Aubrey Dameron

**Aubrey ”Shorty" Dameron** was a transgender woman who went missing in 2019.

## Background

Aubrey is a member of the Cherokee Nation. She grew up alongside her uncle, Christian Fencer, and was close with her aunt, Pam Smith. Christian and Aubrey both identified as gay, and Aubrey later came out as transgender, beginning her transition in high school. Both of them were reportedly bullied because of their identities.

Aubrey had lived with a boyfriend in New Mexico for a time but moved back in with her mother in Oklahoma on August 18, 2018. She allegedly told her aunt that her boyfriend had threatened to kill her if she left him.

In the months leading up to her disappearance, Aubrey began to contact her family less frequently, which was uncharacteristic.

## Case

Aubrey was last seen at around 3:30 a.m. on March 9, walking away from her residence. She had messaged multiple people on Facebook asking for a ride, although no one responded. When she left, she said she was going to meet someone. Aubrey's phone last pinged at 3:42 a.m., close to her home. She did not take her purse or prescription medication with her and was reported missing two days later.

On March 12, a woman named Deanette Rowbotham, a former friend of Aubrey’s, called Aubrey's ex-boyfriend and claimed that Aubrey was being held captive in Ketchum, Oklahoma because of drug money she owed. Rowbotham then asked him for money to help get Aubrey released. When police interviewed her, Rowbotham admitted that she had fabricated the story and was charged with extortion.

Police initially did not believe Aubrey was a missing person. However, a search of the area she disappeared from was conducted on March 23. A white sock with possible blood on it was found, although DNA tests were inconclusive.

Three months after her disappearance, there was a tip that Aubrey may be buried on a hill near her house. A search revealed a shallow grave, a black leather jacket, and a bone. A basketball jersey was also found in the area. However, the bone was later proven to be an animal bone and the clothing was found to not belong to Aubrey. A tarp was found in the shed on Aubrey’s family’s property in November 2019. Cadaver dogs indicated the scent of decomposition on the tarp, and there also appeared to be bloodstains. It is unknown if the tarp is connected to her disappearance.

In July 2020, the supreme court ruled that cases involving Indian reservations would be investigated by tribal police and the FBI. At this time, Aubrey's case was reclassified as a homicide. Investigators believe that someone close to Aubrey may have been responsible for her disappearance. Her aunt and uncle believe she was the victim of a hate crime, and allege that her mother, stepfather, and brother seem disinterested in the investigation, although Aubrey's mother did state that she believes her daughter is dead.

## Characteristics

* Long brown hair.
* Brown eyes.
* Pierced ears.
* Breast implants.
* Epileptic and requires medication, which she did not have with her when she disappeared.
* Had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
* Tattoos:
	+ A triquetra on the back of her neck.
	+ "Shorty" on her upper left arm.
	+ Tattoos on both hips.

## Clothing and accessories

* Black jacket.
* Black shirt.
* Black thigh-high miniskirt.
* Black hose.
* Black leather boots with heels.

## Sources

* Aubrey Dameron at *NamUs*
* Aubrey Dameron at the *Charley Project*
* *Cherokee Phoenix*
* *NBC News*
* Uncovered