Mar 08, 2009
Sep 15, 2022
Petra
Muhammad
50
30
67 inches
120 lbs
133 lbs
Black / African American
Female
In the winter of 2006, a 30-year-old mother named Petra Muhammad was starting a new chapter in her life in Highland Falls, New York. A student at SUNY Orange, she was pursuing a degree in diagnostic imaging with aspirations of becoming an x-ray technician. She also worked part-time as a cashier and was preparing to sign a lease for a new apartment. This new beginning followed a difficult period, as she was in the midst of a contentious divorce from her husband of four years, William Muhammad. Petra, a female of Caribbean descent born in Grenada, was last seen by a relative on January 7, 2006. On that day, she paid her cell phone bill and went shopping at a mall with a friend. After that, she seemingly vanished. It wasn't until weeks later, in February, that a relative, alarmed by the prolonged silence, officially reported her missing. The circumstances leading up to Petra's disappearance were troubling. She had confided in classmates that her husband had threatened her life. Just four months before she went missing, Petra sought and was granted an order of protection against William. In her petition to the court, she detailed allegations of physical abuse, threats to kill her, and instances where he had locked her and their young son out of their home and disabled the phone to prevent her from calling for help. The couple was scheduled for divorce court hearings on January 11 and January 25, but both failed to appear, leading to the dismissal of their case. Family court was also investigating allegations of abuse concerning their son. When questioned by police, William Muhammad claimed to not know Petra's whereabouts, suggesting she might have gone to New York City or her native Grenada. He stated that she had left him for short periods before and he assumed she had done so again, taking her belongings with her. Despite her husband's claims, evidence suggested that Petra had not left voluntarily. Her passport, driver's license, identification, and clothing were all left behind at her residence. Since her disappearance, there has been no activity on her cell phone or Social Security number, and there is no indication that she ever left the country. Friends and family do not believe she would have willingly abandoned her son. During a search of the family's home, police discovered a doll with a noose around its neck and family photos where Petra's face had been cut out. While police considered him a person of interest, William Muhammad has not been publicly named a suspect and has been described as uncooperative with the investigation. Shortly after his wife's disappearance, he moved to New Jersey with their son. The case of Petra Muhammad's disappearance remains an active investigation, a painful mystery for those who knew and loved the young mother who was on the verge of a new life.
Jan 06, 2006
Highland Falls
New York
Orange County
10928
3212
Highland Falls Police Department
Highland Falls
New York
Orange County
10928
301 Main St, New York
8454464911
Local
Law Enforcement
FHIF00101
Highland Falls Police Department
Black
Brown
Brown
No
10/18/2026
