Alleged rape victim's family offers $2,000 reward for information

COLUMBIA — The parents of a woman who reported a rape on Feb. 20 in downtown Columbia are offering a reward to anyone who has information.

The offer is $2,000 to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Columbia Police Public Information Officer Jessie Haden said people with information can either call CrimeStoppers at 875-8477 anonymously or 874-7423 to speak to the investigator.

The rape occurred either the night of Feb. 20, a Friday, or early the morning of Feb. 21 at her apartment on downtown Tenth Street.

She had been at Shiloh's Bar and Grill, and she thinks she left for her apartment around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. She stayed on the apartment's porch for a while, then went inside.

The Missourian does not publish the names of victims of rape or sexual assault without their consent.

"Someone must know something, and they think they're helping their friend," the woman said. "But they're really helping a rapist. Please, please come forward."

Haden said the police cannot sanction the award, and she stressed that it's from the family, not CrimeStoppers.