Why This Mother Went Missing in Milwaukee | Full Episode | Hometown Tragedy True Crime Series

Hometown Tragedy: Missing in Milwaukee explores the disappearance of Amarah ‘Jerica’ Banks, a mother and Milwaukee native, along with her two daughters, Zaniya Ivery and Camaria Banks. Learn about her community's push for answers and what authorities eventually learn about this case that sends shockwaves through the city.

About Hometown Tragedy:
Hometown Tragedy’s second season investigates true crimes that rocked communities across America, exploring the impact on those left to seek justice. The cases range from cold-blooded murder to domestic abuse turned deadly. At the core of each story are the victims’ friends and family members, who reveal their true strength as they fight for answers and resolutions to these heinous crimes.

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[jazminesmith]

To hear her say I lost 3 grandchildren and 2 daughters...broke my heart, you can feel the pain just from her words..smh she is a very strong woman...praying for her and her family.

[Criivy]

So heartbreaking, I worked with her before she died & after hearing this I cried as if we were family she was so quiet and a nice person she always said hello may she RIH along with her little angels…this is a hard story to digest especially when you are a mother

[thetallgiirl]

Went to highschool with her. She was the sweetest person ever. I feel bad thinking about what her and those girls went through daily with that psychopath.

[carlam]

Glad his father did the right thing. May They Rest In Peace!

[unmuddywaters]

I’m bothered by how they basically gloss over the 911 call from the neighbor! Saying they couldn’t get the location, nor find any activity pertaining to the call???!!! The woman lived next door- she knew the address, so how is it that they weren’t able to “get” the location???
The response of the authorities is appalling. There was no reason for them not to issue amber alerts immediately! They didn’t need to think there was anyone else even involved. That was a distraught mother that had just bury her child. For the sake of those 2 little girls, that’s enough of a reason to issue an amber alert. The second they knew they were missing- their welfare needed to be made a priority, PERIOD!
This entire tragedy is infuriating to listen to. The lack of investment by the authorities in cases of people of color and people who live in low income areas, sickens me. These are people that deserve just as much from law enforcement as anyone else. If they had prioritized these 3 people’s disappearance, the way they should have, there’s a chance that the outcome would have changed drastically. And this is why it is NOT ok that this continues to occur throughout our country. Something has got to change!

[jMci]

The fact the police didn’t immediately take it extremely seriously is absolutely mind blowing. Not only was there a 911 call where she was living but after such a tragedy you’d think they would search for the children thinking maybe the mother may have been in a mental health crisis. Just deplorable.

[WowDaniX]

Thank you for covering this story. It’s so unbelievably how insane humans can be so cruel to each other. Darkness is always attracted to light. Every 5 hours a BW women will lose her life to a romantic partner or someone close to her. May this beautiful mom and her children rest in paradise.

[moniemone]

I don't understand why people can't let go! Murder is not the solution! Rest in peace!

[franceswomble]

This is one of the saddest stories I have heard about. God be with the family and bless them. This Mother/ Grandmother seems to be one of the strongest and beautiful women. I pray for her to carry on in the mist of such tragedy.

[tamarapinder]

Mother Valeria is such a strong woman and I’m praying for her and her family because this is a lot to bare Lord give them strength to carry on with this thing we call life Amen!!

[zexxjse]

I worked with her biological dad. I was a staff at a facility he was in. We talked EVERYDAY about his daughters. Especially her. He said all his kids never liked him and she was the ONLY one who accepted his being absence over the years. Y'all when i tell y'all he went through it EVERYDAY! I felt sooo bad for him.

[eddieross]

One of my son classmates, he told me she just disappeared one day! 😢
This got me crying tears...my condolences 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[eboneep]

The fact that the police ignored them missing because of a black neighbor is heartbreaking.

[jaiymees]

Bless that momma. The immense pain I can't even fathom to bury a child, but 2 and 3 grand babies. Dear Lord bless this woman. 🙏

[Ozmasmom]

No one gonna talk about the third kid? And how he died of “respiratory” issues in the fathers care 24 hours before the other deaths?!!!!

[ashleighrose]

This story literally knocked the wind outta me... to hear what was done to those beautiful little babies and their mommy, only a true monster could do somthing like that. This poor family has suffered so much loss, I can't imagine the pain they have to carry with them. I just hope Jerica is resting in heaven with all 3 of her sweet babies. 💔

[shirleyhughes]

I really admire her courage and strength to tell her daughter story. May God Bless and keep you.

[coffissa]

I could cry over the sadness of this story. I send blessings to her family.

[louniece]

Arzel's statement was bogus. He killed all of his children and Jerica because he didn't want to be bothered anymore. Demon.

[melanatedqueen]

How can ANY child be reported missing and the police jus shrug it off?!