Missing Women Recovered In Cleveland Gives Others Hope

For family members of missing people, the news from Cleveland provides a ray of hope. 

Wanda Cotton heard the news with more than 50 others who are missing a loved one.  She is at an annual Amber Alert Training round table in Florida. 

Cotton says people started clapping when they heard the news.  We spoke with her via FaceTime.

Wanda Cotton has been without her son Randy half of her life. 

Randy Sellers went missing from Kenton County in the summer of 1980.  Cotton believes she will see her son again.

"When you listen to the TV, and all these people that’s been recovered, it’s possible.  It gives us the hope that we could be next," said Cotton.

Cotton says she prays every night for her son.  She says she has not heard from police in a while, but she reminds them at least once a year to keep looking.

"Until the day I die, I will search for my child," said Cotton.

After Randy went missing, Cotton lost her other son.  10 years later, Tyran committed suicide.

"Randy’s disappearance affected our family.  It devastated us," said Cotton.

The news from Cleveland gives Cotton strength to keep going.

"I have to hope in my heart everyday when I get up.  I have to have the hope that this might be the day I find my child," said Cotton.

An aged-progressed picture shows what Randy would look like now at 49 years old.

Cotton says she relies on strength from the other family members of missing people.  They say they hang on to the tiniest shred of hope, and take life one day at a time.