In 2008, Shemika "Mika" Cosey, a 16-year-old from Berkeley, Missouri, lived with her mother Paula and three sisters, one of whom was a baby. While Paula worked to support the family, Shemika looked after her baby sister. Despite being close to her family, Shemika wanted more independence, which caused friction between her and her mother, who was overprotective.
On December 28, 2008, Shemika had a sleepover with her
cousins, but the next morning, her aunt and her boyfriend discovered that
Shemika had disappeared. She had left her overnight bag but taken her purse and
jacket, suggesting she planned to return. Despite this, authorities treated her
as a runaway. However, Paula believed that her daughter was in danger,
particularly after finding a fake ID in Shemika's belongings and learning that
she had been going to clubs with a minor girl from their apartment complex.
Paula also heard rumors that Shemika was dating an older man in the military
and recalled an incident when she saw Shemika getting into a car with a
stranger.
Three years later, Paula found a journal belonging to Shemika and gave it to investigators. In it, Shemika had written about a boy named LB, whom she was secretly dating and who was unhappy that she might be pregnant. LB insulted Shemika and called her names, and after speaking to him, authorities told Paula that Shemika had likely run off with a guy.
Paula believes that authorities failed to search
for her daughter because of how LB portrayed her. She thinks Shemika left
voluntarily to meet someone and was harmed, as she would never have abandoned
her family, particularly her beloved baby sister. Fifteen years later, Shemika
remains missing, last seen wearing a tan Old Navy jacket, a black long-sleeved
t-shirt, and blue jeans. Anyone with information should contact the Berkeley PD
at (314)-524-3311.
Source: The Charley Project
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