Des Moines authorities and a grieving family continue to search for answers in the disappearance of Alek Yel, a 16-year-old who has been missing from Des Moines, Iowa, since February 22, 2025. As months pass with no confirmed sightings, concern for Alek’s safety remains urgent and unwavering.
Alek’s family says the pain of not knowing where she is — or what happened to her — has only deepened with time. While leads may have gone cold, investigators stress that time can also bring clarity. A detail that once seemed insignificant could now be the key to locating Alek.
Police are urging the public to think back carefully: someone may have seen Alek later than originally believed, noticed her in a different part of Des Moines, or recalled an interaction that didn’t stand out at the time. Even the smallest memory could provide investigators with a crucial breakthrough.
The Des Moines Police Department continues to actively list Alek as a missing juvenile and is working in coordination with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC case number 2063466).
Authorities emphasize that community involvement is critical. Anyone with information — no matter how minor it may seem — is urged to come forward immediately.
📞 Des Moines Police Department: 515-283-4811
📌 NCMEC Case Number: 2063466
As the search continues, Alek’s family holds onto hope that someone, somewhere, knows something that can help bring her home. The message remains clear: Alek has been gone too long, and Des Moines has not stopped looking.
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