October 7, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode of Hunting 4 Answers: In the early hours of August 8, 2025, 19-year-old Destanee Williams was taken from her East Indianapolis home at gunpoint by someone she once trusted. Less than nine hours later, she was found safe—but the questions remain. Who all was involved? And what gaps in the system put her at risk? Anyone with information about this case should contact the Indianapolis Police Department at or CrimeStoppers of Central Indianapolis at 317-262-TIPS (8477).
This is the story of Destanee Williams.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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're
highlighting a case that happened in the early morning hours
of August eighth, twenty twenty five. A nineteen year old
(00:21):
woman was at her East Indianapolis home when an armed
intruder forced his way inside. Within minutes, she was gone.
The police say she was forced at gunpoint from her
home by someone she knew, her ex boyfriend. As a
state wide alert was issued and authorities raised against time,
(00:44):
the question wasn't just where she was, but whether she'd
be found. Belive this is the story of Destiny Williams.
Destiny Williams was nineteen years old in August twenty twenty five.
(01:05):
She lived on the east side of Indianapolis, in the
vicinity of Penobscot Drive, not far from Brookville Road. It
was early morning Friday, August eighth, around three a m.
Most people in the neighborhood were sleep but Destiny's night
was about to take a terrifying turn. According to Indianapolis
(01:28):
Metropolitan Police, a man entered Destiny's home. He was armed
with a handgun, and he wasn't a stranger. It was
twenty eight year old Scion Wheeler, Destiny's ex boyfriend. Police
believed Wheeler forced his way into the residence and at
gunpoint made Destiny leave with him. It's unclear whether they
(01:54):
left on foot or in a vehicle. What is clear
is that Destiny seemed to be in grave danger At
the time she disappeared. Destiny was wearing a black hoodie
and gray sweatpants with black letters or graphics, and is
described as standing five foot three inches tall and weighing
(02:15):
one hundred and ninety pounds. She has brown eyes, and
at the time she went missing, her hair was styled
in brown, black, blonde, and blue shoulder lank dreadlocks. She
was last seen in the seventeen hundred block of Panobskot Drive.
By Friday morning, Indianapolis Police had issued an urgent alert
(02:37):
they believed Destiny was in extreme danger. By Friday morning,
Indianapolis Police had issued an urgent alert they believed Destiny
was in extreme danger. A statewide silver alert was activated,
a call to the public for help and locating her quickly.
(02:59):
But who was Scion Wheeler and why did police consider
him so dangerous. Wheeler was not just a suspect. He
had an extensive criminal history, including felony convictions for stealing
a car in twenty sixteen and illegally possessing a firearm
in twenty twenty two. Just days before the abduction, he
(03:23):
violated his probation for the firearm case. Court records and
corrections officers reveal a disturbing detail. Wheeler was on home
detention with an ankle monitor, a device meant to track
his every move. Officials say the monitor stopped transmitting data
in the days before the abduction. Attempts to contact him
(03:45):
were unsuccessful, and local reports later indicated the monitor appeared
to have been tampered with. Authorities issued a warrant for
his arrest following the abduction. While Destiny's whereabouts remained unknown.
As Friday morning progressed, the search intensified. Police were looking
(04:07):
for not just Wheeler, but also a possible suspect, a
black male dressed in all black. The connection between the
second individual and the abduction remained unclear, but authorities believed
he may have been involved, and then just after around noon,
(04:28):
Hope arrived. At twelve thirty one pm on Friday, August eighth,
detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Missing Persons Division
made an announcement Destiny Williams had been found and she
was safe. The state wide silver alert was canceled less
(04:51):
than nine hours after she was taken. Destiny was back.
There was a huge sense of relief, but while Destiny
was safe, the investigation was far from over. Police continued
searching for Sion Wheeler and the second suspect. They did
not immediately reveal the circumstances of how or where Destiny
(05:15):
was found or what she may have endured during those
hours she was missing. With Destiny found safe, many questions
still remained. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether Sion Wheeler
has been taken into custody, and the identity or role
(05:37):
of the possible second suspect is still unclear. Investigators continued
to gather information in any tips from the public could
be crucial in resolving these unanswered questions. Community awareness could
make a big difference in this case. This case also
(05:57):
underscores the importance of swift acts. Authorities issued a silver alert,
a move police said was necessary because they believe Destiny
was in immediate danger and called on the public for help.
That urgency likely helped save her life. Following the abduction,
(06:18):
authorities have continued their search for the two suspects. They
haven't disclosed the role of the second or what additional
charges may be filed for Destiny. The journey ahead will
take strength. Surviving an abduction is just the beginning, but
every step she takes towards healing is sure to empower
(06:38):
her moving forward. My thoughts and prayers are with her
and her family on this journey. Destiny's case is not
a unique situation, however, According to national data, victims are
at the highest risk of severe violence in the period
after leaving an abusive relationship and an Indian biana. Like
(07:01):
many states, ankle monitoring systems have faced criticism for failures
that sometimes have left victims vulnerable. This isn't just one case,
It's part of a larger pattern. Studies show that electronic
monitors often fail to achieve their stated goals ensuring court appearances,
(07:23):
protecting public safety, or supporting rehabilitation. Instead, they can act
as a form of digital incarceration, sometimes called ecarceration. Minor
technical glitches, false alarms, or alleged violations can quickly escalate,
(07:43):
sending individuals to physical jails or prisons. Destiny's story illustrates
both the dangerous people, especially young women, can face and
the gaps in the system meant to protect them. Her
story reminds us why awareness acts and community support are critical.
(08:04):
As we close out this episode, remember sharing Destiny's story
helps spread awareness and could help prevent a similar situation
from happening. Don't forget to subscribe to Hunting for Answers
on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok to
stay updated on this and other cases. If you're watching
(08:25):
us on YouTube, share your thoughts on this case in
the comments below. Thank you so much for joining us
on another episode Until next time. Hunting for Answers is
(08:53):
a production of the Black Effect Podcast Network. For more
podcasts from the Black Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
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're
highlighting a case that happened in the early morning hours
of August eighth, twenty twenty five. A nineteen year old
(00:21):
woman was at her East Indianapolis home when an armed
intruder forced his way inside. Within minutes, she was gone.
The police say she was forced at gunpoint from her
home by someone she knew, her ex boyfriend. As a
state wide alert was issued and authorities raised against time,
(00:44):
the question wasn't just where she was, but whether she'd
be found. Belive this is the story of Destiny Williams.
Destiny Williams was nineteen years old in August twenty twenty five.
(01:05):
She lived on the east side of Indianapolis, in the
vicinity of Penobscot Drive, not far from Brookville Road. It
was early morning Friday, August eighth, around three a m.
Most people in the neighborhood were sleep but Destiny's night
was about to take a terrifying turn. According to Indianapolis
(01:28):
Metropolitan Police, a man entered Destiny's home. He was armed
with a handgun, and he wasn't a stranger. It was
twenty eight year old Scion Wheeler, Destiny's ex boyfriend. Police
believed Wheeler forced his way into the residence and at
gunpoint made Destiny leave with him. It's unclear whether they
(01:54):
left on foot or in a vehicle. What is clear
is that Destiny seemed to be in grave danger At
the time she disappeared. Destiny was wearing a black hoodie
and gray sweatpants with black letters or graphics, and is
described as standing five foot three inches tall and weighing
(02:15):
one hundred and ninety pounds. She has brown eyes, and
at the time she went missing, her hair was styled
in brown, black, blonde, and blue shoulder lank dreadlocks. She
was last seen in the seventeen hundred block of Panobskot Drive.
By Friday morning, Indianapolis Police had issued an urgent alert
(02:37):
they believed Destiny was in extreme danger. By Friday morning,
Indianapolis Police had issued an urgent alert they believed Destiny
was in extreme danger. A statewide silver alert was activated,
a call to the public for help and locating her quickly.
(02:59):
But who was Scion Wheeler and why did police consider
him so dangerous. Wheeler was not just a suspect. He
had an extensive criminal history, including felony convictions for stealing
a car in twenty sixteen and illegally possessing a firearm
in twenty twenty two. Just days before the abduction, he
(03:23):
violated his probation for the firearm case. Court records and
corrections officers reveal a disturbing detail. Wheeler was on home
detention with an ankle monitor, a device meant to track
his every move. Officials say the monitor stopped transmitting data
in the days before the abduction. Attempts to contact him
(03:45):
were unsuccessful, and local reports later indicated the monitor appeared
to have been tampered with. Authorities issued a warrant for
his arrest following the abduction. While Destiny's whereabouts remained unknown.
As Friday morning progressed, the search intensified. Police were looking
(04:07):
for not just Wheeler, but also a possible suspect, a
black male dressed in all black. The connection between the
second individual and the abduction remained unclear, but authorities believed
he may have been involved, and then just after around noon,
(04:28):
Hope arrived. At twelve thirty one pm on Friday, August eighth,
detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Missing Persons Division
made an announcement Destiny Williams had been found and she
was safe. The state wide silver alert was canceled less
(04:51):
than nine hours after she was taken. Destiny was back.
There was a huge sense of relief, but while Destiny
was safe, the investigation was far from over. Police continued
searching for Sion Wheeler and the second suspect. They did
not immediately reveal the circumstances of how or where Destiny
(05:15):
was found or what she may have endured during those
hours she was missing. With Destiny found safe, many questions
still remained. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether Sion Wheeler
has been taken into custody, and the identity or role
(05:37):
of the possible second suspect is still unclear. Investigators continued
to gather information in any tips from the public could
be crucial in resolving these unanswered questions. Community awareness could
make a big difference in this case. This case also
(05:57):
underscores the importance of swift acts. Authorities issued a silver alert,
a move police said was necessary because they believe Destiny
was in immediate danger and called on the public for help.
That urgency likely helped save her life. Following the abduction,
(06:18):
authorities have continued their search for the two suspects. They
haven't disclosed the role of the second or what additional
charges may be filed for Destiny. The journey ahead will
take strength. Surviving an abduction is just the beginning, but
every step she takes towards healing is sure to empower
(06:38):
her moving forward. My thoughts and prayers are with her
and her family on this journey. Destiny's case is not
a unique situation, however, According to national data, victims are
at the highest risk of severe violence in the period
after leaving an abusive relationship and an Indian biana. Like
(07:01):
many states, ankle monitoring systems have faced criticism for failures
that sometimes have left victims vulnerable. This isn't just one case,
It's part of a larger pattern. Studies show that electronic
monitors often fail to achieve their stated goals ensuring court appearances,
(07:23):
protecting public safety, or supporting rehabilitation. Instead, they can act
as a form of digital incarceration, sometimes called ecarceration. Minor
technical glitches, false alarms, or alleged violations can quickly escalate,
(07:43):
sending individuals to physical jails or prisons. Destiny's story illustrates
both the dangerous people, especially young women, can face and
the gaps in the system meant to protect them. Her
story reminds us why awareness acts and community support are critical.
(08:04):
As we close out this episode, remember sharing Destiny's story
helps spread awareness and could help prevent a similar situation
from happening. Don't forget to subscribe to Hunting for Answers
on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok to
stay updated on this and other cases. If you're watching
(08:25):
us on YouTube, share your thoughts on this case in
the comments below. Thank you so much for joining us
on another episode Until next time. Hunting for Answers is
(08:53):
a production of the Black Effect Podcast Network. For more
podcasts from the Black Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Host
Hunter Gilmore
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