The Vanishing Light: The Unsolved Disappearance of Tonee Turner

A Rising Star in Pittsburgh’s Art Scene

Tonee Marie Turner was a vibrant 22-year-old artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, known for her passion for metalwork and ceramics. She worked as a metal fabricator at Studebaker Metals in Braddock and taught ceramics at the Carnegie Library of Braddock. Described by friends and family as radiant and deeply creative, Tonee had a magnetic presence that left a lasting impression on those who knew her.

The Day She Disappeared

On December 30, 2019, Tonee's day began like any other. She completed her shift at Studebaker Metals and later visited Dobrá Tea in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood around 6:00 p.m. After spending a short time at the tea shop, she boarded a bus heading toward her home in Hazelwood. The bus driver confirmed that she disembarked at her usual stop near Hazelwood Avenue and Giddings Street. Around this time, she also spoke with her sister on the phone. This was the last known contact anyone had with her.

The Discovery on the Homestead Grays Bridge

Later that evening, around 8:30 p.m., a man crossing the Homestead Grays Bridge, approximately 2.7 miles from Tonee's bus stop, found several of her belongings. These included her purse, shoes, and a ceramic pot she had been carrying. Inside the purse were her keys, wallet, cell phone, water bottle, and diary. The man contacted Tonee's family the following day to return the items. The discovery of her belongings on the bridge raised immediate concerns about her safety.

The Search Efforts and Community Response

Tonee's disappearance prompted an outpouring of support from the community. Family, friends, and volunteers organized search parties, distributed flyers, and held vigils in her honor. A mural was created by local artists Marcè Nixon-Washington and Sandy Kessler Kaminski on Braddock Avenue, depicting Tonee alongside the quote, "The missing find solace in our hearts until they are found." The mural served as a poignant reminder of her absence and the community's determination to find her. ...Read More

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