She told her kids she'd be home soon. Her boyfriend has since been charged with her murder.
Heather Mae Kelley, a 35-year-old mother of eight from Portage, Michigan, has been missing since December 10, 2022, and is believed by investigators to have been the victim of homicide.
The Disappearance
Heather told her children she was going to meet her boyfriend, Carlos Watts Jr., and would be home shortly. She called her children around 10:20 p.m. that night to say the same thing. She never returned. Her vehicle was found abandoned and burned in Comstock Township the next day, with blood found inside and her clothing discovered nearby in a wooded area.
An Early Suspect
Watts, who was residing at a halfway house while completing a federal sentence at the time, was questioned by investigators the day after Kelley's disappearance. He fled the halfway house shortly afterward by cutting off his ankle monitor, and was arrested days later following a standoff in Battle Creek. He was initially charged only with escape from custody. Investigators later said cellphone data placed him near where Kelley's car was found, and that other residents at the halfway house noticed scratches on his body that he attributed to Kelley.
Murder Charges
In January 2024, more than a year after Kelley's disappearance, Kalamazoo County prosecutors formally charged Watts with open murder, citing an accumulation of evidence including witness statements. According to court filings, one witness told investigators Watts had admitted to striking Kelley and disposing of her body. Watts was arraigned on the charge in July 2024. Kelley's remains have never been recovered.
Where the Case Stands Now
Watts has not been convicted, and the case remains ongoing in Kalamazoo County courts. A $20,000 reward remains available through the FBI for information leading to the discovery of Heather Kelley's whereabouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Heather Kelley been found?
No. She remains missing, and her remains have not been recovered.
Has anyone been convicted in her disappearance?
No. Carlos Watts Jr. was charged with murder in January 2024 and arraigned in July 2024, but as of the most recent reporting, no trial verdict has been reached.
Is there still a reward for information?
Yes, the FBI has offered up to $20,000 for information leading to the discovery of Kelley's whereabouts.