Columbus Police Ask Public Help Finding 13-Year-Old Drayah Landers, Last Seen March 3

Search focused on 500 block of 5th Avenue after family report

Columbus police are asking the public to help locate Drayah Landers, a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing this week. Police said Landers was last seen on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at about 3:15 p.m. in the area of the 500 block of 5th Avenue. Her disappearance was reported to police on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The case is being handled by the department’s Special Victims Unit, which typically oversees investigations involving vulnerable victims and cases requiring specialized follow-up. Police have not released additional circumstances surrounding her disappearance, including where she was headed, who she may have been with, or whether investigators believe she left voluntarily.

Description and last known clothing

Police described Landers as 4 feet 8 inches tall and about 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans.

Missing-child investigations often turn on quickly verifying a reliable last-seen time and location, identifying recent contacts, and determining whether the child has access to transportation, money, or a phone. Police have not said whether they have surveillance footage from the area or whether they have confirmed sightings since March 3.

How to report information

Authorities are urging anyone who has information that could help locate Landers to contact emergency services. Police provided multiple contact options for tips, including 9-1-1 and direct lines to investigators.

• Call 9-1-1 for immediate or time-sensitive information
• Columbus Police Department Special Victims Unit: 706-225-3449
• Lead investigator Detective Chris Whitehead: 706-225-4278

Police are asking residents who may have been in the area of the 500 block of 5th Avenue around 3:15 p.m. on March 3 to come forward if they noticed anything unusual.

What community members can do now

Police have not announced organized search locations or a public briefing schedule. In the absence of additional details, investigators generally advise the public to prioritize verifiable information: sightings with a specific time and place, descriptions of vehicles involved, and any photos or video that could capture the area around the reported last-seen location.

This story will be updated as police release new information, including any confirmation of sightings or a change in Landers’ status.