April 16, 2025 • 7 mins
In this episode of Hunting 4 Answers: A case that has haunted Newark, New Jersey, for years takes center stage. In December 2017, 28-year-old mother of four, Venika Williams, disappeared without a trace. What started as a routine appointment quickly turned into an unspeakable mystery. A chilling text from Venika—a cry for help—was the last anyone heard from her. Anyone with information about Venika's case should contact the Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).
This is the story of Venika Williams.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Speaks to the planning.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
I'll go by the name of Charlamagne of God and
guess what, I can't wait to see y'all at the
third annual Black Effect Podcast Festival. That's right, We're coming
back to Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, April twenty six at Poeman
Yards and it's hosted by none other than Decisions, Decisions,
Mandy B and Weezy. Okay, we got the R and
B Money podcast with taking Jay Valentine. We got the
Woman of All Podcasts with Saray Jake Roberts. We got
(00:22):
Good Mom's Bad Choices. Carrie Champion will be there with
her next sports podcast and the Trap Nerds podcast, with
more to be announced. And of course it's bigger than podcasts.
We're bringing the Black Effect marketplace with black owned businesses
plus the food truck court to keep you fed while
you visit us. All right, listen, you don't want to
miss this. Tapp in and grab your tickets now at
Black Effect dot Com Flash Podcast Festival.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Hunting for Answers is a production of the Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host, Hunter and Today, we're
unraveling a mystery that's gripped the city of New Jersey
for years. It's a case that centers around a mother
(01:06):
of four who vanished without a trace in December twenty seventeen.
What followed her disappearance would stun authorities and her family alike.
This is the story of Venika Williams. Venika, a native
(01:28):
of Newark, New Jersey, was known for her talent as
a hairstylist. A young woman full of promise and a
bright future ahead of her, but in the winter of
twenty seventeen, Venika disappeared under highly mysterious circumstances. She told
her family she was leaving for a routine appointment in
(01:50):
Jersey City. That day, twenty eight year old Venika left
her home on Dewey Street, expecting to spend the day
doing what she loved. Little did she or her family
know things were about to take a dark turn. Hours later,
(02:12):
Venika sent a final text message to her family, a
message that would spark terror and confusing. She claimed she
was in Jersey City and being held against her will
by a man. It was a chilling cry for help
and the last communication Nika would ever send. What happened
(02:34):
after that moment remains a complete mystery. Did she ever
make it to her appointment? Did she even make it
to Jersey City? Authorities had no answers. Five years later,
a shocking discovery came to light, one that would change
(02:56):
the course of the investigation entirely. Authorities uncovered a dark
and sinister plot involving Venika's own boyfriend, a man named
asmar Erk. Just days after Venika vanished, Erp, a thirty
seven year old ex con with a lengthy criminal record,
(03:17):
began accessing Venika's social security benefits intended for her disabled son.
He changed the pin on her debit card and fraudulently
emptied her accounts for years until he was finally caught
in twenty twenty. This fraudulent act was just the beginning
(03:38):
of a terrifying picture that would emerge about Erk's role
in Venika's disappearance. Erp, whose rap sheet included drug sales,
resisting arrest, and receiving stolen property, had one role that
should have come naturally to him, helping find his missing girlfriend.
(04:05):
He set up social media pages in the beginning, such
as help find Venika, but these efforts were quickly faded,
much like his alleged concern for her well being. As
time went on, his true colors emerged. He was using
Venika's absence to his advantage, stealing her son's federal benefits
(04:29):
while her family desperately searched for answers. In twenty twenty three,
a break in the case came that would finally bring
some justice, asmar Erp now thirty seven, was charged with
embezzling the federal benefits intended for Venika's sun The following year,
(04:53):
in June twenty twenty four, RP pleaded guilty to three
counts in federal court, including two counts of wire fraud
and one count of aggravated identity theft. But even with
these legal woes against him, one very important question still lingers.
(05:15):
Where is Benka Williams. The investigation into Venka's case remains unsolved,
and her family's heartache continues to grow. Newark Police and
the Essex County Prosecutor's Office have turned to the public,
offering a five thousand dollars reward for any leads that
(05:36):
could finally solve this mystery. Banika Williams has been missing
for years now, and her family is desperate for closure.
At the time she vanished, Banika stood five feet three
inches tall, weighing about one hundred and forty pounds, with
brown hair and brown eyes. It's reported that her hair
(05:59):
often changes, sometimes with highlights or even dyed red. She
was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black leather coat,
and red sneakers, carrying a red purse. Venika had tattoos,
including the name Tanisha on the back of her right hand,
Samir on her upper arm, and writing on both of
(06:22):
her fore arms, along with a cursive word across her chest.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Venika William's family
and friends, especially her four children. Anyone with information about
Venika's case should contact the Crimestopper tip line. Their contact
(06:44):
information can be found in the description box below. As
we close out this episode, don't forget to hit the
follow button to stay updated on this case and others
like it. Be sure to subscribe to Hunting for Answers
on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok for
more true crime content. And if you enjoyed this episode,
(07:07):
leave us a five star rating. Thank you so much
for joining us on another episode. Until next time, Hunting
(07:38):
for Answers is a production of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
For more podcasts from the Black Effect Podcast Network, visit
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to
your favorite shows.
Speaks to the planning.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
I'll go by the name of Charlamagne of God and
guess what, I can't wait to see y'all at the
third annual Black Effect Podcast Festival. That's right, We're coming
back to Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, April twenty six at Poeman
Yards and it's hosted by none other than Decisions, Decisions,
Mandy B and Weezy. Okay, we got the R and
B Money podcast with taking Jay Valentine. We got the
Woman of All Podcasts with Saray Jake Roberts. We got
(00:22):
Good Mom's Bad Choices. Carrie Champion will be there with
her next sports podcast and the Trap Nerds podcast, with
more to be announced. And of course it's bigger than podcasts.
We're bringing the Black Effect marketplace with black owned businesses
plus the food truck court to keep you fed while
you visit us. All right, listen, you don't want to
miss this. Tapp in and grab your tickets now at
Black Effect dot Com Flash Podcast Festival.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Hunting for Answers is a production of the Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host, Hunter and Today, we're
unraveling a mystery that's gripped the city of New Jersey
for years. It's a case that centers around a mother
(01:06):
of four who vanished without a trace in December twenty seventeen.
What followed her disappearance would stun authorities and her family alike.
This is the story of Venika Williams. Venika, a native
(01:28):
of Newark, New Jersey, was known for her talent as
a hairstylist. A young woman full of promise and a
bright future ahead of her, but in the winter of
twenty seventeen, Venika disappeared under highly mysterious circumstances. She told
her family she was leaving for a routine appointment in
(01:50):
Jersey City. That day, twenty eight year old Venika left
her home on Dewey Street, expecting to spend the day
doing what she loved. Little did she or her family
know things were about to take a dark turn. Hours later,
(02:12):
Venika sent a final text message to her family, a
message that would spark terror and confusing. She claimed she
was in Jersey City and being held against her will
by a man. It was a chilling cry for help
and the last communication Nika would ever send. What happened
(02:34):
after that moment remains a complete mystery. Did she ever
make it to her appointment? Did she even make it
to Jersey City? Authorities had no answers. Five years later,
a shocking discovery came to light, one that would change
(02:56):
the course of the investigation entirely. Authorities uncovered a dark
and sinister plot involving Venika's own boyfriend, a man named
asmar Erk. Just days after Venika vanished, Erp, a thirty
seven year old ex con with a lengthy criminal record,
(03:17):
began accessing Venika's social security benefits intended for her disabled son.
He changed the pin on her debit card and fraudulently
emptied her accounts for years until he was finally caught
in twenty twenty. This fraudulent act was just the beginning
(03:38):
of a terrifying picture that would emerge about Erk's role
in Venika's disappearance. Erp, whose rap sheet included drug sales,
resisting arrest, and receiving stolen property, had one role that
should have come naturally to him, helping find his missing girlfriend.
(04:05):
He set up social media pages in the beginning, such
as help find Venika, but these efforts were quickly faded,
much like his alleged concern for her well being. As
time went on, his true colors emerged. He was using
Venika's absence to his advantage, stealing her son's federal benefits
(04:29):
while her family desperately searched for answers. In twenty twenty three,
a break in the case came that would finally bring
some justice, asmar Erp now thirty seven, was charged with
embezzling the federal benefits intended for Venika's sun The following year,
(04:53):
in June twenty twenty four, RP pleaded guilty to three
counts in federal court, including two counts of wire fraud
and one count of aggravated identity theft. But even with
these legal woes against him, one very important question still lingers.
(05:15):
Where is Benka Williams. The investigation into Venka's case remains unsolved,
and her family's heartache continues to grow. Newark Police and
the Essex County Prosecutor's Office have turned to the public,
offering a five thousand dollars reward for any leads that
(05:36):
could finally solve this mystery. Banika Williams has been missing
for years now, and her family is desperate for closure.
At the time she vanished, Banika stood five feet three
inches tall, weighing about one hundred and forty pounds, with
brown hair and brown eyes. It's reported that her hair
(05:59):
often changes, sometimes with highlights or even dyed red. She
was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black leather coat,
and red sneakers, carrying a red purse. Venika had tattoos,
including the name Tanisha on the back of her right hand,
Samir on her upper arm, and writing on both of
(06:22):
her fore arms, along with a cursive word across her chest.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Venika William's family
and friends, especially her four children. Anyone with information about
Venika's case should contact the Crimestopper tip line. Their contact
(06:44):
information can be found in the description box below. As
we close out this episode, don't forget to hit the
follow button to stay updated on this case and others
like it. Be sure to subscribe to Hunting for Answers
on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok for
more true crime content. And if you enjoyed this episode,
(07:07):
leave us a five star rating. Thank you so much
for joining us on another episode. Until next time, Hunting
(07:38):
for Answers is a production of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
For more podcasts from the Black Effect Podcast Network, visit
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to
your favorite shows.
Host
Hunter Gilmore
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