Rita Marie Shaw

Rita Marie Shaw vanished from New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2011. Her story is a reminder of the countless missing persons cases that need our attention. Learn about Rita's case and how you might be able to help bring her home.

The details of her disappearance

Rita Marie Shaw was 44 years old when she disappeared from New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 1, 2011. She was last seen in the 4700 block of Cerise Street, where she lived with her mother, Natalie Shaw. Rita has never been seen or heard from again.

There are very few details publicly available about the day Rita disappeared. According to information released about her case, Rita's boyfriend was believed to be the last person known to have seen her. He was not considered a suspect in her disappearance.

Rita was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed around 220 pounds. She had black hair and brown eyes and was known to sometimes wear a wig. Rita had pierced ears and a scar on her back. Records also mention an injury or possible scar involving her right wrist.

At the time of her disappearance, Rita had schizophrenia and needed medication. When she was not taking her medication, she was known to struggle with substance use and may have been especially vulnerable when she disappeared.

Her family knew Rita had struggles, but they also knew the person behind them. Her brother, Brian Gray, later described his sister as someone who would give a person the shirt off her back. Rita was a daughter and a sister, and her family knew something was wrong when she disappeared and never contacted them again.

One of the more unusual circumstances surrounding Rita's case involves her boyfriend. He was reportedly the last known person to see Rita before she vanished. About three years after Rita disappeared, he was a victim of homicide. He was beaten to death in the same general area where he and Rita were known to spend time. Authorities have never publicly connected his murder to Rita's disappearance, and he was not considered a suspect in her case. However, his death meant that one of the last people known to have seen Rita was no longer available to provide additional information as the investigation continued.

Years have passed without any confirmed sightings of Rita. There has been no publicly identified suspect in her disappearance. No known crime scene has been announced, and very little information has been released about Rita's final hours on April 1, 2011. It is unclear what she was wearing, whether she left on foot, or whether she got into a vehicle with someone.

In 2021, ten years after Rita disappeared, her family spoke publicly about the case. Her mother and brother were still searching for answers and said they had received little information about any major developments in the investigation.

Rita's brother said the family never really gave up looking for her. After so many years without contact, the family feared Rita may no longer be alive, but they still wanted to know what happened and where she was.

Rita Marie Shaw remains missing.

Her case is classified as endangered missing, and the New Orleans Police Department remains the investigating agency. More than fifteen years have now passed since Rita was last seen on Cerise Street.

There are still many unanswered questions about Rita's disappearance. Where did she go after she was last seen? Did she leave the area on her own, or did she meet with someone? Someone may remember seeing Rita in April 2011. Someone may remember a conversation, a vehicle, or something that did not seem important at the time.

If you or anyone you know has information concerning the disappearance or whereabouts of Rita Marie Shaw, please contact the New Orleans Police Department at 504-658-6077. Her family is still waiting to learn what happened to her.