MURDERED: Shakara Carter
When Shakara Carter is found strangled to death on a dead-end road in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she’s days away from testifying against a serial rapist. But she’s also one of about two dozen sex workers killed in the area over the years…and unlike some of those victims, Shakara’s killer is elusive.
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Shakara Carter
Photo source: Courtesy of family
Shakara Carter
Photo source: Grand Rapids Police Department (enhanced by Audiochuck staff)
A car tried to leave the area via this dirt hill on the same morning Shakara’s body was discovered.
Photo source: Google Maps; October 2007 view (9:00)
Shakara’s body was found on the 600 block of Chestnut Street Southwest, a dead-end road.
Photo source: Audiochuck staff (13:30)
Map of where Shakara was found
Photo source: Google Earth historical view, May 2009; Edited by Audiochuck staff (18:00)
Please contact the authorities If you have any information about the following cases:
If you have any information about Shakara’s case, please contact the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3400.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Police haven’t given up on unsolved murders of 11 West Michigan prostitutes by Ken Kolker
- Slain woman key to rape trial by John Agar
- Police don’t link death to others by Nate Reens
- Brake looked at in prostitute deaths by Joe LaFurgey
- Beaten prostitutes testify in assault cases; Troy Brake will stand trial in brutal attacks by John Tunison
- Reluctant hero steps up in Brake case by Ken Kolker
- Police recount events leading to Troy Brake’s murder conviction; family still says Brake is innocent by MLive.com Staff
- DNA, license plate lead Grand Rapids police to homicide suspect, court documents say by Angie Jackson
- Accused murderer Demarco Carnegie spit on the body of Marie Nettles after strangling her, say police by Barton Deiters
- Anger and understanding from families as killer who spat on victim’s body is sentenced by Barton Deiters
- Cold Case Team IDs Dead Man As Murderer by Robb Westaby
- Grand Rapids Police Department Records
- Kent County Court Records: 61st District Court; 17th Circuit Court; 63rd District Court
- Federal court records
- Ritual and Signature in Serial Sexual Homicide by Louis B. Schlesinger, PhD, Martin Kassen, MA, V. Blair Mesa, MA, and Anthony J. Pinizzotto, PhD
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