In the summer of 2023, concern began to grow for 25-year-old Ma'Kayla Wickerson and her young daughter, Malaiyah. The two had been living in a rental home on Graham Lane in Berkeley, Missouri, near the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Ma'Kayla's mother, Cartisha Morgan, noticed a change in her daughter's behavior after she moved to the area in late 2022. Ma'Kayla gradually withdrew from her family, and in March 2023, she quit her job.
When her mother visited, she encountered unfamiliar people Ma'Kayla referred to as 'her family' and was asked not to return. Despite her concerns, Morgan respected her daughter's wishes but would occasionally drive by the house to check on things. She even requested welfare checks, during which Ma'Kayla seemed fine. The last confirmed sighting of Ma'Kayla and her daughter was on August 6, 2023, at a Quality Inn hotel in Florissant, Missouri.
The situation became more alarming when it was discovered that Ma'Kayla and Malaiyah were not the only ones missing. They had been living with four other individuals who also vanished: Gerrielle German and her young son Ashton Mitchell, Mikayla Thompson, and Naaman Williams. The group's disappearance is believed to be connected to an online spiritual group called the University of Cosmic Intelligence, led by Rashad Jamal, who is currently incarcerated for child molestation. Followers of this group were known to disconnect from their families and go 'off the grid.' Neighbors reported seeing the residents of the Berkeley home engaging in daily meditation and worship in their backyard, sometimes in the nude. Just before their disappearance, on July 27, 2023, the six residents were served with an eviction notice for being behind on rent. A welfare check at their home on August 12, 2023, found no signs of forced entry, but the scene suggested a hasty departure with food left in the microwave, dishes in the sink, and valuable belongings left behind.
The investigation into the disappearance of the six individuals, including Ma'Kayla and her daughter, is ongoing and involves local law enforcement and the FBI. There has been no significant digital or financial footprint from any of the missing persons since they were last seen. Authorities have considered several possible locations where the group might have gone, including Mexico, an island in the Gulf of Mexico, or Atlanta, Georgia, where the alleged cult was based. The case is complex, with investigators exploring all avenues to uncover the whereabouts of the missing individuals. The families of the missing hold out hope for their safe return. The overview of the case is a perplexing and concerning situation where six individuals, including two young children, seemingly vanished after becoming involved with an online spiritual group, leaving behind a home that appeared to be abandoned abruptly. The lack of communication and traceable activity has made the investigation challenging for law enforcement, who continue to seek information from the public.Last Seen: Aug 6, 2023
