Joplin Police Department continues investigation into 2018 missing person case

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Today, July 20th, 2026, marks the 8th year of when Sarah Burton was reported to be missing. We need your help to locate Sarah Burton. As the investigation has continued, it is believed that Sarah was last seen around 10th Street and Rex Avenue on July 16th, 2018. Sarah has not been seen or heard from since.

Following her disappearance, the Joplin Police Department has continued to follow up on leads in this case which exceed 180. Additionally, more than 100 people have been interviewed.

Sarah is described as 5’07”, 160 pounds, with brown hair, and blue eyes. The Joplin Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations are offering a $10,000 reward for information that may lead us to the location of Sarah.

Someone in this community has the power to end a family’s suffering and tell us what happened. Someone knows something to bring some amount of peace and closure to Sarah and her loved ones. It has been eight years of not knowing where Sarah is or what happened to her. Someone knows how to bring some amount of peace and closure to Sarah and her loved ones.

This case is still an active investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, no matter how trivial it may seem, please call Detective Sergeant Jason Stump at 417-623-3131 ext. 1620.