Lea Porter

About Lea Porter

Lea Chali Porter (often called Lea Porter) was a bright and adventurous 19-year-old from Florence, Colorado, who had dreams of a fresh start in the Denver area. A 2013 graduate of Florence High School, she was described by family and friends as full of life, with brown hair (sometimes dyed blonde), brown eyes, a pierced lower lip, and distinctive tattoos—including a tribal design on her right hand/wrist and Italian words on her upper back.
In early June 2014, Lea headed to Westminster, Colorado, to visit a high school acquaintance and explore moving to the city for new opportunities. She was last seen on June 3, 2014, wearing a lavender tank top and a black-and-white checkered skirt. Her disappearance sparked an intense search by her family and law enforcement.
Tragically, her high school friend Christopher Adam Waide was later charged in connection with her death. In 2015, Waide pleaded guilty to second-degree murder (and additional charges including possession of child pornography) and was sentenced to 48 years in prison. Despite a massive search—including parts of a landfill—Lea’s body was never recovered, leaving her family without full closure.
Her story has been featured in true crime coverage, including the Crime Junkie podcast episode “MISSING: Lea Porter,” and remains a somber reminder of the pain of unsolved elements in homicide cases and the importance of community awareness.
Rest in peace, Lea—your vibrant spirit and the love of your family continue to keep your memory alive, and your case highlights the ongoing fight for justice and answers. 💔🕊️ LeaPorter NeverForget