Mystery as college student, 23, vanishes after rambling phone call to her parents off stranger's cell - before her phone is found at major airport

Police are searching for a California college student who last spoke to her parents on the cell of a stranger, with her own phone later being found inside LAX.

Noelle Lynch, 23, was last seen last Wednesday around 5pm as she left an apartment building in Inglewood, Los Angeles. 

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Lynch left the apartment without any of her personal belongings and 'may or not be able to identify herself'. 

Her father Mark Lynch told SFGate that his daughter is vulnerable and left their home in Sacramento in 'a difficult state of mind'. 

Noelle Lynch, 23, was last seen last Wednesday around 5pm as she left an apartment building in Inglewood, Los Angeles

The 23-year-old is pictured second from the left during a day out with her friends

Lynch told the outlet: 'All that matters is trying to get her back. The more people that can open their eyes, the better.'

Noelle had been involved in a car accident according to her father, with her car being totaled. 

'We didn't know where she was going', Mark added, 'and the next thing we knew she was in an accident in Los Angeles at 3am to 4am.'

Two other vehicles were also involved, he said, with no injuries being reported in the collision.

Noelle's mother Kellie then booked a hotel room for her daughter near LAX and the pair drove o meet her. 

Their daughter didn't stay at the hotel, and Kellie later got a call from her daughter on a 'strange person's phone'.

According to Mark, the conversation was short and Noelle was 'mostly not making sense'. This was the last time her parents heard anything from her. 

Her father Mark Lynch told SFGate that his daughter is vulnerable and left their home in Sacramento in 'a difficult state of mind'

A traveler walks through the Southwest ticketing counter area at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, April 18, 2023

It was later that same day she was spotted leaving the apartment building in Inglewood.

Her father said he does not know why she was at the apartment building, with detectives obtaining video of her daughter leaving. 

Kellie went to the building and found her daughter's things which included a backpack. 

Her phone was then found at the ticket counter of Southwest Airlines at LAX, but according to Mark there is no evidence she got on a plane. 

Mark added: 'She always calls. This is very out of character. She has had a tough time but she has always called.'

Mom Kellie told ABC10: 'She's a good person, she's a good human, she's caring and kind.'

Noelle is a junior at Sacramento State, with the university confirming with the outlet that she is enrolled at the college. 

Police say she was last seen wearing a dark green t-shirt, green sweatpants with a military logo, and white sneakers.