The Disappearance of Tionda and Diamond Bradley: Chicago’s Biggest Mystery

Tionda Bradley was a wonderful big sister to Diamond, who was seven years younger than her. Tionda and Diamond lived at home with their mother, Tracey, a hard-working single woman, and the two girls were often left to fend for themselves while their mother worked.

In July of 2001, Tionda and Diamond were enjoying their summer in their southside Chicago home. Tionda was enrolled in a summer camp, and she and Diamond were surrounded by an extended family- aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

Fun-loving and responsible Tionda could be mature for her age. She was only ten years old herself but took on a caring role for her three-year-old sister, Diamond. Tracey had to leave the girls home alone sometimes, but with Tionda’s maturity, she felt they would be okay for short periods of time.

On July 6, 2001, the girl’s mother had to get up early and go to work. She would be leaving Tionda and Diamond home alone for about half a day. Tionda would stay home from camp that day as well.

She left the house at 6:30 a.m. with both girls just waking up.

Around 8:00 a.m., she called home to check on them, but no one answered. She figured they had gone back to sleep.