A 51-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the unsolved case of a 22-year-old woman who vanished in September 2023. Yoland J. Washington faces murder charges over the disappearance of Deaundra Ford, as confirmed by authorities on January 14, according to the City of Houston.
The ongoing investigation traced back to the early hours of September 22, when Ford was last seen leaving her job at Diva's Bikini Bar and Grill with an unidentified man in a white van. Ford's family reported her missing the next day after failed attempts to make contact. Having a 4-year-old son, her sudden disappearance was out of character, Ford's grandmother argued during an interview with ABC13.
Documents associated with the case reveal that Washington allegedly hired Ford for sex, paying her $200 on the night she went missing. While ties between her disappearance and a capital murder case where she served as a main witness remain unconfirmed, court documents highlighted a threatening text message directly saying, "She ain't safe in Houston...at all," as per ABC13.
Currently, Washington is being held at the Dallas County Jail on an unrelated charge, pending extradition to Harris County. Despite extensive searches, Ford's whereabouts or remains have yet to be discovered. Houston police urge those with any relevant information to step forward and contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or to speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
