The Murder of Shawnna Forgus

 

Shawnna Forgus was only 22 years old when her life was taken on February 21st, 2012. At the time of her death, the young woman lived in a Valparaiso, Indiana residence with her mother, stepfather, two children, and three siblings. It was inside that home where Shawnna was brutally murdered. To this day, she has never received justice.

Shawnna was discovered to be deceased by her then-5-year-old son. The young boy went to wake his mother up and found her unresponsive in bed. Police and medics were called, but unfortunately it was too late. Shawnna was pronounced dead on the scene. 

Investigators were able to quickly determine that Shawnna's death was a homicide, as her body had obvious signs of trauma. It was later confirmed via autopsy that Shawnna was beaten and strangled. She had been murdered in her bedroom, inside a home that she shared with several other family members - but initial reports about her case stated that "no one heard anything unusual [that] night." Despite this claim, suspicions against the family inevitably began to build.

Just days later, on February 25th, 2012, those suspicions were all but confirmed. Shawnna's stepfather, Allen Warnes, was arrested by Valparaiso Police. The Porter County Prosecutor's Office charged Warnes, then 55, with the murder of his stepdaughter.

In the months that followed, investigators remained quiet about their case against Warnes. Rumors about what happened circulated both locally and on social media, but nothing was ever publicly confirmed. Then, in October 2012, it was announced that the charges against Warnes were dropped. A report citing this decision states, "The Porter County prosecutor's office said the move was taken because three individuals, who initially gave statements implicating Allen Warnes in the murder of 22-year-old Shawnna Forgus, later recanted their claims."

Since the charges were dropped, news about Shawnna's case has been scarce. Many still believe Allen Warnes is responsible. There has been social media speculation about the family or other people in Warnes' circle covering for him. Investigators have never disclosed the identities of the witnesses who recanted their statements.

Shawnna's case is classified as a cold case. The Valparaiso Police still have agency over the murder investigation. If you have any information that could help solve the murder of Shawnna Forgus, please contact investigators at (219) 462-2135.

Sources:
ABC 7 Chicago
CBS News, (2)
Justice For Shawnna
Northwest Times, (2), (3)

Project: Cold Case

Other cases with dropped charges:

• The Murder of Nishan Huff
• The Disappearance of Nadia Kersh
• The Disappearance and Murder of Phylicia Barnes

The Murder of Irasema Chavez

Irasema Chavez (33) was found brutally murdered inside her Arlington, Texas apartment on January 20th, 2012. Her murder remains unsolved to this day.

Irasema was fairly new to that area, and to the United States in general. She had grown up in Mexico but had recently relocated to Texas after she was inspired to move by her sister and brother-in-law, who already lived there. According to Irasema’s brother-in-law, Irasema had made a ton of new friends since she moved to the Arlington area, and she loved to go to dance clubs with them. Irasema had also recently come out to her family and friends as a lesbian shortly before her death.

On the night of January 19th, 2012, Irasema called her sister and asked her and her niece, who was visiting from Mexico, to come over. They declined, as Irasema’s sister did not want to drive over to her apartment that late at night. However, Irasema’s sister planned to drop her niece off at Irasema’s apartment the following day so the two could spend the day together. 

When that time came the next morning, Irasema’s sister dropped her niece off at Irasema’s apartment complex and waited until she got inside safely before she left. However, just a minute after Irasema’s niece entered her apartment, she came running back out, screaming for somebody to call the police. According to her, Irasema was dead. She had been murdered—stabbed over 100 times.

Surveillance footage from the previous night shows an unidentified person wearing a hood approaching Irasema’s door and knocking. The person is seen standing there for about a minute before the door opens and the person is let in. For several years, investigators considered this person to be a suspect.

source: YouTube

None of Irasema’s friends or family members recognized the suspect, however they believed that this person was known to Irasema, since she let them into her apartment. A clip of the surveillance footage can be viewed here.

Nearly 15 years passed without any updates in Irasema's case. Finally, in July 2026, it was announced that an arrest had been made. A 42-year-old woman named Mayra Velazquez was taken into custody on July 17th, 2026, and charged with capital murder by terror threat.

Reports state that new DNA technology linked Velazquez to Irasema's murder. Although it appears that the two women knew each other, investigators have not commented on their connection at this time. 

Velazquez remains behind bars as her charges are pending.

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Sources:
The Dallas Morning News
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, (2), (3)

People
Savage Watch

The Disappearance of Jamee Grossman

 

Jamee Grossman vanished at the age of 24 during March 2012. The young woman lived in Billings, Montana at the time of her disappearance; however, she was reportedly last seen in Lockwood. Jamee has never been seen or heard from again.

March 17th, 2012, was supposed to be a busy day for Jamee. Both Jamee and the father of her youngest child had a scheduled appointment for visitation, but she canceled that morning after saying she was not feeling well. She was also reportedly scheduled to work a shift at a local bar/restaurant that day, but she did not show up, nor did she contact anyone from her job to say she would not be present.

Some reports also state that Jamee and her boyfriend, Frank Hammontree, planned to move into a friend's trailer in Lockwood that day after they had been evicted from their residence in Billings. That move never happened. Instead, Hammontree called Jamee's mother that afternoon and said that Jamee was missing. 

Hammontree stated that he drove Jamee to a convenience store on 1st Avenue North, where the visitation with the young child was supposed to take place. He said that after dropping her off, he watched Jamee get into a blue vehicle and never saw her again. However, surveillance footage from the convenience store seemingly disproves this narrative. According to KULR 8, "an analysis of that convenience store's security cameras showed no Jamee, no [Hammontree], no father, no little girl, no blue vehicle."

After Jamee was reported missing, detectives learned that she attended a birthday party at a residence in Lockwood on the evening of March 16th, 2012. Witnesses stated that Jamee and Hammontree arrived at the party together. Some of the partygoers spent the night and later told police that when they woke up the following morning, the couple was gone. The resident who hosted the party told police that Jamee and Hammontree left the party together around 2:00 AM. The two were reportedly in a good mood at the time; nothing appeared to be amiss between the couple. 

That birthday party is where the last confirmed sighting of Jamee occurred. Although she reportedly used the phone the following morning to cancel her scheduled visitation, it appears that no one, other than Hammontree, saw Jamee after she left the party. This inevitably raises suspicions about Hammontree, especially since the story he told about dropping Jamee off at the convenience store is seemingly untrue. 

Additionally, reports indicate that Jamee and Hammontree had a rocky relationship. According to The Charley Project, Jamee's mother shared that the couple "had a history of fighting and alleged physical abuse." The two also reportedly both struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. Those struggles are what led to their eviction from their residence in Billings.

Hammontree reportedly obtained a lawyer after Jamee's disappearance and declined to give a formal statement to investigators. He was later incarcerated on an unrelated felony weapons charge. On the two-year anniversary of Jamee's disappearance, it was reported that Hammontree was a prime suspect in the case. Now, over 15 years have passed since Jamee went missing, and no charges related to her disappearance have been brought against Hammontree. No other suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified. 

Despite several searches and theories surrounding the case, Jamee still remains missing today. Her two daughters have had to grow up without their mother. Her other family members have been left without closure. 

The Billings Police Department has investigative agency over her case. If you have any information that could help solve the disappearance of Jamee Grossman, please contact authorities at 406-657-8461.

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Sources:
Billings Mix
The Charley Project
Chip Chick
KULR 8

NamUs

The Murder of Lavoris Watkins

 

The afternoon of December 22nd, 2012, was a frigid one in Lansing, Michigan. Known for its cold winters, Michigan is a state in which its residents often keep their windows and doors closed during the season to help keep the cold air out of their homes. This is why a resident in the 1000 block of Kelsey Avenue grew concerned after a neighbor’s door had been left ajar for an extended period of time. 

A security check was requested at the residence. Once first responders arrived, they found an unresponsive woman inside the home. The woman was soon identified as 26-year-old Lavoris Watkins, a lifelong Lansing resident and a mother-of-two. Lavoris was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Police initially did not reveal Lavoris’ cause of death. However, after a few days, it was confirmed that she died from a gunshot wound. A public appeal was made for anyone with information about Lavoris’ killer(s) to come forward. Unfortunately, over a decade has passed and Lavoris’ murder remains unsolved.

A motive for Lavoris’ killing is also unknown. Her loved ones described her as a caring mother who was always willing to lend a hand. It does not appear that she had any known enemies or conflicts with others at the time of her death. 

The Lansing Police Department has investigative agency over this case. If you have any information that could help solve the murder of Lavoris Watkins, please contact authorities at (517) 483-4600.

Sources:
Lansing PD
Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

Michigan live

The Disappearance and Homicide of Daniel Joseph-Montgomery Allen

Daniel Joseph-Montgomery Allen vanished at the age of 21 in late 2012. The young man lived in Modesto, California at the time of his disappearance. Reports state that Daniel's family reported him missing in December 2012. He was never seen alive by his loved ones again.

Months later, in early March 2013, a family was walking across the Seventh Street Bridge over the Tuolumne River when they spotted a human body in the water. Police were called, and investigators determined that the deceased was a young male. Days later, the body was identified as that of Daniel Joseph-Montgomery Allen. 

Investigators determined that Daniel's body had been in the water for "at least a few weeks" before being found. It's unknown if investigators believe that he was already deceased at the time he was reported missing, or if they believe he was alive for a period of time after the fact. Information about the events leading up to his disappearance/death are also unknown. 

Shortly after Daniel was identified, it was reported that his death was being investigated as a homicide. Since then, though, news about the investigation has been minimal. Over a decade has passed since Daniel's death, and no persons of interest or suspects have ever been publicly identified. The case is considered cold. 

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office has investigative agency over Daniel's case. If you have any information that could help solve this homicide, please contact the sheriff's office at 209-525-7216 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
CBS News
KRCA
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus area crimestoppers

The Disappearance of Brittany Shante Robinson

Brittany Shante Robinson was only 14 years old when she vanished on June 14th, 2012. She was last seen in Mobile, Alabama, after her aunt dropped her off at the home of her father, Demetric Hooper. Brittany was only supposed to be with her father for a two-day visit, but she never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again. Demetric fled Mobile immediately following Brittany’s disappearance. A warrant for his arrest was issued six weeks later.

Investigators were finally able to track Demetric down in September 2012, at a mental health facility in Arkansas. He suffered from both schizophrenia and drug addiction and had previously been in-and-out of treatment centers in Alabama for years. During September 2012, Demetric reportedly was seeking treatment for his schizophrenia. Once police tracked him down, they confirmed that Brittany was not with Demetric in Arkansas. He was then arrested and charged with felony custodial interference.

After Demetric’s arrest, investigators determined that he had been in Arkansas since July. However, in the weeks following Brittany’s disappearance, he traveled to multiple different locations throughout the southeastern United States. On July 7th, 2012, Demetric took a bus from Memphis, Tennessee to Arkansas, and it was determined that Brittany was not with him during said trip. 

When police finally tracked him down, they found Brittany’s iPod, knives, and a rope in his possession. However, Brittany herself still remained missing.

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The custodial interference charges.

Demetric continuously denied harming his daughter. A search of his home provided no evidence of Brittany’s whereabouts. Due to this, police were unable to charge Demetric with anything related to Brittany’s disappearance, but they still pursued the custodial interference charges. 

After initially denying those charges as well, Demetric ended up pleading guilty to custodial inference in August 2014. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was released in 2016 after serving two years.

A cold case turns to sudden charges.

As the years ticked by without any sign of Brittany, her father Demetric Hooper remained the main person of interest. Still - investigators seemingly did not have enough evidence to prove that he harmed Brittany. Brittany's disappearance quickly faded into a cold case.

Then, in February 2024, it was announced that a grand jury had indicted Demetric Hooper for Brittany's murder. The charges came nearly 12 years after Brittany's disappearance. At the time of the indictment, Demetric was already in custody in Oklahoma on unrelated charges. Prosecutors announced that he would face the murder charges in Alabama.

After Demetric's arrest, it appeared that Brittany's loved ones were one step closer to finding answers and justice. Unfortunately, the answers and justice would never come to fruition. 

The trial.

Demetric Hooper's murder trial began in early June 2025. It was noted during trial that no forensic evidence was ever found that linked Demetric to murder. In fact, there was no forensic evidence to prove that Brittany was no longer alive.

Prosecutors noted that, due to Brittany's age at the time of her disappearance, and due to the fact that her father was the last person to see her alive, it is probable that her father killed Brittany and hid her remains. However, investigators had never found Brittany's body, nor did they find any physical evidence that she had been harmed.

It appears that the prosecution was unable to present a case that proved Demetric's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury subsequently found him not guilty for Brittany's murder. As of today, Demetric Hooper is no longer facing any criminal charges related to his daughter's disappearance.

An unsolved disappearance.

Brittany remains missing today. Questions about her fate still remain. Though many believe that Demetric Hooper is, in fact, responsible for his daughter's disappearance, he can no longer face murder charges related to her case.

Brittany's disappearance is still considered an open and unsolved case. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-1700.

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Sources:
Al.com, (2)
Charley Project

Fox 10
News One

WKRG, (2)

Similar cases:

• The Disappearance and Murder of Lori Paige

The Disappearance of Le-Thuy 'Cathy' Tran

Source: NamUs

Le-Thuy 'Cathy' Tran has been missing since January 31st, 2012. The then-45-year-old was last seen at her home in Harvey, Louisiana. Cathy's landlord said that she last saw Cathy when she paid her rent at her apartment complex's management office. The landlord later called police after she noticed Cathy had seemingly vanished after making that payment.

Very little information is known about the circumstances surrounding Cathy's disappearance. According to certain reports, Cathy had spent time gambling in Biloxi, Mississippi prior to her disappearance. She reportedly returned to her home in Louisiana on January 15th, 2012. It's unclear if this is connected to her disappearance; further information about her time in Biloxi is unknown. 

A local New Orleans news report about Cathy's disappearance was published on February 29th, 2012. The report states that, during that time, detectives were unable to get in touch with Cathy's family or friends. Several years have passed since then, so it's unknown if this is still true. There have been no further updates about Cathy's case.

Cathy was known to drive a light gray 2009 Toyota Camry with the California license plate number 6DXT129 at the time of her disappearance. The car has also not been seen since she vanished. 

If you have any information that could help solve Cathy's disappearance, please contact the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 504-364-5300.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
NamUs
WDSU

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 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 Sage Smith

Sage Smith disappeared under suspicious circumstances on November 20th, 2012. Prior to vanishing, the 19-year-old was making a lot of positive changes in her life. Sage grew up in the foster care system, and reportedly had a very tumultuous childhood. Things were beginning to turn around in the fall of 2012—Sage was no longer a part of the foster system, so she was able to move into her own place in Charlottesville, Virginia. She had recently gotten a new job in that area, and she was looking forward to her future. 

Sage also had recently come out to her family and friends as transgender. Just weeks before her disappearance, Sage changed her gender on her Facebook page from male to female. According to Sage’s grandmother Lolita Smith, Sage was reportedly very happy to be living her truth.

On the evening she was last seen, Sage told her roommate, Aubrey Carson, that she planned to meet up with a man—possibly for a date—whom she had met online. That man was later identified as Erik McFadden (pictured below).

Aubrey grew concerned the following morning, when he awoke to find that Sage had not returned home. He tried calling Sage, but her phone went straight to voicemail. Aubrey then called Sage’s grandmother, Lolita. After learning that Lolita had not heard from Sage either, Aubrey called the Charlottesville police.

Erik McFadden

By the time authorities determined that Sage had met up with a man named Erik McFadden, they were unable to locate him. In fact, McFadden’s girlfriend ended up reporting him missing on November 24th—just four days after Sage was last seen. At that point, investigators became tasked with locating both Sage and their only person of interest in Sage's case.

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November 2012: McFadden contacts the authorities.

At first, it appeared that McFadden was on the run. However, he ended up contacting Charlottesville authorities three days after he was reported missing. McFadden told them that he did plan to meet up with Sage on the evening of November 20th, but Sage never showed up. 

Still, investigators asked McFadden to meet with them in person. He told them that he couldn’t because he was in New York. When investigators asked him when he would be back, he hung up.

A changed story.

Although it appeared McFadden himself was trying to avoid contact with authorities, his girlfriend continued to cooperate with the investigation. She told police that McFadden planned to take a bus back to Charlottesville on November 29th. The next day, though, McFadden changed his mind. He sent his girlfriend an e-mail saying that Sage was blackmailing him by threatening to tell people that the two of them had sex. 

McFadden also stated that he did meet up with Sage on the night of November 20th, but he did not know what happened to her. This version of events clearly differed from the story that McFadden told authorities, and he was officially classified as a person of interest after that. 

Case reclassification.

Unfortunately, investigators have still never been able to question McFadden in person. He reportedly has never returned to Charlottesville, and the last sign of him was an e-mail he sent to his girlfriend in May 2013, from an untraceable e-mail address.

The Charlottesville Police are still actively investigating Sage’s disappearance. In 2016, the investigation was reclassified as a homicide. Three years later, on June 26th, 2019, police announced that they officially filed a missing persons' report for Erik McFadden. To this day, McFadden remains the only person of interest/suspect in the case. 

November 2025: McFadden is tracked down.

On the 13th anniversary of Sage's disappearance, Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis announced that detectives found Erik McFadden in Los Angeles, California. Kochis told reporters, "detectives uncovered information suggesting that Mr. McFadden might be living in the Los Angeles area." While investigating that information, detectives were able to locate McFadden, who was in the process of changing his name.

Kochis stated that detectives did, in fact, interview McFadden, and that the information they obtained from that interview is being incorporated into their investigation into Sage's disappearance. However, detectives have declined to share any information about "why he fled, where else he’s been living, or why he sought to change his name."

Investigators are now appealing to the public for anyone who might have interacted with McFadden in these past 13 years to come forward. Kochis told the public, "If you knew him, lived with him, worked with him, or were in any form of a relationship with him, we need to hear from you." It's believed that McFadden is still in the LA area, and may be using aliases such as Frank Hargrave, Shiloh Mathis, or Miles Bakari.

The monetary reward in exchange for information that could lead to Sage's whereabouts/an arrest in the case is still in place. If you have any information about Sage or Erik McFadden, please contact the Charlottesville Police Department at 434-970-3280.

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Sources:

29 News
ABC News 8
Charley Project
NBC News
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Uncovered

The Disappearance and Murder of Dominick Brown-Hill

Source: CBS News

Dominick Brown-Hill vanished at the age of 21 on March 22nd, 2012. The young man lived in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania at the time of his disappearance. Reports state that he was dropped off by a jitney around 5 or 6 PM in front of a home where he was staying in Althea Hills. Dominick was never seen alive again. 

A 2012 report on Dominick's disappearance states that he called the owner of the home where he was staying - his friend's grandmother - the day after he was last seen. During the phone call, he reportedly told his friend's grandmother that he would return that evening. However, Dominick never returned, and his phone was shut off a short time later. 

Years passed without any news on Dominick's disappearance. Then, in late February 2017, human remains were found in a garbage can in the 900 block of Washington Street. Those remains were later identified as that of Dominick Brown-Hill. He had been murdered; killed by a gunshot wound to the head. 

The garbage can that contained Dominick's body was discovered around 7:00 PM on February 23rd, 2017. According to neighbors, the garbage can came from somewhere else - and had to have been placed on Washington Street the night before garbage day. This has led to several more questions in Dominick's case - especially because he had been missing for nearly 5 years at the time he was found. 

Upon the discovery of his body, Dominick's case shifted to a homicide investigation. Unfortunately, years have passed, and the case still remains unsolved. No suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified.

If you have any information that could help solve Dominick's murder, please submit a tip with the Allegheny County Police Department.

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Sources:
CBS News, (2)
Patch
WPXI
WTAE 

The Disappearance and Murder of Franchesca Alvarado

image source: phillyobitproject.com

Franchesca Alvarado had a lot to look forward to during early 2012. The then-22-year-old woman was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the time, and she was ready to begin her next chapter in life. Franchesca had plans to enroll at the Community College of Philadelphia, as she hoped to pursue a criminal justice degree. Unfortunately, she would never have a chance to take this step - as she vanished on March 17th, 2012.

According to reports, Franchesca arranged for a babysitter to care for her then-3-year-old daughter before leaving for Atlantic City to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. She was reportedly accompanied by Tracy Williams, an older male acquaintance. Franchesca never returned home from this trip, and her loved ones never heard from her again.

Franchesca's siblings knew something was off when days passed without any contact from her. One of her sisters, Frances, decided to go to Franchesca's home in Hunting Park to check in. Frances was greeted by Franchesca's roommate, who said that Franchesca would be back from Atlantic City in two weeks. This seemed odd, as it did not seem likely that Franchesca would take a trip that long without telling her family. 

Eventually, Franchesca's loved ones reported her missing. They then passed out fliers, organized rallies, and continuously searched for Franchesca. Meanwhile, police searched for leads. Tracy Williams was questioned, and he reportedly told police that he and Franchesca separated at some point during their night in Atlantic City. He said that he last saw her by the Borgata. Franchesca's roommate was also questioned but was reportedly uncooperative. 

Over a year later, in August 2013, a fisherman at Corson’s Inlet State Park in Ocean City found a severed foot floating in the water. The foot was still wearing an Adidas high-top sneaker, which led both police and Franchesca’s loved ones to believe that the foot did, in fact, belong to Franchesca. This was officially confirmed just a few days later.

At that point, it became clear that Franchesca met with foul play. To this day, many questions remain. What happened to Franchesca? Who is responsible for her death?

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More about Franchesca.

image source: Philly Inquirer

As previously stated, Franchesca - known as 'Cheka' by those closest to her - lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the time of her disappearance. She was the youngest of 8 siblings and was very close with her family. Franchesca and her siblings had a rough childhood; as Franchesca’s father went to prison shortly after her birth, and her mother died when she was just 9 years old. Franchesca was subsequently raised by one of her older sisters. 

Despite these hardships, Franchesca remained a positive person. According to her loved ones, Franchesca had a happy energy and sparkling personality. She enjoyed crafts and had a not-so-secret crush on Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Franchesca was also a dedicated mother to her daughter, whom she gave birth to when she was just 19 years old.

The disappearance.

As also previously noted, Franchesca disappeared after going to Atlantic City - a place she went to frequently. Franchesca often went there to blow off steam and enjoy a fun time with friends. She took this particular trip to Atlantic City with a man named Tracy Williams - who is described in reports as an older male acquaintance. 

When Franchesca did not return from this trip, both her family members and police inevitably wanted to speak with Williams. He maintained that he separated from Franchesca at some point during the night after she told him that she would find her own ride home. Williams claims he last saw her by the Borgata. Despite his insistence that he did not have any information about Franchesca's whereabouts, Williams still refused to take a polygraph exam, which raised suspicions against him.

Potential persons of interest.

From the beginning, Tracy Williams was an obvious person of interest - however he was not the only person whom the family and police found suspicious. Franchesca's roommate at the time of her disappearance - Tonya Alavarez - also raised some questions. 

image source: Find Franchesca Cheka Alvarado (Facebook)

As mentioned earlier, Alavarez told Franchesca's siblings that Franchesca planned to be in Atlantic City for two weeks. Franchesca's siblings knew this was likely untrue, as it seemed unlikely that she would take such a long trip without her daughter AND without mentioning it to her family. Additionally, Alavarez reportedly declined to cooperate with the authorities investigating Franchesca's disappearance. 

Investigators also inevitably wanted to question any potential romantic partners of Franchesca's. Her siblings note that Franchesca's ex-boyfriend is now currently in prison on federal gun charges unrelated to Franchesca's case. It's unclear if he was ever a major person of interest in Franchesca's disappearance and/or murder.

The discovery of remains.

Franchesca's severed foot was found by a fisherman at Corson's Inlet State Park during August 2013. The foot still had her shoe on it - which ultimately helped investigators identify the remains.

Image source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Knowing that there had to be more remains out there, Franchesca's family continued their quest to find answers. They conducted several internet searches for "human remains found" and "bones found" - which led them to learn that a human femur and tibia had washed ashore. In 2015, both were finally identified as that of Franchesca Alvarado. The rest of her remains have never been found.

A murder investigation.

Franchesca's case shifted to a murder investigation after the discovery of the remains. However, no arrests have ever been made. Investigators have also never disclosed an exact cause of death. Tracy Williams, Tonya Alavarez, and possibly other individuals still remain persons of interest. 

Franchesca's family members are still fighting for answers. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-462-2899.

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Sources:
Find Franchesca Cheka Alvarado Facebook
Fox 29
Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Obituary Project
Uncovered

The Disappearance and Murder of Desiree Thompson

Desiree Thompson (30) vanished under suspicious circumstances on January 7th, 2012. While she was missing, it was reported that Desiree last seen that evening after a frightening incident with her estranged ex-husband, Edward 'Face' Gibson III. There were reportedly several instances of domestic violence and encounters with the police throughout Desiree's relationship with Gibson. On the night of her disappearance, Gibson showed up at Desiree's home in California City, California unannounced. When Desiree answered the door, Gibson pointed a shotgun at her face. 

It appears that no shots were actually fired at that time, as Desiree was seen alive just a few hours after that incident. After that last sighting, she was never seen or heard from again.

Edward 'Face' Gibson III

Desiree is the niece of songwriter/producer Kenneth Howard Smith - who is most famously known for his work on Motown and D-Town Records. Smith reportedly used his numerous resources to help spread awareness about Desiree's disappearance, but unfortunately very few leads and clues turned up. Investigators also been searching for Gibson, who also vanished on the evening of Desiree's disappearance. 

It is believed that Gibson is on the run. He is wanted on charges of burglary, domestic violence, violating a court order, brandishing a firearm, and possessing a firearm as a felon. For years, Gibson also remained the only person of interest in Desiree's disappearance. 

However, over a decade later, the case would have an unexpected twist. A man named Jose William Lara (60) was arrested and charged with Desiree's murder. In the weeks and months that followed, the truth about what happened to Desiree was revealed.

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March 2022: A critical tip leads to remains and an arrest.

During March of 2022, investigators received a tip that led them to a home in California City. A man named Jose William Lara, now 60, used to live in said residence. While there, investigators found blood splatters in the master bedroom and human remains in the backyard. The remains were not immediately identified, but Lara was subsequently arrested and charged with Desiree’s murder.

Jose Lara in court. (source)

It took months, but in July 2022, the remains were finally confirmed to be that of Desiree Nicole Thompson. The news of Desiree’s death AND the arrest of Lara has come as a shock to Desiree’s loved ones. For years, many believed that Desiree’s ex-husband Edward Gibson III was responsible for her disappearance. However, according to court documents, Desiree was the victim of an unfortunate attack by a stranger.

Lara's confession to an informant.

The court documents also state that police learned about Lara's potential involvement in Desiree's case after they were contacted by an informant. The informant told police that Lara had described, in detail, how he murdered a woman matching Desiree's description and then buried the woman in the backyard of his old residence. 

Lara was reportedly angry on the evening of Desiree's murder. He reportedly told the informants that he was at a party that evening, but while there, he was assaulted by three individuals who told him he was not welcome. Lara then left the party but returned to a nearby area a short time later in search of the people who assaulted him. While waiting, he came across two individuals - one who matched Desiree's description.

Lara told the informants that he was angry about being assaulted and wanted to get revenge - and it did not matter who received it. He subsequently invited Desiree over to his house under the guise of drinking beers together. Lara said that once she was there, he bashed Desiree's head into a mini-fridge and then stabbed her to death. Later, he buried her in his backyard. 

source: lawandcrime.com

The conviction.

Although Lara confessed to the informant, he pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. He went to trial in May of 2023. During court proceedings, the prosecutors presented the aforementioned evidence provided by the informant. The fact that Desiree's remains were found in Lara's previous backyard also helped the prosecution's case. 

The defense continued to argue that Desiree's ex-husband, Gibson, was the true murderer. However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution and found Lara guilty of Desiree's murder. He was later sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. 

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Sources:
23 ABC Bakersfield
Bakersfield Now
Charley Project
Family History Channel

The Disappearance and Murder of Kara Nichols

 

Kara Nichols vanished at the age of 19 on October 9th, 2012. The young woman was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During her early teen years, Kara began using drugs, and she struggled with addiction throughout high school. She graduated from a local alternative high school and then got a job as a waitress. Around the same time, Kara began to pursue a career in modeling as well. Unbeknownst to her parents, Kara had also been working as an escort since she was 17 years old. 

During the summer of 2012, Kara's parents moved to Chicago, Illinois. Kara initially moved with them but continued to struggle with drug addiction. She later decided to return to Colorado Springs and ended up moving into a house there with three male roommates. Kara also returned to her previous waitressing job and continued to pursue modeling. She created a Model Mayhem profile to help her network with more agencies and photographers.

It appeared that Kara was getting more and more work as a model. In fact, on the evening of her disappearance, Kara told her roommates that a friend was picking her up and driving her to a modeling job. Unfortunately, she never returned home and was never seen or heard from again. 

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Kara is reported missing.

Over the following two days, Kara's brother attempted to contact her several times but was unable to get in touch. On October 12th, 2012, Kara's brother reported her missing--but police initially did not take the case seriously. Kara's brother was told that Kara is an adult and was free to remain out-of-touch. However, Kara's family members knew something was wrong--as it was uncharacteristic for her to not contact them. 

As weeks passed without any sign of Kara, the investigation finally began to progress. It was discovered that Kara's cell phone pinged one final time at 11:45 PM on the evening of her disappearance. The phone appeared to be traveling towards Denver.

Associates & sightings.

In November 2014, investigators announced that they wanted to talk to two brunette women who were seen with Kara on the evening of October 9th. It's believed that both women were associates of Kara's through the modeling/escorting business. 

One of the persons of interest (click to enlarge)

Over the years, there were numerous reported sightings of Kara. Some have reportedly seen her accompanied by a man in the area of Fillmore Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The witnesses stated that Kara appeared frightened of the man. Still, these sightings were never confirmed.

In May 2014, a recording was released of Deputy Sheriff Cliff Porter admitting that he had "cut corners in regards to the investigation" and did not look into certain pieces of evidence in the beginning of the case. Kara's family members grew continually frustrated by the lack of urgency in her case. They subsequently placed a monetary reward for anyone with information about her disappearance in hopes that it would encourage someone to come forward.

Broken silence.

In early 2022, a woman named Kristina Hollendorfer spoke to investigators and implicated her husband, Joel Hollendorfer, as the man responsible for Kara's disappearance.

Investigators interviewed Joel several times throughout their investigation into Kara's disappearance. Phone records showed that Kara and Joel had been in contact several times on the night she vanished. Joel told investigators that he had solicited Kara's escort services, but they never actually met up. 

Police also attempted to speak with Kristina several times throughout the investigation, but she was reportedly uncooperative. However, in 2022, she finally decided to break her silence. She then told investigators that Joel admitted to her that he "accidentally killed an escort he hired and buried her body on top of an old horse grave on his parent's property." On February 3rd, 2022, investigators searched said property and found human remains. Days later, it was confirmed that the remains belonged to Kara Nichols.

Joel Hollendorfer was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence shortly thereafter.

A conviction.

In June of 2023, Joel Hollendorfer was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter in the case of Kara Nichols. He was not found guilty in the second-degree murder charges, as it is believed that he accidentally killed Kara. However, the court is considering an enhanced sentencing for Hollendorfer, as he is labeled as a habitual offender who has violated his parole on several occasions. 
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Sources:
Arrest affidavit
Court TV
The Gazette
KOAA
Stories of the Unsolved