125: Vanished in Wyoming: The Irene Gakwa Case

In February 2022, 32-year-old Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette, Wyoming. A nursing student who had moved from Kenya to pursue her dreams, Irene was deeply connected to her family—speaking with them almost every day. Then the calls suddenly stopped.

Strange text messages appeared, written in a way that didn’t sound like her. Her accounts were deleted. Her phone was deactivated. She was never heard from again.

Investigators believe Irene may have been taken to a remote area, but searches have brought no answers. A 55-gallon burn barrel, a gray Subaru Crosstrek, and a fiancé with disturbing actions are at the center of this unsolved case. Irene’s family continues to fight for justice and to keep her story alive.

If you have information about the disappearance of Irene Gakwa, contact the Gillette Police Department.


📍 Gillette, Wyoming | February 2022

📖 Featuring an original poem written in her honor, read by Kim Roberts.

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More About Kim Roberts: Kim Roberts is an internationally known Canadian actor with over 200 film, television, theatre and voice credits.

Most recently seen as “Nancy” in All The Lost Ones, you have also enjoyed Kim as “Ms. Patty“ in Alert: Missing Persons Unit, “Maggie”, in Workin’ Moms, “Alice” in The Changeling and “Nina Fields” in The Good Doctor.
Kim’s most memorable roles include “Marnie” in Schitts Creek, ”Christine” in The Handmaid’s Tale,,“Greta” in “The Sinner”, “Neeva” in The Strain, “Mazz” in The Doodlebops, “Deborah” in SAW III and SAW IV, “Mrs. Bosco” in The Cheetah Girls and her continuing role as “Mayor Goodway” in Paw Patrol , Paw Patrol the Movie, Paw Patrol the Mighty Movie and A Paw Patrol Christmas.

Kim is a pioneer in her industry. Not only has she represented Canada on domestic and international screens for the past 35 years, she is one of the first to have paved the way for artists of colour right here at home. Kim was the first Black Woman to speak in a nationally televised Canadian commercial. The spot was for Benalyn cough syrup. She is one of the co-founders of Obsidian Theatre, Canada’s most prominent Black and Diverse theatre company. And she has remained a mentor to emerging actors throughout her career.

Kim has worked alongside the best in the business, from producers and directors like Stephen Spielberg, Zack Snyder, Maya Angelou, Sydney Lumet and Atom Egoyen to actors and musicians like Drake, Robin Williams, Jackie Chan,, Mariah Carey, Lakeith Stanfield, Lindsay Lohan, Bill Pullman, Jeffrey Wight and Helen Mirren.

In 2024, Kim was invited to join The Stratford Festival Theatre as a lead performer in the world premiere of “Get That Hope”. Kim’s stellar performance as Margaret Whyte received numerous accolades, and is still being lauded by theatre-goers to this day.

Upcoming roles for Kim include playing “Theresa” in THE SNAKE. Shot on Prince Edward Island and set to debut at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival.

You can follow Kim on:
Instagram: @mskimroberts
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Facebook @kimrobertspage
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LinkedIn: Kim Roberts