Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The problem is no one he's talked to knows where she is. A missing person, especially one who is as vulnerable as Michelle is always cause for concern. But in this case, specifically this time in this city, it's actually cause for dread." — Ashley Flowers
"She wanted to be a good mother to her three children, but her substance use disorder was all consuming. Her friend Antonia remembers Michelle as a woman who was just trying to survive. The only way she knew how to was the streets. She wanted to get off the streets. She wanted to get her kids back. She told me how much she loved her children. She really wanted to stop doing what she was doing, but she just was stuck." — Britt
"He says he likes rough sex. I asked him what he considered rough sex, and he said, 'Screwing hard.' He indicated he was against death and beating, although I never asked him for his views on it. He then told me that a redacted name had told him that the police think it's him killing the prostitutes. This answer was also unsolicited, as I did not ask him this question." — Sergeant, City of Poughkeepsie Police Department
The episode delves into the disappearance of Michelle Eason, a 26-year-old woman with an intellectual disability and a history of substance use disorder, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Her case gained urgency when her Department of Social Services (DSS) case manager, Scott, filed a missing persons report after she failed to maintain contact or collect her benefits for nearly two months. This raised alarms, especially as Michelle was the fifth local woman to disappear within a year, with others sharing similarities such as being sex workers and struggling with substance use. Investigators noted a significant time gap between Michelle's last confirmed sighting and her official report, a recurring issue in these cases that complicated the investigation.
The investigation into Michelle's life, heavily reliant on detailed DSS records, revealed a complex and often difficult existence marked by addiction, survival sex work, and exploitation. Despite her challenges, records suggest she desired to be a good mother to her three children, who were in foster care, and sought stability. Her relationships were volatile, particularly with her long-term boyfriend, George, who had a history of abuse and substance use issues. Police explored George's potential involvement, noting reports of abuse and Michelle's fear of him, but also pursued other leads as they maintained Michelle's case as distinct despite the similarities to other missing women.
The narrative highlights the systemic challenges in investigating cases involving vulnerable individuals. Law enforcement faced difficulties due to a lack of concrete evidence, unreliable witnesses often impacted by substance use, and a limited understanding of Michelle's exact circumstances, including conflicting information about a potential pregnancy and a DNC procedure. Several persons of interest emerged, including George, various drug dealers, and individuals named by George, such as "JC" and Richard. A significant development occurred when Kendall Francois, a man whose name had repeatedly surfaced from sex workers as a person of interest, was arrested on solicitation charges. Although he denied involvement in Michelle's disappearance and claimed he did not hire Black women, his presence and demeanor during questioning by police raised further suspicions. The episode concludes by emphasizing the ongoing struggle to find answers for Michelle and the other missing women, underscoring the persistent challenges in solving these complex cases.