The mysterious death of Timaya Williams, an ongoing investigation in Walker County, GA.
The Tragic Case of Timaya Williams: What We Know So Far
The mysterious death of 23-year-old Timaya Williams has raised troubling questions about law enforcement’s handling of her disappearance and the systemic failures that may have contributed to her tragic fate. Timaya, a 23-year-old woman from Montgomery, Alabama, was reported missing on June 3, 2024, after failing to return home or contact her mother, Yaschia Williams. Her skeletal remains were found six months later in a remote wooded area of Walker County, Georgia. Here is a detailed timeline and analysis of the case based on what we know so far.
Timeline of Events
Before Disappearance
On June 2, 2024, Timaya Williams was last seen in Montgomery, Alabama, after leaving the home she shared with her mother. It appeared she was just going out to the store or for a quick trip. Known for her pleasant and meek nature, Timaya’s disappearance was entirely out of character. She was driving her blue Dodge Avenger, which had distinct features: a black driver-side door, a rope securing the trunk, and a ram emblem on the door. Timaya’s disappearance raised immediate concerns for her family due to its unusual nature and the lack of contact from her.
June 3, 2024: Missing Person Report Filed
Yaschia Williams reported her daughter missing to the Montgomery Police Department. While there were immediate concerns, law enforcement did not add her vehicle to the NCIC database, which would have flagged it as connected to a missing person if found by other agencies. Yaschia noted that Timaya wouldn’t have left overnight without letting her know.
Early June: Car Found in Walker County
Shortly after Timaya was reported missing, her abandoned car was discovered on Highway 193 in Walker County, Georgia, a remote area hours from her home. The car’s condition—including the rope on the trunk—and its location raised significant red flags. It also raised concerns that the driver was a young, minority female alone in a remote area far from home. While it is unclear if law enforcement attempted to contact Timaya or her family, her mother was likely not informed that the vehicle was found, which raises questions about whether proper protocols were followed and if this could have led to earlier action.
August 22, 2024: Public Plea by Yaschia Williams
Two months later, Yaschia made an emotional plea through the Dock Ellis Foundation, asking the public for help in finding her daughter. In the video, she described the car’s damage and reiterated her concerns about the challenges of spreading awareness and obtaining actionable leads. It is rumored that a Silver Alert had been issued for Timaya, though this has not been confirmed, and details about any official alerts remain unclear.
December 19, 2024: Remains Discovered
A homeowner in the Cooper Heights area of Walker County contacted authorities after their dog brought a human body part to their property. A subsequent search by cadaver dogs led to the discovery of additional skeletal remains in nearby woods. Within hours, Walker County Sheriff’s Office ruled the death a suicide, despite:
The compromised condition of the remains due to six months of exposure to the elements and wildlife.
No immediate evidence, such as a note or weapon, was reported to support the suicide determination. Given the compromised condition of the remains, including exposure to the elements and disturbance by wildlife, it is unclear what could conclusively indicate suicide at this stage. Key questions remain about what evidence could reasonably point to this conclusion.
Unanswered Questions
The handling of Timaya’s case has left her family and the public with more questions than answers. Here are some critical points that remain unresolved:
What Evidence Points to Suicide?
What specific evidence supports the Sheriff’s Office’s quick determination of suicide? Given the disturbed state of the remains, how was this conclusion reached so quickly?
Was a suicide note found? If so, where was it? How could it have survived six months of exposure?
Why Wasn’t the Vehicle Investigated?
Georgia law mandates two attempts to contact the owner of an abandoned vehicle. Why were these protocols not followed?
If the car had been thoroughly investigated in June, could Timaya’s location or fate have been determined earlier?
Where Is the Vehicle Now?
Is the car still in law enforcement custody, and if so, will it be examined by the GBI for evidence?
If it has been disposed of, why was this done before determining its relevance to the case?
What About Timaya’s Phone Records?
Who currently has access to her phone records? Have they been analyzed for location data or activity leading up to her disappearance?
What Kind of Alert Was Issued?
It is rumored that a Silver Alert was issued for Timaya, though this has not been confirmed, and if so, what measures were taken to disseminate the alert?
Law Enforcement Failures
Neglect of Protocols
Walker County deputies ignored state laws requiring efforts to contact the owner of an abandoned vehicle. The car’s damaged condition and remote location should have prompted immediate investigation, but instead, it was towed and forgotten.
Premature Suicide Determination
Declaring Timaya’s death a suicide within hours of discovering her remains raises significant doubts about the thoroughness of the investigation. Skeletal remains disturbed by wildlife cannot reliably indicate the manner of death without extensive forensic analysis.
Missed Opportunities
If the vehicle had been investigated promptly in June, Timaya could have been found alive, or evidence could have been preserved to uncover the truth about her death. These missed opportunities have left her family in anguish.
A Troubling Pattern in Walker County
Walker County has gained a reputation for hastily labeling deaths as suicides, often without thorough investigations. This pattern denies families the closure and accountability they deserve, as evidenced by the premature ruling in Timaya’s case.
Next Steps
As of now:
The status of Timaya’s vehicle and phone records remains unknown.
The public demands transparency and a thorough review of the case by the GBI.
This case is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that disproportionately affect missing persons cases involving Black women. Timaya’s story deserves attention, accountability, and resolution.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to follow this case and advocate for justice.
Sources:
Sources for the Podcast
Timaya Williams' Case
Donald "DJ" Fickey Case
NewsChannel 9: "Family Fights for Justice in DJ Fickey's Death"
CBS News: "Manner of Death in Georgia Man's Case Changed After Years of Advocacy"
Unidentified Remains in Chickamauga Battlefield (Walker County)
WSB-TV: "Body Found in Chickamauga Battlefield Initially Misidentified by Sheriff"
Local 3 News: "Human Remains Found in Walker Co. Battlefield"
Michael Mullens’ Case (2008)
Fox 5 Atlanta: "Cold Case: Michael Mullens Shot Outside His Machine Shop"
Dakota Bottomlee Case (2024)
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Press Release
WDEF: "Three Arrested in Chickamauga Shooting, One Still at Large"
Walker County Jail Deaths
ABC 33/40: "Investigative Report on Jail Deaths in Walker County"
Chattanooga Times Free Press: "Families Raise Concerns Over Inmate Deaths at Walker County Jail"
Other Relevant Legal and Procedural References
Georgia Law O.C.G.A. § 40-11-2: Abandoned Vehicle Protocols
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Overview