Anita Wiley : Tonya Mosley’s Search for Sister: Uncovering Secrets

The search for answers about a long-lost sibling has inspired a compelling new podcast that delves into a family’s odyssey for closure and understanding.

Courtesy Antonio Wiley; Courtesy Tonya Mosley

From left: Anita Wiley ca. 1970s and sister Tonya Mosely in 2024.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/REbyv7HJ.w7LxcZmzxH3Sg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/c099de86c4012cc75859614eabbfb2ec” class=”caas-img”/>

• Fresh Air cohost Tonya Mosley never knew she had an older sister — until a surprise phone call from her nephew

• Her sister Anita Wiley had been missing in Detroit since 1987 and Mosley and her nephew wanted to find out why

• Their search became a new 10-part podcast, She Has a Name

When Tonya Mosley received an unexpected call in 2004, little did she know that it would unravel a family mystery that had haunted her for years. As a young reporter in Louisville, Kentucky, Mosley was accustomed to hearing strangers’ stories, but the call from a stranger named Antonio Wiley changed everything. Wiley revealed himself to be her nephew and disclosed the existence of Mosley’s long-lost sister, Anita Wiley, who had disappeared without a trace in Detroit in 1987.

Mosley, now 47 and a cohost of NPR’s Fresh Air, had always felt a void in her life, yearning to know more about her father’s side of the family. The revelation of Anita’s disappearance propelled Mosley and her nephew on a journey to uncover the truth behind the mysterious vanishing.

Fast forward to the present day, Mosley has translated her nephew’s search for closure into a poignant 10-part podcast titled She Has a Name. Combining elements of memoir and investigative journalism, the podcast not only sheds light on the enigma surrounding Anita’s disappearance but also paints a vivid portrait of her as a person.

Anita Wiley, a single mother grappling with drug addiction, vanished during a tumultuous period in Detroit’s history marked by economic turmoil and rising violence. Through the podcast, Mosley and Wiley aim to humanize Anita, showcasing her complexities beyond the stigma of addiction.

Courtesy Antonio Wiley

From left: Anita Wiley with son Antonio, then 13, ca. 1985 — two years before her disappearance.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NMYP1G_4yQiqFLWQFEAy0g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/6625253401069de80eba10994cc32f6c” class=”caas-img”/>

Mosley, now a mother herself, emphasizes the importance of telling stories like Anita’s to give a voice to the voiceless and offer solace to families grappling with loss. Through She Has a Name, Mosley and Wiley aim to bring healing to others who have endured similar tragedies.

For Antonio, Anita’s son, the search for his mother consumed his life for over three decades. The last conversation he had with Anita before her disappearance still echoes in his memory, a poignant reminder of the void left by her absence.

As the podcast unfolds, listeners are taken on a journey of discovery, resilience, and ultimately closure as Antonio’s relentless pursuit of answers culminates in the identification of his mother’s remains. The revelation, though bittersweet, brings a sense of peace and completeness to Antonio, who can now lay his mother to rest with a proper memorial.

The mystery of Anita’s disappearance may never be fully resolved, but the podcast serves as a tribute to her memory and a testament to the enduring bond between family members separated by tragedy.

Courtesy Antonio WIley

Antonio Wiley in 2023.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qZAo0rYHM_ZoCc0.5Xj1qw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTkyMA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/225e64858faeea12a07229d0ed8b6e20″ class=”caas-img”/>

As Mosley and Antonio continue to unravel the layers of their family’s history, they hope that She Has a Name will not only illuminate Anita’s story but also provide a beacon of hope for others navigating the complexities of loss and longing.

For more information, read the original article on People.