Urgent Search Underway for Missing Memphis Teen Alia Shempert

The Memphis community is gripped by concern as authorities and residents rally to find 14-year-old Alia Shempert, who vanished under troubling circumstances on Friday, July 18, 2025. The Memphis Police Department (MPD) has issued a City Watch alert, signaling an active and urgent investigation into her disappearance, with fears mounting that the teen may have been abducted.
Alia was last seen at approximately 4:25 p.m. in the 4300 block of Jamaica Drive in the Berclair neighborhood. According to reports, she was observed entering a black Tesla driven by an unknown man described as white or Hispanic. The vehicle, which then headed east out of the neighborhood, has not been identified by model or license plate. Authorities have not confirmed whether Alia entered the vehicle voluntarily or was coerced, but the discovery of her personal belongings, including her phone, iPad, and Cash App card, discarded near the scene has heightened suspicions of foul play.
**Description of Alia Shempert**
– **Age**: 14
– **Height**: 5 feet 2 inches
– **Weight**: Approximately 160 pounds
– **Hair**: Brown
– **Eyes**: Brown
– **Last Seen Wearing**: Black shirt, black pants, pink Puma slippers
The Memphis Police Department’s Missing Persons Bureau is leading a thorough investigation, working tirelessly to follow leads and collect evidence. Officers are canvassing the Berclair area, reviewing surveillance footage, and appealing to residents to check doorbell cameras, security systems, or dashcam recordings from Friday afternoon between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for any clues.
Alia’s family is heartbroken and adamant that her disappearance is not typical behavior. “This isn’t just a runaway,” a family member stated. “She left everything behind—her phone, her tablet, everything. That’s not Alia. We believe she was taken.” The family is pleading for the public’s help to bring her home safely.
**Vehicle Description**
– **Type**: Black Tesla
– **Details**: Model and license plate unknown
– **Last Seen**: Heading east from Jamaica Drive in Berclair
**How You Can Help**
– If you witnessed anything unusual in the 4300 block of Jamaica Drive on July 18, 2025, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., contact authorities immediately, no matter how minor the detail may seem.
– Residents with security cameras, doorbell cams, or dashcams in the area are urged to review footage from the specified time frame for any sign of Alia or the black Tesla.
– If you spot a vehicle matching the description, do not approach it. Note its location and report it to police immediately.
**Contact Information**
Anyone with information about Alia Shempert’s whereabouts or the circumstances of her disappearance is urged to contact the Memphis Police Department at 901-545-2677 or the Missing Persons Bureau at 901-636-4479.
The Memphis community is coming together in hope and determination to find Alia and ensure her safe return. Every tip, no matter how small, could be the key to bringing her home.