Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Matthew Kyle Suarez accused of abducting Virginia’s Leighia Nicole Faith Perkins

Matthew Kyle Suarez, 19, is from Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Leighia Nicole Faith Perkins, 15, is from Rockbridge County, Virginia, USA.

On June 27, 2022, Perkins went missing from her home in the Goose Creek area of Rockbridge County. To help find her, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators conducted several social media, internet site and internet service type search warrants.

PLEASE SHARE! Leighia Nicole Faith Perkins was last reported seen Monday, June 27 at her home in the Goose Creek area of Rockbridge County. https://t.co/vbH3uH74VR

— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) June 28, 2022

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After obtaining digital evidence, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office investigators contacted the Kalamazoo Police Department. Shortly after midnight on June 29, 2022, Kalamazoo Police Department officers went to a home in the Hawley Street area of Kalamazoo where they found Perkins.

Suarez was arrested from the Texel Drive area of Kalamazoo on an outstanding abduction warrant from the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office. Rockbridge Police Department chief deputy Tony McFaddin said, “Due to the swift and diligent work of our deputies, investigators, and the Kalamazoo Police Department, our team was able to quickly locate the missing juvenile and arrest a suspect before any more harm could take place.”

Kalamazoo was incorporated as a village in 1843 and as a city in 1884. The city is home to Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University.

David Anderson is the incumbent mayor of Kalamazoo. The city plays host to the Kalamazoo Growlers summer collegiate baseball team, the Kalamazoo Wings minor league hockey team and the National Premier Soccer League team Kalamazoo FC.