MONROE — There’s been tears, heartache, lengthy searches, police interviews, about 2,000 tips, and many unanswered questions since May 24, 2009, the day a young girl went missing from her apartment.
The 10-year anniversary of that tragic day falls on Friday, and investigators are still searching for the person who killed 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan.
Risa Smith, of the group Justice for Nevaeh, said it’s important to keep the memory of the girl alive.
“It’s been 10 years with no justice for Nevaeh — a child murdered — and no one being held accountable,” she said.
In the aftermath of her disappearance, family, friends, community members, and law enforcement searched endlessly for Nevaeh, who went missing from the Charlotte Arms apartment complex while playing outside in the parking lot that evening. They searched woods, backyards, creeks, ditches, and shopping centers throughout the community, but with no success.
An Amber Alert went out after the girl’s mother, Jennifer Buchanan, was unable to find her about 8:30 p.m. May 24, 2009. She was last seen wearing a light blue sleeveless shirt with red and white horizontal stripes and a white V-neck collar and jean shorts. She was not wearing shoes or socks.
The girl lived at the apartment with her mother and grandmother, Sherry Buchanan. Attempts to reach both family members on Thursday were unsuccessful.
Following her disappearance, posters with the girl’s smiling photo with handwritten information about her were hung around town.
Community members gathered days later following her disappearance for a candlelight vigil to pray for the girl’s safe return.
Nearly a week following her disappearance, investigators received about 700 tips and had processed most of them. As of today, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has received nearly 2,000 tips and counting as the investigation continues.
The search ended June 4, 2009, when fishermen found her body encased in concrete along the banks of the River Raisin. A memorial filled with stuffed animals and balloons was set up the next day at the apartment complex.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detained two people for questioning — one of them a registered sex offender who was a friend of the girl’s mother, and the other a transient seen in the area — but still no one has been charged in connection to her disappearance and death.
As throughout the investigation, officials remain tight-lipped about details in the case.
Justice for Nevaeh will host a memorial beginning at 6 p.m. May 31 at the Moose Lodge in Monroe. While the event is open to anyone, registration is required by calling or texting Ms. Smith at 734-419-3232. Space is limited and there is no cost to attend.
The event will include a dinner and guest speakers, along with a children’s choir. A bench will also be dedicated to honor the girl’s memory.
Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 734-240-7530, tellthesheriff@monroemi.org, or on Facebook. All leads and tips can remain anonymous.
First Published May 23, 2019, 6:09 p.m.
