LINCOLN PARK, MI – The unresolved disappearance of a Michigan woman has taken a pivotal turn nearly five years after she went missing. Jessica Bedford, who vanished after a brief phone call to her mother on Mother’s Day 2020, is now the subject of a murder charge against a local man.
Jessica was reported missing on May 30, 2020, following her last known communications—a phone call to her mother and a few social media updates. Although her body has not been recovered, Keyvonte Clark, 31, faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder and corpse mutilation in connection to her disappearance.
Prosecutors have described the circumstances of the case as “gruesome” during Clark’s initial court hearing. Jessica’s mother, Kathy Parker, recounted her last conversation with her daughter to local media, noting that their exchange was brief but not out of the ordinary.
According to Kathy, Jessica had been experiencing a tumultuous period, coping with the deaths of an ex-husband and a close friend. She had moved in with friends in Lincoln Park, but Kathy expressed concerns over Jessica’s new associations, suggesting that her behavior had worsened due to these influences.
Around the time of her disappearance, Jessica posted a photo showing a black eye allegedly inflicted by an unidentified boyfriend, raising concerns about her well-being. Despite these challenges, her sudden silence was seen as uncharacteristic and alarming.
Prosecutors insist that the evidence implicates Clark as her killer, arguing that he should remain in custody without bond due to the severity of the accusations. During the court proceedings, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Lindsey asserted that Clark had killed Bedford and concealed her body, emphasizing the heinous nature of the crime.
Clark’s lawyer, Amir Makled, countered that the prosecution’s case lacks substantiation, relying heavily on testimonies from individuals with questionable credibility. He pointed out that Clark has remained in the area despite being a suspect since 2021, contesting the notion that he might flee.
However, the court, siding with the prosecution’s concerns, decided that Clark represents a risk and thus denied him bond. His subsequent court appearance is scheduled for April 24 as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
