Naman Shrestha
In the episode titled ‘Lost in the Daylight’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Hunt for the Missing: Chicago,’ the primary focus is on the sudden disappearance of 21-year-old Diamond Bynum and her 2-year-old nephew, King Walker, from the former’s family home in Gary, Indiana in 2015. Initially, the authorities believed that the two had wandered off on their own, but when they didn’t return, an investigation was launched. The documentary features exclusive interviews with Diamond’s and King’s loved ones and the officials involved in the investigation, offering an in-depth account of the entire ordeal.
Diamond Bynum and King Walker Disappeared From the Former’s Home in Indiana in 2015
Born around 1994 to Eugene Bynum Jr. and LaShann Walker, Diamond Bynum had a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome, which affects development, appetite, and cognition. Due to the condition, she had to be constantly supervised as she had the mental capacity of a young child. She resided in the 500 block of Matthews Street in Gary, Indiana, with her father and stepmother, Susanne. Every other weekend, they were visited by Diamond’s nephew and her parents’ grandson, King Walker, who was the beloved son of Ariana Walker and Joshua Williams.
On July 25, 2015, the then 2-year-old boy visited his grandparents’ home. According to reports, King, Diamond, and Susanne took a nap before noon that morning. However, when Susanne woke up a few hours later, Diamond and King were nowhere to be found. She informed the authorities about the situation. Since the family had recently moved to Gary, Diamond was not familiar with the area herself, which made the situation all the more concerning. The family members believed that the 21-year-old woman had taken her nephew for a walk and had gotten lost in the new neighborhood. In the following weeks, the authorities, including the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s District 1 Task Force, conducted extensive searches across the town’s surrounding areas, with hundreds of local volunteers also assisting.
When no leads or tips emerged from the search, the police focused on sex offenders residing near the Bynum residence in the Brunswick neighborhood. However, they were unable to tie a suspect to the disappearances. Meanwhile, the loved ones of Diamond and King tried their best to search for them, and their efforts resulted in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children helping them out in the distribution of fliers. On September 2, 2015, the Indiana State Police also issued a Silver Alert for Diamond at the request of her family. The following year, in October 2016, the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force also got involved in the investigation as they re-interviewed people and re-canvassed areas using K-9s. Unfortunately, their efforts led to no new leads or tips.
Diamond Bynum and King Walker Remain Missing Despite Efforts From Police and Family
Despite the best efforts of the authorities as well as the family and friends, Diamond Bynum and King Walker remain missing. Late July 2025 marked more than ten years of their sudden and mysterious disappearance. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Diamond’s mother and King’s grandmother, LaShann Walker, shared how tough the entire ordeal had been for her and her family. She said, “It’s a pain that lies in my heart every second and every day. I wake up every morning with them on my mind, and I go to sleep with them on my mind.” She also requested, “Someone out there knows what happened. If you know anything, please come forward.”
The Gary Police Department also issued a statement, which read, “The case remains open and active. Our investigators continue to pursue every lead, re-examine evidence, and work closely with local, state, and federal partners in the ongoing search for answers. We recognize the profound and lasting impact this tragedy has had on Diamond and King’s family. Their strength and resilience continue to inspire our commitment to uncovering the truth.” LaShann also requested the Gary PD to cooperate more with her family but didn;t receive any response. “I know they have a lot of cases and a lot they’re dealing with, but I feel like Diamond and King have been swept under the rug. It feels like they don’t matter anymore, and I don’t know what else to do to make them matter,” she added. Although she can’t fully work on the case, she does her best to keep Diamond and King’s names alive and push the investigation forward.
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