Woman murdered on vacation with sister, mystery remains unsolved - Video

In this episode of Crime Watch Daily Updates: Phylicia Barnes was a bright 16-year-old student from North Carolina who spent some of her high school winter break in 2010 visiting her half-sister Deena in Baltimore. What should have been a fun bonding experience for the sisters ended in tragedy and heartbreak.

On December 28, 2010, Phylicia stayed back at her sister’s house while Deena went to work. The two had plans to meet up later in the day, but as the time rolled around, Phylicia wasn’t answering her phone. She wasn’t at Deena’s house either, so Deena called Baltimore Police to report Phylicia missing.

Other than hanging out with Deena, Phylicia also allegedly spent some time with Deena’s ex, Michael Johnson. He was supposedly the last person to see her before she disappeared, and the same day, neighbors reportedly saw him moving a large plastic tub out of Deena’s apartment. Prior to her death, Phylicia and Michael reportedly exchanged over 1,300 text messages.

In April 2011, Phylicia’s body was found floating in the Susquehanna River about 40 miles away from where she was last seen. The autopsy determined she died from asphyxia, though there was also a possibility she suffered from hypothermia in the water.

Michael was arrested in April 2012 in connection with Phylicia’s death. At his trial, a witness said Michael confessed to killing Phylicia when they had sex and Michael needed the witness’ help moving the body.

He was convicted of second-degree murder, but a judge threw out the verdict because the prosecution reportedly withheld information from the defense.

Michael went to trial again, and this time, prosecutors showed a risqué and sexual tape involving Michael, Phylicia, Deena, and Michael’s brother. Phylicia’s family didn't get the ending they wanted the second time around because the case ended in a mistrial.

He was charged a third time and after a lengthy appeals process, went to trial again in 2018. After a four-week trial, a jury acquitted him of murder charges.

Let’s take a look back at the mysterious death of a promising teen who disappeared while visiting her sister.