Interpol Issues Global Alert in Search for Missing U.S. College Student in Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – June 15, 2025 — Interpol has issued a global “Yellow Notice” in the case of a missing American college student, 23-year-old Sydney Payton, who vanished during a study abroad trip in the Dominican Republic last week.
Sydney, a student at Florida International University, was last seen on June 9 at her residence in Santo Domingo, where she had been participating in a cultural exchange program. Her disappearance was reported after she failed to show up for scheduled classes and did not return messages from friends or family.
The Yellow Notice, which is used to help locate missing persons, especially minors, was requested by Dominican authorities in collaboration with the FBI. Interpol’s alert circulates Sydney’s identifying details—including her photograph and travel documentation—to all 196 member countries.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic say the investigation is ongoing. They have interviewed friends, local residents, and reviewed CCTV footage from the area where Sydney was last seen. So far, no foul play has been confirmed, but police are not ruling out any possibilities.
Sydney’s parents flew to the Dominican Republic over the weekend and are pleading for help in locating their daughter. “We just want our daughter back safe. Please, if anyone knows anything, say something,” her mother told reporters during a press conference in Santo Domingo.
A video appeal from her family has also been shared widely on social media in hopes of gathering leads.
Anyone with information about Sydney Payton’s whereabouts is urged to contact local authorities or Interpol.
Video Highlight: A family appeal and timeline of her disappearance (via YouTube).
This is a developing story.
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