Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: February 26, 2001 from Auburn Hills, Michigan Classification: Endangered Missing Date of Birth: September 7, 1970 Age: 30 years old Height and Weight: 5'4, 115 - 130 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Red/auburn hair, brown eyes. Aferdita's nickname is Rita. Her last name is pronounged "Ger-jl." She is a native of Albania; she moved to the United States in early childhood. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A black top, a denim jacket, a black leather coat and denim slacks.
Details of Disappearance
Aferdita was last seen in Auburn Hills, Michigan on February 26, 2001. She told her sister she was going to meet her ex-husband, Binak "Kola" Gjerjaj, and their three children in the parking lot of Showcase Cinemas on Opdyke Road at 7:00 p.m. Images from a surveillance camera in the parking lot show Aferdita did arrive there, got out of her car, went to another one and sat inside it for half an hour. Then the vehicle drove away with her still inside. She has never been heard from again.Afterdita was reported missing after she failed to arrive for work at a clothing boutique in Troy, Michigan, where she was the manager. Her light blue Ford Escort was found in the parking lot of the cinemas shortly after her disappearance. Her cellular phone and purse were inside the vehicle and so was an unused round from Aferdita's handgun. The gun itself was missing and has not been recovered.
A photograph of Binak is posted below this case summary. He and Aferdita married in 1987 and separated in 1996. He filed for divorce in 1998 and sought custory of the couple's two young children. Aferdita did not contest the divorce and never attended any of the court hearings, and as a result a default divorce was granted. Aferdita and Binak shared legal child custody, but physical custody was granted to Binak. He fled the country shortly after Aferdita went missing and returned to his native Kosovo, leaving his children behind. In 2002, he was charged with felony assault for allegedly beating beating Aferdita in 1998. He could face ten years in prison if convicted; however, Kosovo has no official government to extradite him, and as long as he remains there, Binak cannot stand trial.
Aferdita was reportedly fighting for more access to her children at the time she disappeared. Binak had allegedly threatened to kill her if she tried to take the children away from him. Authorities stated they believed Aferdita had been murdered in Binak is the prime suspect in her presumed death, but he has not been charged in her case due to lack of evidence. Aferdita's disappearance remains unsolved.
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Above: Binkak Gjerjaj
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004.
Last updated January 28, 2006; casefile added.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Auburn Hills Police Department
248-370-9444
OR
Oakland County Sheriff's Department
248-858-0692
Auburn Hills Police Department
Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
The Detroit News
North American Missing Persons Network
America's Most Wanted