The unidentified woman found nude and dumped on the side of Nanticoke Street in Pigtown has an identity. On my drive home from work today, I noticed a memorial on the 1300 block of Nanitcoke Street and a flyer tied to a tree asking for information.
Amanda Marie Bishop (22 years-old):
Here’s what the 1300 block of Nanticoke looks like:
The approach to the memorial:
The lettering on the memorial is done with the same metallic stickers people use for putting their names and house numbers on their mailboxes. The sun was behind me and there was glare from every angle. The memorial says: “Loving Memory of Precious Amanda Marie Bishop – Dec 19th 85 – June 22nd 08″
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A quick search of her name in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search reveals what a lot of people suspect – that the victim was a prostitute. This particular block in my neighborhood has always given me the creeps, even though I drive up/down it every day. It’s industrial and somewhat abandoned, which makes it a favorite illegal dumping ground for tired furniture, rusty appliances, contractor trash, and stolen vehicles. The really scary thing is that Lady Friend and I have mentioned in the past that the 1300-1400 block of Nanticoke Street seemed like a good place to dump a body, since people dump everything else there and it just sits for days or weeks at a time and no one seems to notice or care. We never imagined that our fleeting thoughts would come true.
I think back to where I was in my life when I was 22 years-old and I can’t even sort out how many bad choices I made. I wasn’t nearly as smart as I thought I was and the little wisdom I’ve acquired since then has been the direct result of many bad choices tempered with the patience and kindness of other people much wiser than me. Bad choices are relative, I suppose, because I have no frame of reference for what it’s like to be a prostitute. I can’t even begin to imagine what that life must be like at any age. But no matter what bad choices people make, no one deserves to be thrown out like an piece of unwanted furniture.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 11: 45 pm
22??? That picture should be added to the “Faces of Meth” website. She looks like she’s at least 35.
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 11: 43 am
We all hear how these poor girls were doomed from an early age because of molestation. I should not feel the disdain for them that I do, but instead I should feel pity and compassion. However, they likely don’t recognize those and would see me as weak and rob me if I tried to help. To hell with the fathers, brothers and uncles that corrupted these poor souls.
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 2: 22 pm
You said it perfectly:
But no matter what bad choices people make, no one deserves to be thrown out like an piece of unwanted furniture.
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 4: 55 pm
I’m not convinced men who hire prostitutes are doing it merely for an orgasm. Those that hire street walkers enjoy the negotiations, the illegality, the secrecy and, most importantly, the power they have over another human being. Because prostitutes are doing something illegal and, according to our culture, immoral, some of those that hire them for sexual services feel that they can also beat them, abuse them and kill them with impunity. I hope the police catch this lady’s killer, otherwise my fear is that the murderer will kill again. Being a drug addicted prostitute doesn’t make you an angel, but the punishment for a hooker’s shortcomings shouldn’t be murder either.
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 5: 10 pm
Mr. Meph: It’s impossible to tell the ages of these women out here. I’m always way off in my guesses.
Bikebreath: These hookers and all that comes along with them (noise, johns, loitering, etc.) makes me f**king furious, but then I have to reel myself in and remind myself how lucky I am rather than how angry they make me because I can’t imagine (nor do I want to) that life.
Meg: Thank you. It seems so basic, yet people still treat people like trash even after they die. It’s tragic.
Cham: I agree with you 100%. And I am totally creeped out by every single guy who drives by me and slows down to see if I’m for hire. I can’t help but wonder ‘Is that the guy who killed that girl?’ It makes my skin crawl.
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10: 01 am
I got a call from my daughter yesterday. She is in Alaska working as a marine biologist, something she has always wanted to do. She finished college last year at St. Mary’s in Southern MD. She is beautiful and full of life.
I rode my bike down Nanticoke St. yesterday after work because on Sunday morning as I was walking my dog, I saw the police there, lifting up a sheet to peer underneath. I saw the sign too and it hit me that Amanda is the same age as my daughter.
Was it growing up in Baltimore that did this to Amanda? Were there too many temptations? Too many of the wrong kinds of friends? Parents who weren’t there? Male relatives that were there too much? Did she not have any dreams that could have motivated her? Did someone crush them? Did meth crush them?
Why is she not on a research vessel in the Arctic ocean, or planning weddings, or running a business, or getting her masters, or marrying a good man, or dating, or sitting in front of a computer, or riding horses, or flipping burgers, or hitchhiking across Europe, or trying to get help? I can’t stop wondering what happened.
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 8: 03 pm
I spoke too soon.
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 6: 48 pm
You know what YOU all should realize, before you start pointing fingers and assuming the worst about MY LILLTE CUUSIN, take a look at your own family and the loved ones that you have around you and the ones that you have pushed aside and then you will understand our pain as a family.. So please keep your rude a** comments about my family to yourself. We love Amanda no matter what she was, wasn’t or what she did or didn’t do or how she lived her life. We are trying to find out what kind of sick human being would do this to ANOTHER HUMAN BEING no matter what life she led. In loving memory, Amanda, we miss you lil momma and so do your children. She was a mom too so ease up and respect my family and the deceased. Any one with info, we are asking that you PLEASE come forward and present it to police. Thank you
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 7: 58 pm
i saw the grl the day she died my friend wanted to beat her up i witnessed her yelling at her and sayin shed hurt her but i was with her that night so i know my friend didnt hurt her but i feel bad i was there with my friend taking her back yelling at the girl, i bet my friend feels pretty low! i know i do.
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 8: 00 pm
im sorry amanda i didnt know you but i shouldnt of been mean to you just because my friends and sister didnt like you.
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 1: 19 am
First off none of you know my sister and 2 no one has the right to put her business out there
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 3: 16 am
Before you decide to pass judgement upon MY FAMILY, take a look at your own life and your own family. So what if she was a street walker thats her business, she was a mother too. What ppl do wit their lives and how they live them is their business and you have no God given right to pass judgement on how she looks or anything. She was a beloved cuzin, neice, sister and a good mother to her kids and most of all she was someone’s DAUGHTER. You, Mr. Meph need, to look in the mirro before you pass judgement. We will find her murderer and put her to rest.
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 8: 24 am
Its sad that ppl say terible things about others especially when they don’t know the situation surrounding the event/person. Amanda did have it rough, everyone has hard times eventually in life and anyone who says that they have not had hard times they are liars. Amanda had dreams but she hung around with the wrong crowd and got drawn to the lifestyle like a moth to a flame because she thought she could find the love that she felt she truly wanted. Who knows what was going through her mind when she made the decision to take that path in life but I know this, Our family still loved her regardless of her lifestyle she was still family and like I said no one had a right to take her life but God Himself. No one has a right to pass judgement upon her because of how she lived her life. And being on the receiving end I, myself, must learn to forgive the man that decided he was God and ended her precious life. No one said I have to forget, because I won’t but I, as a believer in the Word of God, know that I have to forgive and I just wished ppl would keep their rude and nasty comments to themselves and take me and my family’s feelings into consideration right now as we grieve our loss and wait to find her killer. Thank you to those who were polite in thier responses and comments and to those that weren’t, God forbide you walk in our shoes. Sincerely, The Bishop Family
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 9: 22 am
who is brittany
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 9: 25 am
brittany, how did you see her the day that she died if she was dumped on monday morning and the police dont even know when she died. thats weird
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 9: 46 am
Did you bother telling the detective on her case that you saw her the DAY SHE DIED???? No i bet you that you didnt because that would make you look suspect. HMMMM?? Are you, i mean its just funny that you and your friends wanted to beat her up and then she ends up dead. Of course you would say that your friend didnt do it because you are “FRIENDS” but everything you said just sounds a little too suspect for me to believe you and your friends didnt play a role in her death.
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 4: 51 pm
if layer by layer we took away the bruises,
and took away the pain,
removed her mask ,
that everyone would like to call shame,
you’ll find someone with an illness,
not easily cured,
and see,
what this child endured.
people can nevermind her hopes and her dreams,
and only judge her by what someone left in the street.
look at the people that cared and loved her so,
then you find the girl we didn’t want to go.
please don’t judge amanda..she lived behind a mask,
everyone has one and removing hers was quite a task.
she loved her family and her children so dear,
please dont judge amanda..when it’s something else you fear.
it could happen to anyone with a good life or a bad,
this illness goes after anyone,
that is what is so sad.
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 3: 19 pm
Ms Bishop,
I’m sincerely sorry for your loss.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 1: 42 am
Gail,
Thank you very much for your sympathy. We are gonna find out how did this and see justice served to the fullest and then pray God takes mercy upon his soul. Don’t get me wrong I wanna see the person who did this punished for his crimes in the courts but I pray God has mercy on him because I’m a tru woman of Christ and I know as a Child of God, I must put aside my anger and learn to forgive but I WILL NEVER FORGET. Once again, thank you and the rest of my family as well as the dearest friends of Manda’s, we thank you.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 12: 48 pm
To Amanda’s Family:
I am so very sorry to hear of Amanda’s death. I only knew her for a few months… she attended the program I work for Recovery in Community (to all the people who dont know its a drug treatment ceter). Everytime I seen Amanda she was always so pleasent and seemed to be gettign her life back in order… her kids ment EVERYTHING to her… we usually talked about them when ever we talked. Unfortantly we had moved and Amanda stopped coming… I wish she would have stuck it out but Im sure there was a lot going on in her life that she didnt feel like she had time for us any more. She was the same age as me and I couldnt imagine living her life and going through 1/2 the stuff she did but at least now she can rest in peace in a better place and hopefully her kids will remeber who she is and most importantly I HOPE THEY FIND THAT PEICE OF SHIT WHO ENDED HER SHORTLY LIVED LIFE.
To All The Ignorant ASSHOLES who have nothing nice to say:
Imagine this being one of your relatives… everyones life is not handed to the on a silver platter and they have to work hard for what little they have. And during them hard times we may not make the best decisions or choices in life. Unfortantly Amanda’s decision was not a good one and has paid the ultamite sacrafice “her LIFE”. Now leave her alone and let her rest in peice. SHOW SOME FUCKIN RESPECT!!!!!
If Amanda is having a viewing or anything can you please let us know thanks a bunch… I would love to pay my respects.
I hope you guys can come together and celebrate Amanda’s life and may this time pass with ease (I know easier said them done). My thoughts and deepest sincereity are with you in this time of need.
AMANDA YOU WILL BE MISSED… ENJOY YOUR AFTER LIFE MAY IT BE ALL THAT YOU EVER THOUGHT IT WAS…
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 1: 44 pm
For all those people out there thinking how something like this could happen to my niece Amanda. I remember the day she was born, I was there in the delivery room with my sister who just passed way in december 2007. Amanda loved everyone she came in touch with.She has some medical problems,cause her mother was a drug user.When her mom passed away i think Amanda felt all alone.She loved her kids and did almost anything to keep them but Amanda was a child heself. I just want to thank all those people that really care ahe was a good person with such a big heart.I love you Amanda.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 5: 41 pm
she had a momorial a few days ago..
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 6: 07 pm
I just learned today that my niece Amanda was murdered.
It is a shame this happened to her,.and whoever did this to my niece should get down on their knees and pray to God to forgive you. You did not know her yet you killed her.Did you hate her so that you had to kill her?
Amanda was a mother and my sisters daughter. Amander was a good mother to her children and did the very best she could. She had issues like everyone else who lives in this world and she did not deserve to be murdered. She was very loved by all that knew her. She had this form of energy and was always up-beat and always trying in life the best she could. She lost her bests friends which was her grandmother Wanda and her mother Shirley which are no longer with us which hasn’t been so long ago. Please give respect to Amanda and her family.
Life is to short and to the one who did this to my niece trust me you will get yours and God will see to this. As for me I believe what goes around comes goes around ,and may you get the nerve to come forward and turn yourself in so that my niece Amanda can rest in peace.
Amanda is in a good place and she is with her family my mom and my sister. I love you Amanda
Your Aunt Rose
You would say Aunt Rosie
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 6: 16 pm
I don’t know who this Gloria person but you are not Amandas sister. Amanda only had a brother and her children. Please stop saying you are Amandas sister.
For anyone out there who knows anything to help with this murder case please come forth so that Amanda can Rest in Peace. To the woman who found my niece Thank You for being Amanda’s Angel
Aunt Rose
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 7: 02 pm
I am in such shock that my cousin amanda is gone..it seemed just yesterday that i had talked to her..she always called me atleast 3-4 times a day just to talk because she didn’t have anyone else to talk to..i know she did have problems and a ruff childhood but that didnt change the fact that she cared about everybody that knew here…..i know she would have done just about anything for her kids and family she loved them with all her heart…she had called me like a month or so ago saying how she wanted to come up to my house and bring her kids along with her to go swimming which she now won’t the chance to do because someone took her life…she was so heart broken when her mom passed away in dec. 2007 its weird that its exactly 6 months since her mom passed away that they found her dead i never thought this would happen to her…im really gonna miss her alot…Amanda We Miss You With All Are Heart…we hope justice is served to the fullest for the person that did this to you…you didn’t deserve this…. love you alot =(