Disappeared: The Case of Leila Cavett

In the morning on Sunday, July 26, 2020, A 911 call was placed by a resident of the Edge Apartments in Miramar, Florida. The resident was calling because she found a two-year-old little boy wandering around the parking lot of the apartment complex unaccompanied by an adult. She had no idea where he came from and couldn’t find anyone around responsible for the toddler. She told the operator that she had seen him between 8:00 and 8:30 that morning and that the little boy was barefoot and wearing only a diaper and a t-shirt. It wasn’t until almost 48 hours later that a family in Alabama recognized the toddler as the son of Leila Cavett. Early on in the investigation, it appeared that Leila traveled from Georgia to Florida with her son under puzzling circumstances. But where was Leila Cavett? Suspicion quickly centered on Shannon Demar Ryan, a self-described “witch” and “spiritual advisor” who was seen accessing Leila’s truck the day after her disappearance, using her debit cards and throwing what appeared to be blood-soaked towels in a dumpster. Despite surveillance evidence, Leila appeared to disappear into thin air. Leila Cavett’s family has been vocal in the search for justice, expressing frustration and heartbreak over the slow progress of the case. The FBI has continued to solicit information from the public, urging anyone with details about Cavett’s movements in Florida or her associations with Shannon Ryan to come forward. Authorities remain hopeful that further forensic evidence or witness statements could lead to finally finding Leila Cavett. Anyone who may have information on Leila’s case is asked to contact the Hollywood Police Department at (954) 764-4357 or 954-967-4411. Tips can be emailed or texted to hollywoodpdtips@hollywoodfl.org. You can also contact the Broward Crime Stoppers at www.browardcrimestoppers.org. If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of Leila Cavett, please call FBI Miami at 1-800-CALL-FBI or go to FBI.GOV/TIPS.

Leila is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 110 pounds. She has brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo that reads “Kamdyn” on her right arm and a small tattoo of a Christian fish symbol on her right wrist. 

 

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References:

Shannon’s Facebook Video: Click HERE

CBS Miami. (2020, July 30). Police: Missing mom, Leila Cavett, last seen in Hollywood before her toddler found wandering in Miramar. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/police-missing-mom-leila-cavett-last-seen-hollywood-wandering-toddler-hollywood/

Kelly, T., & Mohan, N. (2020, July 29). Sisters concerned about missing mom whose son turned up in Miramar. WPLG. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/07/28/sisters-concerned-about-missing-mom-whose-child-turned-up-in-miramar/

Luperon, A. (2021, May 12). “witchcraft” teacher charged in alleged murder of missing mother, whose toddler son was found wandering alone. Law & Crime. https://lawandcrime.com/crime/witchcraft-teacher-charged-in-alleged-murder-of-missing-mother-whose-toddler-son-was-found-wandering-alone/

Sabovic, S., & Solomon, M. (2020b, July 30). Miramar police find missing mom’s truck in Hollywood. WPLG. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/07/29/hollywood-pd-taking-the-lead-on-case-of-missing-mom-whose-toddler-was-found-in-miramar/

Harris, C. (2020, August 6). Ga.. mom whose toddler was found wandering in Fla.. might have met man online before vanishing: Dad. People.com. https://people.com/crime/leila-cavett-might-have-met-man-before-disappearance/

Matter, B. (2022, October 29). Self-proclaimed witch arrested in Apprentice’s murder speaks from Broward Jail. WPLG. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2022/10/29/self-proclaimed-witch-arrested-in-apprentices-murder-speaks-from-broward-jail/

Cavallier, A. (2021, May 12). Man faces murder charge in connection to disappearance of Leila Cavett 10 months after she went missing from South Florida. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/man-faces-murder-charge-connection-disappearance-leila-cavett-nearly-10-n1267151

CBS News Staff. (2021, May 12). Self-proclaimed “witch” Shannon Ryan charged with 2nd-degree murder in Leila Cavett’s disappearance. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/self-proclaimed-witch-shannon-ryan-charged-second-degree-murder-leila-cavetts-disappearance/

FBI Miami. (2020, August 20). FBI offers reward for information about missing person Leila Cavett. FBI. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/miami/news/press-releases/fbi-offers-reward-for-information-about-missing-person-leila-cavett

Dolak, K. (2021, May 13). Self-proclaimed Florida “witch” charged with second degree murder of missing mom. Oxygen Official Site. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/shannon-ryan-arrested-for-murder-of-leila-cavett-in-florida

Leila Cavett: Missing Person Case (arcgis.com)