The mother of a teenager found murdered with a friend under a Floyd County bridge says she wanted to speak with Channel 2 Action News so that people knew what made the young woman so special.
Vanita “Vera” Richardson, 18, and her sister-like friend, Clarice Truvenia “Bean” Campbell, 30, were found Wednesday underneath the East Rome Bypass bridge over the Etowah River by workers near Grizzard Park.
“My world is gone. That’s my only daughter,” said Richardson’s mother, Vanita Allen. “Vanita was an angel.”
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A road worker spotted the bodies on Wednesday. He called 911 and told an operator that both women had bags covering their heads.
The GBI has not revealed how the women died but did put out an urgent plea for help on Friday to find Richardson’s car. Agents believe the car, a gold 1997 Toyota Corolla is in the metro Atlanta area. The car has Georgia license plate RTJ6295.
Investigators are searching for info. on a vehicle connected to the Rome homicide investigation:
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) May 15, 2020
• 1997 Toyota Corolla
Gold in color
Georgia license plate: RTJ6295
• ☎️ GBI tipline at 1-800-597-8477 w/ info. https://t.co/nARVgjVR5s pic.twitter.com/jVCg0Nk1jS
Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Johnston says the GBI is working around the clock to develop and follow different leads.
Johnston told Channel 2 anchor Justin Wilfon that agents believe the women knew their killer and it’s not a random act of violence.
Allen says her daughter and Campbell were close friends, and her daughter was just about to graduate from Armuchee High School. Vanita wanted to be a photographer.
“I can’t believe what they did to my baby. She wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Allen said. “Remember her for the beauty that she looked like. Remember her for that beautiful smile."
She last saw her daughter Tuesday night before she went out, presumably with Campbell.
“She pulled out of the yard and I said, ‘You better make it back in tonight.’”
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