In the late summer of 2016, the promising life of a young nursing student, Mickell Tolbert, was tragically cut short in Kansas City, Missouri. The 21-year-old woman was in her third year at Avila University's nursing program, a bright and determined student who also worked two part-time jobs to save for her registered nurse licensing exam. Her family described her as 'smart as a whip' and a 'great student.' A graduate of Ruskin High School in 2013, her academic prowess had earned her a Nightingale Scholarship to help with her tuition.
The last day of her life, Monday, September 5, 2016, began like any other. However, concern grew when Mickell failed to show up for her 3:00 p.m. shift at one of her jobs. Her family, knowing this was completely out of character for the responsible young woman, began a frantic search for her throughout Monday night and into the next day. Their worst fears were realized when they learned that a body discovered earlier that Monday was indeed Mickell.
At approximately 2:20 p.m. on that Monday, Kansas City police had responded to a report of gunshots in the 2100 block of East 45th Street. Behind an abandoned house near 45th Street and Garfield Avenue, they found Mickell's body. She had sustained several gunshot wounds. In the initial days of the investigation, the police did not release significant information about the circumstances of her death.
In the wake of the tragedy, friends and family shared that they believed Mickell may have been with two men before her death, though this was not confirmed by law enforcement. As of now, public records do not indicate that any arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Mickell Tolbert, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case remains a painful and unanswered chapter for her loved ones and the community.
