Erica Parsons
Child Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Salisbury, North Carolina
TIME PERIOD
2011
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On December 17, 2011, 13-year-old Erica Lynn Parsons was last seen in Salisbury, North Carolina, and was reported missing by her brother Jamie on July 30, 2013, who alleged that their adoptive parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons, had killed her. The Parsons claimed Erica had gone to live with her biological grandmother, a statement later disproven by investigators. In September 2016, Sandy Parsons led authorities to Erica's remains in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, where the cause of death was ruled as "homicidal violence of undetermined means." Following a grand jury indictment in 2018, Casey Parsons pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in August 2019 and received a life sentence, while Sandy Parsons pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and related charges in December 2019, receiving a sentence of at least 33 years.
Jamie Parsons alleged that their parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons, killed Erica and buried her in their backyard, although he later retracted this statement. Investigators and the public speculate that the Parsons couple may have been involved in Erica's death and subsequent cover-up, particularly given their conviction for fraud related to benefits they received while Erica was missing. The lack of evidence supporting the existence of Erica's biological grandmother further fuels theories that the Parsons fabricated stories to conceal the truth about her disappearance.
The Tragic Case of Erica Parsons
A Child's Vanishing
On December 17, 2011, the life of 13-year-old Erica Lynn Parsons, a girl from Salisbury, North Carolina, took a dark turn. Though she would not be reported missing until July 30, 2013, Erica's fate had been sealed much earlier. Her adoptive brother, Jamie Parsons, would eventually reveal that he hadn't seen her since 2011 and accused their parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons, of having killed her and buried her in their backyard. Although Jamie retracted this statement, the truth about Erica's disappearance would soon unravel.
Erica's Early Life
Erica was born on February 24, 1998, in Concord, North Carolina, to Carolyn Parsons and Billy Goodman. Carolyn, unable to provide for Erica, placed her in the care of Sandy and Casey Parsons, relatives of her then-husband. The adoption was finalized in 2000. Despite this transition, Carolyn maintained occasional contact with Erica, last seeing her in January 2011. Erica, who had a slight hearing impairment, was homeschooled for most of her academic life.
The Investigation Begins
When Jamie Parsons reported Erica missing, he painted a grim picture of abuse and neglect. He claimed that the last time he saw Erica was on November 19, 2011. She had been punished by being made to stand in a corner and appeared sickly, describing difficulty breathing. Jamie's disturbing account included his parents' unusual behavior the following morning—Erica was gone, and they claimed she was living with her biological grandmother, a person who did not exist.
Police launched an investigation, but the supposed grandmother, Irene "Nan" Goodman, was a phantom. Erica's biological father, Billy Goodman, confirmed there was no such person in their family before his death in 2016. The Parsons kept up the ruse, suggesting Erica had gone to live with this grandmother in Asheville, North Carolina, supposedly meeting her at a McDonald's in September 2011.
A Family's Deception
The Parsons' deception went beyond mere falsehoods about Erica's whereabouts. In 2014, both were convicted of fraud for accepting federal benefits meant for Erica's care. Despite Erica's absence, they continued to cash adoption assistance checks and claim her on their taxes. Casey Parsons, a figure described as a "serial swindler," had engaged in various scams over the years, including a surrogacy fraud and an eBay scam.
The Untold Abuse
Throughout the investigation, a horrific picture of abuse emerged. Jamie Parsons revealed that Erica had been subjected to routine abuse by nearly every family member. Casey Parsons was described as the primary abuser, frequently bending Erica's fingers to break them and forcing her to live in a closet. Erica was also reportedly fed dog food and brutally punished when she relieved herself in the closet. Sandy Parsons was known to have physically assaulted Erica as well.
Discovery of Remains
In September 2016, the chilling truth came to light when Sandy Parsons led authorities to Erica's remains in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. The remains were unearthed near the home of Sandy's mother, confirming the worst fears about Erica's fate. An autopsy could not determine the exact cause of death but labeled it as "homicidal violence of undetermined means." Erica's bones revealed a history of fractures and malnourishment.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
On February 19, 2018, a grand jury indicted Sandy and Casey Parsons on charges including first-degree murder and felony child abuse. In August 2019, Casey Parsons pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole. Sandy Parsons followed suit, pleading guilty in December 2019 to second-degree murder, among other charges, receiving a sentence of at least 33 years.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Erica Parsons remains a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in abusive homes. Despite her disappearance going unnoticed for years, justice eventually caught up with her abusers. Her story serves as a call to vigilance and advocacy for the voiceless among us.
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Erica Disappears
13-year-old Erica Parsons is last seen alive, reportedly by her adoptive brother.
Missing Report Filed
Erica's brother Jamie reports her missing, claiming their parents killed her.
Parents Arrested for Fraud
Sandy and Casey Parsons are arrested for fraudulently accepting benefits for Erica.
Remains Discovered
Sandy Parsons leads authorities to Erica's remains in Chesterfield County, SC.
Indictment Issued
A grand jury indicts Sandy and Casey Parsons on multiple charges including murder.
Casey Pleads Guilty
Casey Parsons pleads guilty to first-degree murder and is sentenced to life without parole.
Sandy Pleads Guilty
Sandy Parsons pleads guilty to second-degree murder and receives a 33-year sentence.
Sandy Released from Federal Custody
Sandy Parsons is released from federal custody to begin serving state sentence.
Casey Begins Life Sentence
Casey Parsons is released from federal custody to begin her life sentence for murder.
On December 17, 2011, 13-year-old Erica Lynn Parsons was last seen in Salisbury, North Carolina, and was reported missing by her brother Jamie on July 30, 2013, who alleged that their adoptive parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons, had killed her. The Parsons claimed Erica had gone to live with her biological grandmother, a statement later disproven by investigators. In September 2016, Sandy Parsons led authorities to Erica's remains in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, where the cause of death was ruled as "homicidal violence of undetermined means." Following a grand jury indictment in 2018, Casey Parsons pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in August 2019 and received a life sentence, while Sandy Parsons pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and related charges in December 2019, receiving a sentence of at least 33 years.
Jamie Parsons alleged that their parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons, killed Erica and buried her in their backyard, although he later retracted this statement. Investigators and the public speculate that the Parsons couple may have been involved in Erica's death and subsequent cover-up, particularly given their conviction for fraud related to benefits they received while Erica was missing. The lack of evidence supporting the existence of Erica's biological grandmother further fuels theories that the Parsons fabricated stories to conceal the truth about her disappearance.
The Tragic Case of Erica Parsons
A Child's Vanishing
On December 17, 2011, the life of 13-year-old Erica Lynn Parsons, a girl from Salisbury, North Carolina, took a dark turn. Though she would not be reported missing until July 30, 2013, Erica's fate had been sealed much earlier. Her adoptive brother, Jamie Parsons, would eventually reveal that he hadn't seen her since 2011 and accused their parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons, of having killed her and buried her in their backyard. Although Jamie retracted this statement, the truth about Erica's disappearance would soon unravel.
Erica's Early Life
Erica was born on February 24, 1998, in Concord, North Carolina, to Carolyn Parsons and Billy Goodman. Carolyn, unable to provide for Erica, placed her in the care of Sandy and Casey Parsons, relatives of her then-husband. The adoption was finalized in 2000. Despite this transition, Carolyn maintained occasional contact with Erica, last seeing her in January 2011. Erica, who had a slight hearing impairment, was homeschooled for most of her academic life.
The Investigation Begins
When Jamie Parsons reported Erica missing, he painted a grim picture of abuse and neglect. He claimed that the last time he saw Erica was on November 19, 2011. She had been punished by being made to stand in a corner and appeared sickly, describing difficulty breathing. Jamie's disturbing account included his parents' unusual behavior the following morning—Erica was gone, and they claimed she was living with her biological grandmother, a person who did not exist.
Police launched an investigation, but the supposed grandmother, Irene "Nan" Goodman, was a phantom. Erica's biological father, Billy Goodman, confirmed there was no such person in their family before his death in 2016. The Parsons kept up the ruse, suggesting Erica had gone to live with this grandmother in Asheville, North Carolina, supposedly meeting her at a McDonald's in September 2011.
A Family's Deception
The Parsons' deception went beyond mere falsehoods about Erica's whereabouts. In 2014, both were convicted of fraud for accepting federal benefits meant for Erica's care. Despite Erica's absence, they continued to cash adoption assistance checks and claim her on their taxes. Casey Parsons, a figure described as a "serial swindler," had engaged in various scams over the years, including a surrogacy fraud and an eBay scam.
The Untold Abuse
Throughout the investigation, a horrific picture of abuse emerged. Jamie Parsons revealed that Erica had been subjected to routine abuse by nearly every family member. Casey Parsons was described as the primary abuser, frequently bending Erica's fingers to break them and forcing her to live in a closet. Erica was also reportedly fed dog food and brutally punished when she relieved herself in the closet. Sandy Parsons was known to have physically assaulted Erica as well.
Discovery of Remains
In September 2016, the chilling truth came to light when Sandy Parsons led authorities to Erica's remains in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. The remains were unearthed near the home of Sandy's mother, confirming the worst fears about Erica's fate. An autopsy could not determine the exact cause of death but labeled it as "homicidal violence of undetermined means." Erica's bones revealed a history of fractures and malnourishment.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
On February 19, 2018, a grand jury indicted Sandy and Casey Parsons on charges including first-degree murder and felony child abuse. In August 2019, Casey Parsons pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole. Sandy Parsons followed suit, pleading guilty in December 2019 to second-degree murder, among other charges, receiving a sentence of at least 33 years.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Erica Parsons remains a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in abusive homes. Despite her disappearance going unnoticed for years, justice eventually caught up with her abusers. Her story serves as a call to vigilance and advocacy for the voiceless among us.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Erica Disappears
13-year-old Erica Parsons is last seen alive, reportedly by her adoptive brother.
Missing Report Filed
Erica's brother Jamie reports her missing, claiming their parents killed her.
Parents Arrested for Fraud
Sandy and Casey Parsons are arrested for fraudulently accepting benefits for Erica.
Remains Discovered
Sandy Parsons leads authorities to Erica's remains in Chesterfield County, SC.
Indictment Issued
A grand jury indicts Sandy and Casey Parsons on multiple charges including murder.
Casey Pleads Guilty
Casey Parsons pleads guilty to first-degree murder and is sentenced to life without parole.
Sandy Pleads Guilty
Sandy Parsons pleads guilty to second-degree murder and receives a 33-year sentence.
Sandy Released from Federal Custody
Sandy Parsons is released from federal custody to begin serving state sentence.
Casey Begins Life Sentence
Casey Parsons is released from federal custody to begin her life sentence for murder.