The Sister Behind the Headlines

Lindsay Hawkins grew up in Ansted, West Virginia, where she was known as a protective older sister who loved to tease her younger brother. She was an incredibly talented athlete who earned a full soccer scholarship to Bluefield State. Though she struggled with addiction at various points in her life, she spent five years sober and even gave speeches against big pharma in Charleston. Family members remember her as a bright soul whose laugh could fill a room and who always showed up for the people she loved.

“She was naturally gifted at soccer, she had a full-blown scholarship to Bluefield State. She was always there, just always a very protective older sister.”,

A Turning Point and a Mysterious Fire

In May 2020, Lindsay’s life took a tragic turn after she relapsed following the overdose of a close friend. She was eventually tracked to a small house in Ottawa, West Virginia, which was the site of a suspicious fire on the night of May 18. A woman involved in the party that night allegedly confessed to police that she hit Lindsay over the head with a candle during an argument. According to the witness, the house was then set on fire while Lindsay was still inside and unresponsive.

“She admitted as she was talking to the police later on that she had hit my sister over the head with a candle and then later, after my sister hadn’t woke up, the house was lit on fire.”,

The Fight for Closure

The investigation into Lindsay’s disappearance has been filled with roadblocks, including the fact that the fire site was buried quickly after the incident occurred. The FBI eventually took over the case and conducted a massive excavation of the property, sifting through debris for any evidence of her remains. While small bone fragments were found on the property, they were too damaged for DNA testing, leaving her family without a definitive answer. Spencer Hawkins and his family are now offering a $5,000 reward for any information that helps bring Lindsay home for a proper burial.

“I personally would like just to be able, if she is gone, to lay her to rest. I just need my sister home.”

Ready to dive deeper into the details of this case? You can hear the full, emotional interview with Spencer Hawkins and learn more about the investigation that continues to search for answers in the Appalachian hills by watching the original video.