. Johnson’s family have had communications with her since that time,” Shoun said.
During the department’s investigation, Shoun said officers learned that Johnson was seen in the Gatlinburg area on May 15, the same day family reported her missing, at around 1 p.m.
“At that time, a concerned citizen had observed Johnson, who appeared to have slept in her vehicle in a parking lot,” Shoun said. “Ms. Johnson advised that her vehicle was out of fuel and she did not have the means to purchase more.”
Shoun said the concerned citizens purchased $20 worth of fuel for Johnson, who told them she had spoken to her sister and would be traveling back home to Elizabethton.
“Investigators learned that Ms. Johnson had not contacted her family and she has yet to return home,” Shoun said. “Those concerned citizens were unaware that the woman they had assisted was reported to be missing, until seeing a posting on social media the following day.”
“The family expresses concern for Johnson’s well-being due to her mentioning that she felt sick the day she was last seen,” Shoun added. “Family members also stated that Johnson has previous medical conditions and they are uncertain of her availability to medications.”
Johnson is operating a black 2010 Nissan Rogue SUV, Tennessee registration D96-94P. She is 5’1” tall, weighs about 225 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Elizabethton Police Department (423)542-4141.