Authorities confirmed that the remains of 22-year-old Deundrea Ford, who vanished last September, were discovered in Dallas, bringing an end to the almost year-long search.
Yoland J. Washington, 51, has been charged with murder in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of Ford.
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Washington, who was previously arrested in January 2024, is currently in custody at the Dallas County Jail on a $1.1 million bond.
The family of Ford revealed her body was discovered by workers in Dallas on Sept. 18, and the medical examiner confirmed her identity on Sept. 25. While the exact manner of death remains undetermined, her family is now preparing for a memorial service to honor her memory.
BACKGROUND: Man charged in connection to disappearance, presumed death of missing Houston mother Deundrea Ford
What happened?
Ford disappeared on Sept. 22, 2023, after leaving her job at Divas Bikini Bar N Grill in east Houston.
She was last seen leaving the establishment with an unknown man in a white Ford Transit van. Concerned family and friends were unable to reach her, prompting them to report her missing the following day.
Court documents said police were able to identify Washington as a suspect in the case from credit card information used at the bar and grill from the night Ford disappeared. They were also able to view surveillance video which showed Ford and Washington getting into the van.
Washington was later located in Virginia after deputies in Amhearst County received an alert that the white Ford Transit van was connected to Ford’s disappearance. During an interview, Washington admitted, according to court documents, that he had met Ford inside the club and the two spent time together in his van before he dropped her off.
The documents said authorities obtained a search warrant for the van and found the clothing that Washington was seen wearing on the surveillance video the night Ford disappeared. The clothing appeared to have blood stains on it. Using a special chemical, authorities also found blood stains that illuminated the middle and rear of the van as well as a rear door, the driver’s side wall, and on a ratchet strap to tie down cargo.
Court documents also revealed Washington has a history of violence against women. After Ford’s disappearance, DNA evidence linked Washington to the sexual assault and strangulation of a woman in Dallas back on July 23, 2023.
The victim survived the attack and reported Washington assaulted and robbed her. He was later arrested in New Jersey and extradited to Texas to face charges in that case.
Washington’s arrest history also includes multiple reports of similar crimes in New Jersey. During an interview, he provided police with conflicting accounts of his whereabouts on the night of Ford’s disappearance. Cell phone data contradicted his statements, leading authorities to connect him to Ford’s death.
As Ford’s family prepares for her memorial service, Washington remains in custody, awaiting trial.