Zahra Baker Search Recovers Human Remains
Last month we covered the story of 10 year-old Zahra Baker who went missing in Hickory, North Carolina. There has been a break in the case, although it doesn't sound like good news.
ABC is reporting that investigators have found human remains in an area that they had previously checked. The investigators found the remains along the Dudley Shoals Road in Caldwell County as well as the banks and waters of Gunpowder Creek.
Police have not confirmed that the remains are that of Zahra Baker, but they did say that "[W]e recovered evidence that could provide valuable information in the Baker case."
Elisa Baker, the child's step mother, is in jail on felony obstruction of justice charges for allegedly penning a fake $1 million ransom note. Jailhouse letters likely written by her offer confusing insights into the case, including seemingly pointing the finger partially at her husband:
- We really didn't kill her, but what he did after the fact is kinda horrifying."
- "[Adam Baker] knows what happened to Zahra, and yet I'm the one in here at least for now."
- "[It] makes me scared of him. So I probably am gonna go ahead and file [for divorce]. I have lost my whole life anyway."
- "Dark Love Always, Elisa."
- "Goth's Rule [sic]"
- "Vamps Rule!"
Police are looking into claims by relatives and neighbors that Baker was physically abused by her stepmother. Police have already said that Zahra Baker is presumed dead. She has been missing since September 25 and was first reported missing by her parents on October 9. The Associated Press reported that Elisa Baker has a rap sheet including larceny, writing bad checks, making threats and driving with a revoked driver's license.
Related Resources:
- Police: New evidence found in case of missing North Carolina girl (CNN)
- Theft/Larceny (FindLaw)
- Kidnapping (FindLaw)