Detra McGuire, 23 & Roshanda, 2: Mother Remains Missing After Baby Found Deceased On Hwy
It is suspected that Detra McGuire is no longer alive, but that hasn’t answered questions regarding her tragic case. Sadly, this is a story that involves a missing mother and a murdered child that dates back to 1988. According to reports, on November 2 of that year, Detra lived in Lake City, Florida, with her boyfriend, Elana Murphy, and her two children. It was convenient because Detra’s parents lived in the same apartment complex, and family was always nearby.
It seemed like a regular day when Detra was said to have taken her two-year-old daughter, Roshanda McGuire, to the store for a brief shopping trip, but the mother and daughter were met with devastating circumstances.
Detra & Roshanda’s Last Known Movements
It was approximately 7:00 p.m. when Detra was last seen leaving her residence with Baby Rashonda, but just over two hours later, police were called to assist on Interstate 10. A trucker was driving down the highway and noticed something on the road. It is unclear if he collided with the object, but when he stopped to see what it was, he realized it was the body of a young child. Another motorist who also pulled over to help quickly drove to a nearby business to call the police.
Reports state that the baby, later identified as Roshanda, had a broken neck, several physical injuries, road rash, and bruises. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, Baby Roshanda reportedly didn’t have a pulse, and while life-saving efforts were attempted, she was sadly pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. A cause of death has not been shared publicly, but some speculated that the little girl may have been thrown from a moving vehicle.
Detra’s Vehicle Is Located
Later (an exact timeline or location has not been shared), Detra’s black 1988 Nissan Sentra was located in Columbia County (the same county as Lake City). It was reportedly abandoned at a truck stop and did not reveal any evidence that could aid in locating Detra McGuire.
Documents also reportedly show that Detra’s boyfriend was not only questioned by police but was named as a person of interest in these cases and was given a polygraph exam. Reports state that the test came just days after Roshanda’s remains were located, and Murphy was said to have failed. However, no formal charges have been made, and no other suspects or persons of interest have been named.
Detra McGuire: What To Know
At the time of her disappearance, Detra McGuire stood 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 135 pounds. She had black/dark brown hair (shoulder length) and brown eyes. Her middle name is “Renvictoria.” Detra had a mole on the right side of her neck and was last seen wearing blue jeans with stripes, a gray shirt, and pink bedroom slippers. Both of her ears are pierced.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at (386) 758-1376 or their local authorities. The agency case number is 881103124.
Please share this story about Detra McGuire to help reignite interest in her missing person case and her daughter’s murder. They are our sisters, and their lives matter.
