A man from North Carolina has been arrested and charged with the murder of a young woman who went missing earlier this month. Tyrell Siermons, 30, is accused of first-degree murder, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
The victim, 25-year-old Heather Williams, was last seen on January 4. Doorbell camera footage captured her leaving her home in a light-colored car that day. Sadly, just six days later, on January 10, her body was discovered in a wooded area near the corner of Newark Avenue and State Avenue in Fayetteville’s northwest.
On Thursday, police arrested Siermons, connecting him to Heather’s death. The Fayetteville Police Department shared the news in a brief statement, saying their Violent Criminal Apprehension Team helped make the arrest. However, details about what led to the arrest or what evidence has been uncovered are still under wraps.
Heather’s family has been filling in some of the gaps. Her sister, Mary Williams, spoke to the media about a phone call she made to a number on Heather’s phone records. That number, according to Mary, was linked to someone who had interacted with Heather shortly before she disappeared.
The man told Mary that he met Heather on Facebook, either through Facebook Dating or Messenger, though he couldn’t remember which. He also admitted to spending time with her one evening, possibly the night she was last seen.
Mary expressed her frustration over the situation. “It just makes me angry,” she said. “You’d like to think people wouldn’t do something like this.”
Heather had been through a lot in her life. Back in 2015, she survived a car accident that left her with a cognitive impairment, limited vocabulary, and a noticeable limp. Despite these challenges, her sister described her as someone who worked hard to live a normal life and enjoy her twenties.
When Heather first went missing, police were already concerned for her safety, noting that her cognitive impairment made her especially vulnerable.
As the investigation continues, Tyrell Siermons remains in custody at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond. Law enforcement has confirmed the case is still active, and they are working to piece together what happened in Heather’s final moments.
