Family: Texas woman lied about being missing Bradley sister who disappeared 18 years ago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The new hope in the case of two Chicago sisters who have been missing for almost two decades was sadly short-lived.
Tionda and Diamond Bradley were last seen near their South Side apartment back in 2001.
According to a Facebook post Saturday from the family of the missing girls, a woman in Texas who claimed to be one of the girls lied.
The Facebook post by the family said:
"With agonizing regret, the search for MISSING DIAMOND AND TIONDA BRADLEY CONTINUES. Unfortunately the information provided on social media from this group of scammer are NOT MISSING DIAMOND AND OR TIONDA BRADLEY. We hope that all will continue to provide any tips as to the whereabouts of Diamond and Tionda Bradley. We thank you the Community, the Law Enforcement Community, the News that covered this heartbreaking HOAX. We further thank the Private Investigator and all tips that were provided to expose those responsible for this CRUEL AND EVIL ACT."
On Friday, the woman said she may have new information about the girls who have been missing for nearly 18 years.
The woman in Texas, who goes by the name LayLay Rodriguez on Facebook, claims she is Tionda.
"She pretty much said she is Tionda, one is supposed to be her, the other supposed to be Diamond," said the girl's great aunt Sheila Bradley.
Tionda was just 10-years-old and Diamond, 4, when they went missing in July 2001 after leaving a note saying they were going to a store in the neighborhood.
RELATED: Bradley sisters now missing 10 years
Age progression photos from the FBI suggest what the two might look like now.
While this new information brings hope to the family, some worry this could be a cruel joke. A private investigator who has worked on the case for years said he is not optimistic.
RELATED: Family told Tionda isn't 'mystery girl'
"At this point I'm skeptical. Just last month another case of Timmothy Pitzen led to heartbreak when a man claiming to be Timmothy Pitzen, [who was] missing for eight years turned out to be someone else. The Bradley family is prepared for that possibility but remaining hopeful," said private investigator Pete Foster.
"If it is Tionda and Diamond I just want them to come home," said Shelia, "if it's not, I'm gonna be seeking some legal remedy for putting us through this."
The FBI released a comment Friday evening, saying, "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on the nature of any ongoing investigation."
Earlier this week the FBI tweeted there remains a $10,000 reward for information in the case of the missing Bradley sisters. The Texas woman claims to be in contact with authorities and is willing to take a DNA test.
