MI HEATHER KELLEY: Missing from Portage, MI - 10 Dec 2022 - Age 35 *ARREST*

Police: No explanation for disappearance of Portage mom of 8

Police are growing increasingly worried as they search for a mother of eight who has been missing since Saturday.

www.woodtv.com

Police: No explanation for disappearance of Portage mom of 8​

Police are growing increasingly worried as they search for a mother of eight who has been missing since Saturday.

Police identified the missing woman as Heather Kelley, 35, of Portage. The Portage Department of Public Safety and the Kalamazoo Sheriff’s Department started investigating after she was reported missing on Sunday.

“Since that time both agencies have been working shoulder to shoulder, pretty much around the clock to bring this to a conclusion,” Portage Public Safety Director Nicholas Armold said.

“Any time somebody is reported missing and especially four or five days into it, when there’s no reasonable explanation as to why they’re not around, is concerning,” he said. “I’m not willing to jump to any kind of conclusions.”

Word about her disappearance was spreading on the Missing In Michigan Facebook page.

But police were providing few details.

“There’s a lot of detail we’re not going to be able to go into,” Sheriff Richard Fuller said.

They confirmed that they recovered her vehicle, though they wouldn’t say where and wouldn’t say if it held any clues about her whereabouts.

“You go back to sometimes you can explain things and other times you can’t,” Armold said. “Right now we can’t exactly explain why we found her vehicle without her and we can’t find her, so yeah that’s concerning and that’s why we’ve put everything we have from both agencies onto this case.”

“Our real concern is to try to find this young lady for her family,” Armold said. “We know that they’re struggling with her being missing and it makes total sense. Hopefully we can bring this to a happy conclusion at some point. We just need more time.”

Police: No explanation for disappearance of Portage mom of 8

Police are growing increasingly worried as they search for a mother of eight who has been missing since Saturday.

www.woodtv.com

Police: No explanation for disappearance of Portage mom of 8​

Police are growing increasingly worried as they search for a mother of eight who has been missing since Saturday.

Police identified the missing woman as Heather Kelley, 35, of Portage. The Portage Department of Public Safety and the Kalamazoo Sheriff’s Department started investigating after she was reported missing on Sunday.

“Since that time both agencies have been working shoulder to shoulder, pretty much around the clock to bring this to a conclusion,” Portage Public Safety Director Nicholas Armold said.

HEATHER KELLEY: Missing from Portage, MI - 10 Dec 2022 - Age 35

Police identified the missing woman as Heather Kelley, 35, of Portage. The Portage Department of Public Safety and the Kalamazoo Sheriff’s Department started investigating after she was reported missing on Sunday. Police: There is no explanation...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[GrandmaBear]

Portage marking one-year anniversary of Heather Kelley’s disappearance

PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) -- Sunday marks one year since Heather Kelley of Portage disappeared. The following i...

wkzo.com

Portage marking one-year anniversary of Heather Kelley’s disappearance​

Sunday marks one year since Heather Kelley of Portage disappeared. The following is a statement from the city about the anniversary:

December 10, 2023, marks the solemn first anniversary since the disappearance of Heather Kelley. The community continues to mourn this tragic loss and stands in solidarity with her family and loved ones affected by this heart-wrenching event. Heather Kelley, 35, whose sudden vanishing shocked our city a year ago, remains a poignant reminder of the urgent need for justice in our society. Despite exhaustive efforts and collaborative endeavors by numerous law enforcement agencies, dedicated volunteers, and the unwavering support of our community, answers still elude us in this case.

Heather Kelley left her home in Portage, Michigan on December 10, 2022, at approximately 9 p.m., driving a white 2015 Toyota Venza. Ms. Kelley, a mother of eight children ranging in ages from 6 to 18, was last seen at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sprinkle Road in the City of Kalamazoo. On December 11, 2022, at approximately 7 p.m., Ms. Kelley’s Toyota Venza was recovered parked and on fire along the side of the road in the area of East Michigan Avenue and Sprinkle Road, within the jurisdiction of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.

Facts and circumstances surrounding the whereabouts of Ms. Kelley and the recovery of her vehicle led investigators to determine that Ms. Kelley was the unfortunate victim of a homicide. As of now, Ms. Kelley or her remains have not yet been found.

Through the course of this investigation, it was determined that at the time of her disappearance, Heather Kelley was with her boyfriend Carlos Vance Watts, a 35-year-old Kalamazoo resident. Mr. Watts was identified as a person of interest in the disappearance of Heather Kelley and is currently in federal custody on unrelated charges.

The passing of one year brings into sharp focus the importance of perseverance, empathy, and the tireless pursuit of truth. As we honor the memory of Heather, we renew our commitment to aiding the investigation and ensuring that those responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice.

The Portage Department of Public Safety along with our county, state, and federal partners reiterate our determination to exhaust every lead and explore all avenues to uncover the truth. We implore anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000, along with a $5,000 reward from Silent Observer, for information that leads to the location of Heather Kelley.

Today, we not only remember Heather but also highlight the resilience and unity of our community in the face of adversity. Let us stand together, united in seeking closure and justice for Heather and her grieving family.

While law enforcement continues to be in contact with the family, a representative for the family has asked that members of the media and the public please respect their privacy. Our hearts and thoughts remain with the family and friends of Heather Kelley as we continue to pursue answers and justice in this deeply tragic and unresolved case.

I have t say I am impressed by this statement, it is far more than the average one LE would put out on a one year day, it does say it is from the city though. Still I read it and can't help but feel heart and determination. And it's clear he is named the POI.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I have t say I am impressed by this statement, it is far more than the average one LE would put out on a one year day, it does say it is from the city though. Still I read it and can't help but feel heart and determination. And it's clear he is named the POI.

Apparently I landed in the wrong spot of what I thought was the newest post. He IS charged with her murder to which I had already responded previously. And said Thank God.

Only excuse is it is hard to keep up on all these days and keep them straight and find time.

It still fits though, I said they sounded determined and they were and did it and charged him with her murder.

GOOD NEWS. And now in the pen for a fed escape charge in the meantime. I think I have it all straight now. Plus that of his brother with his sex with minors charges.

What a bunch his family likely is considering the deeds of these two brothers.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kalamazoo-county/man-charged-with-murder-of-kalamazoo-mother-of-eight/

Man charged with murder of Kalamazoo mother of eight​

A man has been formally charged with murder in the disappearance of a Kalamazoo mother of eight, court records show.

Carlos Watts Jr., 39, was charged with the murder of Heather Kelley on Monday in Kalamazoo. The charge was initially approved in January.

The charge of open murder carries the possibility of a sentence of life without parole, if Watts is convicted of first-degree murder. If convicted of second-degree murder, Watts could be sentenced to up to life in prison or any number of years.

A probable cause conference has been scheduled for July 23 and an examination is set for July 30.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

'You make me want to hit you': Docs reveal new details in Heather Kelley disappearance

Probable cause documents released Friday by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office are providing new details surrounding the disappearance of Heather Kelley, and

wwmt.com

'You make me want to hit you': Docs reveal new details in Heather Kelley disappearance
Probable cause documents released Friday by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office are providing new details surrounding the disappearance of Heather Kelley, and the eventual arrest of her boyfriend Carlos Watts Jr.


Watts' co-workers told investigators he abruptly punched out of work around 10:30 p.m., and got into the driver's seat of Kelley's car as the battery on his ankle monitor died.

He then drove away from The Park Club with Kelley, who texted one of her children that she would be home "in a lil bit," documents detailed.

However, Kelley's phone would shut off at about 10:40 p.m. near Western Michigan University, followed by Watts' phone minutes later.

Kelley would never return home.

At about 2:16 a.m., Watts' cell phone was turned back on close to where Kelley's car was found abandoned along East Michigan Avenue and Sprinkle Road, according to court documents.

Watts then called KPEP, saying he would be returning late because he was still working at the Park Club, documents detailed.

He eventually returned to KPEP around 2:53 a.m., telling residents the visible scratches on his body came from Kelley.

Watts would later cut off his ankle tether and flee KPEP, according to documents.

In the hours that followed, family members reported they found Kelley's car abandoned, intentionally set on fire, and containing what analysis confirmed was a large pool of Kelley's blood.

Her clothes, along with Watts Jr's du-rag, were found strewn throughout the woods at the north end of Pickard Street, not too far away from Kelley's car, documents detailed.

DNA analysis of the clothes were confirmed to contain both Kelley and Watts Jr's DNA.

Specifically, Watts Jr's DNA was found on the inside of Kelley's waistband while Kelley's DNA was found on Watts Jr's du-rag, according to documents.

Search warrants issued later for Kelley and Watts Jr's Facebook accounts indicated the pair were in a "tumultuous" relationship for months before Kelley disappeared.

According to records, Watts Jr was "controlling and routinely accused Heather [Kelley] of cheating on him," demanded to watch her sleep via video chats, and contacted her children to spy on her.

He also reportedly made statements about hitting Kelley, saying he would like to put his hands on her and, in response to a text on Nov. 8, 2022, "you make me want to hit you," documents detailed.

In addition, a family member told investigators on Oct. 27, 2022 that, after an argument with Watts Jr, Kelley had asked to stay with them because Watts Jr threatened to slit her throat.

"Investigators have taken various investigative steps to prove whether signs of life exist for Heather Kelley, finding nothing to indicate that she is alive," according to documents. "Based on the physical evidence, to include blood in her vehicle, the clothing found in the woods, and circumstances surrounding her disappearance, law enforcement have concluded that Heather Kelley has been the victim of homicide..."

After Kelley disappeared, Watts Jr admitted to a witness he "got rid of the b**ch."

A separate "cooperating subject" later told police that Watts Jr confessed to killing Kelley by hitting her in the head with a blunt object and disposing of her body in a dumpster.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Probable cause hearing delayed for suspect in Heather Kelley case

The man accused for the disappearance and presumed death of Heather Kelley appeared in court Tuesday.

www.fox17online.com

By: FOX 17 News
Posted at 10:39 PM, Jul 23, 2024

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The man accused for the disappearance and presumed death of Heather Kelley appeared in court Tuesday.

The Portage mother was last seen in December 2022. Her body was never located. Carlos Watts Jr. was later charged with open murder.

A probable cause conference was scheduled to take place in Kalamazoo Tuesday morning but the only decision that came from it was to delay the hearing.

in Heather Kelley case​

Photo by: Portage Police Department

By: FOX 17 News
Posted at 10:39 PM, Jul 23, 2024
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The man accused for the disappearance and presumed death of Heather Kelley appeared in court Tuesday.

The Portage mother was last seen in December 2022. Her body was never located. Carlos Watts Jr. was later charged with open murder.

A probable cause conference was scheduled to take place in Kalamazoo Tuesday morning but the only decision that came from it was to delay the hearing.

minary examination was scheduled to be held next week but that was also delayed to give attorneys more time to refine their cases.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/police-didnt-search-landfills-for-mom-of-8s-body-despite-dumpster-claim/

Police didn’t search landfills for mom of 8’s body despite dumpster claim​

Court records provide a clue about what may have happened to the body of Heather Kelley, the mother of eight who disappeared more than a year ago in Kalamazoo County and is presumed dead.

A witness told police that the boyfriend accused in her murder admitted to killing her and disposing of her body in a dumpster.

Despite that, police have not searched any landfills and say they aren’t planning on it.

Police say there’s plenty of evidence that Kelley, 35, of Portage, was killed in December 2022 and that her obsessive boyfriend, Carlos Watts Jr., 39, is the killer.

What they don’t have is her body, despite months of searching.

“Obviously our goals were to find the person who did this and hold them accountable that process is currently ongoing — and, secondly, our main concern is trying to find her, for no other reason than to bring some closure to the family,” Portage Department of Public Safety Director Nicholas Armold said.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Watts told someone that he struck Kelley in the head before dumping her body, but the affidavit doesn’t say where the dumpster was or who provided that information.

But other court records show that Watts’ brother, Jordan, admitted to police that he “burned Heather’s car at Carlos’ direction and that Carlos killed Heather with a hammer or other blunt object due to infidelity or issues within their relationship.”

When asked if there was a chance Kelley’s body was in a landfill, the Portage public safety director said: “Well, I think at this point, not knowing where she is at all, I think there’s a chance she could be anywhere.”

Kalamazoo County doesn’t have its own landfill. State records show that most of the 280,000-plus tons of waste produced each year in the county goes to two dumps: Republic Services’ C&C Sanitary Landfills near Marshall and Best Way Disposal’s Orchard Hill Sanitary Landfill in Berrien County.

Landfill searches aren’t often fruitful and they’re expensive. The public safety director said it would cost $1 million a day.

“Obviously, the difficulties in doing that are immense, if not impossible, depending on whether or not you have enough detailed information to not only identify what landfill but where, when,” Armold said. “And I’m not sure we have those details.”


“I can tell you that as recent as last week we were still searching for her,” he said. “We’ve been all over the place, certainly in Kalamazoo County, outside Kalamazoo County, and we’ll continue to do that and we’ll continue to follow whatever leads we have in hopes of finding her.”

In an email to Target 8, Watts maintained his innocence.

“I want Heathers (sic) 8 children to know 1000% that I had nothing to do with thier mothers (sic) disappearance,” he wrote. “You have clearly been given half and false truth information.”

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Charges dropped against brother of man accused of killing missing girlfriend

The attorney for Jordan Watts said police tried to use him as leverage while investigating his brother, Carlos Watts, in a Portage woman's disappearance and killing.

www.mlive.com

Charges dropped against brother of man accused of killing missing girlfriend​

Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against the brother of Carlos Vance Watts Jr., who is accused of killing missing girlfriend, Heather Kelley.

Watts, 39, was recently charged with open murder in Kelley’s killing. The body of the Portage woman, who went missing Dec. 11, 2022, has not been found.

Paywall

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Still missing. Two years now. No updates recently that I could find.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Carlos Watts Jr faces preliminary hearing two years after Heather Kelley's disappearance

More than two years after the disappearance of Heather Kelley, prosecutors are trying to get justice.Friday, the man they claimed killed her, Carlos Watts Jr, f

wwmt.com

Carlos Watts Jr faces preliminary hearing two years after Heather Kelley's disappearance
More than two years after the disappearance of Heather Kelley, prosecutors are trying to get justice.

Friday, the man they claimed killed her, Carlos Watts Jr, faced a judge for a preliminary hearing in Kalamazoo.

Watts Jr's defense team tried waiving Friday's hearing, but the prosecution wanted to move forward, calling more than a dozen people up to the stand.

Many who testified were family members, including Kelley's mother, some of her children, and an ex-boyfriend.


In addition, a family member told investigators on Oct. 27, 2022 that, after an argument with Watts Jr, Kelley had asked to stay with them because Watts Jr threatened to slit her throat, according to court documents.

"Investigators have taken various investigative steps to prove whether signs of life exist for Heather Kelley, finding nothing to indicate that she is alive," documents detailed. "Based on the physical evidence, to include blood in her vehicle, the clothing found in the woods, and circumstances surrounding her disappearance, law enforcement have concluded that Heather Kelley has been the victim of homicide..."

Throughout Friday's hearing, Watts Jr often spoke with his attorneys, seemingly engaged with the process. However, early on in the hearing, there was a tense exchange between Watts Jr and the judge.

Watts Jr claimed he had not yet seen all of the discovery evidence against him.

"I have 180-something pages and they say there's 551. Where's the rest of it?," Watts Jr asked.

"I have no idea. I need to know specifically what he [Watts Jr] believes hasn't been turned over... (inaudible)," the judge responded.

"Right now, there's people...," Watts Jr tried to interject.

"Don't interrupt me. I can't go 'basically, I can't go on generalities,'" the judge replied.

Watts Jr was formally charged with one count of open murder in connection to Kelley's disappearance on July 18.

Kelley's body, on the other hand, still hasn't been found.

Prosecutors noted her car was found along East Michigan Avenue and Sprinkle Road, and claimed it was set on fire.

It also contained what analysis confirmed was a large pool of Kelley's blood, according to court documents.

In addition to her car, Kelley's clothes, along with Watts Jr's du-rag, were found strewn throughout the woods at the north end of Pickard Street, not too far away from where her car was found, court documents detailed.

Analysis would confirm the presence of Kelley and Watts Jr's DNA on Kelley's waistband and Watts Jr's du-rag.


With three more witnesses left to testify, Watts Jr's court hearing is set to resume Monday.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Hearing for Michigan man accused of murdering Heather Kelley resumes Monday

A preliminary hearing for Carlos Watts Jr. the man accused of killing his girlfriend Heather Kelly in Dec. 2022, will resume Monday.Watts Jr's defense team tri

wwmt.com

Hearing for Michigan man accused of murdering Heather Kelley resumes Thursday
A preliminary hearing that took place Monday for Carlos Watts Jr., a man accused of murdering Heather Kelley in Dec. 2022, will continue Thursday.

The judge in the case is expected to decide whether or not there is enough evidence to send Watts Jr to trial. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Boyfriend of missing Portage mother will head to trial for murder

Heather Kelley was reported missing in December 2022. Her body has not been found.

www.mlive.com

Boyfriend of missing Portage mother will head to trial for murder​

A man accused of killing his girlfriend and mother of eight is heading to trial on one count of open murder.

Carlos Vance Watts Jr., 39, was bound over to Kalamazoo County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 26, after a preliminary examination in district court.

The examination began Dec. 20, and concluded Thursday, Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Williams said. The court clerk will schedule a pretrial hearing in the 9th Circuit Court.


Neither Kelley, nor her remains, have been located, Williams said previously.

“It’s a case largely of circumstantial evidence,” said Kalamazoo District Judge Tiffany Ankley, according to WOOD-TV. “But the circumstantial evidence in this case is compelling.”

Investigators found clothing, including women’s underwear, pants and boots, a half-mile from where Kelley’s vehicle was found abandoned on East Michigan Avenue at Sprinkle Road on Dec. 11, 2022, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth said previously.

DNA from Kelley and her boyfriend was found on her pants and a head covering, Roth said. Police also found Kelley’s blood inside the vehicle and the driver’s seat had been set on fire.

Watts allegedly told someone he hit Kelley on the head and put her body in a dumpster, court documents state.

Kelley’s family, including her mother and children, testified that Watts was a jealous and controlling partner. They also said Kelley would not have left her kids behind.