Criminology Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: Diamond and Tionda Bradley
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Morford
Date: January 18, 2026
Case: The Disappearance of Diamond and Tionda Bradley
Overview
In this engrossing episode of Criminology, hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Morford delve into the mysterious 2001 disappearance of sisters Diamond (3) and Tionda (10) Bradley from the south side of Chicago. Despite a large-scale investigation and ongoing speculation, their fate remains unknown 25 years later. The hosts systematically explore the case's details, the actions of family members, potential suspects, and lingering questions that fuel both suspicion and hope.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background and Circumstances of Disappearance
[03:18–08:32]
- Diamond (3) and Tionda (10) went missing on July 6, 2001.
- The girls, home alone while their mother, Tracy Bradley, worked nearby, were last seen that morning.
- Tracy, fearing legal or CPS repercussions for leaving them alone, delayed notifying police until 7 p.m., after a fruitless day searching on her own.
- At the apartment, Tracy found a note allegedly from Tionda, stating they were going to the playground and store.
- Family dynamics: Four sisters; two (Rita and Victoria) were not home that day.
Quote, 04:09 — Mike Morford:
"According to Tracy, she panicked...leaving them home alone at those ages would come to raise a lot of questions about her parenting."
2. Scrutiny of Parental Decisions and Community Context
[09:12–12:22]
- The hosts weigh the judgment Tracy received for leaving two young children home alone.
- They acknowledge socioeconomic and racial factors, noting historic under-response to missing Black children and justified distrust of authorities in such communities.
- A nuanced discussion about why Tracy may have hesitated to involve police immediately.
Quote, 10:30 — Mike Morford:
"Now add to that Tracy's worries that she, a single black mother, might get in trouble for leaving the girls alone, it's possible to have a little bit more of an understanding why she may have made some of the decisions that she did."
3. Initial Police Response and Apartment Complex Environment
[12:22–13:35]
- Police began searching promptly, interviewing area sex offenders and conducting ground searches.
- The apartment complex lacked effective surveillance due to tampered cameras; doors were often unlocked, exacerbating vulnerability.
- The apartment was not immediately treated as a crime scene—a critiqued decision.
4. Family Testimonies and Suspicions
[13:35–16:34]
- Relatives, including great aunt Sheila Bradley, doubted “stranger danger,” believing someone the girls knew was involved.
- Tionda described as mature, responsible, and safety-conscious.
- The note is crucial: Handwriting matches Tionda, but linguistic anomalies suggest she may have written it under coercion.
Quote, 14:25 — Mike Ferguson:
"It seems to me like Tianda was responsible for her age...maybe that is a clue that whoever is responsible for their disappearance is someone that she knew."
5. The Role of Tracy's Boyfriend, George Washington
[17:32–22:38]
- George (Diamond’s biological father) was married, denied paternity initially, and maintained a complicated relationship with Tracy.
- Camping trip: The day of disappearance coincided with a planned camping trip for Diamond and Tionda—a detail hosts and listeners find suspicious.
- No camping reservations found; logistics (money, supplies) don't add up, raising doubts about the trip’s authenticity.
Quote, 21:13 — Mike Ferguson:
"The timing really is interesting too. The fact that they go missing the day they're supposed to have this camping trip... is there something to that?"
6. Suspicious Purchases and Behavior After Disappearance
[25:25–27:40]
- The day after the girls vanished, George purchased gloves and contractor trash bags from Home Depot; burned something in his garage.
- Neighbors noticed barrel burning; evidence of fire and a barrel impression in George’s car trunk.
- Explanations for these actions (home renovations, sneaking kids into drive-in movies in the trunk) were unconvincing and unsupported by witnesses or family.
Quote, 25:25 — Mike Ferguson:
"George Washington bought a few concerning items at a local Home Depot. Two pairs of gloves and a box of contractors trash bags... only one pair of gloves was found... George claimed to have done some home renovation, which officers saw no sign of inside the home."
7. Analysis of Motive and Timeline
[27:40–33:09]
- Discussion of possible motives for George or Tracy, focusing on paternity, child support, and George’s marital status.
- Contradictory evidence: George eventually pursued custody of another child with Tracy.
- The timeline of Tracy’s whereabouts the night before is inconsistent — later admissions suggest she spent the night away, further complicating trust.
Quote, 33:09 — Mike Morford:
"The changing stories by Tracy over the years certainly have not sat right with some people. In their minds, Tracy should have told one story, the truth, right from the beginning."
8. Evidence & Contradictions
[35:40–39:35]
- Physical evidence limited: hairs in trunk (mitochondrial match to maternal line), but inconclusive.
- Reports of a missed/possibly deleted voicemail by Tionda allegedly referencing George’s involvement have never been verified or produced.
- Many of George and Tracy's statements are contradicted by family and friends.
9. The Family’s Ongoing Struggles and False Leads
[41:17–44:36]
- The case deeply affected the remaining siblings and broader family.
- Several “found” children who resembled the girls later disproven through DNA.
- Some believe trafficking is possible, though less likely for 10-year-old Tionda than for Diamond.
10. Theories & Investigative Limitations
[44:36–50:12]
- The hosts and public largely suspect Tracy or George played a role, but there’s insufficient evidence for charges.
- Both took polygraph tests; George’s was either passed or inconclusive, Tracy’s reportedly passed.
- The family remains divided; no public indication they blame Tracy.
Quote, 49:27 — Mike Ferguson:
"Sadly, unless her remains are found and then that leads to evidence, you know, there might not ever be charges in this case, because right now at this point, we have no witnesses, we have no hard evidence that links anybody."
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
-
On the impact of mishandled truth:
"Tell the truth right from the beginning, and the truth is always going to be the same... And here we have multiple changes over time."
— Mike Ferguson, [40:49] -
On systemic issues in missing child cases involving Black families:
"Historically, missing cases involving black people, including children, have been taken less seriously by authorities."
— Mike Morford, [10:30] -
On the haunting uncertainty for family:
"Victoria's birthday hasn't really belonged to her since 2001. Instead, it's now the day after her sisters disappeared."
— Mike Morford, [41:17] -
On the daunting path to justice:
"There is a huge difference in, you know, someone... not looking good in a case, to law enforcement being able to put enough of the pieces of the puzzle together to charge someone."
— Mike Morford, [48:58]
Important Timestamps
- [03:18] — Details of the day the girls vanished
- [07:24] — Discussion of the note found in the apartment
- [13:35] — Family insights on Tionda’s safety awareness
- [17:32] — Context on multiple fathers and family structure
- [25:25] — George’s suspicious purchase (gloves & trash bags)
- [31:41] — Evidence of shifting stories from Tracy
- [35:40] — Hairs found in car trunk, discussion of physical evidence
- [39:35] — George’s alibi, neighbor witness with bloody clothes story
- [43:31] — False identifications and DNA exclusions
- [49:27] — Reflections on lack of evidence and hope for resolution
Conclusion
The disappearance of Diamond and Tionda Bradley remains a tragic mystery—one clouded by shifting stories, strained family relationships, and the absence of concrete evidence. Suspicions swirl around Tracy Bradley and George Washington due to their inconsistent statements and suspicious behaviors, yet the lack of physical proof means the case remains unsolved. The episode underscores the agony of lingering doubt for victims’ families and the investigative frustration when justice remains just out of reach. Listeners are left reflecting on the complexity of suspect motives, the importance of honesty in investigations, and the devastating impact of unresolved cases on families and communities alike.
If you have any information about the disappearance of Diamond and Tionda Bradley, contact the FBI Chicago Field Office at 312-421-6700 or submit tips anonymously at tips.fbi.gov.