In May of 1985, 12-year-old Lamika Tene Manners and her mother, Barbara Heyward Manners, were last seen by family members in their hometown of Brooklyn, New York. After that month, they were never heard from or seen again. At the time of her disappearance, Lamika was described as being 5'1" and weighing approximately 90 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
On May 18, 1985, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered by the westbound side of Interstate 95 near Exit 18 in Westport, Connecticut. The victim's body had been placed in a pile of burning tires, and her hands and feet had been removed. For nearly four decades, the identity of this woman remained a mystery, and she was known as "Fairfield County Jane Doe." Investigators were able to determine that she was a Black female, likely between 30 and 40 years old, approximately 5'0" tall, and weighed around 110 pounds. Personal items found with the body included Russler brand blue jeans, a wool wrap-around sweater, and a pack of Salem cigarettes.
In November 2024, a significant breakthrough was made in the case. Through the use of advanced DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy, the unidentified remains found in Westport were confirmed to be those of Barbara Heyward Manners. Barbara was 33 years old at the time of her murder. An autopsy revealed that she had been killed by a blow to the head shortly before her body was set on fire.
The identification of Barbara Heyward Manners officially linked her murder to the disappearance of her young daughter, Lamika. However, there has been no indication of Lamika's whereabouts since she was last seen with her mother in 1985. Her disappearance remains an unsolved case, and authorities continue to investigate.Last Seen: May 18, 1985
