Shanitia Mikell Eure-lewis, 35, vanished from Newport News, Virginia after attending the 8 a.m. worship service at Gethsemane Baptist Church on July 17, 2022. She made an announcement that morning and was seen leaving the church about 9 a.m. intending to pick up her sons from her sister’s house and return for the next service. Her children later saw her arguing with her husband, Adrian Lewis, after which she left in his truck and was not seen again.

Authorities issued an Ashanti Alert and reclassified the case as a homicide investigation. The investigation noted marital problems: Shanitia had told others she wanted a divorce weeks earlier, and friends described controlling behaviour by her husband. Investigators reported finding Shanitia’s blood in the truck and that Lewis was located at an airport the day after her disappearance in possession of her passport and credit cards. No body has been recovered.

Shanitia is remembered as a devoted mother of two teenage boys and an active church clerk. Her family continues to grieve and to hold services in her memory. If anyone knew Shanitia, her movements on July 17, 2022, or has information about that day, please come forward.