Ballard
Relatives of a missing Mayfair woman found her car parked at Leon Street and Shelmire Avenue on Friday afternoon, then police made a grisly discovery inside — a decaying body.
Tinika Ballard, 23, was last seen leaving her home on the 3500 block of Vista St. on the morning of July 6, authorities say. She drove off in her white 2012 Chevy Cruze. Seven days later, police released a photo and description of the woman publicly, stating that Ballard was contemplating harming herself. That evening, relatives placed dozens of missing person fliers on the windshields of cars parked near a pro-police rally at Frankford and Cottman avenues.
Ballard’s relatives were canvassing the neighborhood at about 2 p.m. Friday when her sister spotted the white Chevy parked on the 7500 block of Leon St. The location is about a block from the family’s home. The sister later told NBC10 that she smelled an awful odor when she approached the car, so she called police, who opened the trunk.
Investigators have not disclosed how they believe Ballard ended up in the closed trunk of her own car. They have not revealed any evidence of foul play. ••
