Mother speaks about murdered teen Anaiah Walker on her birthday

Buckeye police, Silent Witness and the mother of a slain teenager asked for tips today, surrounding the death of 16-year-old Anaiah Walker, who was found deceased on I-10 in 2020.

May 22, 2020, Anaiah Walker, a 16-year-old girl, was found on the median of I-10, near the Watson exit.

Based on her injuries, investigators determined she had been hit by a car. Detectives believe the unknown suspect was likely driving a 2016 to 2018 Honda Civic in “midnight burgundy pearl,” according to police analysis of car parts at the scene.

“Without the media, we're not going to solve this case,” said Mike Fischer, a detective from Silent Witness. “Hopefully someone watching this segment here will remember something about that day… maybe someone working for a car dealership that remembers because we're missing parts of the bumper, the front end, front end parts. And hopefully some body shop also might remember that.”

Walker’s mother, Sherika Rhymes, thanked God for the day and told the media that her family wants closure.

“I just want to praise the most high for today,” she said. “Today would have been my daughter's 21st birthday, her golden birthday. It's difficult to address, but we want answers. My family's here today. I don't stand alone, but we're exhausted. We're exhausted, we're stressed.”

Rhymes said she has forgiveness in her heart.

"I read something recently that said, but if it was a kid and they did it and they were just as afraid as Anaiah , I want to say to you, I forgive you already, but I need answers. You're the only one that can tell me what happened," she said.

In 2018, at age 13, Anaiah and another teen ran away from a group home, according to reports. The teens consequently met with two men who held them against their will at a Payless Inn Motel.

Police and court reports outline that both girls were forced into sex trafficking and drug dealing. They were also physically and sexually assaulted. The girls were able to escape after five days by running to a Circle K for help.

After this incident, reports claim Anaiah never recovered and lived a life in fear of the men she ran from.

Detectives have followed up on every lead in efforts to track down the vehicle involved in the crime and identify the suspect responsible for Anaiah’s death, according to Buckeye Police. In 2022, the department partnered with Silent Witness to increase the potential reward for information to $12,000.

Buckeye police are featuring the Silent Witness information on electronic billboards along I-10 near Miller Road for the third consecutive year. The billboard message is active now through May.

Rhymes started the Justice for Anaiah Foundation, to bring an outreach to sex trafficking victims and offer resources and support.