London, Ontario – The London Police Service has confirmed that 15-year-old Payton Skinner, who was reported missing earlier this month, has been safely located. Payton was last seen on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in the Richmond Street and Windermere Road area. The police had issued a public appeal for information, citing concerns for her welfare.
Payton Skinner, described as a White female with a medium build, shoulder-length dyed pink/red hair, and blue eyes, was wearing a grey sweatshirt, bright blue sweatpants, and white and yellow Nike shoes at the time of her disappearance. She was also carrying a cross-body bag and a green shopping bag.
The community responded actively to the police’s call for assistance, sharing the information widely on social media. Following the confirmation of her safety, several community members took to Facebook to express their thoughts and concerns.
Samantha Carrothers commented, "Someone needs to figure out what she is running from. This is a monthly thing at this point and it’s concerning."
Melissa Landry expressed frustration with some of the unhelpful comments she had seen online, saying, "The comments I see on here each time the young lady is missing are not helpful, and often unkind. Keep your eyes peeled, and if you can’t help, move on."
Others, like Lindsay Fitzhugh, questioned the frequency of Payton’s disappearances, writing, "I hope she’s found safe, but she goes missing WAY too much… can you maybe investigate why she keeps going missing?!"
Nicole Whitney also shared her concern, highlighting the challenges faced by those in need of support: "I’m really hoping she is ok and can get some help but honestly there’s not much assistance out there. All these let’s talk days and mental health initiatives are lip service."
The London Police have thanked the public for their assistance in locating Payton and have reiterated the importance of community support in such cases.