In early 2006, 41-year-old Michelle Nau, who also went by the names Mikalena and Rachel, was a woman striving for a new beginning in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She had aspirations of becoming a real estate agent, but her past, which included a criminal record, presented significant obstacles. At the time of her disappearance, she was living alone in the Castor Gardens apartment complex. The last confirmed sighting of Michelle was on February 4, 2006, when she was seen on surveillance video withdrawing $100 from an ATM near her home. Concern for her well-being grew when her family had not heard from her for over a week. On February 15, a relative went to her apartment and found it in a state of disarray, with her dog left behind, which was uncharacteristic of her. The following day, she was officially reported as a missing person.
The investigation into Michelle's disappearance quickly took a dark turn.
On February 20, her 1997 Mercedes was discovered abandoned miles from her home. Her purse was found nearby, but her cell phone was missing. The case was soon handed over to the homicide division as evidence suggested foul play was involved. Detectives learned that on the day she was last seen, Michelle had attended a party at the apartment of a man named George Conway. Witnesses at the party later told police that Michelle had been using drugs and became agitated. An altercation reportedly occurred, during which she was restrained and subsequently died, though the exact cause of death—whether from a drug overdose or asphyxiation—remains undetermined.
The primary suspect in Michelle's death, George Conway, was murdered on March 1, 2006, before he could be thoroughly questioned by police. According to a witness, after Michelle's death, her body was wrapped in a rug, placed in a dumpster, and set on fire. This led investigators to a charred dumpster in the Fishtown neighborhood, but no identifiable remains were ever recovered. Police believe her remains were ultimately destroyed. Despite the strong belief that Michelle is deceased and the circumstances surrounding her death are known to law enforcement, her case officially remains that of a missing person as her body has never been found. The investigation is considered closed, pending any new, credible information regarding the location of her remains.Last Seen: Feb 1, 2006
