Welcome back to Black and Unsolved: True Crime Chronicles on the NBG Podcast Network. I'm your host, A.I. Jackson, here to shed light on the mysteries, the forgotten, and the unresolved cases that haunt our communities. Today, we explore the chilling and heart-wrenching disappearance of Diamond Bynum, a 21-year-old woman with special needs, and her two-year-old nephew, King Walker. Their story is one of love, mystery, and a family's tireless fight for answers.
Diamond and King vanished on July 25, 2015, from their home in Gary, Indiana, a place struggling with poverty, crime, and decay. Despite an intense search effort by the Gary Police Department, volunteers, and the FBI, their whereabouts remain unknown. Several theories surround their disappearance, each as haunting as the next, but a lack of evidence leaves all possibilities open.
This episode delves into the investigation challenges, the family's determination to find Diamond and King, and the broader issues of media disparity in missing persons cases affecting communities of color. Join us in keeping their story alive and advocating for justice.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 Welcome back to Black and Unsolved, True Crime Chronicles.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:11 I'm your host, A.I. Jackson, here to shed light on the mysteries,
00:00:12 --> 00:00:17 the forgotten and the unresolved cases that haunt our communities.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:23 Today, we explore the chilling and heart-wrenching disappearance of Diamond,
00:00:24 --> 00:00:31 Bynum, and King Walker, a 21-year-old woman with special needs and her two-year-old nephew.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:37 Their story is one of love, mystery, and a family's tireless fight for answers.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:43 Diamond, Bynum, and her nephew, King Walker, disappeared on July 25,
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 2015 from their home in Gary, Indiana.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:52 Diamond had Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic condition that limited her cognitive
00:00:52 --> 00:00:57 abilities to those of a child and caused a persistent urge to eat.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:02 Despite her challenges, she was known for her bubbly personality,
00:01:02 --> 00:01:06 love of family, and willingness to help her loved ones.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:11 King Walker, a joyful and adventurous toddler, adored his aunt.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:16 That weekend, he was staying with Diamond and her grandparents while his mother,
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 Ariana, attended classes in Chicago.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 Their close bond made their disappearance together all the more heartbreaking.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:29 The day they disappeared, a warm summer morning, Diamond and King were at home
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 with Diamond's stepmother, Suzanne.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:40 Around 10.20 am, Suzanne put King down for a nap, and both she and Diamond decided to rest as well.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:45 When Suzanne woke at 11 am, Diamond and King were gone.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 At first, the family assumed Diamond had taken King to a nearby store,
00:01:51 --> 00:01:52 a habit linked to her condition.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:59 But her phone, tablet, and the house stocked with food, including a chocolate cake, were left behind.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 The family grew concerned.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:07 Diamond's mobility was limited by a limp and obesity, and both she and King
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 were vulnerable in the unfamiliar neighborhood.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:14 They were last seen in the 500 block of Matthew Street.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 The timeline is tight, only 30 minutes.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:25 Did they wander off? Did someone lure them away? Or did something darker happen?
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 The search began immediately.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:33 The Gary Police Department, volunteers, and even the FBI combed through the area.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:39 Search dogs tracked their scent to a go-low gas station, but it vanished there.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:44 A witness claimed to have seen them at the station, but surveillance footage
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 didn't confirm the sighting.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 Gary, Indiana, presented unique challenges.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:57 The city has over 13 abandoned buildings, crumbling remnants of its industrial past.
00:02:58 --> 00:03:03 These structures became the focus of an extensive search, with law enforcement
00:03:03 --> 00:03:07 scouring 24 blocks of abandoned homes and empty lots.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:13 Adding to the complexity, there were 21 registered sex offenders living within
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 a one-mile radius of the home.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 Though authorities interview these individuals, there was no evidence tying
00:03:20 --> 00:03:21 them to the disappearance.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 At one point, a 34-year-old man was named a person of interest,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:29 but this lead did not develop further.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 Gary also has one of the highest crime rates in the country.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:38 Could Diamond and King have encountered someone who took advantage of their vulnerability?
00:03:39 --> 00:03:45 Or were they simply victims of a tragic accident in this neglected urban landscape?
00:03:45 --> 00:03:52 To understand the risks Diamond and King faced, let's talk about Gary, Indiana.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:58 Once a thriving steel town, the city now struggles with poverty, crime, and decay.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:03 Its landscape is riddled with abandoned homes, wooded areas,
00:04:03 --> 00:04:09 and hidden spaces like drains, underpasses, and dumpsters, places where someone
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 could easily get lost or hide.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:16 Within six blocks of Diamond's home, there was a heavily wooded park.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:22 Less than a mile west, the Ivanhoe South Nature preserves sprawls,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:26 offering dense vegetation and limited visibility.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:31 To the north lies the Grand Calumet River and a large retention pond.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:38 These areas were all within walking distance, even for someone with limited mobility like Diamond.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 Did they seek shelter in one of these places?
00:04:42 --> 00:04:47 Or did someone exploit the isolation of these locations to commit a crime?
00:04:48 --> 00:04:52 Several theories surround this case, each with haunting implications.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:56 Could it have been an accidental death in the environment?
00:04:57 --> 00:05:01 Diamond and King could have wandered into one of Gary's neglected areas,
00:05:02 --> 00:05:08 an abandoned house, a wooded park, or even a drain, and succumbed to the elements.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:12 The summer day's high was 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
00:05:12 --> 00:05:18 Not extreme, but enough to cause dehydration or exhaustion without water or shelter.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:24 Could it have been foul play? Given Gary's crime rate, it's possible they encountered
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 someone with ill intentions.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:32 The sheer number of abandoned buildings and isolated spaces could have provided
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 the cover needed for such a crime. Was it abduction?
00:05:36 --> 00:05:42 The fact that their scent trail ended at the Golo gas station raises the possibility
00:05:42 --> 00:05:47 they were picked up by a vehicle. Could they have been lured into a car by someone
00:05:47 --> 00:05:51 offering food or a ride? Could it have been separation?
00:05:51 --> 00:05:54 What if Diamond and King became separated?
00:05:55 --> 00:06:00 King, being small and curious, could have crawled into a space Diamond couldn't follow.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:05 In this scenario, one of them could have fallen victim to the environment while
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 the other encountered a predator or wondered even further.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:12 Each theory raises chilling questions.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:17 The lack of evidence makes it impossible to rule out any scenario.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:23 Diamond and King's family has faced unimaginable grief and frustration.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:28 Despite their vulnerability, law enforcement delayed issuing a silver alert
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 for Diamond for an entire month.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:37 The family often had to initiate communication with investigators and felt sidelined in the search efforts.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:43 Still, they've never stopped fighting. Diamond's mother, Lashon Walker,
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 has organized events to raise awareness,
00:06:47 --> 00:06:52 worked with the Black and Missing Foundation, and even provided her DNA to help
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 identify potential remain.
00:06:55 --> 00:07:00 Lashon says, and I quote, I'm asking if anyone knows anything, please say something.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 Someone knows something.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 End of quote.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:10 The broader context regarding missing persons in the Black community is important to note.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:18 Diamond and King's case is one of thousands of missing persons cases in the black community.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:23 Nearly 40% of all missing persons in the U.S.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:28 Are people of color, yet they receive disproportionately less media attention and resources.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:35 This disparity, known as Missing White Woman Syndrome, highlights systemic inequity.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:40 Families like Diamond and King's must fight not only for their loved ones,
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 but also for the visibility their cases deserve.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:49 But their story reminds us of the power of community and determination.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:54 Their family refuses to give up, and neither should we.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:59 If you're moved by Diamond and King's story, here's how you can help.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:03 Share their story widely. Awareness is critical.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:08 Support organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:20 If you have any information, no matter how small, contact the Gary Police Department at 219-881-1260.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:27 The disappearance of Diamond Bynum and King Walker is a tragedy that leaves
00:08:27 --> 00:08:31 us with questions and a family desperate for answers.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:38 Their story is a testament to resilience, and we owe it to them to keep their case alive.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:44 Thank you for joining me on this episode of Black and Unsolved True Crime Chronicles.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:50 If you or anyone you know has information about the disappearance of Diamond
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 Bynum and King Walker, I urge you to come forward.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 Even the smallest detail could make a difference.
00:08:57 --> 00:09:04 Together, we can shine a light on the forgotten and bring hope to those searching for justice.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:10 And if you want to support their fight for justice, consider sharing his story,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:16 signing petitions, or donating to causes that advocate for unsolved cases in
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 marginalized communities.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:23 If you enjoyed this episode, hit that like button, leave a comment,
00:09:23 --> 00:09:26 write a review, and share it with your friends.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:33 For more amazing shows from Black creators, visit nbgpodcastnetwork.com and
00:09:33 --> 00:09:36 check out our complete lineup.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:43 Stay tuned for our next episode, where we will continue to explore unresolved
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 cases and the stories behind them.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:50 Remember, stay connected, stay empowered, and stay vigilant.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:58 Until then, I'm your host, A.I., Jackson, and this is Black and Unsolved,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 True Crime Chronicles on the NBG Podcast Network.
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