Lina Sardar Khil’s father criticizes officials for poor communication as search efforts yield little progress nearly four years after her disappearance.
SAN ANTONIO — Three years and ten months.
It’s the age little Lina Sardar Khil was when she was snatched from a northwest side playground, and it is the amount of time that has passed since that day.
Lina disappeared from a playground in the 9400 block of Fredericksburg Road on December 20, 2021.
Her family and friends say they are keeping hope alive, and they hope everyone else is too.
Speaking with the help of a translator, Lina’s father says there has been a complete lack of communication from those he hoped would bring his daughter home.
Riaz Khil said, “Those agencies that are responsible for investigating the matter like the FBI, SAPD and other agencies involved in this process, they have never tried to reach out to me.”
Khil said he doesn’t believe investigators have used the resources available to them to the fullest extent possible, so they are at the point of bringing private investigators into the process.
“Hopefully we will get more updates and more information that will lead us to bring Lina back home,” Khil added.
There have been numerous searches and leads that have gone nowhere, which supporters say is particularly painful in a community of immigrants.
Afghan community leader Azim Jan said, “Every day without her is filled with grief but also with hope. The hope that someone somewhere knows something and will come forward.”
Ismael Haqmal is another member of the immigrant community that continuously holds the family up in prayer.
Haqmal said, “We came from Afghanistan here for our safety and for protection, but unfortunately, you know, this happened. This is a tragedy, and since then I care about my children too much and I protect them and I, you know, keep an eye on them all the time.”
Jan said, “Lina is not forgotten. She is a daughter. A sister. And a child of this community.”
Advocate Pamela Allen, of Eagles Flight Advocacy and Outreach, has been helping the family navigate the complexities of the heartbreaking case.
Allen outlined the tips that have been received by investigators over time, with a plea for more transparency, agreeing the family has not been kept well-informed.
She said there have been posts on social media offering what seemed to be solid clues, but they have no idea if any of these incidents have been vetted.
Allen said one witness reported seeing a little girl being led away from the apartment complex, and that person helped develop a sketch of the person she saw, but that information was never publicly shared. Allen also detailed reports of another suspect with a record that included human trafficking who lived in the same complex whose apartment was never searched.
The San Antonio Police Department provided a statement from the Public Information Office:
““For over three years, SAPD has continued investigating the disappearance of Lina Khil. The San Antonio Police Department remains committed to following up on and investigating every lead that we receive. SAPD continues to use all tools available, including working with our partners at the FBI to investigate all leads. SAPD would like to take this opportunity to ask anyone with information on Lina’s disappearance and/or whereabouts to please call police.”
There is still a Crime Stoppers reward for anyone who provides the clue that cracks the case. It’s $55,000 and as of now it is an amount that is guaranteed through December 23rd. 210-224-STOP is the number to call.