NC's CUE Center begins annual tour to highlight missing persons cases

Volunteers from the organization started their multi-state "On the Road to Remember" tour on Friday. This year's tour will highlight about 90 missing persons cases, some of which have ties to the Triangle.

Kara Roberts has been filled with questions for the last 17 years. Her sister, Leah, went missing in 2000, when she was a student at North Carolina State University.

Leah’s car was found in Washington state nine days after she took an unannounced road trip, but she was never found.

"The law enforcement has been very active in her case out there, but unfortunately, we still don't have answers," Roberts said.

Leah is one hundreds of thousands of people who are reported missing each year, and the nonprofit is working to put a dent in the number.

They highlight different cases in different cities across the country.

"Communities always have information. It could be something so small that you think it means nothing, but it could mean everything for law enforcement and their investigation," said Monica Caison with the CUE Center.

This year's tour will take volunteers through five states over eight days, stopping 23 times. Each stop is in honor of someone, or some people who are missing there.

"Say, for instance, Sarasota, Florida, we are releasing some doves, and we have someone who will sing," Caison said. "Law enforcement in Tallahassee are setting up a pizza-eating contest, and they are representing five of their missing person cases."

The tour was started 13 years ago and was inspired by Leah Roberts.

"She lived here, she's from here, and you know, she's still missing," Caison said.

Roberts said she is grateful for all the authorities have done for her family every step of the way.

The tour ends Oct. 28 in Wilmington.