April Pease, a 30-year-old mother, went missing on March 17, 2009, from Bloomington, Minnesota. She had moved to Minnesota to escape her tumultuous relationship with Cedric Marks, the father of her son, and to seek treatment for substance abuse issues. By the time of her disappearance, she had successfully overcome her addiction and was focused on rebuilding her life.
Pease's last known location was a women's shelter in Bloomington, where she had been staying with her young son to avoid contact with Marks, who had a history of violence.
At the time of her disappearance, Pease was embroiled in a bitter custody battle with Marks over their son. When Pease failed to appear in court on March 20, three days after she was last seen, Marks was awarded custody of their child. Despite the suspicions surrounding his abusive behavior, he was not initially considered a suspect in her disappearance.
The case took a significant turn years later in 2019 when Cedric Marks, along with an accomplice, Kellee Sorensen, was charged with Pease's murder. Sorensen confessed to helping Marks locate Pease by contacting shelters and airlines, and both were implicated in her abduction from the women's shelter. According to Sorensen, Marks forced Pease into his vehicle, drove her away, and ultimately murdered her after she pleaded for her life. Pease’s body has never been found, but Sorensen claimed that Marks dismembered her to prevent identification. Marks allegedly buried her remains in a remote location, possibly in one of the Dakotas.
Marks and Sorensen were charged with second-degree murder in 2020, on the 11th anniversary of Pease's disappearance. Despite the charges, Pease’s body remains missing, and the search for her continues. Both accused individuals await trial as of recent updates, and investigators are still actively seeking information on Pease’s final whereabouts.Last Seen: Mar 17, 2009
