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Missing Person — Active Case

The Disappearance of Cierra Chapman

● Active Investigation Foul Play Suspected FBI Involved $20,000 Reward Trotwood, Ohio
Missing Person
Cierra J. Chapman
Age at Disappearance
30 years old
Last Seen
December 27, 2022 — 4:30 a.m.
Last Known Location
Autumn Woods Drive, Trotwood, Ohio
Vehicle Found
January 6, 2023 — Middletown, Ohio
Person of Interest
Walter Rodgers
FBI Reward
$20,000
Case Status
Active — No Arrest in Disappearance
The Missing

Cierra J. Chapman

Cierra J. Chapman — FBI Missing Persons
Full Name Cierra J. Chapman
Age 30 at disappearance; 32 as of 2026
Last Seen December 27, 2022
Hometown Dayton, Ohio
Height / Weight 5'5" — 115–123 lbs
Hair / Eyes Black hair — Brown eyes
Last Wearing Tommy Hilfiger shirt, blue jeans, black boots
Vehicle 2014 Silver Cadillac SRX — Ohio plate JVQ8612
Sister Latisha Lofton

Cierra J. Chapman was a 30-year-old woman from Dayton, Ohio, who was living with her sister Latisha Lofton on Cambridge Avenue in Dayton at the time of her disappearance. She was a mother to a young son who was approximately one year old when she vanished. Family described Cierra as a lovely mother who was family-oriented, devoted to her child, and deeply embedded in the lives of those who loved her.

Her aunt, Regina Chapman, described her as someone who loved working on cars and caring for her animals. She was a consistent presence in her family's life, known for regular communication and daily contact with her son and relatives. Those who knew her have said it was entirely out of character for her to go a single day without checking on her son or calling her family.

On the morning of December 27, 2022, Cierra left to visit her ex-boyfriend's apartment in Trotwood to exchange personal belongings following their recent breakup. Surveillance footage captured her silver Cadillac SRX leaving the apartment complex on Autumn Woods Drive at approximately 4:30 a.m. She was never seen or heard from again. There has been no activity on her bank account since that morning.

Cierra's sister reported her missing on December 29, 2022, after two days passed without any contact. Her cat had not been checked on. Her son had not heard from her. Her phone calls were going to voicemail. As her aunt Regina told investigators: "This is something to be worried about."

Cierra Chapman — FBI Photo
Cierra Chapman — FBI Photo
01
Background

What We Know

In the early morning hours of December 27, 2022, Cierra Chapman drove her 2014 silver Cadillac SRX to an apartment complex on Autumn Woods Drive in Trotwood, Ohio, to exchange personal belongings with her ex-boyfriend following their recent breakup. Surveillance cameras at the complex captured her vehicle leaving the area at approximately 4:30 a.m. Investigators have noted they could not confirm from the footage whether Cierra was the one driving when the car left. She never returned home.

Cierra's sister Latisha Lofton reported her missing on December 29, 2022, after two days of unanswered calls and no contact with her son. There has been no activity on Cierra's bank account since the morning she was last seen on surveillance. Her phone has gone to voicemail since that date. The Dayton Police Department's Violent Crime Bureau took over the investigation and immediately classified the case as suspicious.

On January 6, 2023, ten days after Cierra was last seen, her silver Cadillac SRX was located in a residential area on Jewell Avenue in Middletown, Ohio, approximately twenty miles south of Trotwood. Cierra's purse, her phone, and other personal belongings were found inside the vehicle. Police stated no evidence was found in the car and that Cierra had no known ties to Middletown and no reason to be there. The car's presence in Middletown has not been publicly explained.

Dayton Police Major Brian Johns publicly described the disappearance as a planned and well-orchestrated event and stated that people in the Dayton community know what happened to Cierra but were not coming forward. Johns said at a January 2023 news conference: "This is very strange behavior for her, so we're worried something bad has happened to her." Investigators conducted multiple searches of the area between Dayton and Middletown using drones, ATVs, canines, and search and rescue volunteers through EquuSearch. The former Madden Golf Course in Dayton was among locations searched. No remains or additional evidence was publicly reported as having been found.

As of April 2026, Cierra Chapman has been missing for more than three years. Her son, who was approximately one year old when she disappeared, is now school-aged. No charges have been filed in connection with her disappearance. The FBI is actively involved and is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to her recovery or the identification, arrest, and conviction of anyone responsible.

Case Timeline

How It Unfolded

December 27, 2022 — Approximately 4:30 a.m.
Cierra Last Seen on Surveillance
Surveillance cameras at the Autumn Woods Drive apartment complex in Trotwood captured Cierra's silver Cadillac SRX leaving the area at approximately 4:30 a.m. Cierra had gone to the complex to exchange personal belongings with her ex-boyfriend following their recent breakup. Investigators later noted they could not confirm from the footage whether Cierra was driving when the vehicle departed. She did not return home and made no further contact with family or friends.
December 29, 2022
Missing Person Report Filed
After two days of unanswered phone calls, no contact with her son, and her cat left unchecked, Cierra's sister Latisha Lofton contacted police and reported her missing. Cierra's aunt Regina Chapman told investigators her niece would never go a day without calling her son or her family. There had been no activity on Cierra's bank account since the morning she was last seen.
January 6, 2023
Cierra's Vehicle Found in Middletown
Cierra's silver 2014 Cadillac SRX, Ohio plate JVQ8612, was located on Jewell Avenue in Middletown, Ohio, approximately twenty miles south of where she was last seen. Her purse, phone, and other personal belongings were inside the vehicle. Police found no evidence in the car. Cierra had no known ties to Middletown. Major Brian Johns stated: "She is not from Middletown, had no reason to be in Middletown, so it's very odd that her car would be found in Middletown, Ohio."
January–February 2023
FBI Joins Investigation; $10,000 Reward Announced
The FBI joined the Dayton Police Violent Crime Bureau in the investigation. Dayton Police held a news conference at which Major Johns described the disappearance as a well-orchestrated, planned event and stated that people in the Dayton community knew what happened to Cierra. The FBI announced a $10,000 reward. A large coordinated search involving EquuSearch, drones, ATVs, and canines was conducted across multiple locations between Dayton and Middletown. No remains or evidence were publicly reported as recovered.
December 27, 2023
One Year — Case Remains Open
On the one-year anniversary of Cierra's disappearance, Dayton Police Major Brian Johns issued a statement affirming the department was steadfast in its commitment to locate her, stating investigators had maintained close communication with her family and employed advanced technology and all available resources. No arrests had been made and no new public evidence had been released.
May 2024
Reward Increased to $20,000
The FBI increased its reward to $20,000 for information leading to Cierra's recovery or the identification, arrest, and conviction of anyone responsible for her disappearance. Family members renewed their public calls for anyone with information to come forward. The Dock Ellis Foundation, which had been involved since shortly after Cierra went missing, noted that public attention on the case had faded significantly and urged the community to keep speaking up.
September 2, 2025
Walter Rodgers Arrested; Statement Linked to Cierra
Walter Rodgers, 35, Cierra's ex-boyfriend, was involved in a shootout at a Sunoco gas station in Dayton. During the incident he allegedly stated, "I'm going to do y'all like I did Cierra." Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio noted the statement as a potential reference to his former girlfriend Cierra Chapman. Rodgers was arrested on September 6, 2025, and charged federally with illegally possessing a firearm following prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary and abduction. Dayton Police confirmed they interviewed a witness in connection with Chapman's case and stated the new information was being thoroughly vetted. As of April 2026, Rodgers has not been charged in connection with Cierra's disappearance.
03
Law Enforcement

The Investigation

The investigation into Cierra Chapman's disappearance is led by the Dayton Police Department's Violent Crime Bureau with active support from the FBI. From the outset, police characterized the case as suspicious and described it as a planned, well-orchestrated event. Major Brian Johns stated publicly in January 2023 that people in the Dayton community know what happened to Cierra and have not come forward. He confirmed that Cierra had no known connections to Middletown, making the discovery of her vehicle there one of the most significant and unexplained elements of the case.

Investigators conducted multiple large-scale searches across areas between Dayton and Middletown using drones, ATVs, canines, and search and rescue volunteers coordinated through EquuSearch. Specific search locations were not publicly disclosed to protect the integrity of the investigation. The former Madden Golf Course area in Dayton was reported as one location searched. No remains or additional physical evidence was publicly reported as recovered from any of these searches.

Cierra's ex-boyfriend, Walter Rodgers, was asked by police to come to the station for an in-person interview in January 2023. As of that date, he had provided only a verbal statement by phone and had not met with investigators in person despite being asked to do so. The Dayton Police Department stated at the time that limited information could be shared due to the ongoing investigation. Rodgers has a prior criminal history that includes felony convictions for aggravated burglary and abduction.

On September 2, 2025, Rodgers was involved in a shootout at a Sunoco gas station in Dayton during which he allegedly stated, "I'm going to do y'all like I did Cierra." Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio identified this as a potential reference to Cierra Chapman. Rodgers was arrested on September 6, 2025, and charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Dayton Police confirmed they interviewed a witness in connection with Chapman's disappearance following Rodgers' arrest. As of April 2026, no charges have been filed against Rodgers or any other individual in connection with Cierra's disappearance.

The Dock Ellis Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting minority families of missing persons, has been involved with Chapman's family since shortly after Cierra went missing. Foundation Director of Missing Persons Michelle Luster has noted that public attention on the case has significantly diminished over time and has urged the community to continue applying pressure. Cierra's family has been consistent in their public appeals, with her aunt Regina Chapman stating that Cierra's son calls regularly asking for his mother.

04
Not Charged in Disappearance

Person of Interest

No Photo
Available
Walter Rodgers
Walter Rodgers
Born July 2, 1990 — Age 35
Relationship to Cierra: Ex-boyfriend; Cierra was at his apartment the night she disappeared
Statement of Concern: On September 2, 2025, Rodgers allegedly stated "I'm going to do y'all like I did Cierra" during a shootout at a Dayton Sunoco gas station; federal prosecutors identified this as a potential reference to Cierra Chapman
Current Charges: Federal — illegally possessing a firearm after felony conviction; arrested September 6, 2025
Prior Convictions: Aggravated burglary; abduction
Cooperation: Provided a verbal phone statement to police in January 2023; did not meet with investigators in person despite being asked to do so
Status in Cierra's Case: Not charged in connection with her disappearance as of April 2026
Important Notice: Walter Rodgers has not been charged with any crime in connection with the disappearance of Cierra Chapman. He is identified here as a person of interest based on publicly available statements from federal prosecutors. He is presumed innocent of any involvement in her disappearance unless and until charged and convicted by a court of law.
She Is Still Missing

Help Find Cierra

Cierra Chapman has been missing since December 27, 2022. She is a mother. Her son has grown up without her. Her family has spent more than three years without answers, and the people who know what happened to her have not come forward. Dayton Police have said publicly and directly that individuals in the Dayton community have information about Cierra's disappearance. If you are one of those people, you are being asked to speak up.

You do not have to identify yourself. The Miami Valley Crime Stoppers tip line is anonymous. The FBI tip line accepts anonymous submissions. A $20,000 reward is available for information that leads to Cierra's recovery or to the identification, arrest, and conviction of anyone responsible for her disappearance. Her family is asking. Her son is asking. Please come forward.

FBI Tip Line
1-800-CALL-FBI
tips.fbi.gov — $20,000 reward available
Dayton Police — Violent Crime Bureau
937-333-2677
Reference: Cierra Chapman disappearance
Miami Valley Crime Stoppers — Anonymous
937-222-7867
Anonymous tips accepted — 24 hours
Anonymous Tip Line
888-222-6050
Additional anonymous reporting line
Sources
FBI — Cierra J. Chapman Missing Person Listing, fbi.gov  |  Dayton Daily News — FBI Offers $10,000 Reward for Missing Dayton Woman Cierra Chapman, February 2023  |  NBC4 WCMH — Unsolved Ohio: Woman Missing Since 2022 Under Very Suspicious Circumstances, October 2024  |  Fox 19 — Family of Missing Ohio Woman Renews Call for Help, May 2024  |  WHIO — I'm Going to Do Y'all Like I Did Cierra, September 2025  |  Fox 19 — Investigation Continues Following Arrest, September 2025  |  Dayton Daily News — Cierra Chapman Disappearance Update, September 2025  |  WHIO — Dayton Police Remain Steadfast One Year After Disappearance, December 2023  |  WCPO — Family Hoping and Praying for Answers, February 2023  |  True Case Files — The Disappearance of Cierra Chapman  |  Oxygen — Search for Missing Ohio Mother Cierra Chapman Underway
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