UPDATE: 26 Year-Old Nursing Student Found in Hickory

UPDATE: Kristen was found in Hickory, NC, by authorities on Tuesday night. Though the cause of her disappearance is still unknown, her father has reported that she is now safely hospitalized.

Catawba County Sheriffs Use Dogs in Search for Missing Man

Authorities in Catawba County are searching for Ken Mohler, 70, who has been missing since last Friday morning. As of Tuesday morning, sheriffs are now using cadaver dogs to search for the missing man, who was last heard from via a text message telling his wife that he was en route home.

Mohler had went to his place of employment, Gregory Wood Products, late Thursday night to fix a pipe that was leaking. The building is located west of Newton. His boss received a call early Friday morning where Mohler informed him that the leak had been repaired. Shortly after was when he sent the text to his spouse, but Mohler has not been seen since then.

Police say Mohler's cellular phone and the keys to his vehicle were both found in the vicinity of his truck, along with indicators that a struggle had taken place.

There is some evidence that suggests that when he arrived at his work to fix the leak, Mohler discovered thieves stealing equipment.

The search is in progress as of Tuesday morning.

Missing SC Woman Connected to Charlotte Drug Dealer, Also Missing

A missing woman from James Island, NC, is believed to be connected with a Charlotte man on the run for drug charges.

Tonight at 9:00, "America's Most Wanted" is expected to feature the story on the Lifetime Channel.

Investigators say a Charlotte man wanted on federal drug charges may be linked to the case of a missing woman from Charleston.

Jessica “Emily” Gregoriev, 29, was last heard from March 19. She is believed to be the girlfriend of John Thomas Reardon of Charlotte.

Reardon, 36, is wanted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a felony charge. He failed to appear at a court appearance in April.

Gregoriev had reportedly planned a trip to Florida with Reardon, according to the America's Most Wanted website. Authorities are trying to determine if Gregoriev is running from law enforcement with Reardon or if she is being held against her will.

AMW describes Reardon as 6'3" in height and weighing about 220 pounds.  He has a muscular frame and is bald with at least one ear pierced and blue eyes. Gregoriev is 5'11", 145 pounds with brown eyes and hair.

Anyone with information on either person is asked to contact America's Most Wanted at (800) CrimeTV (274-6388) or the Charleston Police Department at (843) 577-7434. You can also call CrimeStoppers at (843) 554-1111.

Missing Persons in Charlotte, NC

 * CMPD's Missing Person's Page *

Police Seeking Missing Teenager in Company of Man in his 30's

UPDATE: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team partnered with the FBI offices of Charlotte and St. Louis as well as the Berkley Missouri Police Department to locate a missing 13-year old female, Jacqueline Alfaro. Ms. Alfaro was last seen on May 24, 2012 in the company of an unidentified Hispanic male.   The male subject was identified as Gonzalo Maceda Barrera.   Mr. Barrera was located in the company of Ms. Alfaro in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been charged with 1st degree kidnapping. ----------------------

Jacqueline Alfaro

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for assistance from the public with a missing person investigation.  On May 24, 2012 the victim, Jacqueline Alfaro, 13, was reported missing by her mother.

Miss Alfaro is believed to be in the company of an unidentified male that is approximately 30 years old.

Please review the attached photographs of both the male and the missing person.

Detectives are asking anyone that can identify the male subject or who has seen the missing person to please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

CMPD Requesting Assistance in Missing Persons Case

Max Espinoza

UPDATES:   7-27-12:  Max Espinoza was positively identified as the person found in the wreckage.  He is no longer classified as a missing person.    7-16-12:  A CFD firefighter responding to an accident Monday on I-485 spotted the wreckage of a car hidden in a wooded ravine 75 yards off the road.   Inside was a body believed to be that of a Charlotte-area DJ, Max Espinoza.   Authorities are waiting for the medical examiner to positively identify the body.
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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Missing Persons Unit is conducting an investigation into the disappearance of a 36-year old male. The incident was reported from 5013 Autumn Oak Drive in the North Division at 7:59 a.m., on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

Jessica Espinoza called CMPD to report Max Espinoza, her ex-husband, missing. A missing person report was taken and Max Espinoza and his vehicle were entered into NCIC as missing.

Max Espinoza was last seen on Sunday, May 6, 2012 after midnight. Max Espinoza was working as a DJ at a private residence on Commons Crossing Drive. Max Espinoza made a couple of phone calls after he left his job, and he has not been seen or heard from since. Max Espinoza left work driving his white Volvo. Max Espinoza is driving a white, 4-door, 2006 Volvo S60 with North Carolina Tag AFT-5382

Max Espinoza’s family, friends, and employer have contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to express their concern and how unusual it is for him to miss work and planned family events.

Anyone who sees or has information about Max Espinoza or his vehicle is asked to call 911 immediately. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Detective J. L. Tuttle is the lead detective in this case and his number is 704-336-7495.

Charlotte's Missing Persons

Persons Reported Missing in 2011:

CMPD Arrests Maryland Fugitive & Murder Suspect

Missing: William McQuain, 11

UPDATE: 10/18/11-  Sadly, William McQuian was found deceased in Maryland today.

On Thursday morning, CMPD arrested fugitive/murder suspect Curtis Maruice Lopez at the Econo Lodge off Independence Blvd.

Lopez was wanted in Montgomery County, Maryland for murdering his estranged wife, Jane McQuain, in Germantown, MD.  McQuain's 11-year old son William McQuain is still missing!

Curtis Lopez

Homicide Detectives in Maryland were hoping to find the boy with Curtis Lopez but he was found to be alone when he was arrested here in Charlotte.   

The missing boy, William McQuain was last seen on September 30th at his middle school in Maryland.

An Amber Alert was issued for William McQuain.  If you see William McQuain, please call 911.  If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call the Montgomery County, MD Police Tip Line at 240-773-TIPS or call 301-279-8000.

Lifetime Show Features Missing Kyle Fleishmann

MISSING:  Kyle Fleishmann

On July 11th, Lifetime's new TV's show called 'Vanished with Beth Holloway' featured Kyle Fleishmann, a young man who went missing without a trace in November of 2007. 

The show gives a great inside look of the case, interviews with family and friends and local reporters.   

* Click here to watch the full episode online.

Charlotte's MISSING PERSONS

In honor of National Missing Children's Day, I created the following slideshow showing all of CMPD's Missing Persons.  If you have any information on any of the Missing Person's shown, please call the CMPD Missing Person's Unit @ 704-336-2311 or Crime Stoppers @ 704-334-1600.   For additional case information, click on the missing person's name below for more details on CMPD's missing poster.

Prisicilla Blevins: Missing since 1975; Denise Porch: Missing since 1975; Rhonda Baucom: Missing since 1987; William Hipp, III: Missing since 1991; Jane Bui: Missing since 1998; Annette Mammone: Missing since 2001; Waldemar Wydra: Missing since 2002; Allah El-Jahid: Missing since 2003; Rita Maxwell: Missing since 1992; Jose Espinoza: Missing since 2003; Stephanie Haynes:  Missing since 2003; Velva Lewis:  Missing since 2006; Kyle Fleischmann:  Missing since 2007; Jeffrey Hieronymus: Missing since 2009; Jessica Fallon Hooks: Missing since 2004; Brittany Latta: Missing since 2010; Emilar St. Fluer: Missing since 2009; Devonne Dubose: Missing since 1992; Fatima Almanza:  Missing Since 2009; James Pevia:  Missing since 2011; Alba Maria Garcia-Mayo: Missing since 2011; Martin Eric Bryant:  Missing since 2011; Makayla Reid: Missing since 2011; Sylvia Ann Vale: Missing since 2011; Tempie Mitchell: Missing since 2011; Chase Overcash:  Missing since 2011; Paula Briana Grier: Missing since 2011; Alexus Creel:  Missing since 2011; Norma Morrow:  Missing since 2011; Daniel Garcia: Missing since 2011; Brianna Petty: Missing since 2011; Rukiya Sanders: Missing since 2011

May 25th is National Missing Childrens Day!

May 25th has been observed as 'National Missing Children's Day' since it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

The 'Take 25' campaign, annually honored on May 25th, is a preventive child safety campaign created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) in honor of National Missing Children’s Day.

This day should serve as a reminder to the nation to make child safety a national #1 priority!!!  

Useful Links:

* 25 Ways to Make Kids Safer
* Parents: Be Informed
* Internet Safety Tips & Dangers
* Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept's Missing Persons Unit

CMPD Seeking Assistance to ID Man Found in 2009

Unidentified

CMPD released the shown composite this morning with the hope that someone can help them identify this man.  He was found on Feb 15, 2009 in an abandoned house on Darby Avenue.

The man is believed to be African American, between 5'7" - 5'8", & 150 lbs. He had a mustache with short black hair styled in a twist.  He is believed to be between 45-60 years old.

The unidentified male was wearing a camouflage green army-style jacket, dark-colored jeans, dark-colored t-shirt and white high-top Converse sneakers. He had only one lower front tooth.

According to someone who lives in the neighborhood where the body was found, the man may have gone by the name of "T-Bone" and possibly had a speech impediment.

If you recognize this man, please call Detective Ring with the CMPD's Missing Person Unit at 704-336-7495.

Arrest Made in Phylicia Barnes Murder Case

Michael Johnson

UPDATE III:  (April 26, 2012):   An arrest has been made in connection with the killing of Phylicia Barnes, the 16-year-old from North Carolina who vanished while visiting family in Northwest Baltimore in 2010 and was found dead months later in the Susquehanna River.

Word broke late Wednesday from Barnes' relatives, and was confirmed by authorities. The attorney for Michael Johnson, the former boyfriend of Phylicia's older sister, confirmed that his client had been taken into custody at about 11:30 pm on unknown charges. Johnson had been the last person to see her alive.

Phylicia Barnes

UPDATE II:  (May 4, 2011) Baltimore and MDSP have confirmed that an autopsy has confirmed that Phylicia Barnes was the victim of a homicide.  The cause of death is being withheld for investigative purposes. 

Police continue to urge anyone with information regarding the murder of Phylicia Barnes to contact them immediately.  If you have any information, please call the TIPS Line at 1-855-223-0033 or can call the Maryland State Police duty officer at 410-653-4200.  Calls will be kept confidential.
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UPDATE:  (April 21, 2011)  I am sad to report that 16-year old Phylicia Barnes' body was found yesterday in the Susquehanna River, just north of the Conowingo Dam in Maryland.   

Barnes was one of two unclothed bodies pulled from water on Wednesday morning.  The second body was that of an unidentified African-American male which police describe as 6' 4" and approx. 240 pounds. 

Police said crews working on the dam reported seeing what appeared to be a body floating in the river north of the dam at about 7:30 am. Natural Resources Police later recovered the body of a female from the water. In the afternoon, boaters in the river south of the dam found the body of a man. The bodies were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies, officials said.  
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Phylicia Barnes, 16, was a resident of Monroe, NC (Union County) and was last seen on December 28, 2010 at her half-sister's apartment, located in northwest Baltimore, MD.  Phylicia Simone Barnes' disappearance has puzzled detectives, family members, friends and strangers since December.  Miss Barnes was an honor student at Union Academy and it is not like her to just disappear.  Police believe foul play is involved.    Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 1-855-223-0033.

* Watch latest Baltimore PD Press Release
* AMW's Missing Children Case File

CMPD: The 'Official' Delvonte Tisdale Report

Delvonte Tisdale On March 17, 2011, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department made a formal request to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asking the agency to conduct an additional review of the Delvonte Tisdale security breach report.  This request was made to reaffirm the need to continue to protect sensitive security information included in the report. The CMPD has worked closely with the TSA under the direction of David Wray (TSA’s highest ranking official in Charlotte) throughout the entire investigation. That participation included hosting meetings, providing SSI information that was ultimately included in the final report as well as their review and feedback on the content of the report. On Thursday, April 14, 2011, the CMPD received the redacted version of the report from the TSA.  The agency again concluded, the report contained sensitive security information (TSA redactions in black.) This review reaffirms the city’s original position, indicating the report contained sensitive security information concerning airport security and vulnerability that could not and should not be released publicly. Additionally,  the  CMPD has also identified other portions of the report that necessitated redaction. (CMPD redactions in red)  Those redactions made by CMPD included portions of the report that detailed: ·         Personnel deployment in specific locations of the airport and operational procedures that if disclosed would jeopardize public safety. ·         Vulnerable aircraft positions that may make them potential targets of an attack, jeopardizing the safety of the general public.

CMPD Seeking Help in Identifying Female Found Deceased

UPDATE: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is requesting assistance with the identification of an unknown female found deceased on March 17th at 10145 Statesville Avenue.

Anyone with information about the listed victim wearing the clothing described below and shown in the attached photographs is requested to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

The victim is described as a non African-American Female (Possibly White or Hispanic), 20-40 years of age, Straight dark hair. The clothing she was wearing is described as a white t-shirt with “Virginia Beach, Virginia” and a pink flower on the front, jeans and Navy and Plaid Boat Canvass Shoes. (Shown Photos)
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into human skeletal remains which were found in the woods at Statesville Road and East I-485. The remains were located in the woods at 10:28 a.m., on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

North Division officers received a call for service in reference to skeletal remains found in the woods. When they arrived, they found skeletal remains which were subsequently determined to be human. The remains have been taken to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office who is responsible for determining the cause of death and approximate date of death. The Homicide Unit will work closely with the Missing Persons Unit to review missing person cases which may be related to this case.

Detectives with the Homicide Unit are on scene conducting the investigation. The Civil Emergency Unit is on scene to conduct a grid search in a large wooded area.

Missing Woman Janet Simpson Found Dead in Catawba River

Detectives with the CMPD Homicide Unit and Missing Persons Unit have confirmed they have located the body of missing person, 56-year old Janet Simpson.

Ms. Simpson was last seen in SE Charlotte on December 5, 2010. Her SUV was found in Belmont a few days later, which is about 3/4 of a mile from where her body was found today.

The body was found floating in the Catawba River off Amos Smith Road in the Freedom Division.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Burkard is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Concord Police Chief's Daughter Found Dead

Michael Harvey

UPDATE III:  Michael Harvey has pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, concealing a body and being a habitual felon for the death of Valerie Hamilton.  He was sentenced to 87-114 months in prison by Superior Court Judge Hugh B. Lewis.

UPDATE II: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has received preliminary results from the Medical Examiners Office concerning the death of Valerie Hamilton. The preliminary results do not indicate any sign of traditional physical trauma to Ms. Hamilton’s body, i.e. gunshot wounds, stab wounds, strangulation, bludgeoning. Detectives are still awaiting results from the M.E. regarding toxicology and the results of the sexual assault examination kit.

The Homicide Unit immediately began conducting this investigation. The victim left the Thomas Street Tavern with a male that we believe to be the suspect. Video does not exist at that location as was previously reported by several media outlets. It is believed that Ms. Hamilton left with the suspect voluntarily.

Homicide Detectives interviewed many witnesses that observed Ms. Hamilton in the presence of the suspect. Homicide Detectives found evidence of drug usage. Witnesses indicate although alive, she appeared to need immediate medical attention. The suspect did not seek professional medical attention for Ms. Hamilton after being prompted by several independent witnesses to do so.

Detectives believe the suspect moved Ms. Hamilton in an effort to conceal her death and made great efforts to clean up any potential crime scenes before he disposed of her body.

Homicide Detectives continue to aggressively investigate this case to ensure that appropriate charges are filed.
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UPDATE I: September 19th: Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department recovered the body of Ms. Valerie Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton’s body was found at a Mini-Storage Center on Monroe Road.

Detectives have signed warrants for Murder and Auto Theft for Michael Neal Harvey. Mr. Harvey is not in custody at this time, however, was last seen in a 1996 White Chevy Blazer, with NC tag: ZXE-1756. Detectives are actively searching for him at this time. Michael Harvey is a registered sex offender.

Valerie Hamilton

If anyone has seen or know the whereabouts of Michael Neal Harvey, please call 911 immediately or VCAT at 704- 336-VCAT.

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and Missing Person Unit are conducting a missing person investigation involving Valerie Grace Hamilton. (View America's Most Wanted)

Ms. Hamilton hasn’t made contact with family members or her employer and there is some concern about her safety.

Ms. Hamilton was last seen Wednesday, September 15, 2010, between 12:30 am and 1:30 am at the Thomas Street Tavern. Ms. Hamilton is 5’3” tall, 125 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. Ms. Thomas has a very distinctive tattoo on the back of her neck of three stars in a horizontal fashion.

If anybody has seen or know the whereabouts of Ms. Hamilton, please call 911 immediately or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

What Happened to Jeffrey Hieronymous?

On February 26, 2009, Jeffrey Hieronymous, a former civil engineer for the City of Charlotte, disappeared from his home on Chesterfield Ave and was never seen nor heard from again.

On the night he went missing, Hieronymous went outside to smoke a cigarette and never returned. He left all of his personal belongings behind and family members say it is unlike Jeff to just disappear and not contact anyone.

CMPD Homicide Detectives are now investigating his disappearance as a possible homicide and think foul play could be involved. If you have any information that could help police, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Missing Persons in Charlotte, NC

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Missing Persons Unit:

• Receives more than 3,500 missing persons reports annually.
• Approximately 70% of those reports involve juveniles between the age of 13 and 17 which also constitute the largest number of habitual runaways.
• Adults account for the other 30%.
• On the average in any given year less than 10 reports truly involve foul play.
• The Unit is currently staffed by five detectives, one investigative technician and one supervisor.

Please look at the following photos of current missing persons being investigated by CMPD:

If you have any information about any of the Missing Persons shown, please call Crime Stoppers or 911.

Arrest Made in Nikki McPhatter Murder

UPDATE IV: The Richland County Sheriff's Office released a timeline of events surrounding Nikki McPhatter's murder.

UPDATE III: A second arrest was made today in the case of the disappearance and death of Nikki McPhatter. Deputies said Kendra Goodman was an acquaintance of Manning, who drove with him last month to the location where he dumped McPhatter’s body and car. Goodman is charged with being an accessory after a felony, and was denied bond late Thursday afternoon.

UPDATE II: News Release from CMPD: On May 11, 2009, Nikki McPhatter was reported missing to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department with the case being assigned to the Missing Persons Unit.

During the course of their investigation, information was developed indicating a possibility of foul play. Due to these developments, CMPD Homicide detectives took the lead in the investigation on May 20, 2009.

CMPD dedicated significant investigative resources that led detectives to Richland County, S.C. At this time, CMPD Homicide unit began a joint investigation with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. Over the course of the past week, detectives developed information that identified Theodore Roosevelt Manning IV "Teddy" (Photo above) as being responsible for the death of Ms. McPhatter.

The investigation led detectives to the location of Ms. McPhatter’s 2003 Black Honda Accord and the body of which we believe to be that of Ms. Mcphatter in Fairfield County, which neighbors Richland County. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department obtained a warrant for the arrest of Theodore Roosevelt Manning IV (DOB 10/10/1979). Richland County Sheriff’s Department arrested Mr. Manning at 7:04 p.m. this evening at his residence, which is located at 8047 Bluff Road Gadston, S.C.

UPDATE: An arrest has been made in the disappearance of Nikki McPhatter. The Charlotte woman disappeared more than three weeks ago. Relatives say they were notified today that McPhatter is dead. Police in Charlotte are holding a news conference at 9 pm Friday to provide more information.

Name: Nikki McPhatter
Incident Date: 5-11-2009
Last Seen: 8618 Rozumny Dr.
Race: Black - Gender: Female
Height: 5’5” - Weight: 150
DOB: 9-28-1978
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

SYNOPSIS: Ms. McPhatter was last seen leaving her residence on May 4, 2009 en route to an unknown destination driving a 2003/Black/Honda-Accord/ displaying N.C. tag # PHATTAH. If you see this vehicle, please call 911.

- View America's Most Wanted coverage