Search for missing JSU student Latasha Norman generates national media attention

Chief Rebecca Coleman

The search for missing Jackson State University student Latasha Norman generated national media attention on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Latasha, a 20-year-old junior accounting major from Greenville, Miss., was last seen Tuesday, Nov. 13 after leaving a marketing class about 2:20 p.m.

Her family reported her missing between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. Jackson State’s Department of Public Safety notified the Jackson Police Department’s Missing Person’s Bureau about 30 minutes later.

MSNBC, “America’s Most Wanted” and American Urban Radio Networks interviewed Rebecca Coleman, chief of the Jackson State Department of Public Safety, via telephone Wednesday. Hinds County Sheriff-Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin also was interviewed on MSNBC.

“The more media coverage we can get in regards to Latasha will help uncover information that could lead to her safe return,” said Coleman, a Jackson State alumna whose twin daughters also are accounting majors at the university.

Latasha’s father, Danny Bolden, was interviewed twice via telephone on MSNBC, and “Good Morning America” has contacted the family about flying to New York to appear on the popular morning television show. CNN’s Nancy Grace planned to feature the story at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.

News about Latasha’s disappearance also has been picked up on the Fox News Web site, as well as the Web sites of media outlets in states including Missouri, California, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

Coleman thanked the media for continuing to cover the story.

“It’s a time of Thanksgiving and a time of hope,” she said, “and we have not given up hope that she will be brought back home.”