Chapter 40: The Disappearance of D'Wan Sims

On December 11, 1994, 4 year old D'Wan Sims goes to the Wonderland Mall in Livonia, Michigan with his mother, D'Wanna Harris. approximately 45 minutes after they arrive, D'Wanna realizes that her son his not with her. What would follow would be an extensive search that has spanned 28 years with no sign of D'Wan. 

Was this a case of stranger abduction, or did D'Wanna know more than she was willing to say?

If you have any information regarding D'Wan Sims disappearance,  please contact the Livonia Police Department at 313-421-1920.

For a full list of sources please email us at bookofthedeadpod@gmail.com

Baxter, J. (2021, December 31). Missing at the Mall or Murdered by Mom? - Perceive More! - Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/perceive-more/missing-at-the-mall-or-murdered-by-mom-9195230dcd5a

Bebow, J., & Lengel, A. (1994, December 25). “We just want to spend Christmas quietly, praying,” D’wan’s grandma says. Detroit Free Press, 20.

Castine, J., Johnson, L. A., & Niemiec, D. (1994, December 14). Search for missing boy centers on mom, friends. Detroit Free Press, 153.

CBS Detroit. (2020, December 11). Police: D’Wanna Wiggins, Mother of Missing Child D’Wan Sims, Passes Away. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/police-dwanna-wiggins-mother-of-missing-child-dwan-sims-passes-away/

Clarke, K. (2022, December 17). 28 years ago: 4-year-old D’Wan Sims was reported missing from Wonderland Mall in Livonia. WDIV. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/12/17/28-years-ago-4-year-old-dwan-sims-was-reported-missing-from-wonderland-mall-in-livonia/

Detroit Free Press 07 Aug 1996, page Page 13. (n.d.). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/100383819/?terms=d%27wan%20sims&match=1

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press. (2020, December 10). Mom of D’Wan Sims, the boy who disappeared 26 years ago, dies with case unsolved. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/12/10/mom-dwan-sims-dies/3877875001/

Geiger, D. (2019, December 17). Man Claims He’s Boy Who Went Missing 25 Years Ago, Hands Over DNA To Authorities. Oxygen Official Site. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/man-claims-hes-missing-michigan-kid-dwan-sims?fbclid=IwAR2LsNGwtv99xRpD0KuvkrZE0oqF1WrAiNpFZG5uZ79Vly-vEOBhl_yC8MA

Gilchrist, B., Castine, J., & Niemiec, D. (1994, December 16). Police check out many tips in search: But boy is still missing, insurance policy is probed. Detroit Free Press, 126.

Kresnak, J. (1995a, October 28). Grand jury joins case of missing D’Wan. Detroit Free Press, 3.

Kresnak, J. (1995b, November 8). Letter claims missing boy is dead. Detroit Free Press, 12.

Lawyer advising missing boy’s kin. (1995, January 11). Detroit Free Press, 100.

Migoya, D. (1994, December 31). Woman charged with giving police a false tip. Detroit Free Press, 3.

Missing Person / NamUs #MP6656 | NamUs. (n.d.). NamUs. https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP6656

Mom questioned again. (1994, December 14). Detroit Free Press, 6.

Public’s gaze fades away, but D’Wan is not forgotten. (1995, March 13). Detroit Free Press, 11.

The Associated Press. (1994a, December 15). Four-year-old boy still missing. The Lansing State Journal, 38.

The Associated Press. (1994b, December 21). Police doubt story about missing boy. The Herald Palladium, 28.

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Much Love-
Courtney and Lisa