DETROIT, MI – Nearly five years after Jessica Bedford, a young Michigan mother, vanished following a Mother’s Day phone call to her mother, authorities have charged a 31-year-old man with her murder.
Keyvonte Clark was arraigned on charges of first-degree premeditated murder and mutilation of a corpse despite Bedford’s body never being found. Her last known communication came through a phone call with her mother, Kathy Parker, and a few social media posts in May 2020. Bedford was officially reported missing at the end of that month.
Prosecutors have described the case against Clark as particularly distressing, pointing to evidence presented during his initial appearance in court. Parker recounted the last conversation with her daughter as uneventful, simply exchanging love and well-wishes for Mother’s Day. Bedford, then 24 and a mother to a young daughter, entered a period of silence after sharing a couple of posts on Facebook.
In 2020, Parker noted that her daughter was experiencing personal hardships, including the deaths of close individuals in her life. Following a move to Lincoln Park to stay with friends, Parker expressed concerns that Bedford associated with unfavorable influences.
Reports indicated Bedford displayed signs of distress during her final days, including a photo circulating of her with a black eye, attributed to an abusive relationship. Despite these challenges, her abrupt disappearance remained unusual, prompting worry among her family and friends.
The prosecution argues that Clark is accountable for Bedford’s murder, presenting the case’s grave details in Michigan’s 36th District Court. Prosecutors accused Clark of not only killing Bedford but also hiding her body, emphasizing the severity of the charges while requesting he be held without bond. They also mentioned Clark’s alleged involvement in illegal activities, including operating a chop shop.
Clark’s defense attorney, Amir Makled, labeled the prosecution’s case as feeble, citing the absence of physical evidence of Bedford’s body and questioning the credibility of the witness testimonies against Clark. He argued that Clark posed little flight risk, having remained in the area despite being a suspect since 2021.
However, the court sided with the prosecution and decided to hold Clark without bail, underlining the serious nature of the allegations. Clark is scheduled to return to court on April 24 for further proceedings.
Prosecutors continue to appeal to the public for any information that could lead to the discovery of Bedford’s remains, determined to provide closure for her family.