Another Mother Missing: Chenell Gilbert

In this episode of Hunting 4 Answers: In June 2021, Chenell Gilbert, a devoted mother and substitute teacher, vanished without a trace after visiting her ex-boyfriend's home in Indianapolis. Her car was found at the scene, but she was gone—leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Was it a tragic accident, or something far more sinister? Anyone with information about this case should contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6160 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477). 

This is the story of Chenell Gilbert. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hunting for Answers is a production of the Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host Hunter, and today we
delve in to a haunting case from Indianapolis, Indiana. In
June twenty twenty, a devoted mother and substitute teacher vanished

(00:23):
without a trace after visiting her ex boyfriend's home. Despite
her car being found at his residence, she was never
seen again. This is the story of Chanelle Gilbert. Chanelle
renee Gilbert was born on July ninth, nineteen seventy nine.

(00:48):
The forty two year old was known for her vibrant
energy and her thoughtfulness. A devoted mother of two daughters
and a grandmother professional, she worked in the healthcare field,
which was a natural extension of her nurturing spirit. Those
who knew her say she had a way of lighting

(01:10):
up any room she walked into. She was strong, reliable,
and full of life. On June ninth, twenty twenty one,
Chanelle was reportedly last seen with her ex boyfriend, whose
name hasn't been released by authorities. During this time, he

(01:33):
lived near Rockville and Girls' School Roads. When authorities initially arrived,
they found Chanelle's car. Authorities also discovered that Chanell's phone
had last pinged in that location as well. Investigators found
no signs of force entry. There was no blood, no

(01:56):
broken glass, no indication of vice length. But Chanelle was gone,
and no one has seen or heard from her since.
Her sudden disappearance left behind a trail of confusion, suspicion,
and heartbreak. Her ex boyfriend told police that Chanelle never

(02:21):
actually came inside his home that night, and that she
left his home around ten thirty pm walking away on foot,
but there were no cameras, no witnesses, no confirmation she
ever truly walked away. After Chanelle disappeared, authorities attempted to

(02:45):
reach out to her ex boyfriend to gain more information.
Her family, including her sisters, also went to his home
to ask questions and tried to gain access to clues
that might help locate her. However, he refused to let
them in. He denied authorities and Chanell's family the opportunity

(03:07):
to enter his home or search the property for any
potential evidence. This refusal only added to the mystery and frustration,
making Chanell's family wonder if he knew more than he
was letting on. Chanell's family immediately sensed something was wrong.

(03:29):
Her sister, her children, and close friends knew she wouldn't
just disappear, not without a word, not without her belongings,
and certainly not without checking on her kids. They began
organizing searches, contacting media, and pleading with the public for help,

(03:51):
but tips were few and leads went cold almost as
quickly as they surfaced. As if her disappearance wasn't painful enough,
Chanell's family had already been through profound grief. In twenty thirteen,
her husband was struck and killed by a woman who

(04:12):
had a seizure while driving. Just four months before Chanell vanished,
her mother, Harry Hendrickson, was also hit and killed by
a car, this time on Michigan Road in Indianapolis. Witnesses
say Terry was a familiar face in the area, often

(04:32):
seen pushing a shopping cart full of classic bags and
personal items around. Eventually, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department opened
an official missing person's case, but Chanell's family said the
response was slow, too slow. They say her case wasn't

(04:55):
treated with the urgency or seriousness it deserved, not as
a black woman, not as a mother and not as
a human being. Her story became part of a bigger
issue how missing women of color are often ignored. Activists
began raising questions, why wasn't her case on the news,

(05:20):
Why wasn't there a press conference, and why did it
seem like no one was listening. Five years have passed
and still no suspects, no arrests, and no answers. At
the time of her disappearance, Chanelle stood five feet five

(05:41):
inches tall and weighed somewhere between one hundred and sixty
and one hundred and eighty pounds. She had brown eyes
and long black braids with blonde highlights. She also had
a tattoo of her name on her right leg and
scars on both arms. She was last seen wearing a
black tank top, blue jeans, and a black head wrap.

(06:03):
She was forty two years old when she vanished. Today,
Chanelle Gilbert would be forty seven years old. My thoughts
and prayers are with the family and friends of Chanelle Gilbert.
Hopefully one day, something or someone leads them to Chanelle's
whereabouts and they're able to get the closure they deserve.

(06:29):
Anyone with information about Chanelle's case to contact the Indianapolis
Metropolitan Police Department. You can also leave anonymous tips by
calling crime stoppers. You can find their information and the
description box below. As we close out this episode, don't

(06:49):
forget to hit the follow button to stay updated on
this case and others like it. Be sure to subscribe
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enjoyed this story, leave us a five star rating. Thank
you so much for joining us on another episode until

(07:13):
next time. Hunting for Answers is a production of the
Black Effect Podcast Network. For more podcasts from the Black
Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
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