No arrests have been made in the case since it was originally opened.
HICKORY, N.C. — The name Dee Dee Dawkins carries weight in the town of Hickory, North Carolina.
“I call her the town’s dirty little secret,” said Stephanie Young, one of Dawson’s cousins. “They thought she was a prostitute; they had no idea she was a child.”
Dawkins, just 13 years old, was lost to violence in 1992. Her case faded from headlines but never from the hearts of those who loved her.
“She was raped and murdered and thrown into a river like she was a piece of trash,” said Kessiah Young, another cousin. “No one ever figured out what happened, it’s trauma our family has had to go through for 33 years.”
For Kessiah and Stephanie Young, the pain is still fresh. It still feels like 1992.
“Everyone just trusted the police would do what they needed to, but all trust is gone,” said Stephanie Young. “Some days I get so hopeless, I feel like nothing is ever going to be done.”
Now, the case is back in the spotlight.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” said Will Armstrong, chief of police at the Brookford Police Department.
Armstrong reopened the case in August 2023, aiming to provide justice, something he says is long overdue.
“I opened the case because it really touched my heart to think a 13-year-old child was killed in my community, and there was really no news media or press to hear about it,” he said. “I don’t feel this family was done justice when they opened the case. I don’t think they are getting done proper justice now.”
Armstrong told WCNC Charlotte he’s working to change that, all in hopes that the Dawkins family, and Dee Dee herself, can finally find peace.
“I’m never going to stop fighting for my cousin, she is my first cousin. We grew up like sisters,” said Kessiah Young..
The family is encouraging the community or anyone with information about what happened to contact their tip line by calling (828) 383-4063.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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