283. Pregnant and Vanished - The Disappearance of Akia Eggleston

Akia Eggleston disappearance timeline and case overview

Akia Eggleston, 22 and eight months pregnant, vanished in Baltimore in May 2017 after last being seen on May 3. Friends and family discovered her empty apartment the day of her planned baby shower, with furniture missing and personal items gone. Police initially treated the scene as a possible move-out, but mounting digital evidence later pointed to foul play and a suspect intimately connected to Akia.

Why pregnant women face higher homicide risk in intimate partner cases

Research cited in the episode highlights that pregnant and postpartum women are at significantly elevated risk of murder compared with non-pregnant women. The hosts place Akia's disappearance in that broader context, underscoring how pregnancy can increase vulnerability—especially in situations involving unstable relationships, hidden partners, or domestic conflict.

Digital phone data, Lyft rides, and internet searches that shaped the investigation

Investigators relied heavily on cell phone pings, social media activity, Lyft ride records, and search history to reconstruct Akia's final hours. Akia's phone activity stopped shortly after a downtown call, and both her and Michael Robertson's devices were tracked moving together downtown before being disabled. Michael's internet searches about body disposal and trash pickup patterns strengthened prosecutors' narrative about what likely occurred.

From charges to conviction without recovered remains

Despite no recovered body or DNA, prosecutors moved forward using a web of digital evidence and a belated admission that Michael and Akia had a heated altercation the night she disappeared. After months of investigation and years of pressure from the family and media, Michael Robertson was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to consecutive life terms.

Community response and the push for the "Akia Alert" for missing pregnant women

Akia's family, frustrated by investigative delays and limited early media attention, partnered with advocacy groups to demand systemic change. The proposed "Akia Alert" would act as a targeted emergency notification for missing pregnant women, aiming to reduce delays in search response and prioritize vulnerable cases. The episode emphasizes family activism, the role of organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation, and the challenges of obtaining accountability when remains are not recovered.

• Key takeaway: Digital footprints can form a compelling narrative even when physical remains are absent.
• Policy angle: Specialized alert systems for pregnant women could close critical response gaps.