Missing 9 year old may be tied to previous murder

There is disturbing news tonight that a killer is on the loose. And while the body of only one young victim has been discovered, there is mounting evidence that a number of missing children may have come into contact with the murderer and face a similar fate. What we know for sure is that thirteen year old Sherilee Nicholas, missing since September eighth, was found dead last Thursday in the mangrove near mile twelve on the Western Highway. She had been stabbed numerous times in the chest and head. What links Sherilee Nicholas to the possibility of other victims is that it is alleged that the dress and tennis shoes found covering her body at the time of her death were not hers, but instead belonged to another missing girl. Today the mother of that girl spoke to News Five. Sharine Garbutt of Mahogany Street extension told us that the clothes found with the body of Sherilee Nicholas were the same ones her daughter, nine year old Jay Blades, was wearing when she went missing on Wednesday, October seventh. “I know that dress,” said Garbutt and “it’s for my daughter.” Nine year old Jay has run away frequently and was in fact seen several times following her latest departure from home. Although she was wearing the dress in question when she left, by the time she was spotted Thursday evening on the Belcan Bridge and Friday morning on Central American Boulevard she was dressed differently. At that time Jay was in the company of another little girl and two little boys, children whom Garbutt believes may also be missing from home. What is interesting is that if Jay was seen on Friday, a day after the body of Sherilee Nicholas was discovered and two days after police believe she died, how did Jay’s dress and shoes come to be with the body? The possibilities are staggering but if the clothes did indeed belong to Jay one would have to conclude that Sherilee was killed after Wednesday morning, that the children were in contact with each other and that they traded clothes. Another scenario is that the killer, subsequent to Sherilee’s murder, went back to the scene of the crime and placed the dress and tennis on the victim. That theory really doesn’t make sense, but then again neither does the multiple stabbing of a thirteen year old girl. The police have been quiet about the case but the longer Jay Blades is missing, the more fearful the community will become. Something is not right and anyone who can help solve this gruesome mystery is asked to contact police, or give us a call here at Channel Five.