My sister, Kathleen “Katie” Palotai, has been missing since August 16, 2023. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since that day in Stockton, CA. It still feels like an awful nightmare — the kind of thing you think only happens to someone else’s family. But this is our reality.

Katie is not just a missing person. She is a mother of four incredible children who miss their mom every single day. She’s my twin — my other half — and losing her has left a hole in my life that can never be filled. She loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and cared deeply for everyone around her.

Katie was also a social media creator and influencer who inspired and encouraged many young women. She used her platform to connect, uplift, and share her journey. She wasn’t just building a following — she was building community. So many people looked up to her strength, honesty, and ambition.

She had big dreams. Katie was working toward becoming a real estate agent, determined to build a career she could be proud of and create a better future for her kids. She had plans. She had vision. She was working hard every day to make it all happen.

I have been in contact with Detective Bond regarding her case. Unfortunately, there have been no real updates. DNA was found near Oakmore Golf Course, but it did not contain any viable DNA that could be tested. Several individuals who were in close proximity to Katie have taken polygraph tests and reportedly passed.

Katie’s clothes — down to her underwear — along with her belongings were found in the woods. Her purse was also recovered, and it still contained her prescription stimulant ADHD medication. The area where her belongings were found is known to be rough, which makes it all feel even more suspicious — almost seemingly staged — that her medication and personal items were left untouched and not stolen.

It has been incredibly difficult navigating this process, especially with financial limitations. So much of what it feels like we need — whether that’s hiring a private investigator or even pursuing legal action to push for more accountability — comes down to money. And when you’re already grieving and searching for answers, that adds another layer of heartbreak and frustration.

We are desperate for answers. We just want the truth.

If you have seen her, know something, or have heard even the smallest piece of information, please come forward. Even what may seem insignificant could be the missing piece that helps bring her home.

Her children deserve their mother. The young women she inspired deserve answers. Our family deserves answers.

Please share Katie’s story. Keep her name alive. Every post, every share, brings us one step closer to finding her.

#FindKatiePalotai

#BringKatieHome

#MissingPerson

#MissingInCalifornia

#StocktonCA

#JusticeForKatie