Akia Eggleston

Case Information:

Akia Shawnta Eggleston vanished at the age of 22 from Baltimore, Maryland, on May 3, 2017. She was eight months pregnant with her second child and faced a high-risk pregnancy that required strict bed rest. Her sudden disappearance turned into a horrific reality when she missed her own baby shower on May 7.

Her family immediately reported her missing that evening, launching a painful multi-year search for answers. The investigation ultimately exposed a dark web of lies surrounding the father of her unborn child. While a conviction has been secured, the physical recovery mission remains an open, agonizing effort for her loved ones.

Case Details:

Before she disappeared, Akia lived in an apartment on Cherrycrest Road in the Cherry Hill section of Baltimore. She was a loving mother who was deeply excited about welcoming her unborn son, whom the family named Anubis. On the afternoon of May 3, 2017, an older friend drove Akia to a bank in the Inner Harbor neighborhood.

Surveillance footage captured her withdrawing over $500 in cash from her account. She told friends the money was for a down payment on a new townhouse she would share with Michael Robertson. However, investigators later proved this upcoming move was a completely fraudulent ruse created by Robertson to lure her into a trap.

Timeline of Events:

• May 3, 2017: Akia withdraws cash from a bank, sends a digital baby shower invite, and all cell phone communication stops by 6:00 p.m.
• May 7, 2017: Akia fails to show up to her planned baby shower and gender reveal party, causing immediate panic among her family.
• May 8, 2017: Family members file an official missing persons report with the Baltimore Police Department after finding her apartment staged.
• February 3, 2022: Law enforcement officials arrest Michael Robertson in Michigan, charging him with two counts of first-degree murder.
• July 2023: A 12-person jury finds Robertson guilty on all counts following a trial built on extensive digital forensics.
• October 2023: A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge sentences Michael Robertson to two consecutive life sentences without parole.

Investigation:

The initial investigation faced hurdles because the security cameras at Akia’s apartment complex were broken at the time. A major twist occurred during a neighborhood vigil when family members discovered Akia’s undamaged bank card hidden in a nearby bush. This discovery strongly suggested that someone returned to plant evidence after the initial police searches.

Detectives eventually tracked cell tower data that placed Robertson directly at Akia’s apartment during the estimated window of her death. Digital forensic experts also uncovered 18 damning internet searches made by Robertson regarding Baltimore trash collection and regional dump sites. Authorities concluded that Robertson murdered Akia, hid her body in a local dumpster, and threw away her clothes to make it look like she moved.

Community Response:

The tragic case sparked outrage and deep emotional rallies across Baltimore and the state of Maryland. Family members worked tirelessly alongside community advocates to keep Akia’s face in the news cycles during years of silence. Her aunt publicly expressed fear that the case was initially overlooked because Akia was a young Black woman.

Advocates used social media campaigns to generate tips and coordinate volunteer searches in surrounding areas. The community continues to stand by the family as they focus heavily on regional awareness. They hope that keeping her memory alive will eventually bring forth the final pieces of information needed.

Family Statements:

Akia’s family has endured nearly a decade of profound grief, compounded by the loss of her unborn son. During victim impact statements, her aunt expressed the family’s enduring pain over the fact that neither mother nor son has a final resting place. They described Akia as a joyful person who would never willingly abandon her two-year-old daughter.

The family remains incredibly grateful to the cold case prosecutors who finally brought her killer to justice. However, they emphasize that true closure cannot be reached until their physical remains are found. They continue to appeal to the public for any details regarding trash transport routes from May 2017.

Physical Appearance:

Akia Eggleston was a Black female standing between 4 feet 8 inches and 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing roughly 145 pounds due to her pregnancy. She had black hair, brown eyes, pierced ears, and a highly distinct tattoo of cherries on her left shoulder blade. She also had a tattoo of building blocks with the name “Emery” on her upper left arm.

Current Status:

Michael Robertson is currently serving two consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole. Despite his conviction, Akia and Anubis’s remains have never been recovered from the landfill in Northern Virginia due to hazardous gas restrictions. The case officially remains an open recovery effort as law enforcement keeps searching for a breakthrough.

Contact Information:

If you have any information regarding the location or recovery of the remains of Akia Shawnta Eggleston and her son Anubis, please contact the Baltimore Police Department at 443-984-7385. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Maryland at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

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