Family: Cult 'brainwashed' mom in death case

Investigators went to an address they were given by the first caller but found it was vacant, Donald said. She said they weren't able to follow up because the caller would not leave his name or contact information.

There was no documentation of calls from Khadan-Newton, Donald said.

"It's a tragic, tragic situation and we responded with the information that we had in a responsive way and unfortunately it didn't change the outcome," she said.

Meanwhile, after cult members abandoned hope of Javon's resurrection, they switched to Plan B, police say. Antoinette burned Javon's clothing and mattress and put his body in a green suitcase. She stuffed the suitcase with mothballs and fabric softener sheets, and opened it occasionally to spray disinfectant inside.

In early 2007, cult members stored the suitcase behind a home in Philadelphia and relocated to New York City, according to police, who found the suitcase more than a year later, the body still inside.

Not knowing her grandson was dead, Khadan-Newton traveled in February 2008 to the Brooklyn apartment where the group was staying, and spoke to her daughter through an intercom. Ramkissoon called her by her first name, instead of Mom, Khadan-Newton said, and there were long pauses after Khadan-Newton asked questions about Javon's whereabouts.

A different daughter
"She said, 'My son is fine,'" Khadan-Newton said. "They (were) coaching her and telling her what to say."

In part because of Khadan-Newton's contact with a social worker in New York, authorities there tracked down Antoinette and two other cult members wanted in a separate case: Trevia Williams, 21, and Marcus A. Cobbs, 21. They were later charged in Javon's death. Ramkissoon returned to Baltimore and was living in a homeless shelter when she was arrested. A fifth person charged in the case, Steven Bynum, 42, is being sought in New York.

Ramkissoon called her mother last Sunday from the city jail. At first, Khadan-Newton didn't realize that she was speaking to her daughter — a conversation that reinforced her belief that Ramkissoon remains under the group's control.

"She sounded empty, like an empty shell. There was no emotion," Khadan-Newton said. "I was shocked. I didn't even recognize her voice. ... It's not the same person."

More from msnbc.com Chinese city goes from riots to a beauty contest Some 911 centers can’t keep tabs on cell phones  Why we -- and everyone else -- missed the bust  Top secret: The CIA wants to hire you Recession makes it easier to catch scammers

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Motive probed in slaying of Fla. couple Chicago mayor's bodyguard captures escapee Man shot dead in scuffle with NYC cop Jackson: Cemetery investigation should expand FBI: Alamo's followers sell suspect goods Dead woman found in building duct was killed Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: