Tonya Mosley : “NPR’s Tonya Mosley Investigates Vanishing Sister in Detroit”

Tonya Mosley, a young journalist working in Louisville, Kentucky, received a life-changing phone call in 2004. The call came from a stranger named Antonio Wiley, who turned out to be her nephew. Antonio revealed to Tonya that she had a sister, his mother, who had gone missing 17 years earlier and was presumed dead.

The unexpected call opened up a world of emotions for Mosley, now 47, who had always been curious about her absent father’s side of the family. Raised by her mother in Detroit, she had longed for details about the other parts of herself that she was disconnected from.

Fast forward two decades, Mosley, now the cohost of NPR’s Fresh Air, has turned Antonio’s search for answers into a gripping podcast titled She Has a Name. This 10-part series delves into the mystery surrounding Anita Wiley, a single mother who disappeared in the summer of 1987 during Detroit’s turbulent times of economic decline and rising violence.

Anita Wiley, described by Antonio as a wonderful mother who struggled with drug addiction, vanished without a trace, leaving her family searching for answers. Mosley’s podcast aims to shed light on Anita’s story, humanizing her and giving a voice to those who have been forgotten.

Anita’s son, Antonio, now 51, recalls his mother’s disappearance as a heartbreaking moment that shaped his life. He remembers the last conversation he had with Anita, where she encouraged him to enjoy a weekend visit with his cousins before she mysteriously vanished.

Driven by the desire to find his mother, Antonio never gave up on his quest for answers. Over the years, he tirelessly searched for any information that could lead to Anita’s whereabouts, reaching out to detectives and using every resource available to him.

Mosley and Antonio’s paths crossed in 2004, setting off a chain of events that would eventually lead to the identification of Anita’s remains. Through DNA testing and a new program aimed at naming unidentified bodies, Antonio was able to confirm that the body labeled “Unknown Woman 1987” was indeed his mother.

The closure brought by this revelation was bittersweet for Antonio, who finally had a chance to lay his mother to rest and give her the recognition she deserved. The podcast, She Has a Name, serves as a tribute to Anita’s memory and a platform for healing for those who have lost loved ones.

The journey of discovery and closure for Antonio and Mosley has been one of resilience and determination. Through their shared experiences and unwavering commitment to finding the truth, they have been able to shine a light on Anita’s story and honour her legacy.