In June 2021, Esmerelda “Kit” Nelson-Mora, a quiet, laid-back, and creative 16-year-old, left their childhood home in Yakima, WA, to start a new life in Omak, WA, with their biological mother, Lorie Sue Nelson, and Lorie’s boyfriend, Kenneth Diaz. Tragically, Kit hasn’t been seen or heard from since November 2021 and would now be 19 years old.
Kit grew up facing immense challenges, including a traumatic childhood filled with neglect and abuse. Removed from their mother’s care at age four, they found refuge with their great-grandparents in Yakima. While Kit was chill and easygoing, the scars of their early years left them struggling with PTSD and trust issues. In 2021, believing their mother had changed, Kit made the brave decision to reconnect. Sadly, this choice may have put them in harm’s way.
Despite their family’s repeated attempts to contact them, Kit vanished, and their mother claimed they “ran away” in April 2022—six months after their last confirmed sighting. Alarmingly, this claim wasn’t reported to authorities until much later. Adding to the urgency, Kit’s mother, Lorie Sue, has continuously fled from town to town, avoiding law enforcement, family inquiries, and accountability for their disappearance.
Why We Need Your Help
Time is of the essence to uncover what happened to Kit. Local law enforcement in Omak has limited resources, and the investigation has progressed slowly. Thankfully, Kit’s family now has the assistance of the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Task Force, which has brought renewed focus and resources to the case. However, additional funding and public support are critical to sustain efforts and continue the search for answers.
Currently, a $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Kit’s recovery or the arrest of those responsible for their disappearance. We are working to raise this reward even further, in hopes that a larger incentive will encourage someone to come forward with crucial information.
Your donation will directly fund:
• The reward for information leading to Kit’s recovery or the arrest of those responsible for their disappearance.
• Resources to raise awareness, including posters, social media campaigns, and outreach to advocacy groups.
• Support for investigative efforts to help bring Kit home.
How You Can Help
1. Donate: Every dollar helps us raise the reward and keep pressure on the agencies handling their case.
2. Share: Spread their story far and wide to reach those who may hold crucial information.
3. Speak Up: If you know anything about Kit’s disappearance, please come forward.
Kit’s family refuses to let their story become another cold case. Together, we can find answers and ensure they get the justice they deserve.
Thank you for your support, compassion, and generosity.