The Mysterious Disappearance of Bison Dele and Serena Karlan
I watched the show Disappeared on ID about this case. It’s season 1, episode 12 titled ‘Dark Waters.’ I also have a podcast recommendation, listen to Obsessed with Disappeared! The podcast is hosted by Patrick Hinds (from True Crime Obsessed) and Ellyn Marsh, they recap different cases from Disappeared and add a twist of humor.
Background
Bison Dele and Serena Karlan
Bison, Serena and Bertrand Saldo
Bison Dele was born Brian Williams, in Fresno, California. Bison was very athletic, he ran track and field, before going onto basketball. Bison was a very good basketball player, and his jersey is retired at Santa Monica Catholic High School, and he was the best player at the other high school he attended, Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
Bison played basketball at the University of Arizona, and was drafted into the NBA in 1991 by the Orlando Magic (2 seasons). Bison also played for the Denver Nuggets (2 seasons), LA Clippers (1 season), Chicago Bulls (9 games) and Detroit Pistons (2 seasons). He changed his name to honor his Native American heritage. He retired in 1999 at age 30. It’s rumored that he retired because he became tired of the lifestyle and had enough money to settle down.
There’s less information about Serena Karlan, but Serena was 30 years old and was from Berkley, California. She is described as being beautiful inside and out. Serena and Bison met through mutual friends, and immediately thought they were each other’s soulmates. Serena was in and out of jobs until 9/11 happened, she was in New York working for her friend’s real estate company. Bison called her to make sure she was okay, and then invited her to leave New York and sail with him.
Disappearance Timeline
July 6, 2002- Bison, Serena and the captain named Bertrand Saldo were to sail from Tahiti to Hawaii. Bison’s catamaran was named the ‘Hakuna Matata.’
Miles Daboard, who was Bison’s estranged brother joined them in hopes he and Bison could patch things up (aka ask for money because he was broke).
Miles (real named Kevin Williams)
July 7- The last phone call that was made from Serena and Bison was at 8pm, it was to Kevin Porter, who was Bison’s business manager. He said everything seemed fine, but the call dropped.
It was a few days after that call when Serena’s mom contacted Kevin, she hadn't heard from her daughter and worried. She knew that they were traveling, but said that Serena would contact her every few days. The police and FBI were called.
July 20- Miles showed up in Tahiti on the boat alone. The boat was repainted and renamed.
It’s unknown when this happened, but Kevin was looking into Bison and Serena’s bank accounts to see if they had used them. There was a lot of suspicious activity on Bison’s bank account, and a check was filled out for around $152,000 to buy gold coins. The signature said Brian Williams, but it was forged and eventually found out that it was forged by Miles. Kevin found out when he called the number on the check and recognized Miles’ voice.
The check that was forged by Miles
September 5- A sting operation was set up in Phoenix, Arizona to bring Miles in. Miles is arrested for forgery and is brought in for interrogation. He has Bison’s passport and credit cards on him. He said he was sent by Bison, and that Bison and Serena are in trouble, but alive. The DA let Miles ago, because they didn’t have evidence to hold him.
September 8- Miles’ girlfriend, Erica drove Miles to the Tijuana boarder. Erica then called the police and told them what Miles confessed to her. Miles said Bison killed Bertrand and Serena, and that he got into a fight with Bison and shot him. Miles than dumped their bodies overboard.
September 14- Miles is found unconscious. He overdosed on insulin. Miles is taken back to the U.S,. for awhile he’s in a coma and died on September 27th.
October 12- There is a memorial held for Bison and Miles, and Serena’s family has their own memorial in Berkley, California.
Other
The bodies of Bison, Serena and Bertrand have never been found.
It’s never been said but it seems that the motive was greed and jealousy. Miles was jealous of Bison’s success, and was also asking Bison for money. According to the show, Bison was estranged from his mother as well, and wouldn’t talk to his family unless they needed large amounts of money.
Bison in the NBA
FINAL THOUGHTS
This case is so tragic, and these people didn’t deserve to die. I say this after every case, but nobody deserve to be murdered. Miles was a piece of shit, and Bison was just hoping that they could patch up their relationship while Miles had ulterior motives. Serena and Bertrand were even more innocent victims, and just trying to enjoy their adventure. I hope one day, their bodies are found, but it doesn't look too promising.
ALSO, WATCH DISAPPEARED!!!
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bison_Dele
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/bison-dele-killed-by-brother-report-1.323223
