2/20/2026 - I have created this fundraiser on behalf of Tanneka Gibson, Wuaniata's mother, at the request of her family members. They are desperately in need of help raising the necessary funds to lay Wuaniata to rest by giving her a proper funeral/burial. Any and all donations are deeply appreciated and will go directly to Wuani's family for her funeral/burial expenses.

18-year-old Wuaniata Gibson's body was found in the Mississippi River around the Festus, MO area and was officially identified by family members on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026. Wuaniata had previously been listed as a missing person as of 12/22/2025 after she was last seen leaving her family's home on foot around 5 pm. While we don't currently have answers, especially pending Wuani's autopsy, it is definitely suspected that foul play led to her untimely demise.

The following was written by Wuaniata's mother, Tanneka Gibson:

"My daughter was a very strong young lady whose love ran deep and genuine. She loved her family fiercely and had a special bond with her pets that showed just how tender her heart truly was. To many, animals are just companions but to her, they were family. That speaks volumes about the compassion she carried within her.

Though only 18, she possessed a quiet strength beyond her years. She faced life with resilience, even when challenges tried to weigh her down. There was a softness about her spirit, yet she stood firm in who she was. She loved deeply, felt deeply, and cared deeply for her older siblings, pets, and family. She loved to sing and minister in dance for Jesus Christ our Lord. Her heart was pure, and her loyalty to those she loved never wavered.

She brought her own light into every room — sometimes gentle, sometimes bold — but always uniquely hers. As a mother, I watched her grow into a young woman with courage, sensitivity, talent, determination, and she was extremely intelligent. Her actions revealed a soul that valued family, connection, and love above all else.

We trust that God welcomed her with open arms and whispered, "Well done thy good and faithful servant," which she was. Though our hearts are broken, our faith reminds us that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Her life, though short, was meaningful. Her love remains with us. And her memory will forever be a part of who we are.

She was strong. She was loving. She was ours. And she will never be forgotten."

I will post updates as we learn them. But for right now, Wuaniata's family is absolutely grief-stricken and trying to make unexpected plans to bury their beautiful 18-year-old baby girl.