Nailah Franklin's Body Found

In a sad turn in a case we posted about earlier this week, the body of Nailah Franklin was found in Chicago this morning.

BringNailahFranklinHome.com is gone or has been taken down.

Blog Coverage and Comments:
Crime Blog ( Updates)
Concrete Loop
Bossip
Chicagoist
Black and Missing
Missing Minorities

MSM Coverage:
Greta Van Susteren ( Read the Comments)
ABC News Story
AP Story
CNN Story

CALUMET CITY, Illinois (AP) -- A drug sales representative who disappeared last week was found dead near a forest preserve, not far from where her car was abandoned, her uncle said Thursday.

Calumet City Police Chief Russell Larson confirmed only that an unidentified woman's body had been found in the area Thursday morning.

But Nailah Franklin's uncle Jon Merrill and family friend Andrew Holms said authorities had told the family the body is that of Merrill's 28-year-old niece.

Franklin, a pharmaceutical sales representative for Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, was reported missing September 19 after she missed a meeting at work. Her car was discovered in Hammond, Indiana, on Friday night near an abandoned building.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Comments

[Jazzylady]

I am so incredibly sorry. My heart and prayers are with the family.

[Randi523]

The dating world is so SCARY nowadays. She said she had been receiving threatening calls from an ex, so it's possible he could be the perp.
My thoughts and prayers for her family and friends. She seemed to be a beautiful, accomplished woman, that I'm sure will be sorely missed

[P]

You know, it's really important for all people (males and females) to report any suspicious activity to your local authorities with as much information as possible. And, if in fact, this is random, it's truly tragic that a loss of human life is treated so cavalier.

I am not going to say it's previously the guy she dated; we don't have that information yet. But any loss of life is tragic. Equally tragic is the sudden, violent nature of it. Truly unfortunate.

[Pamela]

I just read about this on Foxnews.com. It is dreadful. As a single gal I'm horrified at hearing stories like this.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298249,00.html

I don't know a lot about the fellow that was threatening her. I do know for myself if I see any hint of anger in a man I will avoid him like the plague. I remember when met an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous man in the early 80s. He treated me wonderfully but had a major anger problem. Video arcades were the bomb back then. He would slam and beat on video machines when he lost a game. That happened a couple of times. The fear of him began. As I got to know him I realized that he had lived a pretty rough life. At the same time he was suggesting that we live together. That will happen only (1) after a wedding ceremony or (2) when hell freezes over. One night he showed me 'Uncle Henry' (a knife). He told me that he wanted to have it for protection when we went out. He never threatened me but as you can imagine I was horrified at the fact that he carried the knife knowing how angry he could get. I was scared to stop seeing him at this point. I prayed to God that he would suggest that we not date anymore. I think the next time we went out he asked if I wanted to end the relationship. I told him yes. We split and I never saw him again. I immediately changed my phone number and moved not far from where I lived. During those days you did not hear much about stalking. Sad to say these days it is a lot more common.

I used to wonder how groups dealing with domestic violence came up with huge percentages of people in abusive relationship. This blog entry describes how they define abusive relationships (emotional, physical or sexual). I was shocked to realize that according to this definition they would have considered me in a physically abusive relationship because of how he slammed things when angry. I know at the time I felt like I was in a dangerous situation even though he never ever directly threatened me, especially after I saw Uncle Henry. I have not found myself in a situation like that again, thank God. As I stated if I see any kind of rage in a man for any reason I will stay away from him. PERIOD. I have also known other women that were in physcially abusive marriages. Thank God all of them got away before things got worse.

I have sent this to friends of mine. I humbly suggest that if you or friends of yours know anyone that may be in danger I believe this link is a great concise resource of information. It lists the criteria the National Domestic Violence Hotline uses to define abusive relationships. I believe it also gives phone numbers to them and the National Secual Abuse Hotline.

http://meditationsonreeducation.blogspot.com/2007/09/would-you-know-abusive-relationship-if.html

[DJ Black Adam]

Sistas if a man tells you he is capable of hurting you…at that moment you best become capable of hurting him. If he is crazy enough to make that threat, you best be crazy enough to BELIEVE THEM.

While you are getting the restraining order, get your FOID Card, and a 380 (or a 9MM ). If the guy approaches you after you have told him its over, drop him like a sack of rotten potatoes. Better him than you...I’m just saying…

[Kitty Glendower]

This just broke my heart this morning when I saw it on the t.v. I am so sad for her family.

If the guy approaches you after you have told him its over, drop him like a sack of rotten potatoes.

Easier said than done, women who defend themselves go to jail far too often.

[g-e-m2001]

NO, really Kitty, it is that simple.

It may be hard, but it is necessary.

[Kitty Glendower]

Well, I do plan on killing any mofo who mistreats my daughter. I will deal with the law afterwards.

[Christopher]

Why is it that dudes can't just leave things alone in a breakup? This is so damn sad!!!!

[DJ Black Adam]

@Kitty:

"Easier said than done, women who defend themselves go to jail far too often."

That's a risk I'd rather take then ending up dead. Fact is, get the restraining order, you have satsified you legeal obligation, if the guy (or girl) ignores that order, I say protect yourself by any means necessary. Here are a few other pointers on how to deal with the ex/stalker/boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.:

*Don't go ANYWHERE with them

*Don't meet them ANYWHERE

*If they want you to return something or they want to return something to you, USE UPS, FED EX or USPS.

*Get a home alarm system or a Rottie (german shepards are good too).

*Like I said before, get a liscence for a weapon AND a weapon. Go to the range and get taught gun safety. Dude come up in your face, drop him.

I am avaialble for seminars, bar mitzvahs and quinceaneras people

:-)

[ThePoliticalCat]

Folks, please realize that the police have not announced a positive ID of the victim. I don't think it is Nailah Franklin - she's been missing since 09/19, approximately 9 days. She put in a working day on Tuesday 09/18. The body they found was so decomposed, they couldn't tell the ethnicity. Unless it's been really hot for the last 2 weeks, I just don't think it's her. Also, the site Bring Nailah Franklin Home has not been taken down. I just checked. It's still up, with a disclaimer about the corpse that was found. Please put your energies into urging that Nailah be found and brought home safe. Thanks, tpc

[g-e-m2001]

the family issued a statement, but thanks politicalcat for reminding us not to jump the gun. I, like you, wish the initial report had been wrong.