The disappearance and murder of 10-year-old Briasia Terrell in Davenport, Iowa, unraveled a chilling story of betrayal by her father figure, Henry Dinkens. Initially reported missing, investigations revealed Henry's involvement, leading to his arrest and conviction for first-degree murder and kidnapping. The case exposed disturbing evidence and left a grieving family seeking justice.
On July 10th, 2020, in Davenport, Iowa, a 10-year-old girl named Briasia Terrell was reported missing. What began as a routine missing child case soon spiraled into one of the darkest investigations the city had ever witnessed. The person at the center of this tragedy was Henry Dinkens, a 47-year-old man who was not only a father figure to Briasia but also the prime suspect in her disappearance and murder.
Briasia had spent the night at the apartment of Henry Dinkens, who was the father figure to her and her 8-year-old brother, DL. By morning, Briasia was nowhere to be found. Her mother, Aisha Langford, called the police around 9:30 a.m., desperate for answers.
When police began questioning Henry, his behavior immediately raised suspicions. He could not recall his own address or phone number and gave vague, inconsistent answers about Briasia's last known whereabouts. Despite being the one responsible for watching her, Henry claimed he lost track of Briasia.
Detectives initially treated the case as a typical missing child report. However, as hours passed without any leads, their suspicion grew. Security footage revealed Henry purchasing two bottles of Clorox bleach, and a search of his RV uncovered bleach and a machete. These items, combined with Henry's history as a convicted sex offender, intensified the investigation.
Henry's reluctance to cooperate fully with the police, including his refusal to provide access to his phone and evasiveness about his vehicle, further deepened the detectives' concerns.
The apartment where Briasia spent her last night belonged to Henry's girlfriend, Andrea. When officers requested to search the apartment, Andrea hesitated and did not participate in the search efforts. She later revealed that she woke up around 3:30 a.m. to find both Henry and Briasia gone. She also saw Briasia outside the apartment in the early morning hours but did not question Henry about it or inform the police.
Henry's timeline of events was inconsistent. He claimed to have left the apartment twice during the night, once to visit a friend and once to buy cigarettes, but could not provide exact times. He also stated he spent the rest of the night driving around with his son DL searching for Briasia, but DL later revealed that Henry actually took him to Walmart to buy cleaning supplies, including bleach and a large knife.
Months after Briasia's disappearance, a decomposed body was found in a wooded area near Dwit, Iowa, just 20 miles from where she vanished. DNA testing confirmed it was Briasia. Investigators pieced together that Henry had taken Briasia to his RV, likely assaulted her, and then returned briefly to the apartment before leaving again. Andrea's observations of Henry grabbing something from the closet, believed to be a gun, and seeing Briasia outside the apartment added to the evidence.
The autopsy revealed Briasia was shot twice in the head, confirming a brutal murder. Henry's car was found stuck in the mud near the crime scene, explaining why he changed his shoes before the police interview.
Henry Dinkens was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. During the trial, he claimed racial profiling and insisted the investigation was biased against him. However, the evidence was overwhelming. His son DL's testimony about the bleach and knife purchase sealed the case.
Henry was found guilty and sentenced to two mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Briasia's mother, Aisha Langford, expressed profound heartbreak and pain over the loss of her daughter. She questioned the circumstances of Briasia's final moments and the suffering she endured. The case left a lasting scar on the family and community, highlighting the devastating impact of betrayal by a trusted figure.
The tragic story of Briasia Terrell's disappearance and murder by Henry Dinkens is a harrowing reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind familiar faces. What started as a missing child report revealed a nightmare of deception, abuse, and loss. The diligent work of law enforcement and the courage of witnesses brought justice for Briasia, but the pain remains for those who loved her.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance, thorough investigation, and the pursuit of truth in the face of tragedy.
