UPDATE: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has canceled this Purple Alert. You can view the FDLE cancellation notice here.
FLORIDA — A Florida Purple Alert has been issued for a missing woman last known to be in Tampa, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
FDLE’s alert is for Amber Rhoads, 27, from Tampa in Hillsborough County. She is described as a white female with brown hair and brown eyes. FDLE lists her height as 5 feet 9 inches and her weight as 270 pounds.
The last known area provided in the alert is Tampa, Hillsborough County.
Purple Alerts are statewide notifications intended to help locate missing people, and they rely on the public to watch for someone matching the description and report tips quickly. For South Florida residents, it matters because these alerts move across county lines fast, and people travel between regions every day.
FDLE is the state agency issuing the alert and distributing the information. The investigating and contact agency listed is the Tampa Police Department.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-931-6500 or call 911.
Residents should use the description provided by FDLE, and if they believe they have seen the missing person or have information about where she may be, report it directly to law enforcement using the numbers provided. Do not delay to “confirm” it on your own. The next step is for police to follow up on tips and continue efforts to locate her.
