Cathleen Dennis, a 28-year-old Black female, arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday, July 7, 1995, with her sister, Deanna. The two had traveled from their hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, seeking to work in the sex industry away from home. Described by her family as goofy and the life of the party, Cathleen was a joy to be around. That evening, the sisters had a few drinks at a club before heading to an area known as the "Division" to find clients.
In the early morning hours of July 10, 1995, Deanna was ready to return to their hotel room but could not locate her sister. The last time Deanna saw Cathleen, she was getting into a light-colored Chevrolet, possibly a model from the years 1965 to 1968, at the intersection of Division Avenue and Putnam Street. When Deanna attempted to report her sister missing, she felt the police were initially dismissive because of their line of work. Deanna, along with her mother and another sister who traveled from Omaha, took it upon themselves to search for Cathleen, posting flyers and checking alleys and dumpsters, but their efforts were in vain. For years, Cathleen's disappearance remained a painful mystery for her family, including her two young children who were seven and eight years old at the time she vanished.
Decades later, a significant breakthrough brought a devastating answer. In early 2024, a convicted killer named Garry Artman, while on his deathbed, confessed to the murders of eleven women, including Cathleen Dennis. Before his confession, Artman had been identified as the killer of another Grand Rapids woman, Sharon Hammock, through forensic genetic genealogy. In his confession, Artman provided details about Cathleen's murder, stating that she had a splint or sling on her arm when he saw her leaving a bar. He admitted to killing her and disposing of her body in a dumpster. Based on the information he provided, investigators believe it is unlikely that her remains will ever be recovered. Though Artman's confession brought a form of closure to Cathleen's family, it also confirmed their worst fears and the brutal end to her life.
