BILLINGS — On Saturday morning, shortly after 2:30 a.m., 30-year-old Keyata Thurman of Billings called 911, stating a man had locked her in a car. But when the police arrived, the woman was gone, leaving only her phone behind.
Luckily, Thurman was located by police at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. But while she was missing, family and friends were worried sick.
“I was devastated. I’m very worried about Keyata," said friend Erica Kimble on Saturday shortly before Thurman was located. "I want to make sure that she’s okay and that she’s alive.”
MTN reached out to friends and family of Thurman and spoke with Kimble shortly before Thurman was located.
“Keyata you have a lot of people praying for you right now. Please, if you see this, and you’re okay, reach out to somebody so we know you’re okay," Kimble said. "Your mom, your sister, your niece, they’re all praying for you right now. They love you. They’re devastated that they don’t know where you are or if you’re okay. So if you can, please reach out to somebody and let us know you’re okay.”
Kimble explained this is the first time anything like this has happened to Thurman since the friends met in 2010.
“Keyata is definitely a fun-loving person. She has a smile that can take over a room. She’s a beautiful soul and everybody gravitates to her. She is just that person that you want to be around,” Kimble said. “I hope that she’s here in town and that she’s somewhere close to somebody that’s able to get her the help that she needs."
Kimble said a lot was going through her mind while the search took place.
“It weighs really heavy on your heart," Kimble said. "And you can’t kick the thought of wondering where she’s at and if she’s okay."
According to Kimble, Thurman was taken to a local hospital after police located her. While she is safe, it was a scary time for all.
“I hope that we hear from her today so that we know that she’s okay,” Kimble said.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. The location Thurman was found at has not yet been released, along with further suspect information or a possible connection.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police dispatch at 406-657-8200.
To learn more about the possible abduction, click here.
“Keyata is a very friendly person who's outgoing," Kimble said. "Who is there whenever anybody needs somebody. She’s a good listening ear. And she’s a very good soul.”
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MTN's continued coverage of the investigation:
UPDATE 1:50 p.m.
The victim was located around 1:45 p.m. and is being taken to a local hospital.
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.
Police said the woman is believed to be 30-year-old Keyata Thurman of Billings. Her clothing description is currently unknown. According to a Billings Police Department spokesperson, police are searching for 52-year-old Leif Ness as a person of interest. Ness is described as 6'3", 280 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He drives a 2015 blue Chevy Trax SUV with expired Montana temporary tag AAMG7201. Thurman could also be in a 2019 silver Toyota Corolla with Montana temporary tag AAMF1888.
When police arrived at the scene following a 911 call, they found Thurman's phone in the middle of the road near 4909 Southgate Drive, according to a police spokesperson. Thurman was not there when authorities arrived and has not been seen or heard from since.
Authorities do not believe this was a random incident. Anyone with information is being asked to contact police dispatch at 406-657-8200.
FIRST REPORT:
The Billings Police Department is asking the public for information about a woman who may have been abducted and in danger.
Police posted a notice on Twitter early Saturday stating officers responded to a call at 2:37 a.m. in the 4900 block of Southgate Drive where 30-year-old Keyata Thurman reported a man had locked her in a car.
Officers arrived and found the woman's phone but nothing else.
Police said the woman is believed to be 30-year-old Keyata Thurman. She is described as 5'5" tall, 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Her clothing was unknown. She was last seen in a silver 2019 Toyota Corolla, AAMF1888.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police dispatch at 406-657-8200.
23-12550 Missing/Endangered Person. 2/25 @ 0237 hrs officers responded to a call for service in the 4900 blk of Southgate Dr. 30 yoa female Vic called to say a male had locked her in a car. Ofcs arrived on scene and located the Vic's phone but nothing else. Cont.
— BillingsPD (@BillingsPD) February 25, 2023
