Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The City of Prattville and the Prattville Police department held a balloon release remembrance at North Highland Park Friday morning. September 1, 1989, is a date that forever lives in a worried mother’s mind. After 35 years the murder of her daughter, Tashynina (Tasha) Reese an unsolved murder involving her daughter, Tashynina (Tasha) Reese of Prattville remains unsolved.
Reese, a 16-year-old teenager at the time, came home to get ready for a Friday night under stadium lights, as almost every teenager in Prattville through the years has done.
Reese had plans to attend the Prattville Lions football game that evening, However when Reese did not return home after the game, her adoptive mom, Mary Virginia Harris’ worry set in. Reports later indicated that Reese never made it to the football game.
Two days later her body was found in Montgomery County in the Alabama River and was ruled a homicide.
“It just means so much to have the officers here, the investigators, the mayor and my family. It means so much to be getting this out to people that didn’t know about this. They don’t know this even happened. And it’s been 35 years. 35 years,” Harris said.
Harris went on to state through emotion that she is optimistic for this case, stating that there are too many unanswered questions.
“Ms. Reese never did learn how to drive, so many in her family missed the little things that we take for granted in life. Those little milestones, such as driving, dating, going to college, getting married, and having kids. Mrs. Harris is a wonderful person, and a landmark here with the city of Prattville. She’s done so much for this community. She really needs this closure,” Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie said.
Gillespie went on to reiterate that if anyone has information to call the proper authorities.
Present for today were Reece’s family, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson, Autauga County Sheriff’s Captain Larry Nixon, Prattville Gillespie, Prattville City Councilman Marcus Jackson and investigators Investigator District Attorney’s Office in Montgomery including Antony Shannon and Chief Deputy District Attorney Azzie Oliver.
Oliver assured the public that the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, Montgomery County Sheriff’s office and the Montgomery Police Department are still investigating this case and urged anyone with information to come forward.
If you have any information, please contact one of the three agencies below,
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 334-832-2550, and ask for the Cold Case Unit.
Prattville Police Department at 334-595-0208
The Secret Witness Line for the City of Montgomery to remain anonymous at 334-625-4000
The Secret Witness Line for the City of Prattville to remain anonymous at 334-595-0259.
