Missing Utah Teen Found Safe in Colorado Springs

Missing Utah Teen Found Safe in Colorado Springs

Alisa Petrov, a 15-year-old girl from Utah, has been located safe and in good health after going missing in April. The search for her ended when she walked into the Colorado Springs Police Department and announced who she was. Her family welcomed her home with extraordinary joy, putting her health and safety ahead of any desire to assign responsibility for her going missing.

Alisa Petrov, 16, was last seen on April 21, just days after she celebrated her 16th birthday on April 16. On the day she went missing, she had been dropped off at Canyon Grove Academy in American Fork. Home surveillance footage recorded her as she exited a train platform in Provo. This new site is approximately 14 miles from the last known location.

After getting off the bus, Alisa allegedly approached a few people for help buying a new bus ticket to Las Vegas. Law enforcement later announced that her intention was to rendezvous with 35-year-old Matthew Nicholas Menard. She’d exchanged messages and log-in information with him leading up to her disappearance. Her family said they had no knowledge of her plans and were only concerned with her safe return.

Alisa had saved about $1,000 from birthday gifts and her allowance. It’s no surprise, then, that this additional money allowed her to afford her travels. Her father Nikolai Petrov, speaking after she was found safe, thanked everyone involved in her return.

“We are all really happy that Alisa is found and looking forward to seeing her!” – Nikolai Petrov

Becker had told KUTV how important it was to get Alisa back safe.

“Obviously, it’s best if she just walked in the door and said, ‘Hey, I’m back.’ That would be the best outcome.” – Sgt. Becker via KUTV

The Petrov family wanted to express their heartfelt gratitude to the South Jordan Police Department. They burned the midnight oil and worked all weekends during the course of this search as well. Thank you Salt Lake City FBI for your priceless efforts during this search.

“Special thanks to the South Jordan Police Department who worked on weekends, and to the Salt Lake City FBI who helped them. Thank you to all of our friends for your help and support.” – Nikolai Petrov

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