Black And Missing

Man charged with murder in disappearance of Akia Eggleston

Akia Eggleston was reported missing when she didn’t show up for her baby shower on May 7, 2017.

Published

3 years ago

February 3, 2022

Unheard Voices Staff

Akia Eggleston

Authorities have arrested Michael Robertson in the 2017 disappearance of Akia Eggleston, a Baltimore woman whom he was having a child with who went missing just days before her baby shower, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby said Thursday.

Robertson, 41, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of Eggleston and her unborn child.

In late 2017, Robertson moved to Michigan, where he was arrested by U.S. Marshals, officials said at a press conference. He will be extradited to Maryland.

“I hope that today’s arrest brings some sense and some measure of hope in the first phase in our pursuit of justice for Akia Eggleston,” said Mosby. “Let me also say this to the people of Baltimore City: Our pursuit of justice is unyielding. We do not give up on the victims of crime in Baltimore City. Ever.”

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What happened to Akia Eggleston?

Officials said Robertson moved to Michigan in late 2017 with another 22-year-old woman, who recently gave birth to Robertson’s second child.

Akia Eggleston

According to prosecutors, Robertson made Eggleston believe they were moving in together with plans to start a life together.

“He allegedly concocted an intricate ruse involving a false move-in location that ultimately led to Eggleston withdrawing cash for a down payment for the home,” a statement read.

Eggleston never showed up for her baby shower in 2017 and hasn’t been seen since. She was 22, eight months pregnant and a mother to a 2-year-old daughter when she disappeared in May 2017.

Akia was last seen on May 3, 2017, when she was captured on surveillance camera at a bank in the Inner Harbor, depositing money orders and a paycheck totaling $572.42. She then made a $450 cash withdrawal, Mosby said.

Eggleston then took a Lyft near her home in the Cherry Hill section of Baltimore. Cellphone data analysis show Eggleston’s phone was at or near the house between 3-4 p.m. on May 3, 2017, Mosby said.

Robertson’s phone began to move away from Eggleston’s house in the next hour, Mosby said. The last activity on Eggleston’s phone was an incoming call, Mosby said. Then, all activity on that phone stopped, indicating it was either disabled or turned off, Mosby said.

Eggleston’s family reported her missing when she didn’t show up for her baby shower four days later on May 7.

Mosby did not provide details on a motive but said, “There was some sort of contention among the two with reference with Akia having the child.” Mosby also said investigators confirmed Robertson had a volatile argument with the other 22-year-old woman the night before Eggleston disappeared.

Eggleston’s story was the subject of the HBO documentary Black and Missing which shows her family’s plight to find her and highlights the lack of attention missing women of color receive.

At the press conference, Eggleston’s family thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

If convicted, Robertson faces a maximum penalty of two life sentences in prison.

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Related Topics:Baltimore Maryland missing persons

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Unheard Voices Staff

Unheard Voices is an award-winning news magazine that started in 2004 as a local Black newsletter in the Asbury Park, Neptune, and Long Branch, NJ areas to now broaden into a recognized Black online media outlet. They are the recipient of the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and CV Magazine's Innovator Award for Best Social Justice Communications Company.

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Black And Missing

Update: Missing 12-year-old Maryland girl found

Tayzha Alona Warren, of Pikesville Md., disappeared June 20.

Published

4 months ago

June 26, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Baltimore County police announced they’ve found missing 12-year-old Tayzha Alona Warren.

Tayzha, of Pikesville Md., disappeared June 20.

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What happened to Tayzha Alona Warren?

Tayzha’s mother told WBALT 11 News that the girl’s family has been doing everything manageable to find her, saying they believe she possibly met an older person online and communicated with him until she disappeared.

According to Tayzha’s family, her friends mentioned a man in his 20s, but so far, no one has been able to give any more details.

Tayzha is described as 4 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 117 pounds and she has short brown hair and brown eyes.

Investigation

Tayzha’s family and the community had put up flyers in hopes someone has answers.

The Black and Missing Foundation posted information on its website. Under the circumstances of this disappearance, the group said it suspects Tayzha is trying to travel to Pennsylvania to meet an unidentified man and that she was last seen wearing red sparkling Crocs. Information about Tayzha was also posted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Baltimore County police said an investigation into Tayzha’s disappearance is ongoing.

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Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Black And Missing

Navy vet Jarvis McIntyre, 26, reportedly found dead in Texas after telling 911 he was running from someone

Jarvis McIntyre, 26, was reportedly last seen running in John James Park on June 8 — and he was heard in a 911 call saying he was being chased by a “racist.”

Published

5 months ago

June 17, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Jarvis McIntyre, 26, was reportedly last seen running in John James Park on June 8 — and he was overheard in a 911 calling someone chasing him a “racist.”

Javis McIntyre (Photo : Facebook)

The body of Navy veteran Jarvis McIntyre has been reportedly found in a Texas park after he was reported missing two weeks ago.

McIntyre, 26, was reportedly last seen running in John James Park on June 8 and he was heard in a 911 call saying he was being chased by a “racist”, his mother told local outlet KENS5.

McIntyre’s mother, Monikki Williams Tippet, told the outlet that a body found days later at the San Antonio park had tattoos resembling those on her missing son.

Tippet says she and her family believes someone hurt her son because he was Black and gay.

“I want answers now. I want this person found,” she said, adding that her son “didn’t deserve this. They took my baby’s life for no reason.”

McIntyre is from St. Louis, Texas and had flown to San Antonio to visit his two sisters during his birthday weekend.

He was supposed to return home on Sunday 9 June, but he tragically never made it home.

The family said they want the San Antonio Police Department to do more to help find the person responsible.

“They are treating this like a murder case,” Tippet said. “It is being treated like a murder case.”

Anyone who knows any information about this case is asked to contact the San Antonio Police Department at (210) 207-7660.

Note: This article was updated June 21, to reflect new revelations in the case and McIntyre’s body has been confirmed as the body found in the park.

Black And Missing

Marine from Massachusetts goes missing off coast in Puerto Rico

A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.

Published

7 months ago

April 7, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Natasha Castillo-Vargas and Corporal Samuel Muturi Wanjiru (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.

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Missing details for Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru

Corporal Samuel Wanjiru, 26, of Worcester, Mass., was swept away by ocean currents while being in the water at La Pared beach in Luquillo.

The Coast Guard launched helicopters and aircraft to look for Wanjiru, but those search efforts were unsuccessful. The active search was called off on April 1.

At the time of his disappearance, Wanjiru was vacationing with his partner of five years, Natasha Castillo-Vargas.

Castillo-Vargas, her father, and Wanjiru’s mother are still in Puerto Rico, returning to the beach daily where Wanjiru went missing, continuing to look for him.

GoFundMe

She has since started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with expenses and search efforts while they remain in Puerto Rico.

“Samuel’s mother and I are trying to get as much resources and help as we can because we will not give up hope in finding our Samuel. Please, anything anyone can help with would be most appreciated.”

In addition to donations, the family asks the public for prayers and love during this “devastating and heart aching time.”

“We are firm believers in God as Samuel is too and we have faith that he will be found. Thank you for your support!”