SheWhoMustNotBeNamed
Former Member
Missing Since: September 11, 1998 from Tampa, Florida
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: March 13, 1991
Age: 7 years old
Height and Weight: 4'4, 45 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Brown has scars on her forehead. Her ears are pierced.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blue and white nightgown.
Details of Disappearance
Brown's mother, Kathryn Hartman, met Willie Crain Jr. at a bar in mid-September 1998 in Tampa, Florida. A photo of Crain is posted below this case summary. Hartman told authorities that she and Brown visited Crain's residence during the evening of September 10, 1998. Hartman stated that she caught Crain alone in his bedroom with Brown. He was apparently intoxicated at the time. Hartman said that she separated her daughter from Crain and drove to their own house. Crain followed them inside and fell asleep in Hartman's bed. She allowed him to stay the night and also let Brown crawl in between them to sleep. Hartman told investigators that Crain had given her an overdose of Valium, a strong sedative, during the evening. She did not wake up until 6:00 a.m. the following morning, September 11. Hartman stated that both Brown and Crain had disappeared by that time. Brown has never been heard from again.
Crain had been previously convicted of sexual assaults on young girls before he met Hartman and Brown. His residence was searched after Brown vanished and authorities discovered blood inside his bathroom. The blood matched Brown's DNA and Crain was charged with her murder. Investigators believe that Crain, who was a commercial fisherman, dumped her body in one of his frequent fishing areas after sexually assaulting and murdering her. Crain denied the charges, but was found guilty in 1999 and sentenced to death. Brown has never been located.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
813-247-8601