WASHINGTON (7News) – July 12, 2025
It’s been 11 years since 8-year-old Relisha Rudd disappeared from the nation’s capital, and the heartbreaking mystery continues to weigh heavily on the D.C. community. As another anniversary passes without closure, family members, activists, and residents are gathering once again—this time on Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day—to honor her memory and demand justice.
The Day Relisha Vanished
Relisha Rudd was last seen in March 2014, when she disappeared from the now-closed D.C. General Family Shelter, where she lived with her family. Surveillance footage captured her on March 1, 2014, at a D.C. hotel with Kahlil Tatum, a janitor at the shelter and the man authorities believe abducted her.
Tragically, that footage remains the last known sighting of Relisha. She was never seen or heard from again.
A Troubled Timeline
Here is a timeline of the key events surrounding Relisha’s disappearance:
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Feb. 26, 2014: Relisha was last seen at the shelter.
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March 1, 2014: Surveillance footage captures her with Tatum at a hotel.
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March 13, 2014: A school counselor reports her missing after noticing she hadn’t attended for several weeks. A man claiming to be a doctor—later revealed to be Tatum—answers the call made by the school.
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March 19, 2014: Tatum checks into a Red Roof Inn in Oxon Hill with his wife, Andrea.
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March 20, 2014: Tatum is dropped off at a Metro station; his wife is later found dead in their hotel room. Amber Alerts for Relisha are finally issued.
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March 21, 2014: A warrant is issued for Tatum for Andrea’s murder.
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April 1, 2014: Tatum is found dead in Kenilworth Park, killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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May 2014: Searchers discover bones in the park, but they are determined not to be human.
Despite extensive searches by D.C. police and the FBI, no physical trace of Relisha has ever been found. No one has ever been charged in connection with her disappearance.
The Legacy and Ongoing Search
July 11 has been declared Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day—a solemn occasion for the community to come together, not only to remember Relisha but to advocate for continued efforts in finding out what happened.
This Friday at 6 p.m., a community gathering and prayer vigil will be held in D.C. to mark the 11th anniversary of Relisha’s disappearance. Organizers hope the event brings renewed attention to the case and encourages anyone with information to come forward.
“This case is far from closed in the hearts of those who knew her or have followed her story,” said one local organizer. “We won’t forget, and we won’t stop asking: Where is Relisha Rudd?”
An updated age-progression image, released by the Metropolitan Police Department, shows what Relisha might look like in 2024, in hopes of jogging the memory of someone who may have seen her.
A Call for Help
Authorities continue to urge the public to share any information—no matter how minor it may seem. If you know anything related to the disappearance of Relisha Rudd, you are encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department’s Command Information Center (CIC) at (202) 727-6768 or text anonymously to 50411.
The community’s resilience over more than a decade has kept Relisha’s name alive. As another year passes, so does the hope that someone, somewhere, may still hold the key to unlocking the truth.
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