Case Details
- Photo URLs:
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- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 09/11/1998
- Missing From:
- Missing From Tampa, Florida
- Classification:
- Classification Non-Family Abduction
- Gender:
- Female
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Date of Birth 03/13/1991 (33)
- Age:
- Age 7 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 4’4, 45 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A blue and white nightgown.
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Amanda has scars on her forehead. Her ears are pierced. Her nickname is Mandy.
- Details of Disappearance:
- In September 1998, Amanda’s mom, Kathryn, met Willie Crain at a bar in Tampa. Later that month, Kathryn, Amanda, and Willie spent time together. Kathryn said she found Willie alone in his bedroom with Amanda; he was drunk. They went back to Kathryn’s trailer, and Willie stayed the night. Kathryn took Valium (a strong sleeping pill) and fell asleep with Amanda and Willie in the bed.
When Kathryn woke up, Amanda and Willie were gone. Willie claimed he knew nothing about it. Police investigated.
Amanda’s dad, Ron, was briefly suspected because of a difficult relationship with Kathryn and past accusations (never proven) of abuse and threats towards Amanda. However, suspicion quickly shifted to Willie.
Willie had a history of sexually abusing children, including a 1985 conviction. Evidence found at Willie’s trailer—blood matching Amanda’s DNA—linked him to her disappearance. A witness saw Willie launch his boat early the morning Amanda disappeared, acting strangely. Willie had also bragged about being able to get rid of a body.
Willie was convicted of Amanda’s murder and sentenced to death, though he’s currently on death row with cancer. Amanda’s body has never been found.
- Agency:
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office 813-247-8601
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 09/11/1998