Nearing the three year anniversary of the disappearance of Covelo woman Khadijah Britton, today Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall and a representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigations held a virtual press conference imploring the public to come forward with any information to solve the case. To aid in those efforts, FBI Assistant Special Agent in charge of the San Francisco Division Scott Schelble said a $10,000 reward awaits anywho provides the information “that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those who are responsible for Khadijah’s disappearance.”
Sheriff Kendall and Agent Schelble explained MCSO and the FBI have been collaborating since the onset of the investigation. Sheriff Kendall said The FBI had assisted in searching for Khadijah Britton and obtaining cell phone records associated with the investigation.
Agent Schelble described the FBI as providing “assistance through our evidence response team, specialized forensics and laboratory analysis, and leveraging expertise in specific technical areas.
Both Sheriff Kendall and Agent Schelble emphasized that the resolution of this investigation relies on information being provided by the community. Sheriff Kendall said MCSO is of the belief that “someone in the Round Valley area has knowledge of this crime.”
Agent Schelble said the $10,000 dollar reward hopes to encourage, “members of the community to come forward.” Shelby added regarding Khadijah’s fate, “Somebody knows.”
Standing next to Sheriff Kendall was Connie Britton, Khadijah’s mother, wearing a facemask and sweater emblazoned with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women insignia. Sheriff Kendall noted that in the room was Khadijah’s brother, father, and grandparents as well.
Sheriff Kendall provided an overview of the circumstances revolving around Khadijah Britton’s disappearance:
“On January 30, 2018, MCSO responded to reports of a domestic violence incident between Negie Fallis and Khadijah Britton. Shortly thereafter, MCSO Deputy McCarty was called regarding Khadijah going missing on 2/10/2018. The investigation continued and on 2/12/2018 deputies learned she hadn’t been in contact with her family nor anyone on her Facebook. Subsequent investigations determined she had not contacted anyone since 2/7/2020. On 2/12/2020, a MCSO deputy began checking various locations where Khadijah Britton was known to have been in the past. At that time, we learned it was possibly kidnapping and that she was taken from a residence in the Covelo area. Shortly thereafter, the MCSO Detectives Bureau took this case and began working it… .”
Sheriff Kendall explained that since the beginning of the investigation, MCSO had dedicated “literally thousands of hours of investigative time into the case” including hundreds of documented interviews and thousands of hours spent combing by Search and Rescue.
Agent Schelble offered a heartfelt apology to Khadijah Britton’s family stating, “I want to express my deepest condolences to Khadijah’s family who have been suffering for the past three years without answers or justice. I cannot imagine the pain you’ve gone through during this time.”
Agent Schelble explained, “For the last three years, Since March 2018 the FBI has been working with MCSO to follow leads, process evidence, and search for Khadijah Britton.” He promised that the FBI will continue to collaborate with MCSO “and will be “working this case till Khadijah is found.”
If anyone in the community has information regarding the disappearance of Khadijah Britton, contact the FBI at (415)553-7400 or www.tips.fbi.gov. Tips can also be provided directly to MCSO by calling (707)463-4086 or accessing their anonymous tip line at www.wetip.com.
