The Netflix documentary ‘Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter’ tells the tragic story of Aundria Bowman (born Alexis Badger), who was killed by her adoptive father, Dennis Bowman. But what happened to Aundria’s sister, Vanessa Bowman, who is also mentioned in the documentary? Where is she now?
Who Is Vanessa Bowman?
Photo Credit: Netflix
Vanessa is Aundria’s biological sister. She was born when Aundria was in her early teens. Aundria loved and cared for Vanessa. She wanted to protect her from their father, Dennis, who Aundria accused of abusing her, as reported by Cosmopolitan.
However, her claims were ignored, and she was forced to take them back after pressure from their church. Vanessa was just one year old when Aundria went missing on March 11, 1989.
It took almost 30 years for the truth to be revealed. Dennis confessed to killing Aundria and hiding her body in the backyard while Vanessa was in the house. A friend of Aundria said in the documentary, “[Aundria] took care of [Vanessa], changed her diaper, and fed her. She loved her sister and was afraid to leave her alone. She wanted to leave when Vanessa was older and find her real mom.”
Vanessa Was Absent From Netflix’s Documentary
Photo Credit: Screen Rant
Vanessa has stayed out of the public eye. She wasn’t part of ‘Into the Fire,’ which led to questions and rumors, according to Screen Rant. Some even speculated Vanessa might be Aundria’s daughter from abuse by their father.
Recently, Aundria’s biological mother, Cathy, denied this, via Yahoo Entertainment. She posted on the ‘Justice for Aundria M. Bowman’ Facebook page and said, “Vanessa is NOT Alexis’ child! She looks and acts just like the monsters that spawned her!”
A 2018 post on the same Facebook page shared that Vanessa was told as a child to ‘never speak of Aundria.’ Neighbors said Brenda and Dennis took Vanessa to their homes, where Brenda and Vanessa would cry, claiming Aundria ‘ran away.’ Dennis, however, stayed silent. Now, Vanessa denies having a sister.
What Did Vanessa Bowman Say About ‘Into the Fire’?
Photo Credit: Screen Rant
E! News asked Netflix for contact details for Vanessa, Dennis, and Brenda, and the Virginia Department of Corrections for Dennis’s lawyer. They got no response. Cosmopolitan also reported, “While archive recordings, police footage and old family photos appear in the documentary, neither Dennis, Brenda or Vanessa Bowman agreed to speak on camera for it.”
At the end of the Netflix documentary, the text explains, “Brenda Bowman declined to be interviewed and did not respond to requests for comment.”
Vanessa hasn’t shared her feelings about her father. Her current location is unknown, but her mother, Brenda, is believed to still live in Michigan.
