In a move that many would consider unconventional, Fort Lauderdale police have enlisted the services of a psychic consultant to help solve one of the city’s most haunting missing persons cases. Sophie Reeder vanished nine years ago when she was just 15 years old, and despite extensive investigations, her whereabouts remain unknown.
On July 22, 2026, authorities confirmed they have contracted a psychic for a 90-day consultancy period at a cost of $1,500. Officials indicated they may utilize her services for other unsolved cases as well, signaling a willingness to explore every possible avenue in their pursuit of answers.
A Desperate Family Embraces Unconventional Methods
While skeptics might dismiss the use of psychic assistance as pseudoscience, Sophie’s family has made it clear they are willing to try anything to find the teenager who disappeared in the early morning hours of May 20, 2017.
“Of course it’s unusual, but you know we are open to anything,” said Kristen Milhorn, Sophie Reeder’s aunt, expressing the family’s desperation after nearly a decade without answers.
Milhorn remains convinced that someone in the Fort Lauderdale community holds vital information about what happened to her niece that fateful night. The family has never stopped searching for the truth, and they maintain hope that this unconventional approach might finally yield the breakthrough they have been waiting for.
The Night Sophie Vanished
The circumstances surrounding Sophie Reeder’s disappearance have puzzled investigators since 2017. According to case records, the teenager left her home for a walk during the early morning hours and was never seen again. Surveillance footage captured her walking along Davie Boulevard, providing the last visual confirmation of her movements.
Evidence found in her bedroom the following morning strongly suggested she had every intention of returning home. Family members discovered several telling items that contradicted any theory of her running away:
- $300 in cash left in her room
- A candle that was still burning
- Personal belongings indicating she planned to return
“She was not a runaway,” Milhorn stated emphatically, disputing any suggestions that the teenager left voluntarily.
Person of Interest Identified But Never Charged
The investigation has focused significantly on the last known electronic trace of Sophie’s phone, which pinged at an apartment complex located off Southwest 11th Court in Fort Lauderdale. Detectives determined that some of her final communications were with a man named Leonard Jennings, a convicted felon who resided at that complex.
Fort Lauderdale police have confirmed that Jennings remains a person of interest in the case. A department spokesperson stated that investigators “question his involvement in Sophie’s disappearance.” However, despite being interviewed after Sophie vanished, Jennings has never faced arrest in connection with the case.
According to Milhorn, Jennings denied any knowledge of the missing teenager during his interview with police. However, the family points to evidence that contradicts his claims.
“He denied, of course, ever knowing her, but reality is they were texting each other, so he knew her,” Milhorn explained, highlighting what she sees as a significant discrepancy in Jennings’ account.
Investigation Remains Active With Substantial Reward
Fort Lauderdale Police Department has emphasized that the investigation into Sophie Reeder’s disappearance remains very much active. Detectives continue working the case, pursuing leads and exploring new investigative techniques, including the recent decision to consult with a psychic.
Authorities are offering a substantial $25,000 reward for any information that leads to finding Sophie Reeder. The reward represents one of the larger amounts offered in missing persons cases in the South Florida region, underscoring the seriousness with which law enforcement continues to treat this investigation.
Sophie’s family expressed concerns shortly after her disappearance that she may have fallen victim to human trafficking. Those fears have only intensified over the years as the case has remained unsolved, with no concrete evidence emerging to explain what happened to the teenager.
Anyone with information about Sophie Reeder’s disappearance is urged to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department immediately. Even seemingly minor details could prove crucial in finally bringing closure to a family that has waited nine agonizing years for answers about their missing loved one.
