A North Carolina woman, 25-year-old Heather Williams, with cognitive disabilities, was tragically found dead in a wooded area near Fayetteville six days after she disappeared. Her last known moments were captured on a doorbell camera, showing her getting into a stranger’s car before disappearing.
Heather was last seen on Berkshire Road, getting into a light-colored four-door sedan with a sunroof. The images, recorded at her family home, showed her dressed in gray sweatpants and a dark shirt. The car drove off into the night and Heather was later reported missing.
Police deemed Heather “in danger” due to her cognitive impairment, which limited her speech, and began an intensive search. On Friday, January 10, investigators were taken to a wooded area near Newark Ave and State Ave, where they discovered his remains. Fox News reported.
“On Friday, January 10, 2025, during a follow-up investigation of a missing and endangered person, detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department were led to a wooded area… The deceased has now been identified as Heather Williams, 25 years. His next of kin have been notified,” a police spokesperson said. The case is now a homicide investigation.
Heather’s sister, Mary Williams, announced the tragic news in a Facebook post, expressing her grief and determination to seek justice. “I pray that whoever is responsible for this is held accountable and there is justice for Heather,” he wrote. “I know she has gone to be with Jesus… She is finally healed, walking and talking normally and rejoicing.”
Mary revealed that Heather had struggled with cognitive challenges since a car accident in 2015, but worked hard to live a normal life. “She loved her family and she loved Jesus.” Maria told WRAL News. He urged anyone with information about Heather’s death to come forward, saying: “Someone knows something… I’m just praying that whoever knows something will come forward and we can get justice for Heather.”
Friends also mourned Heather’s loss on social media. One wrote: “Completely heartbroken. Rest sweet girl. No more fighting battles that others will never know.” Another shared: “Heather Marie Williams, her name is in ‘God’s Book of Life.’ RIP. We love you, Heather.” The investigation remains active and police continue to follow leads to bring closure to Heather’s family’s grief.