Destini Smothers, 26, a mother of two from Troy, New York, was last seen in Queens on November 3, 2020, after celebrating her birthday with friends and her boyfriend, Kareem Flake, at a Woodside bowling alley. Following a heated argument with Flake outside the bowling alley, she disappeared and was reported missing days later.

On March 10, 2021, a tow truck operator preparing to remove an abandoned Toyota Camry in Springfield Gardens found Smothers’ decomposing remains in the trunk while looking for a spare tire. The vehicle was linked to Flake. An autopsy determined Smothers died of a gunshot wound to the head and blunt impact trauma that caused a skull fracture; the death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators focused on Kareem Flake, who was later located in Osceola County, Florida, in April 2022 and returned to New York. He was indicted on murder, kidnapping and other charges, initially pleaded not guilty, and subsequently changed his plea. If anyone knew Destini or has information about what happened that night, please share what can help the ongoing record.