'Age Progression' Photo Shows Bronzville Teen Missing Since 2002

CHICAGO — An age progression photo has been released of a Chicago teen who has been missing since 2002.

Nicole “Runny” Johnson was 16 when she vanished from Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood more than two decades ago. She was last seen by family members Dec. 9, 2002, when she left her home in the 7500 block of South Langley Avenue.

A few days later on Dec. 13 she was seen near 87th Street and Cottage Grove, and again near 79th Street and South King Drive.

Nicole "Runny" Johnson, 16 (left), and an age progression photo showing what she would look like around 30.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Department worked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in creating an age progression photo showing what Johnson would look like around age 30.

Johnson is 37 years old today. Cook County officials are still trying to determine what happened to her, in the hopes of bringing some closure to her family.

At the time of her disappearance Johnson was 16. She was last seen wearing hair extensions down to her shoulders, blue jeans, black jacket, and red and white jump shoes. Johnson was 5-feet-7-inches tall, 115 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said that some people that have been missing for 35 years have been found, still alive.

“Our hope in these cases though is that because there’s limited information, somebody is going to provide us some more,” Dart told FOX 32.

Johnson reportedly stopped taking medication before she disappeared. According to her family, it was unusual for to leave like that.

"Particularly when someone that young vanishes. We know only too well the range of horrible things that can happen,” Dart said. “So any tips of any nature would be wildly helpful here.”
Officials hope that someone may recognize Johnson by the age progression photo.

Anyone with information about Nicole “Runny” Johnson’s whereabouts or disappearance is asked to contact CPD Area One Detectives Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8380 or call 911.

Community leaders are also urging residents with information to contact Chicago police. Tips can be leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.