The disappearance of 28-year-old Naaman Williams is part of a perplexing case that involves five other individuals, including two young children. Originally from Washington, D.C., Williams was residing in a rental home in Berkeley, Missouri, when he, along with his housemates, vanished. The group was last seen on August 6, 2023, at a Quality Inn Hotel in Florissant, Missouri.
Living with Williams at the time were Ma'Kayla Wickerson and her three-year-old daughter Malaiyah, Gerielle German and her three-year-old son Ashton Mitchell, and Mikayla Thompson. The four adults and two children had been living together in a home where neighbors reported observing them practicing daily meditation and worship in the backyard, sometimes unclothed.
The circumstances leading up to their disappearance have raised significant concern. Just before they went missing, on July 27, 2023, the residents of the home were served with an eviction notice for being at least three months behind on rent. When the Berkeley Police Department conducted a welfare check at their home on August 12, 2023, they found a scene suggesting an abrupt departure. There were no signs of forced entry, but personal belongings were left behind as if the occupants intended to return shortly; food was in the microwave, dishes were in the sink, and laundry was in the washing machine. The investigation by both the Berkeley Police Department and the FBI has pointed to the group's involvement with an online spiritual group. Authorities believe the adults were followers of Rashad Jamal and his 'University of Cosmic Intelligence.' Jamal, who is serving a prison sentence in Georgia for child molestation, has amassed a large online following with his teachings. He has denied being a cult leader and claims he does not know the missing individuals. Some of the missing adults, including Williams, had adopted new names; he was also known as Anubis Aramean.
The case of Naaman Williams and the five others remains unsolved, with no clear indication of their whereabouts since they were last seen at the hotel in Florissant. The investigation has been challenging, as the group appears to have left no digital or financial footprint. Law enforcement has explored various leads and obtained numerous search warrants in an effort to locate them. Investigators have considered the possibility that the group may have traveled to Mexico, an island in the Gulf of Mexico, or Atlanta, Georgia. The families of the missing are deeply concerned, with some expressing that their loved ones underwent significant changes in behavior after becoming involved with the online group, distancing themselves from relatives and adopting new, unconventional beliefs. This complex and troubling case is an active investigation, with authorities seeking any information that could lead to the safe return of Naaman Williams and his five companions.Last Seen: Aug 6, 2023
