Murder Of Alisha Heinrich
Child Murder Investigation
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Moss Point, Mississippi
TIME PERIOD
December 1982
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On December 3, 1982, Alisha Ann Heinrich, an 18-month-old girl, was murdered and subsequently thrown from the Interstate 10 bridge into the Escatawpa River in Moss Point, Mississippi. Her body was discovered on December 5, 1982, after being partially smothered and drowned. Heinrich and her mother, Gwendolyn Mae Clemons, had been missing since approximately November 24, 1982, from Kansas City, Missouri; Clemons is still considered a missing person. In December 2020, Heinrich was identified through genetic genealogy, and evidence suggests that a distressed woman, likely Clemons, was seen with Heinrich shortly before their disappearance. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding their cases are ongoing, with no suspects identified at this time.
Investigators and the public theorize that Alisha Heinrich's mother, Gwendolyn Mae Clemons, may have been involved in her daughter's death, given her distressed state and the last sighting of her carrying Alisha shortly before the murder. There is speculation that Clemons could have also been a victim, as a witness reported seeing an adult female body in the river, but no remains have been recovered, leaving her status as a missing person. Some believe that the case could involve a larger pattern of violence against vulnerable women and children during that time period.
The Tragic Tale of Alisha Heinrich: From "Delta Dawn" to Identity
A Mysterious Discovery
In the early days of December 1982, the serene landscape of Moss Point, Mississippi, was shattered by the horrific discovery of a small child's body in the Escatawpa River. Her identity unknown, she became a haunting enigma, initially referred to as "Baby Jane" and "Delta Dawn." This young victim, later identified as Alisha Ann Heinrich, was just 18 months old when her life was brutally taken. Her story begins on the cold, unforgiving waters of the river beneath the Interstate 10 bridge, where she was thrown alive, only to drown in the murky depths below.
The Last Sighting
Alisha's life took a tragic turn around November 24, 1982, when she and her mother, Gwendolyn Mae Clemons, vanished from Kansas City, Missouri. Clemons, a 23-year-old mother, was last seen in a distressed state on December 3, carrying a toddler along Interstate 10 near the Alabama-Mississippi border. Witnesses described the woman as being in a state of acute distress, refusing help from passing motorists, a scene that was broadcast over CB radios by concerned truck drivers. The child in her arms, now believed to be Alisha, was barefoot and coatless, a poignant image of vulnerability.
The Gruesome Discovery
Two days later, on December 5, 1982, around 7:00 a.m., a truck driver reported spotting a woman's body near the same river. However, when a sheriff's deputy arrived, he found only the body of a small, blond-haired child partially submerged in the weeds, not the woman initially sighted. The child had been thrown from the bridge, and the dense weeds made it unlikely for passing motorists to spot her from the road.
An Elusive Search
Despite exhaustive efforts, including searches with helicopters and boats, the body of the woman seen floating in the river was never recovered. Investigators speculated that the woman seen with the toddler might have been Alisha's mother, Gwendolyn Clemons, who was never found and remains a missing person. The river's secrets continued to confound investigators, as they later discovered the skeletal remains of an unrelated African-American male, dubbed "Moss Point John Doe," beneath the same bridge.
Forensic Examination
An autopsy revealed that Alisha had been partially smothered before being thrown into the river, where she ultimately drowned. The child was estimated to be between 18 months and two years old, with curly strawberry-blond hair and a set of twelve milk teeth, reflecting her tender age. She wore a pink and white checkered dress, with no signs of malnutrition despite the absence of food in her stomach.
A Community's Compassion
Moved by the tragedy, Deputy Virgil Moore and his wife, Mary Ann, spearheaded a community effort to give the child a proper burial. Known only as "Delta Dawn" at the time, she was laid to rest in Jackson County Cemetery, beneath a gravestone inscribed with "Baby Jane" and "Known Only To God." Her funeral service, attended by approximately 200 people, was funded by donations from local businesses and individuals.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into Alisha's death and the whereabouts of her mother saw numerous theories and extensive media coverage. Initially, it was suspected that the woman seen with Alisha might have been her mother, potentially involved in a murder-suicide. However, the case remained unsolved for decades. In 2009, Alisha's body was exhumed for DNA sampling, yet no matches emerged until technological advances in forensic genealogy provided a breakthrough.
The Unveiling of Alisha's Identity
On December 4, 2020, after 38 years of mystery, Alisha Ann Heinrich was finally identified. Her identity was confirmed through DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy, linking her to family members in Missouri. Gwendolyn Clemons, Alisha's mother, had disappeared with her daughter and an unnamed boyfriend, intending to start anew in Florida. The boyfriend, who returned to Missouri alone, became a person of interest, although he had since passed away, leaving many questions unanswered.
Continuing Mysteries
The circumstances of Alisha's death and her mother's disappearance remain under active investigation. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department continues to search for answers, uncertain of Clemons' fate. At a press conference, Sheriff Mike Ezell candidly expressed the uncertainty surrounding the case: "We do not know if she is dead or alive at this point. We're assuming the worst, but we don't know that for sure."
The tragic story of Alisha Heinrich, once "Delta Dawn," serves as a somber reminder of the unresolved mysteries that still haunt our world. As investigators press on, the hope remains that one day, the full story of Alisha and her mother will finally be revealed.
Sources
For more information, visit Wikipedia.
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Disappearance
Alisha Heinrich and her mother disappear from Kansas City, Missouri.
Last Seen
Witnesses report seeing a distressed woman with a toddler near Interstate 10.
Body Discovered
The body of Alisha Heinrich is found in the Escatawpa River.
Search for Adult Body
Search efforts for the adult female seen with Alisha are conducted but prove unsuccessful.
Funeral Held
Funeral for Alisha Heinrich, known as 'Baby Jane', is conducted with community support.
Exhumation for DNA
Alisha's body is exhumed for DNA testing in hopes of identifying her.
Identification Announced
Alisha Heinrich is identified through genetic genealogy after 38 years.
Moss Point John Doe Identified
The body of an unidentified male found near Alisha's is identified as Gary Simpson.
On December 3, 1982, Alisha Ann Heinrich, an 18-month-old girl, was murdered and subsequently thrown from the Interstate 10 bridge into the Escatawpa River in Moss Point, Mississippi. Her body was discovered on December 5, 1982, after being partially smothered and drowned. Heinrich and her mother, Gwendolyn Mae Clemons, had been missing since approximately November 24, 1982, from Kansas City, Missouri; Clemons is still considered a missing person. In December 2020, Heinrich was identified through genetic genealogy, and evidence suggests that a distressed woman, likely Clemons, was seen with Heinrich shortly before their disappearance. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding their cases are ongoing, with no suspects identified at this time.
Investigators and the public theorize that Alisha Heinrich's mother, Gwendolyn Mae Clemons, may have been involved in her daughter's death, given her distressed state and the last sighting of her carrying Alisha shortly before the murder. There is speculation that Clemons could have also been a victim, as a witness reported seeing an adult female body in the river, but no remains have been recovered, leaving her status as a missing person. Some believe that the case could involve a larger pattern of violence against vulnerable women and children during that time period.
The Tragic Tale of Alisha Heinrich: From "Delta Dawn" to Identity
A Mysterious Discovery
In the early days of December 1982, the serene landscape of Moss Point, Mississippi, was shattered by the horrific discovery of a small child's body in the Escatawpa River. Her identity unknown, she became a haunting enigma, initially referred to as "Baby Jane" and "Delta Dawn." This young victim, later identified as Alisha Ann Heinrich, was just 18 months old when her life was brutally taken. Her story begins on the cold, unforgiving waters of the river beneath the Interstate 10 bridge, where she was thrown alive, only to drown in the murky depths below.
The Last Sighting
Alisha's life took a tragic turn around November 24, 1982, when she and her mother, Gwendolyn Mae Clemons, vanished from Kansas City, Missouri. Clemons, a 23-year-old mother, was last seen in a distressed state on December 3, carrying a toddler along Interstate 10 near the Alabama-Mississippi border. Witnesses described the woman as being in a state of acute distress, refusing help from passing motorists, a scene that was broadcast over CB radios by concerned truck drivers. The child in her arms, now believed to be Alisha, was barefoot and coatless, a poignant image of vulnerability.
The Gruesome Discovery
Two days later, on December 5, 1982, around 7:00 a.m., a truck driver reported spotting a woman's body near the same river. However, when a sheriff's deputy arrived, he found only the body of a small, blond-haired child partially submerged in the weeds, not the woman initially sighted. The child had been thrown from the bridge, and the dense weeds made it unlikely for passing motorists to spot her from the road.
An Elusive Search
Despite exhaustive efforts, including searches with helicopters and boats, the body of the woman seen floating in the river was never recovered. Investigators speculated that the woman seen with the toddler might have been Alisha's mother, Gwendolyn Clemons, who was never found and remains a missing person. The river's secrets continued to confound investigators, as they later discovered the skeletal remains of an unrelated African-American male, dubbed "Moss Point John Doe," beneath the same bridge.
Forensic Examination
An autopsy revealed that Alisha had been partially smothered before being thrown into the river, where she ultimately drowned. The child was estimated to be between 18 months and two years old, with curly strawberry-blond hair and a set of twelve milk teeth, reflecting her tender age. She wore a pink and white checkered dress, with no signs of malnutrition despite the absence of food in her stomach.
A Community's Compassion
Moved by the tragedy, Deputy Virgil Moore and his wife, Mary Ann, spearheaded a community effort to give the child a proper burial. Known only as "Delta Dawn" at the time, she was laid to rest in Jackson County Cemetery, beneath a gravestone inscribed with "Baby Jane" and "Known Only To God." Her funeral service, attended by approximately 200 people, was funded by donations from local businesses and individuals.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into Alisha's death and the whereabouts of her mother saw numerous theories and extensive media coverage. Initially, it was suspected that the woman seen with Alisha might have been her mother, potentially involved in a murder-suicide. However, the case remained unsolved for decades. In 2009, Alisha's body was exhumed for DNA sampling, yet no matches emerged until technological advances in forensic genealogy provided a breakthrough.
The Unveiling of Alisha's Identity
On December 4, 2020, after 38 years of mystery, Alisha Ann Heinrich was finally identified. Her identity was confirmed through DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy, linking her to family members in Missouri. Gwendolyn Clemons, Alisha's mother, had disappeared with her daughter and an unnamed boyfriend, intending to start anew in Florida. The boyfriend, who returned to Missouri alone, became a person of interest, although he had since passed away, leaving many questions unanswered.
Continuing Mysteries
The circumstances of Alisha's death and her mother's disappearance remain under active investigation. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department continues to search for answers, uncertain of Clemons' fate. At a press conference, Sheriff Mike Ezell candidly expressed the uncertainty surrounding the case: "We do not know if she is dead or alive at this point. We're assuming the worst, but we don't know that for sure."
The tragic story of Alisha Heinrich, once "Delta Dawn," serves as a somber reminder of the unresolved mysteries that still haunt our world. As investigators press on, the hope remains that one day, the full story of Alisha and her mother will finally be revealed.
Sources
For more information, visit Wikipedia.
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...
Disappearance
Alisha Heinrich and her mother disappear from Kansas City, Missouri.
Last Seen
Witnesses report seeing a distressed woman with a toddler near Interstate 10.
Body Discovered
The body of Alisha Heinrich is found in the Escatawpa River.
Search for Adult Body
Search efforts for the adult female seen with Alisha are conducted but prove unsuccessful.
Funeral Held
Funeral for Alisha Heinrich, known as 'Baby Jane', is conducted with community support.
Exhumation for DNA
Alisha's body is exhumed for DNA testing in hopes of identifying her.
Identification Announced
Alisha Heinrich is identified through genetic genealogy after 38 years.
Moss Point John Doe Identified
The body of an unidentified male found near Alisha's is identified as Gary Simpson.