The Portland Police Bureau, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, is asking for your help in finding the body of 14-year-old Yashanee Vaughn, who police believe was murdered one month ago, on March 19, 2011.
On Monday, March 21, 2011, Shaquita Louis called police to report her daughter, Yashanee Vaughn, was missing. Ms. Louis said she hadn’t had contact with her daughter since Friday, March 18, 2011. An officer took the report and entered information into LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System) and NCIC (National Crime Information Center) as a Missing Juvenile. The officer also sent an alert to all working officers that he had taken a Missing Report on Yashanee Vaughn. At that point, there was no information to suggest that Yashanee had been abducted or was the victim of foul play.
On March 23, 2011, two detectives began working the case and contacted Ms Louis for additional information. As with any missing person case, detectives must begin an investigation to determine the specifics of the situation, including if the person left on their own free will. This includes talking to family members, associates, friends and pursuing various leads.
On Sunday March 27, 2011, detectives received information that Yashanee may have been the victim of foul play. Subsequent search warrants and additional information has brought new information to light and on Thursday March 31, 2011, 16-year-old Parrish Bennett was arrested in connection with the disappearance of 14-year-old Yashanee Vaughn. Bennett has been indicted for Murder and Manslaughter in the First Degree and is currently lodged in the Multnomah County Juvenile Detention Center. Preliminary evidence suggests Yashanee was killed on March 19, 2011.
