Latasha Norman, Jackson State University student missing for two weeks

Latasha Norman, who is a student at Jackson State University, was last seen Nov. 13 in one of her classes. Her car was left on the campus, and the 20-year-old never returned to her dormitory room.  

According to the Associated Press, those who know Latasha Norman describe her as a serious, smart student who was seen around Jackson State with pad and pencil, covering stories for the campus newspaper.

Black and Missing but not Forgotten reports that Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin said Norman's disappearance should get "the same kind of concern" as that of Stacy Peterson, 23, a white woman from suburban Chicago who has been missing for three weeks. 

"As far as the interest by the national media in the story, I think race probably had an impact," said McMillin, who is white. "It's a small college in the South. It's the daughter of simple people who maybe are not important outside of their circle, and maybe we don't attach the same importance to them that we do for other people."

Jackson State's Office of University Communications has sent out a series of press releases since Norman's disappearance.   According to their website, Ms. Norman is an accounting major from Greenville, Miss., is of medium-brown complexion, stands approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs between 115 and 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.

To report information regarding Latasha Norman's whereabouts, call one of the following numbers:

JSU Public Safety, 601-979-1659
JSU Public Safety, 601-979-2580
JPD Missing Persons Bureau, 601-960-1210
Jackson Police Dept. 601-960-1234