A $10,000 FBI reward offers new hope in the desperate search for 21-year-old Heaven Desiree McGee, who vanished from Oakland in January and is now feared to be trapped in sex trafficking operations in Stockton.
Key Takeaways
- Heaven Desiree McGee, 21, has been missing since January 17, with authorities believing she’s a victim of sex trafficking based on evidence from her last known sighting in Stockton on January 20.
- The FBI is offering a substantial $10,000 reward for information leading to McGee’s whereabouts, underscoring the severity of her disappearance.
- McGee’s family insists her disappearance is completely out of character, with her mother stating she would never voluntarily leave her loved ones.
- Law enforcement has conducted extensive searches across Oakland, San Joaquin, and Solano counties guided by cellphone data and other investigative leads.
- The case has received national attention through the Black and Missing Foundation Inc., with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the FBI immediately.
FBI Launches Reward Campaign As Evidence Points to Trafficking
Federal authorities have escalated their search for Heaven Desiree McGee by offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to her location. The 21-year-old Oakland woman was last seen by her mother on January 17 in East Oakland, reportedly heading to Hayward. Her last confirmed sighting was in Stockton on January 20, raising serious concerns about her safety. McGee’s mother officially reported her missing on January 26, after unusual silence from her daughter who normally maintains close contact with family. The FBI’s involvement signals the gravity of the case as evidence increasingly suggests McGee fell victim to human trafficking operations.
“Based on the evidence gathered in this case, we believe Heaven was being trafficked and is the reason why she was in the Stockton area. Human trafficking is a brutal crime and preys on the most vulnerable and isolates victims from those who care about them the most,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.
It’s been 5 months since Heaven McGee disappeared at age 20 & was last seen in Oakland & Stockton. Her mother is pleading for help finding her only child. @oaklandpoliceca @FBISanFrancisco believe Heaven may be victim of sex trafficking. 5,6,7:30 p.m. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/20AoivzBpy
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) June 25, 2025
Extensive Multi-County Search Efforts Continue
Law enforcement agencies have cast a wide net in their search for McGee, conducting thorough investigations throughout Oakland, San Joaquin, and Solano counties. These coordinated efforts between the FBI and Oakland Police Department have been guided by McGee’s cellphone data and other investigative leads. Despite these extensive searches, authorities have yet to locate the young woman. The case has gained additional attention through the national Black and Missing Foundation Inc., which helps publicize cases of missing persons of color that often receive less media coverage than those of white victims.
“While these searches have not yet yielded the results we hope for, we continue to pursue every possible tip and lead and take every logical investigative step,” said Sanjay Virmani, FBI Special Agent.
The Oakland Police Department’s Deputy Chief Nicholas Calonge has emphasized the department’s commitment to finding McGee. Authorities released a detailed description to aid public identification efforts: McGee stands 5 feet tall, weighs approximately 140 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. She also has several distinctive tattoos, including “Aaron Pryor” above a red rose, four butterfly tattoos on her chest, and “Darius III” on her right forearm. She was last seen wearing a white jacket and brown pants before her disappearance.
Family’s Desperate Plea for Public Assistance
McGee’s mother, Tamisha, has been at the forefront of efforts to locate her daughter, participating in a press conference at Oakland police headquarters to announce the reward and plead for public assistance. She emphasized that her daughter’s disappearance is completely out of character, noting Heaven’s love for cooking and creating TikTok videos. The extended period without contact has only deepened the family’s concern, as McGee typically maintained close ties with her loved ones and would never voluntarily cut communication with them.
“Heaven was a genuine person who would never leave her family. … This is not becoming of her. … I will never stop searching for my baby until I know exactly where my daughter is,” said Tamisha, Heaven’s mother.
McGee has connections throughout the Bay Area, including Oakland, Stockton, and San Jose. With each passing day, authorities and family members grow increasingly concerned about her safety and wellbeing. The FBI is urging anyone with information about McGee’s whereabouts to contact their local FBI office or submit tips online. This case highlights the ongoing crisis of human trafficking in America, which continues to destroy lives while operating in the shadows of our communities despite President Trump’s strong stance against these criminal enterprises.
