Florida suspect in missing teen’s disappearance self-surrenders, police arrest additional suspect

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) — The man from Florida charged in connection with the disappearance of Alisa Petrov self-surrendered to the South Jordan Police Department Wednesday evening, and South Jordan Police also arrested a third suspect in connection with the case.

According to a press release, Matthew Menard, 35, of Miami, Florida turned himself in the South Jordan Police Department for charges of Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor, and Criminal Solicitation.

South Jordan Police also confirmed that they identified a third adult man in connection with the case, Samuel Mitchell from Herriman, Utah. Mitchell was arrested on charges for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

Both suspects were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

This comes a day after ABC4.com reported that Mitchell was a third person of interest in her disappearance, as he allegedly communicated with Petrov on the Discord app.

South Jordan Police stated that it will continue its efforts to locate Alisa and follow other leads.

“Alisa is listed as a Runaway Juvenile who is endangered,” police stated, “Any knowledge of her whereabouts should be reported to Law Enforcement immediately.”

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Alisa Petrov has been asked to call 801-840-4000 and reference South Jordan Case #SJ25-11568.

Who is Alisa Petrov?

Alisa Petrov, 15, was dropped off at school in American Fork, Utah, on April 21. Instead of going to school, family members said the teenager boarded a train toward Provo, Utah. Family members said nearby security footage shows the teenager walking away, and she hasn’t been found since.

She is said to be about 5’3″ tall and weigh about 122 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She is listed as a runaway juvenile and is said to be endangered. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, Alisa was last seen wearing a grey Harvard University shirt, a black hoodie, baggy jeans, and a dark backpack.

It was later reported that she may have been trying to get to Las Vegas, and another tip revealed that she may have been communicating with a man in Texas. Officials in Texas City posted on social media on May 9 to ask for the public’s help in the search for Alisa.

As of May 16, Alisa’s family was reporting that she still has not been found.