The remains of a teenager were found behind a church in Charlotte N.C. on Friday morning. By Saturday afternoon, medical examiners had identified the woman as missing College Student Ashanti Billie.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police say they responded to a call that a landscaper had discovered a body near two boulders while cutting grass at the East Stonewall AME Zion Church. The police and FBI are investigating her death as a homicide.
Martin Culbreth, special agent in charge of the FBI Norfolk division released a statement on Saturday saying in part, "It is with deep regret that I inform the community that Ashanti Billie has been located, deceased, in Charlotte, N.C." He vowed that FBI will be relentless in bringing anyone involved in killing Ashanti to justice.
Ashanti Billie missing
The 19-year-old went missing on Sept 18. in Virginia Beach Virginia. She was last seen around 5 a.m. entering the Expeditionary Joint Military base Little Creek where she worked at a Blimpie's sub shop. Surveillance cameras caught her cream colored Mini Cooper leaving the base, but authorities are unsure if she was behind the wheel. A few hours later, investigators recovered her cell phone from a trash dumpster in Norfolk. Five days after that, her abandoned car was found on a street in the Ocean View area.
Many questions still linger about the death of this culinary student who aspired to become an executive chef. Authorities have not named any suspects in the case - and gave no indication that they knew how she ended up 300 miles away from where she was last seen.
The parents of Ashanti Billie speak
Ashanti Billie's heartbroken parents spoke to the press Saturday and thanked everyone who helped them try to find their daughter. Meltony Billie (Ashanti's father) said that this was not the outcome that they hoped for, but urged others to stay in the fight to find others that are still missing.
He also said their prays were answered because his daughter is home with God, WUSA-9 reported.
Brandy Billie (Ashanti's mother) spoke directly to whoever took their daughter's life saying, "to the person or persons that decided they wanted to take our baby away from us, from everybody that loved her, you're a coward."
If anyone has information about this crime please call Virginia Beach Police at 757-385-5000, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department at 704-334-1600 or the FBI Norfolk at 757-455-0100.
