WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Forsyth County Sheriff's office and Winston-Salem Police Department are conducting a joint investigation after the remains of 30-year-old Shantika Lashae Dunlap were found inside a dumpster in the 4800 block of Country Club Road Saturday afternoon.
Family and friends reported Dunlap missing earlier this week and law enforcement has been looking for her ever since. Dunlap's mother Latonia Mayes says Shantika's boyfriend was the first one to report her missing, but the whole family was concerned.
"I talked to my daughter every day, sometimes two or three times a day," Mayes said. "When my daughter's phone didn’t come on the second day going to the third, I felt it."
Mayes said her daughter was a mother of four, and was nothing but sweet.
"She was a happy girl. She really was she didn’t have a mean spirit, she did not deserve this, she didn’t," Mayes said.
Dunlap had three boys and a girl; ages 14, 9, 8 and 6.
"She loved those babies, she loved her whole family."
Police and deputies are calling this a criminal death investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
"Whoever did this, they was a monster, they was a monster because I’m quite sure whatever they asked her to do, she did it."
A candlelight vigil has been organized in Shantika's memory Wednesday. Her friends and family lovingly called her 'Tika.' Mayes said her death is especially hard because it's the holiday season.
"It's gonna be the worst Christmas of my life, Christmas will never be the same for me ever again."
Mayes said she will now be the primary caretaker of her four grandchildren.
"I have to be strong because I have four grandbabies to take care of and I’m going be there for them by all means necessary."
The vigil will be at the Cleveland Avenue neighborhood in Winston-Salem 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The family has not yet scheduled a funeral because they are waiting on the autopsy.
The investigation is still ongoing. If you know anything, please call the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office at (336) 727-2112, the Winston-Salem Police Department at (336) 773-7700, or CrimeStoppers at (336) 727-2800.
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