A tragic case involving a murdered 15-year-old Houston girl has recently seen progress. Authorities confirmed through mitochondrial DNA testing that remains discovered near a Missouri City bridge last year are hers. The evidence included part of a skull, a piece of clothing, and an earring. The Texas attorney general's office announced the identification on 28 July after a year of advanced DNA analysis.
Law enforcement recovered the remains on 29 January 2020, one day after the girl vanished. Robyn Cory, her mother, shared the details of the brutal attack. The victim was tied with duct tape, beaten, and stabbed to death. No other parts of her body have been found, leaving many questions unresolved.
Fall into Trafficking
In November 2019, the girl's life changed dramatically. A trafficking group lured her away from home. Over nine days, she was forced to serve buyers via social media and work in Houston's red-light district. On 10 November 2019, police found her in that area and returned her to her family. However, she returned deeply scared, believing her life and family's safety were at risk.
After her return, the girl provided statements that led to convictions of three men involved in her trafficking. Her family also reached out to Houston police on 27 November 2019, asking for updates and protective measures. Despite their efforts, no protection was offered. Cory believes this lack of support left her daughter vulnerable to further threats.
The Guardian obtained an email from the family to police in late November 2019 expressing their concerns and need for help. Their plea was ignored. Two law enforcement officials, unconnected to the case, told the Guardian that offering witness protection to trafficking victims, especially those with gang links, is standard best practice.
Failed Response and Disappearance
In January 2020, the girl vanished again. She had recently been moved to her grandparents’ home in Spring, located in Montgomery County, Texas. After this disappearance, the family requested an Amber alert, but it was denied. Montgomery County sheriff's office labeled her as a runaway, arguing that the circumstances did not meet criteria for an emergency alert.
Cory also asked investigators to track the teenager's phone in the days after her disappearance. This request was also refused. The sheriff’s office has not commented on its actions or decisions during the 2020 investigation.
Betty Simons, a private investigator who has worked on the case for six years, criticized how the situation was managed. She argued that if officials had treated the girl as an endangered trafficking victim, her life might have been spared. 'It didn’t need to end this way,' Simons said, noting the tragedy could have been prevented.
Ongoing Investigations and Criticisms
The Houston Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, which prosecuted Aryion Jackson, one of the traffickers, did not respond to the Guardian's requests for comment.
Cory said two months before the girl’s death, her daughter was desperately pleading with police for protection. An email from the family to police on 27 November 2019 outlined their fears but was dismissed. This could have all been prevented if she had been given protection after providing evidence against her traffickers,' Cory said, pointing to what she sees as direct failures.
The girl was described by her family as an honor-roll student who dreamed of joining the military. Her life changed in 2019 when a gang groomed her through a boy acting as a scout at her school. The group then began contacting her on Instagram, sending compliments and party invites. This led to her being lured away from home. After returning, she remained terrified, believing the traffickers had photos of her family that could be used against them.
The Texas attorney general’s office confirmed an investigation into the murder is ongoing. The remains were identified through mitochondrial DNA from one of the girl’s molars, confirming a mother-child relationship with Robyn Cory. This confirmation was shared with the family in January by The Guardian. Her case has drawn significant media attention, appearing in various TV documentaries on missing persons. It has also triggered discussions about law enforcement's response to child trafficking and the need for better witness protection for victims.
Despite no response from the Houston Police Department or the U.S. Cory and Simons continue to push for reforms aimed at preventing similar tragedies and ensuring authorities take seriously the dangers trafficking victims face.