Missing Jessica Rapsys is found three days after she vanished & left keys and phone inside abandoned car on side of road

A WOMAN who disappeared in South Carolina has been found days after authorities located her abandoned car.

Jessica Rapsys, 27, was found safe in Allendale County, about 80 miles from Columbia, on Friday, August 16.

Allendale Police Department

Jessica went missing on Tuesday, August 13, while she was traveling through South Carolina from Jacksonville, Florida, to visit her aunt.

Around 9:15 that night, police found her abandoned car along railroad tracks with her keys and phone inside in Martin, South Carolina, about 93 miles from Columbia, reported local ABC affiliate WJBF-TV.

The Allendale County Sheriff’s Office thanked “everyone who helped with the search,” naming the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Energy Savannah River Site Security Services, and the owners of Creek Plantation.

“Finding Jessica was a team effort. We all worked together and did not give up hope,” said Sheriff James Freeman, local NBC affiliate WYFF reported.

“Rapsys is being transported to the hospital where she will be evaluated and provided any necessary medical treatment.

“The Rapsys family would like to extend their deepest thanks to everyone who helped find Jessica, and respectfully asks for privacy at this time.”

Jessica’s aunt, Amy, previously told The U.S. Sun that the last the family heard from her before her disappearance was about 8 or 8:30 pm on Tuesday night.

She was last seen at around 8 pm that night in Allendale, reported WJBF.

The vehicle was still warm but had been sitting for a while, Freeman said, adding that authorities searched for Jessica on Wednesday, August 14.

The search involved three helicopters, two of which were from the Savannah River Site, and a local dog team, according to the publication.

The helicopters provided an aerial survey of the area surrounding the car for five and a half hours.

Before Jessica’s safe return, her friend Alanna Sabatini released a statement to WYFF, saying, “To know Jess wasn’t to only love her, but to be fully loved by her.

“She is the life of the party, the support system to so many and a friend to everyone she meets.”

“She is deeply loved in Jacksonville by everyone that knows her, whether it’s a waitress she met once or a family she’s nannied for.

Timeline of Jessica Rapsys' disappearance

Jessica Rapsys went missing on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 while she was traveling through South Carolina from Florida to visit her aunt.

August 13

• 8 pm – Last seen in Allendale, South Carolina
• 8-8:30 pm – Last her family heard from her
• 9:15 pm – Police found her abandoned car along railroad tracks with her keys and phone inside in Martin, South Carolina, about 93 miles from Columbia

August 14

• Authorities searched for Jessica with three helicopters, two of which were from the Savannah River Site, and a local dog team.

August 15

• Jessica’s mom, Laura Ciardiello Rapsys, shares two Facebook posts about her daughter’s disappearance.
• The search continues.

August 16

• Jessica was found safe in Allendale County and taken to the hospital.

“We just want her home,” Sabatini continued.

After Jessica was found safe, Alanna reacted to the news on Facebook .

“Grateful beyond measure,” she wrote in response to a post from Missing People in America that included an “update” from Jessica’s family.

“They found Jessica!!! She is alive and on her way to the hospital!!” her family said, per Missing People in America.

Before Jessica’s safe return, her mom, Laura Ciardiello Rapsys, took to Facebook to share information on her daughter’s case.

On the morning of August 16, she wrote , “Our baby girl Jessica has been missing since Tuesday night.

“Please continue to pray and share. We need someone to find her today.

“Thank you all for your love and support. It has not gone unnoticed.

“We are seeing all posts and reading comments for any clues.”

Allendale Police Department