Shocking true story behind Aundria Bowman's disappearance and murder

In 1989, 14-year-old Aundria Bowman disappeared from her adoptive home in Hamilton, Michigan, with her father reporting her missing shortly after. Initially believed to have run away, Aundria’s case went cold for years until her biological mother, Cathy Terkanian, began investigating in 2010 after learning of her daughter’s troubled past. She uncovered disturbing details about Aundria’s home life and became convinced that Dennis Bowman was responsible for her daughter’s disappearance. A series of events, including Dennis’s arrest for an unrelated murder and subsequent confessions, ultimately led to the discovery of Aundria’s remains in 2020.

Background of the Case

• Adoption and Early Life: Aundria, originally named Alexis Badger, was adopted by the Bowman family at 21 months old after being given up by her biological mother. Reports indicate that she faced significant challenges in her teenage years, which may have contributed to her decision to leave home.

• The Incident: On March 11, 1989, after an argument regarding allegations of sexual abuse, Dennis Bowman struck Aundria, causing her to fall down a flight of stairs, resulting in her death. He later attempted to conceal the crime by dismembering her body and disposing of it.

Investigation and Confessions

• Cathy Terkanian’s Search: After receiving a letter from an adoption agency in 2010, Cathy Terkanian launched a campaign to find her daughter, leading to connections with Aundria’s friends who shared troubling accounts of her life with the Bowmans.

• Dennis Bowman’s Arrest: In 2019, Dennis Bowman was arrested for the murder of Kathleen Doyle, a cold case from 1980. His subsequent confessions to Aundria’s murder revealed the grim details of her death and burial in their backyard, confirming Cathy’s fears.

Conclusion

The case of Aundria Bowman is a tragic reminder of the complexities surrounding adoption, abuse, and the long road to justice. The documentary Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter chronicles this heartbreaking journey, highlighting the impact of Aundria’s disappearance on her family and the community, as well as the systemic failures that allowed her adoptive father’s violent behavior to go unchecked for years.