Detective Refuses To Believe Mary Is In Danger
Missing Person Detective Ignored Desperate Pleas For Help
Mary's Family Discovers CMPD Detective Never Believed She Was In Danger
THE FAMILY IS HORRIFIED AT BEING TOLD CMPD DETECTIVE GASKIN SAYS MARY SANTINA "HAS DONE THIS BEFORE WITH GUYS" AND IS NOT IN DANGER!
At noon on April 3, 2020, the family receives a screenshot of a text message from a former CMPD homicide detective still with the department. Mary has now been gone for SEVEN DAYS. The message reads:
"They are working on it today. I called the upper chain and asked them to prioritize. Please tell family that they need to have one person call the detective with info. He said he got dozens of calls and emails from numerous family/friends wanting info. Apparently, she's done this before with guys so that's why they are on it but not heavily initially. They have it as a priority now though."
The family is shocked, horrified, and furious. NOTHING could be further from the truth, which could only have come from Lavery and Pham. Detective Gaskin NEVER asked the family about this. He never sought information about Mary or her friends. Instead, he profiled her as a naive and innocent victim who needed a hero. We were truly stunned and terrified.
The same day, a media contact relayed that when they inquired about Mary being missing, they were told by WBTV that CMPD did not think she was in danger. Already frantic, Mary’s family was devastated and desperate, finding it unfathomable that anyone could do this to her and say such damaging things without offering help.
JUST AS THE GOVERNOR SHUTS DOWN THE STATE DUE TO COVID-19, MARY IS LURED OUT OF HER HOME BY KELLY LAVERY.
Mary got into an Uber on the afternoon of March 28, sent to her home by Kelly Lavery, who invited her to The Yards at NoDa Apartments for a supposed "girls' night" of movies and makeup.
On March 30, after trying to reach Mary through calls and texts, her grandmother, with whom Mary lived, went to pick her up. Banging on the door repeatedly until Kelly Lavery opened it. Lavery, along with Lavi Pham, told her Mary had left. Her grandmother knew this was not true.
Lavery allowed her grandmother inside briefly to look around and call out for Mary but quickly told her to leave, holding a hammer. Loud arguing drew the attention of a neighbor who said she would have to call someone. Her grandmother replied, "Please do, call someone," convinced Mary was in grave danger given her cognitive disability, difficulties with working memory, and eyesight problems without her glasses. In addition, Mary’s phone was off.
She called 911 for help but was told to go home and file a missing person's report. Mary was not missing; she was trapped. Her grandmother was aware of Mary’s whereabouts. Mary was never missing; she had been taken.
She did not want to leave. Her grandmother needed the police to rescue Mary from Lavery and Pham, who had a history of cruelty towards her online. Desperate for help, her grandmother met the responding officer at home, explaining to him that Mary was in danger due to her disability.
The officer asked if Mary had a diagnosis, indicating this would escalate the response of the Charlotte police investigation. She explained that Mary had 22q deletion syndrome, which impaired her ability to protect herself.
During the officer's presence, the 911 operator called to say she had done a "well check" on Mary but received no response and left without taking further action. The responding officer asked for photos of Mary, Lavery, and Pham that had been posted online, stating the case would be assigned to a detective the following morning.
Her grandmother, believing the police were going to retrieve Mary, immediately sent the photos to the detective’s email. She then returned to the apartment complex, which was gated in multiple areas, including the breezeways that led to the apartments.
Horrified, she couldn’t reach Mary, who was trapped inside with Lavery and Pham.
It Is Now March 31st. Mary has been gone for two and a half days and three nights—longer than she has ever been away from home. Lavery and Pham had done something to Mary, and her grandmother knew it.
Missing Persons Detective Gaskin finally called in the afternoon. Her grandmother explained that Mary was not missing but endangered and that these individuals had a history of harassing her. She also contacted the apartment management, who was reviewing security cameras for any sign of Mary during the time Lavery claimed she left.
The manager said it would take an hour or so. Mary’s grandmother relayed this to Detective Gaskin, who responded, "that’s good," but stated he couldn't come to the apartment that day. He reassured her he would work the case from "here." Upset and concerned for Mary’s safety, she asked what she should do, fearing they would harm Mary now that she had contacted the police, but the detective told her to call 911.
Now unsure of how the Charlotte police investigation operated, Mary’s grandmother thought Detective Gaskin would be working on getting help for Mary. It became clear later that being directed to the Missing Persons Unit did not make sense given the urgency of the situation.
Detective Gaskin Does Not Arrive; the Family Calls 911 Again. By now, Mary's grandmother had contacted everyone in the family, and her mother was en route to the apartments with a friend. She called 911 again, her desperation mounting.
Once at the apartment complex, the responding officer permitted only Mary's mother to ascend to the apartment door and then returned to say it was the wrong apartment. Her grandmother took both he and Mary's mother to the correct door, waiting beside the elevator near the apartment.
Lavi Pham answered the door. After back and forth with the officer, he finally allowed Mary's mother inside. He took her into the back room where someone lay under a blanket on the bed. Pham told her it was Kelly Lavery sleeping and quickly ushered her out, unaware of another bathroom nearby. Talking with the officer, her grandmother insisted they had done something with Mary, sharing that the apartment manager was looking through the cameras for her.
The officer then left, stating he would contact Detective Gaskin. Assuming police would now take steps to find out what had happened to Mary, the family was hopeful.
CMPD And The Security Cameras. Mary’s grandmother called the apartment manager to check on the status of the security camera review. He informed her the police officer instructed him to stop looking for Mary. He indicated that all it would take was for police to ask, and he would look. At that point, we had no contact other than the incoming call from Detective Gaskin.
Over the subsequent FOUR days, Mary's family persistently implored Detective Gaskin to scrutinize the security cameras.
Mary's Family Members Desperately Try To Make Detective Gaskin Understand That She's In Danger. Knowing Mary was still in the apartment, her grandmother desperately tried to explain to Detective Gaskin that she was in serious danger. The family understood Mary was still there and, if not, that Lavery and Pham had done something to her. They repeatedly tried to convey this seriousness and the significance of her disability to the detective.
Mary's great uncle attempted to reach him for clarification. Her great aunt sent an email from Maryland to explain Mary’s disability and risks. Even Mary’s uncle, who worked as a police officer at UNCC, went through his channels to reach Detective Gaskin to articulate the urgency of the situation. The US Marshal Service contacted CMPD and Detective Gaskin on the family's behalf.
Mary's grandmother persistently sought contact with Detective Gaskin, as did Mary’s mother. The family and community did not wait for the detective’s assistance. Mary's stepfather went to the apartment door, demanding answers.
Detective Gaskin informed the family that Lavery and Pham claimed to feel threatened by them, instructing them to avoid the door area.
Multiple community members printed flyers detailing Mary’s plight, plastering them around the vicinity of the apartment. They communicated with residents about her situation.
Detective Gaskin advised against approaching the property or asking residents if they had seen Mary or to share flyers. During outreach, they found that no one was aware of Mary until they were informed.
The CEO of the complex granted the family permission to engage with residents and bring search dogs right to the apartment door. Community members mobilized, forming search parties for the wooded areas and train tracks.
Mary’s mother was collaborating with an organization dedicated to finding individuals who have been sex-trafficked. Her grandmother maintained a constant vigil at the apartments, determined to reach Mary. Flyers were printed by strangers, signs were made, drones were deployed, and arrangements were made for bloodhounds to search for Mary.
Mary’s grandmother was frantic and desperately tried to explain that Lavery and Pham had Mary and had harmed her.
No Police Presence. There was no police presence at the scene, no active searches, no dogs or helicopters deployed. Early on, Detective Gaskin advised against involving the media, cautioning that it would only generate false leads.
At one point, Mary’s grandmother stopped a passing police officer to ask if he knew who Mary was. He did not. After she explained, he noted having seen flyers about Mary. He then searched and confirmed there was a "Bolo" issued, indicating awareness should they encounter Mary, but not suggesting active efforts to find her. Her grandmother tearfully implored him to speak on Mary’s behalf to Detective Gaskin, stating she deserved a hero. He showed sympathy and promised to communicate with the detective.
Family and Friends Utilize Social Media To Find Out What They Did With Mary. Mary’s siblings, friends, and former classmates turned to social media seeking information about her.
They focused on posts made by Lavi Pham and Kelly Lavery, discovering shocking and terrifying details. They contacted individuals associated with Lavery and Pham, who warned of the danger Mary faced at their hands.
Mary’s sister stumbled upon posts indicating James Salerno had been with Lavery and Pham. She promptly posted her inquiry for information. Meanwhile, a former classmate began probing online connections to Lavery and Pham.
Pushing for answers, they unearthed horrifying details about Mary being harmed by Lavery, Pham, Salerno, and his girlfriend. People they engaged subsequently approached the police for help.
Detective Gaskin was also contacted immediately afterward. Once Contacted, Detective Gaskin FINALLY Goes Into The Apartment. By this point, Mary had been missing for six days.
On the morning of April 2, 2020, Gaskin requested probable cause, asking for pertinent information. Family members rushed to send him everything, including Kelly Lavery's past harassment of Mary online, concerning photos of guns and drugs, and Mary’s disability information, striving to convince him that she was in danger and in dire need of help.
On the night of April 2, Detective Gaskin went to the apartment after receiving alarming reports that Mary had been murdered and hidden in a mattress there. He requested entry to search, and Lavery and Pham allowed him inside. He permitted Pham to lift the mattress where Mary was concealed, despite prior accusations of murder. The officer glanced around but left without escalating the situation or acknowledging the imminent danger Mary faced, completely brushing aside our poignant pleas for her safety.
He issued no alerts, failed to review the security footage, and conducted no active search.
CMPD Detective Gaskin Says Mary Is Not In Danger!!!
April 3rd, 2020. Mary’s grandmother received one of the few phone calls from Detective Gaskin.
Gaskin told her he searched the apartment the prior night and confirmed Mary was not there. Her grandmother asked if he checked everywhere—under beds, couches, in closets? She even mentioned a plastic container on the balcony, inquiring if he had looked inside it.
Detective Gaskin asserted he had searched the entire apartment and chatted with Lavery and Pham. He asked her, "Do you understand that she’s not in there?"
She replied that she did not. She insisted that Lavery and Pham had Mary hidden away, that they had her inside or had done something terrible with her.
Nothing else made sense—Mary could not have left on her own; she had never been away this long without family. That she had never been anywhere that her family didn’t know about.
Her grandmother implored Detective Gaskin to compel them to reveal what they did to Mary and where she was. Mary was now missing for seven days. This same afternoon, Mary’s uncle called the corporate office of the company owning the apartment complex, gaining permission in ten minutes to view the security footage.
Mary’s grandmother and mother began watching the security footage. Her mother insisted on examining every second from March 28th onward, knowing they were untruthful about Mary leaving. As they reviewed the footage, they discovered that the recordings from March 28 and 29 were mysteriously erased.
Moreover, the office had a cutoff at 2 PM, necessitating a return the following morning. This was heartbreaking, as Mary’s mother saw no evidence of her on March 30, reinforcing their belief regarding Lavery and Pham's deceit.
The management informed them that Detective Gaskin had indeed been there that morning and had viewed some of the footage. Mary’s mother arranged to return the following day to catch up on the remaining recordings.
Meanwhile, Mary’s grandmother endeavored to contact Detective Gaskin, attempting to reach out to the people with bloodhounds who needed his authorization before their arrival. Every effort to understand what he had seen on the camera continued as the footage from March 28 had only been erased an hour before their arrival. Nevertheless, Detective Gaskin did not respond.
**THE FAMILY IS HORRIFIED AT BEING TOLD CMPD DETECTIVE GASKIN SAYS MARY HAS DONE THIS BEFORE WITH GUYS AND IS NOT IN DANGER!**
At noon on April 3, 2020, we received a screenshot stating:
"They are working on it today. I called the upper chain and asked them to prioritize. Please tell family that they need to have one person call the detective with info. He said he got dozens of calls and emails from numerous family/friends wanting info. Apparently, she's done this before with guys so that's why they are on it but not heavily initially. They have it as a priority now though."
**NOTHING could be further from the truth.**
That same afternoon, a media contact confirmed that WBTV had inquired about Mary’s missing status and were informed by CMPD that they did not believe Mary was in danger.
We would later discover that April 3, 2020, was also the day Detective Gaskin finally issued a missing post about Mary on Twitter. Mary had now been trapped with Lavery, Pham, Salerno, and Diehl for seven long days.
Siblings and Classmates Utilizing Social Media PRESS HARDER For Detective Gaskin to Take Action
April 4th, 2020. Mary’s mother returned to the management office, scrutinizing the camera footage closely, determined to find any insights about what happened to Mary. She watched the entire week for hours, speaking with those working to locate sex-trafficked individuals simultaneously.
Mary’s grandmother remained frantic, still striving to reach Detective Gaskin while trying to ensure the bloodhounds could access the apartment. She claimed she would remain on the apartment grounds until they found Mary, convinced she was there.
People continued dispersing flyers and putting up missing signs, searching for Mary. Search parties formed, combing through areas around the apartment.
Meanwhile, Mary’s siblings and others persisted on social media to find out more. Still, those who had contacted the police repeated their efforts, reaching out again to continue advocating for justice.
The information had not changed, and Salerno continued claiming Mary had been killed and hidden in a mattress. He even announced they intended to move her that night and destroy the mattress.
The person involved in online discussions urged Detective Gaskin to acquire a search warrant, insisting that they planned to move Mary, arguing they would remain at the apartment until he took action.
On the eve of Mary’s mother’s birthday, April 4, 2020, the police finally entered to rescue Mary. At around 10 PM, a railyard officer whom Mary’s grandmother had shared her number with contacted her to explain that Mary had been located, and an ambulance was dispatched. He was unaware of her condition. Mary’s grandmother hurried to CMC Main Hospital.
Upon arriving, everything was barricaded due to Covid-19. She approached the ER guard and begged him to find out about Mary. Returning, he informed her that Mary was not there, and she was heading for the next hospital when her son-in-law called, instructing her to come home.
Mary’s mother received the same call. The family eventually gathered outside Mary’s residence, laden with anxiety, not knowing whether Mary was alive or deceased.
Two police officers arrived. Immediately, her grandmother inquired after Detective Gaskin, ultimately being told he was "stuck at the scene."
The officers entered the home, standing mere feet from Mary’s bedroom, and conveyed the unfathomable news: they believed Mary had been murdered, concealed in plastic, cut open from the mattress, her identity concealed. They expressed their condolences and delivered standard information before departing, leaving the devastated family to grapple with their horror.
Mary was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in the NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte, N.C., in the Spring of 2020. Mary was not discovered until more than a week later. CMPD negligence and definitive bias prevented the detective from taking the family’s pleas seriously.
There was nothing left to do but scream, and we are still screaming.
JUSTICE FOR MARY!
None of the family ever heard from Detective Gaskin after that night, and none of us ever met him. Mary matters.
Mary DESERVED help
Missing Persons North Carolina Department Public Safety
In the event of an adult missing person case, such as that of Mary Santina, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Contact the local authorities to initiate a Charlotte police investigation, as timely reporting can greatly aid in locating the missing individual. If you suspect any CMPD negligence in handling the case, consider engaging with justice activism groups that specialize in advocating for victims. Their resources can significantly enhance your efforts in raising awareness and pressing for diligent police action.
Mary Needed a Hero
READ THIS LIKE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT:
11 months ago today, Mary Santina left the safety of her home. Not one single minute after that were her rights considered. Not once.
Trapped behind gates and walls, her technology was taken from her. She was not given safety, nutrition, or emotional support. Her health and overall atmosphere were disregarded. She was not a "resident"; she WAS A PRISONER.
Brutalized and tortured, she was MURDERED.
From the moment we called 911 and sought assistance, the Charlotte police investigation has highlighted the negligence of CMPD, with a focus only on the rights and needs of her murderers. Why should this matter to you? Because this could BE YOU—or your child, your family member.
Things MUST change to ensure that you are not in this position.
Above all, these vicious individuals must be kept in a safe environment that provides warm, nutritious, health-conscious care, and meets emotional needs...
WHILE MARY'S BATTERED BODY LIES COLD IN THE GROUND!
If nothing changes, they could do this again. That must not happen.
JUSTICE! Justice activism for Mary Santina.
Mary's Voice
Link to Internal Affairs Public Report 2020
Mary Matters
The Charlotte police investigation into the tragic disappearance of Mary Santina raises serious concerns about CMPD negligence. As justice activism grows in response to her missing person case, community members seek accountability and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Crimes Against People with Disabilities
