Identified! TN - Memphis Area - Woman found on barge - Hailey Silas

[MissLaRena]

I've been wondering how she landed on top of the barge, a question @Teche also asked earlier today on the Tamia thread. My feeling is she jumped onto it from either the I-55 bridge or from the Big River Crossing walkway on the semi-adjacent Harahan Bridge to the north. Was the barge idling under the bridges at the time? Or could she have jumped onto the barge while it was underway?
ETA: while the 55 bridge is hardly ideal for pedestrians, it does have narrow walkways on both sides.
All MOO

She didn't jump she was thrown in that barge the detective said there was a five minute window the barge was under the bridge my daughter mysteriously decided to cross at 11:30 heading away from her hotel? On foot? With no money? And if she jumped please please explain to me how her manner of death was undetermined but she died of multiple blunt force trauma to the head and torso? As well as her palm of her dominant hand with a four inch cut? Seems to me her injuries would be more consistent with the impact of hitting the barge? If I'm just wrong please tell me and help me understand?? Because I'm at a loss in more ways then one!

 

[MissLaRena]

Because he left town when she was arrested leaving her in the hands of his identical twin who killed her three days later.

Allegedly I apologize for not including that

 

[MissLaRena]

Because he left town when she was arrested leaving her in the hands of his identical twin who killed her three days later.

Allegedly

 

[Tricia]

Hi Everyone
Please welcome MissLaRena. I am in the process of verifying her as Hailey's mother.
MissLaRena we are all so very sorry about what happened to Hailey.
You will find our members to be very helpful.
Thank you for joining Websleuths.

 

[MissLaRena]

Because he left town when she was arrested leaving her in the hands of his identical twin who killed her three days later.

Hi Everyone
Please welcome MissLaRena. I am in the process of verifying her as Hailey's mother.
MissLaRena we are all so very sorry about what happened to Hailey.
You will find our members to be very helpful.
Thank you for joining Websleuths.

Thank you all so much for any help you can offer, I am truly grateful for everyone's time and support..

 

[MissLaRena]

Hi Everyone
Please welcome MissLaRena. I am in the process of verifying her as Hailey's mother.
MissLaRena we are all so very sorry about what happened to Hailey.
You will find our members to be very helpful.
Thank you for joining Websleuths.

Miss Tricia I called you earlier I apologize if it was too early I didn't take into account time differences.. I left you a message. I left my number if you wanted to talk.

 

[MissLaRena]

I'm sorry, but arresting someone for calling 911 when they are scared and being asked to be taken to a psych ward because of a panic attack seems down right wrong to me! And now she has an arrest record - not that it matters now, (sadly) but dang, I'd have taken her case for free!

You said you would have taken her case for free? Are you an attorney? I am looking for anyone who can help me get justice for my baby girl.. I haven't been able to find an attorney who will take the case? please if you can help contact me?

 

[momsof3]

You said you would have taken her case for free? Are you an attorney? I am looking for anyone who can help me get justice for my baby girl.. I haven't been able to find an attorney who will take the case? please if you can help contact me?

I'm so sorry, I was expressing how unfair your daughter's situation was, not that I could be your attorney. I hope I didn't give you false hope. Good luck finding someone and I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[MissLaRena]

I'm so sorry, I was expressing how unfair your daughter's situation was, not that I could be your attorney. I hope I didn't give you false hope. Good luck finding someone and I'm so sorry for your loss.

No false hope here I had to ask, so i know I didn't miss one, but thank you so much.

 

[Tricia]

Hey Everyone,
MissLaRena, verified as Hailey's mother, sent me Hailey's Forensic Examination Report and has permitted me to post it.
At Websleuths, we have a rule that we do not take cases where a death has been ruled a suicide, but the family claims it was murder. There are so many of these cases. Each one is very tragic, but, based on my experience, a number of them are cases where the family does not want to believe it was a suicide.
In this case, the forensic examiner ruled Hailey's case as undetermined but that the police thought it was a suicide.
MissLaRena has assured me that if our members come up with evidence that proves this was a suicide, she will accept it. However, based on what MissLaRena has told me, she has some strong evidence that it was not a suicide.
One of the things MissLaRena needs help with is understanding the toxicology report.
An example is in the report, it says Methamphetamine 3000. What does that mean?
Please look at the report, and let's try to help MissLaRena.
Thank you,
Tricia

 

[MissLaRena]

Hey Everyone,
MissLaRena, verified as Hailey's mother, sent me Hailey's Forensic Examination Report and has permitted me to post it.
At Websleuths, we have a rule that we do not take cases where a death has been ruled a suicide, but the family claims it was murder. There are so many of these cases. Each one is very tragic, but, based on my experience, a number of them are cases where the family does not want to believe it was a suicide.
In this case, the forensic examiner ruled Hailey's case as undetermined but that the police thought it was a suicide.
MissLaRena has assured me that if our members come up with evidence that proves this was a suicide, she will accept it. However, based on what MissLaRena has told me, she has some strong evidence that it was not a suicide.
One of the things MissLaRena needs help with is understanding the toxicology report.
An example is in the report, it says Methamphetamine 3000. What does that mean?
Please look at the report, and let's try to help MissLaRena.
Thank you,
Tricia

Thank you so much Miss Tricia, yes, as hard as it would be I could accept if she had committed suicide it's something I've struggled with all my life and understand when someone has just had enough. But in Hailey's case this was not true! She absolutely adored her son, you can tell by the many selfies she took with him, and I know there are a million mom's who make it look like they are the best moms on social media but not in real life, again this wasn't Hailey. If she commented suicide how did she get all those wounds? I wasn't able to force myself to let anyone see my baby girl after what happened, so as far as actually viewing her body I can't say but in the little I could understand from the report there was more injuries then from the impact of hitting the barge. I am having a very hard time finding an attorney to help me with her case and now the detective is refusing to let me confirm whether the evidence he thinks is Hailey's or not, he claims to have some drawings my baby girl drew the day before she was killed in a notebook but will not let me confirm if it's Hailey's handwriting or not. They also did not do a rape kit, or test her clothes she was wearing for DNA. How did they fully investigate the body they found without ID as a murder? I believe the medical examiners report says the the 23rd of October which would have been the day before I was informed, why when they took the clothes she was wearing off did they not immediately send them to the lab? Why did they stuff them in a locker for the investigation to continue? She landed face down where did the bruises on her butt come from? And why is her tine of death clearly stated at 12:16?? When the detective told me "what we know for a fact is that barge was only under that bridge between 2:30-2:35 am, the only thing he told me that was for a fact?

 

[MissLaRena]

Also anyone who might be able to help me obtain the bodycam footage and relevant information from west Memphis Arkansas police department please message me for incident number I can't request the FOIA record since I'm not a resident of Arkansas. Please?

 

[Gemmie]

Also anyone who might be able to help me obtain the bodycam footage and relevant information from west Memphis Arkansas police department please message me for incident number I can't request the FOIA record since I'm not a resident of Arkansas. Please?

Sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. Have you considered contacting them and asking for the information you want as her mother? I'd think being her mother would trump being a Arkansas resident. At least to me it would.

 

[SluethinAway]

Hey Everyone,
MissLaRena, verified as Hailey's mother, sent me Hailey's Forensic Examination Report and has permitted me to post it.
At Websleuths, we have a rule that we do not take cases where a death has been ruled a suicide, but the family claims it was murder. There are so many of these cases. Each one is very tragic, but, based on my experience, a number of them are cases where the family does not want to believe it was a suicide.
In this case, the forensic examiner ruled Hailey's case as undetermined but that the police thought it was a suicide.
MissLaRena has assured me that if our members come up with evidence that proves this was a suicide, she will accept it. However, based on what MissLaRena has told me, she has some strong evidence that it was not a suicide.
One of the things MissLaRena needs help with is understanding the toxicology report.
An example is in the report, it says Methamphetamine 3000. What does that mean?
Please look at the report, and let's try to help MissLaRena.
Thank you,
Tricia

Miss LeRena,
This is what I have found on the Toxicology report. I have attached a PDF table for help.

So the Amphetamine ( also known as speed, uppers, Bennies or Dexies) was over the 100 ng/ML limit so it looks like it was more than one time use within the preceding 48 hrs but not enough to show as 7-10 days use.

The Methamphetamine, (also known as speed, meth, crystal ice or crank) was at 3000 ng/ML which would indicate prolonged use for 7-10 days. (sometimes the amphetamine is mixed in with the methamphetamine to make the substance meth so those two more than likely coincide with each other.)


11-hydroxy-THC is the main active metabolite of (THC) or marijuana which is formed in the body after Δ9-THC is consumed.
She was at 1.0 ng/ML
Delta-9 Carboxy THC was at 14 ng/ML which means she more than likely smoked a marijuana cigarette prior to her passing
Delta-9 THC was at 3.7 indicating she more than likely smoke a marijuana cigarette prior to passing.


I want to point out something I noticed:

The Dangers of Mixing Meth With Other Drugs

Discover the risks of combining meth with alcohol, opioids, or benzos. Learn how polysubstance abuse impacts your health—and how we can help!

tuliphillrecovery.com

The combination of meth and marijuana can lead to increased anxiety, paranoia, or even psychosis in users. This combination also increases the risk of accidents due to impaired physical coordination, which could result in falls or car crashes. Finally, it could potentially hinder decision-making abilities and impair judgment, leading to risky behaviors or bad choices.

I am so sorry for your loss and hope maybe this helps you understand a bit more.

 

[MissLaRena]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. Have you considered contacting them and asking for the information you want as her mother? I'd think being her mother would trump being a Arkansas resident. At least to me it would.

Yes, I have tried, and they will not give me the records, I submitted A FOIA request but didn't receive a reply. Thank you for the condolences

 

[MissLaRena]

Miss LeRena,
This is what I have found on the Toxicology report. I have attached a PDF table for help.

So the Amphetamine ( also known as speed, uppers, Bennies or Dexies) was over the 100 ng/ML limit so it looks like it was more than one time use within the preceding 48 hrs but not enough to show as 7-10 days use.

The Methamphetamine, (also known as speed, meth, crystal ice or crank) was at 3000 ng/ML which would indicate prolonged use for 7-10 days. (sometimes the amphetamine is mixed in with the methamphetamine to make the substance meth so those two more than likely coincide with each other.)


11-hydroxy-THC is the main active metabolite of (THC) or marijuana which is formed in the body after Δ9-THC is consumed.
She was at 1.0 ng/ML
Delta-9 Carboxy THC was at 14 ng/ML which means she more than likely smoked a marijuana cigarette prior to her passing
Delta-9 THC was at 3.7 indicating she more than likely smoke a marijuana cigarette prior to passing.


I want to point out something I noticed:

The Dangers of Mixing Meth With Other Drugs

Discover the risks of combining meth with alcohol, opioids, or benzos. Learn how polysubstance abuse impacts your health—and how we can help!

tuliphillrecovery.com

The combination of meth and marijuana can lead to increased anxiety, paranoia, or even psychosis in users. This combination also increases the risk of accidents due to impaired physical coordination, which could result in falls or car crashes. Finally, it could potentially hinder decision-making abilities and impair judgment, leading to risky behaviors or bad choices.

I am so sorry for your loss and hope maybe this helps you understand a bit more.

Thank you so much for the information, Hailey had been in the hospital about two weeks before she left Oklahoma, and her blood test shows small trace amounts of THC so however she got that much meth in her system it happened after she left here. thank you so much!

 

[Gemmie]

She didn't jump she was thrown in that barge the detective said there was a five minute window the barge was under the bridge my daughter mysteriously decided to cross at 11:30 heading away from her hotel? On foot? With no money? And if she jumped please please explain to me how her manner of death was undetermined but she died of multiple blunt force trauma to the head and torso? As well as her palm of her dominant hand with a four inch cut? Seems to me her injuries would be more consistent with the impact of hitting the barge? If I'm just wrong please tell me and help me understand?? Because I'm at a loss in more ways then one!

Since there's no way to put this delicately, and since this was mentioned in the forensic report that Tricia posted... but most importantly, you said you wanted to understand what happened to your daughter...

What is the possibility that she was high and wanted to fly (and believed she could)?

From the forensic report Tricia posted upthread.

Per the police investigation, the decedent had been staying in the Midsouth for a few days before her death and had a history of drug use with recent odd behavior of saying she wanted to “fly” from a landing located inside the Bass Pro Shop.

and...

Toxicology was positive for methamphetamine and marijuana.

Is it known how far above she was to the barge below? I'm asking the approximate height to make sense of your daughters injuries. IF she thought she could fly I'm thinking the fact that a barge below at the exact moment would be coincidental. But, if it truly was someone throwing her off, then the timing wouldn't be coincidental. It would be intentional. But there'd be motive if that's the case.

 

[MissLaRena]

Since there's no way to put this delicately, and since this was mentioned in the forensic report that Tricia posted... but most importantly, you said you wanted to understand what happened to your daughter...

What is the possibility that she was high and wanted to fly (and believed she could)?

From the forensic report Tricia posted upthread.

Per the police investigation, the decedent had been staying in the Midsouth for a few days before her death and had a history of drug use with recent odd behavior of saying she wanted to “fly” from a landing located inside the Bass Pro Shop.

and...

Toxicology was positive for methamphetamine and marijuana.

Is it known how far above she was to the barge below? I'm asking the approximate height to make sense of your daughters injuries. IF she thought she could fly I'm thinking the fact that a barge below at the exact moment would be coincidental. But, if it truly was someone throwing her off, then the timing wouldn't be coincidental. It would be intentional. But there'd be motive if that's the case.

I am sorry I just no read your message, it's hard for me to get online anymore after everything that has happened. As for your question, I'm not sure how far the distance between the bridge and barge would have been, and yes, I believe she was killed for a number of reasons, first of all I have been given evidence that points towards her being murdered, second the detective refusing to let me confirm whether evidence he thinks is Hailey's doesn't add up. He says he has drawings Hailey supposedly had drawn the day she before she was found dead, this being when I spoke to him last, but he refuses to let me confirm whether it is my daughter's handwriting or not without an attorney. I understand if evidence he has could compromise the investigation, but this is evidence that would not jeopardize the investigation in any way shape or form. How can he positively identify whether it truly is Hailey's handwriting or not? Also, he told me from the very first time we spoke when he informed me, she was dead that her death would be investigated as a murder since she was found without identification, if that was true then why were the clothes she was found in sent directly to the lab for DNA testing? Another reason I believe she was killed is due to the statement the detective made this last time we spoke is the one and only "fact" he could give me was that the barge was only under the bridge between 2:30-2:35am, yet the autopsy report states the time of death was 12:16am, seems awful suspicious to me. There are several other reasons to think she was killed like her having the four-inch cut across her left palm, she was left-handed but when I asked him about that he said it was because she braced herself for the impact, yet her legs were broken. Also, how would someone get multiple blunt force trauma to the head and torso and not her legs? He also informed me the man she was with was frantically calling and texting two individuals between 11:30-12:30am but then Hailey decided to walk across the bridge in traffic to go to Memphis with no money, when the room she was staying in was in Arkansas. Hailey was scared of bridges since she was a little girl so this is very hard for me to believe that she would make that decision to walk on the bridge with traffic considering the pedestrian bridge was closed. And as far as the statement of her having a history of drug use, this was a incorrect statement, she had been seen at the hospital here the week before she left and had only trace amounts of weed in her system, the information I was given said the people who she had been with that Friday gave her a "hotshot" which would explain the high levels of meth found in her system. There are so many questions II have but have yet to get any real answers about anything that happened.

 

[Gemmie]

he told me from the very first time we spoke when he informed me, she was dead that her death would be investigated as a murder since she was found without identification, if that was true then why were the clothes she was found in sent directly to the lab for DNA testing?

If they were sent directly to the lab for DNA testing it was like you said... "her death would be investigated as a murder"

Another reason I believe she was killed is due to the statement the detective made this last time we spoke is the one and only "fact" he could give me was that the barge was only under the bridge between 2:30-2:35am, yet the autopsy report states the time of death was 12:16am, seems awful suspicious to me.

I have never heard of an exact time of death down to the minute. It's always a range as it's near impossible to get it to the minute. I find that confusing if they did that.

Can the autopsy determine the exact time of death?
No, a time range for post mortem interval is usually all that is possible.

FAQs • Can the autopsy determine the exact time of death?

www.co.jefferson.wa.us

There are several other reasons to think she was killed like her having the four-inch cut across her left palm, she was left-handed but when I asked him about that he said it was because she braced herself for the impact, yet her legs were broken. Also, how would someone get multiple blunt force trauma to the head and torso and not her legs?

I'd think by hitting the barge head/upper body first.

Hailey was scared of bridges since she was a little girl

People can change. I'll give myself as an example. I used to be SOOOOO scared of cemeteries when I was young. I had to shield my eyes in a panic when my parents drove by one, which was often since it was on the way to just about everyplace we went (it was near our house on a main road).

Then around my teen days they no longer scared me. I even would go into them to wander around, take pictures in my 20's, I even would bring a lawn chair and a book and sit inside one as they were SO peaceful and a way to get away from the noises of the city. And as an adult, just about any movie with or in a cemetery I want to watch.

So, as I said... people can and do change about things that frightened them when younger.

so this is very hard for me to believe that she would make that decision to walk on the bridge with traffic considering the pedestrian bridge was closed. And as far as the statement of her having a history of drug use, this was a incorrect statement, she had been seen at the hospital here the week before she left and had only trace amounts of weed in her system,

With all due respect, something led investigators to think she had a history of drug use as stated in Hailey's autopsy. Also, if she had the recent odd behavior of wanting to fly, then I'm thinking she was taking drugs "recently". From Hailey's autopsy:

Per the police investigation, the decedent had been staying in the Midsouth for a few days before her death and had a history of drug use with recent odd behavior of saying she wanted to “fly”

the information I was given said the people who she had been with that Friday gave her a "hotshot" which would explain the high levels of meth found in her system. There are so many questions II have but have yet to get any real answers about anything that happened.

Also, if she had weed in her system the week before, even trace amounts, that is also "past history" of doing drugs. It sounds like he drug history wasn't just the hotshot given to her that night. There's at least a week of history that we know of, and likely more IMO.

With all that said, I do wish they could give you more answers to your questions. Do you know if her case is still open?

 

[SluethinAway]

If they were sent directly to the lab for DNA testing it was like you said... "her death would be investigated as a murder"

I have never heard of an exact time of death down to the minute. It's always a range as it's near impossible to get it to the minute. I find that confusing if they did that.

Can the autopsy determine the exact time of death?
No, a time range for post mortem interval is usually all that is possible.

FAQs • Can the autopsy determine the exact time of death?

www.co.jefferson.wa.us

I'd think by hitting the barge head/upper body first.

People can change. I'll give myself as an example. I used to be SOOOOO scared of cemeteries when I was young. I had to shield my eyes in a panic when my parents drove by one, which was often since it was on the way to just about everyplace we went (it was near our house on a main road).

Then around my teen days they no longer scared me. I even would go into them to wander around, take pictures in my 20's, I even would bring a lawn chair and a book and sit inside one as they were SO peaceful and a way to get away from the noises of the city. And as an adult, just about any movie with or in a cemetery I want to watch.

So, as I said... people can and do change about things that frightened them when younger.

With all due respect, something led investigators to think she had a history of drug use as stated in Hailey's autopsy. Also, if she had the recent odd behavior of wanting to fly, then I'm thinking she was taking drugs "recently". From Hailey's autopsy:

Per the police investigation, the decedent had been staying in the Midsouth for a few days before her death and had a history of drug use with recent odd behavior of saying she wanted to “fly”

Also, if she had weed in her system the week before, even trace amounts, that is also "past history" of doing drugs. It sounds like he drug history wasn't just the hotshot given to her that night. There's at least a week of history that we know of, and likely more IMO.

With all that said, I do wish they could give you more answers to your questions. Do you know if her case is still open?

What I have noticed as well was under External Examination:
The soles of the right and left feet are black with
dirt.

Under Clothing and Personal Effects:
Two brown shoes -No socks mentioned
My Q:So was she running around barefoot in the hotel area prior to putting on her shoes and going towards the bridge and if so, why?
(Paranoia and Hallucinations from the combo of drugs?)

Also, under Clothing and Personal Effects:
one white metal watch
What kind of watch did she have? That could be why they think they know exact time of death.

purple lighter
Was she a cigarette smoker? If not then she had this on her for the drugs one has to assume.

Under Summary and Interpretation:
Autopsy had findings of multiple blunt traumatic injuries to the head and neck, torso, and extremities with the most
severe injuries being to the head and torso.

If you think about someone who jumps thinking they can fly, one might think that the hands, head and torso would hit first.