Aundria Bowman went missing on 11 March 1989 from her Hamilton, Michigan home. And the 14-year-old girl was never seen again.
Aundria was Dennis and Brenda Bowman’s adopted daughter. The couple adopted her because their doctor told them that Brenda’s chances of conceiving biologically were low due to a medical condition.
Highlights
- Aundria Bowman had a younger sister, Vanessa Bowman.
- Though Vanessa was not her biological sister, Aundria is said to have cared for and protected her before she went missing.
- Vanessa Bowman was born around December 1987.
After the teenager went missing, her adoptive father reported her as having run away, while giving a list of items that were missing from the house.
The police searched for her, but they found nothing. Slowly, months turned into years, years into decades, and the case became another cold case.
While everyone got used to Aundria’s absence, her biological mother, Cathy Terkanian, never gave up. She desperately searched for her biological child.
In 2010, the cold case saw a new light when Cathy received a shocking letter. Eventually, in 2020, Dennis was charged with open and felony mu*der, first-degree child ab*use, and mutilation/disposal of body related to Aundria’s passing.
The Netflix documentary titled, “Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter,” chronicles the heartbreaking story of the teenager.
It reveals how the little girl was robbed of her life at the hands of none other than her own adoptive father, Dennis Bowman.
The series also mentioned that Aundria Bowman (born Alexis Badger) had a younger sister, Vanessa Bowman. In addition, people who knew Aundria also shared that she dotted on her younger sibling.
Vanessa Was Only 15 Months Old When Aundria Disappeared
Vanessa Bowman, the biological daughter of Brenda and Dennis Bowman, is the younger sister of Aundria Bowman.
Her birth was said to have been a complete surprise to the Bowman couple. Aundria was in her early teens when Vanessa was born.
Reports suggest that she was very protective of her baby sister. Several friends and loved ones recalled how she would change Vanessa’s diapers, feed her, and care for her.
Furthermore, Aundria’s friends shared that she claimed her adoptive father had abused her.
However, the little girl was forced to recant her allegations when their local church became involved.
When she went missing on 11 March, Vannesa was only one year old. It took almost thirty years for Dennis to confess that he took her life, mutilated her body, and buried her in the family home’s back garden.
As for Vanessa’s whereabouts, there is little information. However, in 2018, a Facebook page “Justice For Aundria M Bowman” shared a picture of a woman who was supposedly Venessa.
The page was created by Aundria’s biological mother (Alexis). Cathy Terkanian wrote;
“Vanessa was told as a child, “never speak of Aundria, yet neighbors claimed Brenda and Dennis take Vanessa around to neighbors homes where she and Brenda would cry and tell the story of how Aundria “ran away,” but Dennis Bowman never said anything. Now Vanessa denies she even has a sister!“
However, we can’t verify the authenticity of this claim.
Moreover, the documentary features archive recordings, police footage, and old family photos, but neither Dennis, Brenda, nor Vanessa Bowman appear.
They reportedly refused to be interviewed for it. Also, at the end of the documentary, it is mentioned that Brenda declined to be interviewed and did not respond to requests for comment.
Additional Information
- Aundria Bowman’s adoptive mother, Brenda, is believed to live in Michigan.
- Similarly, Dennis Bowman is also serving his sentence at the River North Correctional Center in Virginia.
- Mr. Bowman was sentenced to two life terms plus additional sentences for the mu*der of Aundria and other crimes.
