Missing Mom of 6 Confirmed Dead After Remains Found

Authorities in Louisiana said that human remains found nearly three months ago have been identified as belonging to a 37-year-old missing mother who last spoke with her family on the phone in June 2024.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) announced on Friday, Sept. 5, that deputies were sent to the 5400 block of Highway 90 West in Vinton on June 16 “in reference to human remains being located in a wooded area off the roadway.” It added that forensic investigators sent the remains off for identification. 

On Friday, the sheriff’s office said it received notification from the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Lab that the “remains were identified as those of Tameika S. Watley, Lake Charles.  Watley was previously reported missing to CPSO in July 2024.”

Miranda Waltey, Tameika’s sister, earlier told NBC’s Dateline that Tameika had missed a number of birthdays and family gatherings in the weeks prior to her disappearance, prompting worry.

Despite Miranda’s efforts to find her sister — from contacting those who might have seen Tameika to knocking on people’s doors — no answers were found to the missing woman’s whereabouts. 

“It’s just like some type of feeling came over my body,” Miranda told Dateline.

Tameika was a mother of six children, NBC News reported. As the one-year anniversary of Tameika’s disappearance approached this past June, the family alleged in an interview with NBC affiliate KPLC that somebody knows something but is not speaking with authorities.

“It makes it even worse because we don’t know, but somebody knows,” Tayvia Thierry, Tameika’s daughter, claimed to KPLC.

In its press release from August 2024, the CPSO said that Tameika did not have a permanent address or working cell phone during the time she vanished, but she was “known to frequent several areas in Lake Charles including See Street, Railroad Avenue, 12th Street and North Booker Street.”

Miranda Watley confirmed the death of her sister in a GoFundMe. 

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic passing of our beloved sister, Tameika,” Miranda wrote. “Her remains were identified Friday, September 5, 2025, and our family is deeply heartbroken.

“We are starting this fundraiser to help give Tameika the proper memorial she deserves,” Miranda continued. “During this heartbreaking time, we want to ease the financial burden so the family can focus on grieving and healing.”

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The CPSO said the investigation into Tameika’s death is ongoing, and asked that anyone with information call the department at 337-491-3605.  

PEOPLE contacted Miranda Watley for comment on Monday, Sept. 8.