Erica Monique Bradley was a seventeen-year-old from Allendale, South Carolina, whose life was full of promise. She was known for being a responsible and dedicated student with aspirations of attending college. A loving daughter and sister, she also embraced the role of a new mother to her five-month-old son. Erica was last seen on the night of November 6, 2006, after finishing her shift at a local Hardee's restaurant.
She was supposed to be picked up by her eighteen-year-old boyfriend, Derek Maner, who was also the father of her child. When he failed to arrive, her cousin gave her a ride. During the drive, they encountered Maner, and Erica got into his car in front of the county courthouse. This would be the last time she was seen by her family.
According to Maner's account to law enforcement, he and Erica got into an argument because she suspected him of infidelity. He claimed that while they were driving, Erica abruptly jumped out of the car and ran into the woods off Highway 125. He stated that he searched for her but was unable to find her and assumed she had made her way home. However, Erica never returned. It was noted that Maner waited two days before informing Erica's parents that she was missing. Those who knew Erica found it difficult to believe she would have run away, describing her as a responsible person who would never have abandoned her infant son. An extensive search of the wooded area where Maner claimed she disappeared yielded some of her belongings, including her shoes, clothing, and pieces of her hair extensions, but there was no sign of Erica herself.
The investigation into Erica's disappearance soon focused on Derek Maner as the primary suspect. A forensic examination of his vehicle uncovered damning evidence. Erica's blood, hair, and tissue were discovered on the underside of the car, along with indications that someone had attempted to wash the evidence away. This led investigators to believe she may have been run over. In April 2008, Maner was arrested and charged with her murder. During his trial in February 2009, Maner maintained his innocence, claiming the biological evidence on his car was from a dog he had hit. The jury did not believe his account, and he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Despite the conviction, Erica Bradley's body has never been recovered, leaving her family without the closure of a proper burial. The case is a heartbreaking reminder of a young life cut short and a family left to grapple with unanswered questions and the enduring pain of their loss.Last Seen: Nov 6, 2006
