Untold Stories: Black and Missing

Malik Polk has vanished leaving behind only unanswered questions. He left his Coweta County, Georgia, home and drove 45 minutes into rural Georgia.  He stopped his car on a sparsely populated dirt road, left his car running and rushed to the back door of a stranger's home trying to open the locked door. Then he fled running into the dense forest and hasn't been seen since. In this episode of Untold Stories Black and Missing we talk with his mother and the homeowner who was the last person to see Malik.

She was supposed to be gone an hour, just meeting a friend in the apartment complex parking lot. More than 10 years later, Tyarra Williams' family is still waiting for her to walk through the door.  When someone goes missing, the pain of not knowing, the what if's, and the I should have's never go away. The pain, grief and pursuit of hope are exhausting.  In this Untold Stories: Black and Missing we catch up with the detective assigned to turn fresh eyes on the search for Tyarra Williams and we talk with Toni Jacobs, a mother who is living the pain of having a missing child. She speaks up to let other families know they are not alone.

May 25th is National Missing Children's Day. In this bonus episode of Untold Stories: Black and Missing, we talk with a juvenile justice expert who details how predators get access to our children and how parents can fight back.

A final security camera image and a digital trail leading to a dead end. We dive into the disappearance of 15-year-old Sophie Reeder, exposing what went wrong in the critical early days of the investigation and how systemic gaps keep her family searching nine years later.

It was a normal weekend. Ronald Dumas, Jr. spent it with his children. He dropped them off with their mothers, made arrangements to hang out with his friend, but he never made it. Surveillance video shows him in a liquor store with two women. Police are calling the case an abduction; arrests have been made but where is Ronnie Dumas?

Zelig Williams' star was shining bright on Broadway. On October 3, 2024, he left his mother's house in South Carolina, to run an errand and never returned. He was home visiting family, a break from the spotlight before returning to the stage in January 2025. That morning, he said goodbye to his mother, Kathy Williams, and less than 20 minutes later friends from New York called her to say they received an emergency alert from his phone that he had been in an accident. Kathy drove to the location, but no accident and no Zelig.  His family and friends have been searching for him ever since. Have you seen Zelig Williams?

Eight-year-old Relisha Rudd's disappearance in 2014 captured the attention of the Washington, DC Metro area. It also shined a light on the poor conditions of a large homeless shelter. As investigators closed in, her alleged abductor and his wife died in what was supposed to be a murder-suicide. Now more than 10 years later, Relisha has yet to be found. The Black and Missing Foundation has been working on this case from the beginning and now a new investigator is on the case. This CrimeCon panel sheds light on this heartbreaking story.

T'Montez Hurt has been missing since February 1, 2024. We now know there were several missed opportunities to help this 19-year-old. Years have passed and his family is still asking, "How does a healthy 6'1" young black man disappear without anyone noticing? And what is being done to find him?"

A beloved grandson calls his grandma in a panic.  She is four hours away, but calls first responders to his aid. Tecora Donald Sullivan stays on the phone with her grandson, T'Montez Hurt, for nearly 8 hours. He's transported to the hospital, but is released before she can pick him up. On February 1, 2024, a Z-Trip taxi driver dropped T'Montez off at the Greyhound station and he has not been seen since.

Eyes $30,000, lungs $150,000, heart $168,000... the list continues with vital organs being sold illegally. It's a billion-dollar global industry. Human traffickers target the desperate and the ill. Is this occurring in the U.S.? For years, the Black and Missing Foundation has received reports of people of color going missing or being taken in the U.S. for organ harvesting. What does organ harvesting entail, and why isn't it being discussed? Discover more in this episode of Untold Stories: Black and Missing.

Ryan Singleton was a vibrant 24-year-old model who vanished without a trace on a seemingly innocuous trip to California. When his body was discovered, it was missing Ryan's eyes, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, leaving more questions than answers. Eleven years later, Ryan's mother, Iris Flowers, continues her quest for the truth, determined to uncover what truly happened to her son.

The intersection of fiction and real-life is on display as fans of the hit NBC series "Found" begins its second season.  The show has captured audiences with its compelling depiction of the search for missing persons. Host Joy Sutton and BAMFI Founders Derrica and Natalie Wilson had the chance to speak with the show's innovative creators Nkecki Carroll and Sonay Hoffman and talented cast member Gabrielle Walsh to explore the inspiration behind their storytelling that highlights the critical issue of missing persons cases, especially within communities of color. This is a Black and Missing Foundation special, exploring the idea of how fiction can educate and impact real-life.

Wandering is common with all types of dementia.  According to the Alzheimer's Association, 6 in 10 people suffering from any form of dementia will wander away from their caregivers, often putting them in dangerous situations.  In this Untold Stories: Black and Missing episode, our panel of experts explain why this happens and steps we can take to prevent wandering to keep our loved ones safe.

Ruth Jenkins is a retired teacher, a woman of faith, and a mother who always put her family first. At 76, she was also experiencing the early stags of dementia. One day, she walked away from her home and never returned. When seniors go missing dementia is often a factor. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander from their caregivers at least once, putting their lives in danger. Dementia may have been a factor in Ruth Jenkins' disappearance, but unanswered questions also point to the involvement of another individual.

In this episode, we delve into the often overlooked signs of domestic abuse and explore why domestic violence is a factor in numerous missing person cases, often leading to tragic outcomes. Sadly, a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine revealed that Black and Latina women who experienced intimate partner or sexual violence were two to three times more likely to encounter dismissive responses or mistreatment from law enforcement when reporting such incidents. We have to change this narrative. The parents of Gabby Petito, along with a domestic violence expert, are part of this much-needed conversation, shining light on a hidden crisis that's claiming too many lives. u

Akia Eggleston was excited to welcome her second child, a son.  She was eight months pregnant, and her family was waiting for her at her baby shower, only she never showed. Her family never stopped looking for her. And continued to pressure investigators and the media to find her.  What investigators uncovered was a story of deception, abuse and murder.

The families of Tamika Houston and Pamela Butler have survived the unthinkable.  Tamika and Pamela went missing and would later be found murdered. Tamika's family had to fight for media coverage while Pamela's brother battled to bring his sister's killer to justice. This special episode of Untold Stories: Black and Missing was recorded at Crime Con in Nashville.  Rebecca Howard and Derek Butler share how they turned their pain into purpose.

Jesse Len Foulks had four strikes against him. He's black. He's a man. He has a mental health disorder, and he is missing. His story, like many others, highlights a troubling intersection between mental illness and missing person cases. The Black and Missing Foundation has increasingly observed that mental health issues are a significant factor in why people go missing, and why these cases often fall through the cracks. In this episode, our panel of experts discusses the challenges, and how we can all play a role in helping bring these individuals home.

Jesse Len Foulks was a dedicated son who never missed his daily phone call with his mother, Lori Nelson. Jesse was making significant strides in his life and diligently managing his bipolar disorder after struggling for years. His future seemed hopeful. However, on September 14, 2021, everything changed. Lori spoke to Jesse for the last time. His mother firmly believes he would never just walk away from his life and responsibilities. With each passing day, the urgency to find Jesse grows stronger.

When Rashawn Williams went missing it took four days for his case to be investigated even though he was reported missing an hour after he wandered away from his caregivers.  The 31-year-old has down syndrome and is nonverbal.  Still no alert was ever issued.  Rashawn was lucky he survived six days without food and water and was reunited with his family. (Listen to Rashawn's story here)  That miracle inspired his family to push the state of Maryland to create a law enacting purple alerts which protect people with cognitive impairments that often are not covered by other alerts. Our experts weigh-in on why there should be a national purple alert law.

On October 20, 2023, Rashawn Williams wandered away from his caregivers in Silver Spring, Maryland, and disappeared. For six days his family was in anguish.  Police were notified, but no alerts were ever released because Rashawn is a 31-year-old man with Down Syndrome and did not meet the criteria for any alert.  In this episode of "Untold Stories: Black and Missing," we'll hear Rashawn's heartbreaking story and the actions his parents have taken to ensure this never happens to another family.

"Untold Stories: Black and Missing" is a podcast that tells the stories of missing people of color—how our cases fell through the cracks, and how we can raise awareness to bring them back home or provide answers for families desperately searching for their missing loved ones. In Season 2, we delve into the issues that cause so many of our loved ones to go missing, including domestic violence, cognitive impairment, human trafficking and mental illness. We will also speak with experts about how we can best protect our families, and what we can all do to #HelpUsFindUs.

Recorded live at CrimeCon 2023, the season finale of Untold Stories: Black and Missing, delves into Carlee Russell's fake disappearance; why the  initial news of her disappearance went viral and if it will have an impact on true missing person cases involving people of color. The panel discussion  includes Josh Mankiewicz of NBC Dateline. Russell made national headlines in July when she disappeared after calling 911 to report seeing a toddler walking alone on an Alabama highway. When officers arrived they found her vehicle still running, but there was no trace of her or the child. Two days later, she returned home claiming that she had been kidnapped. However, an investigation revealed her story had holes in it, and on July 24th, her lawyer acknowledged she had made the whole abduction story up and that she acted alone.

Tanesha Howard last spoke to her daughter, Joniah Walker, right before 11 am on June 23, 2022.  The 15-year-old was walking their dog while the two talked. The apartment complex cameras captured the moment on video.  A while later those same cameras caught Joniah rushing from the building.  That was the last anyone has seen of her. Where was she going in such a hurry?  Who was she meeting? Do you know where Joniah Walker is?

From captive to conqueror: Dr. Tonya Stafford's journey from teen sex trafficking victim to working with homeland security to save others is a candid look at a growing epidemic in our own backyard. After spending a decade in captivity, she's sharing her story as a wake-up call about what it's like to be hidden in plain sight, and how to protect your family. This is the second in a 2-part series on sex trafficking.

Wayne and Stacy Flagg were doing everything they could think of to keep their 14-year-old daughter safe from online predators. Their daughter did not have a cell phone.  They monitored her online activity and limited her time on the computer.  Still, on May 15, 2021, Kyla told her dad she loved him then left the house to meet a man she met while gaming online. That started what Wayne and Stacy say was the worst 39 days of their lives.  What they did not know was the man had spent time grooming Kyla, telling her a fairy tale and making promises he did not keep.  Kyla's story is part of a two-part series on sex trafficking.  This is information parents need to know.

Where is Nakyla Williams? Doorbell camera footage captured her getting into a light-colored pickup truck on November 8, 2021.  That image is the last her family and friends have seen of her. Investigators believe she may have gone to Flint, Michigan, with the man driving the truck. Since she disappeared, there has been no activity on her social media accounts or her bank accounts. The investigation has stalled, and the family is hoping someone listening will provide information that will help bring Nakyla home. Is this a case of sex trafficking? Investigators need more information to determine that.  A private investigator is now on the case and has helped open new lines of investigation. You could hold the key to this case.  Help us find us.

The murder of Nicole Fitts left a lot of unanswered questions.  The most important one for her family is, where is Nicole's daughter, Arianna? Arianna was 2 and a half when her mother was killed, and she went missing without a trace. While tips continue to come in, none have led to bringing Arianna home or solving her mother's murder.  Right before Nicole's murder, things had started turning around for her.  She had been homeless for a while but had finally found permanent housing for herself and her daughter.  She had a job at Best Buy and worked extra shifts to get ahead. She had also developed a support system of family and friends. On April 8, 2016, a maintenance worker found Nicole's body in a shallow grave at a park near where she was living.  She had been missing for about a week.  Arianna had been living with babysitters while Nicole secured permanent housing. But when police looked for Arianna there, she was no where to be found. You could hold the key to solving this mystery and bringing Arianna home.

Who abandons their truck at a stoplight, with the engine running and their wallet still inside the cab? Why would an openly gay black man do that in a small, conservative Texas town? Friends and family of Eodis Tre Harris say there is no way he would do that, but the Stonewall County Sheriff's Department says a witness saw a black man leap from the truck and run with two dogs in tow to a field across the road. Investigators never found that man and no one has heard from Tre Harris either. Little did Corlitta Johnson know that when she got off the phone with her son around 3:00 AM on June 15, 2021, that she would never speak with him again. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.  Law enforcement did not have any answers.  Corlitta asked the Texas Rangers to join the Stonewall County Sheriff's investigation, all the while she was doing her own sleuthing. Searches around the small town of Aspermont, Texas, turned up nothing.  Corlitta persisted and after searching Tre's laptop she found his Facebook password had been changed on August 3, nearly two months after he was last seen and that it was done from an IP address in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Nothing in this case makes sense, Corlitta told the Black and Missing Foundation when she reached out nearly 6 months into the search for her son. Tre's truck was found in Aspermont on June 16, 2021 his luggage was found neatly placed on the side of the road in Paducah, Texas, and his phone last pinged June 17, 2021, near a self-storage business in the Quanah, Texas area. Three dots on a map, almost a circle.  Three small towns friends and family say Tre would avoid at all costs. We need your help to solve this mystery. Help us find us!

Relisha Rudd loved arts and crafts. The 8-year-old was a great big sister to her brothers before everyone in her world lost track of her. In 2014, she was living in the DC General homeless shelter with her mother, stepdad, and brothers. The former hospital in Washington, DC, has been described as a terrible place, infested with rodents and bugs, while housing up to 800 homeless people.   Families often sent their children to visit with friends or family just to get them out of the chaotic atmosphere.  Relisha spent time away from the shelter with her aunt, grandmother, and Kahlil Tatum, a trusted family friend who was a janitor at the shelter.     On February 26, 2014, security camera video showed Relisha walking down a DC area hotel corridor with Tatum.  On March 1, 2014, the two were seen at another area hotel.  Relisha has not been seen since.  Tatum pretended to be a doctor to get Relisha's absences from school excused.  Finally on March 19, 2014, a social worker from the school visited the shelter and learned "Dr. Tatum" was really Kahlil Tatum, a janitor at the shelter.  That is when the school reported Relisha as missing to DC Metro Police.  The search for Relisha Rudd continues to this day.

Untold Stories: Black and Missing is a captivating and emotionally charged true-crime podcast series created by the Black and Missing Enterprises. We introduce you to the stories of missing people of color that need our help to bring them home. These cases are often overlooked due to the lack of media coverage and law enforcement support. Join our true-crime community as we search for answers in hopes of generating new leads. This is a must-listen for anyone who believes that every missing person deserves to be found. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on social media. You or someone you know could hold the missing piece to bringing us home. #HelpUsFindUs