Three Texas sisters aged 5, 8 and 9, who were all found dead in neighbor’s pond were strangled
Three Texas sisters thought to have drowned in their neighbor’s pond were actually strangled to death before being dumped, according to an autopsy.
Zi’Ariel Robinson Oliver, 9, A’Miyah Hughes, 8, and Te’Mari Robinson Oliver, 5, were originally believed to have drowned after a scuba team pulled their bodies from the pond on a neighboring property on July 22. of 2022.
But Cass County District Attorney Courtney Shelton said in a statement Thursday that the girls were strangled to death and sustained lacerations to their faces.
The investigation has been ongoing for the past eight months and Shelton says it will continue, with his office, as well as the Texas Rangers and the sheriff’s office, all asking anyone to come forward with information.
“Multiple witness statements have been obtained, DNA testing is ongoing and the investigation will continue,” Shelton said.
Three young sisters have been found dead after going missing from their Texas home while being cared for by a family friend. In the photo, nine-year-old Zi’Ariel Robinson Oliver. This week, it was revealed that officials now believe the girls were murdered.
Zi’Ariel Robinson Oliver, 9, A’Miyah Hughes, 8, (left) and Te’Mari Robinson Oliver, 5, (right) were reported missing from their small-town residence Friday night.
The district attorney did not name possible suspects or a motive for the killings.
Zi’Ariel, A’Miyah and Temari went missing from their home in Atlanta, about 200 miles east of Fort Worth, around 10 p.m. on July 22, prompting a multi-agency search for the girls.
A family friend had been watching the trio and their other siblings while their mother, Shommaonique Oliver, 28, was at work. The babysitter called 911 to report her missing.
Authorities received reports that the girls were found in a pond near Highway 77 around 2 a.m. on July 23.
Police focused their search around the pond after a pair of shoes and other items of clothing were found scattered near and in the water.
“We placed items of clothing around a pond and in a pond,” Texas Ranger Shawn Hervey said. KSLA.
“So, we focused the search around that small body of water, and with the use of divers we were able to recover three victims at approximately 2 am.”
A family friend had been watching the trio and their other siblings while their mother, 28-year-old Shommaonique Oliver (pictured), was at work. The babysitter called 911 to report her missing.
Cass County District Attorney Courtney Shelton (pictured) said in a statement Thursday that the girls died from strangulation and sustained lacerations to their faces.
A scuba team pulled their bodies from a private pond on a neighboring property early on July 23. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Police focused their search around the pond after a pair of shoes and other items of clothing were found scattered near and in the water. Video taken at the scene also showed an abandoned bicycle on the property.
Video from the scene showed an abandoned bicycle on the property, apparently near the pond. It is unclear if the bike belonged to the girls and if it was brought onto the property.
“We have no idea what the girls were doing there,” Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe said. Texarkana Gazette shortly after the murders.
“No one has been charged with anything,” Rowe said.
Harvey echoed: “This isn’t something that happens every day, but it does happen.”
Shommaonique told DailyMail.com at the time that she was heartbroken over the loss of her daughters and was not conducting interviews at the moment.
Her mother took to Facebook saying the “loss of my sweet babies” is “so unreal.” Although this is a difficult time, the grieving mother said she “has to be strong for the sake of my 3 other babies.”
Shommaonique paid tribute to her daughters on Facebook in a series of posts telling her daughters to “say hi to grandma for me.”
“Right now I’m just trying to bury my babies,” she said, noting on social media that the incident was “unexpected” and a “great pain and shock” to her entire family.
“Throughout this whole process my family got me through this difficult time with me and the loss of my sweet baby Girl (sic) is so unreal,” she wrote.
‘But I know I have to be strong for the sake of my other 3 babies because they need me more than ever!’
The grieving mother created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs and other related expenses.
‘This was so unexpected (sic) and a great pain and shock to me and my family. We are now asking for help putting my sweet angles to rest,” she wrote, adding, “Anything you can donate will be appreciated.”
Investigators have not reached any conclusions about their deaths and the bodies have been sent for autopsies.
A family friend had been watching the trio and their other siblings while their mother, Shommaonique Oliver, 28, was at work. The babysitter called 911 to report her missing.
Shommaonique created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs
“Lord please and I mean please I want my children to bring this pain back to me and words cannot explain the pain I am going through. I just want my baby back in my arm,” the grieving mother wrote in another post.
She added: “Rest easy my sweet girl (sic) say hi to grandma for me, I miss and love you.”
Friends and family alike have offered an outpouring of support to Shommaonique during this incredibly difficult time.
“Sweet baby, I’m at a loss for words,” Stephanie Spriggs-Luckey wrote. No words will bring you comfort. I am so sorry for the loss of her precious babies.
‘I will pray that God brings you peace and comfort as only he can.’
Friends and family alike have offered an outpouring of support to Shommaonique during this incredibly difficult time.
Her cousin, China Davis, shared photos of the girls on Facebook, saying: “These babies are on my mind, they are family and friends.”
‘I love you cousin, I’m praying girl, my heart cries for you!’
Shommaonique’s Facebook page is awash with messages of condolences and prayers, as well as loved ones expressing their complete and utter shock at the deaths.
“Praying for you and may God give you strength,” Dapatrick Jones repeated.
It definitely doesn’t look real!! LaKeithia Malone said. ‘Yeah, stay strong for [your other kids]. You got us in your corner though. (sic)’
J. Ray Web-Hill, who also shared photos of the sisters, encouraged everyone to donate to the fundraising page, noting that the family would “greatly appreciate any help you can provide.”