Reward offered in missing Geneva woman inquiry

A $5,000 reward has been offered for any information leading the location of a missing Geneva woman.

After nearly five months Elvis McKee, of Geneva, hopes someone will come forward with information about his daughter. Shanna Genelle Peoples, 20, has been missing since Sept. 8, 2011.

McKee said a $5,000 reward has been offered by the state of Alabama for tips leading to the safe return of his daughter or for tips leading toward an arrest and conviction in the case.

McKee said a website has been set up to help spread the word about his daughter. He encouraged people to check out the site at www.findshanna.com.

“It’s set up to help get the word out, to let people know she’s still missing and to make a plea to her to let her know she’s not in trouble,” McKee said. “It tells a little bit about her, what she likes to eat, some of her favorite things and has some pictures of her.”

Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey said he believes foul play may be involved. Lindsey said normally the police find missing young people within a few weeks.

Peoples has been placed on the Missing and Endangered Adults list for the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Lindsey said agents with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation have taken over the lead in the investigation, with the FBI and Geneva Police assisting.

Peoples was last seen at her home on North Morris Drive in Geneva. Police say Peoples is mentally disabled and takes medication daily for her disability, which she left behind at home.

Police said a friend came to her home, which she shares with another friend, and found the front door open, and Peoples missing. She does not have a job, and does not drive. She has no history of ever being reported missing before.

Officials with the KlaasKIDS Foundation came to Geneva in October to help search for Peoples. Foundation officials, area volunteers and law enforcement held a two to three day search dubbed “Bring Shanna Home” in early October.

The foundation has been assisting families of missing children since 1994 following the abduction and murder of Polly Klaas from Petaluma, Calif.

McKee and the director of KlaasKIDS spoke on a national news program called “Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell.” The broadcast news segment called Missing in America was entitled “Childlike” woman Kidnapped? The show aired earlier this month on HLN.

Peoples was last seen wearing white pants and a blue and green blouse with flip flops. She is about 6 feet tall, weighs about 120 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair.

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Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Shanna Genelle Peoples can call the Geneva Police Department at (334) 684-2777 or 911.