By David Lohr

April 23, 2007

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LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (Crime Library) — Authorities are trying to locate 38-year-old Kiva Gazaway.  A mother of two teenage girls, Kiva has not been seen for more than two weeks.  Police suspect foul play and are asking the public's help in tracing her last movements.

On the afternoon of April 14, Kiva called a family member on her cell phone and said that she was shopping at the Voice of America Center in West Chester.  She was doing some last-minute shopping for her daughter's 16th birthday.  That was the last time anyone heard from her.  When she failed to show up for her daughter's party and calls to her cell phone went unanswered, her family began to fear the worst.

Kiva's brother, Ateela Gazaway, told authorities that on the day she disappeared, his sister had a heated argument with her live-in boyfriend, Harvey Johnson, Jr.  When police went to interview Johnson he was nowhere to be found.  His disappearance quickly raised eyebrows and police told the media he was "a person of interest" in the case.

"No one's seen her," Ateela told WCPO news.  "If she left just to get away, she would have called somebody.  I mean, I've talked to all her friends, her coworkers, my family.  Nobody heard from her."

On April 20, Johnson was arrested in another state on unrelated charges.  Police have yet to release where he was arrested and on what charges.  He has not yet been named an official suspect in her disappearance.

Shortly after Johnson's arrest, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones held a brief press conference to update the public on the progress of the case.

"We have reason to believe there has been some foul play involved," Jones said.  "It is very important we find her and her vehicle."

This past weekend Kiva's friends and relatives posted flyers in and around Butler County in hopes that someone might recognize Kiva or her car, which is described as a dark gray 1991 Toyota Corolla, with temporary Ohio license number T307186.

According to a press release issued by the Butler County Sheriff's Department, Kiva stands 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.  She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information in the disappearance of Kiva Gazaway is asked to call the Butler County Sheriff's Department at (513) 785-1300 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.

 

Contact  David Lohr at           crimewriter74@hughes.net

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