Deputies search river, woods for Cumberland County teen missing since 2021 (original) (raw)

June 9, 2026, 11:39 a.m. ET

A two-day search into the 2021 disappearance of 17-year-old Laniyah Whitted began Tuesday, June 9, along the Cape Fear River near Deep Creek Road, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

The search of the river and surrounding woods involves the Sheriff's Office's Search and Rescue Team, K-9 Team, Drone Team, detectives and patrol deputies, officials said in a news release. Motorists traveling along Deep Creek Road may experience minor traffic delays and are asked to use caution as law enforcement personnel work in the area.

Whitted was last seen Nov. 16, 2021, after reportedly being dropped off at Cape Fear High School. She was reported missing Nov. 21, 2021, the Sheriff's Office said.

Known as “NiNi” by close friends and family, Whitted was a student at Cape Fear High School and would have graduated in 2022. She worked part-time at Carlie C's IGA on Cedar Creek Road while she was a senior, the Sheriff's Office said.

The search for clues in the disappearance of Laniyah Whitted sparked a two-day search of the Cape Fear River and surrounding woods along Cedar Creek Road that began June 9, 2026. It's been four-and-a-half years since the Cape Fear High School senior, then 17, was last seen.

Earlier this year, the Sheriff’s Office established a public command post at Carlie C’s IGA to gather information from the community related to Whitted’s suspicious disappearance.

Whitted would have celebrated her 22nd birthday March 9.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 911 or call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Senior Sgt. R. Brinkley at 910-677-5503.

F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@fayobserver.com.