The Murder of Brandin Princole

Source: ketv.com

Brandin Princole was only 17 years-old when his life was tragically cut short on October 12th, 2012. The teen lived in Omaha, Nebraska at the time of his death. He was killed in broad daylight while walking down the street.

Brandin was traveling on foot along 46th and Larimore Avenue when a passing vehicle pulled up near him. The occupant(s) of said vehicle began firing several shots in Brandin's direction. He was struck by gunfire before the car drove away from the scene. 

Omaha Police were called, and first responders arrived around 2:40 PM. Once there, they found a teenage boy, later identified as Brandin, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was quickly placed into an ambulance and sent towards University of Nebraska Medical Center. Medics attempted CPR while transporting Brandin to the hospital, but he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

Brandin's death has inevitably left a void for his loved ones. Those closest to Brandin remember him as a caring and funny person. Despite this, he experienced some struggles before his death as well. Reports state that, approximately a month before the shooting, Brandin was expelled from his local high school after bringing a handgun on school property. He was also arrested at the time of the incident and charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds.

Brandin was released on bail after his arrest. He was also transferred to an alternative school in Omaha. Although it had only been a few weeks since the incident, it appeared that Brandin had stayed out of trouble since his expulsion.

Brandin was killed on a Friday. By all accounts, it began as a typical day. Brandin was walking to a friend's house that afternoon but was tragically shot before he could make it there. It's unknown if he was targeted or if his death was completely random. 

There is a monetary reward of up to $25,000 in exchange for information that could help solve Brandin's murder. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact Omaha Police Cold Case Homicide Unit at 402-444-5656 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
ABC 7 KETV
Omaha Police Department
Uncovered

The Disappearance of KaRhonda Walker Stringfellow

Source: Ruston/Lincoln Crimestoppers

KaRhonda Walker Stringfellow has been missing since November 11th, 2004. The then-21-year-old was last seen in Dubach, Louisiana, at an apartment complex called the Dubach Apartments. She has never been seen or heard from again.

Details about the events surrounding KaRhonda's disappearance are scarce. There are also very few details available about KaRhonda herself. What is known is that she was a well-rounded individual prior to going missing. She was involved in student government while she was a student at Dubach High School. KaRhonda also graduated at the top of her class in 2001.

About a year after graduating, KaRhonda gave birth to a baby boy named Kamron - who unfortunately passed away during infancy. It appears that KaRhonda married Kamron's father - Dion Stringfellow - at some point afterwards. Kamron's obituary lists his mother as KaRhonda Walker, but by the time she vanished, her name was listed as KaRhonda Stringfellow.

KaRhonda vanished approximately two years after her son's death. Other than that, there is very little information about her case. No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly identified - though various reports state that foul play is suspected.

Anyone with information that could help solved KaRhonda's case is encouraged to contact Ruston/Lincoln Crimestoppers at 318-255-1111 or submit a tip online. 

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Sources:
Charley Project
Ruston/Lincoln Crimestoppers
Uncovered

The Disappearance of LaKisha Taylor

 

LaKisha Taylor has been missing since June 13th, 2008. The then-27-year-old woman was last seen at the residence she shared with her cousin Sandy Stevenson in Lake Charles, Louisiana. On the morning of LaKisha's disappearance, Sandy went out for breakfast, while LaKisha stayed behind. When Sandy returned, LaKisha was gone. She has never been seen or heard from again.

There are many suspicious circumstances surrounding LaKisha's disappearance. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle at the home. Additionally, it appeared as if LaKisha vanished while in the midst of getting ready for her day. Her freshly ironed clothes were found lying on her bed; the clothes iron was still on and hot. LaKisha's bathtub was also full of water, as if she planned to take a bath. Her personal items - including her wallet, identification, cell phone, and cash were all left behind. 

Foul play has been suspected in LaKisha's disappearance since the onset of the investigation. At one point, her estranged husband was labeled a person of interest, but he has never been arrested or charged with anything related to her disappearance. Years have passed without any real updates in LaKisha's case.

LaKisha remains missing today. Cold case detectives are investigating her case. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Lake Charles Police Department at 337-491-1311.

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Sources:
7 KPLC, (2)
Charley Project

The Murder of Janell Balogun

Source: Baltimore County

Janell Balogun was only 33 years-old when she was found murdered on June 10th, 2012. It was shortly before 10:30 AM when a bicyclist spotted a woman lying in a wooded area of the Oella neighborhood in Catonsville, Maryland. Police were called to the scene, and it was quickly determined that the woman was deceased.

The deceased woman did not have any identification on her when her body was found. As such, fingerprints were used to determine that the woman was Janell Erlita Balogun - a mother of 3 from Baltimore County. Investigators also noted that Janell's body did not have any immediately obvious signs of trauma. However, an autopsy later determined that Janell's death was caused by trauma to the upper body. The case was labeled a homicide.

Janell's death has been inevitably devastating and baffling to her loved ones. Shortly after the news broke, Janell's sister told reporters that the area in which her body was found was "not an area that she would be in." It seems as if Janell's body was placed there in an attempt to conceal her death, as she was found lying behind a short wall adjacent to the road. 

In that same report, a public appeal was made for anyone with information to come forward. A detective from the Baltimore County police stated, "we are reaching out to anyone in the Oella community who may have seen or heard anything unusual, and also anyone who has had contact with this victim who may be able to provide some insight into why she was killed."

Over a decade has passed, and Janell's murder remains unsolved. No persons of interest or suspects have been publicly announced, nor have there been any recent updates in the case. A monetary reward is being offered in exchange for information that could help solve Janell's case. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact Baltimore County Police at 410-887-3943 or submit a tip online. 

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Sources:
Baltimore County Police
CBS News
Metro Crime Stoppers

The Disappearance of Radiah Gilbert

Source: Nashville Cold Case

Radiah Gilbert has been missing since June 24th, 2013. The then-21-year-old was last seen in Nashville, Tennessee. The last confirmed sighting of Radiah occurred at a (now-closed) Roadway Inn on West Trinity Lane. She has never been seen or heard from again.

Prior to her disappearance, Radiah had been living off-and-on with her mother. She was reportedly struggling with drug addiction and would often disappear for days at a time. When Radiah was not staying at her mother's, she would stay at different motels around East Nashville. She was also involved in sex work, which is likely what led her to staying at certain motels in the area. 

Certain reports state that Radiah left her mother's house for the final time after her mother tried to convince her to seek drug rehabilitation. It's believed she followed her usual pattern of staying in local motels before being seen for the last time at the Roadway Inn. After that, Radiah seemingly vanished without a trace.

Radiah was approximately six-to-seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. She also had a young child who was just 2 years old when Radiah went missing. The child lived with and for was cared for by Radiah's mother. 

Radiah's mother had a gut feeling that something tragic had happened from the onset of her daughter's disappearance. Detectives working the case also believe that Radiah met with foul play. Metro Nashville Homicide Detective Lt. Jill Weaver told reporters that "We feel strongly that Radiah was a victim of foul play, or something nefarious happened to her that ended her life. People don’t just drop off the face of the earth."

Over a decade has passed, and Radiah remains missing. Her mother has since passed away without ever receiving answers about what happened to her daughter. Cold case detectives are still searching for Radiah and hope to one day bring closure to the investigation. If you have any information that could help solve Radiah's disappearance, please contact the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department 615-862-8600 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
ABC 2 WKRN
Charley Project
NamUs
Nashville Cold Case

The Disappearance of Keir and Chloe Johnson

Keir Johnson (34) and her 8-month-old daughter Chloe Johnson went missing on April 30th, 2017. The mother and daughter were last seen that morning at their home in Hampton, Virginia. Keir told her mother that she was going to bring Chloe to Buckroe Beach, where they planned to spend the day with one of Keir’s friends. 

Keir and Chloe did not show up to the beach as planned, and they also never returned home. Neither have been seen or heard from again. Their family members reported them missing the following day. 

Two weeks later, Keir’s car was found abandoned at a trailer park in Newport News, Virginia. At this time, it is unclear if Keir has any connection to the trailer park. However, family members said that it is uncharacteristic of her to stay out-of-touch with her loved ones, and even more unusual for her to leave without any of her or Chloe’s personal belongings. 

Keir’s loved ones have never believed that she and Chloe are missing on their own accord. In fact, Keir’s twin sister long maintained that somebody Keir knows is responsible for their disappearance. Family and friends continued to spread awareness about the missing mother and daughter. Unfortunately, years passed without any news or updates in the case. 

That all finally changed in February 2025, when a break was announced in the case. Carlos Johnson Jr., Keir's ex-boyfriend and Chloe's father, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. 

Source: Newport News PD

At the time of his arrest, it was noted that Johnson had been a person of interest for "quite some time". Authorities never publicly labeled him as such until his arrest, as they were likely trying to protect the investigation. The case is currently unfolding, and more updates are expected.

As of today, Keir and Chloe still remain missing. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Newport News Police Department at 888-562-5887. 

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Sources:

13 News Now
Charley Project
WTKR, (2)

The Murder of Trenesa Roberts

 

Trenesa Roberts was gunned down in front of her Lehigh Acres, Florida home on December 10th, 2018. Before her untimely death, the 38-year-old woman worked as a bus attendant for the Lee County Public School District. Trenesa began her day around 4:00 AM each morning to help local kids get to school. 

The morning of Trenesa's death was supposed to be no different. As usual, she woke up during the early morning hours, got ready for work, and exited her home. Before she was able to get in her car and leave, an unknown assailant approached and shot Trenesa. She was then left for dead in her yard.

Police were called to the scene on Quentin Avenue around 6:30 AM. Once there, they found Trenesa, wearing her work uniform, on the ground in front of her residence. It was clear that she had been shot. She was pronounced deceased by medics shortly after their arrival.

While investigating the shooting, detectives learned that neighbors heard gunshots between 4:00 and 4:30 AM morning. Despite this, police were not called to the scene until 6:30 AM; likely after a witness/neighbor spotted her body. It was also noted that nothing appeared to have been stolen from Trenesa - both her car and her purse were left on the scene. As such, it is not believed that robbery was a motive.

Trenesa's family members do not believe her murder was random. They believe she was targeted. However, to this day, it unknown who would have wanted Trenesa dead - or why. In a 2024 report on her case, her family shared that Trenesa "didn't do drugs, had no problem with her exes or the father of her children, and that they knew of had no enemies."

Several years have passed, and Trenesa's murder remains unsolved. Her family is still searching for justice. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1000 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS(8477).

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Sources:
Fox 4 Now
Gulf Coast News Now
The News-Press
Seeking Closure: Lee County's Cold Cases

The Disappearance of Genelle Princess Bradford

Source: Charley Project

Genelle Princess Bradford vanished in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 27th, 1999. The then-17-year-old was a senior in high school at the time of her disappearance. Like many seniors in high school, Genelle seemed excited about the upcoming events in her life: her 18th birthday, senior prom, and graduation. However, she vanished before she could experience any of these milestones with her friends and family. 

The day of Genelle's disappearance began as what appeared to be a regular day for the teen. She attended school at Wilkinsburg High, where she was an honor student. Afterwards, Genelle went to her job at the local YWCA on Ross Avenue. She was last seen that evening leaving the YWCA to walk home. Genelle never made it there and has never been seen or heard from again. 

Genelle's grandparents reported her missing the following day. Shortly after the case was opened, investigators theorized that Genelle had run away from home. Her grandmother, Princess Bradford, seemed to support this theory. 

Princess reportedly noticed that Genelle had changed in the months leading up to her disappearance; her grades were slipping, and she had stopped studying. Princess also told police that, although it was unlikely, Genelle might have run away with a boyfriend. She also mentioned the possibility that Genelle could have been pregnant, which may have motivated her to run away. 

Friends of Genelle, on the other hand, have never believed that she ran away. They shared that she had always been consistent about doing homework and was "obsessed" with having good grades. Her friends also stated that Genelle had been discussing their plans for prom and graduation; there was no indication that she planned to miss those events. 

Decades have passed, and not only does Genelle still remain missing, but she also still remains classified as a runaway. It's unclear if there is any solid evidence that Genelle left on her own accord, as there have been very few updates on her case. The differing accounts between her family and friends has brought about more questions than answers - the main question being: what happened to Genelle Bradford? A deeper look into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance might lead to a few theories.

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More about Genelle.

Genelle was born on May 10th, 1981. During her toddler years, she lived with her mother; her father was not a part of her life. Genelle's maternal grandparents, Ira and Princess Bradford, played a huge role in her upbringing from the very beginning. Genelle's middle name, Princess, was given to her in homage to her grandmother.

When Genelle was just five years old, her mother died of cardiac arrest triggered by an asthma attack. Genelle was left in custody of her grandparents, who subsequently raised her in Pittsburgh. Despite these tough circumstances in her early life, Genelle was a reportedly a happy young girl. She excelled in school and was an honor student throughout her education. 

As Genelle grew into her teen years, she developed a love for basketball and Bible study. Genelle had a good group of friends and was not the type to get into or cause trouble. Both friends and family members described Genelle as a quiet, but happy, fun, and kind young girl.

Genelle's senior year of high school.

As noted above, Genelle was a senior at Wilkinsburg High School at the time of her disappearance. She was amongst the many high school seniors who were looking for colleges to attend after graduation. Since she was an honor student, there were likely many schools that would gladly accept her as a student. 

Genelle reportedly visited "a pair of colleges" at some point during her senior year. According to her grandmother, Genelle's behavior began to change after those visits. In a 2003 article about Genelle's disappearance, Princess Bradford was quoted saying "[Genelle] stopped studying. Her teachers called to say she was not doing her book reports. She never got those grades up and just went the other way."

Despite this, Genelle's friends state that she still seemed like her usual happy and responsible self. The group of friends were in the planning stages of their upcoming prom night before Genelle vanished. As mentioned before, Genelle was seemingly excited about this event. 

The day of Genelle's disappearance.

Genelle vanished during the evening hours of April 27th, 1999. It's known that she went to school that day. Her friends have noted that there was nothing unusual about her behavior as they chatted with her throughout the day. When the school day ended at 3:00 PM, Genelle went to her part time job at the YWCA on Ross Avenue.

After her work shift ended, Genelle left the YWCA on foot, presumably to walk home, but she never arrived. When she had still not returned the next day, Genelle's grandparents reported her missing.

The runaway classification; runaway theories.

Investigators were seemingly quick to label Genelle as a runaway after her case was opened. However, she had no prior history of running away from home. Genelle also did not have a history of worrisome behaviors, did not seem to be involved with drugs, nor had she ever gotten in trouble with the law or even at school.

Despite this, Genelle's grandmother Princess Bradford seemingly supported police's theory that she had left on her own volition. She cited Genelle's recent slipping grades as a potential indicator that she ran away. Princess also discussed the possibility of Genelle running away with a boyfriend and/or due to being pregnant - though nobody noticed Genelle having any pregnancy symptoms prior to disappearing. 

It's unknown why, exactly, police ultimately decided to classify Genelle as a runaway. Was it due to the slipping grades? And/or due to a potential boyfriend and a potential unconfirmed pregnancy? Or do police have something more tangible that indicates she left on her own accord?

Genelle's grandmother said that her behavior changed after she visited a pair of colleges. It's possible that Genelle decided that she did not want to attend college after all. This could be an explanation for Genelle's slipping grades. However, it's also possible that the slipping grades were due to "senioritis" - a term often used to describe the lack of motivation and energy that students experience at the end of high school or college. 

It's also possible that Genelle was experiencing mental health struggles. Many high school seniors feel an intense pressure to choose the right college and build their future - which can be very stressful on a teenage brain. If a mental health crisis is, in fact, responsible for Genelle's disappearance, then it appears that a runaway classification would not be correct - as the health crisis would make her endangered.

As far as the running away with boyfriend theory goes - there are many unanswered questions. It does not appear that Genelle's friends mentioned a boyfriend and/or if Genelle had plans to run away with a boyfriend. Is the boyfriend someone that existed? Or just an unsubstantiated theory? If the boyfriend did exist, and Genelle was pregnant - do investigators have evidence of this? If so - it has not been publicly shared. As of today, the pregnancy/boyfriend runaway theory appears to be just that - a theory, and one seemingly without hard evidence. 

Other potential theories.

Although Genelle still remains classified as a runaway to this day, a few other theories can be established with the given information found on her case. It's known that she was last seen walking away from the YWCA on Ross Avenue. Is it possible she was kidnapped by an opportunist predator on her walk home? Did she accept a ride from someone who had nefarious plans? 

Or did someone close to Genelle hurt her? It seems likely that Genelle's family and friends were interviewed and/or investigated after her disappearance - and since she was classified as a runaway, it seems as if police ruled them out. However, due to the quick runaway label, it's possible that police overlooked this altogether. 

A cold case.

Genelle's disappearance is considered a cold case. In the initial stages of the investigation, police stated that they believed she was still in the Pittsburgh area. Now that decades have passed, it's unknown if they still believe this to be true. 

The Wilkinsburg Police are the investigating agency in Genelle's case. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact authorities at 412-473-3056.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Medium
Missing Genelle Bradford
Patch 

The Murder of Kiara Holcomb

 

Kiara Holcombe was shot to death near her Birmingham, Alabama home on the evening of July 8th, 2022. The 32-year-old woman was in her car, pulling out of her driveway, when a masked assailant approached her and fired several shots into the vehicle. Birmingham police arrived shortly after 6:00 PM and found that Kiara had been struck multiple times by gunfire. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

It was determined that, after being shot, Kiara drove a short distance before her vehicle came to a stop. Witnesses also reported seeing a masked man drive away in a champagne-colored car shortly after the shooting. Investigators canvassed the neighborhood for any additional information and/or witnesses, but they were unable to gather enough information to narrow down a suspect.

Kiara was a lifelong Birmingham resident; she grew up just a block away from where she was killed. Her loved ones described her as a fun and loving person who was full of joy. Kiara's death is a devastating loss to her family. She was raising four young children who are now left without their mother. Both family members and members of the community alike are left without justice for Kiara.

After news about Kiara's murder broke, investigators announced that they do not believe the killing was random. Birmingham police spokesman Sgt. Rod Mauldin told reporters, "This was an isolated incident, and it does appear that she was targeted." However, years have passed since this report, and arrest has still not been made. No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly identified.

Many questions linger about Kiara's murder - namely: who killed her? And why? For now, those questions remain unanswered. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact Birmingham Police Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
AL, (2)

Crime Stoppers Metro AL
Trussville Tribune

The Disappearance of Benita Woody

Source: Facebook

Benita Woody has been missing since August 5th, 2020. The then-42-year-old woman lived in McKinney, Texas at the time of her disappearance. Benita was last seen near her residence on the morning she vanished. She was driving her gray GMC Yukon. Benita never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again. 

Hours after that last sighting, police in a rural area of Candian County, Oklahoma found said GMC Yukon abandoned on Westbound Interstate 40. It was determined that the car was registered to Benita Woody - but at that time, she was not a missing person. As a result, police tagged the car and just left it where it was found. After five days passed, and the vehicle still remained, police had it towed. 

At the time the car was towed - on August 10th, 2020 - Benita still had not been reported missing. She lived alone at the time of her disappearance, as her children were grown and lived out of state. Due to this, it took over a week for family members and friends to piece together that Benita had seemingly vanished without a trace. She was finally reported missing to the McKinney Police on August 14th, 2020.

Throughout the investigation, detectives in McKinney learned that Benita's GMC Yukon had been found abandoned, and was towed, in Canadian County, Oklahoma. It was eventually determined that her cell phone pinged off a tower in Canadian County on August 5th. This is the last known sign of Benita on any electronic trail. 

It's worth noting that the area where Benita's car was found is an approximate three-and-a-half-hour drive away from McKinney. It's unknown why Benita would travel there, or if she even drove the vehicle there herself. Her family noted that a half-eaten burrito was found in the car - which they insist did not belong to Benita, as she did not eat burritos. There was also no further sign of Benita in or around the vehicle.

Years have passed, and Benita still remains missing. Her family is still searching for answers in her case. Authorities in both Texas and Oklahoma are investigating Benita's disappearance. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the McKinney Police Department at 972-547-2700 or the Canadian County Sheriff's Office at 405-295-6763.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Medium
NamUs
Our Black Girls

The Murder of Trayvel Aites

 

Trayvel Aites was found murdered outside his family's house on March 14th, 2014. The 19-year-old had been living with his father and stepmother at their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the time of his death. It was Trayvel's father who found his body in their backyard that tragic afternoon. He had been shot twice in the back. 

Reports state that Trayvel had been missing for about a week prior to being found shot to death. His family held out hope that he'd return safely, but those hopes were crushed on the afternoon of March 14th. Trayvel's father returned home from work that day and felt compelled to check his backyard. It was then that he discovered his son's lifeless body just below the home's master bedroom window. 

Various rumors indicate that Trayvel was seen and/or heard talking to someone on the corner near his home on the day of his murder. Two or three minutes later, that person began shooting, and Trayvel began to run. Trayvel was struck twice in the back but was still able to make it back to his family's backyard. Once there, he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

In June 2015, it was reported that investigators believe that Trayvel knew the shooter, and that others in the neighborhood witnessed the shooter as well. A public appeal was made for anyone with information to come forward. Still, over a decade has passed since Trayvel's murder, and the case remains unsolved.

Trayvel's family lived in their Baton Rouge residence for 15 years before his murder; Trayvel basically grew up in the home. The family's once-happy memories of the home have been tarnished by Trayvel's killing, and they have since relocated. However, justice for Trayvel is still being sought.

If you have any information that could lead to the arrest and/or conviction of Trayvel's killer(s), please contact the Baton Rouge Homicide Division at 225-389-4869.

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Sources:
CBS 9
Uncovered

The Disappearance of Charles Jay Makey Jr.

Source: Facebook

Charles Jay Makey Jr. has been missing since June 2014. The then 21-year-old was last seen in Banning, California. Reports state that the last confirmed sighting of Charles occurred on June 12th, 2014 - but he was last heard from via phone on June 20th. After that, Charles has never been seen or heard from again.

Charles was reported missing on July 16th, 2014. Other than that, very few details about his case are available. There is not any publicly reported information about the events leading up to Charles' disappearance. In fact, there has been very minimal reporting about his disappearance in general.

Per Charles' Facebook page, he was active online throughout 2013 and for the first few months of 2014. He last updated his profile picture in March 2014. Charles' Facebook also indicates that he was in a relationship at the time. Certain posts reference a young woman, while other posts reference a brother and other friends. However, there are not any publicly posted comments on his page after his disappearance. 

Over a decade has passed, and Charles still remains missing. He is described as a black man with brown hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, Charles was 5'10" and approximately 150 pounds and went by his middle name, Jay. If you have any information that could help solve Charles' disappearance, please contact the Banning Police Department at 951-922-3170.

 

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Sources:
California Department of Justice
Charley Project
CUE Center for Missing Persons
Facebook

The Murder of Ahmad 'Nuru' Hempstead

Source: ABC10

Ahmad Hempstead was brutally murdered in broad daylight on November 20th, 2020. The 48-year-old man was working as a handyman in Sacramento, California at the time he was killed. Ahmad was attacked while on a remodeling job at an apartment unit at La Pera Court. He died after being stabbed in the back with a "large machete-type knife."

Before Ahmad began working as a handyman, he was a professional boxer known as 'Nuru'. Although he was trained to fight, Ahmad's family notes that he was a gentle and kind man who did not have any known enemies. A motive for his brutal killing remains unknown.

 (Source: sherdog.com)

Ahmad's family continues to fight for answers and justice to this day. Both his sisters and son have spoken to local media, appealing to the public for anyone with information to come forward. Unfortunately, at this time no arrests have been made, nor have any suspects or persons of interest been publicly identified.

A monetary reward is being offered in exchange for information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of Ahmad's killer(s). If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
ABC 10, (2)
Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers

The Murder of Nishan Huff

Nishan Huff was only 23 years old when she was murdered inside her Greenville County, South Carolina residence on June 7th, 2006. 

At the time of her death, the young woman lived with her boyfriend in the Boulder Creek Apartments on Furman Hall Road. Reports state that Nishan's boyfriend left their home between 3:30-4:00 PM on the day of the murder. When he later returned, he found Nishan's body. She had been shot to death.

Early into the investigation, it was reported that several leads were being followed. After that, though, the case seemingly went cold. Years passed without any updates, until finally, in June 2022, a break in the case was announced. Frank Rozier (53) and Brittany Nicole Goldsmith (38) had both been arrested and charged in connection to Nishan's murder. 

At the time of their arrests, it was announced that Rozier faced charges for murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Goldsmith faced charges for accessory after the fact. Investigators stated that they "re-interviewed existing witnesses and newly developed witnesses, which resulted in new information leading to the probable cause needed to charge Rozier and Goldsmith with murder."

While it's believed that Nishan and Rozier knew each other, a motive for the killing has not been disclosed. Detectives stated the motive was still being investigated at the time the charges were filed. However, months later, in March 2023, it was announced that the charges against Rozier and Goldsmith were dropped. It was noted that there was not enough evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was then handed back to law enforcement; there is a chance that Rozier and Goldsmith could be charged again in the future if more evidence is discovered. 

Since then, no further updates or information has been provided about Nishan's case. As of today, it is considered unsolved - and there is still a monetary reward available for any information that could lead to the prosecution of Nishan's killer(s). If you have any information that could help the investigation, please submit a tip.

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Sources:
WIS 10
WYFF 4, (2)

The Murder of Kellie Owens

 

Kellie Owens was murdered inside her Charlotte, North Carolina residence on December 27th, 2007. The 30-year-old woman was shot to death in her apartment's bathroom. Kellie's boyfriend reportedly found her suffering from a gunshot wound and called 9-1-1. Medics announced her dead on the scene. 

Kellie's daughter, who was only 2 years old at the time, was found unharmed in her crib in a separate bedroom. Detectives believe the toddler was placed there by someone other than Kellie, as it was uncommon for the child to be left in the crib. It was also noted that there were no signs of forced entry into the apartment, which suggests that the killer might have been someone known to Kellie.

The death of Kellie was a devastating loss for not only her family, but also the community. Kellie worked with at-risk youth and was loved by the children she interacted with. She was also a loving mother, but she unfortunately never got to see her daughter grow up.

Several years have passed, and the murder remains unsolved. In 2024, a detective working the case told reporters that "the physical evidence in this case does not help us get any closer to making an arrest." Though it appears several interviews have been conducted, and several people have been investigated, police have not been able to gather needed evidence to move forward in the case.

Both detectives and Kellie's family loved ones have appealed to the public for someone with information to come forward. If you have any information that could lead to the arrest of Kellie's killer(s), please contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Violent Crimes Division at 704-336-2358. 

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Sources:
Crime in Charlotte
Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD
WSO-TV

The Disappearance of Lovely Andreya 'Angie' Brooks

Source: Dateline Missing in America

Lovely Andreya 'Angie' Brooks has been missing since January 10th, 2023. The then-53-year-old woman was last seen leaving her residence on Barlen Drive in Richmond, Virginia. She never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again. 

Before disappearing, Angie lived with and cared for her elderly father. Her family insists that it is uncharacteristic of her to leave without informing her father or any other family members. At the time, Angie's niece also resided in the household. After a week without any word from Angie, the niece told her mother—Angie's sister—that Angie was missing. Her sister then contacted the police on January 18, 2023.

There are no further indications that Angie is missing on her own accord. She left behind most of her personal belongings; only taking her cell phone and purse with her when she left her house. Additionally, Angie's bank account has been inactive since the day of her disappearance, aside from automatic Social Security deposits. 

Just weeks into the investigation, detectives stated that foul play is a "high possibility" in Angie's disappearance. It was noted that detectives had accessed Angie's cell phone records, but did not comment on whether or not anything of interest was found, likely due to the ongoing investigation. In May 2023, it was reported that detectives had a few persons of interest, but since then, there have not been any major updates in Angie's case.

Angie is described as approximately 5'11"-6'0" and approximately 150 pounds. She is a transgender woman and has been identifying as such for several decades. Angie has a tattoo of a small heart on her chest and her ears are pierced.

If you have seen Angie or have any information that could help solve her disappearance, please contact Det. Clarence Key of the Richmond Police Department at (804) 646-6764.

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Sources:
Charley Project
NamUs
NBC News
Stories of the Unsolved
WTVR

The Murder of Tikeisha Nicole Cottingham

Source: Wicomico Sheriff's Office

Tikeisha 'Nicole' Cottingham was only 17 years-old when she was brutally murdered on March 20th, 2003. It was around 4:00 AM that morning when police were called to a residence on Nakomis Avenue in Wicomico County, Maryland about a suspected homicide. Upon their arrival, they found Tikeisha deceased on the living room floor. She had been stabbed several times.

Over two decades have passed, and Tikeisha's murder is still unsolved. There is very little information available about the case; media reports about the murder have been minimal. Details about Tikeisha's life and the events surrounding her murder are unknown. As such, many questions remain - namely: who killed this teenage girl who still had her whole life ahead of her? And why?

As of today, those questions remain unanswered. Tikeisha's murder is considered a cold case. There is a potential monetary reward for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of Tikeisha's killer(s). If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Wicomico Criminal Investigation Division at (410) 548-4898 or Crime Solvers at (410) 548-1776.

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Sources:
Delmar Missing and Unsolved
Wicomico Sheriff's Office
Tikeisha's obituary

The Disappearance of Gwendolyn Carswell

 

Gwendolyn Carswell has been missing since August 17th, 2004. The then-44-year-old woman lived in Washington, D.C. at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen in the 2600 block of 18th and Otis Street NE. Gwendolyn left her home that evening after telling her mother she was going to a party. She never returned and has never been seen or heard from again.

Gwendolyn's family describes her as a loving and helpful person who was devoted to raising her children. She was also very outgoing and had a lot of friends. When days passed and Gwendolyn had still not returned home, nor had she been in touch with anyone in her close circle, her family knew something was wrong. Gwendolyn was subsequently reported missing by her mother and brother.

Over 20 years have passed, and Gwendolyn still remains missing. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance. In fact, police believe that Gwendolyn was likely targeted and/or harmed by someone she knew. However, no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly named. 

Various sources also note that Gwendolyn was a victim of a violent crime in the late 1980s. In August 2024, the senior detective on the case said that "his team is looking into whether [the '80s crime] is linked", but since then, no follow-up on that has been provided. Further information about this violent crime is unavailable.

A cold case unit is now in charge of investigating Gwendolyn's case. Investigators have appealed to the public for anyone with information about Gwendolyn's disappearance to come forward. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please call (202) 727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.

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Sources:
ABC 7
Charley Project
Metro Police Department
WUSA 9

The Disappearance and Death of Sharon Crawford

Source: ABC 27 Tallahassee

Sharon Crawford disappeared at the age of 43 on November 8th, 2018. She was last seen alive in Donalsonville, Georgia. When weeks went by without any word from Sharon, her concerned family reported her missing on November 27th, 2018.

On February 16th, 2019 - exactly 100 days after Sharon vanished - her shirt and bicycle were found inside a vacant building in Donalsonville. The discovery of these items intensified the police investigation, as detectives announced that they were chasing several leads at the time. Unfortunately, it seems that those leads never panned out, as the months continued to tick by without any further sign of Sharon.

Fifteen months after Sharon's disappearance, on February 11th, 2020, human skeletal remains were found in a field near the Donalsonville city limits. It took several months to identify the deceased, but in September 2020, it was announced that the remains were that of Sharon Crawford. Police confirmed that Sharon's remains were found dismembered, but at the time, they were still waiting on autopsy results to confirm an exact cause of death.

Years have passed, and there does not appear to be any reporting about the autopsy results or any additional information about Sharon's cause or manner of death. Though it seems likely her death was a homicide, this has never been confirmed by investigators. However, there are several details surrounding Sharon's disappearance and death that support the theory that she was murdered.

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More on about Sharon's disappearance.

As noted above, Sharon was last seen alive on November 8th, 2018. It's known that she was last seen in Donalsonville, but the circumstances of her disappearance are otherwise mostly unclear. There has not been any publicly shared information about who saw Sharon last or any other events leading up to her going missing.

Sharon's disappearance was both baffling and worrisome to her loved ones. Her family reported her missing after nobody had seen or heard from her for approximately three weeks. Once the local news began to cover Sharon's disappearance, her child Jazmine Williams told reporters, "we reported her missing because it was weeks that we haven’t seen or heard from and normally we will get a call or stop by or something."

By all accounts, it was not like Sharon to just vanish. She had four children and was close with her other relatives. Other initial reports about Sharon's disappearance said that both family and police were concerned for her welfare. Those concerns intensified as the weeks stretched into months without any sign of Sharon. 

The search for Sharon. 

The news about Sharon's disappearance seemingly spurred worries amongst the Donalsonville locals as well. Donalsonville is small city with less than 3,000 residents. Locals expressed that disappearances from their small community were largely unheard of. As the word spread about Sharon being missing, some residents expressed their desire to help find her.

In February 2019, a search for Sharon was organized to take place in Donalsonville. The search included several people, including investigators, family members, and volunteers. As noted above, the search took place on February 16th, 2019 - exactly 100 days after Sharon vanished. At some point, searchers went inside a vacant building and found Sharon's shirt and bicycle. 

Messages to the family.

The discovery of Sharon's items created even more mystery surrounding her disappearance. Many commented that the discovery of these items was worrisome, especially if she was riding her bicycle and/or wearing that shirt when she was last seen. Even more questions arose, such as: how did Sharon become separated from those items? Who placed them in the vacant building? And what happened after that?

Around the same time the items were found, Sharon's aunt Rosie Brown told reporters that her family had received alarming messages about Sharon's fate. Rosie stated that, "a lot of [the messages] say she is dead, she’s been killed, she’s been thrown in the river, but the recent one we have gotten says she dead and been buried."

At the time of that reporting, it appears that Sharon's family did not know who was responsible for the messages. It is unclear if investigators ever looked into them. To this day, it is unknown if those messages were from cruel trolls or from someone with actual knowledge about Sharon's death.

Information from police.

Shortly after the search for Sharon, police also spoke out about their investigation. Donalsonville Police Chief Woodrow Blue Jr. confirmed that Sharon's bicycle and shirt were found in the vacant building during the search. Blue told reporters, "we were able to develop a couple of leads from [Sharon's bicycle and shirt], and we are following up on that."

In that same report, dated from February 20th, 2019, Blue mentioned that they were also "working with officials in Jackson County out in Florida" on the case as well. Jackson County is less than 40 miles away from Donalsonville - an approximate 45 to 60-minute drive. It's unknown how Sharon is connected to Jackson County, and investigators did not elaborate on how they ended up connecting with officials in that area. 

February 11th, 2020: human remains are found. 

On February 11th, 2020, human skeletal remains were found in a field near the Donalsonville city limits, specifically off Burl Lane Road and Robbie Forrest Road. 

Source: Google maps

It is unclear who found the remains, as there does not appear to be news about that at this time. It could have been a passerby who found them, or it could have been the result of a search - but this has never been elaborated upon. 

September 2020: remains identified as Sharon; more unknowns arise.

In September 2020, it was announced that the remains were that of Sharon Crawford. At that time, Donalsonville Police Chief Blue told reporters that "The remains of Sharon Crawford has been found dismembered in a field just out of city limits off Burlane (sic) Road." He was also quoted stating that they were still waiting on autopsy results to confirm an exact cause/manner of death.

The fact that Chief Blue specifically mentioned that Sharon's remains were found dismembered is interesting, as it suggests that someone might have dismembered her body before disposing of her in the field. However, due to the fact that Sharon was found 15 months after she vanished, it's possible that wildlife or other environmental factors are responsible for the dismemberment. Police have yet to elaborate on their opinion of why they believe Sharon was found in such a state.

As previously noted, there does not appear to be any further news about Sharon's autopsy results. Whether or not it has been completed, or whether or not it was conclusive, has not been shared with the public. Now several years have passed, and the mystery of what happened to Sharon is still very much just that - a mystery. 

Potential theories. 

As also previously stated there are many suspicious aspects of Sharon's disappearance and death that suggest she was murdered:

• Sharon abruptly stopped contacting her family members/loved ones, which was uncharacteristic of her behavior. There are no reports to indicate she had a habit of dropping out of touch.
  
  
• Sharon's shirt and bicycle were found in a vacant building. This is suspicious for several reasons; most of them mentioned earlier in this write-up. It does not seem likely that one would simply abandon their personal items in a vacant building, especially an item that was seemingly used for transportation. This could suggest that Sharon encountered foul play while riding her bicycle.
  
  
• Sharon's family reportedly received messages stating she was dead and had been buried. While it appears that she was not actually found buried, the messages were correct about Sharon being deceased. If those messages were legitimate, it indicates that at the very least, someone knew that she was dead long before her remains were found. 
  
  
• Sharon's remains were found in the Donalsonville city limits. She was found in the same city from which she vanished. Due to Donalsonville's small size, it's likely that her body was not far from the area she was last seen. While investigators stated that they looked into areas Sharon was known to frequent, nothing seemed to pan out from that. Investigators also stated they were working with authorities in Jackson County, Florida while Sharon was missing - but it appears that Sharon never actually left Donalsonville. 
  
  

All of the above statements suggest that Sharon did not voluntarily vanish. While this does not mean in absolute terms that she was murdered, at the very least it seems likely that someone out there knows exactly what happened to Sharon. 

An unsolved case.

As of today, it appears that Sharon's case remains unsolved. If you have any information that could solve her case, please contact the Donalsonville Police Department at 229-524-2175.

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Sources:

Charley Project
Dothan First, (2), (3)
News 3
WCTV