All Hope Lost, but Found

All Hope Lost, but Found

Written by Sommer C.K.

Friday, August 19th, 2001, in Flagstaff, AZ

Terra Johnson was on her way to pick up her daughter Camy from her after-school cooking club. She was pulling into the school’s car lane as she saw her daughter being violently pulled into a black van, the sliding door slammed shut, and sped off. Terra pressed on the gas as she wiped her tears of shock, sadness but most of all anger off her cheek. She was trailing the vehicle while she dialed 911, she explained what had just happened, and the operator told her to repeat back to her the license plate, Terra struggled to read the plate number and was only able to repeat back the first half.

Terra fought back her tears, as the operator told her to remain calm. Terra had followed the van into the town over Bellemont, she was thinking of ways to stop the van at least long enough to fight for her daughter. An idea went racing through Terra’s mind, she could hit the back of the van to stop it. This was the perfect plan, they were on a strange back road, completely abandoned, so no one else could get hurt. Terra started to tell her plan to the operator, but her phone died before she could finish. Terra tossed her phone into the passenger seat and floored the gas with a full determination that she was going to run this van down, then save her precious daughter’s life.

There was one thing that Terra didn’t see, there was a ditch up ahead. Terra hit the back side of the van, making the driver swerve to the other side of the road. Terra tried to hit them again but they shifted to the other side of the road at the wrong time. She lost control of the vehicle and went spinning into the ditch, she hit her head before slowly losing consciousness, she could hear the van grow further in the distance.

Months later in Flagstaff, AZ

The FBI, local and state police had been all over the case for 3 months and had gotten no real leads on the case. They worked relentlessly, day and night. Informed all media, posted on all socials, and even posted flyers throughout the area. Even surrounding states had been informed, that everyone was looking for beautiful, kind, and loving Camy Johnson. Her mother, Terra had not given up for months but was now starting to lose hope of seeing her daughter alive again. Later that night the phone rang at the Johnson home, Terra ran to the phone and picked it up. “Hello?” she said frantically, a man replied “Terra Johnson?”, “This is she.” Terra said back, the man on the other line introduced himself as Officer Camdyn Kin, and he replied saying “ Ma’am you need to get down to the station immediately, we will explain everything when you arrive”. Before she could respond the officer hung up the phone, Terra grabbed her keys, phone, and jacket while slipping on her shoes and racing out the door. The station wasn’t very far, so she arrived quickly. The officer was there to greet her at the door, escorted her to a private meeting room, and told her to wait there while he got the agents. Terra’s mind raced with all the terrible possibilities of what could have happened to her daughter. It seemed like hours went by while waiting for the agents, even though it was only a couple of minutes. The officer walked back in with agents while re-introducing them to Terra. They told her to have a seat, and asked if there was any family she would like to call at this time, she replied “ No sir, please just tell me why I am here. Did you find Camy??”. The officer shut the door as one of the agents began to speak “Ms.Johnson.. I’m very sorry to inform you that we have found your daughter, Camy was DOA (Dead On Arrival), I’m so sorry for your loss”. Terra began to shake then sob over hearing the news that her beautiful daughter had been taken so soon. The agents began to walk out, before shutting the door the officer said “Terra I cannot say how truly sorry I am for your loss”. About an hour later the agents walked back in, one placed his hand on Terra’s shoulder and said “Ma’am I’m very sorry but we need you to come with us to identify the body”, Terra rose and replied “You think there is a chance it’s not her?”, The agents replied, “Ma’am legally we have to have family identify the body”. Terra is escorted to the FBI vehicle, after about 30 minutes the vehicle arrives at the scene, as Terra is getting out of the vehicle she has a weird feeling, she recognizes this road but can’t seem to remember how. The officer takes Terra over to the ditch where the body was found, then she realizes where they are, this is the same road where she tried to run the van off-road. The ditch that they just pulled what could very possibly be her daughter's body, was the same ditch that she had crashed in many months before. She walked over to the body that was covered by a sheet, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, preparing herself for every possibility. The officer walked over to the body and gently pulled the sheet down, exposing the child’s face. Terra looked at the face and immediately her heart shattered, she couldn't hear, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't see through her tears. Terra dropped to the ground in a dreadful sob. That night she went home not only without her daughter but without a huge piece of her heart, soul, and mind. After this incident not much was heard from Terra again, she worked at home, ordered groceries, and only left the house once every two months. Terra was heartbroken and wanted justice for her child. The police and FBI had closed the case and left the abductor and killer listed as unknown, since there was no evidence left there was nothing more they could do.

4 years later, on November 30th, 2005, Mormon Lake, AZ

Kathy Wilkins and her daughter Sarah Willkins had just moved from Colorado. Sarah started at a new school and got involved in the after-school program for Arts. Kathy Wilkins went to pick up her daughter from her school, when she arrived she texted her daughter… no response. Kathy called her daughter, but still no answer, she stepped out of the vehicle and called her again, she heard her daughter's ringtone. She followed the ringtone and found her daughter's phone smashed and in the trash can just outside the building. She took the phone and ran into the office and immediately dialed 911. She explained what happened and went down to the station. They called the people who were in the office at the time and we're running the club. All the people who witnessed it said the same things. All said that they saw Sarah walk outside the building and she sat on the bench for a while, then a black vehicle drove by and she got into the van. There was no visible force, she looked willing to get into the vehicle. Kathy had chills down her spine, she knew that her daughter was educated about abduction and would never get in someone's vehicle willingly, they must have threatened her. Kathy kept it together, so she could help find her daughter, who she loved and feared for her life deeply. Kathy demanded the FBI should be sent on the case.

One week later…

The FBI had come up with a working profile for the people who took her daughter. The FBI connected the two cases, the case from 4 years ago, the case of Camy Johnson. The FBI was not going to call Terra Johnson until they had more information on the abductors and killers. Five days ago the FBI sent out the profile for the abductors, thought to be a couple, one man and one woman, traveling together. They sent out the profile with all of the characteristics of the couple, and where the area they are most likely located.

Later that day the station got a call about a suspicious couple matching the profile, they were in a store in Bellemont, AZ. The police sped there, taking Kathy Willkins with them. When the police arrived the van was searched, and Sarah Wilkins was found in the back seat, alive. She was given good medical care and is now reunited with her mom, Kathy Wilkins.

The couple was arrested and admitted to the abduction and murder of Camy Johnson, they will be behind bars for life. Terra Johnson can now have some closure knowing that her child’s murders are behind bars. She can sleep at night knowing that justice has been served, that helps Terra by honoring and giving her daughter the peace she deserves. The media broadcasted an interview with both women, Kathy Willkins and Terra Johnson, this was to spread knowledge and awareness to other families to be careful. Human trafficking is a very REAL thing, especially with younger girls, teens, and women. People must be aware of the signs to protect themselves and their families.