The search continues for two Illinois sisters who vanished nearly 25 years ago.
Diamond and Tionda Bradley, 3 and 10, vanished from Chicago in June 2001 — a revelation that came to light after their mother found a letter written by the older daughter saying they were going to the store and a school playground. However, a search of those areas did not result in the girls being found.
Relatives told NBC they are incredulous that Tionda Bradley penned the note, claiming the grammar and spelling were too sophisticated for a 10-year-old. They also said the girl was more likely to call her mother than leave a note.
Meanwhile, other family members believe the elder Bradley girl wrote the note — but with help.
“The person who took the girls was right there beside her – telling her exactly what to write. She was being coached,” the great-aunt told NBC.
The girls’ mother had gone to work the morning of their disappearance and told them not to answer the door for anyone. Their two other siblings were not home, as they had gone to their grandmother’s the night before.
Five hours later, the mother returned home and discovered the note, but no sign of her daughters.
Chicago investigators have interviewed hundreds of people as part of their search for Tionda and Diamond Bradley. Police reportedly also interrogated 100 sex offenders, but the girls remain unaccounted for.
Anyone with information regarding Tionda and Diamond Bradley’s whereabouts should call the Chicago Police Department at 312-747-5789 or the FBI in Illinois at 312-421-6700.
The Bradleys’ case is being covered as part of CrimeOnline’s “Finding the Lost: Black and Missing” series, which will feature a missing Black person every day in February. The full series can be read here.