A Mother’s Cry for Answers After an Unthinkable Loss

Ulna Charles is living every parent’s nightmare. Her 27-year-old daughter, Tania Charles, was found dead in the early morning hours of December 12, 2025, lying on the side of a road in Miami. Discovered around 5:40 a.m. near Southwest 170th Street and 98th Avenue, Tania’s body told a story of violence before any official words were spoken. “I just want to know how she died,” her mother said, her voice echoing the pain of unanswered questions that now define her life. For Ulna, grief is compounded by uncertainty, a cruel limbo no family should ever endure.

A Scene of Horror Caught on Camera

The details surrounding Tania’s death are deeply disturbing. Workers in the area were the first to notice her body, lying motionless near industrial pipes. They immediately called for help. Witnesses described the scene as horrific—Tania was visibly beaten, naked, and discarded as if she had no value. Surveillance footage later shared by a nearby property owner revealed a chilling moment: what appears to be Tania’s body being thrown from the back of a pickup truck onto the street. Seconds later, the vehicle drives away, leaving her behind in the darkness.

Those who saw the video struggled to comprehend what they were witnessing. “You read novels, you see movies, but you never think something like this could happen next door,” one witness said. Some workers in the area recalled seeing Tania before and believed she may have been homeless at times, a detail that adds another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking case. On December 15, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office released a flyer with her name and photo, pleading with the public for information that could help identify who did this to her.

Remembering Tania and the Urgent Search for Justice

Behind the crime scene headlines was a young woman who battled serious mental illness. Ulna Charles shared that her daughter suffered from schizophrenia, a condition that often caused her to disappear for days at a time. Tania would sometimes return home briefly before vanishing again, lost in a world that failed to protect her. Her struggles made her vulnerable, and that vulnerability may have placed her in harm’s way.

Now, investigators are asking for the public’s help as they search for the person responsible. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Those with knowledge are urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. “He’s gotta turn himself in,” one witness said. “You’ve got consequences for your actions.”

Tania Charles was more than a victim left on a roadside. She was a daughter, a life filled with struggles, hopes, and moments of love. As her mother waits for answers, the community is left with a stark reminder of how easily society can fail its most vulnerable—and how desperately justice is needed when it does.