Authorities have issued an Ebony Alert for a missing young woman, Wynter “Winter” Coleman, whose disappearance has prompted concern across multiple Southern California counties. Law enforcement agencies in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties are working together to spread the word and bring her home safely.

According to officials, Coleman was last seen near El Cajon Boulevard and 71st Street in San Diego. The circumstances of her disappearance have not yet been made public, but the urgency of the alert underscores the importance of community awareness and involvement in locating her.

The Ebony Alert, signed into California law in 2023, is a relatively new system designed specifically to help locate missing Black youth and young women between the ages of 12 and 25.

Much like the Amber Alert for children or the Silver Alert for seniors, an Ebony Alert allows law enforcement to broadcast urgent information quickly through media outlets, freeway signs, and other public channels. By issuing this alert, authorities are calling on local residents to stay vigilant, share information, and contact law enforcement immediately with any potential leads.

Officials have stressed that time is critical in cases of missing persons, especially when vulnerable young people are involved. Each hour that passes can make the search more difficult, which is why the public’s participation is essential.

Residents of San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties — as well as surrounding regions — are asked to pay close attention to Coleman’s description and remain alert in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and along major travel routes.

While specific details about Coleman’s age, appearance, or clothing at the time of her disappearance have not yet been publicly released, her name and the location of her last known sighting are being widely circulated through the Ebony Alert system.

Friends, family, and community members have also begun sharing her information across social media platforms, urging others to amplify her story in hopes of reaching someone who may have seen her.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP), in coordination with local police, has activated freeway message boards in Southern California, broadcasting the Ebony Alert and urging drivers to report any possible sightings or information.

Law enforcement emphasizes that even small details can make a difference in locating Coleman — whether it is seeing someone who matches her description, noticing unusual activity in the area she was last seen, or overhearing information that could be relevant.

Community leaders and advocates for missing persons have praised the use of the Ebony Alert in this case, noting that it represents an important step in addressing disparities that have historically existed in the attention and resources given to missing Black children and young women. By ensuring immediate visibility and mobilizing public awareness, officials hope this system will lead to quicker recoveries and safer outcomes.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Wynter “Winter” Coleman is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or dial 911 immediately. In San Diego, tips can also be directed to the San Diego Police Department.

As the search continues, family, friends, and the wider community remain hopeful that public awareness and the swift use of the Ebony Alert will help bring Wynter home safely.