LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO — Family, friends, and community members are growing increasingly concerned after an 18-year-old woman was reported missing from the Lincoln Square neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side earlier this week. Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that might assist in locating her.
The missing woman, identified as Emily Navarro, was last seen on the evening of Monday, May 5, around 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Western Avenue and Lawrence Avenue. According to her family, Emily had left her home to meet a friend for coffee but never arrived. Her phone last pinged near Winnemac Park shortly after she left her residence, and it has since gone silent.
Emily is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with dark brown eyes and shoulder-length black hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was reportedly wearing a gray hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers. She also carried a small canvas backpack and was believed to have had her phone and wallet with her.
Her mother, Marissa Navarro, made an emotional plea during a press conference held outside the family’s apartment on Wednesday. “Emily is a bright, kind, and thoughtful young woman. This is completely out of character for her. She would never disappear like this without telling someone. We are begging anyone who saw something — no matter how small — to please come forward.”
Friends of the young woman have taken to social media using the hashtag #FindEmilyNavarro, circulating photos and organizing search parties throughout the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Volunteers have been posting flyers at businesses, bus stops, and schools in an effort to spread the word.
According to the Chicago Police Department, Emily has no known history of mental illness or previous disappearances. She recently graduated from Amundsen High School and was preparing to begin her freshman year at DePaul University this fall, where she had planned to study psychology.
Detectives have confirmed they are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and public transit cameras, hoping to track Emily’s movements after she left home. A CPD spokesperson noted that while foul play has not yet been confirmed, “nothing is being ruled out at this time.”
Community members are being urged to check security footage, doorbell cameras, and dashcams for any potential sightings from the evening of May 5. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Area Three Special Victims Unit at (312) 744-8266 or call 911 if Emily is seen.
As the search continues, local advocacy groups are also stepping in to assist the family, including the Chicago Missing Persons Network, which is helping coordinate volunteer efforts and distributing information across various platforms.
“We don’t want Emily to become just another face on a flyer,” said organizer Alicia Ramos. “Every missing person deserves the full attention and support of the community. We’re not giving up hope.”
If you have seen Emily Navarro or have any information about her whereabouts, please reach out immediately. Time is of the essence.