The Disappearance and Death of Kayla Sobczak

 

Kayla Sobczak was only 18 years-old when she was found deceased under suspicious circumstances on March 9th, 2025. The teen's family had reported her missing months earlier, during December 2024. Reports state that Kayla was last seen alive in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The last confirmed sighting of Kayla prior to her disappearance occurred on December 17th, 2024. She was reportedly in the area of 60th Street and 12th Avenue. Around 11:00 PM that evening, Kayla was seen getting into a charcoal grey sedan near the 6000 block of 12th. The car was driven by an unknown individual. Kayla never returned home, nor did she ever contact her loved ones again. Her family members reported her missing on December 23rd, 2024. 

After Kayla's missing persons' case was opened, the Kenosha Police Department reported that she was known to frequent Racine, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, and Waukegan, Illinois. The police department also reported that Kayla had a history of substance abuse and sex work. However, they declined to comment on whether they felt these things played a role in Kayla's disappearance. 

Months passed without any sign of Kayla. Then, on March 9th, 2025, a body was found in a break wall within Lake Michigan at Eichelman Park. Days later, it was confirmed that the body was that of Kayla Sobczak. When the news broke about her body being found, police stated that they were still investigating a cause and manner of death. This information remains unknown to the public to this day; it's unknown if detectives have made any progress on this part of the investigation.

Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding Kayla's case, many have speculated that foul play is responsible for her disappearance and death. However, this has yet to be confirmed by law enforcement. Police have not shared any details about the investigation since Kayla's body was found. 

Kayla's case remains opened. If you have any information that could help provide answers about her disappearance and death, please contact Kenosha authorities at 262-605-5280. 

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Sources:
Disappeared Blog
Fox 32
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Spectrum News 1
WISN

The Disappearance of Jacqueline McNeil

 

Jacqueline McNeil has been missing since June 19th, 2024. 

The then-25-year-old was last seen in St. Louis, Missouri. On the day of her disappearance, Jacqueline met up with her father at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Kossuth Avenue next to Fairground Park. According to her father, the two sat in his vehicle and chatted; he then gave her some money before they parted ways. Jacqueline’s loved ones have never seen or heard from her again.

Certain reports indicate that Jacqueline was homeless at the time of her disappearance. Despite this, she kept in frequent contact with her family members - especially her two young children. Friends and family have said that Jacqueline’s sudden absence was completely out-of-character, and they have since been fighting to find answers about her disappearance. 

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are both involved in the investigation into Jacqueline’s disappearance. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact authorities at 314‐231‐1212 or 573‐526‐6178.

Sources:
Charley Project
FOX 2
Missing People in America
Missouri State Highway Patrol

The Disappearance and Death of Monyiah Holman

 

Monyiah Holman was reported missing in Missouri during April 2024. Reports state that the then-26-year-old was last seen in Clayton. The circumstances surrounding Monyiah’s disappearance are unclear, but some sources list the date she went missing as April 15th, 2024.

There was very little reporting on Monyiah’s disappearance. Over a year passed without any news on the missing woman. Then, on October 3rd, 2025, it was reported that a utility worker had found the body of a woman in a vacant lot in the North Riverfront neighborhood of St. Louis. 

The press release states that authorities responded to the scene shortly after 10:00 AM. The report reads, in part, “Officers arrived on scene and located an adult female, who was not conscious and not breathing. EMS responded and pronounced the female dead on the scene.” At first, the identity of the deceased woman was not immediately clear. Days later, on October 8th, it was announced that the woman was identified as Monyiah Holman.

It appears that Monyiah had not been deceased for an extended period of time when her body was found. The wording in the press release indicates that first responders checked Monyiah’s body for consciousness and breathing; an act that would not have been necessary if her body had been in a state of decomposition. This makes it likely that Monyiah was alive for approximately 17 months after being reported missing. 

Monyiah’s whereabouts and actions between April 2024 and October 2025 are unknown by investigators. Monyiah’s cause and manner of death are also still unknown. As of mid-October 2025, it was reported that these circumstances were still being investigated. 

Police have appealed for anyone who might have seen or interacted with Monyiah between April 2024 and October 2025 to come forward. They have also appealed for anyone with information about her death to come forward. If you have information that could help solve this case, please contact SLMPD at 314-444-5371.

Sources:
Charley Project Fox 2 News KSDK St. Louis PD

The Murder of Shana Maxwell

On the evening of October 23rd, 2024, police in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania received a call about a stabbing that occurred in the town of Whitehall. Authorities responded to the scene at an apartment on Skyline Drive. Once there, first responders found 38-year-old Shana Maxwell deceased inside her residence. She had suffered a fatal stab wound to the neck.

Investigators are still searching for Shana's killer. On the one-year anniversary of her death, authorities made a public appeal for anyone with information on Shana's murder to come forward. The homicide detectives shared that they still "have never been able to identify a suspect." 

It has been determined that a neighbor saw Shana alive outside the apartment building around 9:00 PM on October 22nd, 2024. She was found deceased around 6:40 PM the following evening. The events that occurred between that 9:00 PM sighting and the time of Shana's death remain mysterious; detectives have not shared any other information about the investigation. 

Shana's loved ones describe her as a caring and loving person. A motive for her killing is unknown. Shortly after her death, a friend told reporters that "One of the last things I told [Shana] last time I spoke to her is she really is too good for this world. She was always caring. If someone needed help, if someone needed a hand, she was always gonna be there and she’d give you her last couple dollars if she had it. It really is a loss for this community."

If you have any information that could help solve the murder of Shana Maxwell, please call the Allegheny County Police Department at (412) 473-1200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call 1-833-ALL-TIPS or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
Allegheny County PD
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Shore News Network
WPXI, (2) 

More cases:

• Unsolved cases from 2024
• Unsolved cases from Pennsylvania

The Disappearance of Atraya Berardi

Atraya Berardi has been missing since May 24th, 2024. The then-16-year-old was living with her aunt and uncle in Rockledge, Florida at the time of her disappearance. Atraya was last seen leaving her aunt and uncle's residence around 11:00 PM. She never returned and has never been seen or heard from again.

Atraya left the house with a bag of toiletries and her pet cat in a carrier. As such, she was classified as a runaway once her missing persons' case was opened. However, Atraya's other belongings, including her cell phone and laptop, were left behind. 

Reports state that Atraya had only lived in Rockledge for a few months prior to her disappearance. Previously, she lived with her mother in Palatka, Florida. Atraya moved in with her aunt and uncle in Rockledge after her mother passed away in January 2024. 

Atraya reportedly also had a history of running away when she lived in Palatka, but she was never gone for longer than a few days. This time around, Atraya has been gone for a significant length of time and there has been no trace of her since her disappearance. In July 2024, approximately 2 months after her disappearance, authorities announced that they believe Atraya is in danger. 

The FBI is involved in the search for Atraya. She is described as a 5'4" female with brown hair and brown eyes. Her cat, which she brought with her, has gray fur and a deformed ear. 

If you have any information that could help solve Atraya Berardi's disappearance, please contact the Rockledge Police Department at 321-690-3988 or submit a tip to the FBI.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Disappeared Blog
FBI
Missing Kids. org
WFTV

The Disappearance of Elizibeth 'Lizzy' Green

Elizibeth 'Lizzy' Green has been missing since April 17th, 2024. The then-21-year-old was last seen Callao, Utah. On the day of her disappearance, Lizzy left her family's home to walk a short distance to her new job at a nearby ranch. She has never been seen or heard from again.

Prior to vanishing, Lizzy was living in Callao with her mother, stepfather, and brothers. Callao is a small desert town in Utah with approximately only 50 residents. The nearest city is reportedly hours away. As such, the employment opportunities in Callao are likely not as vast as they are in suburban or urban areas; however, Lizzy had just gotten a job at a ranch near her family's home.

The day Lizzy vanished was supposed to be her first day working at the ranch. According to the owner of the ranch, Lizzy never arrived. When she also did not return home that evening, her family members and other Callao residents searched for her to no avail. The family contacted the Juab County Sheriff's Office the following morning to report Lizzy missing.

Searches were conducted in the area between Lizzy's home and the ranch. Search and rescue teams also did a grid search with helicopters. Unfortunately, no sign of Lizzy was found. Investigators also searched Lizzy's family's property and the ranch property. According to reports, nothing suspicious was found.

Investigators eventually obtained search warrants for Lizzy's cell phone activity and social media accounts. It was determined that Lizzy was talking to "several people" online via Snapchat and a dating app. At this point, though, it is unclear if this plays a role in her disappearance. Lizzy's cell phone has not been used since the day she vanished.

Lizzy's loved ones stated that Lizzy sometimes struggled with mental health and had run away before, but always either returned or contacted family within a day or two. This time around, those closest to Lizzy do not believe she has stayed missing on her own accord.

The Juab County Sheriff's Office is in charge of investigating Lizzy's disappearance. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact authorities at 435-856-0358.

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Sources:
KUTV, (2)
People
Utah Dept. of Public Safety

The Murder of Sade Robinson

 

Sade Robinson was only 19 years-old when she was tragically murdered following a first date on April 1st, 2024. Reports state that Sade met up with her date at a seafood restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin shortly before 5:30 PM that evening. She never returned home, nor did she show up for work the following day. A concerned friend reported Sade missing on the evening of April 2nd, 2024. 

The friend contacted the Milwaukee Police Department to report Sade missing around 9:00 PM. By this point, Milwaukee investigators had dealt with several suspicious crimes that day. Amongst those crimes was a burning vehicle found in a parking lot on the 1800 block of North 29th Street around 7:30 AM that morning. Later that evening, a severed human leg was found in Warnimont Park. 

Eventually, it was determined that both the vehicle and the human leg belonged to Sade Robinson. Investigators also learned the identity of the person Sade had been on a date with on April 1st: Maxwell Anderson, a 33-year-old man residing in the 3100 block of South 39th Street. 

Anderson was arrested and taken into custody on April 4th, 2024. That same day, a search warrant was executed at his home. During the search, investigators found blood on both the walls leading to the basement and the walls of Anderson's bedroom. They also found several containers of gasoline.

On April 6th, a severed human foot was found near the area where Sade's car was found. Days later, a human torso and arm were found washed up on a beach along Lake Michigan. Reports state that those remains are thought to be Sade as well. 

Maxwell Anderson was held behind bars for several days before prosecutors finally announced charges. Anderson is currently charged with several counts: first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson of property other than a building. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

The brutality of Sade's murder has led to speculation that Anderson is not a first-time killer. This speculation intensified when it was determined that the blood found in Anderson's house does not belong to Sade. Many are left questioning if Anderson has other victims that have not been discovered yet. 

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Timeline surrounding Sade's murder.

Despite the blood in Anderson's house not belonging to Sade, there is still an abundance of other evidence that points to Anderson as her killer. A timeline built through both surveillance footage and cell phone data ultimately led to his arrest.

Maxwell Anderson in court. 

April 1st, 2024, 5:20 PM: Sade and Maxwell Anderson meet up at the Twisted Fisherman restaurant on Canal Street. 

6:30 PM - 9:06 PM: The two leave Twisted Fisherman and take Sade's car to a bar called Duke's on Water. While there, Sade sends a Snapchat to a friend.

9:24 PM: Sade's phone pings off of a tower near Anderson's home. Surveillance footage captures what appears to be two human figures arriving at Anderson's residence.

April 2nd, 2024, 12:48 - 3:02 AM: Sade's phone seemingly leaves Anderson's residence. Around 1:30 AM, the phone pinged near Pleasant Valley Park, along the Milwaukee River in the city’s Riverwest neighborhood. The phone left that area around 2:00 AM and appears to travel north.

At 2:45 PM, Sade's phone pinged near Warnimont Park - where her severed leg was found later that evening. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, surveillance cameras captured a car heading toward the pump house at Warnimont Park at 2:53 AM. At 3:02 AM, a human figure is seen headed towards the water. 

4:31 AM: Sade's car leaves the Warnimont Park area. Around the same time, her cell phone dies. 

7:31 AM: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, "surveillance cameras capture a white male walking away from a car fire burning in a parking lot on the 1800 block of North 29th Street. A witness later tells law enforcement he saw the male exit the vehicle and toss a lighter into it before walking away. The male was wearing a gray hoodie and a tan backpack."

7:32 AM: The fire department responds to the vehicle on fire. Clothing is found in the vehicle's trunk, along with pieces of a broken cell phone. It's later determined that the clothing and the phone belong to Sade; the clothing was actually part of the outfit she was wearing on her date with Anderson.

Investigators connect the dots.

As previously stated, Sade was reported missing later that evening after she did not show up for work. Eventually, investigators determined that the human remains and the burning vehicle they had already found belonged to Sade. From there, detectives learned that Sade had been on a date before her disappearance with a man named Maxwell Anderson. 

The evidence from both the phone records and the surveillance footage suggest that Anderson killed and dismembered Sade inside his house sometime between 9:30 PM and 12:48 AM. Then, it appears that Anderson used Sade's vehicle to dispose of her remains.

A question about other victims.

As also previously noted, there has been speculation about whether or not Anderson has other victims as well. Reports state that the blood found on the walls of his residence does not belong to Sade Robinson. Many are left questioning: is there another victim that has not been found yet? Is it possibly another missing young girl from Milwaukee?

There has been some online speculation about the blood possibly belonging to Joniah Walker - who vanished at the age of 16 on June 23rd, 2022. Joniah was last seen in the 400 block of West Brown Avenue. A write-up on her case can be found here. 

At this time, Anderson has not been charged with anything related to any other missing women. However, speculation about other victims remains active. 

Anderson's trial. 

Maxwell Anderson's murder trial began in late May 2025. During the court proceedings, the prosecution alleged that Anderson had been planning the murder for months. The presented evidence also indicated that, after Anderson met Sade for their date, he invited her back to his house. Once there, Anderson drugged Sade's beverage. After Sade had passed out due to being drugged, Anderson took pictures of her passed out, face down on the couch. Pictures were also taken on him groping her and taking off her clothes - all while she is unconscious. 

After assaulting, murdering, and mutilating Sade, Anderson then took a picture of himself holding her severed right breast. The prosecutors called this his "trophy". Anderson later disposed of Sade's remains and burned out her in an attempt to conceal evidence.

Anderson's defense, on the other hand, argued that the prosecution did not prove Anderson's intent to kill Sade. Despite this, it took the jury less than an hour to find Maxwell Anderson guilty on all counts. 

Anderson is expected to face a mandatory life sentence at his August 2025 sentencing.

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Sources:
CBS 58

CNN
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, (2)
TMJ 4

The Disappearance of Stefanie Damron

 

Stefanie Damron has been missing since September 23rd, 2024. The then-13-year-old was last seen at her family's home in New Sweden, Maine. According to the family, Stefanie walked away from the home and into the woods after an argument with her older sister. She never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again.

Stefanie is the Damron's middle child. She has five siblings; at the time of her disappearance, they ranged from the ages of 8 to 21. The Damron family lives an "off-grid" lifestyle - their New Sweden home is a yurt-like structure that does not have any indoor plumbing or running water. The home is also located on 26 acres of land and is surrounded by vast woods. 

Stefanie's parents, Lisa and Christopher 'Dale' Damron told police that they were not home at the time Stefanie vanished. They explained that they were in town to fill out a job application, and they brought two of their children with them. Four of the other children, including Stefanie, stayed behind. At some point, Stefanie and her older sister got into an argument over chores. The family stated that the argument prompted Stefanie to storm off into the woods.

Lisa Damron explained that her oldest daughter sent her a text message about Stefanie being missing around 3:00 PM. She said that it was not unusual for Stefanie to want to take time to herself when she was upset. The family said that they looked around the woods for her, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Stefanie's parents contacted police the following day to report their daughter missing. 

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What happened to Stefanie?

Source: NBC News

As noted above, Stefanie seemingly vanished into thin air after being seen walking into the woods near her family's New Sweden, Maine home. The family stated that she was familiar with the woods and had ventured through the area several times in the past. Stefanie also reportedly had run off before during times of frustration, but according to family, she was always found within a few hours. 

Most reports indicate that Stefanie did not have a cell phone at the time of her disappearance. The Damron family's "off-grid" lifestyle gave Stefanie and her siblings very little access to electronic devices and social media. While the oldest Damron sibling seemed to have a phone, it does not appear that the other children had regular access to such items. 

More about the Damron family.

Two years before Stefanie's disappearance, the Damron family moved from Rusk, Texas to New Sweden, Maine. The move occurred after an incident in Texas in which the parents - Lisa and Christopher 'Dale' Damron - were arrested after they were found to be intoxicated at a local McDonald's while two of their children were left in their car. Lisa Damron later pleaded guilty to a charge of deadly conduct and received a deferred sentence.

Some of the Damron children were temporarily removed from their parent's custody following this incident. Once custody was restored, the family moved to Maine. The family moved with a man named Richard, who the children refer to as their grandfather, but is actually a lifelong associate of Dale Damron. After moving to Maine, the family befriended a man named Andrew - who the children refer to as 'Uncle Andrew'. The yurt structure that the family moved into is on Andrew's property.

Stefanie and her siblings were reportedly homeschooled and "taught the basics". After Stefanie was reported missing, her parents told police that they planned to send their children to the government program Job Corp, which would help them gain qualifications to obtain GEDs. Reports state that Stefanie's older brother attended one of their classes, but there are no known records of any of the other Damron children doing so. 

Stefanie's access to a support system outside of her immediate family was very limited. She did not attend school and was not involved in any community activities such as sports or clubs. According to her family, she had "no friends" at the time of her disappearance.

More about Stefanie's disappearance.

As previously stated, Stefanie was reportedly home with a few of her siblings at the time of her disappearance. The Damron parents were not home, but the "grandfather", Richard was present. According to Richard, he was working at a maintenance project at the home when he saw Stefanie storm out of the house with tears in her eyes. 

It appears that Richard and possibly the older sister with whom Stefanie had argued witnessed Stefanie walking into the woods. Although the woods are vast, there is also reportedly a path through the area that leads to a main road. According to NBC News, "the family heard a vehicle pass by shortly after Stefanie ran off, although nobody saw it. They do not know if it was a vehicle, a four-wheeler, a motorcycle or something. By the time anybody got up there, the vehicle was already gone.”

The search for Stefanie.

The Damron family reportedly searched for Stefanie themselves around the area before contacting police. Stefanie was formally reported missing on September 24th, 2024. She turned 14 on October 6th, 2024 - about two weeks after she vanished.

Initial searches for Stefanie were extensive. Lt. Darrin Crane from the Maine State Police told Dateline, “Several K-9 teams went very early on. We’ve also gone back with cadaver dogs. We have talked to neighbors repeatedly — just seeing if they remember anything, or have heard anything, or saw anything suspicious that day or around that time frame.” A large-scale search of the dense wooded area took place for several days. Unfortunately, nothing was found.

Weeks stretched on without any updates in the case. Then, in December 2024, the FBI announced that they would be joining the Maine State Police on their investigation into Stefanie's disappearance. A $15,000 reward in exchange for information was announced as well. 

Meanwhile, as news about Stefanie's disappearance began to circulate around news outlets and social media, speculation began to build as well. Many people had questions about the Damron's family chosen off-grid lifestyle - especially as it seemingly kept their children isolated from the outside world. Many also questioned whether or not the children were receiving a suitable education.

There were also inevitable concerns about the arrest/CPS incident that had occurred just two years prior to Stefanie's disappearance in Texas. There has been speculation that the Damron parents chose to move the family to such a remote area in Maine to avoid further incidents involving CPS from occurring. Concerns about the parent's alcohol and possible drug use has been big topic as well. 

Despite all of this, police have publicly stated that they do not believe Lisa or Dale Damron are directly responsible for Stefanie's disappearance. However, they have not completely ruled out foul play as a factor in the case either. The fact that a vehicle was heard passing by shortly afterward Stefanie left her home makes it possible that she was picked up - but at this time, police have not been able to determine anything of the sort. 

It's also possible that Stefanie succumbed to an accidental death in the woods. However, there have not been any direct signs of that, either. In May 2025, another search took place for Stefanie that lasted over three days. The search included "personnel from the Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service, FBI, numerous volunteer search-and-rescue organizations and support teams using drones, K9s and horses." The search ended unsuccessfully; nothing of interest was found. 

Still missing.

At the time of her disappearance, Stefanie was approximately 5'0" and 130 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved blue shirt, and black Harley Davidson hiking boots.

The MSP and FBI are continuing to investigate Stefanie's disappearance. If you have any information that could help solve the case, please contact the Maine State Police at 207-532-5400 or submit a tip online with the FBI.

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Sources:
ABC 8 Maine
FBI
NBC News
Team Stefanie

The Murder of Casandrah Poole

Casandrah Poole was found brutally murdered in Tucson, Arizona on the morning of March 13th, 2024. 

It was approximately 9:00 AM when a passerby spotted a woman's body in a drainage tunnel near Wilmot Road and Stella Road. Police responded to the scene and noted the deceased woman had suffered traumatic injuries. The victim was soon identified as 33-year-old Casandrah -- a Green Valley native and a mother of two young sons. 

Reports state that Casandrah frequented the area where she was found. The flyer created by Tucson PD/Crimestoppers says that she had walked to a friend's house the night before she was found murdered. It's believed Casandrah was walking home when she was savagely attacked and killed. 

Source: 88crime.org

Investigators and Casandrah's family members alike are left with several unanswered questions; namely: Who killed Casandrah and left her in a drainage tunnel? And why? The spot where Casandrah was found is reportedly "an area full of traffic, apartments and houses." As such, Casandrah's family believes someone must have seen something on the night Casandrah was murdered.

A monetary reward is available in exchange for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for Casandrah's death. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Tucson Police Department at 520-882-7463 or submit a tip online. 

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Sources:
88-Crime
Arizona Daily Star
City of Tucson
Go Fund Me
News 4 Tucson, (2)

The Disappearance of Sa'Wade Birdinground

Sa'Wade Birdinground has been missing since October 7th, 2024. The young teen was last seen around 11:00 PM the previous night at her family's house in Garryowen, Montana. When Sa'Wade's family went to wake her up the following morning, she was not in her bedroom; nor was she anywhere in or around the residence. Sa'Wade was subsequently reported missing.

Garryowen is a privately-owned town in Big Horn County, Montana. The specific area from which Sa'Wade vanished is a very rural area within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation. Sa'Wade grew up on the reservation; she turned 13 years-old just a little over two weeks before her disappearance. Her family members describe her as a quiet girl with no history of running away. Reports state that Sa'Wade has autism, and that her disappearance is completely out of character.

Widespread searches were conducted for Sa'Wade, by both volunteers and professionals, but no sign of her was found. By October 20th, it was announced that the FBI had joined the search for Sa'Wade. At that time, it was also reported that Sa'Wade's phone, which she left behind, had been "handed off to the FBI for agents to recover recently cleared text messages and phone calls. Investigators are also looking at one additional phone call that may be the last person Sa’wade spoke with before vanishing."

It's unclear what other evidence the phone might have produced. Sa'Wade still remains missing. Authorities have kept quiet about their investigation due to its ongoing status. However, they are still appealing to the public for anyone with information about Sa'Wade's whereabouts to come forward. 

If you have any information that could help solve Sa'Wade's disappearance, please contact the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office at (406) 665-9798 or submit a tip to the FBI.

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Sources:
FBI
KTVQ, (2)
KULR 8

Cases with Major Updates in 2024

There are four cases featured on True Case Files that had major updates during 2024. Below is a list of those cases with a brief description. Links to full case write-ups are provided.

Jaylen Griffin: Remains found.

Name: Jaylen Griffin

Case update: Remains found after missing for 4 years.

Age at disappearance: 12

Missing on: August 4th, 2020

Remains found: April 2024

Location: Buffalo, NY

Jaylen Griffin vanished from his family's Buffalo, New York home on August 4th, 2020. The then-12-year-old left the home around 11:00 AM that day and never returned. Authorities initially treated Jaylen's disappearance as a runaway case, even as months passed without any sign of him. In April 2021, investigators told reporters that they did not believe that Jaylen had been abducted or taken against his will. After that, the case seemingly went cold.

Years later, in April 2024, a maintenance man working at a multi-unit house on 107 Sheffield Avenue found a body in the attic. That body was later identified as Jaylen Griffin. His death was labeled a homicide. 

The house where Jaylen was found is approximately five miles away from his home. Neighbors in that area told reporters that police had responded to that house "several times" over the years. At this time, police have not named any suspects or persons of interest in Jaylen's case.

Full story: The Disappearance and Murder of Jaylen Griffin.

Suzanne Morphew: Autopsy results revealed.

Name: Suzanne Morphew

Case update: Cause of death revealed.

Age at disappearance: 49

Missing on: May 10th, 2020

Remains found: September 2023

Location: Maysville and Moffat, CO.

Suzanne Morphew's case has been high-profile in not only the state of Colorado, but also the entire nation, since she was first reported missing on Mother's Day 2020. She vanished from her family's home in Maysville, Colorado. Many suspected Suzanne's husband, Barry Morphew, was responsible for her disappearance from the very beginning of the investigation. In fact, in May 2021, Barry was arrested and charged with Suzanne's murder; despite the fact that her remains had not yet been found.

In April 2022, the murder charges against Barry were dropped - citing a lack of evidence needed to move the case forward. However, the charges were dropped without prejudice, which means the prosecution can charge him again at a later date. At the time the charges were dropped, the prosecutors implied that they intended to do so in the future.

Over a year later, in September 2023, human remains were found in an area of Moffat in Saguache County. Days later, it was confirmed that those remains were that of Suzanne Morphew. She was found approximately 45 miles away from the Morphew family home.

In April 2024, authorities announced that Suzanne "died homicide by undetermined means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (BAM) intoxication." These findings cast even more suspicion on Barry, as BAM is often found in animal tranquilizers that Barry admitting to having and using at the home he shared with Suzanne. 

Despite these findings, Barry still remains a free man. At this time, he has not been re-charged with anything related to Suzanne's death. The investigation into her death continues.

Full story: The Disappearance and Murder of Suzanne Morphew.

Sebastian 'Ty' Husted: Remains found.

Name: Sebastian 'Ty' Husted

Case update: Remains found after missing for 6 years.

Age at disappearance: 18

Missing on: January 22nd, 2018

Remains found: April 2024

Location: Mercer County, MO

Sebastian 'Ty' Husted vanished at the age of 18 on January 22nd, 2018. He lived while his family in Centerville, Iowa at the time, but he vanished after reportedly traveling to Mercer County, Missouri. Ty had gotten a job at a hog farm in Mercer County, and on the day of his disappearance, he arranged for his coworker to give him a ride to the farm. 

After being driven there, Ty reportedly texted his brother and asked him to pick him up, as his coworker was acting strange and aggressive. His brother replied to ask for an address, but Ty never got back to him. He never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again. Ty was reported missing two days later.

Police questioned Ty's coworker, but he was never publicly identified or labeled as a suspect. Several searches were conducted in and around the hog farm, but no sign of Ty was found. His disappearance soon faded into a cold case.

Over 6 years later, in April 2024, turkey hunters found human remains on a private property in northeast Mercer County. Days later, those remains were confirmed to be that of Sebastian Tyrese Husted. 

At this time, a cause/manner of death has not been revealed. It appears that the circumstances surrounding Ty’s death are still being investigated. Ty’s family is still hoping to find answers about what led to his disappearance and death. 

Full story: The Disappearance and Death of Sebastian 'Ty' Husted.

Brittany Robinson: Arrest made.

Name: Brittany Robinson

Case update: Arrest made.

Age at disappearance: 14

Missing on: June 14th, 2012

Arrest made: February 2024

Location: Mobile, AL

Brittany Robinson has been missing since June 14th, 2012. The then-14-year-old was last seen in Mobile, Alabama. On the day of her disappearance, Brittany was dropped off at the home of her father, Demetric Hooper, for what was supposed to be a two-day visit. However, Brittany never returned home and was later reported missing by her mother.

Hooper reportedly fled Mobile immediately following Brittany's disappearance. Months later, in September 2012, investigators tracked him down at a mental health facility in Arkansas. Hooper was then arrested and subsequently charged with custodial interference. He pleaded guilty to those charges in August 2014 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but he was released in 2016 after serving just two years.

Hooper denied both knowledge of Brittany's whereabouts and involvement in her disappearance. Years passed without any updates in the case. Then, in December 2023, Hooper was arrested on charges of burglary and assault with a dangerous weapon. While Hooper was behind bars on these unrelated charges, a grand jury reviewed Brittany's case as well. In February 2024, it was announced that the grand jury had decided to indict Hooper on murder charges in Brittany's case.

Despite the murder charges, Brittany's remains have still not been found. Hooper is facing the burglary and assault charges in Oklahoma but will be tried for Brittany's murder in Alabama. The case is still unfolding. 

Full story: The Disappearance of Brittany Robinson.

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Here's to hoping these cases continue to make more progress in 2025! 
A list of cases that were resolved in 2024 can be found here. 

The Murder of Ashley Smylie

 

On March 19th, 2024, 40-year-old Ashley Smylie was tragically shot and killed in her home in Brandon, Mississippi. Her death has left the Rankin County community in shock and mourning, as Ashley was a beloved teacher at Northwest Rankin High School. The shock deepened when it was revealed that the person responsible for her death was her own teenage daughter, Carly Madison Gregg.

Carly, only 14 years old at the time of the incident, shot her mother in her bedroom. Later that evening, as her stepfather, Heath Smylie, entered their house, Carly shot him as well, striking him in the shoulder. Despite his injury, Heath managed to wrestle the gun away from her. Carly then fled the scene. 

Shortly thereafter, Heath found Ashley's body on the floor of Carly's bedroom. He then called 9-1-1 to report the shootings. Police later found Carly near the home and took her into custody. 

Source: WJTV

Carly was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. According to reports at the time of her arrest, she had killed her mother, attempted to kill her stepfather, and hidden the home's security cameras in an effort to conceal the crime. It was further announced that Carly would be tried as an adult on all charges.

Ashley's death has been a devastating loss for her family, friends, and students. Many were left with questions, such as: why did Carly kill her own mother? And how could such a young girl commit such horrific crime? Months later, these questions and more were addressed as Carly's trial began in Rankin County.

An insanity defense.

Source: Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the opening statements, Carly’s defense team didn’t dispute that she had killed her mother and wounded her stepfather. However, they argued that Carly was battling an improperly treated mental illness at the time, which clouded her judgment and actions. According to the defense, Carly never harbored any true intent to harm either her mother or stepfather.

"This is not a who-dun-it case. We know who took action on March 19 to bring about the death of Ashley Smylie and the injuries to Heath Smylie," defense attorney Bridget Todd told the courtroom. "This is a why case."

The events leading up to the murder.

The prosecution, on the other hand, presented a very different story. Prior to Todd's opening statements, Mississippi state prosecutor Kathryn White Newman told the jury that Carly was leading a "secret life" that she wanted to keep hidden from her mother and stepfather. She reportedly had begun both smoking and vaping marijuana in the weeks leading up to the murder. Carly reportedly also was using "burner phones" and texting apps that she kept hidden from her parents. 

Prosecutor Newman also noted that Carly's new behaviors had raised alarms among her friends. One friend became so concerned that he contacted Carly’s mother to share his worries. That conversation occurred on the very same day as the murder.

Further testimony revealed that Ashley and Carly returned home that afternoon at 3:54 PM, as was typical during the week. By this time, it is believed that Ashley had already confronted Carly about her suspected marijuana use. Shortly after they arrived, Ashley went into Carly’s bedroom to search for evidence and reportedly discovered vape pens hidden in the room.

Shooting heard on camera.

A security camera in the family's kitchen captured the harrowing events that followed. While Ashley was still in Carly's room, the footage, which was shown during trial, showed Carly "walking from her parent's room with a hand behind her back, towards her bedroom. Seconds later a shot is heard, followed by screams, and then two additional shots." (Source: Vicksburg News).

Carly walking past kitchen, presumably with gun behind back. Source: WAPT

Moments later, Carly is seen walking back into the kitchen with her hands behind her back. She then places the concealed item on the counter and sits down on a bar stool. Seconds later, Carly picks up a phone from the counter and begins calmly typing a message.

According to testimony from Carly's stepfather, Heath, she was using her mother’s phone in this footage. She was reportedly sending text messages to Heath, pretending to be Ashley, asking when he would be home. Heath noted that the messages appeared to match Ashley's usual texting tone, and he did not suspect anything was wrong at the time he received the messages.

Carly texting from her mother's phone moments after the murder. (Law & Crime TV)

The friend witness and the attempted murder of Heath.

Heath testified that he received the text messages from who he believed was his wife around 4:14 PM. However, he didn’t return home until shortly after 5:00 PM. During that approximate 45-minute window, Carly sent messages from her own phone to two different friends, claiming she had an emergency and needed help.

One of the friends was dropped off at Carly’s house shortly after. Upon her arrival, Carly asked if she had ever seen a dead body and if she was "squeamish" around them. Carly then led her friend into her bedroom, where her mother’s lifeless body lay on the floor. She confessed to her friend, saying, "I put three in my mom, and I got three more waiting for my stepdad."

Surveillance footage from the home's garage shows that Heath arrived back at the residence around 5:03 PM. Heath testified about the moment Carly shot him, telling the jury, "When I opened the door to the kitchen, the gun went off in my face before the door was three or four inches wide open." He then explained that the gun went off two more times, but he was able to wrestle it away from Carly after the first shot - which grazed him in the shoulder.

Carly fled the scene shortly thereafter. Heath then discovered his body of his wife on Carly's bedroom floor. He subsequently called 9-1-1.

Carly's arrest and charges.

Police located Carly approximately half a mile from her home, where she was taken into custody without incident. Following her arrest, authorities announced that Carly would be charged as an adult with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence.

Carly Gregg in court. (Source: WAPT)

The news of Ashley's murder and the subsequent arrest of her teenage daughter quickly garnered nationwide attention. Many were shocked by the idea that a young girl could commit such horrific crimes against her own mother and stepfather. While it’s not uncommon for teenagers to argue with their parents, it rarely escalates to the point of a child committing murder.

Both those close to Ashley and Carly, as well as strangers, were stunned by the tragedy. Many were also surprised that Carly, only 14 years old at the time, was being charged as an adult. During the trial, Carly's attorneys argued that her age, along with her improperly treated mental illness, played a significant role in her actions.

Professional testimony from both defense and prosecution.

Carly's defense called Psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark to testify about Carly's "mental state at the time of the offense and her resulting level of criminal culpability under Mississippi law." Dr. Clark stated that Carly was suffering from a mental health crisis at the time of the shootings and has "no memory whatsoever" of shooting her mother and stepfather. 

Testimony during the state's rebuttal contradicts Dr. Clark's assessment of Carly's mental state. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Jason C. Pickett testified that he disagreed that Carly was legally insane at the time she shot her mother and stepfather. Carly's therapist also testified that Carly appeared emotional stable and their final session, which occurred just one day before the shootings. 

A guilty verdict and an adult sentence.

After a five-day trial, the jury found Carly guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to life in prison for both the murder and attempted murder charges, with an additional 10 years for tampering with evidence.

Carly’s life sentence at the age of 15 has sparked widespread debate. Some believe that she deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison, while others argue that she can be rehabilitated and should receive a lesser sentence. This debate continues to unfold on various online forums.

An appeal.

In October 2024, it was reported that Carly’s defense team filed an appeal, requesting a new trial. The defense motion cites over a dozen reasons why Carly should receive another trial, including the claim that "witnesses necessary to establish Carly’s defense were improperly excluded from testifying at the trial" and that "witnesses were improperly restricted in the testimony they could provide in Carly’s defense." This suggests that the defense still aims to prove Carly was not legally sane at the time the crimes were committed.

Carly’s biological father, Kevin Gregg, spoke out after the trial. While he continues to support Carly, he denies that she was legally insane. He told reporters, "That girl knew right from wrong. That girl is not insane. That was a very dumb defense if you asked me, but I wasn’t involved. Nobody ever called me."

Where is Carly now?

Carly is currently being housed in the Youthful Offender Unit at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Her appeal case is currently pending. 

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Sources:
Court TV, (2)
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
NBC 15 News
Super Talk FM
Vicksburg News
WAPT 15
WDAM-TV