While footage didnt catch Katelin, investigators revealed that police have corroborated James story that he dropped her off in Northern Virginia. He said that he dropped her outside the JCPenneystore but there was no CCTV in the area so at that time, they could not determine if she was at the mall at all that day. And that person was her stepfather James. Her loved ones say it's uncharacteristic of her to go missing without warning. About the text she had aent I believe all were done by james. Katelin would take the Metro Station to Reagan Airport, which was two stops away. [2], I dropped her off at the Springfield metro station. A few hours later, she got a text from James saying he had dropped Katelin off at the airport. They were talking about it, sitting on the couch.. "You dont know what to think. While Lisa reaffirmed what time Katelin needs to be dropped off, James, an employee at Dahlgren Naval Base, noted that he had to arrive to work at 3:00, and that Katelin would have to be dropped off a little earlier than the departure time. Springfield, Virginia 19 years old Dec. 5th 2015. I believe James murder her to the fact that he stop cooperating with the police,and he won't hand over his phone seem to indicate that he have something to hide. Investigation Discoverys Disappeared: Flight Risk focuses on the young womans activities and whereabouts leading to her disappearance. Katelin stated to this friend she felt remorseful and awful about the entire thing. So, if youre curious about an update in the case, weve got you covered. Meanwhile, police said they are willing to hear from anyone with information on the case. Shortly after her disappearance, police called. dancehall charts 2022. new eczema treatment 2022 australia . Confused, Lisa became increasingly worried. It was him and he got away with it. Katelin did in fact cheat on Amber the night before. Just 8 minutes after Lisa received her initial text from James, Lisa received a text from Katelin, reading, Katelin: Im at the airport. But her family don't believe that as they saw her the morning of the 5th of December and she was fine. Lisa dropped Katelin off at James' house at 9.20am that morning. However, its not known if she is actually the person to send the text, or if someone else sent it from her phone. Sam Fell (director/screenplay); Zachary Levi, Thandiwe Newton, Bella Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan, David Bradley, Daniel Mays, Jane Horrocks, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, Nick Mohammed. This was the late texts that ever came from Katelins phone. [2][5], In 2021, a billboard with Akens' picture and information was erected by The AWARE Foundation in Spotsylvania County. The flight was not until 5 p.m., and at 1:52 p.m., Branton texted Sullivan that he had dropped Akens off. They need answers and will continue to search for her. [2][4] The shopping mall was over 10 miles away from Reagan National Airport. Updated with More Sources including FBI and newspaper articles, "KATELIN MICHELLE AKENS - PARTLOW, VIRGINIA", "Missing Persons (Adults) - Virginia State Police", "LOOK BACK: Katelin Akens disappeared four years ago today | Crime, Police & Fire | fredericksburg.com", "Puzzling Text Messages: What Happened to Katelin Akens? She states James was excited to see them, Katelin told him about her cosmetology school/diploma. [2][6] Authorities concluded the suitcase must have been thrown out of a moving vehicle as it was distressed, unzipped, and missing one wheel. So that meant, they had to focus on the person who was the last known person to seeKatelin. [2][6][9] Among Branton's personal property confiscated were Branton's vehicles, guns, computers, and an encrypted cell phone. and will compete . Two days after Katelindisappeared, and just one day after Heather's body was found, Katelin'sluggage was found in a drainage ditch in Spotsylvania County near the Fredericksburg city limit. Sadly, I think this is a case where they know he did it, and just dont have enough to solidly link him for sure to it yet. According to Lisa, Katelin and James appeared to be happy to see each other. Katelin Akens is 19-years-old, standing at 54 and about 129 lbs. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Surveillance video corroborates his account of events. I mean only respect to Katelins loved ones. They gathered that Lisa had dropped her off at James' house but they could not confirmthat James dropped Katelin off at the mall. Her death has officially been ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner. Marc Hoover: The strange disappearance of Patricia 'Patti' Adkins September 15, 2021 Ohio has an extraordinary number of unsolved homicide and missing persons cases. Due to the fact that Katelin told him about her diploma and cosmetology school, I think he used this to his advantage. Police spoke to people she knew but nobody knew where she was and she wasn't staying with any of her friends in the area. The hope was that he would change his mind about not cooperating with the police. Kaitlin Akens was supposed to catch a flight from Reagan International Airport to Arizona, where she lives with her fiancee and was set to begin cosmetology school, on December 5. Her suitcase was then found 45 miles away from where she was last seen. Katelin Akens was supposed to board a flight on Saturday, Dec 5, from Virginia to Arizona,. Kevin claims that he knows he was definitely verbally abusive, but that Katelin never revealed whether or not he was ever physically abusive. She wanted to look around for a while instead of just waiting inside the airport. I wonder if he might have been sexual abusing her when she was younger? He advised he would have to drop her off early though as he had to be in work at 3pm that day. Missing Date: Fri, Feb 24 2023. [2][4], During Akens' short trip to Virginia, she visited with her mom, aunt, sister, and nephew. . No other news other than the investigators are taking all the time in the world to do nothing. "It sounds as if there may be yet another serial killer in Spotsylvania County," one local posted on Facebook Tuesday. Patricia Adkins disappeared on July 29, 2001. The discovery was made one day after another young woman turned up dead, heightening concerns for Akens' safety. She has blonde hair, blue eyes and multiple tattoos. Guilty as sin! James was expressing interest in Katelins aspirations in cosmetology school while the two discussed her future comfortably on the couch together. Patricia "Patti" Adkins was last seen leaving work at the Honda automotive plant on June 29, 2001 in Marysville, Ohio. Mary Ann Barton , Patch Staff Posted Wed, Dec 9, 2015 at 4:15 . When Lisa tried calling Katelin, it went straight to voicemail, and two days later, her belongings were located. [5] Text messages sent from Akens' cell phone never pinged any cell towers farther north than Stafford. Lisa was to arrive to work by 10:00 AM, meaning that she was unable to drop Katelin off at the airport. That was missing from the details. I also think she was just venting to the friend about how he stated she doesnt want to be in Virginia or Arizona. Police didn't actually search his mother's house which is odd! [16][17][18], Spotsylvania Crime Solvers is offering a $2,500.00 USD reward for any information which leads to the discovery of Akens. It wasnt her style. Lisa believes that Katelin didnt send these messages out herself. Cell phone records determined neither Akens nor her former stepfathers cell phones ever left Spotsylvania County that day. The suspicious circumstances and timeline of the two cases have led some people to speculate that they could be related. "Provided us his timeline of events, which also does not match up with the cell phone tower information that weve received. The couple had a fight and Noble left the farm without taking any personal belongings with her, police have said. Her phone was in Fredericksburg, it was in Spotsy. Pearce tells PEOPLE that the discovery of the luggage doesnt necessarily indicate foul play in the teens disappearance. So police had to establish if she went to the airport and returned or never left the area in the first place. 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. She lived with her fianc, Amber. So much so, that when Lisa asked if he could bring Katelin to the airport, he said that it was no problem and he would be happy to do it. 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 had been there since the 1st of December and was visiting her mother Lisa Sullivan and her sister Gabriela. She wasn't at the airport or the mall at that time. About two days later, Katelins suitcase with her money, credit cards, and the plane ticket was found in a drainage ditch in Spotsylvania County. Investigation Discovery's ' Disappeared: Flight Risk' focuses on the young woman's activities and whereabouts leading to her disappearance. unusual and worrying text message from Akens phone: Im staying with a friend and I need some time alone, the messages read, according to the report. 32 found for Katelyn Adkins in 37 cities. Not important but I thought I'd point it out anyways; Katelin's diploma isn't the reason why she went back to Virginia, she went back because her sister Gabi had just given birth to a son. By now i guess all evidences from that home is gone. Nothing. [4], Initially, police found Branton to be cooperative, as he reportedly answered their phone calls and questions. Maybe she confronted him, or threaten to tell? If by some slim chance he isnt guilty, he is at least lying. Lost it all because someone thinks they have the rigth to act out their disgusting fantasizes. An investigation would later show that the text message wasnt sent from the airport, but instead hit towers near Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia. I believe these were usual teenage messages. A text was reportedly sent from her phone after she was dropped off, indicating that she was at the airport to board her flight. According to Amber, not long after Katelin sent Lisa her final text messages, she directly messaged Amber through Facebook and said. "It's scary," Akens' mother, Lisa Sullivan, told WRIC News. On December 5, 2015, Katelin Akens was supposed to board a flight from Reagan National Airport in Virginia to Arizona. the body of 21 year old Heather Ciccone. Patti, a 29-year-old single mother worked at the Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio. West Virginia State Police have identified the body as 26-year-old Kayla Adkins. Episode SummaryIn the late 1960s and early 1970s, multiple young women and girls go missing in the Vernon-Tolland area of Connecticut. "It sounds as if there may be yet another serial killer in Spotsylvania County.". Lewis's body was discovered on. Katelin never arrived to the airport that day. Yes, theyre unusual due to her disappearance. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. [2][4] Sullivan asked Akens to text her when Akens arrived at the airport, and again when Akens boarded the plane. Branton retained a lawyer when he was asked to take a Polygraph. Her flight was scheduled for 5:00pm. Race White. On December 1, 2015, 19-year-old Katelin Akens was visiting her family in Caroline County, Virginia because her sister, Gabi, had recently given birth to a baby boy, who Katelin was eager to meet. But she never even made it to her flight. In 20 15, 19 year old Akins had graduated high school and was getting ready to start a new life. Stepfather is not a suspect in disappearance of 19 year old Katelin Akens. Katelin was in Caroline County from the 1st of December to the 5th. Hes refused to turn over the password, and authorities have been unable to see whats on it. Detective Rob Marshall said, There was one wheel missing, and scuff marks on the luggage which was a clear indication that it had tumbled., The suitcase contained her wallet, cash, debit cards, and her plane ticket home, but was missing her clothes, her cellphone, and her high school diploma, which she needed to provide to the cosmetology school. [2][4][6][7], The last day Akens was seen alive, Akens' mother was confirmed to be at work from 10:00am-6:00pm and Akens' fianc, Amber Rios, was confirmed to be in Arizona. Information recovered from her social media accounts and her cellphone records shows that [that may be case]., He adds: But until we can locate her, this is a missing persons case. Prior to her disappearance, Katelin texted Kevin, I really need someone to talk to. According to Kevin, Katelin told him that she had been partying the night before her departure with a friend who attended her former high school, and that friends boyfriend. [12] Police have yet to conduct a search of the property. [Image via Spotsylvania Co. Sheriff handout]. Neither of them knew what was going on and none of it made sense. WUSA 9 News reports that evidence has been obtained from luggage belonging to the woman, which was found abandoned in a drainage ditch. His DNA was also collected. But when police looked at the location records for James' phone, they discovered that his phone pinged close to his home when he sent Lisa the text message to say he had dropped Katelin off. aacc workforce development institute 2022. new eczema treatment 2022 australia . Adkins, circa 2001; Tattoo on Adkins's back; Uniform similar to Adkins's. Missing Since 06/29/2001. Plus she was close with her family, I dont think she would do that to them. In March 2021, a foundation for missing people placed a billboard regarding Katelins case on the route James took to work. Katelin flew into Virginia to visit her family in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, for the birth of her nephew. And that person was her stepfather James. [2][7], 2:00pm - Akens allegedly arrived at Reagan National Airport. [2][6][9], Police were unable to search a Spotsylvania residence owned by Branton located on the 12000 block of Saddle Court, as Brantons mother is currently a tenant. However, Akens' cell phone also pinged a cell tower near Brantons residence in Partlow, 75 miles away from the airport. However, both cases have area residents on edge. The suitcase was scuffed and had a wheel missing. Both Amber and Lisa called Katelin multiple times and told her they were worried about her via text messages but she didn't answer the calls or the text messages. This subreddit is about unsolved mysteries. Her flight was scheduled for 5:00pm. The teenager fell in love and left her small Virginia town to move across the country to Arizona with her fiancee, She was living her life and making changes. 7:15pm- Lisa gets texts from Katelins phone saying shes staying with a friend and needs sometime alone. Around this time, Rios also received one final message from Akens' Facebook account: Akens' mother, aunt, and sister continued to call and text Akens for the next 24 hours but her cell phone was turned off. The department is working with the FBI and Shawano Police on the case. Katelyn was graduating from art school, engaged, and getting ready to move to Colorado with her fianc. Domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colors and lives in many different communities. I think it's kinda weird they both had encrypted programs on their phones the authorities couldn't access. [2], On Monday, December 7, 2015, Sullivan went to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office to file a missing persons report. Instead, Lisa resorted to her last option and contacted her ex-husband and Katelins former stepfather, James Branton, who helped raise Katelin and Gabi, and asked him to do the favor of dropping Katelin off at the airport. They havent had a recent argument or had been upset with each other, and Katelins family is insistent that Katelin was excited to see Amber and start cosmetology school. [2] It has also been covered on popular true crime podcasts such as Crime Junkie and The Vanished in 2018.[4][19]. No clothes were found and her diploma was missing. So what happened when James dropped her off at the mall? According to the police, the case remains open, and any leads that come through would be investigated thoroughly. So, if youre curious about an update in the case, weve got you covered. :/. Copyright 2023 The Inquisitr. Akins visited Uganda in 2016 and quickly developed a bond with a baby girl named Willa Gray. That day, the 5th of December, Lisa couldn't drop Katelin off at the airport as she had to work. The Inquisitr is a registered trademark. The Huffington Post reports that locals in the area are on edge, with some people commenting that there may be a serial killer in the area, preying on young pretty women. Luggage belonging to Katelin Akens, a 19-year-old woman who disappeared en route to a Virginia airport, has been found in a Spotsylvania County drainage ditch. I think all texts were made by him from Katelins phone. 2 hours after her flight departed, Lisa received two separate final texts from Katelin. Also near James house. Sometime after this, Amber texts Lisa saying how Katelin texted her about not coming back. After her younger sister gave birth to a baby boy, Akens made plans to fly home and visit with her family and new nephew as she was excited to be an aunt. 11:56am- Amber gets a text from Katelins phone. For the first. When he was done, he then sent all of those texts and messages, and dumped her body (possibly dumping her luggage on the side of the road) in the process. 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. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. [12] However, Branton's father had died the previous year and ownership of the property was likely in probate. Isabel Celis: Jury Deadlocks in Trial of Man Who Allegedly Murdered Two Young Arizona Girls, Alex Murdaugh Begins Prison Sentence With New Haircut, What About Buster Murdaugh? She was going to take the metro to the airport since there is a stop at Reagan. Due to the condition of the luggage, the wheel was broken and the bag was scuffed, police believed that it may have been thrown out of a moving car. [1][2] As Branton was scheduled to work at Dahlgren Naval Base at 3:00pm, he informed Akens and Sullivan that he would have to take Akens to the airport four hours before her flight. She has distinctive butterflies tattooed on her left forearm and stars on her right foot. If she was really alive, I feel like she would reach out. At 1:56, when Katelin messaged Lisa she was at the airport, Katelins phone pinged at a location more than 30 miles away from the Metro Station. She texted her mom that she made it to the airport, but never boarded flight. Remains found in March near a West Texas lake about 20 miles away were identified last month as belonging to Hailey. PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! Alcohol was involved this night. I'm not coming back today. She has blonde hair, blue eyes and multiple tattoos. However, according to Lisa and Gabi, all articles of clothing were missing. [2][4], Akens was scheduled to fly home to Arizona on a 5:40PM flight out of Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA. Lisa wasn't sure she would even know how to get the metro. View the profiles of people named Katelyn Adkins. He replied that the traffic was not too bad. Image Credit: Help find Katelin Akens/Facebook. She has distinctive butterflies tattooed on her left forearm and stars on her right foot. "The stepfather was cooperative with our agency initially," said Detective Williams. She said, We dont know if shes laying in a ditch somewhere or if shes going to be fine. They deserve justice. None of that happened, crushing her family and confounding investigators. Her family says they wouldve noticed if something was wrong. as a key witness who may be able to help refuses to cooperate. 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. There are 10+ professionals named "Katelyn Adkins", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. who knows why for sure. Police told the news outlet Branton has not told the truth about where he brought Akens that day, has refused to take a lie detector test and will not disclose the password to his phone. Lisa wasn't sure she would even know how to get the metro. It appeared to have been thrown out of a moving vehicle. Amber had also received a text message from Katelin that morning, at 11.56am, which said: "Something came up. ), 1:52pm- James texts Lisa saying he dropped Katelin off at the airport. It was reported that James stopped cooperating with the investigators after a point. Katelins mom over and over again has said he doesnt have any friends. At the time of the incident, Katelin was looking forward to enrolling in cosmetology school in Arizona. Katelin originally went back home to get her high school diploma. There was also a strange Facebook message that Akens account sent a friend, indicating she didnt want to be in either Virginia or Arizona. You can view more information on Katelyn Adkins below. [6][7], Unable to reach Akens, Rios texted Sullivan to inquire about the change in Akens' flight plans. But I strongly believe she was not and is not a runaway. The investigation into her disappearance will make you question everything about Katelin's last day and by the end you won't know who's account can be trusted. 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. Investigators searched his residence, vehicles, examined a variety of guns, confiscated electronics, and collected DNA samples, but no physical evidence would indicate that he was responsible, or involved, in Katelins disappearance. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Just saw this story on Disappeared. Luggage belonging to Katelin Akens, a 19-year-old woman who disappeared en route to a Virginia airport, has been found in a Spotsylvania County drainage ditch. He claimed that Katelin told him there was a lot of drinking involved and she believed they forced themselves on her. I want to know if dogs were used to track her scent where her phone has pinged. Her former step-father, James Brandon was going to take her to the airport. On December 7th, two days after Katelin disappeared, Katelins luggage was discovered by a road crew worker in a drainage ditch in the 6600 block of River Road near Fredricksburg, approximately 44 miles away from the Springfield Metro Station. The 19-year-old moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, just days after her 18th birthday in 2014, to live with her fiance. 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. by Chilling Crimes That someone was after the family? They believed that an app on her phone that has encrypted messages may hold some answers as to what happened to her. The authorities have not charged anyone with Katelins disappearance, and without a body or any other evidence, it became difficult to prove a crime occurred.