1 year later, family remembers missing woman who disappeared night before her birthday

 

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Between the dozens of balloons and a big birthday cake, a gathering Wednesday night on Racine's north side looked like a typical birthday party. However, the pain in Georgia Hill's voice made clear, this was not a celebration.

Wednesday marked the 47th birthday of Hill's daughter, Lasheky, who's now been missing for a year. 

"It is my worst nightmare," Georgia Hill said. "You know, this would kill somebody, not knowing what happened to your child or where she's at."

Lasheky Hill was last seen the night before her birthday. Family members said she left her mother's home to go out and celebrate. When nobody heard from her the next day, relatives reported her missing.

At Wednesday's vigil, those close to Hill said there was no way she would've just left on her own. She has two sons and three grandsons. 

"You see, that's not her. That is not her," family friend Donnie Gardner said. "She contacted her mom every single day."

Hill was last seen around 10:00 p.m. on the night of March 26, 2023. She was on the 1300 block of Douglas Ave., about half a mile from her mother's home. 

In a statement, Racine police said investigators have conducted dozens of interviews and have searched abandoned buildings and properties across the city. 

Police said, as of Wednesday, they have not made any arrests, nor have they identified any suspects.

"The Racine Police Department is dedicated to the continuous search for Lasheky Hill and providing answers to her loved ones," Lt. Sarah Zupke said. "We will not stop until she is brought home.”

Hill's family is frustrated by the lack of answers. They point to the man with whom Lasheky was last seen the night she went missing.

"Somebody hurt my child, regardless, and I know that for a fact," Georgia Hill said. "He took her from here. He took her from here."

Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, a police spokesperson, did not directly answer questions about whether investigators suspect foul play. Instead, she said police consider Hill's disappearance a missing person case.

Hill's son, Raymond Massie, said he's struggled to stay level-headed as his mom's case remains unsolved.

"It is very frustrating because I gotta worry about my son asking me, saying, 'grandma, grandma.' And I just gotta tell him, 'she's bye-bye' and all that little stuff," Massie said. "He's starting to realize she ain't coming around anymore."

Wednesday's gathering ended with a balloon release typically reserved for vigils held after someone has died. Hill's mother and son said they hoped it would bring new attention to Lasheky's case and, perhaps, a step toward closure.

"I know my child's gone. I'm gonna try to finally to make myself heal," Georgia Hill said. "This is my first step of healing, you understand? I gotta try to let her go."

Racine police said anyone with information about Hill's disappearance should call the investigations unit at (262) 635-7756 or (262) 635-7770. Tipsters can also leave an anonymous message by calling Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330.