Case Details

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This person was missing Missing Since 09/29/2002

Missing Since:

Missing Since 09/29/2002

Missing From:

Missing From Whiteville, North Carolina

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Female

Race:

Race Black

Date of Birth:

Date of Birth 08/24/1998 (26)

Age:

Age 4 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 3’10, 90 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Clothing/Jewelry Description A gray FUBU t-shirt, blue jeans, white socks and black sneakers.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics African-American female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Kynande has a light complexion, pierced ears, and a birthmark on her arm in the shape of a seashell. When she was last seen, her hair was styled in small braids tied with small bows and/or barrettes. Kynande’s name is pronounced “kee-NAHN-day.”

Details of Disappearance:

Kynande McCullough disappeared on September 29, 2002. Her mother, Vartasha, initially said Kynande vanished from a Kmart in North Carolina while they were visiting family. But Vartasha’s story changed, and there was no evidence Kynande was ever even in North Carolina. Security footage didn’t show her, and their car had no car seat.

Before Kynande disappeared, witnesses saw bruises and cuts on her, and Kynande herself said her mom hurt her. Kynande’s grandparents also reported concerns about abuse to the police the same day she went missing.

Police found Kynande’s parents uncooperative. Vartasha failed a lie detector test, and her husband refused to take one. Their apartment was cleaned with bleach, and police found Kynande’s DNA in the apartment, suggesting a violent incident. Most of Kynande’s belongings were gone, and her parents talked about her in the past tense, suggesting they believed she was dead. Vartasha initially admitted to something happening in the apartment, but later denied it.

Both parents were charged with murder, but the charges against the father were later dropped. Vartasha was found guilty of abusing and killing Kynande, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Kynande’s body has never been found.

Agency:

Indiana State Police 800-382-7537

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