Case of missing girl still open after 20 years

Question: What ever happened to the case of Jiezhao Li, who was reported missing in 1988?

Answer: Jiezhao Li was last seen on Feb. 11, 1988. She was selling benefit chili tickets by going door to door in Nuuanu.

The case, still classified as a missing-persons case, remains open, said police spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

"We're hoping that anyone who has information would find it in their heart to come forward," Yu said.

Jiezhao's mother, Yan Li, gave the 12-year-old girl a wristwatch so she would know when to return home. That was the last time the mother saw her.

The Royal Elementary School student was last seen at about 4:45 p.m. at the Nuuanu 7-Eleven near Kuakini Street.

Police scoured the neighborhood the next morning. Media publicity spurred hundreds of volunteers to join the search for months, but there were no traces of the girl.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING

& EXPLOITED CHILDREN
This rendering shows Jiezhao Li's age progression to 32 years old.

On the 20th anniversary of Li's disappearance Monday, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children released an updated poster of Li, imagining what she would look like today at 32 years old.

"We continue to monitor the case and follow up at least once a month with the Police Department," said Ron Jones, the center's senior case manager. Jones said people in Hawaii and on the mainland call in asking for updates on Li's disappearance, ensuring that the case remains a high priority with the center.

Li was born April 10, 1975. She has black hair and brown eyes and was about 4 feet 8 inches tall. She weighed about 75 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, her teeth were slightly crooked, and her eye teeth were half grown. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or the Honolulu Police Department's missing-persons unit at 529-3115.

This update was written by Gene Park.

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