Cathy Terkanian's Relentless Search for Justice

For 21 years, Cathy Terkanian lived under the assumption that her daughter was alive. Her world was upended in April 2010 when she received a letter from an adoption agency. Authorities requested her DNA to rule out a match for an unidentified Jane Doe whose facial reconstruction resembled Aundria. While the DNA did not match, Terkanian learned the horrific truth: her daughter had been missing since 1989.

Terkanian transformed into an investigator and advocate:

• Uncovering the Past: Utilizing early internet sleuthing communities and public records, Terkanian quickly unearthed Dennis Bowman's 1980 conviction for assault.

• Pressuring Law Enforcement: She realized almost immediately that Aundria had not run away, but had been murdered by her adoptive father. She spent the next decade relentlessly badgering police, prosecutors, and the media to treat Dennis Bowman as a homicide suspect.

• Building a Network: Terkanian connected with other victims of the Bowmans, local residents, and independent investigators to keep Aundria's name alive.