The family of a 17-year-old Tennessee girl whose body was found days after she went missing want to know why police didn't do more. Trinity Bostic was reported missing on June 29, 2024, but her family claims there wasn't much social media attention given to her case. Her body was discovered on July 3 by a worker picking up trash on a roadway in Hendersonville. A teenage boy has been charged with her murder.
Bostic's half-sister, Tasha Calcote, told WZTV she thinks the lack of attention given to her sister's case may have cost the teen her life. Now the family is mourning her loss and wonders what went wrong.
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Bostic went missing, but the family says her face wasn't blasted on social media.
WZTV reported Bostic was classified as a runaway on June 29, but the Macon County Sheriff's Office didn't post her photo on its official Facebook page. This upset Calcote, who told the news station, "It could have reached so many more (people) had it been put out immediately."
Calcote said that if her sister's name and face had been in the public eye, someone could have spotted her and helped her before she died.
The Macon County Sheriff's Office received a lot of backlash.
The Macon County Times posted a statement on Facebook from Macon County Sheriff Joey Wilburn regarding the lack of social media coverage of the teen as a missing person.
"A lot of it had to do with all of the information we had at the time. Upon being notified of her running away, we were quickly able to locate her whereabouts outside of Macon County. At that time we put all of our efforts into assisting agencies in locating her," he said. "Making a local Facebook notification wouldn't help due to the fact that we already knew she was outside the county. That was our reasoning for not making any local posts, we were actively pursuing that she was already outside of the county. Nobody wins in situations like this. It's a tragedy all the way around."
Wilburn's reasoning wasn't enough for some people.
Many people criticized the sheriff's department’s actions in the Facebook post's comment section.
"He does know that even though she was outside of the county we have people on our timelines that live in that county. A post that could have been shared could have helped find her," one person wrote. "This is a ridiculous excuse. His judgement call failed this child."
Someone else agreed and commented, "Still could have asked to be on the lookout and report if seen and who she maybe with. This is done all across counties. Hopefully the family can get the answers and peace they need."
"I beg to differ that posting it on Facebook wouldn't have mattered," yet another person chimed in "Social media is in everyone's home why would you not post that she was endangered that's the question."
Loved ones have created a GoFundMe account for Bostic's family.
Landon Connor, a classmate of Bostic's, created a GoFundMe page in her honor.
Conner wrote, "The class of 2025 is saddened at the passing of our classmate, Trinity Bostic. We are planning on raising money to help and support her family during these times. Any amount donated will be given to Trinity's family to help with expenses and is greatly appreciated. Thank you."
The fundraiser has brought in more than $12,000 of a $15,000 goal thus far. As one donor shared, "Our hearts are with you during this difficult time."
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A teenage suspect has been arrested.
Police have not released the suspect's identity but confirmed a 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, according to a news release from the Hendersonville Police Department. Bostic's cause of death has not been released, and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hendersonville Police Department, 615-822-1111, or the Hendersonville Crime Stoppers, 615-594-4113. Tips can also be submitted using the P3 Tips mobile app.
