Full Breakdown
New York Grandmother Missing in Las Vegas: Search, Text Scams, and Ongoing Investigation
8/20/2026, 9:23:21 PM
Core Event – Disappearance of Alisa Goods
Alisa Goods, a 63-year-old grandmother of five from Brooklyn, vanished while visiting a longtime friend in Las Vegas. She was last seen leaving her friend’s apartment around midday on August 8 to take a bus to a nearby CVS pharmacy. She never returned, and her family reported her missing shortly thereafter.
Background & Context
Goods, a resident of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, was in Las Vegas to stay with Roger John, a friend of about 20 years. She had recently undergone several leg surgeries that limit her ability to walk long distances.
Timeline
- August 8 – Goods departs Roger John’s apartment for a CVS trip and is not seen again.
- Two days later – A missing-person report is filed; family says John reported the disappearance two days after Goods failed to return, while police records list a later filing date.
- Approximately one week later – Family members begin receiving text messages from Goods’ phone requesting cash and Bitcoin.
- Following weeks – Las Vegas Metro Police conduct a search within a 20-mile radius, check local hospitals, jails, morgues, and the coroner’s office, and post flyers throughout the area.
Data & Statistics
- Age: 63; grandmother of five.
- Recent medical history: multiple leg surgeries limiting mobility.
- Search radius: 20 miles from the last known location near East Flamingo and Paradise roads.
- Time elapsed: nearly two weeks at the time of the latest reports.
Official Statements & Responses
- Las Vegas Metro Police confirmed the investigation is active, reiterated the 20-mile search area, and urged anyone with information to contact detectives.
On-the-Ground Reports
Family members traveling from New Jersey have been checking hospitals, morgues, and local jails without finding leads. Daughter Kristen Goods expressed extreme worry, noting the city’s extensive surveillance should have yielded more clues. Niece Alana Calloway described receiving texts that asked for gas money and Bitcoin—requests that seemed implausible because Goods does not drive. Cousin Elise Whitaker emphasized the family’s hope for a safe return, while sister Mielle Stone pleaded for the public to treat Goods as a priority.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Report filing date: Family accounts differ from police documentation.
- Source of texts: The family attributes the messages to an impersonator, but authorities have not identified the sender.
- Perceived priority: Family members feel the case is not being treated as a priority, whereas police maintain the investigation is ongoing.
Why It Matters
The disappearance highlights challenges families face when a loved one vanishes far from home, especially when medical limitations reduce the missing person’s ability to navigate unfamiliar terrain. Fraudulent texts and Bitcoin demands underscore the risk of opportunistic scams exploiting vulnerable situations, raising concerns about digital security and surveillance effectiveness in high-traffic tourist areas.
What’s Next
Las Vegas Metro Police continue to accept tips from the public and are maintaining the active missing-person status. The investigation remains open, with authorities monitoring for any new leads related to the suspicious communications and the possibility of locating Goods.