Krystal Anderson, 30, was last seen being thrown into the trunk of a Cadillac in August 2022.
Shadira Smothers hasn't seen her sister, Krystal Anderson, in more than two years, ever since Krystal made the brave decision to get her own place in Wagener, South Carolina. Her family said Krystal, 30, was fleeing the older, abusive boyfriend she used to live with, Tony Lee Berry. But Berry allegedly caught up with the mother of four on August 20, 2022.
"The kids heard screaming," Shadira Smothers told me, when we recently met at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. "My 9 year old nephew saw him put her in the trunk. That was the last time they saw her."
Tony Lee Berry, then 49, owned a 2007 Cadillac CTS.
Krystal's sister claimed police in Aiken County, South Carolina initially didn't take the case seriously. She said they suggested the missing mom was out partying, even though Krystal was wearing her 'work scrubs' after just getting home from her job as a home health aide.
Krystal Anderson with her mother, sister and children.
Shadira Smothers started her own search and visited Tony Lee Berry's home in a trailer park. Smothers later told VICE News, "He was burning demonic candles that had Krystal's name on it. There was a chair in the tub with rope."
Burning candles with Krystal’s name found at boyfriend’s home.
Within a month, police did take Tony Lee Berry into custody, after finding him at a hotel in Lexington County, South Carolina. They charged him with Krystal's kidnapping and remanded him to the Aiken County Jail. By December 13, 2022, prosecutors charged Berry with murder, after finding his torched Cadillac in the woods of Newberry County, 56 miles north of Wagener. But there was no sign of Krystal Anderson, who had "naturally green eyes" and was a petite 5'1" tall.
Tony Lee Berry, then 49, charged with arson and Krystal Anderson’s murder.
The Aiken County Solicitor said the murder case was circumstantial, but he had "solid evidence" to believe Krystal Anderson was killed. According to the Aiken County arrest warrant, Berry bought multiple items "that could be used to aid in the disposal of human remains." It noted Berry had done a number of Internet searches, including one for "How to Commit a Murder and Get Away with it and Leave No Evidence." Investigators also discovered through financial records that Berry had purchased a gas-powered Auger tool, which is used to drill holes in the ground. They said he also bought a shovel and plastic coveralls.
Tony Lee Berry’s arrest warrant; he was accused of Krystal Anderson’s murder.
Cell phone records placed Tony Lee Berry and his son Darius, then 23, at the scene in Newberry County, South Carolina, where Berry's burned Cadillac was discovered in the woods. The son was charged with "accessory after the fact for arson."
Tony Lee Berry and his son Darius, 23, were charged with torching the car involved in Krystal Anderson’s kidnapping and murder.
More than two years later, Tony Lee Berry still sits in jail and Shadira Smothers told us he's not talking. Smothers is taking care of Serenity, the daughter Krystal had with Berry, at her home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Krystal's three older children are living with their biological fathers. It is very hard for the siblings to be separated, now that they don't have their mother around.
"This Christmas, all four kids will be together," Smothers said, sharing plans that she would host the holidays at her home. "I had them for the summer."
Krystal Anderson with her sister and children.
Shadira Smothers is also in the process of establishing a non-profit organization in her sister's memory called Abused and Bruised: The Krystal Anderson Foundation. She came to New York City on October 31st to share her mission at John Jay College, invited by Dr. Dawn Rowe, founder of the National Task Force for Missing and Murdered Women and Girls of Color.
Mannequin features mantra of Girl Vow organization that advocates for missing and murdered girls and women of color.
"New York has shown us so much love that we do not receive in the south," Smothers said, while participating in the John Jay panel. But she added she was grateful for help and support from private investigator, Chandra Cleveland.
One of the mantras repeated often by Dr. Dawn Rowe, who founded the organization Girl Vow, is 'What About Us?' It's a challenge to mainstream media to give increased coverage to missing and murdered women of color. And it's a goal shared by Shadira Smothers, who has also received assistance from the Black and Missing Foundation.
"There's no closure," Smothers said, noting she doesn't know if her sister's remains will ever be found. "We're still living in this nightmare with four children."
Law Enforcement must take DV-related reports seriously. Any delay will allow the perpetrator to get rid of evidence. It is so sad that her children are without their mother now. Justice for Krystal! That Internet search is so telling, like those searches alleged LISK undertook that aligned with his victim characteristics.