News 14 Carolina|Unsolved missing persons cases around our state
News 14 Carolina in cooperation with the Cue Center for Missing Persons in Wilmington, is taking a closer look at some unsolved missing persons cases around our state.
Spring Break trip leaves mother waiting for daughter’s return
An Appalachian State freshman was visiting friends on Spring Break. That is the last time anyone would hear from Virginia Wood, 19, from Beaufort County. Her trip was in 2007 and now her case has grown cold. 
3 years later, family still has hope
For one Brunswick County family, this Father’s Day is extra tough a they continue to look for their loved one, 40-year-old Richard Bird. He disappeared from Rocky Mount nearly three years ago.
Family continues search for missing son
Dedrick Smith, 26, disappeared from Winston-Salem in October 2006. Smith suffers from a mental illness and is in need of medication. Police and family continue to search for answers in his case.
After 10 years, daughter still searching for missing mom
Ten years have passed since Pamela Bradshaw disappeared from Wilmington. Now her only child is back in town handing out fliers and meeting with the investigators on the case.
3 cases of missing North Carolina men still unsolved
Missing children often dominate headlines. But across North Carolina, there are hundreds of adults who disappear, leaving family members distraught and with many questions.
Cue Center conference wraps up with candlelight ceremony
Family and friends lit candles Saturday night in honor of murder victims and those still missing. The candlelight service wrapped up the Cue Center’s annual conference this weekend.
Forensic artist gives new hope to 1978 missing child case
After 31 years of not knowing, Donna Green could be a step closer to finding her missing child, all because of a chance meeting with world renowned forensic artist Diana Trepkov.
911 call changes direction of missing woman investigation
At first, investigators thought Shonda Stansbury, a woman who went missing in 2006, may have left on her own, but a 911 call a few days later told a different story.
Friends hope new information will lead to justice
Debbie Key disappeared from a Carrboro bar in 1997. Authorities believe she was murdered, but her body was never found. A man even confessed to killing her, but that admission was thrown out, leaving friends and family wondering if justice will ever be served.
Families look for help in search of 2 missing women
Two families continue to search for answers in the case of two missing women. Priscilla Rogers, 41, and Pamela Bradshaw, 47, both lived in Wilmington.
Family of missing Gaston Co. woman asks public for help
22-year-old Jamie Fraley was last seen in April of 2008 in Gaston County, near Charlotte. Family members describe her as a vibrant young person with a full life in front of her.
Family looks for answers in 2001 missing woman case
The last time anyone saw mother of two Angela Hudson was in September of 2001. Hudson disappeared on a day she and her aunt planned to spend together.
Brunswick County families look for 4 missing women
Four women from different areas of Brunswick County who all have similar backgrounds went missing in a seven-year period. Now, their families and Brunswick County authorities are looking for help in the cold cases. 
Family searches for 24-year-old missing almost 2 years
24-year-old Kyle Fleischmann went missing in November of 2007 after a night out in Uptown Charlotte. And although it’s been almost two years since he disappeared, the family’s search continues.
09/06/2009 01:33 PM
N.C. Missing Person – Kynande Bennett
Vertasha McCullough-White sits in prison, serving a 20-year sentence for killing her daughter, 4-year-old Kynande Bennett, in 2002. The S.C. girl was reported missing in Whiteville but her body was never found.
If you have any information about these cases please contact CUE Center For Missing Persons using the contact form below or contact Cue Center at (910) 343-1131 24 hour tipline (910) 232-1687.
All information submitted to CUE Center For Missing Persons is confidential.
____________
Kynande Bennett
Missing Since: 09/29/02
Missing from: Whiteville, North Carolina
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: 08/24/98
Age at disappearance: 4
Height: 3′10″
Weight: 90 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown/Black
Eye Color: Brown
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Distinguishing Characteristics: Light complexion. Pierced ears.
Birthmark on her arm in the shape of a seashell. Her hair was styled
in small braids tied with small bows and/or barrettes.
Clothing: Gray FUBU t-shirt, blue jeans, white socks and black
sneakers.
Details of Disappearance
Kynande was reportedly last seen by her mother, Vartasha “Tasha” McCullough, at a K-Mart department store at 5:00 p.m. They resided in Conway, South Carolina and were visiting Kynande’s uncle in Whiteville, North Carolina that day. At first McCullough claimed Kynande disappeared in an aisle of the store, but she later changed her story and said she walked into the store and thought Kynande was behind her, but turned around and she was gone.
Nobody remembered seeing the child with her mother in K-Mart that day. Investigators claim that there is no evidence that Kynande was even in the state at the time. No one other than Kynande’s parents saw her in the two days before she was reported missing. Authorities later discovered biological evidence in McCullough’s apartment that suggested a physical assault had taken place. The evidence was matched through DNA to Kynande.
Kynande’s parents (pictured below) were both arrested in February 2003 and charged with homicide by child abuse in connection with their daughter’s case. On October 6, 2005, the charges against Kevin Bennett were dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence. McCullough will stand trial beginning February 6, 2006. On February 10, 2006, Vartasha McCullough was convicted of homicide by child abuse – specifically, knowingly aiding and abetting, unlawful neglect of a child and inflicting great bodily harm on a child. The judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison.
Age Progession to age 6 years old
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Whiteville Police Department
(910) 640-1428
If you have any information on this case please contact CUE Center For Missing Persons using the contact form below or contact Cue Center at (910) 343-1131 24 hour tipline (910) 232-1687.
All information submitted to CUE Center For Missing Persons is confidential.
____________
