Police: Missing woman seen at gas station after leaving RDU; no evidence she is under 'distress'

Allison Cope was reported missing on Monday after she clocked out for a break from her job at a Terminal 2 Starbucks. Cope took a scheduled break at 3 p.m. but did not return. She was reported missing around 7 p.m.

Cope was seen on video at a Shell gas station at 942 Durham Rd. at about 4:15 p.m. on Monday. Airport police have thoroughly reviewed the video and there is no evidence that she is under any distress, or that any crime was committed at the airport or anywhere else on the airport campus.

Family members said Cope's phone and bag were found at the airport, but her car keys and debit card were missing from her bag.

She was seen going down the escalator and leaving Terminal 2 with just keys in her hand, presumably to run to her car for a minute, according to friends.

RDU Police continue to work closely with the State Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, City of Raleigh Police Department, Durham County Sherriff’s Office, Wake County Sherriff’s Office and the Transportation Security Administration.

Fadel Alabdi works at the Shell station that put up a missing person flyer on the door. He said, from the surveillance video, it did not appear Cope was in distress or distracted.

"She just walked into the bathroom for a couple of minutes, that's it, she walked back outside," he said. "She didn't purchase anything."

Justin Farrell and Sarah Kosinksi, two of Cope's friends, were also assisting in the search. Farrell said they hired a helicopter to search Falls Lake on Thursday.

"We’re determined to find her whatever it takes, whatever it costs," he said.

Police said Cope was last seen wearing a black HMS Host-branded Starbucks polo shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Friends believe she was running to her car in the employee lot to get something on her break, and something happened to her.

Family from the west coast released a statement regarding her disappearance: "This is an extremely difficult time for our entire family. It's difficult being 3,000 miles away. We are in constant contact with all law enforcement agencies involved."

"Nothing is more important to us than Allison."

Anyone with information about Cope should contact RDU Police at 919-840-7510 or call 911.