SPRINGFIELD, Missouri — A frantic search is underway for 17-year-old Ari Anderson, who vanished on April 16, 2025, after being last seen at Ozark Technical Community College in Springfield around 10:26 AM. The Springfield Police Department is working around the clock to find Ari, a local teen whose disappearance has left her family and friends heartbroken and desperate for answers. With every passing day, the urgency to locate her grows, and police are pleading for the public’s help to bring her home safely.
Ari is a white female, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, with brown hair and striking blue eyes. She has a nose piercing and may be wearing glasses, which could help someone recognize her. At the time she disappeared, Ari was dressed in a purple hoodie, blue jeans, and yellow slides, carrying a black backpack—a distinct look that might catch someone’s eye. A surveillance image from the college shows her walking with her phone in hand, wearing the purple hoodie, giving a glimpse of her last known moments before she vanished.
The Springfield Police Department is urging anyone with information to call them at 417-864-1810 or dial 911 immediately. Even the smallest detail—like spotting her backpack or yellow slides—could be the key to finding her. Ari’s loved ones are deeply worried, and the community is rallying to spread the word, with groups like Voice for the Voiceless sharing her story to keep her face in the public eye. It’s been five days since Ari was last seen, and with no leads on her whereabouts, every share and tip counts in this race against time.
Springfield is a close-knit community, and Ari’s disappearance has hit hard. Police are counting on neighbors, students, and anyone in the area to keep an eye out for her, hoping a single clue will lead them to her. Let’s help bring Ari back to her family where she belongs.
Published by State Gleam
Keywords: Ari Anderson, Springfield Missouri, Missing Juvenile, Ozark Technical College, Purple Hoodie, Police Search, April 16
