A petition urging Gillette Police Department in Wyoming to find a missing Kenyan woman has gathered more than 1,000 signatures.
Irene Gakwa, then 32, went missing after February 24, 2022, and after unsuccessfully trying to locate her, her brothers reported her missing on March 20, 2022.
According to the narrative on the petition filed on Change.org, Gakwa came to the US in 2019. She settled in Idaho, hoping to launch her healthcare career and be near her siblings.
In 2020 she confided in her sister-in-law that she was dating a man she met on a Craigslist forum.
She allegedly moved with the man, Nathan Hightman, to Gillette, Wyoming, where she later vanished and has not been seen since late February this year.
Her father commented about her appearance in her last WhatsApp video call on February 24.
“When her face appeared on the phone screen, her dad teased her that she looked hungry and tired. Her smile was more subdued and her short hair, usually braided, was rumpled,” the petition read.
Her family is hopeful that Gakwa will be home for Christmas.
“I just want to know the truth. I’m still hopeful, but my hope is dwindling. She knows my number. The fact that she has not called …” Gakwa’s father said, according to the petition.
🚨MISSING PERSON🚨
Irene Gakwa, 32, is a Kenya native who moved to the US with dreams of becoming a nurse. She disappeared on February 24th after moving to Gillette, Wyoming with her boyfriend, Nathan Hightman, who she had met on Craigslist. pic.twitter.com/0SYyBM52G0
— Natasha ❀ (@ndelriego) September 21, 2022
Reports indicate that while Hightman is considered a person of interest, he has not been charged with any crimes relating to her disappearance.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Gillette police said Hightman has refused to avail himself to answer questions surrounding Gakwa’s disappearance. They are asking for information about a Gray or silver Subaru Crosstrek vehicle believed to belong to Hightman seen in rural Campbell County area.
“The Gillette Police Department is also requesting information regarding the possibility of a 55-gallon metal drum, which may have been burned and or abandoned within the county,” Gillette PD said in a statement posted on May 11, 2022.
Despite not being charged with Gakwa’s disappearance, Hightman was arrested and charged with 5 felonies.
“On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Gillette Police Department arrested Nathan J. Hightman. Hightman, a person of interest in the Irene Gakwa missing person case, has been charged with two felony counts of theft, one felony count of unlawful use of a credit card, and two felony counts of crimes against intellectual property. Irene is the victim of these crimes,” a Gillette PD report posted on Facebook said.
Hightman has pleaded not guilty. In a court filing, police said Hightman accessed Gakwa’s bank account, credit card, and email from his IP address after her disappearance. He told the police he drained her account to force herStrangers have joined in her search, putting her posters on Twitter and urging Gillette Police to do more. And her family has started a website whereisirene.com.
Her case has also attracted Crime Stoppers who have issued a $1000 reward for information leading to solving the mystery of her disappearance. To reach Crime Stoppers, call 307-228-4276.
Police are asking for members of the public with information to step forward.
“If you have any other information related to Irene’s disappearance, no matter how insignificant you believe it may be, please contact the Gillette Police Department at 307-682-5155.”