Although African Americans make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population, we account for 33 percent of the missing in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s database. Cases involving African Americans also tend to receive less media coverage than missing Whites, with missing men of color getting even less attention.
NewsOne has partnered with the Black and Missing Foundation and TV One to focus on the crisis of missing African Americans.
To be a part of the solution, NewsOne will profile a missing person weekly and provide tips about how to keep your loved ones safe and what to do if someone goes missing, while TV One‘s newest show, “Find Our Missing,” hosted by award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson, tells these stories in visual form.
—————————————
Murphy Jane Hickerson
Case Type: Endangered
Date of Birth: April 26, 1969
Missing Date: Apr 28, 2012
Age Now: 43
Missing City: Canonsburg
Missing State: Pennsylvania
Gender: Female
Race: Black
Complexion: Medium
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 139
Hair Color: Black
Hair Length: Shoulder length
Eye Color: Brown
Wear Glasses or Contacts: No
Location Last Seen: 200 block of Hutchinson Avenue
Circumstances of Disappearance: Hickerson is considered an endangered missing person because of her medical condition. Hickerson received kidney and pancreas transplants about a year ago.
Feeling depressed because of her medical condition, Hickerson had talked about visiting a cousin in New York City but no one has heard from her.
“We have feelers out everywhere. She has not been robust the last few months. She has had more bad days than good days,” Dolores Hickerson told the Pitsburgh Tribune-Review.
Hickerson is a very accomplished woman. She has two Master’s degrees and worked at McDonald’s corporate headquarters. A Type 1 diabetic since the age of 4, Hickerson’s health problems forced her to move in with her mother 12 years ago.
“She is an endangered missing person. We are treating this as a full missing persons case, and her medical condition makes locating her more urgent,” said Sgt. Don Cross of the Canonsburg Police.
Hickerson’s 2009 Honda CRV (metallic taupe in color; license plate HDZ1217) is also missing.
Last Seen Wearing: Unknown
Identifying Marks or Characteristics: She is a double organ transplant recipient who requires daily medications to sustain her life and well-being. At the present time, she may be without her necessary medications.
Want to Keep Up With NewsOne.com? LIKE Us On Facebook!
If you have information regarding Hickerson’s whereabouts, please contact the Washington County center at 724-229-4600 or the Black and Missing Foundation’s Tip Line.
