A 19-year-old woman who vanished at age 15 has been found alive in Virginia, and authorities have charged a suspect in her abduction. Joniah Walker was located on May 23 at a residence in Blacksburg, Virginia, 730 miles from her home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Police allege she was abducted by Owen Lars Anderson, 37, after meeting him at a Chicago movie theater on June 23, 2022. Anderson has been charged with kidnapping, child enticement, and abduction of a child in Wisconsin, as well as 55 counts of child sexual abuse material possession in Virginia.
Walker had been communicating with Anderson online since she was 12 years old, and he convinced her to meet him in person when she was 15. Authorities say Anderson arranged for an Uber to transport her from her family’s home to the theater, where he then abducted her. Police allege he disposed of her cell phone and a burner phone he had given her, holding her captive and allegedly abusing her for years.
Walker was discovered during a 911 call for a domestic disturbance at Anderson’s home. She revealed her identity and that she had been reported missing as a juvenile. Anderson remains in custody.
Walker’s family had previously criticized law enforcement for their handling of the case, citing delays in the investigation and lack of door-to-door inquiries. They had shared doorbell camera footage of Walker’s last known whereabouts, expressing frustration with the police response.