Justice Unresolved is a series of articles examining cold cases, disappearances and unsolved crimes that continue to haunt families and communities in America. The stories revisit the known facts, unanswered questions and latest developments in cases where the search for truth is far from over.
Heaven LaShae Ross was just 11 years old when she was kidnapped from a bus stop near her Northport, Alabama home . The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama is still searching for the person who abducted and murdered Heaven in 2003, and her family is still awaiting justice and looking for answers. Heaven, referred to as ‘Shae Shae’ by Reagan and other loved ones, left her home on August 19, 2003, to catch the school bus . Her remains were discovered three years later, in December 2006, by a man who was collecting cans . Anyone with information regarding Heaven’s disappearance or death is urged to contact the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit at 205-464-8690. Heaven was just an 11-year-old girl when she was killed.
Because my earliest memory of someone not responding is connected to Heaven’s disappearance, and she ended up dead, “My therapist once told me that maybe the reason I get very worried when someone does not respond to me is. Because of what happened to my sister, i grew up with sadness in my heart, and even endured bullying as a young girl. The little girl’s kidnapper killed her and buried her under an abandoned home in Holt. Twenty-three years after Heaven’s tragic murder, her half-sister, Reagan Fryer, who shares the same biological father with Heaven, shed light on the case and the family’s quest for answers in an interview with HindustanTimes.com. Reagan was only three years old when Heaven disappeared , and did not really get to know her sister. It was an ordinary event, something she always did. However, that morning was the last time her family saw her alive. When Heaven went missing, she and Alex lived with their biological mother. Reagan did not live in the same house with them at the time. Alex, who left for school with Heaven that morning, was a few minutes behind her sister. “Their stepfather, Kevin, went to search for her and realized she had never reached. That’s when they knew something was wrong. “Unfortunately, I never got a chance to know my sister closely. “As far as I know, Heaven’s remains were found beneath an abandoned house in Holt, Alabama. Her school backpack was discovered, as were the last clothing items she was wearing. After more than two decades, her family is still waiting for answers, accountability, and the closure they deserve. Someone knows what happened to Heaven LaShae Ross. Even the smallest detail could make a difference,” read the post. “Unfortunately, we don’t know what really happened. Reagan, who lives in Alabama, has been doing her bit to help get justice for her sister. “I care very much about the case. I did not know Heaven, but she was my sister, and I love and care about her. Reagan is now a part-time English instructor, and also does work with the local arts community. I have a lot of anxiety. She added, “I remember the candlelight vigil that was held for Heaven. Reagan makes sure to keep her sister’s case in the public eye, often writing about it on social media. Here’s one of her recent posts about Heaven: “I do my own research whenever I can. I care very much about her and want to find out what really happened,” Reagan concluded.
“From what I have been told, Heaven was very loving and had a close bond with our older sister Alex. When I see Heaven’s photos, I see a free-spirited, kind young girl,” Reagan said. Heaven told Alex she would walk to the bus stop, and both of them went their separate ways, Reagan said. “Shae Shae never made it to the bus stop,” said Reagan. “My earliest memories of Heaven are from when she went missing,” she added. Reagan said that Heaven’s case is now considered a cold case. The case is still open, and police are still looking for leads,” said Reagan. “I recently met with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, and they said that what would help is a witness coming forward – someone who saw something the morning Shae Shae disappeared,” said Reagan. Reagan said that there are several theories about what may have happened to Heaven. “Some theories say that she was killed by someone who knew her, while some say it was a complete stranger,” she said. “I frequently speak with law enforcement and encourage the public to come forward with any information they might have,” Reagan said. “I hope that someone will eventually come forward, whether it’s a witness or the person who hurt her,” she added. “Heaven’s case affected me emotionally as I grew up,” Reagan said. Reagan said she has a Google Drive where she saves any leads that have come out about Heaven’s case, podcasts that discussed it, as well as news articles about the incident.
“ Today, the circumstances surrounding Heaven’s disappearance and death remain a mystery.
