Mother of missing Aiken County woman seemingly murdered speaks out after long silence

Aiken, S.C. (WACH) — Nearly four months after a mother learned about the death and disappearance of her daughter, she is speaking to WACH FOX News for the first time.

Authorities think Tina McCraw is one of the last people to hear from Jamilla Smith before they say her former boyfriend killed her.

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Authorities think Tina McCraw is one of the last people to hear from Jamilla Smith before they say her former boyfriend killed her.

For months McCraw has been struggling with the unimaginable grief of losing her daughter who she said was not only her best friend but the best mother to her grandchildren as well. Her father, her aunt, and other relatives have spoken out, but now the woman who brought her into this world and was likely one of the last to speak to Smith has broken the silence.

Tina McCraw said she finally gained enough strength to talk about the death and disappearance of her daughter Jamila.

"It's been five months and I can just now look at her pictures," said McCraw holding back tears.

Deputies stated Smith was seemingly attacked by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Harmon while on the phone with 911 in early December.

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"Thirty years together lots of memories all taken away. I had to get the strength to fight for my daughter," shared McCraw.

On December 2, McCraw said her daughter was on the way to Columbia from Aiken, but she never made it.

"On the way there something transpired and we found out that Daniel was with her," revealed McCraw. "He was apparently knocked out on something, he threw her phone out of the car so she called us on his phone."

Tina said she and Jamilla's stepfather helped her find her phone along the highway using her location and that was the last time she would ever hear her daughter's voice.

"She was planning her escape and I believe he knew that and that's why he had her come back," said McCraw. "I believe he planned all of this."

Tina says she reported her daughter missing after not hearing from her all day and finding out she also never picked up one of her sons from his father.

Last July, McCraw said she learned Harmon was abusing her daughter, so they had family bring Jamilla and her children to Florida with them.

However, McCraw says Jamilla eventually went back to Harmon.

"She was just so concerned about helping him and fixing him," said McCraw.

At the time of Jamilla's disappearance, her mother said she had ended the relationship and was in Aiken retrieving the rest of her items.

McCraw also revealed that Harmon's brother knew something terrible happened to her daughter the night of the 9-1-1 call.

"He was on the phone with Daniel and he could hear Millie Screaming you hit me with the car and Daniel saying he would take her to the hospital," shared McCraw.

Late last week April 19 a second suspect in the case, Harmon's cousin, Bryan Hampton, turned himself in.

Hampton was charged as an accessory and had his bail denied the following day on Saturday, April 20. Investigators say Hampton helped Harmon with transportation, cell phones, and disposing of Smith's remains

Right now both Harmon and Hampton are being held at the Aiken County jail without bail.

Jamilla Smith still hasn't been found.

For months McCraw has been struggling with the unimaginable grief of losing her daughter who she said was not only her best friend but the best mother to her grandchildren as well. Her father, her aunt, and other relatives have spoken out, but now the woman who brought her into this world and was likely one of the last to speak to Smith has broken the silence.

Tina McCraw said she finally gained enough strength to talk about the death and disappearance of her daughter Jamila.

"It's been five months and I can just now look at her pictures," said McCraw holding back tears.

Deputies stated Smith was seemingly attacked by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Harmon while on the phone with 911 in early December.

"Thirty years together lots of memories all taken away. I had to get the strength to fight for my daughter," shared McCraw.

On December 2, McCraw said her daughter was on the way to Columbia from Aiken, but she never made it.

"On the way there something transpired and we found out that Daniel was with her," revealed McCraw. "He was apparently knocked out on something, he threw her phone out of the car so she called us on his phone."

Tina said she and Jamilla's stepfather helped her find her phone along the highway using her location and that was the last time she would ever hear her daughter's voice.

"She was planning her escape and I believe he knew that and that's why he had her come back," said McCraw. "I believe he planned all of this."

Tina says she reported her daughter missing after not hearing from her all day and finding out she also never picked up one of her sons from his father.

Last July, McCraw said she learned Harmon was abusing her daughter, so they had family bring Jamilla and her children to Florida with them.

However, McCraw says Jamilla eventually went back to Harmon.

"She was just so concerned about helping him and fixing him," said McCraw.

At the time of Jamilla's disappearance, her mother said she had ended the relationship and was in Aiken retrieving the rest of her items.

McCraw also revealed that Harmon's brother knew something terrible happened to her daughter the night of the 9-1-1 call.

"He was on the phone with Daniel and he could hear Millie Screaming you hit me with the car and Daniel saying he would take her to the hospital," shared McCraw.

RELATED|Second suspect in murder of missing Aiken woman Jamilla Smith turns himself in

Late last week April 19 a second suspect in the case, Harmon's cousin, Bryan Hampton, turned himself in.

Hampton was charged as an accessory and had his bail denied the following day on Saturday, April 20. Investigators say Hampton helped Harmon with transportation, cell phones, and disposing of Smith's remains

Right now both Harmon and Hampton are being held at the Aiken County jail without bail.

Jamilla Smith still hasn't been found.