Zaylee Fryar Was 3-Months-Old In May 2011 When She Vanished, Mother Found Dead
If you have any information about Zaylee Fryar and this case, please contact: 1-800-THE-LOST or the Millersville Police directly: 615-859-2758
NCMEC
Authorities said Zaylee Fryar vanished in May 2011 when she was only 3-months-old. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said Zaylee's mother, Shauna Marie Fryar, also disappeared on the same day. Both mother and daughter were living in their home in Millersville, TN, NCMEC adds.
According to WKRN, Michael Fryar, Shauna's husband who was not Zaylee's father, reported the pair missing 48-72 hours later. Six days later and 40 miles away, Shauna Fryar's body was found in the Cumberland River. Authorities believe she was deceased prior to her body going into the water.
Millersville Police Detective Kia Towers told the local affiliate, “A body that’s been in the water for the amount of time during the time of year, that Shauna was in the water, is unidentifiable at the time when they recovered her."
“Very hard to tell any type of trauma that happened before or after, what is animal activity, what is not animal activity," Towers added.
In July 2021, WKRN reported police released never before seen photos from the crime scene and they reveal Michael Fryar is their main suspect, but he has since passed away. Towers told WKRN, "He was known to be a violent man with an extensive criminal history, drug history, things of that nature.” Detectives released a beige colored bra and short sleeved dark shirt Shauna was wearing to the public when her body was recovered.
At one point and time, according to the report, authorities did a DNA test on a child who resembled Zaylee. The DNA did not match, but if they have to do more testing on other children, detectives are willing to do so. Reportedly, Shauna's liver was preserved to help with testing.
Zaylee is biracial and has a quarter size brown birthmark on her right leg. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created an age enhancement of what Zaylee may look like as a young child.
If you have any information about this case, please contact: 1-800-THE-LOST or the Millersville Police directly: 615-859-2758
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