Jackson Free Press

The disappearance of Jackson State student Natasha Norman is finally making its way to the national spotlight, as her father was interviewed on MSNBC today. WAPT reported that ABC has also contacted him to do an interview as well. The story even made Paul Harvey's News & Comments today and even mentioned Malcolm McMillin by name when he said, in effect, that her case would've made national headlines quicker if she were white.

I do agree with Malcolm's statement. Think about all the other missing persons stories that have made the national news, from Laci Peterson to Elizabeth Smart to Natalee Holloway. They were all white and/or somewhat well-off financially. I don't want to turn this into a racial situation; my greatest concern is for her to be found safe and relieve her family of their worries. I am glad, too, that the national media will focus on her case as they have with missing white females.

(Promoted from Forums.)

Previous Comments

ID

97194

Comment

Info from JSU site: The Jackson State University Department of Public Safety, Jackson Police Department and Hinds County Sheriff's Department are continuing the search for missing JSU student Latasha Norman. Latasha, a junior, has been missing since approximately 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13. The 20-year-old accounting major from Greenville, Miss., is of medium-brown complexion, stands approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs between 115 and 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. To report information regarding Latasha's whereabouts, call one of the following numbers: JSU Public Safety, 601-979-1659 JSU Public Safety, 601-979-2580 JPD Missing Persons Bureau, 601-960-1210 Jackson Police Dept. 601-960-1234

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-23T10:59:20-06:00

ID

97195

Comment

This story is being talked about where we are visiting... It's so sad...

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-11-23T14:40:57-06:00

ID

97196

Comment

It's very sad. Horrifying. I can't imagine what the family must be going through.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-23T15:10:06-06:00

ID

97197

Comment

For this to be happening so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas (if she's not found safe by then) makes it even more sad.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-23T20:50:50-06:00

ID

97198

Comment

I do agree with Malcolm's statement. Think about all the other missing persons stories that have made the national news, from Laci Peterson to Elizabeth Smart to Natalee Holloway. They were all white and/or somewhat well-off financially. I don't want to turn this into a racial situation; I agree with his statement, too. It happens, even if it is unintentional. A black young lady came up missing around the same time as Natalee Holloway, and I only remember hearing about her two or three times. I wish I could remember her name.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-11-26T11:55:29-06:00

ID

97199

Comment

I think I remember that case. If I recall correctly, it was a woman from South Carolina (or someplace else) and bloggers coordinated an effort to get the media's attention by sending the story to the major news organizations. It did get some play, but it later disappeared. When I lived in California, I learned of the story of a woman who was pregnant and went missing in 2002 and eventually was found dead in San Francisco Bay. If you thought I was describing Laci Peterson, you would technically be correct, but this woman suffered the same fate as Peterson, except she died months before Peterson and was from Honduras. But there was no attention whatsoever in the national media.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-11-26T14:04:52-06:00

ID

97200

Comment

I caught a portion of the MSNBC interview last week. Am I correct that her boyfriend was arrested for hitting her recently? Let's hope that Natasha has not suffered the same fate as Doris Shavers and Heather Spencer.

Author

ellen

Date

2007-11-26T15:38:16-06:00

ID

97201

Comment

A source also told me that the boyfriend called JSU security in the a.m. to report her missing because she wouldn't answer her cell phone. Anyone read that? I'm not saying that means anything.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-26T15:41:46-06:00

ID

97202

Comment

I have not read that, ladd. That is very interesting, because wasn't she last seen that afternoon? That is odd to report her missing because she simply did not answer her phone.

Author

ellen

Date

2007-11-26T15:53:26-06:00

ID

97203

Comment

My understanding is there is a current boyfriend and an exboyfriend. The ex was the one that was arrested for hitting her somewhere in Pearl.

Author

msgrits

Date

2007-11-26T16:01:28-06:00