Family of missing woman fear the worst as they beg for answers | US | News
Layla’s family believes that someone holds the key to her whereabouts (Image: SWNS)
In a chilling turn of events, the family of missing Layla Santanello, aged 20, who was last seen sprinting barefoot from a Tennessee hotel, fears she has encountered foul play and believes that someone holds the key to her whereabouts.
After disappearing from Kingsport, Tennessee, in June 2023, the mystery surrounding Layla’s fate deepened when, months later, her boyfriend, Michael David Thompson, 21, was incarcerated on charges related to alarming and deceitful Cash App solicitations sent to her relatives. However, his arrest has not officially connected him to her absence.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has reiterated this week that Layla’s case remains a critical matter, shining a spotlight on it with a public appeal for information about the missing individuals. Brittany Zeitler, 32, Layla’s stepmother, and George Emmett, 42, her father, expressed their mix of hope and dread in a recent heartfelt interview, while acknowledging the grim prospects.
A disturbing link is also being considered by investigators. They have not dismissed the possibility that Laylay’s vanishing could be interconnected with Hollynn Snapp’s case – a 19 year old also reported missing in proximity, just four to five months subsequent to Layla’s case.
Police aren’t ruling out a theory Layla’s disappearance is related to that of Hollynn Snapp (Image: SWNS)
Brittany’s gut-wrenching theory suggests that Layla might have tragically succumbed to an unintentional overdose, leading to a panicked cover-up by those present at the time. Describing Layla, Brittany stated: “Layla was struggling, but she was a fighter. A part of me wants to believe she just stepped away to get her life together. But the moment I had to report her missing, I knew something was very wrong.”
While there is no tangible evidence such as a body to confirm their worst fears, the family clings to a minuscule hope. “We have no body, so we’re holding onto that 5% hope she’s still out there,” shared Brittany. Nonetheless, when faced with the stark reality, she conceded: “But looking at the reality – it doesn’t seem likely. There are a couple of theories, but we’ve learned not to share too much. There are people actively trying to interfere with our search.We just have to keep pushing forward.”
Brittany described the eerie similarities between Layla and another missing girl, Hollynn: “[Hollynn] was 19, ran in the same social circles, had the same lifestyle, and was close with the same people as Layla,” highlighting a disturbing pattern that’s emerged.
The absence of clarity is agonising for the family, with Brittany confessing, “We don’t have the answers for Layla, and it’s not fair.”
Layla Santanello, 20, vanished from Kingsport, Tennessee, in June 2023 (Image: SWNS)
Emphasising Layla’s dedication to her child, she insisted, “Layla would never leave her daughter behind.”
The mystery around Layla’s vanishing deepened after she failed to answer calls on June 27, 2023, prompting Brittany and George to sound the alarm. After requesting a welfare check from the authorities, they unravelled Michael’s confusing account of the last time he saw Layla – claiming she requested a ride at 4am and then didn’t show up.
“They told him she went outside to smoke a cigarette and just vanished. Which obviously is impossible – we don’t just disappear off the planet,” Brittany stated, dismissing the implausibility of such an event.
Their investigation led them to the Americourt Hotel, where Layla was reportedly seen last, her demeanour evoking fear and desperation as described by witnesses: “She was acting erratic, and there was a large police presence at the hotel,” Brittany recounted. It was known she met someone mysterious, but the only certain sighting was of her panic-stricken dash into a field – after which she seemed to vanish into thin air.
(L-R) Jennifer Santanello (Biological Mum), Nova Grace (Layla’s daughter) & Layla Santanello (Image: SWNS)
To add to the enigma, two weeks since Layla’s disappearance, Brittany received haunting Cash App requests that appeared to be from Layla’s account, stirring more unanswered questions. According to Brittany, one message chillingly read: “We have Layla. She owes a drug debt, and if she doesn’t pay, you’ll find her chopped up into pieces”. The desperate family transferred funds.
Michael faced indictment on allegations of financial exploitation, credit card fraud, and identity theft. He has been detained on these accusations, yet no connection has been established with Layla’s vanishing by the authorities. Brittany said: “We just want the right facts, the right timeline, the right places known – so the people responsible know we are coming. We are not backing down. We need answers. Layla deserves that. We all do.”
When reached for comments, the Kingsport Police Department has yet to provide a response.
However, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed their ongoing involvement, saying: “The TBI is assisting the Kingsport Police Department with the investigation into Layla’s disappearance,” and adding, “Additionally, in October 2023, we issued an Endangered Young Adult Alert at the request of the Kingsport Police Department. That alert remains active. In fact, we just featured Layla and another missing young woman as part of our Missing Monday segment.”
