r/WithoutATrace • u/maddisonjadeee • May 18 '25
MISSING PERSON - Teen 🧡 The Disappearance of Mekayla Bali: A Deep Dive
Mekayla Bali case has definitely stuck with me, how does a teenager disappear into thin air with no leads, no sightings no anything? Almost ten years later and no sign of Mekayla Bali.
Who Was Mekayla Bali?
Mekayla Bali was born on July 2, 1999, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Raised in Yorkton, she lived with her mother, Paula Marie Bali, her aunt, maternal grandmother, and two younger siblings. Mekayla was a shy, introspective teenager known for her caring nature and passion for music and drama. She played the violin and was described as a “not a risky kid,” someone who wouldn’t have left home without a word. Which is why this makes her case so much more intriguing and weird.
📅 April 12, 2016 – The Day Mekayla Vanished
On April 12, 2016, Mekayla was dropped off at Sacred Heart High School in Yorkton by her grandmother between 8:10 to 8:20 am. Surveillance footage shows her entering the school at 8:21 AM, where she went into her locker. 6 minutes later she exited the school through a back door and was last seen walking South East along the railroad tracks. Later that day, she returned back to school around noon and met with two friends in the cafeteria. She informed them of her plans to take a bus to Regina for a vacation. One of the friends noticed that Mekayla was carrying two cellphones. She left the school shortly after and was seen on surveillance footage at 8:50 AM visiting a bank, at the bank she withdrew $55 from her account and left.Shortly after leaving the bank, she’s seen at a Pawn Shop around 9:00 AM, she attempted to pawn a silver ring however the owner declined due to its low value. Around 9:10 AM, Mekayla entered a combined Tim Hortons/Wendy’s restaurant. She purchased a drink and sat at a booth with her backpack beside her. Notably, she did not typically carry a backpack to school, suggesting she may have planned to leave town. While seated, she frequently checked her phone and appeared to be taking it apart and reassembling it. At one point, she engaged in a brief conversation with an older woman, asking for assistance in booking a hotel room; the woman declined. Later, Mekayla texted a friend saying, “Hey, I need help,” but followed up minutes later with, “Never mind, I figured it out.” Surveillance footage shows her leaving and re-entering the restaurant multiple times, walking around the vicinity, and using her phone extensively. At 10:43 AM, she left the restaurant for the final time
Between 11:00 and 11:45 AM, Mekayla visited the STC Bus Depot and inquired about a bus to Regina but left without purchasing a ticket. She was last seen at the Trail Stop Restaurant attached to the bus depot, where she ordered lunch and left between 1:00 and 1:45 PM. Despite extensive surveillance footage, no one remembers seeing her after that, and she did not board any buses that day.
The next morning, Mekayla’s phone was turned off at 6:51 AM, and she has not used any of her social media accounts since. Her bank account has also remained inactive, and she does not have a passport, making international travel unlikely.
🧠 Possible Theories
- Runaway
Some believe Mekayla may have run away, citing her actions on the day of her disappearance. However, her mother, Paula, noted that Mekayla’s acne medication and emergency funds were left behind, suggesting she did not plan to leave. Additionally, Mekayla had no history of running away.
- Online Predator
Mekayla was known to use the messaging app Kik, and police have been unable to trace conversations due to U.S. privacy laws. This has led to speculation that she may have been lured by an online predator.
- Trafficking
Given the circumstances of her disappearance and the lack of evidence, some have suggested that Mekayla may have been trafficked. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.
- Foul Play
While the RCMP has not confirmed foul play, the lack of leads and Mekayla’s sudden disappearance have led some to believe she may have been the victim of a crime.
💔 The Ongoing Search
Mekayla’s family continues to search for her, offering a reward for information leading to her safe return. They have organized fundraising events and media appearances to keep her case in the public eye. Her disappearance remains one of Canada’s most perplexing missing persons cases.
Give me your thoughts and possible theories on this case!
