Woman Vanishes After Leaving Christmas Day Gathering To Clear Her Head

Parris Lechelle Hopson was a 26-year-old living with her mother in Columbus, Ohio. She had an outgoing personality and was a gifted writer. After working several years as an event planner, Parris held an administrative position at an insurance company, Nationwide.

In June of 2017, Parris’ only sibling was seriously injured in a car crash. Although the car belonged to 22-year-old Perry Hopson Jr., he had not been driving at the time. After passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone, the driver fled the scene. No one knows who they were.

Perry was taken off of life support a year later. He left behind his long-time girlfriend, who was six months pregnant at the time of the accident, and a 10-year-old son. Parris was deeply affected by her brother’s death and was committed to finding the driver who left him unconscious in the passenger’s seat.

According to their mother, Rochelle Arnold-Hopson,

“Parris was determined to find out what happened to her brother. For our family and for her niece and nephew. She would never walk away from them.”

On December 25, 2019, Parris and her mother drove to Shriver Avenue in Massillon. The family was gathering at her grandparents’ house to celebrate Christmas.

Rochelle says her daughter wasn’t acting like her usual self. She hadn’t been sleeping well and was visibly anxious, pacing back and forth a lot.

“She seemed to be down. But she didn’t say anything in particular about what was bothering her.”

In the afternoon, Parris decided to go for a walk to clear her head. According to Rochelle, she was headed to Shriver Park,

“She was just going to walk to a park that’s nearby. I texted her and told her not to worry about anything. Just get some fresh air. Just pray. But I never got a response. And when she didn’t return later that evening, that’s when I started to really worry.”

While walking in the direction of the park around 2:30 PM, Parris stopped to wish a neighbor merry Christmas. He was the last person to see her as she would never return to her grandparents’ house.

She left her phone charging in the car outside the house, along with her identification and debit card. Her mother had both sets of keys to their Columbus apartment. The last text she sent was to a pastor to ask if there were any services that night.

Massillon police and hundreds of community members took part in the search for Parris. Search and rescue dogs were also employed. Unfortunately, they found no sign of the missing woman.

Rochelle told police her daughter didn’t have a history of mental health issues or drug use. According to her cousin Rockelle Arnold, Parris was dating a man who was trying to drive her apart from her family and friends.

Authorities quickly ran out of leads to investigate. They do not believe foul play is involved in Parris’ disappearance but are concerned for her safety. Detective Jason Gohlike stated,

“There is no evidence to show it was foul play. There is nothing. It’s very strange. This case remains open.”

The family has gone through a lot in a short period. After Perry died and Parris vanished, the family matriarch Dorothy Arnold and a cousin both passed away in 2020. It’s been over two years since Parris disappeared and her cousin Rockelle wishes they had closure,

“We are just waiting and hoping that someone will come forward. We want closure. We need closure.

Even if she is passed, we just want closure. It’s terrible me, my aunt, my sister, we don’t trust anyone. It could have been anyone. When we are out, we are looking for her. We walk past a house and we wonder is she in the basement? It’ s a daunting feeling. I think I see her and chase down people to find out it isn’t her.”