Las Vegas authorities are seeking the public's help in locating Sally Grace Contarino, a 26-year-old Australian tourist who has been missing since June 20. Contarino was last seen near Sky Canyon Drive on the outskirts of Las Vegas, and investigators have been working to retrace her steps for over a week.
Contarino arrived in Las Vegas on June 15 for a two-week solo vacation to the United States, having previously visited Palm Springs, California. She checked into the Bungalows Hostel on South Las Vegas Boulevard. On June 17, she was incidentally captured on the live stream of a pickup artist outside a 7-Eleven on the city's outskirts, where he attempted to solicit her phone number. Contarino declined, stating she had a boyfriend.
According to texts sent to a friend on June 19, Contarino planned to hike Lone Mountain before her scheduled flight back to Australia the following day. Surveillance footage showed her gambling at Timbers Bar and Grill from approximately 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on June 19, after which she returned to her hostel.
Contarino checked out of the hostel on the morning of June 20, leaving her luggage behind. She had breakfast at a nearby cafe. Her last confirmed sighting was at 1 p.m. on June 20, near a Starbucks on Sky Canyon Drive, where she was seen boarding a bus, police believe, to Mount Charleston, a hiking area in Red Rock Canyon National Park.
Her planned departure from Los Angeles to Melbourne did not occur, as the Greyhound bus ticket she purchased was unused. Police have declared her missing and endangered, expressing concerns for her emotional distress and potential need for medical assistance.
Local residents and experts have raised concerns about Contarino's movements, noting that the Bungalows Hostel is in a neighborhood described as less safe. The areas she was seen frequenting are also considered unusual for a tourist, leading to speculation about potential human trafficking, a significant issue in Nevada. A human trafficking expert indicated that her profile aligns with that of potential victims.
Contarino is described as having brown hair and brown eyes with a slim build. She was last seen wearing a grey or blue sweatshirt, denim shorts, and black and white shoes, carrying a bag. Police have recovered her luggage, used search dogs with her clothing, and conducted grid searches in areas where she was last seen. Local hospitals have also been alerted to review records.
Contarino's sisters have traveled to the U.S. and are actively raising awareness online. One sister mentioned that Contarino had limited funds and had experienced mental health struggles.
