Riley Ann Sawyers

Riley Ann Sawyers

March 11, 2005 - July 24, 2007

 

Riley Ann Sawyers was born on March 11, 2005. Her parents were Robert Sawyers and Kimberly Dawn Trenor. Riley's family lived with Robert's mother, Sheryl. At this time, Sheryl was Riley's primary caregiver. In October of 2006, Kimberly filed domestic abuse charges and left the house, taking Riley with her. She seemingly 'disappeared'.

On October 29, 2007, the police department received a call from a fisherman who found a storage container on an empty island. This island was only accessible by boat. He tells the police that he believes there are human remains inside the container. When the police arrived at the scene, they discover that there are human remains inside the container, and that they seemed to belong to a small child.

 

Police released sketches (above) of how they think Riley may have looked when she was alive. They didn't know who she was yet, so they called her 'Baby Grace'. Police started to ask the public for help in identifying the body of 'Baby Grace'. Some people believed it was the remains of Madeleine McCann, although that was soon ruled out.

'Baby Grace' had been wearing a pink pullover top with a matching broom skirt. She had purple velcro-tenis-shoes that lit up. She wore Disney brand panties. An autopsy revealed that the little girl had been dead for two weeks and that she had skull fractures. The case was now classified as a homicide.

In November of 2007, Baby Grace's story had reached many people. There had already been hundreds of tips called in, but none of them helped identify 'Baby Grace'. While they wait for her identification, a wooden cross with 'Baby Grace' carved into it was placed on the island her body was discovered on. Finally, soon after the cross is placed, Sheryl Sawyers calls the authorities and says that she saw the sketch of Baby Grace on the internet and she fears that it may be her granddaughter, Riley Ann Sawyers.

She asked if there was a missing report filed for Riley but there wasn't. Sheryl tells authorities that she hadn't seen her granddaughter since May of 2007. This, of course, was because Kimberly Dawn Trenor took Riley and left, not telling anyone where she went. After Kimberly left, it turns out that she spent a lot of her time playing on the internet. Specifically, The Online World of Warcraft. This is where she met Royce Zeigler II. 

Royce seemed kind. He sent Kimberly a diamond necklace, and presents to give to Riley. In early June of 2007, Kimberly married Royce and moved in with him, taking Riley with her. Royce believed that Riley should say words like 'Sir', and 'Ma'am' to adults. When Riley didn't do this, he thought that corporal punishment was the only way Riley would learn.

According to a videotaped confession, on July 24, 2007, Kimberly and Royce beat Riley with two leather belts and held her head under the water in the bathtub. Royce also picked Riley up by her hair and threw her across the room. Riley hit the wall and fell down, causing her head to slam into the tile floor in the bathroom.

Eventually, Riley was unable to stand up when she was told to do so. They soon realized that she was dead. They went to Wal-Mart and purchased trash bags, cement mix, and a plastic storage container. They put Riley's body in the trash bags, and then into the plastic storage container. They left his container in their shed for some time before dumping it into the bay.

Kimberly Dawn Trenor received a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 38 years. Royce Zeigler II was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The island Riley was found on is now called "Riley's Island'.