Las Vegas authorities are on the lookout for an Australian tourist who disappeared during her solo vacation to the city. 26-year-old Sally Grace Contarino remains missing as investigators are attempting to piece together her movements. Her disappearance was first noticed on June 21 after she failed to board her flight home to Australia, and the incident has since reverberated across social media.
Contarino Was a Fan of Hiking
The LVMPD’s Missing Persons Unit is investigating several possible leads that could point them in the right direction. The trail of evidence begins with a June 17 video by a social media pickup artist who asked for her number in front of a 7‑Eleven on Boulder Highway. She politely declined and went on her way. The influencer is currently not under suspicion.
Contarino was apparently an avid hiker, as she spent most of the 19th at Lone Mountain. Surveillance footage shows her returning to her room at the Bungalows Hostel. Locals have noted that Boulder Highway is known for its high crime rates, especially at night, as this area of Vegas is infamous for its drug activity and prostitution.
On the 20th, the Australian woman had breakfast at a nearby cafe before heading out to Mount Charleston for another hiking trip. According to authorities, she departed her bus and entered the national park. Investigators later discovered that Contarino did not return to her hostel, and her bus ticket to Los Angeles for her flight home was never used.
Locals Have Greatly Assisted the Search
The LVMPD has since recovered Contarino’s luggage from her hostel and is using police dogs to try and pinpoint her location. Many locals have also rallied behind the case, sharing relevant information with authorities. The disappearance is baffling, since the Australian woman appears to have been a seasoned traveler and reportedly visited Las Vegas before.
Choosing Boulder Highway as a place to stay is also baffling, as nearly all locals agree that the area is best avoided, especially for tourists. Contarino’s familiarity with Vegas means she should have been aware of that fact, so many are wondering why she would choose that location. Some have speculated that she wanted to visit Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, but that information remains unconfirmed.
Contarino’s sister has been active online, determined to do everything that she can to bring the missing woman home. The case has since evolved into a social media sensation, becoming one of the most closely watched missing-persons cases in recent years. That level of concern has been remarkable and may prove critical to finding Contarino.