Exotic Dancer Murdered After Performance in Mayor's Mansion

0:00 My mom was a very popular stripper in the early 2000s, and as you can imagine, that industry meet a lot of powerful, rich, famous people. My mom ended up having an affair with the mayor of the city, who was married at the time. So yeah, things got messy and the mayor of Detroit's wife actually assaulted my mother. Instead of paying my mother hush money, the mayor decided to pay off cops in the city to murder my mother. Tamara Green burst onto the scene on a frosty night in May of 76 in the gritty city of Detroit, MI. Her mother, Brenda Green, toiled as a solo provider for her offspring in their underprivileged neighborhood on the rough east side of town.

0:55 Despite the hardships, young Tamara found solace and guidance and Pastor Ken Hampton at Grace Bible Chapel. But as she grew older and more aware of her family's struggles, Tamara dreamt of escaping their impoverished lifestyle. In high school, she became pregnant with her first child at just 16 years old. But she persevered and graduated in 1994, giving birth to another child a year later. Determined to break free from poverty, Tamara pursued a career in nursing but needed money in the meantime. That's when she turned to using her beauty to obtain material possessions, a path that would lead her down a dangerous Rd.

1:38 According to T Jackson, the father of Tamara's daughter, she fell into a life of drugs and fast money, running with notorious dealers and spending time in strip clubs. Little did she know this choice would ultimately cost her life. She saw the easy money and it tempted her. Welcome to No Tears for Black Girls, a true crime series created, written and produced by award-winning writer Jon Reedberg and hosted by Samantha Paul. With a naive disregard for her mother's warnings, Tamara entered the world of exotic dancing. She became known as Strawberry, a highly requested stripper in Detroit's most popular clubs. But as her fame and fortune grew, so did her clientele. Tamara's services were in high demand, from local drug dealers to city officials and politicians. Her boyfriend, Eric Biggie Mitchell, was a local drug dealer who had no qualms about her career. It has been rumored that one of Tamara's prominent clients was the Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox, who introduced her to a man who would change her life forever.

2:49 Kwame Kilpatrick. An up and coming politician with powerful parents and a promising future, Kwame rose quickly through the political ranks with his mother, vacating her seat in Congress to pave the way for his success. In 2001, he became a candidate for mayor of Detroit, facing off against former police officer Gil Hill. On New Year's Day 2002, Kwame Kilpatrick was sworn in as mayor, but little did anyone know the scandals and corruption that would soon be revealed During his time in office, as he made his mark on the city, delivering fervent speeches to the residents of Detroit and promising a brighter future as their mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick seemed destined for political greatness. He shared a similar trajectory with a young Barack Obama, both seen as rising stars in the Democratic Party. But in 2002, things took a dark turn when Kwame began a torrid affair with Tamara Green, an event that would go on to be one of the most notorious scandals in Detroit's history. It all started at the Minujian Mansion, a grand home that had served as the residence for mayors since the 1920s. Rumor has it that Kwame threw an extravagant party there to celebrate his new role as the city's youngest mayor, complete with drugs, alcohol and top ranking strippers. During the wild festivities, all eyes were on Kwame as he received a lap dance from his

4:21 favorite stripper, Strawberry, AKA Tamara Green. But suddenly, the front door burst open and in walked Kwame's wife, Carlita, who was supposed to be out of town at the time. Enraged by what she saw, Carlita attacked Tamara with a table leg or some other blunt object. Security had to intervene and escort Tamara out of the mansion. But according to former Detroit EMS Lieutenant Michael Kearns, things didn't end there. They received a call from a gas station where a woman claiming to be Tamara Green reported being attacked by the mayor's wife. As paramedics treated her injuries. She kept insisting that they couldn't get away with this and that justice would be served. Despite Kwame's attempts to keep the party under wraps, Secrets have a way of coming out in politics. The media started investigating reports of secret agreements and questionable activities as they delved into Kwame Kilpatrick's time as mayor of Detroit.

5:23 The controversy surrounding his notorious party was just one in a series of scandals during his corrupt leadership. But at first, all attention was on Tamara Green, a young woman who had attended these wild gatherings at the historical Manujian Mansion. Sandy Cardenas, a former police dispatcher, recalled receiving numerous calls one night in 2002 about a disturbance at the mansion. The responding officers were met with locked doors and no response from inside, despite hearing voices within. Yet somehow, Kwame remained untarnished in the public eye, painting himself as a devoted family man with a perfect image.

6:06 But those who were once close to him knew the truth. They saw the dark side of Kwame and feared that they might have to resort to murder to keep his secrets hidden. One such victim was police officer Harold Nelthrope, who worked on Kwami's security team but soon realized he needed to distance himself from the corruption. While Kwami played up his charm and charisma on national TV appearances, word spread throughout Detroit that he was acting more like a ruthless mob boss than a mayor. He used his power to extort money from local businesses and funnel taxpayer dollars into his lavish lifestyle, buying expensive cars, homes and trips for himself and his inner circle. Corruption ran unchecked under Kwame's rule. He controlled who received city contracts and made millions off of it.

6:57 In short, if you wanted anything done in Detroit during Kwame Kilpatrick's time as mayor, you had to pay him and pay him well. He became drunk with power, believing he was above the law and untouchable in his stronghold over the city. It wasn't until years later that the full extent of his criminal activities would come to light. Kwame was a powerful politician, but he had a problem that could bring down his entire empire. Tamara Green, an exotic dancer, demanded financial compensation for her traumatic experience at the Manujian mansion. She threatened to expose Kwame and others in his circle if he didn't pay up. But as she shared her story with family and friends, they warned her about playing a dangerous game. Rumors circulated that Tamara's baby girl, India, was fathered by none other than the mayor himself. As their relationship deteriorated, Tamara saw an opportunity to cash out on her situation with the powerful politician.

8:02 However, this decision would ultimately lead to Tamara's downfall. She began receiving ominous threats via phone calls from unknown numbers. Terrified for her life and no longer feeling safe in her own home, she sought refuge with different family and friends. Even the father of her child recalls being awoken multiple times by Tamara seeking a safe place to stay. Her pastor also received an urgent call from Tamara, expressing how terrified she was and desperately needing to meet with him. Despite his suggestion to involve the police, Tamara refused, claiming that those threatening her had control over law enforcement.

8:43 But even with all of this turmoil in her life, Tamara stayed focused on providing for her children. She opened up a boutique dedicated to exotic dancer attire and continued to make money through private parties with her boyfriend, Eric Biggie Mitchell, by her side. Little did she know, these ventures would ultimately lead to her tragic demise. In the spring of 2003, Tamara had a job working parties in Southfield, MI, but on this particular night at the Residence Inn Hotel, things took a dangerous turn. A short man with a dark past and violent tendencies set his sights on Tamara, and when she rejected him, he flew into a rage.

9:25 Her boyfriend, Eric Mitchell, came to her rescue, but it was too late. The police were called but no one was arrested and no report was filed. Tamara's ex-boyfriend, Ernest Flagg would later recall how she showed up at his door in the middle of the night, shaking with fear and claiming to have been followed by an ominous van. She confided in her mother about her fears and premonitions, but sadly they would come true on April 30th. Leaving work at a club in the early hours of the morning with Eric Mitchell, they pulled over to talk when a suspicious vehicle approached them. Before they knew what was happening, gunshots rang out and both were hit multiple times.

10:09 Eric survived, but Tamara was pronounced dead at the scene. Rumors began to spread about who could have been behind the vicious attack, but it became clear that Lil DA, notorious drug dealer with a long standing grudge against Eric Mitchell, was responsible for Tamara's death. They were locked in a bitter feud, each one determined to take down the other. And in a cruel twist of fate, the Red King finally got his chance to strike at his rival. But instead of killing him, he took the life of an innocent woman, Tamara Green. The murder seemed like a textbook case of Detroit St. violence gone too far and LED Detective Mike Carlisle was quick to point the finger at the Red King. With evidence from an informant who claimed the shooter had confessed during their time in prison, and testimony from witnesses who saw a white Chevy Trailblazer matching the description of the Red King's girlfriend's car at the scene of the crime, it seemed like an open and shut case. But despite all this, Derek King was never charged with Tamara's murder.

11:16 As Detective Carlisle continued to pursue the Red King on other charges, Derek maintained his innocence and even passed a lie detector test proclaiming it. Meanwhile, Sergeant Marianne Stevenson took over the investigation and began uncovering new evidence that pointed towards a larger conspiracy involving high-ranking officials in the city. But as she reported her findings to her superiors, things only seem to get more complicated and suspicious. When she went to review the homicide file on Tamara Green's case, she discovered key pieces of evidence were missing, including a videotape that showed Mayor Kilpatrick's personal protection unit and Detroit police officers attending Tamara's funeral.

12:01 Despite denying any knowledge of her or involvement in her death, it became clear that there was more at play here than just a simple St. Beef turned deadly, and as Sergeant Stevenson delved deeper into the case, she realized she might be up against powerful forces that wanted to keep the truth buried. Sergeant Stevenson's accusations fell on deaf ears as she was abruptly reassigned to Precinct 9, known for housing officers who had fallen out of favor. Her superior, Lieutenant Jackson, suffered the same fate and was sent to a different precinct. In their place came Lieutenant Alvin Bowman, who took command of Squad 8 Homicide Unit with gusto.

12:45 He too would be met with resistance from those in power, but it only fueled his determination to solve the Tamara Green case. Despite subtle warnings from superiors not to dig too deep, Lieutenant Bowman persevered and unearthed new evidence surrounding Tamara's death. The local news caught wind of the story and it gained momentum, prompting the Michigan State Police to get involved in a meeting on March 9th, 2004 with the commander of his unit present. Lieutenant Bowman shared his findings, including evidence that pointed to the Manujian Mansion party being real and another stripper who had been murdered in similar circumstances in Georgia.

13:27 Text messages between Kwame Kilpatrick and his Executive Protection Unit on the night of Tamara's murder were brought to light, along with information about the bullets used being linked to the Detroit Police Department. But just one day later, Lieutenant Bowman was relieved of his duties by those in power who saw him as a threat. The Michigan State Police's investigation into the case was also shut down by Attorney General Mike Cox at the behest of Mayor Kilpatrick. It was eventually transferred to a cold case homicide unit led by Sergeant Odell Gabo, but he too faced pushback and was unable to solve the Tamara Green puzzle. The year was 2005 and the city of Detroit was embroiled in a scandal involving its mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick.

14:15 A former police officer, Lieutenant Alvin Bowman had come forward with accusations of corruption and a cover up in the investigation of Tamara Green's murder. As if that wasn't enough, the family of Tamara Green had also filed a massive lawsuit against the city and the mayor himself, seeking justice for their loved one's death. Meanwhile, the mayor's political career was on shaky ground as he faced numerous allegations of cheating and low approval ratings. Despite this, he managed to win re election in November of 2005, but not without controversy and accusations of voter fraud. But this was just the beginning of Kilpatrick's troubles. A civil lawsuit had been filed by two former members of his executive protection unit, alleging that their careers were ruined because Kilpatrick wanted to hide his extramarital affairs and other illegal activities.

15:13 As investigations continued into his administration's corruption, it became clear that Kilpatrick's second term would be just as tumultuous as his first. And as more secrets came to light, it seemed like there was no escaping the shadow of his past actions. In 2007, a scandal rocked the city of Detroit. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his chief of staff Christine Beatty were awarded millions in damages, but it would ultimately cost them their careers and reputations. The scandal began when it was revealed that the mayor and Beatty had lied underoath about their relationship. Text messages between the two were made public, leading to an investigation and criminal charges.

15:57 Kilpatrick was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice and sentenced to four months in jail. The pressure for him to resign grew, with even members of the Detroit City Council calling for his resignation. But Kilpatrick refused to step down, even as more damning revelations came to light. He was accused of assaulting a Wayne County sheriff officer who attempted to serve him with a subpoena and behaving like a mob boss rather than a mayor. As his political career crumbled, Kilpatrick gave a defiant State of the City address on TV, declaring that he wasn't going anywhere. But eventually, Governor Jennifer Granholm became involved and worked to force him out of office. Meanwhile, Tamara Green's family continued to seek justice for her death.

16:48 Their lawyer claimed to have evidence that Kilpatrick ordered her murder and covered it up. Later, in late 2011, Judge Gerald Rosen ruled in favor of the city and all accusations against Kilpatrick were dropped. Despite being found innocent, both Kilpatrick and Beatty's reputations were tarnished forever, and the pain caused by their actions would never be forgotten by those affected. The case of Tamara Green had finally received some semblance of justice in 2013, albeit indirectly. The former mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, who was forced to resign in 2008 amid scandal and corruption, found himself entangled in a web of legal woes. Following numerous violations of his federal probation, he was hit with an additional Rico charge and sentenced to 28 years in prison.

17:39 His downfall from a promising politician to an inmate was highly publicized, and even his once successful wife left him while he served time behind bars. But as the years passed, Kilpatrick's situation took a turn for the unexpected when he received a pardon from President Donald Trump thanks to lobbying from none other than celebrity socialite Kim Kardashian. And as if that wasn't enough of an insult to the family of Tamara Green, their hopes for justice were slowly fading as all appeal options ran out. Even offering a $100,000 reward for information on Greene's death proved futile. After his release from prison, Kilpatrick started a nonprofit organization and began preaching as an ordained minister. But the shadow of his past crime still loomed over him, and even after over 2 decades have passed since Greene's mysterious death at the infamous Mnujian Mansion party, her daughter Ashley Jackson has taken to social media to share her story and demand answers.

18:45 With greed, lust, money and murder at its core, this case continues to captivate the public's attention and could easily be the plot of a Hollywood movie. As the dust settled from the scandal ridden Minujian Mansion incident, whispers of a deeper connection between Tamara Green and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick began to surface. Rumors swirled that Tamara had secretly given birth to the mayor's child, threatening to destroy his carefully crafted image as a family man. And when Tamara was brutally murdered in a drive by shooting, many suspected it was not just a random act of violence, but rather a targeted hit orchestrated by the powerful politician.

19:30 But for Tamara's daughter, Ashley, the truth behind her mother's death would remain elusive. She lived with the constant reminder of her loss, bombarded by media attention and false promises from journalists eager for a story. While her siblings were dispersed amongst different relatives after their mother's passing, Ashley struggled to make ends meet and cope with the knowledge that her life could have been so much different if her mother were still alive. The circumstances surrounding Tamara's death are shrouded in mystery, with various theories circulating throughout Detroit. Some point to the infamous party at the Minujian mansion as a possible motive.

20:12 While others believe it was related to the ongoing feud between Eric Mitchell and the Red King Gang. There is even speculation that Tamara's ex-boyfriend may have played a role, especially after he disappeared with an expensive BMW that Tamara helped him purchase. But one thing is certain, Tamara Green was a young woman caught up in dangerous circles, pursuing wealth and happiness for her family, and in the end, it cost her everything. The case remains unsolved, leaving behind grieving loved ones and a city haunted by yet another senseless tragedy. Rest in peace, Queen Tamara Green, gone too soon at just 27 years old. Thank you for listening to No Tears for Black Girls. Please download the Alive Podcast app and follow us on all major podcast platforms to stay updated with our latest content. If there is a topic or true crime case that you would like us to cover, please send us an e-mail at No Tears for blackgirls@gmail.com or visit our website No Tears for blackgirls.com and leave us a voice message through our contact page.

21:26 And always remember, stay loved, stay blessed and be safe.