It’s been one year since 16-year old Asia Wilbon left her home in Kent, Washington. She has yet to return.
Asia’s father, Richard Wilbon, said he saw her on the evening of February 12, 2020, right before bed. According to Wilbon, his wife heard Asia moving around the house at approximately 1:00 or 2:00 am and thought she was using the bathroom.
When Wilbon and his wife arrived home from work the following day, February 13, Asia was gone.
That afternoon, all calls to her cellphone went straight to voicemail, and texts were not returned- indicating her phone battery had either died or been purposefully shut off.
Investigators promptly attempted to track her smartphone and determined the last ping occurred in Federal Way at 1:35 pm on February 13. A reported sighting of Asia near the Federal Way Transit Center focused the search to the area, but no signs of her presence were found.
“I feel that when she left the house, she wasn’t in a good head space mentally and just went out for a walk. None of her clothes are missing. The only thing that she took was her phone and house keys,” Wilbon said.
Wilbon’s family and friends distributed fliers all across Kent hoping that somebody had information on Asia’s whereabouts.
On February 15, it was reported that Asia was last seen at the Federal Way Transit Center at around 9:30 am. Her loved ones focused on the area but could not locate Asia or any indication she had been there.
A year later, the investigation has hit a stand-still. Wilbon said they haven’t heard from the detective assigned to his daughter’s case in about nine months. According to Jaron Kasner, Assistant Police Chief for the Kent Police Department, there are no new developments. The case remains open.
“Asia was an introvert and a homebody. She loved being in her room and very seldom wanted to leave the house.” Wilbon explained, “when we made family plans to go out and do things together, she would agree to go and then change her mind at the last minute because she didn’t want to be around people and the thought of it increased her anxiety.”
Wilbon received an email from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in December 2020 informing him that there was a possible sighting of Asia in South Carolina.
According to Wilbon, the NCMEC advised they would follow up, but he has yet to receive an update.
“I do not think that she left with the intentions of not coming back.” Wilbon said, “I feel like she is out there somewhere and in extreme danger.”
Asia is 5’2″ and at the time of her disappearance weighed approximately 135lbs. She is now 17 years old.
If you see Asia, call 911. If you know anything regarding Asia’s disappearance or whereabouts, please contact Kent Police Department at 253-852-2121. Case # KP2105. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to locating Asia.
Updated: 02/19/2021