A North Carolina woman with cognitive impairment, last seen on a doorbell camera entering a stranger’s car, was tragically found dead in the woods near her home.
Heather Williams, 25, was captured on camera leaving her family’s Fayetteville residence and getting into a light-colored sedan with a sunroof around 10 p.m. on January 4, as reported by local authorities.
The Fayetteville Police Department initiated a missing persons investigation and issued an endangered person alert on January 7 due to Williams’ cognitive impairment.
Despite the search efforts, Williams’ body was discovered by police officers in a wooded area around 5 miles from where she was last seen, the department announced in a statement on Saturday.
The department confirmed that Williams’ death is being treated as a homicide.
Her sister, Mary Williams, expressed the family’s devastation on Facebook by stating, “I pray whoever is responsible for this is held accountable and there is justice for Heather.”
Mary disclosed to WRAL that the family did not recognize the person driving the vehicle, speculating that Williams may have met them online, given her cognitive impairment.
On the same day Williams’ body was found, the suspect’s vehicle was located by the police.
Mary urged the public to come forward with any information, emphasizing, “Somebody knows something.”
Investigators shared with CBS 17 that they are pursuing leads but have yet to identify a person of interest in the case.
Mary expressed her hope for justice and closure, emphasizing the need to prevent similar tragedies from occurring to others.
“I thank God for the years we had with her,” she concluded.
Anyone with information about Williams’ case is urged to contact Fayetteville police Detective E. Alrafai at (910) 723-0327 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
