As far as the seized technology goes, its less about what they did find and more about what they couldnt find. This hobby had grown to a passion and Katelin had made a plan to go to cosmetology school. As far as Lisa was aware, Katelin was getting the metro to the airport to get that 5.40pm flight home. The unsolved disappearance of a Virginia teenager four years ago has left family members desperate for answers and investigators puzzled as a key witness who may be able to help refuses to cooperate, WTTG-TV reports. Katelin stated to this friend she felt remorseful and awful about the entire thing. So if she wasn't on the flight home, then where was she? Captain Jeff Pearce of the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office tells PEOPLE theres no connection between the two cases, emphasizing, Its just an unfortunate coincidence. But the dual mysteries have left the community shaken, particularly after Akens luggage was found in a drainage ditch near Fredericksburg on Monday. internal medicine tullahoma, tn. Her wallet, ID and glasses were found inside, but her clothes were missing. Family told the station Akens was soon to start cosmetolegy school in Arizona, where she has lived for more than a year. The luggage was found around 50 miles from the airport but just a few miles from Katelin's hometown. The fact that the missing woman's stepfather was last to see and talk to her has sparked some speculation on social media and crime case forums like Websleuths. Dec. They had grown up pretty inseparable and the girls were heartbroken when Ambers family moved to Arizona. Her suitcase was then found 45 miles away . Authorities in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, are searching for answers after one young woman was found dead and another went missing last weekend. I need some time alone.". And they also could not determine that it was Katelin herself that sent the text messages. Carter was the last known person to see Katelyn . The sites/interviews with Lisa I have not seen this.). Since Katelin was scheduled to start her new cosmetology school on Monday, she had booked her flight back to Arizona for that Saturday evening, December 5th, at 5:40pm out of the Reagan National Airport in Arlington. Eventually this theory was ruled out entirely, and two men have since been convicted of first degree murder in Heathers death. Join Facebook to connect with Kaitlyn Aikens and others you may know. He seemed happy, excited, Sullivan said. 7:15pm- Lisa gets texts from Katelins phone saying shes staying with a friend and needs sometime alone. "It sounds as if there may be yet another serial killer in Spotsylvania County," one local posted on Facebook Tuesday. None of that happened, crushing her family and confounding investigators. The suitcase was scuffed and had a wheel missing. Subscribe to our email newsletter for news on the FBI, sent out every week. Even though authorities have declared no known connections between Katelins and Heathers cases, residents do have reason to be uneasy. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. On Sunday, 21-year-old Heather Ciccone was found dead in a car parked in a strangers driveway. Lisa doesnt believe this was Katelin, claiming she never double texts. The search for Katelin Akens has produced some new leads, but authorities in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, are not clarifying on what those leads are. She asks how the traffic was and thats when James tells her something that surprises her: I dropped her at the Springfield metro station. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. ), 1:52pm- James texts Lisa saying he dropped Katelin off at the airport. March 21st, 4:17 AM EDT. She wasn't at the airport or the mall at that time. I'm not coming back today. . Hed unknowingly discovered the biggest clue- Katelins suitcase, scratched and missing a wheel, as if it had been thrown from a moving vehicle. But I strongly believe she was not and is not a runaway. Though her family doesnt think shed hide from them to avoid a breakup, the police arrange an intense stakeout just to be sure shes not hiding with any of her friends. They were all full of encryptions that he has to this day refused to help unlock. And I just called her and Im like, look Katelyn, I don't know what Im doing and Im getting frustrated and I need somebody to tell me how to do this. Height and Weight 5'4, 122 pounds. This young lady, Katelin Akens is a cousin of mine. This time, the texts were worrying; they said that she was staying with a friend and needed some alone time. Amber had said a Facebook message was sent from Katelins account saying she cant come back because she cheated on her. About two days later, Katelins suitcase with her money, credit cards, and the plane ticket was found in a drainage ditch in Spotsylvania County. I agree! Meanwhile, police said they are willing to hear from anyone with information on the case. In March 2021, a foundation for missing people placed a billboard regarding Katelins case on the route James took to work. She was due to start the new cosmetology course on the Monday, the 7th of December. She always, like, asked how I was doing or how the babys doing. At this point, Lisa was completely reeling- what is going on? In fact, the last time she was seen alive was at his home. Lisa then left the house to go to work. She was also extremely smart and a quick learner. James stuck to his story that he dropped her off at the mall. 00:01:53. Clothing/Jewelry Description A dark gray fleece pullover sweatshirt with a Bass Pro Shop emblem, black pants and pink and black Vans shoes. / CBS News. Growing up, Kaitlin was described as nurturing, adoring little kids and loving to help others in any way she could. Her last text message pinged off a cell tower in Stafford. I dont know what his motive couldve been other than a possible vendetta against Lisa, rage, or random killing. To date, Katelin has still not been found and her family have asked that everyone keep talking about her and keep sharing her story so that she will not be forgotten. She was supposed to have a bright future. There were questions as to whether that may have prompted her to leave. On December 5, 2015, Katelin Akens was supposed to board a flight from Reagan National Airport in Virginia to Lisa wasn't sure she would even know how to get the metro. "It's scary," Akens' mother, Lisa Sullivan, told WRIC News. Katelin Akens was last seen . James never showed up to work that day, or ever again. So getting up there quickly. Dec 11, 2015. 00:02:43. James had to work at 3:00pm, so he . Lisa didnt think Katelin sent those texts. All FBI Email Updates Kaitlin would be 25 years old today. As police began to investigate the hours leading up to her disappearance, they interviewed the friends she had stayed with the night before who confessed that they did actually all sleep together- the night had gotten carried away, and they all agreed it was something that shouldnt happen again. Gabrielle: Almost six years. They confirmed with the airport that Katelin had never in fact made it on the plane, and they attempted to report her as a missing person to the police. Police have reportedly searched Brantons home and seized a variety of evidence, including guns, electronics and his DNA; but have not found any meaningful leads or apparently, cause to arrest him. Which is why her diploma was missing along with clothes, to throw everyone off or make it look like shes a runaway. Investigation Discoverys Disappeared: Flight Risk focuses on the young womans activities and whereabouts leading to her disappearance. It was roughed up and missing a wheel according to police, it was clearly thrown out the window of a moving vehicle. Katelyn's cause of death is currently unclear. Weight. Katelins sister Gabi seems to think there is a strong possibility that James helped her meet up with someone shed been talking to online and that person turned out to be someone evil who hurt her. She was going to take the metro to the airport since there is a stop at Reagan.. 9:20am - Katelins mom, Lisa stayed at James house with Katelin for a little bit. One constant in Katelins life was her best friend Amber Rios. https://www.facebook.com/HelpFindKatelinAkens/, https://www.spreaker.com/show/lost-souls-of-america, https://charleyproject.org/case/katelin-michelle-akens, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/katelin-michelle-akens, https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/update-katelin-akens/, Murdered in California- The Case of the Doodler Killer, Murdered in Kansas: The Case of Alonzo Brooks, Missing in Minnesota: The Case of Brandon Swanson, Murdered in DC: The Case of the Freeway Phantom, Unsolved in California: The Case of the Keddie Cabin Murders. Where is she?". SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. --Police in central Virginia say a missing teen's luggage was found ditched along a road days after she went missing on her way to the airport. Police looked into whether Katelin decided to leave of her own accord. Other people just stop looking for them.". James had to work at 3:00pm, so he wouldve had to drop Katelin off at airport early. Lisa had to work that day, so they had arranged for Katelins former stepfather James to take her to the airport. There was a brief window where the rumor mill in Spotsylvania county worried there might be a serial killer among them, because right around the same time period the body of a young blonde woman was found locally. They called and called Katelin with no response at all. I think she felt guilt and had to talk about it. Interviewer: When you told Katelin that you were pregnant, tell us about that. Image Credit: Help find Katelin Akens/Facebook. The Free Lance-Star reported Ciccone died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. She has distinctive butterflies tattooed on her left forearm and stars on her right foot. The unsolved disappearance of a Virginia teenager four years ago has left family members desperate for answers and investigators puzzled as a key witness who may be able to help refuses to cooperate, WTTG-TV reports. Lisa had dropped off Katelin at James home at around 8:30 AM on December 5. Shes currently classified as an endangered missing person, which indicates that police dont think she left on her own free will either, and we can assume that they probably have more evidence than were privy to. Fortunately theres a lot of leads, says Pearce. Katelin arrived back home in Springfield Virginia on December 1st, ready for a whirlwind four days of visits with family and friends. Anyone with information about her disappearance or the death of Heather Ciccone is asked to contact the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office at 540-582-7115 or Spotyslvania Crime Solvers at 1-800-928-5822. Unsurprisingly, Noel was considered to be a suspect by authorities. Photo: Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office; Facebook, 35-Year-Old Man Arrested After Body of Missing Woman, 25, Found in Oregon, Missing Pa. Woman, 76, Found Dead Along Trail After Going for a Walk Near Her Home, Suspect Arrested, An Ohio Art Student Mysteriously Vanished 12 Years Ago. They believed that an app on her phone that has encrypted messages may hold some answers as to what happened to her. And, um, yeah. Given that James was the last person to see Katelin alive, he became the investigators next stop. Without his cooperation Detective Marshall was forced to execute a search warrant on James house being that it was Katelins last known location. And that person was her stepfather James. First published on December 9, 2015 / 5:31 PM. In fact, Katelin was so bright and hard working that she doubled up on her coursework and was able to graduate highschool at just 16 years old. WUSA 9 News reports that evidence has been obtained from luggage belonging to the woman, which was found abandoned in a drainage ditch. Also did they ever use thermal cameras over surrounding wooded areas or watery areas. We are not going to turn down any information.. As for the evidence reportedly found in her luggage, authorities are not clarifying on what was found, nor are they sharing any information about the leads they are currently investigating. Gabrielle Washington, sister of Katelin Michelle Akens, who was last seen in Partlow, Virginia, talks about how December 5 marks six years since she's seen Katelin. Family told CBS affiliate WTVR that Aken's roomate's credit card was inside, which they say was her only access to funds. Akens. A career criminal, Evonitz committed suicide in 2002, after police sought him out for questioning in connection with a number of crimes, including the deaths of three girls in Spotsylvania County. A search warrant has been unsealed in the investigation into Katelyn Markham's death in 2011 and the recent arrest of her then fianc, John Carter. Police spoke to James and searched his house and car but they didn't find anything that could assistwith their investigation into Katelin's disappearance. Katelin had an encrypted text app on her phone that has yet to be recovered. This all sounded great, and like things had gone smoothly but as Lisa continues to chat with James things become a little confusing and unclear to her. A Saturday. If it wasnt the stepdad, he would have given police the password to his phone, taken a polygraph and done everything possible to show he was innocent. Katelin originally went back home to get her high school diploma. I want to know if dogs were used to track her scent where her phone has pinged. PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! She lived with her fianc, Amber. [1] Akens' former stepfather allegedly drove Akens to Reagan Washington National Airport to catch a flight back to her . Her bodywas found slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle parked outside a Spotsylvania residence. Anyone with information about her disappearance is asked to contact the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office at 540-582-7115 or Spotsylvania Crime Solvers at 1-800-928-5822. stepfather lied about everything, never went to work, no video footage of him, etc where the hell is a grand jury making the decision to prosecute. ", Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office - Roger L. Harris Sheriff, after police sought him out for questioning. They were talking about it, sitting on the couch.. Katelin Akens was supposed to board a flight on Saturday, Dec 5, from Virginia to Arizona,. To submit a case for consideration for next season, please see our google form here. (According to online, James then sent a text to Lisa about how her dropped her off at the Springfield mall and Katelin was going to take a metro to the airport. The teen reportedly said she had wanted to visit a mall near the airport first to kill some time. Due to lack of information regarding this case, I have questions. "You dont know what to think. Ciccones death is more perplexing. By Joey Fox, May 01 2023 5:28 pm. Its totally possible that shed been communicating with people online, but if shed been communicating with anyone, no one knew then, and we may never know. Sullivan's thoughts often drift back to Dec. 5, 2015, when her daughter, Katelin Akens, disappeared at age 19. So, if youre curious about an update in the case, weve got you covered. Katelin Akens was last seen Saturday when her stepfather drove her from his home in Spotsylvania, about 60 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., to a suburban Washington shopping mall. Lisa wasn't sure she would even know how to get the metro. The fact that the missing womans stepfather was last to see and talk to her has sparked some speculation on social media and crime case forums like Websleuths. He replied that the traffic was not too bad. She texted her mom that she made it to the airport and her phone was dying, so she would text later. She also has gauge-type piercings in her ears. She died as a result of a gunshot wound to he head. When a person goes missing, there's a special kind of pain in the not knowing. Katelin was with a friend and her boyfriend. 2023 Chilling Crimes. Gabriela had a new baby, a baby boy, and Katelin wanted to meet her nephew so she arranged to go back home to Virginia on a four day trip. He decided not to take a polygraph test and it was reported that he would not give police the password for his phone. All Rights Reserved. Regardless, they continue their search to this day, making every effort to spread awareness and find her. Katelin flew into Virginia to visit her family in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, for the birth of her nephew. Katelin Michelle Akens (born September 2, 1996) is an American woman who mysteriously disappeared on December 5, 2015, after being dropped off at her former stepfather's residence in Partlow, Virginia. Her former step-father, James Brandon was going to take her to the airport. Investigators are still trying to determine if she made it to the metro or to the airport. They deserve justice. The police had to establish where Katelinwas last seen. I won't be able to text for a bit.". Amber had also received a text message from Katelin that morning, at 11.56am, which said: "Something came up. There are predators everywhere. Katelin's luggage was reportedly found in a drainage ditch two days after she went missing. She wanted to look around for a while instead of just waiting inside the airport. Furthermore, authorities have stated that . This behavior was all completely out of character for Katelin and Lisa simply didnt understand what to make of it. Katelin Akens was supposed to board a flight to get back home, but she never even made it to the airport. The FBI Richmond office stated Friday morning that . 1 Comment, "My family and myself are good, decent and very honest people. They also did not know if she was at the airport at any stage,theRonald Reagan Washington National Airport, but they knew she did not get on the flight back to Arizona. She wasnt talking like herself. His property was around 10 acres in a rural area near Fredericksburg. Anyone with information is asked to call 540-507-7200 or Spotsylvania Crime Stoppers at 540-582-5822. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. According to Lisa, who saw them last together, they were getting along well and catching up with each other. Everyone initially feared it was Katelin. Race White. Lisa replied thanking him and asking about traffic. No, he has nothing to do with us, Detective Rob Marshall told the television station in 2017. No evidence was recovered that indicated anything suspicious had occurred on his property at all. Currently, investigators are working on finding where the text was sent from, geographically, to determine whether or not it is evidence behind what happened to her. James told police he had dropped Katelin off at the Springfield mall. Cookie Notice However, phone pings showed Katelin or her luggage never left Spotsylvania. Neither of them knew what was going on and none of it made sense. According to the sheriff's office, a family member was taking Akens to the Ronald Reagan National Airport on Saturday when the teen asked to be dropped off at the Springfield Mall. the body of 21 year old Heather Ciccone. On February 7, 1977, Tammy Lynn Akers and her friend, Angela Mae Rader were dropped off at William Ruffner Junior High school in Roanoke, Virginia by one of the girls' relatives. What happened to this missing woman, and are authorities close to finding her? said by the sheriffs office to have been. They also interviewed those closest to her. Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Required fields are marked *. The family says that when her mom and step dad split up, their relationship actually improved and became much stronger, now that he was no longer her disciplinarian. Not one concerned call or text. The Inquisitr is a registered trademark. Sullivan told WTTG-TV that her ex-husband, James Branton, appeared glad to see them. Katelins biological father moved out of state when she was just a toddler, and when Katelin was 7 years old, Lisa remarried to a man named James Branton. "The circumstances surrounding this case are suspicious enough to warrant our full investigative efforts, in attempting to locate Miss Akens," Spotsylvania County Sheriff Roger L. Harris said in a statement to WSUA News. Her family says they wouldve noticed if something was wrong. How did she react? They watch and watch and theres no sign that Katelin is cooling off somewhere locally. Just one day after Katelin disappeared, the body of a young woman was found. That person has been interviewed at length and has been extremely cooperative, he says, adding that the young womens dispute stemmed from a fight over a boyfriend. 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James was not cooperative in this investigation. You can't trace clothes. Powered by Shopify. They never thought she was Katelin, but the fear was that they may have met the same fate. Where she was going to take a metro to the airport. Scan this QR code to download the app now. These texts were pinged by interstate 95- Stafford county. Unfortunately theres lots of ground to cover Right now, were keeping a lot of evidence close to our vest and well keep investigating [until we find out who did this].. Lisa spoke to James again to let him know that Katelin did not make it to the airport and she asked him what happened when he dropped Katelin off and if she told him if she was meeting anyone at the mall. Police found Katelin'swallet, identification and phone chargerinside the bag. On Monday, her luggage was found by road workers along the side of a road in Spotsylvania, near the Fredericksburg city limit - apparently dumped there. Also I think she felt she couldnt come back, which is why she told Amber that. Due to his phone being encrypted, I believe hes well educated with technology, especially phones. You can't trace a phone with a new SIM card. Lisa dropped Katelin off at James' house at 9.20am that morning. Her bodywas found slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle parked outside a Spotsylvania residence. A Saturday. News briefs: the statehouse's reopening, Aikens' voter registration, Mastrangelo's missing votes. February 04, 2022, "The criminal justice system will take a hard look at what happened to Matthew Eappen. Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse Online Bulletin, Browse photos and searchable bulletins of missing persons, abductors, and unidentified persons, a central repository for information and pictures of missing and unidentified persons in Texas. Amber had gotten a text from Katelin that she felt confused and upset by and she wasnt returning her calls: Im not coming back today, Ill let you know when I get a new flight. Whenever possible, actual redditors have participated in investigating the events. She was like, no, youre lying, I don't believe you. Pearce said she had been in the area visiting her mother, who lives in neighboring Caroline County, and her stepfather in Spotsylvania. If you have any information about the disappearance of Kaitlin Akens, please call Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office 540-582-7115. I would never pack cash in my luggage unless it was in excess of what I needed. Lisa told police that it would have been unusual for Katelin to askto be dropped off at the mall as it was not a mall shewent to and the last time Katelin was on a metro was when she was six or seven years old. Katelins phone never pinged far from James house. I think Katelin told James about the night before and how she cheated. At the time of the incident, Katelin was looking forward to enrolling in cosmetology school in Arizona. She was constantly changing her hair and experimenting with different colors and styles. They say they want to leave the door open for him to come forward with whatever information he has to clear up the discrepancies within his story. But she never even made it to her flight. 35-Year-Old Man Arrested After Body of Missing Woman, 25, Found in Oregon Missing Pa. Woman, 76, Found Dead Along Trail After Going for a Walk Near Her Home, Suspect Arrested An Ohio Art Student . When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The first big break in the case came on Monday when authorities discovered Akens' luggage discarded in a drainage ditch in Spotsylvania County near the Fredericksburg city limit. I'm Kona, Gallagher, and I made them flick. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Growing up, Katelin Michelle Akens lived in Caroline County, Virginia, with her mother, Lisa Sullivan. 6 Comments, "People don't just disappear. From there, the 19-year-old was expected to take the Metro to Reagan National Airport and catch a flight back to her home in Arizona, Capt. Interviewer: So, Katelin, how long has it been since you last saw her? Just too eery. That was missing from the details. Neither of them knew what was going on and none of it made sense. Lisa reported Katelin missing. Missing From SPRINGFIE https://t.co/HLX4NWjFc0, Amber UNOFFICIAL (@AmberAlertTWEET) December 9, 2015. She said, We dont know if shes laying in a ditch somewhere or if shes going to be fine. The mall was beside a metro station so James told Lisa that Katelin planned to get the metro directly from the mall to the airport. She wouldve been starting cosmetology school soon. Disappeared: Flight Risk focuses on the young womans activities and whereabouts leading to her disappearance. Her clothes, phone and High School Diploma were missing. There was also a strange Facebook message that Akens account sent a friend, indicating she didnt want to be in either Virginia or Arizona. Sullivan told the news station that Branton also failed to show up for any of the events remembering Akens. Neither the sheriff's office nor Akens' family responded to requests for comment from The Huffington Post on Tuesday. They are not hiding in shadows. According to the police, the case remains open, and any leads that come through would be investigated thoroughly. Lisa dropped Katelin off with James at 9:20 that morning before work, and they had a great chance to catch up at home for a few hours before they made the drive 60 miles out to the airport from Partlow where James lived. Officials tell PEOPLE there's no connection between the cases. His phone was nowhere near the airport or the mall. Dec 8, 2015, 05:13 PM EST | Updated Dec 17, 2015. Katelin never made it on that flight and she has never been seen since. Maybe hes keeping secrets for her. And systems put in. She had been there since the 1st of December and was visiting her mother Lisa Sullivan and her sister Gabriela. Katelin also needed to collect her High School Diploma as she was starting a cosmetology course in Arizona. This was the last time Lisa saw her daughter. She reportedly planned to take the Franconia-Springfield metro from the mall to the airport. She believes fervently that her ex-husband holds the key to finding Katelin. David Lohr. When Kaitlin announced to her family just how in love she and Amber were, the family was more than supportive. She has blonde hair, blue eyes and multiple tattoos. For reasons unclear, Akens never boarded her flight from Virginia to Arizona, where she was to attend cosmetology school. Despite the similarities in the cases,namely thatthey were a similar age and in the same area, police were able to establish early on that the two cases were not connected. Katelin Michelle Akens, 19, was last seen on Saturday after her stepfather dropped her off near a commuter rail station on her way to the airport. Pearce wouldn't comment on the contents of the suitcase or whether anything had been removed. After spending time with her folks, she had a flight back to Arizona on December 5, 2015. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. We dont have an easy suspect to go to, Pearce says.
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