Cleveland Mother Charged in Shocking Suitcase Murders of Two Young Daughters

Cleveland police have charged 28-year-old Aliyah Henderson with two counts of aggravated murder after the remains of her daughters, 8-year-old Mila Chatman and 10-year-old Amor Wilson, were discovered buried in suitcases in the South Collinwood neighborhood. The half-sisters’ bodies were found on Monday evening near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, close to Ginn Academy, when a dog walker alerted authorities to suspicious mounds of dirt. Henderson was arrested on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, following a swift investigation that linked her to the scene, which was just blocks from her home.

Swift Police Response

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd praised detectives for their “tireless” work in identifying Henderson as the suspect, emphasizing the need for discretion to protect the case. The remains were located about 25 feet apart in shallow graves, and DNA testing by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victims’ identities late Thursday. Another child found at Henderson’s residence appeared healthy and was placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Father’s Heartbreaking Search

Mila’s father, DeShaun Chatman, revealed he had been searching for his daughter for five years, filing for emergency custody multiple times without success due to unknown whereabouts. Standing near the discovery site, Chatman described Mila as “happy-go-lucky” and a “kid’s kid” who loved pink and dreamed of being a princess, expressing devastation that she lived within view of her own grave. He called himself “useless” for failing to save her.

Community Outrage and Official Statements

Mayor Justin Bibb expressed gratitude to homicide detectives for their “commitment and tenacity” in a case that has “shocked our community,” underscoring the city’s priority to protect its youth. The tragedy has drawn national attention, with authorities withholding the cause of death and further details to preserve the investigation. Henderson’s contact information is outdated, and it’s unclear if she has legal representation.