15-Year-Old La’Niyah “LaLa” Clark – What Happened?
A precious young Wilkes-Barre teenager, La’Niyah Clark, has lost her life under suspicious circumstances. Reported missing by her adoptive parents on January 17, 2026, La’Niyah “LaLa” Clark was reportedly found deceased in the snow on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Here’s what we know factually from the reporting:
What happened to La’Niyah Clark in Wilkes-Barre?
City police and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate the death of a female whose body was discovered Saturday afternoon behind a garage on Thayer Street in South Wilkes-Barre. The family has disclosed that police affirmed the body was that of La’Niyah Clark.
Body found on Thayer Street Wilkes-Barre
According to Police Chief Michael Boyle and District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, officers were dispatched around 1 p.m. Feb. 21 after a report of human remains. Responding officers, detectives and representatives from the district attorney’s office located a nude female lying face down in the snow. Officials said the condition of the remains initially made identification difficult.
Wilkes-Barre teen found in snow February 2026
An autopsy conducted Tuesday by Luzerne County Coroner Dion Fernandes revealed indications of possible trauma. There were cuts on the body and apparent bruising of the face and arms. However, authorities said the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, and the remains have not been formally identified.
As part of the investigation, detectives obtained search warrants and executed them Tuesday at 114–116 New Alexander St., less than three blocks from where the body was found. District Attorney Sanguedolce said the death investigation led detectives to a first-floor apartment in the building. Law enforcement sources indicated additional evidence uncovered in the case prompted the search. Tenants have been questioned, and additional interviews are ongoing. No arrests have been announced.
Authorities said individuals connected to the New Alexander Street address have ties to La’Niyah Clark. Clark, who would have turned 15 on Jan. 26, did not live at the searched apartment but resided in the neighborhood. Police publicly posted her as missing Jan. 23. She was not labeled endangered in initial releases.
Court filings show Clark had a documented history of running away, and a protection-from-abuse order had been granted against a biological relative (an aunt) four days before she disappeared. A lifetime registered sex offender is listed as residing at the New Alexander Street address, though no one has been publicly identified as a suspect.
Police said the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Detective Matt Shash or Detective James Conmy at 570-208-0911.
A protection-from-abuse order is granted against a biological relative (identified in court filings as an aunt who lives on Alexander Street), four days before La’Niyah Clark disappears.
ALa’Niyah Clark is reported missing. She was 14 at the time. Court records note a documented history of running away.
Wilkes-Barre police publicly post Clark as missing. She is not labeled endangered in the initial release.
Clark would have turned 15.
City police are dispatched to Thayer Street after a report of human remains behind a garage in South Wilkes-Barre.
Responding officers, detectives and representatives from the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office locate a nude female lying face down in the snow. Authorities say the condition of the remains initially makes identification difficult.
An autopsy is conducted by Luzerne County Coroner Dion Fernandes. The examination reveals indications of possible trauma, including cuts on the body and apparent bruising to the face and arms. However, the cause and manner of death are not determined, and authorities state the remains have not been formally identified at that time.
Detectives obtain and execute search warrants at 114–116 New Alexander St., less than three blocks from where the body was discovered. The warrants focus on a first-floor apartment. Officials say additional evidence uncovered in the case led investigators to the address.
Subsequent developments
Clark’s family publicly discloses that police informed them the body was that of La’Niyah Clark, although authorities have not formally confirmed identification.
A lifetime registered sex offender is listed as residing at the New Alexander Street address. No suspects have been publicly identified.
The investigation remains active, and no arrests have been announced.
Police ask anyone with information to contact Lt. Detective Matt Shash or Detective James Conmy at 570-208-0911.
