Atlanta, Georgia | July 5, 2007
Monica Renee Bowie was 34 years old.
She was originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she excelled academically and graduated as valedictorian from Cheyney University.
Friends and family described her as intelligent, ambitious, and determined to build a life she could be proud of.
By 2007, Monica was doing exactly that.
She owned two businesses in Atlanta—an event planning company and a clothing boutique—and was focused on growing her future. Although she had briefly worked as an exotic dancer earlier in life, those closest to her said she had moved on and was devoted to her businesses, her family, and her engagement to her fiancé, Shernotta “Rico” Walters.
An Unexpected Turn
Then, just weeks before she disappeared, everything changed.
On June 20, 2007, Monica and Walters were pulled over while he was driving her vehicle.
Officers found a firearm and marijuana inside the car.
Monica maintained she had no knowledge of either item, and investigators later dropped all charges against her after determining she had no criminal history and no connection to the contraband.
Walters, however, was on parole.
Because of the discovery, he was returned to prison for violating the terms of his release.
Two weeks later, Monica vanished.
Abducted in a Parking Lot
On July 5, 2007, Monica spent part of the day meeting with her attorney before returning home to the Lenox Apartments in Atlanta.
Sometime between 11:00 p.m. and 11:15 p.m., residents were startled by the sound of a woman screaming for help in the apartment complex parking lot.
When witnesses looked outside, they saw two men forcing Monica into a maroon 2002 Mercury Sable.
One suspect was described as a heavyset man with a beard.
Both men were believed to be in their late 20s or 30s.
Within moments, the car sped away.
When investigators arrived, they found evidence of a violent struggle.
Monica’s jewelry, eyeglasses, a broken perfume bottle, a green jacket, food, a manila folder, and two broken fingernails were scattered across the parking lot.
The Investigation
The following day, the Mercury Sable used in the abduction was found burned.
Someone had intentionally set the vehicle on fire.
Two days later, police arrested Jasper Keels, who had borrowed the car and failed to return it.
Months later, investigators charged him with kidnapping.
Despite the arrest, Monica Renee Bowie has never been found.
Her fiancé remained incarcerated at the time of the abduction, and both investigators and Monica’s family have stated they do not believe he was involved in her disappearance.
Monica was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed approximately 135 pounds, had brown hair, brown eyes, wore braces, and had pierced ears.
She was last seen wearing a dark green dress shirt and blue jeans.
More than 19 years have passed.
Her family is still waiting for answers.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Monica Renee Bowie is urged to contact the DeKalb County Police Department at 770-724-7715.
© The Vivid Faces of the Vanished
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