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Mom dies without finding answers

Damian G. Guevara
The Plain Dealer
March 3, 2006

For nearly three years, Louwana Miller desperately sought answers in the case of her missing daughter, Amanda Berry .

Miller died early Thursday without those answers. The ordeal had taken a toll as her health steadily deteriorated in recent months, family and friends said. She was 44.

She died of heart failure at a Lakewood rehabilitation center, said her sister, Theresa. She had been hospitalized since December for pancreatitis and other ailments.

Amanda disappeared on April 21, 2003, a day before her 17th birthday. She had just left work at the Burger King at West 110th Street and Lorain Avenue, about a 10-minute walk from home. She called her sister to say she was getting a ride home, but her family never heard from her again.

Miller and community activists fervently publicized Amanda's disappearance through walks, vigils and interviews with local media. But the FBI and Cleveland police were unable to find out what happened to her.

Miller and some of her supporters thought law enforcement, the media and the community should have done more to help find her, said activist Judy Martin.

"Where was the information?" Martin asked on Thursday. "How does a young girl disappear off the face of the earth?"

The case was featured on "American's Most Wanted." Louwana Miller appeared on Montel Williams' nationally-syndicated talk show in November 2004. On the show, a psychic told Miller that Amanda was probably dead.

"I still don't want to believe it," Louwana Miller said in an interview after the show. "I want to have hope but . . . what else is there?"

Activist Art McKoy befriended Louwana Miller during her ordeal. He said he could tell that the stress and heartache were wearing her down. The visit with the psychic was the breaking point, he said.

"From that point, Ms. Miller was never the same," McKoy said. "I think she had given up."

But Louwana Miller retained a sliver of hope and even had gifts waiting for Amanda last Christmas, her sister said.

FBI agents are still working on the case. Just this week they followed up on some leads, Special Agent Scott Wilson said. Cleveland police also continue to work any tips they get, Lt. Thomas Stacho said.

Louwana Miller is survived by another daughter, Beth Serrano; and her mother, two sisters and a brother. Funeral arrangements had not been finalized Thursday.