Cassandra Lynn Williamson

Cassandra Lynn Williamson

November 23, 1995 - July 26, 2002

Cassandra Lynn Williamson was six years old when she passed away. Her nick-name was Casey, and many people called her that. She liked riding her bicycle with other children in her neighborhood. Casey was last seen alive wearing her only her nightgown. She was barefoot. She was getting a piggyback ride from a man. He was taking her down the street. It is believed that Cassandra went with this man willingly. The police charged Johnny Johnson with Cassandra's murder. Johnny Johnson was a twenty-four year old homeless man who was from the area. He was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed criminal action and attempted forcible rape in the killing. The preliminary findings from an autopsy showed that Casey died from blows to the head. Johnny Johnson had spent the previous night in Casey's home with her family. He told investigators that the abduction was planned, and that Casey trusted him. Shortly after she went missing, Casey's body was found in the ruins of a glass factory less than a mile from her home. A neighbor who had helped search for Cassandra had a six year old son who played with her. The little boy asked "Can I still play with Casey even though she's in Heaven?"

Samantha Bree Runnion

Samantha Bree Runnion

July 26, 1996 - July 15, 2002

Samantha Bree Runnion was born on July 26, 1996. People described Samantha as beautiful, bright, and joyful. Samantha loved to read, write stories, play her guitar, paint, draw, sing, and dance. Samantha especially loved playing games with her family and friends. Samantha was looking forward to growing up. At five years old, she had already planned to become a mommy and a teacher.

On July 15, 2002, five year old Samantha was outside her home playing with her friend, Sarah. Sarah was the same age as Samantha. A man approached the girls in a car and asked them "Have you seen my chihuahua?" Samantha was a very nice and kind little girl, and she loved animals. She spoke with the man briefly, telling him that she didn't see his dog. Before anything else could happen, the man had pulled Samantha into his car and started driving off.

Samantha fought to get free, and managed to scream out to her friend Sarah, "Help me! Tell my grandmother!" Sarah ran and told her mother about what had just happened to Samantha. The search began quickly. Sarah as only five years old, but she was able to give a very good description of the man who she saw kidnap her friend. She was also able to give details about his car. 

On July 16, 2002, the day after Samantha was kidnapped, a distraught man called 911 reporting that he had found a body. He said the body was that of a little girl, and that she was nude. He found the body along rural Highway 74. Authorities soon confirmed that the body belonged to Samantha. An autopsy reported that Samantha had been sexually assaulted, suffered physical trauma, and was strangled. The murderer spent several hours with Samantha before he killed her.

Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona delivered a strong message to the killer: "Don't sleep. Don't eat. Because we're coming after you. We will take every resource that's available to us to bring you to justice." Caller’s tips lead the FBI to Alejandro Avila, 27, a production line supervisor from nearby Lake Elsinore. Avila reportedly denied any involvement in the murder, telling the police that he was 30 miles away on the day of the abduction. Phone and credit card records did not support his alibi. 

Avila had previously been to the apartment complex where Samantha lived during 1998 and 1999. His ex-girlfriend’s daughter lived in the same complex as the Runnion family. His relationship with the woman ended in 1999 and in 2000. In 2001, Avila was charged with molestation of her nine-year-old daughter and another young girl, but was acquitted on all charges.Avila was arrested and charged with the murder, kidnapping, and two counts of forcible lewd acts on Samantha Runnion.

Shaniya Nicole Davis

Shaniya Nicole Davis

February 14, 2004 - October 11, 2009

Shaniya Nicole Davis was born on February 14, 2004. Shaniya was raised by her father, Bradley Lockhart, and his sister, Carey. Shaniya was described as a happy and friendly little girl who loved playing outside and riding her scooter. Her favorite colors were pink and yellow and she loved helping around the house. She also enjoyed playing dress-up, and going to school in her Kindergarten class.

In September of 2009, Shaniya's mother, Antoinette Davis, contacted Shaniya's father. She told him that she wanted to start having contact with her daughter. Shaniya's mother had struggled in the past, but it appeared that she had gotten her life back together. She had a job, and a place to live.

In November of 2009, a neighbor of Antoinette Davis heard banging noises outside her home. This occurred around 3:00 a.m. At 6:11 the same day, a surveillance camera at a 'Comfort Suites' hotel caught a man carrying Shaniya through the hallway.

The man checked into the hotel with Shaniya, and he stayed for about an hour. At 6:53 a.m., Antoinette reported Shaniya missing from her home. People started searching for Shaniya, believing she had been kidnapped. A blanket belonging to Shaniya was found in a trashcan outside one of Shaniya's neighbor's homes.

Soon after this, Clarence D. Coe is charged with first degree kidnapping. Clarence was Antoinette's boyfriend, and a neighbor saw him drive out of the town with Shaniya with him. Clarence swore that he wasn't guilty, and police identified the man who carried Shaniya on the hotel video as Mario Andrette McNeill.

Shaniya and her father

Around this time, Shaniya's father makes an emotional public plea for the return of his daughter. Soon after this, Mario admits to kidnapping Shaniya. The charges against Clarence are dropped. It didn't take long after this for Shaniya's mother to be charged with human trafficking. Antoinette Davis sold five year old Shaniya to Mario McNeill for the purpose of sexual slavery.

Soon after Antoinette is charged with this, Shaniya's body is discovered. She had been raped, and then murdered by Mario McNeill.

Layla Grace Marsh

Layla Grace Marsh

November 26, 2007 - March 9, 2010

Layla Grace Marsh was born on March 9, 2010. She already had two older siblings who loved her very much. Layla's parents were Shanna and Ryan and her older sisters' names were Claire and Jenna. Layla had a very happy life.

When Layla was 16 months old, she began showing signs of an illness. Her sleeping patterns and appetite were changing. she was becoming very irritable. Her parents took her to the doctor. Her parents thought she was constipated because her stomach felt hard, and she hadn't passed a bowel movement in a long time.

A series of tests and x-rays were done and Layla's parents were sent home to wait for the results to come back. Soon after Layla and her parents reached their home, they received a phone call that said that the tests were in, and they were bad. They were told to bring Layla in immediately. Layla was brought into the ER. A team of doctors was already there, waiting for her.

Layla and her sisters.

Layla's parents were told that Layla had a massive cancerous tumor (stage 4 Neuroblastoma) in her abdomen. The tumor extended from above her left kidney, around her side, over her stomach, and and wrapped around her aorta. To add to this, the cancer was in Layla's bone marrow. Layla was referred to a children's hospital where she started the first of her seven rounds of chemotherapy.

Over the next few months, Layla went through surgeries, radiations, blood/platelet transfusions, a bone marrow transplant, and much more. She often had to stay at the hospital for long periods of time so she could do her treatments. Layla seemed to be doing better than ever, so she got to go home for Christmas.

The happy time ended soon, however, because in January, Layla's family learned that she had relapsed. Her cancer was back, and it was going to be a tough fight. Layla's cancer was invading the only good kidney she had left. Because of this, she was left with no other treatment options. Layla was sent home, her family told that she would only live for two more months.

Layla was given morphine that was supposed to help her, but she had an allergic reaction because of it. Eventually, she couldn't even hold her head up any more. Layla passed away surrounded by love with her parents by her side.

Layla was cremated after her death.