Name: Deundrea Lakelsia Ford
Age: 21 years old
Last seen: September 22, 2023
Location: Houston, Texas
Status: Found deceased on September 18, 2024
Case Information
21 year old Deundrea Ford was last seen in Houston, Texas on September 22, 2023. She disappeared after leaving work in the early morning hours with an unknown male.
Background
Deundrea Ford was born on October 24, 2001. She has a four year old son.
At the time of her disappearance, Deundrea had been working as a dancer at Diva’s Bikini Sports Bar & Grill in east Houston for two weeks.
Disappearance
On September 21, 2023, a relative dropped Deundrea Ford off at the bikini bar she worked at in the 11900 block of East Freeway in Houston. She later told her ride home that she would be picked up by someone else.
She was last seen leaving the bar and getting into a white van with an unknown male in the early morning hours.
Deundrea hasn’t been seen or heard from since. Her family reported her missing to the Houston Police Department when they couldn’t contact her.
Investigation
One of Deundrea’s friends missed a call from her around 2 am on September 22, 2023. Deundrea’s phone was turned off shortly after, with calls going straight to voicemail.
Surveillance video from the bar shows Deundrea leaving with an unknown male and getting into a white GMC Savana van in the parking lot between 1 – 2am. They sat in the van for a little over an hour before driving off; whether she left with him willingly remains unknown.
According to Ford’s uncle, the unidentified male was seen buying her drinks earlier that evening, and interacting with other women inside the bar who seemed like they knew him.
Police in another state detained a suspect in her disappearance, but he was later released. His identity remains unknown.
Her family says it’s uncharacteristic of her to disappear, and they immediately knew something was wrong when she failed to contact her four year old son
In October 2023 it was revealed that Deundrea is a witness in a capital murder case, with court documents showing she was present in a car when 35 year old Otis Parker was shot and killed on May 18, 2023.
All four defendants in the capital murder case were given a no-contact order to stay away from Deundrea in June. One of them was shot and killed by police on July 12 while he was being served a murder warrant. The other three remain incarcerated without bond.
At this time it is unclear whether the shooting is connected to Deundrea’s disappearance, although there were documented threats against her life filed by at least one of the defendants.
The investigation into Ford’s disappearance remains “open and active pending further investigation,” according to a Houston Police Department spokesperson.
Arrest Made in Connection with Ford’s Disappearance
In January 2024, 51 year old Yoland Washington was charged with murder in connection with Deundrea’s disappearance.
Investigators have identified Ford as the unknown male Ford left with on the night she disappeared. Her body has not been found.
Washington is currently being held in the Dallas County Jail.
Body of Deundrea Ford Found
On September 18, 2024, the remains of Deundrea Ford were found by workers in Dallas, Texas. Positive identification was made by the medical examiner on September 25. Her cause of death has not been released.
Yoland Washington has been charged with murder in her case, and remains in custody at the Dallas County Jail on a $1.1 million bond.
Man Sentenced to 75 Years for the Murder of Deundrea Ford
On September 17, 2026, a jury sentenced Yoland Washington to 75 years in prison for the murder of Deundrea Ford.
Appearance
Deundrea has black hair, brown eyes, stands 5’4 tall, and weights 170 pounds.
Clothing and accessories:
Deundrea was last seen wearing a black tank top and tan pants.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Deundrea Ford please contact the Houston Police Department missing persons desk at (832) 394-1840.
Resources & Further Information
Deundrea Lakelsia Ford – NamUS
News & Media Links
She Got Into a Van After Leaving a Bar in E. Houston. She Hasn’t Been Seen Since – KHOU 11
21 Year Old Mother Has Still Not Been Found After Disappearing From Her Job in East Houston – Click2Houston
What Happened to Deundrea Ford? What’s Stopping Her Case From Getting Attention? – Click2Houston
Deundrea Ford, 21: Last Seen Leaving Work in Houston in 2023 – Our Black Girls
Missing Houston Woman Was Witness in Murder Case; No Contact Order Was Issued in June – USA Today
Houston Woman Missing Was Witness in Capital Murder Case – FOX26
Videos & Flyers
It is a bit strange that people saw them sitting in the van , and that they cannot give clearer details , for over an hour , even though the manager warned the staff not to get into a vehicle , with some one that they did not know , was she forced into the vehicle ? .
Does she know anybody that has or had a white van ? .
Was this the person that she said would give her a lift , did she at anytime mention the person ‘ s name ? .
What work did she do before becoming a dancer ? .
When she left the building was the man in the van already waiting for her ? .
Does she stay with her son , with the family member ( s ) , that reported her missing ?.
Was she already working as a dancer, when she witnessed the murder ? .