Remains of Fort Lauderdale mother found
- Remains of Fort Lauderdale mother who vanished in 2014 were found in Miami. - Victim identified as Trukita Scott; investigators said the discovery ends her family's 12-year search. - Police continue investigating circumstances; the discovery brings closure to relatives and community (cbsnews.com).
1/ Discovery of Trukita Scott's remains ends 12-year mystery. Human remains found in a Miami canal on May 15, 2026, were identified as those of Trukita Scott, a 36-year-old Fort Lauderdale mother who disappeared on August 9, 2014. Miami-Dade Police confirmed the ID via dental records and DNA matching family samples. 2/ How the remains were found. A construction crew working on a drainage project near NW 27th Avenue and 17th Street in Miami spotted bones in shallow water around 10 a.m. on May 15. Divers recovered a skull, torso, and limbs from the canal. The medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the skull. 3/ Scott's 2014 disappearance. Trukita Scott, a nurse's aide, vanished after leaving her Fort Lauderdale apartment to meet friends. Her silver Hyundai Elantra was found abandoned days later at a gas station in Lauderdale Lakes with her purse and phone inside. She was last seen wearing a black dress and gold sandals; her family reported her missing on August 10. 4/ Investigation timeline. Broward Sheriff's Office treated it as a cold case after initial searches yielded no leads. Tips led to cadaver dog alerts near canals, but nothing concrete until now. Miami-Dade detectives took over post-discovery, linking it to Scott via missing persons databases. No suspects named yet. 5/ Family's reaction. Scott's sister, Tanisha Scott, said, "We've been praying for closure for 12 years—this answers so many questions, but opens new pain." The family held a vigil on May 18 outside the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. They described Trukita as a devoted mother to her 7-year-old son, who is now 19. 6/ What police are doing next. Miami-Dade homicide detectives are re-interviewing witnesses from 2014 and analyzing digital forensics from Scott's phone. The canal site is being dredged for more evidence. Broward Sheriff's Cold Case Unit is assisting. "We're pursuing all leads to determine what happened," said Detective Michael Santos. 7/ Community impact. Scott's case drew attention through podcasts like "Crime Junkie" and local missing persons groups. The discovery has renewed calls for better canal searches in South Florida, where at least 5 bodies have surfaced since 2024. A GoFundMe for funeral costs raised $12,000 in 48 hours. 8/ Key facts on Scott. Age 36 at disappearance; 5'6", 140 lbs, with tattoos on her arms. Worked at a nursing home. No prior police record. Her son was raised by relatives after she vanished. Autopsy confirmed no drugs or alcohol in remains. 9/ Broader context on cold cases. Florida has over 1,200 unsolved homicides since 2014, per FDLE stats. Canal discoveries are common—Alligator Alley alone yielded 8 bodies in 2025. Scott's case highlights DNA tech advances aiding old IDs. 10/ Status update. As of May 20, 2026, no arrests. Police urge tips to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Family plans private burial once evidence release is complete. Follow local outlets for developments.
