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Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1227) and 6 other sources
In the late summer of 2001, a 28-year-old woman named Kenya Hickson vanished from the streets of Newark, New Jersey. On August 14th, she was seen leaving a family member's home in the company of a female acquaintance known only as 'Cynth.' Kenya, who was also known by the nicknames 'Boo Boo,' 'Keysa Caldwell,' and 'Grace Hi,' was wearing a blue shirt, black jeans, and a scarf on her head at the time of her disappearance. Distinctive features included pockmarks on her face and braces on her teeth. After she walked away that day, she was never heard from or seen again.

Kenya's life before she went missing had its struggles, including a history of substance abuse. She was known to frequent specific areas in Irvington and Newark, particularly around 20th Street, Nye Avenue, and Ells Avenue. Family members and authorities were aware of these locations, but searches and inquiries in these neighborhoods following her disappearance yielded no information about her whereabouts. The circumstances surrounding her leaving with the mysterious 'Cynth' remain unknown, adding a layer of complexity and concern to her case from the very beginning. The lack of details about this acquaintance has been a significant hurdle for investigators.

The investigation into Kenya Hickson's disappearance is being handled by the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit and the Newark Police Division. Over the years, her case has been shared across various platforms for missing persons, hoping to generate new leads. Despite these efforts, very few details have emerged since she was last seen. The case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for her loved ones, who continue to seek answers. The overview of this case highlights a young woman who disappeared under vague circumstances, leaving behind a family desperate for information and a community with lingering questions about her fate. The identity of 'Cynth' and the events of that August day remain central to unlocking the mystery of what happened to Kenya Hickson.

Last Seen: Aug 14, 2001

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5764
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5764 • Found Feb 20, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 28
Race 100%Black
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5686
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5686 • Found Nov 4, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP101499
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP101499 • Found Mar 9, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%16 mi away
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 86%120 lb vs 145–150 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP1885
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP1885 • Found Mar 31, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5757
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5757 • Found Jan 2, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 46%Est. 35–50 vs 28
Race 100%Black
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%132 lb vs 145–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Manhattan, New York - unidentified case UP104918
Jane Doe — Manhattan, New York
UP104918 • Found Jun 9, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 66%189 lb vs 145–150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP103397
Jane Doe — Bronx, New York
UP103397 • Found Apr 25, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%19 mi away
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"
Weight 94%169 lb vs 145–150 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Manhattan, New York - unidentified case UP134864
Jane Doe — Manhattan, New York
UP134864 • Found Dec 7, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 81%Est. 55–80 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%11 mi away
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 145–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP98383
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP98383 • Found Dec 10, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–39 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 84%69 mi away
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 145–150 lb
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Newark, New Jersey - unidentified case UP17575
Jane Doe — Newark, New Jersey
UP17575 • Found Mar 3, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 18–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%133 lb vs 145–150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.