Missing Girl, 17, Who Reportedly Left Home After Family Dispute Believed to Be Found Dead in Nevada Desert

Mar. 15, 2025

In anews releaseshared on Sunday, Jan. 5, the City of Henderson, Nevada, said that police responded that day over a dead body found in the desert area east of Desert Sunflower Circle and Spanish Needle Street around 10:42 a.m., local time.

When they arrived, they discovered a “deceased female.”

“The female matches the description of Jennaleah “Jenna” Hin, who was reported missing/endangered on December 30, 2024,” the city said. “Henderson Detectives responded to the scene and based on preliminary investigations, there does not appear to be signs of foul play.”

Jennaleah “Jenna” Hin went missing on Dec. 30 and was believed to have been found dead on Sunday, Jan. 5.MissingPeopleInAmerica/Facebook

MissingPeopleInAmerica/Facebook

Hin was a senior at Foothill High School, theLas Vegas Review-JournalandNBC affiliate KSNVreported.

Both outlets reported that Hin left her home in Henderson in the early evening hours of Dec. 30 following a family dispute.

“You don’t have to worry about me anymore,” Hin said something to that effect at the time she departed home, according to Mark Speer of the nonprofit search group Red Rock Search and Rescue, theLas Vegas Review-Journaladded.

At the time of her disappearance, Hin did not have a phone or money on her, family members said, according toCBS affiliate KLAS.

Jennaleah “Jenna” Hin.Facebook

Facebook

“Jenna, wherever you are or whoever you’re with, I just want you to come home,” said Hin’s mother, Jennifer Swanson, theLas Vegas Review-Journalreported. “I want you safe. We love you so much — please come home.”

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“I just want to say, ‘I love you, and we just want you back,’ ” added Hin’s stepfather, Corey Swanson, “Our home is broken without you.”

The search for Hin involved helicopters, drones, K-9s, horses, and even volunteers from the community and Foothill High School students, according to KSNV.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Not knowing where your child is,” said Donna Oliva, whose husband is a friend of Hin’s father, told KSNV.  “I’d rather be able to try and help and give them answers than sit at home and not do anything.”

The City of Henderson’s news release added that no further details will be released as the investigation is open. Anyone with information related to the case should call the Henderson Police Department at 702-267-4911 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

On Jan. 5, Swansonshared a photo of her daughteron Facebook and captioned the post: “Jenna,  I love you…Where are you, who are you with, who has you, please come home.”

PEOPLE contacted Swanson on Monday, Jan. 6, for comment.

source: people.com