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Family learns missing daughter's remains were discovered in 2007

A DC mother has learned her missing daughter’s remains have been in a Maryland Coroner’s office since 2007. Now, the community is rallying to lay Willams to rest.
Credit: Public Domain

WASHINGTON — Dolores Mitchell has been clinging to the hope that her missing daughter was out there somewhere for years. 

"It’s still hard to believe that my baby’s gone," Mitchell said.

Dolores Mitchell reported her daughter Armenta Williams missing and submitted her DNA in 2012. Last spring,  Williams' son Travis Mitchell, submitted his DNA as well.

On Nov. 14, Mitchell said police confirmed Williams -- or Penny Williams' -- remains were discovered in Clinton, Maryland, back in 2007.  

"I just had in my heart that I knew she was alive, and when she got ready to, she would call me," Mitchell said.

After 12 years in a coroner’s office, Mitchell wants her daughter, a former member of the National Guard, to have a decent burial. 

"I don’t have the money to bury her the way that she needs to be buried," Mitchell said.

Henderson Long, with D.C.'s Missing Voice, has started a GoFundMe effort to help Williams' family raise funds. 

"For me this is personal," Long said.

Long said his aunt Allean Logan was found through Namus -- the national DNA database -- earlier this year. He said the community rallied behind his family to help pay the funeral costs, and it meant a lot to him. 

"I went through the same thing in January 2019, when my DNA results came back and my loved one was identified as a DNA match," Long said.

Dolores Mitchell said her daughter was happy and loved to dance. She spent five years in the National Guard. Mitchell said her daughter always dreamed of going back into military service, and for years Mitchell said she wanted to believe her daughter was off pursuing that dream.

Williams' son Travis is deaf. Mitchell said they're leaning on each other through their grief.

“She left me him," Mitchell said. "A part of her -- and I’m grateful for that and I’m grateful for him."

Police haven't yet released further details about how Williams' remains were discovered and whether her death was suspicious. 

Funds can be donated to the family on the GoFundMe website.

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