California College Student, 23, Reported Missing After Phone Found at LAX: 'Very Out of Character'

Sacramento State University student Noelle Lynch was seen leaving an apartment "on foot" without "personal property," per the LAPD

The family of a 23-year-old college student from California is spreading the word about her disappearance after the Los Angeles Police Department said she left an apartment "without personal property and may or may not be able to identify herself" — and as the family noted that her phone was discovered at LAX.

On April 8, the LAPD revealed in a release that Noelle Lynch was reported missing and last seen just 5 days before when she left an apartment "by foot."

Lynch, who SFGate notes is a Sacramento State University student, "was last seen leaving an apartment building on foot in the 900 block of East Redondo Boulevard in the City of Inglewood" around 5 p.m. [local time] on April 3. Her father, Mark Lynch, told the outlet that Noelle left home in a “difficult state of mind" and drove to Southern California on April 1.

The Los Angeles Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for an update on April 12.

Mark, who said he "didn’t know where she was going," also revealed that his daughter was in a car accident in Los Angeles on the early morning of April 2.

He told SFGate that at least two other vehicles were involved and that Noelle's mother Kellie Lynch then booked her a hotel — before the family drove down toward the area of LAX to meet her.

Kellie told local ABC affiliate KXTV that her child "wasn't hurt in the crash, but her car was totaled."

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At 12 p.m. the next day, Mark said that Kellie got a call from Noelle via a “strange person’s phone," and that the student was “mostly not making sense." They say she did not stay in the hotel.

Later that day, Noelle was spotted walking on foot without "personal property," and it was also unclear why she was at the apartment, according to her dad. Kellie added that she later found her daughter's things, including a backpack, at the apartment.

Her phone was later discovered at an LAX Southwest ticket counter, but Mark told SFGate there is no evidence that his daughter boarded a plane.

“All that matters is trying to get her back,” Mark told the publication. “The more people that can open their eyes, the better.”

“She always calls,” he added. “This is very out of character. She has had a tough time but she has always called.”

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Noelle, a Sacramento State junior whom her mother calls a "good person" and "caring and kind," is described by the LAPD as around 125 pounds, 5'8 and white with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen in a dark t-shirt, green military logo sweatpants and white sneakers.

Mark suspects foul play may have been a factor in her disappearance, as the family tells KXTV that the isolation of the pandemic was tough on Noelle and that it was "difficult for her to get back on track." The family also notes that police said they don't expect foul play.

"We want to know that she's OK and get her back and get her help," Mark said. 

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