Mom Called to Say She Was an Hour Away, Then Disappeared. A Week Later, She Was Found Dead Inside Her Car

A 31-year-old mother from North Carolina who had been missing for a week has been found dead, authorities said.

The body of Frezja Baker was discovered inside a vehicle in the 2300 block of Sanders Avenue around 9:35 a.m. local time on Thursday, Dec. 11, according to a news release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).

The car, which matched the description of the vehicle connected to her missing person case, was located on the grounds of an abandoned church, ABC affiliate WSOC reported.

CMPD said its homicide unit responded to the scene and opened a death investigation, adding that Baker’s cause of death has not yet been determined.

Frezja was last seen in Charlotte on the night of Dec. 4, according to an earlier news release from police. At the time, she was driving a gray-blue 2004 Honda Accord with temporary South Carolina plates.

Her brother, Fred Baker, told WBTV that earlier that day, Frezja had dropped her son off at their grandparents’ home after a dentist appointment.

Around 10:30 p.m. that same night, she called to say she was about an hour away — but never arrived and was not heard from again, WSOC reported.

Fred said his sister was devoted to her child and always returned home “to check on her kid.” That sentiment was echoed by Frezja’s close friend, Peaches Johnson, who spoke to WCCB.

“Her messages weren’t being delivered, no phone calls were going through,” Johnson said. “It’s not like her to not call her son — she called her son every day, every night before he goes to sleep — and we just knew something was wrong.”

Loved ones also said Frezja was seen with a man they described as an acquaintance, according to WCCB.

“They got in a fight Thursday night, and we have witnesses stating that there was an argument that took place [with a man], but we don’t know the extent of the argument,” Johnson said.

Police said anyone with information about the case can share tips anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers.