"I want answers": A Mother's 25-Year Search
When 13-year-old Deniese Hiraman vanished from home in Queens, New York, her mother says life changed forever. This week marks 25 years since that day.
“It’s a lifetime for a mother,” said Seeta Beran. “I still feel the pain every day. I go to church every day. Every day is a long day and I pray she comes home.”
Deniese was raised on 109th Street in Richmond Hills, a vibrant Queens neighborhood often referred to as “Little Guyana.” Located just four miles from JFK airport, Richmond Hills is known for its rich cultural heritage, featuring an array of cultural shops, restaurants and bakeries.
Deniese lived there with her parents and two older brothers.
On the morning of Aug. 27, 1999, Seeta left for work early. She said Deniese typically left for school around 8:15 a.m. Deniese only had to walk a short distance to catch the bus to her school that was located at the corner of Jamaica and Marco Avenues.
While Seeta was at work, the school called to inform her that Deniese never arrived. Seeta said she wasn’t too concerned because Deniese sometimes played hooky. When Seeta got home from work, Deniese still wasn’t there.
“We called all her friends and drove around,” said Seeta. “We couldn’t find her, and no one was talking.”
Seeta called police and reported her daughter missing. It has been 25 years since Seeta made that phone call, and every day for 25 years, she has continued to search for her daughter.
“I cannot celebrate birthdays, Christmas or any holiday. I just want to know what happened to her.”
What could have happened to Deniese on that hot, summer day in August?
Seeta explained Deniese sometimes hung around with a rough crowd and while she wasn’t in a gang, she said there were some “shady” characters that lingered around her.
Seeta also recalled that a year after Deniese disappeared, one of her close friends, who lived in the apartment unit below them, mysteriously never returned home. Seeta said the girl was older and many assumed she had just left town and moved on, but Seeta said she never believed that.
“There were a couple of suspicious men that hung around the neighborhood and the schools,” said Seeta. “You knew they were up to no good.”
Seeta suspects that someone close to Deniese knows more than they are letting on. Although she lacks concrete evidence, she feels deep in her heart that someone holds the key to bringing her daughter home.
“I want answers, I just want to know what happened. I want my daughter back.”
An age progression of what Deniese may look like at 38. (Credit: NCMEC)
This age progression created by a forensic artist at NCMEC shows what Deniese may look like today at 38 years old. She is of Guyanese descent and speaks fluent Guyanese and English. She also has a scar on her right forearm. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Deniese Hiraman, call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or the New York City Police Department at 212-473-2042.
View her missing poster here: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/876542/1.