Disappearance of Katelin Akens
Katelin Michelle Akens (born September 2, 1996) is an American woman who mysteriously disappeared on December 5, 2015, after being dropped off at her former stepfather’s residence in Partlow, Virginia.[1] Akens’ former stepfather allegedly drove Akens to Reagan Washington National Airport to catch a flight back to her home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, but Akens never checked in. Cell phone records determined neither Akens nor her former stepfather’s cell phones ever left Spotsylvania County that day.[2] As of 2021, Akens remains missing and her case remains unsolved.[3]
Background[edit]
Early Life
Akens was born on September 2, 1996, in Indiana to Lisa Sullivan and Jason Akens.[4] As Akens' biological father left when she was a toddler, Akens and her younger sister, Gabrielle “Gabby” Akens, were raised by their mother in Caroline County, Virginia, a suburb south of Washington, D.C. Akens' mother married James D. Branton, an insurance agent for Geico, when Akens was 7 years old. Though Akens' mother and Branton divorced after six years of marriage, Akens and her sister remained in contact with Branton, celebrating birthdays and Christmases together. Akens' mother told Disappeared (TV program) that Branton was the only father figure Akens had ever known.[2]
Extremely smart and self-motivated, Akens graduated high school at age 16.[2][4] Ten days after her 18th birthday, Akens moved to Arizona to be with her fiancé, Amber Rios.[5] Despite the long distance, Akens reportedly kept in constant contact with her family, calling her sister and mother every day, sometimes multiple times a day. After her younger sister gave birth to a baby boy, Akens made plans to fly home and visit with her family and new nephew as she was excited to be an aunt. She also needed to retrieve her high school diploma in order to register for cosmetology school in Arizona, with classes beginning as early as the following Monday.[2][4]
Prior to Disappearance
During Akens' short trip to Virginia, she visited with her mom, aunt, sister, and nephew. On Thursday, December 3, 2015, Akens met up with friends from high school to drink and play cards. Akens spent the night with a couple she knew and the three were intimate. On Friday, December 4, 2015, Akens did not share her infidelity with her family, and neither her mom nor sister noticed anything seemed out of the ordinary with Akens.[2][4]
Disappearance[edit]
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Akens was scheduled to fly home to Arizona on a 5:40PM flight out of Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA. Since Akens' mom, Sullivan, had to work that morning and the airport was 60 miles away, Sullivan made arrangements for Akens' former stepfather, Branton, to drive Akens to the airport.[2]
9:00am - Mom dropped Akens off at former stepfather's residence in Partlow
Around 9:00am, Sullivan dropped Akens off at Branton’s house on Oak Crest Drive in Partlow, Virginia.[1][2] As Branton was scheduled to work at Dahlgren Naval Base at 3:00pm, he informed Akens and Sullivan that he would have to take Akens to the airport four hours before her flight.[2][4] Sullivan asked Akens to text her when Akens arrived at the airport, and again when Akens boarded the plane.[4][5]
11:56am - First text message sent from Akens' cell phone
Akens' fiancé, Amber Rios, received a text message from Akens' cell phone:
Something came up. I’m not coming back today, I’ll let you know when I get a new flight. I won’t be able to text for a bit.[6][7]
Unable to reach Akens, Rios texted Sullivan to inquire about the change in Akens' flight plans. Sullivan insisted there were no change of plans.[2]
1:00pm - Former stepfather allegedly dropped Akens off at Springfield Mall
One of Branton's changing stories to Sullivan and investigators was that he dropped Akens off at JCPenney in Springfield Mall in Springfield, Virginia.[2][4] The shopping mall was over 10 miles away from Reagan National Airport.[8] Sullivan found this strange as Akens had never heard of this mall, much less been to it. Branton claimed Akens wanted to kill some time before checking into her flight.[2][4]
1:52pm - Branton & Sullivan Texts
Branton texted Sullivan:
Branton’s cell phone pinged a cell tower near Branton's residence in Partlow.[2]
Sullivan responded:
OK thank you. How was traffic?
Branton replied:
Branton texted Sullivan again:
I dropped her off at the Springfield metro station. She was going to take the metro to the airport since there is a stop at Reagan.[6][7]
This alleged change in itinerary concerned Sullivan as Akens was not familiar with the Washington Metro transit system and Akens would not have felt comfortable navigating public transit alone.[2][7]
2:00pm - Akens allegedly arrived at Reagan National Airport
Sullivan received a text from Akens' cell phone:
I’m at the airport. Battery dying, so won’t be able to text for a bit.[5][6][7]
Akens' cell phone pinged a cell tower near Branton’s residence in Partlow, 75 miles away from the airport.[2]
Sullivan responded:
OK let me know when you get on the plane.[5][7]
5:40pm - Akens' flight departed Reagan National Airport
7:15pm - Akens' last messages
Akens was supposed to be in the air when Sullivan received two final text messages from Akens' cell phone:
Staying with a friend.
I need some time alone.[5][6][7]
Akens' cell phone pinged a cell tower in Stafford, Virginia, less than 15 miles from where Akens' luggage would later be found.[2]
Sullivan immediately called Akens' phone, which went straight to voicemail.[5]
Sullivan texted Akens:
Call me.
I’m very worried about you.[5][7]
Please call me.[7]
Akens never replied.[7] Sullivan insisted the last two texts sent from Akens' cell phone were not sent by Akens as Akens would only send back-to-back texts if she misspelled a word.[2][5][9]
Around this time, Rios also received one final message from Akens' Facebook account:
I can’t come back. I cheated on you.[6]
Akens' mother, aunt, and sister continued to call and text Akens for the next 24 hours but her cell phone was turned off. They called Springfield Mall, the metro, and the airline, but Akens never checked into her flight. Branton never once tried contacting Akens via cell phone or social media.[2]
Investigation[edit]
Discovery of Suitcase
On Monday, December 7, 2015, Sullivan went to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office to file a missing persons report. While she was filling out the report, news came in that a Virginia Department of Transportation worker discovered Akens' blue suitcase in a drainage ditch.[1][5][6][7] The suitcase was found near Motts Run Reservoir around the 6600 block of River Road in Spotsylvania, less than five miles away from a vacant property owned by the Branton family.[10][11][12]
Inside the suitcase were Akens' airline ticket, wallet, identification, credit cards, cash, phone charger, glasses, toothbrush, and other items.[1][2][5][9][13][14] Akens' cell phone and high school diploma were missing, and not one article of clothing was found inside the suitcase.[2][6] Authorities concluded the suitcase must have been thrown out of a moving vehicle as it was distressed, unzipped, and missing one wheel.[1][6]
Video Surveillance
Police scoured video surveillance of Springfield Mall, the Franconia/Springfield Metro station, and Reagan Airport, but neither Akens nor Branton’s Jeep were ever present in any of the footage.[2][4][6][7]
Alibis
The last day Akens was seen alive, Akens' mother was confirmed to be at work from 10:00am-6:00pm and Akens' fiancé, Amber Rios, was confirmed to be in Arizona.[2] Authorities discovered Branton, on the other hand, never went to work the day Akens went missing. He called in and said he would not be coming.[6] Branton never returned to his job at Geico.[4]
Initially, police found Branton to be cooperative, as he reportedly answered their phone calls and questions. However, Branton's timeline of events the day of Akens' disappearance could never be corroborated. Branton retained a lawyer when he was asked to take a Polygraph.[2] He has refused all requests to submit to a polygraph and has ceased to cooperate with the investigation any further.[2][7]
Search Efforts[edit]
Branton Properties
Oak Crest Drive in Partlow
Two weeks following Akens' disappearance, authorities conducted an 8-hour search of the last place Akens was seen alive: Branton’s 8-acre home located on the 200 block of Oak Crest Drive in Partlow, Virginia.[2][6][9] Among Branton's personal property confiscated were Branton's vehicles, guns, computers, and an encrypted cell phone. Branton has refused to unlock the cell phone, and investigators have been unsuccessful at any hacking attempts.[2][6][9]
Saddle Court in Spotsylvania
Police were unable to search a Spotsylvania residence owned by Branton located on the 12000 block of Saddle Court, as Branton’s mother is currently a tenant.[4][15]
Salem Drive in Fredericksburg
A third residence, located on the 800 block of Salem Drive in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was owned by Branton's father, James "Jimmy" D. Branton, at the time of Akens' disappearance.[12] However, Branton's father had died the previous year and ownership of the property was likely in probate.[11] Since August 27, 2015, the Salem Drive property had been vacant and advertised for rent, however, on December 4, 2015, the day before Akens' disappearance, the listing was removed. The property has never been relisted.[10]
On July 7, 2016, Branton was gifted the deed to the Salem Drive property via his late father's will.[12] Police have yet to conduct a search of the property.
Cell Phone "Pings"
Investigators believe Akens never left the Fredericksburg area the day of her disappearance.[5] Text messages sent from Akens' cell phone never pinged any cell towers farther north than Stafford.[7]
Shortly before 2:00pm on the day Akens disappeared, Branton texted Sullivan that he dropped Akens off in Springfield, Virginia. However, Branton's cell phone pinged a tower near Branton's residence in Partlow.[6][7] Around the same time, Sullivan received a text message from Akens' cell phone alleging Akens was at the airport in Arlington, Virginia. However, Akens' cell phone also pinged a cell tower near Branton’s residence in Partlow, 75 miles away from the airport. At 7:15pm, Sullivan received two last text messages from Akens' cell phone claiming Akens would be staying with a friend and that she needed some time alone.[5][6][7] At this point, Akens' cell phone pinged a cell tower in Stafford, Virginia, less than 15 miles from where Akens' luggage would later be found.[2]
Further Developments (2021-present)[edit]
Suspects
Though authorities suspect foul play and believe Akens did not disappear on her own accord, no suspects nor persons of interest have ever been named.[2][5]
Billboard
In 2021, a billboard with Akens' picture and information was erected by The AWARE Foundation in Spotsylvania County.[16][17] The billboard is located where State Route 206 meets Route 301, systematically placed along Branton's daily commute from his primary residence to his place of employment at Dahlgren Naval Base.[16][17][18] The missing persons foundation hopes the billboard's placement will inspire Branton to finally cooperate with authorities.[16][17][18]
Reward
Spotsylvania Crime Solvers is offering a $2,500.00 USD reward for any information which leads to the discovery of Akens.[18]
Media Depictions[edit]
Akens' case was featured on the Investigation Discovery documentary series Disappeared in 2017.[2] It has also been covered on popular true crime podcasts such as Crime Junkie and The Vanished in 2018.[4][19]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "KATELIN MICHELLE AKENS - PARTLOW, VIRGINIA". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 "Katelin Akens". Disappeared. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ "Missing Persons (Adults) - Virginia State Police". www.vsp.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 "MISSING: Katelin Akens". Crime Junkie Podcast. 2018-03-11. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 "LOOK BACK: Katelin Akens disappeared four years ago today | Crime, Police & Fire | fredericksburg.com". fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 Petkova, Martina (2020-11-05). "Puzzling Text Messages: What Happened to Katelin Akens?". Medium. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 "An encrypted cell phone may hold clues to teen's disappearance". www.wusa9.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Virginia woman's disappearance continues to puzzle police, two years later". FOX 5 DC. 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Inc, Zillow. "823 Salem Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22407". Zillow. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "James D. Branton". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Spotsylvania County, Virginia Real Estate Assessment Information". apps.spotsylvaniacountyva.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ↑ "Missing teen Katelin Aken's luggage found in ditch near Fredericksburg". WTVR. 2015-12-07. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ↑ Lohr, David (2015-12-08). "Young Woman Found Dead In Car, Another Missing". HuffPost. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ "Spotsylvania County, Virginia Real Estate Assessment Information". apps.spotsylvaniacountyva.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "A billboard gives one mother hope at convincing stepdad to help find missing daughter". wusa9.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "New billboard for missing person Katelin Akens". www.cbs19news.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Lance–Star, James Scott Baron The Free. "Spotsylvania mom still determined to find daughter missing since 2015". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ↑ "EPISODE 148: Katelin Akens". The Vanished Podcast. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
Updated with More Sources including FBI and newspaper articles[edit]
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