“A Promise to Gloria”: Dateline Reports on Gloria Pointer Homicide May 18 2025

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/9:00 PM CT, Dateline NBC presents a powerful new episode titled “A Promise to Gloria.” The episode chronicles the decades-long fight for justice by Yvonne Pointer, the mother of 14-year-old Gloria Pointer, who was brutally assaulted and murdered on her way to school in Cleveland, Ohio in 1984. With reporting by Andrea Canning, Dateline explores how advancements in forensic science and one mother’s relentless pursuit helped bring a long-cold case to resolution.

Through firsthand interviews with Yvonne Pointer, detectives, and those close to the case, this episode provides a detailed and respectful look into the heartache, determination, and eventual breakthrough that led to the identification and arrest of Gloria’s killer nearly 30 years after her death.

The Morning of the Crime

On the morning of December 6, 1984, Gloria Pointer was heading to school in anticipation of receiving a perfect attendance award. Known for her positive spirit, Gloria was a popular student, a cheerleader, and a daughter admired by teachers and classmates alike. That morning, she called her best friend to borrow a comb and planned to stop by on the way to school.

Gloria was last seen by her mother and stepfather walking through a commonly used shortcut called “the cut.” Her mother, Yvonne, called out to her, expressing concern about the route, but Gloria continued on. Several witnesses, including a classmate and a teacher, later reported seeing her with a man dressed in heavy clothing. Gloria never made it to school. When her name was called during the award ceremony and she didn’t respond, the school contacted her family.

The Discovery and the Devastation

Police were already investigating a suspicious scene behind an apartment building near Gloria’s school. They discovered her body at the foot of a basement staircase. Gloria had been sexually assaulted and beaten to death. Her backpack and school ID lay beside her.

Detectives Jack Bornfeld and Janice Abernathy were among the first to arrive. The brutality of the crime and the age of the victim deeply affected all involved. When the news reached Yvonne, she collapsed in shock. Later, at the funeral home, she viewed her daughter’s body and made a solemn promise: she would not stop until the person responsible was found.

Initial Investigative Efforts

In the immediate aftermath, police pursued all possible leads. Gloria’s stepfather and school boyfriend were cleared early. Another suspect was a neighbor who behaved inappropriately at Gloria’s wake, but detectives found no incriminating evidence.

At the time, multiple murders involving 14-year-old girls had occurred in Cleveland. One suspect, Romell Broom, was arrested for another nearby assault on the same day as Gloria’s murder. He was later convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Tryna Middleton, but he was never connected to Gloria’s case through physical evidence.

A Mother’s Relentless Advocacy

Yvonne Pointer refused to let her daughter’s case fade from memory. Over the years, she wrote to convicted criminals, including Broom, seeking answers. She remained in contact with police, met every new police chief, and became an anti-crime advocate. She established a midnight basketball program to keep teens safe and gave motivational talks, becoming a surrogate mother figure for at-risk youth.

Despite the passage of time, she maintained pressure on investigators and prosecutors. With the establishment of a cold case unit in the Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s Office, Gloria’s case received renewed attention. Technological advances allowed forensic scientists to develop a DNA profile from the evidence collected at the crime scene. However, no matches were initially found in national databases.

Breakthrough Through DNA

In 2013, nearly three decades after the murder, Gloria’s case finally saw a breakthrough. The killer’s DNA profile matched that of 58-year-old Hernandez Warren, a convicted rapist who had served 16 years for a separate crime. At the time of Gloria’s death, Warren was 29 years old and living in Cleveland.

Warren initially denied involvement, but during police questioning, he viewed images of Gloria and confessed. He admitted to grabbing her as she walked, dragging her to the basement where her body was later discovered, and assaulting and murdering her. His statement confirmed details that only someone directly involved would know.

Justice and the Aftermath

Hernandez Warren was arrested and later pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and rape. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. While the sentence could not undo the loss, it brought long-awaited justice to the Pointer family and validated the years of perseverance by Gloria’s mother.

For Yvonne, her daughter’s tragic death became a catalyst for change. She used her grief to empower others, becoming an advocate, mentor, and national speaker. She also founded the Gloria Pointer Foundation, which supports young people through scholarships, education, and outreach programs. Yvonne’s journey is now recognized not just as a mother’s mission but as a public legacy of resilience and service.

Conclusion

A Promise to Gloria is not only a documentary about a crime—it is a testament to the enduring power of a mother’s love and the advances in forensic science that can bring justice, even after decades. Dateline NBC’s coverage highlights how determination, both personal and professional, can eventually lead to truth and closure.

This episode serves as a reminder that every victim matters and that time does not erase the need for justice. Viewers are encouraged to watch this moving installment of Dateline NBC to witness the fulfillment of a promise that was never forgotten.