December 31, 2009Soshanguve, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa10-year-old Masego Kgomo is kidnapped, mutilated, and killed Kgomo was last seen on New Year’s Eve after informing her mother she was going to play with friends nearby. When she did not return home, a search was launched by family, friends, and members of the community. One of those…
Man kills family friend, attempts to kill her three young children
December 21, 1978Tucson, ArizonaIgnacio Alberto Ortiz kills family friend Manuelita McCormack (28) and attempts to kill her three young children Ortiz and his wife were the godparents to the McCormacks’ youngest child Charles McCormack III, who was referred to at the time as Baby Charlie. Manuelita and her husband Charles II experienced some marital difficulties…
12-year-old abducted, killed
December 20, 1984Greeley, Colorado12-year-old Jonelle Matthews is taken from her home; her body will remain undiscovered for nearly 35 years Matthews was last seen on the night of December 20 after she sang Christmas carols with her school choir. She was taken home by a friend and the friend’s mother who watched Matthews walk into…
Unsolved: Child disappears while walking home from school
December 17, 1979Browning, MontanaMonica Still Smoking (7) disappears after school Still Smoking was last seen by a classmate who reported she may have accepted a ride while walking home from school. An “extensive search effort” was launched to find her and, on December 31, Still Smoking’s uncle found her frozen body in snow on a…
Woman and two of her children are found dead in their apartment after a robbery
December 5, 2017Little Rock, ArkansasThe bodies of Mariah Cunningham (24) and her two children — A’Laylaih Fisher (5) and Elijah Fisher (4) — are found in their home Warning: The details of this article may be considered graphic. Discretion is advised. The victims had each been stabbed repeatedly — 4-year-old Elijah had 14 wounds centralized…