Person of Interest Named in Missing Teen Case

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for a missing 19-year-old girl in deep East Texas, and officials have now named a person of interest. KETK reports authorities are looking for Alicia Benefield, 19, who was reported missing on Friday, March 14, at 4:30 a.m. Benefield was last seen leaving 5161 Old Town Road in Elysian Fields after an argument with an occupant at that home. Officials have identified Rodris Webster as a person of interest, not a suspect, said Investigator Jay Webb. Webster was interviewed on Sunday and released.

Benefield was reported missing in Panola County and Harrison County after her vehicle, a blue Dodge Stratus, was found on a county road in DeBerry. She is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. Benefields has a light complexion, wears braces, has a nose piercing, and a tattoo that says “Wanda Ree” on her fight forearm. Over the weekend , Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Shreveport K-9 units searched an area off I-20 in Waskom. Investigators spent more than 100 hours searching for Benefield. As of Monday at 9:45 a.m., the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office has gathered trained search teams to continue a search for any evidence regarding Benefield.

Various well-meaning people have contacted the Sheriff’s Office asking for locations to search, officials say. The presence of volunteers presents difficulties in the collection of evidence, if there is evidence to recover, according to authorities. Law enforcement has asked only trained searchers be in areas where the authorities are working. If anyone has any information regarding the disappearance of Alicia they are asked to call Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000.