Atlantic City Woman Disappears Leaving College

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- A woman in Atlantic City seems to have vanished without a trace, according to police and her family.

Atlantic City Woman Missing
 

Shaista Bano (pictured, left), 22, has not been seen or heard from in more than a week. Bano was last seen walking out of a building at Atlantic Cape Community College's Atlantic City campus, where she worked and was a student. Her house is only a few blocks away and now her family fears the worst.  "It's been nine days. I do think that it's something bad," said Syed Raza, Bano's brother. Raza, 19, can only wonder and worry about what happened to his only sister. "This is out of character. This is not her -- leaving, not telling us. This is not her," Raza said. "I go in the bathroom. I cry there sometimes," said Syed Hussain, Bano's father. Bano's loved ones are plastering posters with her picture on them throughout the resort town, hoping they can find some answers. Police say surveillance video shows Bano leaving the building on foot about noon the day she disappeared. Her family said that she never showed up at a religious gathering she was supposed to attend. "It could be a possible, kidnapping thing. It could be possible. Right now that's what we're fearing," said Hassan Bilal, Bano's brother.

"We are investigating it as an active missing persons case. We have not received any information that would lead us to believe that foul play was involved at this time," said Lt. Mike Tullio, of the Atlantic City Police Department  But Bano's relatives, who are offering a $10,000 reward for information that helps them find her, can think of no other explanation. They said she is a deeply religious Muslim, who has no credit cards or bank account, no cell phone, and no boyfriend. Her room remains exactly the way she left it. "We can't do anything. All we can do is pray to God that she's alright and one day she comes back," Raza said.  Police said that they are working on some leads, but would not elaborate. Anyone with information asked to call (609) 347-5766.