- Latoya Figueroa was a Philadelphian who went missing on the 18th of July 2005, leaving no trail to track and search for her remained futile until a phone call hit the police desk.
- The 24-year-old disappearance sparked controversy as her case was left under the radar by the national news agency allegedly because of her race: she was a black woman of Hispanic descent.
- Stephen Poaches the father of her unborn child was arrested for her murder and is reportedly serving a life sentence at the State Correctional Institute.
LaToyia Figueroa was an African American Philadelphia young woman whose disappearance startled the whole state of Pennsylvania in 2005. Many feared that she might likely suffer her mother’s fate, who was found dead on the street with a deep cut in her throat when she was only 22 years old.
LaToyia at the time of her disappearance was 5 months pregnant and already a mother of a 7-year old. She also had the responsibility of supporting her aged father, Melvin. Her disappearance drew the attention of the whole country as the American media got dragged for ignoring the case because she was a black woman.
The Early Life of LaToyia Figueroa
LaToyia Figueroa was an African American and Hispanic descent and was born on January 26, 1981. Her mother Ann Taylor was murdered when she was just a toddler and her father was Melvin Figueroa. Her grandmother who raised her died when LaToyia was still in high school.
As regards her education, she couldn’t continue to the university as she couldn’t afford her tuition fees.
LaToyia had a 7-year-old daughter Izhanae whom she birthed with her high school sweetheart – Anthony Wiliams. At the time of the incident, she was in a relationship with 25 years old Stephen Poaches and was 5-months pregnant for him. Also, LaToyia worked as a waitress in a local restaurant in Philadelphia.
How LaToyia Figueroa Suddenly Disappeared
On July 18, 2005, LaToyia’s left for Pennsylvania Hospital with her baby daddy Stephen Poaches for a prenatal check-up as she was 5-month pregnant for him.
Her family became concerned when she didn’t pick up her 7- years old daughter from school. Moreso, she didn’t show up at the restaurant she worked.
More shockingly, her 25-year-old boyfriend claimed they went to his apartment after her check-up but she left in one piece at 5 pm. This news didn’t sit well with her family, so they alerted the police who reported her missing.
Investigations Made in Search of LaToyia Figueroa
The then-24 years old was last seen with her baby daddy Stephen Poaches, so he was the person of interest. The police sleuth his car and house in search of a trail but found nothing.
LaToyia’s cellphone and credit card were tracked by the police for possible transactions and calls but no activity was traced. Moreso, her past lovers, co-workers, and friends were questioned but no one knew about her whereabouts.
Meanwhile, her family led an extensive search with much puissance. LaToyia’s friends and relatives held rallies and placed fliers to bring attention to their search and generate clues.
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LaToyia’s Disappearance was Ignored by The Media
In the wake of the disappearance of the mother of one, it was claimed that for a long time, the media in America often pays attention to Caucasian women who have gone missing and ignore cases from other women and men. LaToyia’s case is an exact description of the phenomenon so-called “missing white women syndrome”.
It was claimed that LaToyia’s disappearance didn’t get the media’s attention instead, they focused on missing white women. At that time,18-years old white American teen, Natalee Holloway who disappeared during high school graduation prior to LaToyia was everywhere on the news.
Mr. Blair angrily sent a biting letter to the host of legal affair programs on CNN-Headline News – Nancy Grace. He urged her to reposition the camera to Ms. Figueroa’s disappearance as they were undistractedly focused on Ms. Holloway. Mr. Blair further posted the letter on his blog and other linking blogs commented on it and added pressure.
On July 27, 2005, LaToyia’s case made the headline on CNN. Also, it appeared on over 15 broadcast networks and cable news channels. That same afternoon, Mr. Ramos held a well-attended news conference to announce a $10,000 reward, later raised to $100,000.
The news report further earned service from a Delaware-based canine search unit. They searched through every nook and cranny of the city including cemeteries and city parks and though without any leads, her family and friends still had hope.
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How Stephen was Arrested After His Friend Called the Police
A few weeks later, the police received a call from one of Steven’s friends who gave them new information that could end their search. He told them Stephen called him requesting his truck and a body bag.
With this new information, the police traced Steven to a wooded lot in Chester about 13 miles from Philadelphia. The 25 years old was caught while he tried to move the remains of the decomposed body. At the time of his arrest, he was in a bulletproof vest and in possession of a 45 caliber gun.
Finally, the exhaustive month-long search for LaToyia came to an end. Steven was charged with murder, although his attorney insisted he should be charged with manslaughter as his actions were driven by sudden intense passion and not pre-planned.
Why Did Stephen Kill His Baby Mama LaToyia?
Stephen made a statement with the police that they got into an argument while in his apartment. He added that he got furious when LaToyia started hitting him on his face and shoulder and he began to strangle her as his temper took over him.
Stephen said he was confused when he found out she was dead and couldn’t tell her relatives. Hence, he resolved to hide her body. On the contrary, investigators of the crime revealed that Stephen killed LaToyia for her refusal to abort the pregnancy.
Melvin Figueroa, her father also stated that his daughter had an attack a week before her disappearance. He added that the attacker aimed at her stomach and whoever it was, wanted her pregnancy gone.
Where Is Stephen Poaches Now?
In October 2006, Judge M. Teresa Sarmina a non-jury trial convicted Stephen of two counts of first-degree murder for killing LaToyia and her unborn child. It was concluded that he killed LaToyia for her refusal to have an abortion.
Stephen’s actions according to his defense attorney Micheal Coard was considered voluntary manslaughter and not premeditated or planned. However, he was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Reports confirm that Poaches remain apprehended at the State Correctional Institution – Houtzdale in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
Quick Facts about LaToyia Figueroa
- LaToyia Figueroa was 24 years old at the time she died.
- She was a single mother of a seven-year-old girl.
- The local papers took up her LaToyia’s case after two weeks.
- She was featured on America’s most wanted.
- Melvin Figueroa suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with diabetes after her death.
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