Family members of a missing Delta flight attendant from Queens say they're still on the search for the woman who hasn't been seen since January, when she apparently quit her job ahead of a flight and walked out of LaGuardia Airport.
The family of Sierra Shields, 30, who was last seen leaving the airport, believe she is still alive.
"Right now, we have more questions than we do answers," said her father, Chris Shields, who flew in from Chicago with Sierra's mother to try to find anyone who can shed light on her disappearance.
Sierra's mother, Donna Shields, said she spoke with her daughter the morning of Jan. 14, but felt something was off. Sierra ended the call quickly.
She left her apartment in Queens, and like she always did, walked nearly two miles to LaGuardia Airport, where she was scheduled to work a flight originating there.
Hours before her scheduled shift, she asked her supervisor if she could speak to her union representative, but the union representative wasn't there. Sierra wouldn't tell her supervisor why she wanted to speak to her -- which was out of character for her because the two were close.
Sierra then left her work pass on her supervisor's desk and walked out of the terminal. She hasn't been seen since.
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Surveillance video shows Sierra walking out of Marine Terminal, but it's not clear which direction she goes. Police have not released the video, but her family says it only shows about three seconds of her walking. She was wearing her flight attendant dress, but not her full uniform.
Her family says she does not have a history of depression, and describe her as a person who would go out of her way to help others. They fear it was her generosity that may have gotten her into trouble.
"My gut tells me she was helping someone," said her mother, Donna Shields.
"We don't know who she may have met. She is just... We just don't know. It's hard not knowing," she said.
Sierra's parents said police told them they believe Sierra is in or around Astoria but wouldn't say why they think that.
Donna Shields said the lead detective in the case has since told the family "not to call and not to expect updates." Now the family is in New York, stopping and talking to people and posting flyers.
Police would only tell NBC 4 New York the investigation is active and ongoing.
"If she's on her own free will, great," said Chris Shields. "We say we love you, come back home. If someone has her... I can't speak to that."
Despite all the questions they have, Sierra's parents believe they have one answer.
"She is here someplace," Chris said. "We will find her."
The airline workers union Sierra belonged to is offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who has information that helps find her.
