ATLANTA — Nearly two and a half years after the disappearance of a 24-year-old woman, the third suspect in the case appeared in court Wednesday.
Steven Oboite, charged alongside two others in connection with Allahnia Lenoir's presumed death, attended a case management hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse — a procedural step Lenoir's family hopes will bring them closer to justice.
Jannette Jackson, Lenoir’s mother, has spent the last 843 days navigating an emotional and legal battle, attending over 20 hearings for the three suspects charged. After Wednesday's hearing, Jackson shared her ongoing struggle, describing each court date as a painful reminder of her loss.
“It’s hard. It doesn’t get easier with time,” Jackson said, her voice heavy with emotion. “I’m concerned about how long this process is taking, but I’m prepared to see it through.”
Lenoir was last seen on July 30, 2022, at a Midtown Atlanta apartment complex. According to police, she arrived with a friend but vanished without a trace. Months later, authorities declared her deceased despite her body never being found.
Oboite, along with co-defendants Diante Reynolds and Nicholas Hendrickson, face charges in the case. None of the suspects have gone to trial yet, and delays have weighed heavily on Lenoir’s family.
For Jackson, the hardest part of her daughter’s absence has been confronting the milestones Lenoir will never experience.
“Every holiday and every day is challenging,” she said. “Her birthday is coming up on December 6. I still try to commemorate it, but it’s a reminder of what she won’t get to celebrate.”
Oboite’s legal representation included Brian Steel, a high-profile attorney who previously represented Jeffery Williams, known as rapper Young Thug, in the YSL trial. Oboite's next court appearance is scheduled for next month.
As the case continues to unfold, Jackson remains hopeful that the trials will begin soon, offering her family a path toward closure.
“I believe in the power of prayer,” Jackson said. “That’s what keeps me going.”