San Antonio, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Lina Sardar Khil, a 3-year-old girl who vanished from a San Antonio playground, has been missing since December 20. Despite the family and community’s ongoing efforts, the investigation faces criticism for lack of communication and progress from law enforcement. The Khil family has increased the reward for information to $280,000 as they continue to advocate for better communication with authorities while the case remains open and unsolved.
San Antonio — Lina Sardar Khil, a 3-year-old girl who disappeared from a playground near her family’s apartment on Fredericksburg Road, has been missing since December 20, 2021, and the case remains unsolved as the family and local community express mounting frustration over the apparent lack of progress in the investigation.
Key developments
Lina Sardar Khil, a 3-year-old girl, disappeared from a playground near her family’s apartment on Fredericksburg Road in San Antonio on December 20, 2021. As of October 20, 2025, it has been almost four years since Lina went missing. The case remains open, but public updates have been limited and the family reports ongoing heartbreak and anger about communication breakdowns with law enforcement.
The case remains unsolved, and the family expresses heartbreak and anger over the lack of communication and progress from the police. Family members and community advocates say early searches and attention did not yield credible leads, and subsequent steps have failed to provide answers or clear direction for a resolution.
Family concerns and contact with police
Lina’s father, Riaz Khil, has often reached out to police for updates but reports receiving little to no communication from them. The family last received direct communication from the San Antonio Police Department in February 2024, following a search prompted by a tip, but say they have not been kept consistently informed since that time.
The family last heard from San Antonio police in February 2024, following a search prompted by a tip from an inmate on a U.S. Marshals’ Most Wanted list. That search did not produce evidence tied to the disappearance, and police have not disclosed new suspect information publicly.
Searches, tips and investigative leads
In 2024, a tip led to a large-scale search in a wooded area near the family’s former apartment, which ultimately proved to be non-credible. Investigators have said the overall investigation remains active, but early searches and national attention did not produce credible leads.
Early searches and national media attention have not resulted in any credible leads. The family has pursued its own inquiries in part because leads provided to police either turned cold or were not communicated back to the family in a timely way.
Specific leads and third-party involvement
A witness claimed to have seen Lina with two men on the day of her disappearance, but the family was never informed of this lead until years later. Sketches of the men were produced and shared with police, but those items have not produced any significant developments made public.
Retired federal and state law enforcement agents have been involved in the case through Project Absentis. The Khil family has also increased the publicly offered reward for information to $280,000 and continues outreach efforts in the Afghan community and beyond.
The Khil family has increased the reward for information leading to Lina’s whereabouts to $280,000. Advocates supporting the family say the disappearance has had a significant emotional impact on the local Afghan community and has prompted calls for systemic changes in communication with families of the missing.
Advocacy and proposed changes
The family and advocates announced efforts to propose a Bill of Rights for Families of the Missing to improve communication and accountability in such cases. Advocates say the proposal is intended to create clearer expectations for law enforcement outreach and to enforce standards of transparency where possible.
Sketches of the men seen with Lina were provided to the police but have not led to significant developments. Police maintain the investigation is open and active; however, the family reports limited proactive outreach from investigators since early 2024.
Community impact and next steps
The local Afghan community has been significantly affected by Lina’s disappearance. Community supporters and the family continue to press for new leads and urge anyone with information to come forward to the San Antonio Police Department.
The public is urged to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at 210-207-7660 with any information regarding Lina’s disappearance.
Tables and data
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | Missing child: Lina Sardar Khil |
| Date of disappearance | December 20, 2021 |
| Location | Playground near family’s apartment on Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio |
| Age at disappearance | 3 years old |
| Case status | Open and unsolved |
| Public reward | $280,000 |
| Last reported police contact | February 2024 |
| Public contact | San Antonio PD Missing Persons Unit: 210-207-7660 |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| December 20, 2021 | Lina Sardar Khil disappeared from a playground near her family’s apartment on Fredericksburg Road. | Reported missing |
| 2021–2023 | Early searches and national media attention; no credible leads resulted. | Investigative activity; no public breakthroughs |
| 2024 | A tip prompted a large-scale search in a wooded area near the family’s former apartment; the search proved non-credible. | Search completed; no evidence found |
| February 2024 | The family last heard from San Antonio police following the 2024 search. | Family report |
| October 20, 2025 | Nearly four years after the disappearance, the case remains unsolved and the family continues to press for answers. | Ongoing |
Investigative leads: simple visual
Counts based on public reporting and family statements
| Lead type | Count | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Credible leads | 0 |
|
| Non-credible leads (publicly noted) | 1 |
|
Context and next steps
Law enforcement states the investigation is ongoing, while the family and community seek renewed attention and clearer lines of communication. Retired investigators involved through Project Absentis and community advocates have assisted with investigative leads and outreach. The family continues independent efforts to pursue information and has increased the reward for information to $280,000. Community members and advocates are promoting proposals aimed at improving communication standards for families of missing people.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lina Sardar Khil disappear?
Lina Sardar Khil, a 3-year-old girl, disappeared from a playground near her family’s apartment on Fredericksburg Road in San Antonio on December 20, 2021.
How long has Lina been missing?
As of October 20, 2025, it has been almost four years since Lina went missing.
What is the status of the investigation?
The case remains unsolved, and the family expresses heartbreak and anger over the lack of communication and progress from the police.
Has the family been in contact with police?
Lina’s father, Riaz Khil, has often reached out to police for updates but reports receiving little to no communication from them.
When did the family last hear from San Antonio police?
The family last heard from San Antonio police in February 2024, following a search prompted by a tip from an inmate on a U.S. Marshals’ Most Wanted list.
Was there a large search related to a tip?
In 2024, a tip led to a large-scale search in a wooded area near the family’s former apartment, which ultimately proved to be non-credible.
Have early searches produced leads?
Early searches and national media attention have not resulted in any credible leads.
What reward is being offered for information?
The Khil family has increased the reward for information leading to Lina’s whereabouts to $280,000.
Are there proposals to change how families are treated?
The family and advocates announced efforts to propose a Bill of Rights for Families of the Missing to improve communication and accountability in such cases.
Were there witness accounts or sketches?
A witness claimed to have seen Lina with two men on the day of her disappearance, but the family was never informed of this lead until years later.
Have outside investigators been involved?
Retired federal and state law enforcement agents have been involved in the case through Project Absentis.
Were sketches provided to the police?
Sketches of the men seen with Lina were provided to the police but have not led to significant developments.
How has the community been affected?
The local Afghan community has been significantly affected by Lina’s disappearance.
How can the public provide information?
The public is urged to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at 210-207-7660 with any information regarding Lina’s disappearance.
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Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Lina Sardar Khil
- KSAT
- Google Search: Lina Sardar Khil
- KENS5
- Google Scholar: Lina Sardar Khil
- Hoodline
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lina Sardar Khil
- Fox San Antonio
- Google News: Lina Sardar Khil
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The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
