Woman still missing more than 7 weeks after vanishing in Goldsboro, police say

GOLDSBORO, N.C. (WNCN) — An Illinois woman who vanished in Goldsboro nearly two months ago is still missing after police said Friday that an earlier report about her discovery was incorrect.

A report was filed about the disappearance of Caitlin Hodges, 29, in Goldsboro on July 25, according to a September 1 news release from the Goldsboro Police Department.

Hodges, from Crystal Lake, Illinois, was visiting her boyfriend in Goldsboro and was last seen on July 18, according to the Aware Foundation, which helps publicize missing person cases.

On Friday, Goldsboro police reported the Crystal Lake Police Department in Illinois told them Hodges had been found.

But, just hours later, Goldsboro police said Hodges was still missing. A family member later told Goldsboro police that a sibling of Hodges “gave false information to police during the initial contact,” Goldsboro police said.

When Goldsboro police initially confirmed Hodges was missing — more than a month after she vanished — much of the police news release focused on “misinformation” that was “circulated on social media.”

“While we understand that the community is eager to help, we must stress that sharing unverified information can be harmful,” Goldsboro police said. “Misinformation can compromise the integrity of our investigation and, in some cases, may even jeopardize the safety of others involved. We ask the public to refrain from posting or sharing speculative information.”

Goldsboro officers said anyone with “credible information” who could help find Hodges, should contact Goldsboro Police Department Investigator Sturgill directly at 919-580-4211, or email at jsturgill@goldsboronc.gov.

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