Daphne Hope, 34: Last Seen In Colorado In 2001
Her boyfriend claimed not to know anything about her disappearance. It took 7 years for Denver to move the case to Aurora.
Often, the police classify missing persons as endangered due to their high-risk lifestyles, and Daphne Hope is one of those cases. Again, we're confronted with a story with little to no information; however, it doesn't preclude Daphne from receiving the attention she deserves.
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The specific circumstances regarding Daphne’s disappearance aren’t entirely clear. However, several agencies report that the 34-year-old was last seen on August 2, 2001.
Daphne was reported missing weeks later on August 16, but once again, it is unknown why it took so long for someone to contact the authorities. Her last point of contact was somewhere around the 2000 block of Fulton Street in Aurora, Colorado, where she lived with a man named Gary Lynn Sterling. It’s reported that Sterling was Daphne’s boyfriend and denied knowing her whereabouts.
Daphne was initially reported missing to the Denver Police Department. Yet, it would take seven years for the department to revisit the case and determine that it should have been handled by authorities in Aurora.
What led to this mix-up hasn’t been shared publicly, but it raises concerns about investigation efforts from the onset.
Additionally, Daphne’s “high-risk” lifestyle involved both drug activity and prostitution. Police did issue a search warrant on her residence, but they were unable to find evidence that could help in locating her.
Sadly, Black women who come from risky lifestyles often find their cases dismissed by investigators. That isn’t to say that was the case here, but there hasn’t been an update on Daphne in decades.
Daphne Hope: What To Know
At the time of her disappearance, Daphne Hope stood 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 150 pounds. She had black/dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a scar on her right arm. Reference DNA was taken by investigators from a family member.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Aurora Police Department at (303) 627-3100. The agency case number is 2008-49456.
Please share this story about Daphne Hope to help ignite interest in her missing person case. She is our sister and her life matters.
Case Number: 2008-49456
Agency: Aurora Police Department
Phone: (303) 627-3100
Email:
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