CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging 28-year-old Aliyah Henderson with murder charges for the homicides of her two young daughters who were found deceased in suitcases in Cleveland.

“This tragic case has shocked not just our community but the world. We will vigorously advocate for our victims, Amor and Mila, and our thoughts are with all who loved them. We will hold this heartless monster to account for the torturous homicide of her children.”

– Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On March 2, 2026, around 6 p.m., a good Samaritan was walking his dog near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue in Cleveland when the dog became interested in a partially buried suitcase located in a field. The good Samaritan opened the suitcase and discovered what appeared to be remains of a deceased individual, and called the police. The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene.

During the initial investigation, detectives with CDP’s Homicide Unit discovered a second suitcase nearby with a second deceased individual inside. Preliminary DNA testing confirmed the two individuals were sisters, and further investigation revealed the two individuals were identified to be Aliyah Henderson’s daughters, 10-year-old Amor Wilson and 8-year-old Mila Chatman. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office preliminarily determined the manner of death of both children to be homicide. The cause of death remains under investigation. Aliyah Henderson was arrested on March 4, 2026, by CDP.

This matter remains under investigation. We decline to comment further at this time.

On March 20, 2026, Aliyah Henderson was indicted on the following charges:

  • Six counts of Aggravated Murder
  • Four counts of Murder (Murder A x 2 & Murder B x 2)
  • Six counts of Kidnapping (F1)
  • Three counts of Child Endangering (F2 x 2 & F3 x 1)
  • One count of Tampering with Evidence (F3)
  • Two counts of Gross Abuse of a Corpse (F5)

She will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.