On a summer morning in Gary, Indiana, on July 25, 2015, 21-year-old Diamond Bynum and her 2-year-old nephew, King Walker, vanished from their family home. Diamond, who has a bubbly personality and an infectious smile, lives with a genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome. This condition results in developmental delays, a constant feeling of hunger, and physical characteristics including a pronounced limp. Due to her condition, Diamond has the mental capacity of a young child. The family had only recently moved to the 500 block of Matthews Street in Gary from Hammond, Indiana, and Diamond was not yet familiar with her new surroundings. That morning, Diamond's stepmother was watching both her and King. After putting King down for a nap, the stepmother and Diamond also fell asleep. When the stepmother awoke at approximately 11:00 a.m., both Diamond and King were gone.
The disappearance of Diamond and her young nephew sparked immediate concern from their family. It was considered out of character for Diamond to wander far from home. Given Diamond's physical and developmental challenges, and King's young age, it was unlikely they could have traveled a great distance on their own. The family home had plenty of food available, making it less likely that Diamond's constant feeling of hunger from her Prader-Willi syndrome prompted her to leave. Despite their limitations, no signs of a struggle or forced entry were found at the residence, leaving the family and investigators with a perplexing mystery. The initial belief was that Diamond may have decided to take her nephew for a short walk, something she was known to do in their previous, more familiar neighborhood.
In the days and years that followed, extensive searches were conducted by law enforcement and numerous volunteers, covering many abandoned homes in the Gary area, but these efforts yielded no conclusive evidence. Several potential sightings were reported in Gary, Hammond, and even Chicago, but none of these leads could be confirmed. Tracking dogs followed a scent to a nearby gas station and an empty house, but the trail went cold. The case of Diamond Bynum and King Walker remains an active investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for their family who continue to hold out hope for their return. The family has tirelessly worked to keep their story in the public eye, distributing flyers and speaking with the media, clinging to the belief that they are still alive since no evidence to the contrary has ever been found.
Last Seen: Jul 25, 2015
