In early 2014, the community of North Little Rock, Arkansas, was confronted with the unsettling disappearance of 36-year-old Shequenia Burnett. A devoted mother and a talented sketch artist, Shequenia was a cherished member of her family who adored her children and her faith. Her mother last saw or heard from her on January 9, 2014. Several days later, concern grew when Shequenia's aunt went to her apartment and discovered the front door wide open.
This alarming discovery prompted Shequenia's mother to officially report her as a missing person on January 15, 2014. The initial investigation into her disappearance brought to light that Shequenia had been facing personal challenges, including drug use, but her family maintained that it was entirely out of character for her to cease all contact, especially with her beloved children.
The case took a significant turn when it was learned that Shequenia’s close childhood friend, Terkessa Wallace, was also reported missing just a day after Shequenia. Initially, law enforcement treated the two disappearances as separate incidents. However, an examination of their cell phone records revealed a crucial connection. The records showed that Shequenia and Terkessa were in communication with each other on January 10th, and their phones last pinged off the same cell tower on that same day, suggesting they were together shortly before they vanished. After this point, all activity on both of their phones abruptly stopped. This information led investigators to believe that their cases were likely intertwined, adding a new layer of complexity and concern to the ongoing search efforts.
For nearly two years, the families of Shequenia Burnett and Terkessa Wallace were left with no answers and very few leads. Then, in December of 2015, a fisherman made a grim discovery in the Arkansas River near the Big Dam Bridge—a human leg. DNA testing later confirmed the unthinkable; the limb belonged to Shequenia Burnett. This heartbreaking development, while providing a partial answer, also opened up a host of new questions. With no other remains found, a definitive cause of death could not be determined. The investigation into what happened to Shequenia and the still-missing Terkessa Wallace has continued, but no suspects have been publicly identified, and both cases remain unsolved. Shequenia’s family was unable to have a traditional burial and chose to cremate her remains, with her sister wearing some of the ashes in a necklace as a way to keep her memory close. The case of Shequenia Burnett is a tragic and perplexing story of a mother and friend who disappeared under suspicious circumstances, with the discovery of her partial remains deepening the mystery that continues to haunt her loved ones and the community.Last Seen: Jan 9, 2014
