Tragedy Strikes Newark By Way of South Carolina – TAPinto.net

NEWARK, NJ — On April 5th, a teenage girl, Sanaa Amenhotep was reported missing by her mother. This teenage girl was the daughter of Newark Activist Sharif Malik Amenhotep. After a search, the young teen was found lifeless with multiple gunshot wounds in a field in South Carolina. Authorities ruled her death a homicide. 

Little Sanaa is thought to have lost her life on the same day she went missing. She left her home willingly with other teens, two boys and possibly one girl. Two people she was with have been arrested for her murder; an 18-year-old man, and a minor female. The investigation is still ongoing. 

Sheriff Lott of Lexington County, SC, said Thursday morning that Amenhotep’s body was found in a wooded area off Interstate 20 in the Batesburg-Leesville area. 

In a statement Saturday morning, Lott said his prayers and heart are with her family. “A cruel and cold hearted individual that brought fear and death to our community will now be held accountable for his actions…One of the hardest parts of my job is telling parents their child has been murdered. I promised them we would bring  Sanna home. I just prayed it would not be how it ended.”

Mayor Baraka released a statement in support of the family:

“On behalf of the people of Newark, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Sharif Malik Amenhotep, on the tragic loss of his beautiful and intelligent black daughter, Sanaa Amenhotep, who was kidnapped and murdered in South Carolina.

“Mr. Amenhotep works tirelessly to increase justice and reduce violence in our neighborhoods through our Brick City Peace Collective, helping us to re-imagine public safety and prevent tragedies such as this from taking place in our very own community.

“No parent should ever have to bury their child. It is an inexplicable loss that defies imagination.

“We hope that the South Carolina authorities can bring the suspects in this case to justice. Our entire city is joining with the Amenhotep family in their grief and pain.”