‘More questions than answers’: Detectives, family ask public for help finding missing Miramar woman

Courtney Babb never forgot the special occasions. Even when estranged from her family and without a phone, she always found a way to send them a Merry Christmas or Happy Birthday message. But over the past month, her mother’s birthday passed, followed by Babb’s own 30th birthday, without a word.

“I did not hear from her on Mother’s Day,” Babb’s mother, Roberta Robinson, said at a news conference Tuesday about her daughter’s disappearance, visibly upset. “So I want someone to please, if you’ve seen her, somebody call, because I really miss her.”

Babb was reported missing exactly one month ago, on April 16, according to Miramar Police. She struggles with mental health issues and was likely not taking her medications, Robinson said. Though they had brief estrangements in the past, this is the longest the family has gone without hearing from her. Detectives believe that she may be in danger.

Family members described Babb Tuesday as bubbly, creative and “a little bit silly.” An aspiring singer, she had moved to New York to pursue her dream before returning to South Florida.

Babb was last seen on April 10, near her home at the corner of University Drive and Pembroke Road, carrying a black backpack. She lived with a male roommate, with whom she previously had a romantic relationship, though they were just friends at the time of her disappearance, said Detective Sarah Smith, the lead investigator on the case.

“At this point he is fully cooperating with the investigation,” Smith said. “We do have more questions than answers.”

Robinson typically used social media to communicate with Babb and send her money, as she didn’t have a phone.

“I will get her like three cellphones and she’ll lose it,” Robinson said. But “…she always texts me when she finds somebody’s phone.”

Six weeks ago, Robinson went to the home, knocked on the door, and left a note. Two weeks later, the roommate called. He told Robinson he hadn’t heard from Babb and was worried.

Babb packed a backpack before she disappeared, Smith said, though with only a few personal belongings, not clothes, and of course, no cellphone.

“She just left,” Robinson said.

Detectives believe that someone knows what happened to Babb and urged them to come forward.

“She was a vulnerable person, and we know that sometimes vulnerable people are taken advantage of, sometimes end up in situations that are hard for them to get out of without assistance,” Smith said. “And that’s what we’re looking for today, some help.”

Anyone with information should call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

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