In the heart of New Orleans, a mother’s world shattered on February 11, 2006, when her 2-year-old son, Brandon Wells, vanished from his grandmother’s home. What began as a routine morning in the Upper 9th Ward turned into a haunting mystery that has lingered for nearly two decades. LaSonja Wells Robertson, Brandon’s mother, has spent 19 years chasing answers, refusing to let her son’s case fade into obscurity. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she shares the raw pain of loss, the strength of her resolve, and the unwavering hope that keeps her family fighting for the truth. As another anniversary approaches, their story is a powerful reminder of love’s endurance and the relentless pursuit of closure in the face of uncertainty.
A Toddler’s Sudden Disappearance
On that chilly February morning, LaSonja was at her mother’s home in New Orleans, a city still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina just six months prior. Brandon, a lively 2-year-old with a contagious smile, was playing under his grandmother’s watchful eye. LaSonja had stepped out briefly for an errand, a common occurrence in their tight-knit community where neighbors felt like family. “I left him with my mom, like I had a hundred times before,” LaSonja told PEOPLE. But when she returned, Brandon was gone. “It was like he vanished into thin air,” she said, her voice breaking with the weight of memory.
The family immediately contacted the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), triggering an urgent search. Neighbors rallied, combing the streets, yards, and nearby lots of the Upper 9th Ward. Brandon, last seen in a blue jacket and jeans, was nowhere to be found. Flyers with his photo blanketed the city, and tips flooded in, but each lead fizzled out. The NOPD classified the case as a missing person investigation, but with no witnesses or physical evidence, the trail quickly grew cold. “It felt like the world stopped, but no one could tell me where my baby was,” LaSonja recalled.
A City in Recovery, a Family in Crisis
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/trenton-duckett-082825-1-47d52788f45349c2a2af328a2e7e0e62.jpg)
The timing of Brandon’s disappearance added layers of complexity to the investigation. New Orleans in early 2006 was a city in chaos, still grappling with the aftermath of Katrina. The hurricane had displaced thousands, disrupted police operations, and strained resources. “The city was broken,” LaSonja said. “Police were stretched thin, and it felt like Brandon’s case got lost in the shuffle.” Many residents, including some neighbors, had not yet returned to the Upper 9th Ward, leaving fewer eyes to notice anything unusual.
Despite these challenges, LaSonja and her family refused to give up. They organized vigils, distributed more flyers, and reached out to local media to keep Brandon’s face in the public eye. LaSonja’s mother, consumed by guilt, replayed the morning’s events endlessly, searching for clues. “She blamed herself, but it wasn’t her fault,” LaSonja said. “Someone took my son, or something happened, and we deserve to know what.” The lack of answers gnawed at the family, turning their grief into a relentless drive for justice.
A Mother’s Fight for Answers
Over the years, LaSonja has become both a grieving mother and a fierce advocate. She’s worked tirelessly to keep Brandon’s case alive, collaborating with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). In 2016, on the 10th anniversary of his disappearance, NCMEC released an age-progressed image of what Brandon might look like at 12, a haunting reminder of the years stolen. “Seeing that picture broke my heart all over again,” LaSonja said. “But it also gave me hope. Maybe someone would recognize him.”
LaSonja has followed every lead, no matter how small. Tips have ranged from sightings in nearby states to theories about human trafficking, but none have panned out. She’s knocked on doors, spoken at community events, and even confronted skepticism from those who assumed Brandon wandered off or drowned in a nearby canal. “I know my son didn’t just walk away,” she said firmly. “He was too little, and he was scared of water. Someone knows something.” Her determination has kept the NOPD engaged, though the case remains open with no new developments reported as of August 2025.
The Emotional Toll of an Open Wound
The loss of Brandon has left an indelible mark on LaSonja and her family. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him,” she told PEOPLE. Simple moments—like seeing a child his age or passing a playground—trigger waves of grief. LaSonja has two other children, now teenagers, who grew up in the shadow of their brother’s absence. “They ask about him, and I try to keep his memory alive, but it’s hard when there’s no closure,” she said.
The family holds an annual vigil on February 11, lighting candles and sharing stories of Brandon’s infectious laugh and love for toy cars. These gatherings, attended by relatives and supporters, are both a tribute and a plea for answers. “I want people to remember his name,” LaSonja said. “I want them to know he’s still out there, or at least, his story is.” The emotional toll is compounded by the uncertainty—wondering if Brandon is alive, if he’s safe, or if the truth lies buried in someone’s silence.
A Call for Justice and Community Support
As the 19th anniversary of Brandon’s disappearance approaches, LaSonja is renewing her call for anyone with information to come forward. The NOPD encourages tips to their missing persons unit or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, with anonymity guaranteed. “Even the smallest detail could break the case open,” LaSonja said. She’s also advocating for better resources for missing children cases, particularly in communities recovering from disasters like Katrina. “No family should have to fight this hard to find their child,” she added.
The broader issue of missing children resonates deeply in the U.S., where the NCMEC reports over 400,000 children go missing annually, though most are found quickly. Cases like Brandon’s, which linger unsolved, highlight the need for sustained public attention and improved investigative tools. LaSonja draws inspiration from high-profile cases like Jaycee Dugard’s, where resolution came after years of hope. “If it can happen for her, it can happen for Brandon,” she said.
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
For LaSonja, the fight for answers is as much about honoring Brandon as it is about finding him. “He was my baby, my joy,” she said, her voice softening. “I’ll never stop looking for him, whether he’s here or in heaven.” Her resilience has inspired her community, with neighbors and strangers alike joining her vigils and sharing her story online. The hashtag #FindBrandonWells trends each February, a digital echo of her unwavering resolve.
As she prepares for another year without her son, LaSonja holds onto the belief that the truth will surface. “I feel him in my heart,” she told PEOPLE. “That’s what keeps me going.” Her story is a poignant reminder of the power of a mother’s love and the importance of community in keeping hope alive. For Brandon’s family, and for countless others awaiting answers, the search continues not just for a lost child, but for justice, closure, and the chance to heal.
