Strange Story

Missing Galveston teen has a secret 33-year-old husband: Facebook says she's fine, police aren't so sure

A Galveston teen who went missing for at least two days during a getaway to New Orleans thankfully appears to be safe and sound . . . at least according to Facebook.

Officials with the New Orleans Police Department tell CultureMap they are working with Houston area law enforcement to confirm the whereabouts of 18-year-old Hailey Kristine Cokins, whose friends filed a missing persons report for her after she disappeared into the French Quarter on Saturday, getting separated from her group.

New Orleans police began to recalibrate the search when Cokins' Facebook page showed a freshly updated profile picture at 2 a.m. early Monday morning along with this reassuring comment:

What A Hell Of A Day. Talked To Police Numerous Times Letting Them Know Im okay Yet They Still Asked If I Was Ok lol, Well Here's a Tip; if You Wanna Ruin Someone's Day Fausly Report Someone Missing. Ha."

Oddly, the Houston and Galveston Police Departments have been unable to verify Cokins is fine as of late Monday, leaving a pervasive air of mystery about a case that's already exploded in the blogosphere.

Citizen journalism site AllVoices has uncovered a strange prayer page titled "God Save Hailey" that was created for Cokins in late June. In addition to noting two previous minor drug arrests for the teen, the site also discovered that the teenager has been married for two months and has already filed separation paperwork.

While AllVoice doesn't list the name of Cokins' better half, a collection of poems posted on Tumblr reveal the husband to be 33-year-old Conroe resident Michael Brent Sewell, who was arrested in 2012 for posting an illicit video of an ex-girlfriend on YouTube.

Sewell's Twitter page discusses marrying his 18-year-old bride in March. While the account has been changed to reflect his new married name — Michael Brent Cokins, yes he took her last name — his post from July 8 claims the two are divorcing amicably.

Hailey Kristine Cokins was reported missing near Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Saturday.

Bourbon Street and St. Louis Street New Orleans

Asergeev.com

Hailey Kristine Cokins was reported missing near Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Saturday.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.