The Murder of Kiera Bergman
I just watched an episode of Still a Mystery on ID about this case, it’s the second part of the episode. It’s Season 2, Episode 5 titled ‘Young Love Gone Wrong.’ This case is still technically unsolved because no one has been charged with Kiera’s death, but they do know who was responsible for her death. Kiera’s family is very sure that this person is the only one who would have killed her. I hope they get justice soon.
Background
Kiera was a 19 year old from El Cajon, California. After high school, Kiera got a grant to attend Cosmetology school, and according to her family and friends that was her passion. However, in November 2017 Kiera met Jon Clark, who was 22 years old.
Kiera
Timeline
In March 2018, Kiera dropped out of school and moved to Glendale, Arizona with Jon. Jon was originally from the Phoenix area, and wanted to return home. Jon and Kiera had gotten a place together but broke up 2 weeks after they moved together.
Kiera moved in with a friend from high school named Destiny Hall-Chand. Kiera’s family were very nervous for Kiera to be so far away from home, and her mother Kiersten even said that she was concerned that something would happen to her daughter.
Kiersten’s fear came true, on August 6th, Destiny called her and said Kiera was missing. She said she didn't show up for work, which was unlike her. Destiny filled out a missing persons report at the police station.
Destiny said on August 4th, she received a strange text from Kiera saying she broke up with Jon, and met a new guy and was leaving with him. Destiny, and Kiera’s parents said that she would not text that much, and that she didn't type with abbreviations.
The police interviewed Kiera’s boyfriend Jon Clark, and he said he was with her the night she went missing. Jon said he picked Kiera up from work at 10:36am, because she wasn’t feeling well. He said once they got back to the apartment they started arguing. He said he wanted to move to Texas and apparently they upset her, and she left.
The police obtained a search warrant for Jon’s car. They found 24 California drivers license that didn't belong to Jon. Jon was arrested the same day on August 17th, and was charged with 22 counts aggravated identity theft and 2 counts of forgery. On August 15th, 2 days before Jon was arrested he spoke with the media, and said he wouldn’t hurt Kiera, and he was just trying to get her to celebrate with him because it was his birthday on August 4th. He also posted on Instagram and in his post he said:
Jon Clark mug shot
““I love Kiera with all my heart and would never do anything negative to her or put her in harm’s way.” ”
He also told his followers that he was open and helping the police. Kiera’s parents said on the episode that Jon cared more about his birthday than he did about Kiera and that she was missing. I agree, because in the media video he has no emotions whatsoever.
On September 3rd, 2018 a cyclist found human remains that were decomposed on a isolated road in Buckeye, Arizona, 50 miles outside of Glendale. The remains were identified as Kiera Bergman. The cause of death was undetermined because of the decomposition, but it was being looked at as a homicide.
Road where Kiera was found in Buckeye, AZ
The police immediately brought Jon in for questioning, and he said he knew the area where Kiera’s remains were found. Once the police told him that her remains were found, he asked for a lawyer.
On September 11th, 2018, Jon was charged with Kiera’s murder. Destiny came forward and said that Jon abused Kiera many times, and a few times she saw bruises on Kiera. Destiny also said Jon was very controlling, and wouldn’t let Kiera go to the grocery store by herself.
Destiny and Kiera’s neighbors also told Kiera’s family that they saw Jon and another man carrying garbage bags out and loading them into Jon and Kiera’s cars, and that they made many trips. The police also looked into Jon and Kiera’s cell phone records, and discovered that on the day Destiny received that message from Kiera, Jon and Kiera’s phones pinged from the apartment, meaning Jon was most likely the one who sent the message.
On September 14th, 2018, Jon is indicted for 2nd degree murder. Sadly, the case was thrown out.
On May 14th, 2019, Jon is indicted again, but in April 2020, another judge dismisses the case. The judge dropped the case because he learned that prosecutors didn't share information provided by anonymous witnesses with Jon’s defense team. The judge also ruled that both investigators and prosecutors didn’t follow up on tips from people who claim that Kiera was alive past August 4th, 2018.
Other
Kiera’s family now help victims of domestic violence.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This timeline is all over the place, so I have highlighted them. I would recommend watching the episode of Still a Mystery, and watching other episodes because I haven’t heard of most the cases covered.
I truly hope one day Jon is charged with Kiera’s murder, and maybe the man who was helping Jon. Kiera and her family deserve justice.
Sources
https://www.truecasefiles.com/2020/04/the-disappearance-and-murder-of-kiera.html
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/kiera-bergman-missing-teen-foul-play
https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2018/08/17/boyfriend-missing-phoenix-teen-kiera-bergman-speaks/1004769002/ - This link is of Jon’s media interview, I couldn’t find a YouTube link.
