Suzanne Marie Sevakis (September 9, 1969 - April 30, 1990) was a young woman who was kidnapped at four by her mother's third husband, Franklin Floyd. He also took her two sisters and month-old baby brother, Phillip Brandenburg. The sisters were left at a children's home, and Phillip was located alive after a DNA test confirmed his identity in 2020. Floyd later raised her and eventually married her. Suzanne's son, Michael Hughes remains missing since 1994. Floyd was also convicted of the murder of Cheryl Commesso. He died awaiting execution in January 2023, at the age of 79.
Sevakis was known by various aliases throughout her life, including Tonya Hughes, Sharon Marshall, Tonya Tadlock, and Suzanne Davis.
Abduction[]
Franklin Delano Floyd married Suzanne's mother sometime in 1975, and they eventually moved from North Carolina to Texas. Suzanne's mother received a 30-day prison sentence for passing a bad check.
When Suzanne's mother was released, two of the children were placed in foster care, but Suzanne and her brother, Phillip Steven Brandenburg, were missing, presumably abducted by Frank Floyd.
Suzanne's mother attempted to file a missing persons report, but was denied due to the fact that "Brandon Williams," (an alias used by Floyd) had rights to take the children as their stepfather. Suzanne's brother was located alive in 2020, confirmed by DNA.
Life[]
Investigators found sexually explicit photos of Suzanne in Floyd's pickup truck, which has led them to believe Suzanne was sexually abused by Frank. There were also photos of another female child who was sexually exploited, as well as 16 other photos of an adult female tied up and beaten to death, later identified as victim Cheryl Commesso. Suzanne used many aliases throughout her life, such as "Suzanne Davis", "Sharon Marshall", "Tonya Tadlock", and "Tonya Hughes."
Suzanne moved throughout multiple places around the United States with Floyd, including Georgia, Arizona, and Oklahoma. She attended three different high schools in her life, from Arizona to Georgia. Suzanne was accepted into the Georgia Institute of Technology, with a full scholarship, to study engineering. After becoming pregnant for a third and final time, it was decided by Floyd that she would no longer pursue post-secondary education. Her daughter would later be adopted out.
Floyd and Suzanne got married in 1989, and their wedding took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. They both used fake names "Tonya Dawn Tadlock," and "Clarence Marcus Hughes." Floyd always claimed to be her biological father, but DNA tests revealed they were not related.
Death[]
In April 1990, Suzanne's co-worker from a strip club told her she should leave Floyd to avoid her death, and run off with her child. At the time, Suzanne had a secret relationship with Kevin Brown, who was the father of her son, Michael Hughes. The two eventually ran away with Michael.
Later that month, three people found Suzanne's body lying on the side of the highway, outside of Oklahoma City. There was a large hematoma at the base of her skull. Groceries were scattered around her which led authorities to believe she was grocery shopping, and then pushed when she was attempting to get to the Motel 6. The authorities investigating only surmised that it was a hit and run, but it was never confirmed. Floyd is the prime suspect in the death of Suzanne.
Identification[]
Suzanne was positively identified in 2014 through DNA analysis. Kevin Brown stated he would take custody of Michael if he was found alive. Currently, it is believed Michael Hughes is deceased, and was murdered by Frank Floyd, whose statements indicated the child’s remains could have been destroyed by scavenging animals after the body dump and/or burial took place.
Floyd died in early 2023 of natural causes before his death sentence could be carried out.
Gallery[]
Media[]
- The book A Beautiful Child: A True Story of Hope, Horror, and an Enduring Human Spirit was published in 2004, documenting the then-unsolved case.
- Finding Sharon, published in 2018, served as the sequel.
- Unsolved Mysteries aired a segment on Floyd, Sevakis, and Hughes in 1995; less than two years later, the suspect was formally charged of murdering Cheryl Commesso.
- Cold Case Files detailed the case during by their initial run.
- Secrets of the Morgue included the case on the episode “Dance with the Devil,” primarily detailing the murder of Commesso.
- Netflix's Girl in the Picture detailed the case, including interviews with her biological parents and daughter.