Alicia Marie Deans, the Leland, North Carolina, mother who has been missing for more than two weeks, is dead . Authorities say they found the body of Alicia Marie Deans off of John Coleman Road in Columbus county. According to WWAY-TV3 , the police have three suspects in custody for murder: 42-year-old Nathan Elisha Tyler Jr., 18-year-old Kayla Leigh-Anne Turner, and 31-year-old Michael Jesse Williams.
Police now say that the three suspects kidnapped and robbed Alicia Deans of $34 when she went to visit another man named Nathan Tyler III. Investigators had long suspected that her death was no random act of violence.
Sheriff Lewis Hatcher announced the finding of the body in a news conference on Thursday, according to StarNews .
“We do suspect foul play in this incident.() I don’t think this was a random act. I don’t see any need for the citizens to be alarmed at this point.”
Twenty-six-year-old Alicia Marie Deans, aka Alicia Deans, originally went missing on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, from her home on Old Lanvale Road. Police investigators followed up on leads which indicated that Deans had visited a friend in Whitehead. The missing woman’s car was eventually found, but there was no sign of Deans. Investigators have since arrested Nathan Tyler III of Clarendon, North Carolina, on charges unrelated to the case.
The body has been sent to the local medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. As of now, a cause of death has not been established. Sadly, Alicia Deans’ brother Tracy Deans preceded her in death a while back. Today, friends and family members are devastated by the loss of yet another loved one who described herself as a stay-at-home mom. Court records show that Alicia Marie Deans lived a troubled life that often included unsavory friends and several arrests related to drugs. Despite some of her personal issues, those close to Alicia Deans believe that her children were the most important part of her life, and no matter what, she didn’t deserve to be taken away from them.
Here is a brief timeline of the disappearance of Alicia Marie Deans.
Tuesday, April 28
Alicia Deans is seen for the last time. It is believed that she is visiting a friend in Whitehead by the name of Nathan Tyler. Community members are urged to look out for a woman fitting her description.
Friday, May 1
A missing persons report is filed for Alicia Marie Deans. Deans has blue eyes and brown hair, which may have been dyed black. She stands five feet seven inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds. Police say that residents should also be on the look out for the missing Brunswick county woman’s car, which is a green Ford Taurus with four doors and tag number CLS-5844.
Tuesday, May 12
Friends and family members hold a candlelight vigil to bring awareness to the case and to pray for Alicia Deans’ safe return.
Wednesday, May 13
Law enforcement officials find the body of Alicia Marie Deans in a wooded area in Columbus county.
Thursday, May 14
Sheriff Lewis Hatcher makes the announcement during a press conference. He tells the public that the victim’s death was most likely foul play.
Friday, May 15
Three suspects are taken into custody and charged with the brutal murder of Alicia Marie Deans: Nathan Elisha Tyler Jr, Kayla Leigh-Anne Turner, and Michael Jesse Williams.
Please check back as we continue to update the kidnapping and murder of Alicia Deans.