FindCarrie - AGH - Missing & Murdered Person Blog

Is it finally enough to make an arrest?

2008-02-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

Since Natalee Holloway vanished in May of 2005 while on her senior trip, there have been always been one trail leading back to one person, and that being Joran Van Der Sloot. Joran Van Der Sloot was the last person seen with Natalee leaving a popular nightclub (Carlos N Charlies) in Aruba the night she disappeared. Since the beginning Joran has given unclear statements as to what really happened that night.

Just last month (Jan 2008), the Aruban government announced that they had rearrested Joran Van Der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers, only to let them go once again. Shortly after this last arrest, authorities in Aruba suddenly said they were dropping all charges against the Kalpoe brothers and Joran and that the investigation into Natalee's disappearance was closed. It seemed that the investigation had hit a brick wall and Natalee may never be found until this Dutch reporter came forward last week.

I'll be the first to admit that when this report first came out I thought we probably have another person claiming to have information and it won't be valid, just like all the other times, until I saw this new video that's airing today.

What I want to know is now that we clearly have Joran Van Der Sloot talking matter of factly about Natalee and how she might have been dead when he called for someone help dispose of her body, is this enough proof of what we knew all along? From what I can see this is not a paid actor and Joran Van Der Sloot shows no remorse for what happened. So much so, that Van Der Sloot called Natalee Holloway a "bitch" and he has not lost any sleep over this incident!

What has happened to Natalee Holloway is horrible and the fact is that she may never be located at the point, HOWEVER, this person can be held accountable for disposing of her body and repeadly lieing to everyone.

I've been totally apalled at how the Aruban government has not taken Natalee's case serious and how they've let these three young men go free from a crime that they obviously were involved in.

I believe that maybe now that since this video has surfaced that there will be no place to run and hide for Joran Van Der Sloot. Maybe justice is on the horizon for Natalee.

let us always remember the victim in all the darkness.

Natalee Holloway - Missing Since May 2005

Justice for Meredith Emerson?

2008-02-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday afternoon Gary Michael Hilton entered a plea of "guilty" for the abduction and muder of Meredith Emerson who vanished while hiking in Blairsville, GA. Less than one month after Meredith was murdered, her killer stood before a judge for formal sentencing for his crime. As part of Hilton's deal, the death penalty was taken OFF the table because he agreed to lead authorities to Meredith's body after he was taken into custody. Suprisingly Meredith Emerson's family was okay with the fact Hilton was going to plead guilty and receive life in prison, rather than the death penalty because they felt that they may not live to see his death take place. After all, many people say that life in prison is much worse than the death penalty - which I firmly disagree with.
As Meredith's mom and dad addressed the court and Gary Hilton on Thursday, he sat there looking straight ahead motionless and unmoved by their grief.
While I am glad that this monster has been captured and taken off the streets, I am disturbed by the game he is playing with police and how he's managed to escape paying for taking one person's life with his own.
Gary Hilton is the prime suspect in two other missing person cases and one confirmed homicide. He is a predator and the game he is playing is very simple. He is refusing to work with authorities to reveal the location of those possible victims OR give them any information that could help them unless they agree to go easy on him - just like he did with the Emerson case. Many people might think that I am wrong for thinking he should be given the death penalty but he has admitted to murdering Meredith Emerson and detailed his crime to authorities. Since he's confirmed he's guilty, why can't he be punished like he punished his innocent victim? He will now not have to rob people to get money, live out if his van, or do any of these other hard living tactics he once did. He will now be fed three meals a day, given free medical care and housing all at the tax payers expense.
I do not believe that Meredith Emerson was the first victim of Gary Hilton. I believe there are others. What worries me is that how many others will be unsolved and furthermore, once it is confirmed that he is involved, will he be given more special deals?
I have thought about where we'd be at in this investigation or search for Meredith had the police not worked this deal with him. It is just unacceptable for someone to be out there missing. I think about if the police had not given Hilton a deal or did the deal and found Meredith like they did, I think it's very difficult to not say I'd want to bring her home at all cost. I guess I'm just selfish. I want him to pay in the most harsh way and I want her back home where she belongs. I guess we can't always get what we want, and there is never a happy ending to these types of situations.
I just hope that at this point the authorities are able to charge Hilton with some of these other cases, and bring home those who are still missing. Perhaps the one case that is a unsolved homicide that they believe he's linked to, be the one that gives him the death penalty? I think Gary Hilton needs to die and I think I know where I'd like him to go once he dies.

Let us remember the victim always in all the darkness - Pictured left - Meredith Emerson and her dog Ella.

Related Article:

Hiker fought Hilton until death'I would like to think she was doing everything she could,' DA says

By JEREMY REDMONThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 01/31/08

Meredith Emerson, who had a green belt in judo, put up such a fight against Gary Michael Hilton that he dropped his police-style baton while trying to kidnap her in the mountains of North Georgia on New Year's Day.
A diminutive but scrappy woman who stood 5-foot-4, Emerson continued to resist Hilton during the next three days, repeatedly giving the 61-year-old drifter incorrect pass codes for her ATM cards.

not just to save herself, but to help authorities apprehend her captor.
"It is unclear, [but] I would like to think she was doing everything she could to ensure that he would perhaps get caught during his efforts to use the ATMs," Dawson County District Attorney Lee Darragh said.
Hilton was arrested on Jan. 4, and later led authorities to Emerson's body. Darragh described Emerson's three-day ordeal in court Thursday moments before Judge Bonnie Oliver accepted Hilton's guilty plea to murder and sentenced him to life in prison.
With Emerson's parents watching from the second row, Darragh gave the following account, which was drawn from authorities' interviews with Hilton, and confirmed by his public defender, Rob McNeill.
Emerson was not the first hiker Hilton approached on a trail on Jan. 1. He considered another potential victim, but "she was with other people."
Emerson became his focus for two reasons: She was alone on Blood Mountain, and she was female.
He wanted her money. And he knew that he would eventually kill her.
Witnesses had reported spotting Hilton following Emerson in the mountains that day.
One witness, a former law enforcement officer, said he saw Hilton carrying a police-style baton and a large knife on his belt. That witness later found two water bottles, a dog leash and some dog treats along with the baton on the edge of a hiking trail.
"There was in fact a struggle at that location between Ms. Emerson and this defendant," Darragh told the judge as Hilton sat to his left, wearing a dark bulletproof vest over his orange jail uniform and staring straight ahead. "This defendant, however, was able to place her under his control eventually."
Hilton took Emerson back to her car, where he stole her purse and ATM cards. Then he placed her in his van and drove her around to various locations in North Georgia, seeking to get money out of ATMs with her cards. She kept giving him incorrect PIN numbers.
He never was able to withdraw any money from Emerson's account. He was videotaped trying to do so at an ATM machine in Canton.
On Jan. 3, Hilton called a former employer, seeking some money and his old job back. The next day, Hilton told Emerson he was going to let her go.
He "secured" her in Dawson Forest, went to his van and returned with the handle of a car jack. He struck her on the head several times until she died. In hopes to conceal his crime after beating her to death, he decapitated her.
"He used the phrase that he did those things for 'forensic purposes,'" Darragh said.
Hilton was given an opportunity to address the court after his guilty plea but refused. When the hearing ended, sheriff's deputies led Hilton to a side exit, where he appeared to frantically reach for the door handle.
McNeill, his attorney, said Hilton is remorseful but decided not to address Emerson's parents in court because "anything he could say would be hollow and empty."
"He realizes what he has done to the family," McNeill said. "He realizes what a special person Meredith was."
She "actually did fight him in the beginning until she was unable to anymore," Darragh told reporters after the court hearing.
Added McNeill: "She was absolutely a hero. She did everything she possibly could" to survive.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/01/31/threedays_0201.html

Hiker's parents blast her killer

Murdered Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach

2008-01-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

In the last week, the media has splashed the horrific seen of Lance Cpl Maria Lauterbach's body been removed from a shallow grave in what would later be identified as her accused rapist and now accused killer's backyard.

Although, Cpl. Cesar Laurean left behind a note stating that Maria Lauterbach somehow slit her own throat before he burned her body on or about Christmas Eve (December 24, 2007), and then buried it in his backyard along with her unborn fetus. Maria case has two troubling factors and while we are discussing this case on every news network, I will add my two cents worth here on this victim's blog.

The first problem with Maria's case was that when she was first discovered missing, her case was not taken that seriously due to the fact of some ATM withdrawls and other activity that led the North Carolina PD to believe that she possibly left on her own accord. Secondly, Maria's prior rape allegations against Cesar Laurean - who is now a fugitive (I belive I forgot to mention that above) was not known to the NCPD due to the fact this situation was handled by the military police which would also cause another delay. Where did we go wrong? Whose fault is this and could this crime have been prevented? Truthfully, I don't think so, and here's why.

Maria Lauterbach continued to work alongside Cesar Laurean after the rape occurred and probably because she had to. She probably had NO idea what he had in store for her. What I'm saying is that I don't think this situation was taken as serious as it probably was. I'm making this assumption from reports from her family and friends.

The next problem we have is that Cesar Laurean planned to murder Maria from the reports and camera shots of him buying these materials that would be used in disposing of a body. He is now on the run and authorities fear he is already in Mexico. Does this mean once he is captured, he will not be extradicted back to the United States if North Carolina decides to pursue the death penalty - as they should.

His capture could take forever if someone is helping him hide out. I don't think he is in the United States any longer. I believe he planned out Maria's murder and from there, he planned where he'd go after he carried out his crime. This is a pre-meditated murder of a mother-to-be and an unborn fetus. There should be two murder charges filed against Cesar Laurean and once he's captured, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Why is our statistics showing that women who are pregnant at more risk of being victims of a violent crime than any other time? What does this say about our community? When did it get to be acceptable to hit a woman and furthermore, when did it get to be acceptable to murder a woman and an unborn fetus?

The Disappearance and Murder of Meredith Emerson

2008-01-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

It has been a few months since I've posted anything on this blog and I apologize to those who actually take the time to read this. Our group has been active with the missing and murdered person community, but often times it's difficult to find time to get online and post the days events.
This last week has been very emotional for many of us here in the State of Georgia, especially those who are involved in the missing person and search and recovery field. As many of you will recall, on New Years Day, Meredith Emerson went for a hike in the North Georgia mountains and vanished without a trace. Meredith's disappearance was on a day when many of us are relaxing and unwinding from the previous night of celebration. Often law enforcement and most places of business are closed. This was a day that tradegy stuck but kicked into action what I call some old fashion top notch police work, although Meredith Emerson would in the end, not make it home alive and well.

Upon the discovery that Meredith Emerson was missing from a routine hike on Blood Mountain in Blairsville, Georgia, shortly thereafter, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist in the massive search that had begun. Within hours, a suspect, Gary Michael Hilton was on the news as well as his tag number and the vehicle he was possibly driving was on the local and national news. To my astonishment, witnesses had clear information that had already been given to the police that gave an account of Meredith Emerson being seen with Gary Hilton around the time she was last seen.
Shortly after Hilton's name and tag number was released to the public, news came that Meredith's dog "Ella" was found wandering around a Forsyth County parking lot some 50 miles from where she vanished. Within hours, authorities in Forsyth County were scouring a dumpster at a quick mart where they found items that would later be identified at Meredith Emerson's blood stained clothing. However, at the time of this discovery, Meredith Emerson was still missing without a trace.

By night fall, Gary Michael Hilton had been arrested and brought in for questioning, but still no trace of Meredith, until Monday night, two days later.
Our local news reports were saying that Hilton was NOT cooperating with GBI officials, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that the lead investigator, John Cagle would not let the community down. I came to know John Cagle and his hard core work with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation when our Sueann Ray vanished in August of 2005. John Cagle and his co-workers spent many hours on the case and never backed down one second until Sueann was uncovered that fateful morning and her husband was subsequently arrested. You will not see John Cagle doing many interviews with the media because he is what I call a man of few words. He's just not someone I would want on my case because if there's something to be found, he'll find it and he did.
Monday night Gary Hilton led GBI officials to a location in the Dawson Forest area in Dawson County Georgia where he disposed of Meredith Emerson's body. We'd learn the horrific details the next day of how she died, but for now, Meredith was finally home and not missing any more.
Gary Hilton would tell authorities that he walked alongside Meredith Emerson to gain her confidence and then he made the move to kidnap her. He said that he took her because he wanted her credit cards and ATM card. He told authorities the part that has haunted me, those who searched for Meredith, her family and law enforcement who were just hours aways from rescueing her that he held her three days before he bludgened her to death, then decapitating her head.

Meredith Emerson's body was located just one mile in the Dawson Forest from where a little boy by the name of Levi Frady was found 10 (ten) years ago. His murder has never been solved. Levi Frady's disappearance and murder prompted Georgia to name it's Amber Alert System "Levi's Call". There have been reports that Gary Hilton may be a possible suspect in the Levi Frady murder due to similarity of his appearance and the composite sketch that has been available with GBI now for 10 years.
What's more disturbing is that Gary Hilton is now a prime suspect in an unsolved murder in Florida, North Carolina and possibly this other disappearance of Caycle Bywater that happened here in Athens, Georgia on Dec. 29, 2007. The North Carolina case and Florida are almost a 100% certaintly that Hilton is involved and authorities from both police jurisdictions are here in Georgia to question Hilton in regards to these cases.

While many can agree that GBI moved very quickly on this case and were so very close to even bringing Meredith Emerson home alive, some still believe they failed. The thing for us to remember is that there are hundreds more of these Gary Hiltons walking around in our community. These people are ticking time bombs that can explode at any time. Our law enforcement can be very prepared and very trained, but there is no fool proof way to get all of these sicko's off the street. We as the community have to keep working and paying attention to our surroundings for danger and don't misjudge situations. Nothing is safe like it was back in the old days. Predators lurk among the communities and are everywhere. We can never ever let our guard down no matter where we are.

Tomorrow Meredith Emerson will be remembered at a church in Athens Georgia. Her life will be celebrated for the wonderful perosn she was. Back here in reality, we will begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together of this monster Gary Hilton and all of the possible vicitms he's targeted. There are probably many other families who are still waiting for answers as painful as they may be. We will have to work to bring him to justice for what he's done.

While law enforcement did the very best they could for Meredith Emerson and worked better than most agencies could with 10 times more training, there are still things that go wrong. If we are looking for someone to blame for this tradegy, we cannot blame law enforcement. Let's all ban together to learn the signs of danger and help educate our loved ones on how stay away from danger that lurks in our world today.

Related Links:

Help Find Meredith

GBI Just Missed Rescuing Emerson

Levi Frady - Unsolved Murder Case - Composite Sketch Info.

Remembering Carrie 11 Years After her Disappearance

2007-08-31T19:17:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday, August 28, 2007, my group was in Florida taking a much needed vacation. As everyone will remember, when the 28th arrives, no matter where I am, this day impacts me and my family a lot. We decided that on this night, we would go down to the beach and remember Carrie and so of the others who are still missing and some who have been found deceased. We choose a bouquet of balloons in various colors to represent several of the other people.

This year has been productive in the search for Carrie, but she still is missing and that's just not good enough for me. Shortly after we visited Blanchester last year for Carrie's 10th disappearance anniversary, the other barn that has been rumored to be linked to Carrie's disappearance mysteriously burnt. In fact, it burnt just days before Carrie's 10th anniversary which leaves a lot of questions and speculation.

After the barn, the soil samples from the 2004 barn and excavation site were sent overseas to see if there's any trace of Carrie - Meaning - was she ever there. It seems really strange to me that her items could be found at that depth underneath that barn and then there was nothing else. Again, more questions and no answers. Perhaps these soil samples will give us something?

In early August 2007, just weeks before Carrie was missing for 11 long years, Court TV rolled back into town to film a new documentary regarding Carrie's case. This show is for "Missing Person's Unit". I understand this documentary is basically on how the law enforcement worked on the case - once the decent people began to work the case. There's no air date for this just yet. I'm sure this will be a great show once it is released, and any exposure Carrie's case gets is even better.

As our vigil started down on the beach for Carrie and the others, I thought of how much Carrie loved the beach and the sun. I knew that she'd approve of the location and she'd be there with us if she could. I'm deeply saddened that Carrie's memory is reduced down to a note scribbled into the sand and having to release balloons. We should have a gravesite for Carrie's family to visit. I keep hoping and praying that somehow we will find her remains so they can be laid to rest like a normal person should be. It just gets really ridiculous if you think about this.

Last but not least, Carrie's mom accepts an award on behalf of Carrie for the National Day of Peace. Debbie has made it her mission to help others who have been victims of domestic violence. I know that Carrie is so proud of Debbie and all the others who continue to support finding her and have stood up against violence. I want to share this article with you all below and tell you that we have not stopped looking for Carrie. We never will. There are many things that we cannot post online because of possible case and personal invasion, but just know that Carrie case is still very active.

Local Woman Being Honored For Work Preventing Domestic Violence

Reported by: Bill PricePhotographed by: 9News

The devastating problem of domestic violence -- or "DV" -- is getting new attention in Northern Kentucky from a new group: college athletes, as a local coach makes it his mission to keep his players from becoming future abusers.
Researchers say every 15 seconds of every day, a woman in Kentucky is abused or battered by someone she knows.
Programs like the Women's Crisis Center in Covington are now getting unexpected new help to prevent that abuse.
But first, the center heard from one Tri-state family who has been hurt by domestic violence for years.
The annual "Day of Peace" domestic violence conference honored Debbie Culberson on Friday.
She got the conference's first "Outstanding Advocate" award as she stood next to a picture of her daughter, Carrie Culberson.
Carrie was last seen 10-years ago this month, being shoved into a car by her ex-boyfriend, Vincent Doan.
Doan is now serving a life sentence for her death.
Carrie's body has never been found.
"I'm going accept it on behalf of my daughter, Carrie," said Culberson. "Carrie also, [sighs] Carrie gave the ultimate sacrifice."
Efforts to stop domestic violence by Culberson are now getting the support of the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) basketball team.
Their coach says he's warning players that they can't bring their courtside aggression into their relationships with women.
"By teaching our boys ways to handle frustration and anger without using violence or harmful words, we let them know it's okay to walk away when angry or frustrated," said David Bezold, NKU men's basketball coach.
"It's important to let them know they can always come to us, if they feel like things are getting out of hand," added Bezold.
Bezold is the first men's sports coach to address this domestic violence conference.
He was joined by NKU professor Darrell Payne, who studies domestic violence.
Payne says families need to start even earlier teaching these anti-violence lessons to boys.
"And one thing I remember my father teaching me, from being a little boy up to an adult, is that you never put your hands on your sisters or a girl," said Payne, who works in the school's College of Human Services. "That was the rule of our house. That's what stood and that's what I followed."
"I am always in awe of men who will speak out against domestic violence," said Culberson. "So, I appreciate and applaud you and everything that you are trying to do."
Since college basketball players are already role models, Culberson and the center hope that the players will spread the word that domestic violence should not be tolerated.
More than that, the center hopes they can show that domestic violence isn't just a problem for women – it's also a man's problem, too.

The Disappearance & Murder of Kelsey Smith

2007-06-09T18:14:00.001-07:00

This past week advocates of the missing watched the news as the video tape rolled of 18 year old Kelsey Smith entered a Kansas Target store, and then was apparently abducted by a young man that the store camera captured leaving the store just moments before she departed last Saturday night (June 2, 2007). The news reports asked "have you seen this man", and "where is Kelsey?" - "Please help us". Less than a day after the tapes were released, a description of the vehicle believed to be involved with the abduction was released. It was a 70s model Chevy truck, but the quality of the person of interest and truck were still so grainy. At this time, Kelsey Smith was still missing, and the clock was racing to find her.

On Wednesday, as Texas Equusearch moved into the area to search an area where a cell phone ping was picked up from Kelsey's cell phone, shortly thereafter, her body was located in a desolate area near a creek bed. It was all so odd to see a young woman just days earlier going in to purchase something in a Target store and now, her body was being discovered in some woods. Now it was apparent that something had gone awry as Kelsey exited the Target store, and just who was the mystery man and was he responsible?

As soon as I turned on the TV Thursday morning, FOX news was reporting that 26 year old Edwin R. Hall had been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Kelsey Smith. I will have to admit that these past few days I've watched the tapes over and over again, passing along the photos online to various websites, forums, and Myspace pages, to help search for this mystery man, and now that his face finally appeared off the grainy film, I was shocked to see a tiny, nerdy, pathetic human being walking into the court room almost in a robot form. I could not believe what I was looking at and I still don't know why. As more reports come out about this individual the more I see just how troubled Edwin "Jack" Hall is. He was in a foster home and was removed because he threatned his sister with a knife. His Myspace page (which everyone has) said that his hobbies were eating small children and harming small animals. While those may have been in a joking tone, there's something that can probably be read into those words.

Authorities are taking a look into another young woman (Kara Kopetsky) who vanished a month prior to Kelsey Smith and has not been located. Kara is almost identical to Kelsey in physical appearance and authorities do not know if Edwin "Jack" Hall may be responsible for Kara's disappearance.

I have a deep concern for what's really behind Edwin Hall. I firmly believe he left his residence on June 2nd of 2007 planning to take a young woman and Kelsey Smith just happened to be the one he encountered. A news report said that Kelsey was strangled to death from ligature. This leads me believe that Edwin Hall took materials from his home in order to carry out a vicious act of violence against "someone" this particular night. I believe he's possibly a serial killer.

While his neighbor turned him in and kudos to this person, they claim he was so normal. How many times have we heard this about serial killers? There's more and more disturbing reports coming out about Edwin Hall and I believe as time presses on that we will learn more and more about this "sweet troubled soul" as he drescribed himself on his website. I'm glad that this individual is OFF the streets. I'm so very sorry for what's happened to Kelsey Smith. I pray that this man is not responsible for any other disappearance or violent crimes. If in fact he is, I hope that he is man enough to step up and tell us what he's done and help the families find them if they are missing.

Please see some of the following links regarding Edwin R. Hall but only after visiting the informational sites regarding Ms. Kelsey Smith - now an angel among us. Thinking of you always.

Kelsey's Army

Kelsey Smith Myspace Page

Murder suspect has troubled past, Iowa connections

Edwin Hall - Myspace Page 2

Sueann Ray's Husband Accepts Plea Deal for Her 2005 Muder

2007-05-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

Late Monday afternoon I received a phone call from the family of Sueann Ray. I was told that Tuesday morning @ 9 a.m. Quinton Ray would be accepting a plea deal in order to avoid the death penalty he was facing. In this plea deal, Quinton Ray would be given two life sentences with the possibility of parole after he serves 20 years.

For those of you who have followed my blog entries and my cases, you will recall the urgency of Sueann Ray since the very beginning. Sueann was the first cousin on Heather Teague who has been missing since August 1995. In fact, Sueann Ray vanished on the 10th anniversary of her first cousin. It all began as a weird coincidence, but would end this past Tuesday (May 22nd) with many of our questions being answers as to why it happened on that date.

Upon the arrival to the court house, I met with the family and we headed up to the main court room where Quinton Ray was being led into the room just as we were. He showed no emotion on his face, just as all other occasions we've seen him. The proceeding began and then District Attorney, Joe Hendricks, Jr. began to read over the wire tap transcripts where Quinton Ray made a stunning confession of how he methodically planned Sueann's murder some six months before he actually killed her. In the transcripts we heard how Sueann arrived at his house on what turned out to be the date Quinton Ray planned for her to die. In his transcripts he revealed that he'd planned a date that would impact the family, especially Sueann's father, Danny Jenkins that he hated. He said that August 26, 2005 just happened to fall on a Friday when he knew Sueann would more than likely be at his residence. This particular date was also close to Fall of the year and after she was buried in the ground, the leaves and twigs would fall onto the grave in the woods and help cover it up. After determining the date, and after Sueann Ray avoided his advances toward her that late August afternoon, Quinton Ray stated that he went into his bedroom and changed into a long sleeve shirt and took out his latex gloves that he'd set aside. He detailed how he choked Sueann to death and then lay her lifeless body on his bed. He'd then go onto detail how he'd trained for nearly five months so his body would be in perfect shape to carry her body into the woods to bury her.

All the months we searched for Sueann and after all the discussions of how we thought he'd planned and carried out Sueann's death, so many of our questions were answered. His conversation was so matter of factly that it was disgusting. I knew that somehow we had to remain calm otherwise we'd have to leave the courtroom and that was not what I wanted.

Then it was time for the judge to go over all of Quinton Ray's rights and make sure he understood that he was pleading GUILTY to murdering Sueann and that he was accepting this sentence. I was so amazed how someone who thought they were so big and bad in the end decided to take that plea deal because he was scared he was going to die. Not for a second did he wonder if Sueann was scared that night as she was dieing. He totally didn't care about anything but saving his own life. When it came time for him to say something to the court and to the family, he didn't want to speak - nor look at anybody. This just shows me of what a coward he really is. Part of me thinks that his hell will begin once he is confined to a facilty where he is not allowed any freedom or to laugh in the faces of any more police officers or others. If I could say one thing to Quinton Ray, I'd like to ask him, "was it really worth it"? Did he really think that in the midst of all of his anger, jealousy, and misplaced hatred over a failed relationship, that murdering Sueann would ever be tolerated by our justice system? Is it really going to be worth spending the rest of his life beind bars? He could've accepted the fact it was over, and possibly met someone else and just let Sueann go on living, but he couldn't. So now, his life will be dictated by somebody else all day long forever.

While we will never really understand the mind of a killer, we can find comfort in the fact that we were able to find Sueann and bring her home. We were able to bring her killer to justice and maybe now, part of this nightmare can gain some sort of closure.

Sueann's family became my family after all the searching we did, and after all the 100's of phone calls we shared throughout this case. We still have one other loved one missing in this family who needs to be found (Heather Teague). It will be two years since Sueann was murdered this August, and 12 years since Heather was abducted. Hopefully by the grace of God Heather's case will be solved soon and this family can begin to heal. There will not be a day that passes that I do not think about Sueann and all the stories I heard about her and what a wonderful person she was. I'll have to imagine what she was like from photos and stories because sadly I'll never know her personally because of what happened. With one of my cases closed, and with a fairly decent sentence to the one responsible, I can feel better about the case of Sueann Ray.

Now we just need to remember Sueann and continue to write letters deligently to the parole board to ensure Quinton Ray stays behind bars.

Information from 11Alive News - Includes Video Link:

A Pickens County man described how he methodically planned his wife's murder for six months. That evidence was revealed Tuesday in court when Quinton Ray pled guilty to murder and kidnapping.Ray was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in a Jasper court room. He admitted strangling his wife Sue Ann Ray in August of 2005. She was missing for six months until her body was found in a shallow grave in a wooded area of northern Cherokee County. In court, Pickens County District Attorney Joe Hendricks read a transcript from an audio-taped conversation ray had with a confidential informant. In that conversation, Ray detailed a six month plan to kill his wife. He also talked about how he worked out for five months so that he would be strong enough to carry her body into the woods.The plea avoids a trial. If he had gone to trial, prosecutors would have sought the death penalty. District Attorney Hendricks said after the plea and sentencing "It was not a situation where he was upset about his wife's infidelity and lost it, he had clearly been planning this for a period of time."Sue Ann Ray's sister Sandy Chasm said "It's kind of hard to hear him just laughing and cutting up about what he did to my sister." Ray told the informant that it took him 90-seconds to kill Sue Ann. He said he told her "You can fight, but it won't do no good." He then placed his arm around her neck and pulled every time she let out a breath.Ray told the informant he dug the grave five months before he murdered his wife. He said he had no regrets and no conscience. When the informant asked him if he felt guilty, Ray responded "I wouldn't have spent six months planning if I was gonna feel guilty about it."Ray's attorney Douglas Ramseur said "Those statement were made while he was intoxicated, while he was under the influence of alcohol." Ramseur said his client is remorseful. Sandy Chasm said "He planned it for six months; he worked out for five months so he could carry her body, that’s not someone who cares."Quinton Ray will be eligible for parole in twenty-years. He will be 48-years old. Sue Ann Ray's family said they will do everything possible to make sure he doesn't get it. Sandy Chasm said she will start a letter-writing campaign to the parole board this week. Quinton Ray's father Daniel Ray also entered a plea in court Tuesday. He was charged with hindering the apprehension of a suspect. Daniel Ray was sentenced to five years probation. Investigators said he helped his son dump his wife's car in a Woodstock shopping center to divert police.

http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=97438&provider=top

Sueann Ray's Website:

www.FindSueann.Org - Website now Memorial and Information Site

Find Carrie - Angel Garden of Hope Wins Award For Keeper of the Flame

2007-04-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

Nearly three weeks ago our group attended the third annual CUE Conference for the Missing in Wilmington, North Carolina. Each year, law enforcement, advocates, and families of those missing and murdered attend this conference to learn about missing person issues and to connect with others. This year the title of the conference was titled "Bridging the Gap" and I thought the title was so appropriate.

This year, unlike last year, was very warm and beautiful outside. It was picture perfect weather outside for having the second annual vigil and missing person wall that was held on the second day of the conference.

To my suprise, our group was given an award by CUE Center for "Keeper of the Flame" for our efforts to assist those the families of those missing and lost. At first, I didn't think I should write about this in our blog because I didn't want to appear as if we were bragging about this, but the more I thought about this, the more I realized that this award was not about me or my group, it was about Carrie Culberson and how she's changed our lives. So, with that being said, I wanted to share with you the highlights of why our group was at this meeting and what winning that award really meant to all of us.

This year some people I've been communicating with for a few months online decided to attend this conference. They were first timers and didn't know what to expect. The first family was that of Patty Brightwell Vaughan who vanished on Christmas day 1996. Even though there has been a mountain of evidence, there has yet to be a conviction to the last person to see her alive. I will not name him. Patty's sister traveled 18 hours from Texas to be at the conference and I'm so very glad she did. After months of talking online and building the website for Patty, I felt as if she was family already.

The second family who came to the conference was the family of Christie Wilson from California who just won a conviction this last October 2005 against a man that Christie was last seen leaving a casino with when she vanished forver. Chrisitie's murderer was convicted without her body and taken OFF the streets. Her parents Pat and Debbie Boyd flew from Southern California to join the CUE Conference and it was their first time. I was glad to see them there. Surely we have something in common with both Christie and Carrie missing, and winning a conviction without their bodies.

Some of the classes that were taught this year were regarding GPS, Crime Scene Preservation, and most everyone's favorite teacher, David Van Norman of the San Berdino California Coroner's Office who taught us about missing and unidentifieds.

What I want everyone to understand is that with each visitor to this conference all the others that are happening throughout the year, is that we are searching for something important. For our group, we are searching for Carrie and we cannot give up until find her. Our duty will not end once she's located, but a great burden will be lifted once she's found and brought home. Carrie is the driving force behind all of the miles we travel, all the interviews we give, and all the assistance we give to help others. We cannot forget about the one person who changed everything for me and my family. She's the reason that brought us to know all these wonderful people and she's the reason that we developed the knowledge to help others when somebody they love turns up missing.

I thank the CUE Center for recognizing our efforts to help others, but actually this award wasn't for us, it was for Carrie, who changed everything for me and my family. I'll never stop looking until I find you.

Related Links:

See Additional Photos From the Conference HERE

Cue Center For the Missing

The Discovery of Shawn Hornbeck

2007-01-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

Friday I spent most of the day in bed feeling under the weather. I had not been online very much at all when my cell phone began to ring. It was Karen Jo Smith's mom - Patti Bishop calling me as she does periodically. As the conversation began, Patti says, "Jill where have you been"? I said, "here at home, just resting". Patti says, "you haven't seen the news or been on Court TV have you"? Well no....
Patti then says, "you know they found Shawn Hornbeck, don't you". My responce was oooh nooo, where'd they find his body? Patti said, NO JILL, he's ALIVE!!! I said, "but Patti... Shawn has been gone for four years"!!! I was in complete shock from the news and then Patti went on to tell me that the other young man who had been kidnapped from the bus stop earlier this week was found with Shawn in the same house, being held by a sex offender. Shawn Hornbeck had been missing since early October of 2002.
I really don't recall much of the conversation after that but I told Patti I had to tell my mom and some others because They just were not going to believe this wonderful news.

As I began sending out the email to everyone and my cell phone started ringing off the hook, DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS? SHAWN HORNBECK IS ALIVE...., my thoughts started to go back to this past October when Shawn's age progressed photo was released by National Center for Missing Children and we were passing it around to help circulate it. In the back of my mind, I believed Shawn was not alive when all along he was not dead. Looking back at the age-progressed photo of Shawn, it doesn't really look like him and after seeing him on TV, I would not have recognized him had I seen him out in public. Apparenly some local people had seen him but didn't call the police because they obviously didn't realize it was "Shawn Hornbeck".

There's obviously many unaswered questions surrounding the disappearance of Shawn and hopefully in good time he will talk to the media so those of us who have followed his case since he vanished can learn more about what happened.
(age-progressed photo of Shawn Hornbeck - released Oct. 2006 - Far Left)

In the missing person arena, we seldom have good news of someone being recovered alive and well. Usually the phone calls we receive are those that someone has been found deceased and the search is then on for the person or person who caused their death. It was a great day to have this happen.
Shawn and cases like his, give searchers hope that there are some cases where you have absoletly NOTHING to work with, that there's a possibility that these people are out there and they are being held against their will. Some of the cases, you just don't know. I wish that I could know with all of them and those who are not coming home alive, well, we need to have them back as well.

My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby. Here's one for the good guys. I wish this could happen always with all cases.

See Also:

www.ShawnHornbeck.Com

Revisiting the Day Patrice Endres Was Located

2006-12-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006) will mark the one year anniversary that two men working behing a small church in rural Dawson County Georgia discovered Patrice Endres' body. They stumbled upon her by accident after being drawn to the location after seeing vultures flying near a deceased deer that had died just a few feet away from where Patrice's body had been disposed of nearly two years earlier by an unknown assailant.

For those of you who don't know, Patrice was the second missing person case I ever worked on. Carrie was obviously the first and the reason I began working with the missing. Patrice Endres vanished on April 15, 2004 just miles away from my home and my family sprung into action with the local police to help try to find her. Patrice was abducted from her private owned and operated hair salon in between her scheduled appointments. Her disappearance was mysterious and it almost seemed that someone had to know her schedule in order to pull off something like that. The abductor left behind nothing but Patrice's handbag turned over on the counter, a microwave cut off midway through heating up lunch, and a cash register open with no money left inside. Months would pass and no sign of Patrice could be found. We held fundraisers, to raise her reward in hopes that someone would come forward, but to no avail, Patrice was still missing.

As a year has passed with Patrice's case, I wanted to share with the viewers of this blog some of the personal aspects of my personal journey to find Patrice. You may find these interesting.

Six months into Patrice's disappearance, authorities claimed that a possible suspect by the name of Jeremy Jones claimed he abducted and killed Patrice. He told authorities he disposed of Patrice in a nearby river and massive searches turned up nothing. After Patrice's discovery, it appeared that Jones had lied about the whole thing, or did he? Will we ever know for sure?

Aside from the total shock of the two construction workers finding Patrice last year, my memory goes back to one of the nights that is now forever etched in my memory. That night was Sept. 18, 2004 to be exact. Just a few months after Patrice had been missing. Georgia was going through a massive blackout from winds and rain from a hurricane that was passing over land that had just hit Mobile, Alabama. It was rainy, hot and stuffy inside my apartment but I couldnt sleep. As the rain continued to fall at a steady pour outside, all I could think about was that odds were that Patrice was lieing somewhere in the woods needing to be found, because after a stranger abduction, chances are the abductor does not travel far with them. The longer the rain and wind continued, the more upset I became. Although I had no idea where Patrice was or no proof she was even deceased, my heart raced with anxiety.

As the night drug on, I began physically ill and had to go up the street to my relatives house to where there was power. The night passed and the rain finally went away. Patrice was still missing.

What I would come to learn later on was that the exact night I was having the panic attack, another woman, by the name of Lisa Nichols in Alabama had been raped and set on fire by Jeremy Jones inside her home. Lisa Nichols' case would later be the one case that sent Jeremy Jones to trial for a murder charge. Jeremy Jones would be sentenced to death nearly a year later for killing Lisa, and just seven days after that, Patrice's body would be found by accident by the hunters. As it turns out Patrice had been just where I suspected she was that very night -- all alone in the woods, needing to be found.

As authorities continue to work on Patrice's case, I have to wonder if Jeremy Jones was actually connected to Patrice because of the personal issues I felt but maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me? I'll never forget the impact Patrice's case had on my life and the continued need to bring her killer to justice. I think about Patrice just about every time I see something purple because that was her color. I think about how her favorite perfume was White Diamonds and how much she loved Brighton just like me. She would've been a great friend had I known her through more than just a missing person report.

Through the loss of Patrice, I was able to get to know all of the alleged victims of Jeremy Brian Jones and their families. They were all wonderful people that woke up just having a normal day and it ended in a blink of an eye to unnecessary violence. Although he'll never be able to harm anyone again, I have to wonder if he'll just come clean and tell us if he did indeed murder Patrice that fateful day.

I'll pray that God reveals all those questions that we still have. At least Patrice is no longer out there waiting for us to locate her. She's finally home.

If you have ANY information regarding the unsolved murder of Patrice Tamber Endres, you are asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at their toll free tip line 1-800-597-TIPS. There is now a $30,000 REWARD in place. You may remain anonymous if needed.

Website for Patrice - Justice For Patrice

For Lisa Nichols - Victim of Jeremy Brian Jones

More Clues Deliberately Destroyed In Culberson Case?

2006-11-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

As you already know, there are many parts to Carrie's case that are not posted on her website or any message forum because we do not want to take any chances on the leads being damaged or destroyed. No matter how small or insignificant they may seem, they simply cannot go live until they've been gone over and are found to be safe for publication. There are even things that I am not even aware of and I can accept that if it leads to locating Carrie.

With that being said, I go back to this past August --- August 26, 2006 to be exact. My group was in route to Ohio to join several others for the weekend to remember Carrie who would be missing on that Monday the 28th for a full decade. What I didn't know on the 26th was that something very eerie and out of place was going down just down the road from where the mystery all began. You'll want to keep reading if you've been following this case.

Fast forward to Mid day on the 28th the anniversary of Carrie's disappearance. The day we all were not looking forward to but had to prepare for. The day was spent going over the last day of Carrie's life with her mother Debra Culberson and the members of the Midwest Coalition. We drove out to the places were Carrie was last known to be seen just before Vincent Doan murdered her and hid her body along with his co-conspirators.
At the end of our tour, we ended up at a location I requested to see because of the AETV presentation "Where Is Carrie Culberson". It was the "other" barn that Doan's mother took American Justice TV producers out to and claimed that it needed to be searched but nobody would check it out. I wanted to see this location because I have a video and photo log of every point of interest in the Culberson case. As we drove closer to the location, we were SHOCKED to see that "other" barn was BURNT to the ground.

Following directly behind me, Carrie's mom and the others were looking and wondering ---- WHY was this barn burnt down and when? I can clearly remember the burnt smell nearby and the weak feeling I had come over me standing in the clearing. It was so strong I had to go back to car and sit down I was so upset. At the time I thought that my emotions were all out of control because we'd just been near the junkyard where Carrie's body was but now that these reports have come out that this barn was burnt just two days before we arrived, I believe my feeling was something more. It was a feeling of pure out evil and someone trying to stop us from ever finding Carrie.

We left the barn's location and the photos and information we had was to be given to the police department ASAP. I made no mention of it and nobody discussed it, although we found it very odd. We've waited and now, it appears that our suspicians are becoming ever so clear. Somebody is continuing to toy with the community and those who continue to quest to location Carrie Culberson. What was at the barn that made it so necessary to burn it down right before the anniversary of her 10 year disappearance? Did you know we'd be out there? Was there something that we could've found?

It appears that there is more to Carrie's disappearance than what most of us can really understand. I believe that there are some people who don't really know anything but like to think they do, and like to stir up painful memories for kicks. Then there are the ones who really know, and they like to do a little something here and there just to let some us know that they have the leverage of this whole situation.

It appears this is a very diabolical situation that only a doctor can understand. It is what it is, and why we cannot just get her back, is beyond me.

One thing is for sure. We are not ready to give up and we will find Carrie.

See related article from Channel 12 News below:

Potential Clues May Have Burned In Culberson Case
LAST UPDATE: 11/29/2006 6:24:24 PM
Video
The murder of Carrie Culberson has been one of the Tri-State's most talked about crimes for the past decade. Culberson's abusive boyfriend, Vince Doan, is spending his life in prison for murder, even though Carrie's body has never been found. New talk about where her remains might be had detectives asking lots of questions in recent months. Then something strange happened that Local 12's Deborah Dixon tells us has cops more curious than ever. The F.B.I. helped dig up the floor of a barn in Brown County two springs ago because of information Carrie Culberson was killed and buried there. It was during this dig, that people started talking. Different people were saying the same thing. Debbie Culberson still lives in Blanchester. So, people can tell her what they hear and what they know. Recently, the information about the right barn got hot...really hot. That's exactly what Penn was doing, and people in town knew it, when something very curious happened. The barn owned by the same family as the other barn burned to the ground in the middle of the night. It was two days before the tenth anniversary of Carrie's disappearance.Wayne township responded. They determined the barn burning is suspicious. Detective Penn said a burned out barn won't keep him away. Deborah Dixon, Local 12. The Messer family filed suit against the police departments that dug up the barn floor two years ago. Since the F.B.I. was involved and the dig was ordered by a judge, the suit is not expected to go far.
http://www.wkrc.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=022D4C0C-1333-40EE-B609-E25251A20244

When a Disappearance Causes Positive Changes

2006-11-25T10:02:00.000-08:00

Often times when we think of a disappearance, it's surrounded by all the sad and negative aspects. We think of the pain and suffering the family goes through and we should. Having a loved one vanish is something that is very traumatic and it's very difficult to understand and accept. There's no goodbye in most cases and most of the time, there's always constant questions and many sleepless nights.

Last October 2005, Tara Grinstead vanished from her home in Ocilla, Georgia after arriving home from a night out with friends. To date her disappearance remains unsolved and there just does not seem to be any resolve to this case in sight. Numerous message forums and websites have sprung up and most of them are posts of inaccurate information and defamatory comments towards the family and aquaintances of Tara. Tara's case seems to have caused some major divides both online and in the general community where she disappeared from. It's baffling to see the way some people have presented themselves.

As an advocate of the missing, my family went down to Ocilla to aid in the search for Tara on two occasions. During that time, I became familiar with some of the people who were geniune in their search for Tara. One of those people I met was Brett Walker, who at the time was a student of Tara's at the school where she taught.

Every time I was at the command post, Brett was there, just working away. Walker and another person from that same group of youth drove the 250 plus miles from Ocilla to Cartersville, Georgia for Sueann Ray's funeral that we had in March shortly after her body was discovered. When I first met Brett, Sueann Ray was still currently missing.

As time drug on, I stayed in contact with Brett and he told me on several occasions that he felt like he needed to begin doing something for the missing and was serious about it. Shortly after he decided he wanted to help, I learned that he had enrolled in classes to become a paramedic and a K9 handler which assists in the search and recovery of missing people. His story was something I wanted to share with my viewers here on this blog. There's been so many negative things that have come out of this mystery surrounding Tara's disappearance. I felt like we needed to show something positive on how Tara has changed somebody's life in a positive way.

Below is a small interview I did with Brett Walker and with his permission, I'm going to post this for all of you to learn more about him.
We can all learn something about Tara and while she remains missing, we need to remain focused on our search for her. We need to put more positive and less negative towards this search. Fighting amongst ourselves, posting things that hold no backing, are simply unnecessary. All the energy that is misplaced, could come together and build a large team to help find her. Have a look at the information this young man gave me and how he's changed with this disappearance of Tara Grinstead.

Explain how you knew Tara Grinstead and the impact she sad on your life up until she vanished last October 2005

Brett Walker: I knew Tara Through school, and through her father and stepmom. My mom works at the same school she worked at. I knew her from her Father and My grandfather working together. She made a impact on my life, by just being herself she was a wonderful teacher, friend, and a sholder to lean on, know matter what you needed she would make sure you got it. She made learning fun, many problem students who had failed all other classes who come out on top in her's she just made learning fun!

After Tara mysteriously disappeared, what was it that made you decide to step forward to assist to help with the command center?

Brett Walker: I was actually there from night 1 helping go door to hand out filers and see if anyone knew anything assisting the command center came later. The reason i helped was because I wanted her found she was my teacher and friend and I just wanted to help get her back!

How soon after Tara’s disappearance did you realize that you’d been called to do something in the missing person field and why?

Brett Walker: Well I guess you would say i didn't realize i was called to this field I kinda FELL in so to speak. I had always been interested in K9 search and rescue and the dirctor of the Tara Center at the time got me in touch with Angie Batten from Dog South, and from then on I was hooked! I just want to help bring some peace and mind to families of missing loved ones..

Describe how Tara’s disappearance has impacted your life and do you think your life would’ve taken a different course had Tara not disappeared?

Brett Walker: In the beginning it was really hard. I still miss her and still want to find her. I feel that I probably wouldn't have taken the path in live I am taking now if she had not disappeared. I probably wouldn't have been introduced to Dog South.

What do you think Tara Grinstead would want the community of Ocilla and others to remember about her since this tragic event?

Brett Walker: Just what a wonderful person she was and how she made such an inpact on her students and anyone she came into contact with, I mean you could be all down and out and she would just bring out a smile in you.

What do you think about all the negative publicity and negativity surrounding facts, fiction that has clouded around the area of Ocilla Georgia since the disappearance of Tara?

Brett Walker: I don't really like it, I have found myself many times attempting to defend her honor when I hear something negative about her, and have corrected many people who have spreaded rumours.
Do you believe that there are some facts and material surrounding the disappearance of Tara that could help solve this case that have intentionally hid by those who have the ability to do so?

Brett Walker: Yes Definatly!

What do you hope others can learn from your deciding to take a stand for those lost and missing because of this one particular case?

Brett Walker: I used to think This can never happen in my town a small town in southern Georgia, but the truth is it can happen anywhere. I wish more people would take a stand for the missing. I am 20 years old and when i first started it was a month before my 18th birthday. Some people say I am too busy to get involved with stuff like this, when it first started I was going to high school, college, and working a monday-friday job and still found time to dedicate my life to helping find Ms. Tara.
Is there anything else that you’d like to let our blogging community know that you feel is important?

Brett Walker: Please pray for Tara, and rember rumours only hurt the search for Tara!

Related Links:

www.MissingTara.Com

Update in Rachel Cooke Disappearance Mystery

2006-11-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Just days ago news broke that a man by the name Michael Moore had confessed to the Jan. 10, 2002 disappearance and then murder of Rachel Louise Cooke. Many of us in the missing person arena were stunned to see this man's face and the news because many of us have followed Rachel's case from the beginning and have all come to know her dad, Robert Cooke because he's such a strong advocate for the missing.

With all missing person mysteries, it always takes you back a few feet when you finally see the person that is believed to be responsible for the disappearance of these loved ones. No matter how you picture these evil people, it's always so strange to see them.

Michael Moore's stunning confession came after he was already serving time for the 2003 murder of another young woman by the name of Christina Moore. His confession and the details of Rachel's murder were gruesome and hard to hear. Michael Moore claimed that bored and needing someone to rob, he went down the road when he ran across Rachel Cooke out jogging that fateful day.

With the confession, Rachel's family had the understanding that Moore was going to plead "guilty" to Rachel's murder, but that is not what happened.
The day Moore was to appear in court along with Rachel Cooke's family and attorney's Michael Moore reneged his guilty plea and changed his plea to "innocent". This added more devastation and disgust to the already suffering family of Rachel Cooke who has been waiting for nearly five years to learn their daughter's fate, and now to bring justice.

Just days after Michael Moore changed his plea, the District Attorney's office temporarily dropped the murder charges against Michael Moore for Rachel Cooke's murder. They claim that they will seek a Grand Jury's indictment for Rachel's murder because they believe he is responsible for her death.

While Rachel's family believe they'll never see Rachel alive again, at this point, they would like to be able to find Rachel and bring her home for a proper burial. They have gone far beyond the call of duty to educate other young women and men on the dangers out there. They are one of the kindest families anyone will ever meet. They did not deserve this to happen to them, nor has any family who has been victimized.

I'm sure there will be a long hall ahead of the Cooke family. This man appears to be toying with their emotions regardless of his involvement with Rachel's disappearance, and for that, I think he needs to be treated like the animal he is. There's some sick people in this world, and I'm just glad this one is off the streets.

I just hope that no matter what happens that Rachel can be found and brought home. This has gone on too long and she needs to be found. As painful as it may be, the truth is better than waiting with not answers at all. May God help the Cooke family through this ordeal.

Related Link:

Cooke's Parents Talk About Moore's Plea
By Rebecca Taylor

(CBS 42) GEORGETOWN Two Georgetown parents are being victimized again, they told CBS 42's Rebecca Taylor -- ever since convicted killer Michael Moore was brought into court with the expectation that he would plead guilty to the murder of Rachel Cooke. Instead he plead not guilty.Cooke disappeared while jogging near her parents' northwest Georgetown home in 2002.Last week convicted killer Michael Moore, already in prison for murdering a Round Rock woman in her home in 2003, reneged on a plea deal after police say he confessed to killing Rachel Cooke.Janet Cooke said she wakes up every day and talks to the daughter who isn't there anymore."I say good morning," she said. "And every night before I go to bed, I say good night. And it's hard for her not to be there anymore."Rachel Cooke went missing nearly five years ago. Her parents now believe she is dead. But, they said, they need to know if convicted killer Michael Moore is to blame."My plea to him is, tell the truth," said her father.But Moore has reportedly retracted a prior confession to killing the 19-year-old -- throwing prosecutors last week into a tailspin, and giving Rachel's mother and father more heartache."I know he has a son, and I'd like him to think what if it was his son -- that somebody was taking advantage of," Robert Cooke said.Robert Cooke doesn't know if Michael Moore killed his daughter. If he did?"I don't want him ever on the streets again," Rachel's father insisted. "He's doesn't belong here. He's not a human being. He needs to stay behind bars."While he waits for answers, he embraces the memories of his little girl."She was a daddy's girl," he said.But he can't stop the thoughts that come to him in the night -- just what might have happened to his little girl."You wake up to it," he said. "In fact, sometimes you have a nightmare and you wake up, you realize that the nightmare was not as scary as your real life."Still, they are holding out hope that they might find answers, so that Rachel -- in some way -- might finally come home."It would mean everything," said her mother. "It would give me that closure that I so dearly want."Until then, Janet Cooke will continue to talk to her daughter -- hoping she'll lead them to her killer."I've told her," she said. "'Let us know -- find some way. -- Let us know.""He's trying to victimize us a second time," said Robert Cooke.Janet Cooke said she would let a jury decide, but she said she has her suspicions."It would not surprise me in the least," she said, "if (Moore) just kills for the killing..."Moore was convicted in February of killing Christina Moore in her Round Rock home. She was 14 weeks pregnant. The two are not related

http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_316182308.html

Shouldn't We Be Combing the Landfills for Stacey & Amy Too?

2006-11-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Last November some of you may recall a post on this blog called "All She Wanted, the Disappearance of Stacey Lynn Balas". It was a detailed description of the 1996 disappearance of a young woman from Northern Ohio who vanished without a trace after closing the local Subway shop where she was employed.
At the time it was going on nine years that Stacey had been missing and suspicion had fallen a long time earlier on the last person to see Stacey that night --- Larry Wade. Larry Wade was later arrested and charged with a violent rape and attempted murder of another woman less than three months after Stacey vanished, but up until last year (2005) he was never cooperative in the investigation into the disappearance of Stacey.
Friends, family members, and others were left with only memories and the haunting mystery of what happened to Stacey on that fateful Novemeber night in 1996, as they never believed she would leave on her own accord.

Just as the anniversary of Stacey's disappearance was to come and go as it does every year, the District Attorney's office announced that they were charging Larry Wade with Stacey Balas' 1996 murder although her remains have never been located. Immediately Larry Wade claimed he was innocent and it appeared he was going to fight the charges. He was due for parole from his current prison sentence in June 2007. Apparently the State of Ohio realized just what a threat Wade was and had more information regarding this case than many of us knew about and they decided to move on this just at the right time.

In May of 2006, Larry Wade changed his plea of NOT GUILTY to GUILTY and I believe this was done to avoid facing any possible death penalty. Wade told authorities what I had feared along with many others who had silently searched for Stacey all along. Larry Wade claimed that he had disposed of Stacey's body in a landfill. This makes it difficult if not impossible to ever locate Stacey. Which brings me to the purpose of this blog entry today..........

Just weeks ago we learned that Joanna Rogers who had been missing for two years was located in a landfill in Texas. An in depth search began for Joanna after her suspected killer confessed to her murder and told authorities pretty much where he disposed of Joanna. The county was able to set aside special funds to begin a massive excavation for Joanna and this search went on for at least two or possibly three months until she was found. The search was tedious and I'm sure it was unpleasant.

My question here is if we have a case like Stacey Balas and that of Amy Derewitz where these killers have confessed to the murders of these young women, and they've pretty much given the location of where these people were disposed of, how can it ever be acceptable to just tell the family, "we know what happened, but the chances of locating your loved one is probably never going to happen" when we've had a clear example of how it can be done?

The Derewitz family have told me that they pretty much know the area where Amy is located, but this place has been closed down or condemned, and therefore no searching will take place. How on earth could anybody deal with driving past a place knowing their loved one's body is lost in that pile of trash, murdered at the hands of some sicko and they cannot even have one piece of them back? I just don't understand.

We have had Lori Hacking located, John Fiocco, and Joanna Rogers that massive excavations were done until they were found. People this should be available for every single person because these cases do not end just when somebody is arrested and put behind bars. Although the family knows their loved one is dead and they'll never be home again, they need to have that physical body they used to hold back for a proper burial. This eats away at me to think that this is happening. There has to be a way to find funding for this.

Read All She Ever Wanted - Last November's Story on Stacey

Joe Mammana Puts Up Rewards For Missing & Unsolved Cases

2006-11-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

The first time I had ever heard of Joe Mammana was this past July when I was in Indiana for a meeting and weekend to remember Niqui McCowan. Patti and Ed Bishop (along with some others who were present at this meeting) educated Debbie Culberson and I on just who this man is.

Joe Mammana is a businessman who is best known for his high profile crime advocacy and putting up high rewards for missing and unsolved cases. Mammana's most well-known case is the Natalee Holloway case in which he supplied the million dollar reward for.

Mammana turned from a life of crime and violence to begin assisting families and victims in a time of need and in my opinion, he's doing a wonderful thing.

In the last few weeks Joe Mammana has turned up the heat on some of these missing person cases to help find resolve along with the founder(s) of the Midwestern Coaliton for the Missing - Patti Bishop and Darlene Pitts. Mammana has chosen 20 missing person cases from the Midwest to have a $100,000 reward that is in effect for 20 days. The twenty cases for twenty days at $100,000 totals 2 million dollars and Joe believes that this sum of money may quite possibly bring resolve to several of these cases within this time frame.

I believe that this is a great idea and I want to tell you why. This is a lot of money at stake and if someone has information that could give them amount of money, they'd be nuts to continue not give up that information. I support what Joe is doing and although my communication with him was brief because I was working to connect him with Debra Culberson, I believe this man is smart and his tactics work.

See article below:

Seven families of missing Hoosiers have rekindled hope of finding their loved ones -- or at least finding out what happened to them -- thanks to a Philadelphia businessman who is putting up big rewards.
Family members of six of the seven gathered Downtown on Thursday at the Omni Severin Hotel to plead for information and to dangle the lure of $100,000 -- in each case -- to anyone who offers information that locates the missing person or leads to arrests and convictions in the cases.
The Indiana seven are among 20 missing persons cases nationwide tagged with rewards totaling $2 million put up by Joe Mammana, who owns an egg farm and is a former Marine. He has a degree in criminal justice and a police record for charges of aggravated assault, drugs, fraud and theft.
In recent years, however, he has become a crime fighter, putting up sizable rewards in high-profile cases, including that of Natalee Holloway, the Alabama high school student who vanished last year in Aruba.
Last month, Patti Bishop, stepmother of Karen Jo Smith, who disappeared in Indianapolis on Dec. 27, 2000, contacted Mammana about her vision for a "Squeaky Wheel Tour'' to draw attention to missing persons cases.
Mammana liked the idea and agreed to fund rewards to try to draw out information. In short order, he and Bishop devised a plan to offer $2 million for 20 cases for 20 days -- Sunday through Nov. 24 -- with $100,000 dedicated to each case.
Thanks to Bishop's involvement and her knowledge of Indiana cases, the state is heavily represented on the list. The other 13 cases are from Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Alabama and Arkansas.
"Someone knows something,'' said Kristin Hensley, Plainfield. Her husband, Harold "Brad'' Hensley, was 29 when he went missing Jan. 11. "We just need to get the story out there.''
Hensley is the most recent to go missing of the Indiana cases; Shannon Sherrill has been gone the longest -- she was 6 years old when she disappeared Oct. 5, 1986, from Thorntown.
"There hasn't been a day go by that I haven't hoped that she's found,'' her father, Mike Sherrill, said. "I just hope somebody somewhere comes forward and helps me find my daughter.''
Some of the cases previously have included rewards, but none as large as $100,000 or the cumulative $2 million the families hope will buy them attention. Some investigators share that hope.
"It's my hope that this money will bring someone forward,'' said Lt. Donald Bender of the Indianapolis Police Department's missing persons division. The concept regularly works with the CrimeStoppers program, he noted.
Bishop quoted Mammana, the benefactor: "People will turn in their own family for money.''
Family members and investigators often are frustrated in the belief that people have information but are afraid to come forward. The reward money, they said, might be just the incentive those folks need, said Darlene Pitts, sister of Lola Katherine Fry, Greenwood, missing since Nov. 14, 1993.
"This might shake the right bush,'' she said.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/LOCAL/611030488/1006

Patti Bishop's Missing Step-Daughter Karen Jo
www.MissingKarenJo.Com

Two High Profile Georgia Disappearances One Year Later

2006-10-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 21, 2005 40 year old Leslie Marva Adams seemed to have vanished into thin air in Lilburn, Georgia. In the days leading up to Leslie's disappearance, she had filed a restraining order against her boyfriend Billy Cook for continued harassment and domestic violence.

Just one day later, in Southern Georgia, Tara Faye Grinstead, a former beauty queen and popular high school teacher, vanished from her home. The only clues that were left behind was a broken lamp in Tara's bedroom and an alarm clock that had fallen off the night stand.
In the days, and weeks following Tara's disappearance, massive searches would follow. At one point, Texas Equusearch who led the search for the missing Aruba teen - Natalee Holloway were stationed in Ocilla, Georgia along with other organizations from Florida and Georgia trying to find any sign of Tara. After several in depth searches, the volunteers and Equusearch had no choice but to leave Ocilla and go home. Tara Grinstead remained missing.

As months would drag on in the Grinstead disappearance, it seemed as if there'd be no new developments, but there would be with the Adams case.
Authorities would release that inside Leslie Adams' apartment there had been a gun shell casing found on the floor and traces of blood that led them to believe that Leslie could have possibly been a victim of foul play. Leslie's boyfriend would be charged with violating his probation and contacting Leslie against the restraining order but, he was not charged in connection with Leslie's disappearance. This only left the family of Leslie Adams even more frustrated and angry.

There has been much speculation that Tara Grinstead was a victim of foul play at the hands of boyfriend as well. Prior to Tara's disappearance, she and her boyfriend of six years had just ended their relationship, but it was "supposidly" an amicable split. There are some people in Ocilla who will tell you otherwise. Their reports state that Marcus Harper was obcessive, jealous and had often called Tara some very nasty names on occasion when seeing her out with another man in public. To date, Harper has never been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Tara Grinstead and he claims he has been "hounded to death" by everyone who thinks he is involved. With only name calling, that is simply not enough for GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) to make an arrest.

While it is known that Leslie Adams and Tara Grinstead are only connected because they vanished on the same weekend, it's a painful reminder for residents of North and South Georgia. Residents here like simple safe living. We do not like to think that there could possibly be a killer roaming the streets that has caused two innocent women to vanish off the face of the earth. We know that nobody really vanishes into thin air. I know that these two are probably very close to the area where they vanished, and it's simply a matter of us finding the clues to lead us to them. It's very difficult to think of these two every day and wonder when and if we will ever know just what happened and where they were placed.
Because from what these families have told me, I know these two did not leave on their own accord. Someone knows what happened.

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Leslie Marva Adams, you are asked to call Detective Marcus Head at 770-513-5300. There is a $25,000 REWARD for Infomration leading to the exact location of Leslie. You remain anonymous if needed.

Leslie Adams Website:
www.Geocities.Com/FindLeslieAdams

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Tara Grinstead, you are asked to call the Georgia Bureau of Investigation @ GBI - (478) 987-4545. There is a $200,000 REWARD. You may remain anonymous if needed.

Tara Grinstead Website
www.MissingTara.Com

Related Articles

Loved Ones March for Leslie Adams

Georgia town moves on, but still wants to mystery solved

Finding Neil Sr. & Neil Jr.(2003 Boat Disappearance Mystery)

2006-10-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Three years ago (October 17, 2003), a mystery began to unfold in Southern Florida when Neil Wayne Eddleman Sr. and his teenage son boarded a boat with Gary Lisk for an overnight fishing trip. The three men were to return by the following day by 6 p.m., but did not. When the boat was still missing on October 19th, Neil Alan’s mother, and ex-wife of Neil Wayne called authorities. It appeared something had clearly gone wrong with the boat excursion and three men were now missing without a trace.
(Pictured left - Neil Alan Eddleman Jr. and Neil Wayne Eddleman Sr.)

On November 3, 2003, what appeared to be boat wreckage washed ashore near NASA’s launch pad (nearly 450 miles from where it was last seen), and it would later be identified as that same boat that the Eddleman’s and Gary Lisk had left in on October 17th. Intertwined in the wreckage authorities would find Gary Lisk’s body. An autopsy could not determine his cause of death, only deepening the mystery surrounding what may have happened to the Eddlemans.

There has been much speculation that something more sinister may have been connected to the disappearance mystery in that the following day after the three men vanished, Gary Lisk’s computer files were all mysteriously corrupted, and all the locks on his residence were changed without warning. Why would somebody do all of this and was it connected to the disappearance(s)?

With Gary Lisk being the only known person to have definitely perished in the boating trip on October 17, 2003, one would have to wonder, did the Eddlemans die as well because of something they witnessed by accident? When would the questions surrounding this mystery ever be answered?

Two years after the mysterious disappearance of the two Neils, Karen Eddleman, ex-wife of Neil Wayne Eddleman, Sr., filed a lawsuit against the boats pilot claiming that they were negligent in the incident that took place in 2003. The suit claims that Eddleman Sr. and Gary Lisk knowingly took Neil Alan out on the open waters without safe guarding the boat’s passengers. In the lawsuit it states that nothing in the weather reports stated that there could be a possible weather change to cause damage to the boat and it goes onto state that the father and son never were found, but it does say the boat's damaged condition suggests "great bodily injury and possible death to the occupants."

While Karen’s lawsuit may cause some people to answer for their careless actions on that fateful day, I wonder if it’ll answer the burning question she still has? That being, “What happened to Neil Alan and will he ever be found”?

Could Gary Lisk been involved in a business deal that went sour? Could Gary have been targeted at a time when he was with two people that could have been potential witnesses to his death and they were taken out as well?
With so many questions and few answers, there’s only one fact that still remains. The two Neils are both still missing without a trace. If they died that same day as Gary Lisk, one has to wonder why they were not discovered as well?

If you have ANY information regarding the disappearances of the Eddlemans, you are asked to call the Naples Police Department (Florida) @ 1-239-213-4844. Please see links provided below for more in depth case information and photos.

Related Links:

Finding the Eddlemans

Finding Neil Alan - Website By His Mom - Includes Disappearance Timeline

Missing Pieces Radio Station for Missing & Unsolved Cases

2006-10-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

If you have ever browsed the Doenetwork website, you’ve probably ran across the name “Todd Matthews” at some point. Todd became known for his identification of the “Tent Girl” a.k.a., Barbara Hackman in 1998 who had been missing and unidentified since 1967. While some people in the general community could not understand the importance of what Todd Matthews did for the family of Barbara Hackman, other families who have similar situations think he’s an angel from above.

After the identification of Barbara, Todd’s work did not end there. He felt as if he could not stop with this one case. There were too many others out there who were waiting for identification and their family would never rest until they were given answers.

In Todd’s quest for helping others, he’s started a new radio show with the help of Eric Meadows of WCAN Radio called “Missing Pieces”. This show speaks to families and organizations that deal directly with missing and unsolved cases every Tuesday night at 8 PM EST. This show is something that I feel like has been a long time coming, but probably bypassed by several networks because it touches on something that our communities would like to forget about. In this hour, you’ll hear the cold hard facts about what a family goes through, the efforts to find these people, and just where we’ve come and fallen short in times passed with various cases.
The shows are always different every week so it’s not repetitious. The information that is on there is easy to follow and the listeners can call in and communicate if they want.

If you are just now coming into the missing and unsolved arena and you want to learn more, this is your opportunity to do it. You can learn from the comfort of your own home and you can become more aware of this ongoing problem. We see the stories on Nancy Grace, Greta, Larry King and the other shows. It’s getting worse and as a community we feel like we want to get involved but don’t know where to start.

There’s positive ways to make a difference. Start by listening to this show and supporting Missing Pieces. To view the show schedule, archives of past shows, and more information, visit – www.MissingPieces.Info

Related Information on Todd Matthews:

www.TentGirl.Com
Raising the Dead

Vigil Remembers Elaine Nix - Unsolved Murder Victim

2006-09-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

On September 29, 1999 Elaine Nix's lifeless nude body was discovered in an industrial park area. Elaine vanished eight days earlier after going to pay phone to call her boyfriend. Her car was found abandoned and it appeared that nothing had been taken. Since the disappearance and murder of Elaine, there have been few clues and no answers as to what happened that fateful night.

Her family and friends have been left with far too many questions and very little answers. They try daily to find new ways to keep Elaine's case from turning cold, and from being just another cold case.

Every year on the anniversary of the discovery of Elaine's body, family, friends, and others gather at her gravesite located at the Memorial Park Cemetary. They hold a candle lit ceremony and release balloons in Elaine's memory. So far, they leave the vigil without answers and without the closure they need in order for this horrible wound to heal. They wonder if the next year will be the year for justice to be found? As temperatures dropped way down for residents in Georgia today, many people still came out late Friday afternoon to be a part of Elaine's annual vigil. They wanted to remember her, and to let others know that this is unacceptable that a person can be murdered and that a killer can still remain at large.

Our group is always in attendance at the vigil for Elaine. With Elaine being a local case, we have become all too familiar with the police departments working with her case, as well as the family who is still searching for answers. It seems so surreal that something like this could happen this close to our own back yard. You always think that a violent crime will happen someplace other than your own immediate area, but then something changes that.

Somewhere, there is someone that has information regarding the disappearance and murder of Elaine Nix. They've possibly talked to someone about this crime, and if that person who has that vital information could just come forward, then that's all it takes. There is a $5,000 REWARD --- Whoever has committed this crime is still out there. They could be ready to strike again, or probably have done so already.

If you have ANY information regarding the disappearance and death of Elaine Nix, please do the right thing and call Gwinnett County Police Department of Criminal Investigation Division at 770-513-5300.

View All Photos From Elaine's 2006 Vigil

Websites for Elaine Nix

Justice For Elaine

Friends Remember Elaine

Related Article from Gainesville Times - Earlier This Week -----

In a little less than three months, Elaine Nix would have turned 25 years old. But six years ago, someone or something saw to it that she would never reach her 19th birthday. On Sept. 29, 1999, Nix was found dead in a wooded area at an industrial park in Buford, two miles from the Hall County line. Her body showed no signs of rape or torture. Family members and friends plan to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Funeral Home to hold a candlelight vigil in her memory, an annual gathering since the teenager's mysterious death. "Elaine was and still is one of my best friends and this year marks six long years since her murder," Jennifer Boyd, one of Nix's closest friends, said in an e-mail. "Family and friends still don't know anything surrounding her (death)." Nix disappeared after midnight Sept. 21, 1999. She was seen last at a pay phone at Zack's Food Rack on Candler Road in South Hall. Authorities say phone records indicate she spent nearly an hour on the phone with her former boyfriend, Bobby Millwood of Cleveland. Elaine's 1986 Toyota Celica was found later that night at the convenience store with the keys in the ignition and the engine still warm. After her body was found, an autopsy revealed no obvious injuries or signs of sexual assault. Nix's cause of death still is undetermined. "How can we go on?" asked Elaine's father, David Nix, three years ago. "Part of us is gone." Six years have passed and no solid information has turned up to lead investigators to a possible suspect or cause of death. Sgt. E.T. Edkin with the Gwinnett County criminal investigations division still takes calls on the case to date, but says there has been nothing significant in recent years. "No new leads," he said with a sigh. "I still take sporadic calls on it but they haven't helped us any." Edkin said the last call came in some time in July. He even got a Teletype on a possible serial killer from LaGrange, but he hasn't heard anything about that recently. "We've had plenty of suspects, but there are no new ones," he said. "It's considered a cold case now. When leads come in we will look into it, but it's not an everyday investigation." That hasn't stopped Becky and David Nix in the search for their daughter's alleged killer. A reward fund was created soon after Elaine's death, reaching $10,000 at one point. But as years passed and the investigation became almost stagnant, some foundations pulled money out of the reward fund. Boyd said $5,000 is left in the fund for anyone with information that leads to an arrest in Elaine's death. "Elaine's family and friends have had a really hard time dealing with all of this," Boyd said. "Her parents have almost lost everything they have and they don't have the money to hire a private investigator or put any more money up for the reward fund." Hal Lowder, a private investigator with Eagle Watch Investigations in Gainesville, has volunteered to assist with the case. Lowder, a former fire investigator with Hall County, was returning from Louisiana last week and could not be reached for comment. Boyd and Becky Nix also attended the "Montel Williams Show" last November looking for answers from psychic Sylvia Browne. Becky Nix said following the show that Browne gave her a description and name of the man who may have killed her daughter, but she said she didn't know the name. Edkin said last week that Browne's information did not lead to anything new, but he said another psychic e-mailed him after the show aired with his own theory of what happened. Although there have been no answers to Elaine's death, family members and friends still hold on to the fact that somebody may know something. "Awareness is vital and we want to let everyone know that Elaine is important to us," Boyd said.

Ray Pleads NOT GUILTY to Murdering his wife Sueann Ray

2006-09-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, September 20, 2006 I headed to a Pickens County courthouse to appear on behalf of Sueann Ray's family who were unable to attend the court proceedings for the formal arraignment for Quinton Ray who was finally arraigned for the charges of murdering Sueann Ray on August 26, 2005.
It was an hour drive for me to the courthouse where the media was waiting ready for any reaction for either side of what is going to one of the biggest murder cases that Jasper Georgia has probably ever seen.

As the charges were read by District Attorney, Joe Hendricks, I glanced across the court room to Quinton and something I noticed that has never happened before, he began to shake his head back and forth "NO". At that point I knew what the plea was going to be once the charges were all handed down. Of course, one of the capital defense attorneys stood up and read NOT GUILTY on all charges and we were not suprised at all by this. Then came the legal jargon by the defense.

It became more of a concern for the defense attorney that Quinton Ray was being led into the court wearing a prison jumpsuit and having to wear leg shackles and handcuffs than the issue at hand --- that being he was being arraigned for a murder charge. As this went on for about 10 or 15 minutes, it was finally decided that he would be able to wear normal clothing at the next hearings, however he would be handcuffed and shackled (if I remember correctly) due to security concerns).

After we cleared this hurdle and set the next hearing, the suspect was removed from the court room and I was glad he was gone, because I was sick of looking at him. Then came a bombshell of an event I've never seen before, especially at an arraignment. The defense requests private investigator John Seay to enter the court room. At this time, Judge Weaver has to stop these conversations because Quinton Ray has been taken out of the court room and he's headed back to the jail. They have to radio back to the police and bring him BACK to the court and START the hearing process all over again. I was like ----- oooook. Quinton is then seated back in the court room and then the defense restates their request for private investigator John Seay. John then enters the two double doors looking sharp as a tack and walks to the front of court. John has been served with a subpoena and has no other choice but to appear and he is there :)
He is then asked if has an attorney present and his answer is "no". From there, Quinton Ray's defense attorney's ask to put John Seay on the stand to discuss information he has in his file regarding his investigation that was done during the investigation he did for the family of Sueann Ray while she was missing. The judge WILL NOT allow this. She says that John Seay can appear back on October 18th with his attorney at the next scheduled hearing and no person will be put on the stand today.
I was not believing this ridiculous attempt by these attorney's. What the HELL where they thinking. This was an arraignment hearing. We are not even at trial yet!

This was a day packed full of twists, turns and suprises. As I told FOX 5 News, 11 Alive News Atlanta, Channel 2 Action News, and others, we expected this, and we are prepared for whatever is lieing ahead. This is going to be a long hall and we are just going to have to stick this out at all cost. We really do not have a choice in the matter. Read the following article from the Cherokee Tribune.

By Angela M. Jones
Cherokee Tribune Staff WriterThe estranged husband of murdered Woodstock mother Sueann Ray on Wednesday afternoon made his first appearance in court in almost six months.Quinton Ray of Jasper was formally arraigned before Judge Brenda Weaver at the Pickens County Courthouse and charged with malice and felony murder, kidnapping, concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence. His attorney, Douglas Ramseur of the Georgia Capital Defenders office, pleaded not guilty to all charges on his behalf.Judge Weaver denied a request from Ramseur to waive Ray's formal arraignment just before the indictment was read by Pickens County District Attorney Joe Hendricks.
Ray was arrested Feb. 8 shortly after GBI agents discovered the remains of his 26-year-old estranged wife buried in a shallow grave off Cherokee Gold Trail in northern Cherokee earlier that morning. He was indicted by a grand jury Feb. 20 on the same charges.If convicted, Ray could face the death penalty.Mrs. Ray's family reported her missing Aug. 29, 2005, three days after she went to Jasper to visit Ray. Her 1999 Ford Windstar was found in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Canton that night.Dressed in an orange-and-white Pickens County prison uniform, shackled and handcuffed, Ray was escorted into the courtroom by two officers and sat silently through the arraignment.At both Ray's April 12 court appearance and Wednesday afternoon's proceedings, Ramseur objected to his client appearing in court dressed in prison clothes, shackles and handcuffs. He requested Ray be allowed to appear wearing civilian attire and without shackles and handcuffs."These proceedings are being covered by the media, and the images of Mr. Ray as he is attired now have a very damaging effect on my client and his case," he said.Judge Weaver granted the request for Ray to appear in civilian clothes at all future court appearances but denied Ramseur's requests the handcuffs and shackles be removed, calling them a standard security procedure. She denied his request to delay Wednesday's arraignment so Ray could change into civilian clothes.
Ray will return to court Oct. 18 for a hearing on the option of reciprocal discovery, or sharing of evidence, and whether the defense wants to participate.The judge asked both the state and the defense to file all motions related to the form of the indictment within the next 30 days and any other motions they already plan to file within the next 60 days, so a hearing to discuss the first of them can be held Feb. 1 or 2. She granted both sides the right to file additional motions later, as needed.Friends and family of Mrs. Ray attended the arraignment and sat attentively during the proceedings, some crying quietly into tissues."We're here to support Sueann on behalf of the family, who couldn't be all be here today," said family friend Jill Bennett of Gainesville. "It's going to be a long haul for us, but we'll be here as long as it takes to find justice for her.Several members of the Ray's family also attended the arraignment but declined to comment on the advice of his attorney.Quinton's father, Harold "Danny" Ray, 54, of Ball Ground also was named in the indictment Feb. 20, charged with concealing the death of another, hindering the apprehension of a criminal and tampering with evidence. He allegedly helped Ray drive Mrs. Ray's minivan from Jasper to Canton.He was released Feb. 22 on a $60,000 bond, with the conditions he waive his Fourth Amendment rights, be monitored by a GPS tracking device at all times and have no contact with the victim's family, including his 8-year-old granddaughter.

www.CherokeeTribune.Com

Link with Video of Court Appearance

Toddler Missing - Nancy Grace Not Responsible For Mom's Suicide

2006-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

August 27, 2006 Melinda Duckett sits down to watch some movies with two gentleman in her apartment in Leesburg, Florida. Two hours later she supposidly goes to check for her two year old son, Trenton Duckett and he's missing from his bed. Mom then calls police and the search begins.

Authorities would later discover a sliced window screen outside the baby's bedroom window and it leaves many to wonder how somebody could leave a cut that small and possibly take a child out through the window?

Days later Trenton remains missing and Melinda Duckett and others are frantically searching for the toddler when she decides to come on famous talk show host Nancy Grace's show on Friday, September 8th. Many of you who work in the missing person arena know Ms. Grace as one who is very outspoken and is not afraid to get straight to the point when it comes to these high profile cases. Most people either like her or they don't.

I happened to be at home last Friday night and caught the interview with Melinda Duckett and Nancy Grace. As a skeptic, I thought right off, Melinda Duckett was a little cocky for a mom with a missing child, and somewhat evasive, but as Nancy began to prod closer into the events leading upto Trenton's disappearance, it became very evident that Melinda Duckett was NOT going to answer any questions that Nancy Grace had.
Right off it was looking bad that Melinda Duckett was refusing to answer whether or not she'd taken a lie detector test. It only looked worse when she would not offer Nancy Grace or anybody else on the panel that night any answers as to where she was in the hours leading up to Trenton's disappearance. In my mind, she did not want anybody to know where she'd been and then came the scroll across CNN -----------
MELINDA DUCKETT FOUND DEAD AFTER SHOW WAS TAPED TODAY.
I thought hmmmmmmmm, I smell a big rat here.

Days later it was confirmed that Melinda had committed suicuide and then came the reports that she'd done this after being interviewed on the Nancy Grace show. Some people are beginning to say that Nancy Grace is to blame for this woman going off the deep end and taking her own life. They claim that Melinda should have been handled with kid gloves and she was treated like a caged animal that went over the edge. Let's get real people!

Nancy Grace asked this woman direct questions pertaining to the whereabouts of her son and his disappearance! Nancy Grace did not cause this woman to go off the deep end. I'm sure there was pressure from the FBI and other law enforcement officials on Melinda Duckett's trail much more so than Nancy Grace.

This woman had some major issues judging from the material that is coming out from her blogs, and other writings that have been taken from her house. She was a person that I believe methodically planned to cause the disapearance of her son and at this point, I doubt he'll be found. She had a great amount of hatred for her soon to be ex-husband - Josh Duckett.

Her funeral was today and what she took to her grave was probably more than we will ever be able to learn from a blog or diary. This is a sad sad case, and Nancy Grace is not the scape goat here.

Million Dollar Lawsuit Filed For 2004 Search for Carrie's Remains

2006-09-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

As you all will recall, a few days before Carrie Culberson's statue was to be unveiled in Blanchester, Ohio at the Police Department, some over zealous individual called in a tip to the police that her body was buried underneath a pole barn. The call that placed caused the ceremony to be put on hold. It was Victim's Right's week, a very important week to Carrie's family and many others who have lost something they'll never be able to get back.

Carrie's family were out at the excavation site for a total of 14 days where they watched with binoculars as barn was torn to shreds and the ground was dug up searching for Carrie who at the time was missing for nearly eight years. One of those days that passed during the 14 was Mother's Day, a day I'm sure Debra Culberson will never forget. She was greeted with strangers passing on the road giving her well wishes and flowers, telling her that they hoped this would finally be it and that Carrie was finally about to be found. Sadly, that is not what happened.
The search would end and several items were found buried at 15 feet beneath the dirt and rubble that were identified as belonging to Carrie Culberson. If my memory serves me correctly, the items recovered were a t-shirt, sock, panties?, and some garbage bags. The clothing was identified by Carrie's family, as being Carrie's. When the items were found that belonged to Carrie, we were all baffled to say the least. The garbage bags were not suprising because of what we'd already heard from the testimony of Lori Baker back in 1997 of seeing Tracey and Vincent leave the house on Supringer Street in the early morning hours with seven garbage bags to take care of the mess in relation to Carrie's disappearance/murder. While I wasn't so concerned with the garbage bags, I wanted to know - "where's Carrie?"
I never believed that Michael Fogot or Jarrod Messer had murdered Carrie Culberson. However, I believe there's some knowledge of how and why that material was placed under that barn. Vincent Doan or another member of his family is aquainted with Messer in some form. I Maybe not best friends, but in some form. How else did that stuff turn up underneath that barn, because we know factually Carrie Culberson did not know these people - at all - AND it was ON Messer's property!

We left this search with nothing and had to go on about everday life still wondering when and if Carrie would ever be found. Two more years would pass and then the 10 year anniversary would pass without Carrie's body being recovered.

Less than a week after the anniversary of Carrie's 10th disappearance anniversary, a lawsuit was filed against Brown County by Jeanette Spangler and her son, Jerrod Messer, owners of the property on Fayetteville-Blanchester Road where the excavation took place back in May 2004. The lawsuit states that the dig destroyed their property.

I took a look from the road while we were up back in late August and the barn appeared to be caving in from the top. It looked like it had been gone over with a fine tooth comb and destroyed while doing so. Perhaps Brown County should have put the barn back together or something after completing the search for Carrie? I really have no opinion either way on this. I am just ready for Carrie to be found. I know that somebody knows where her remains are and I find it utterly ridiculous and evil that somebody could withhold that.

This story never ends and it never dies down. If you really cut to the core of it. All we really need is for Carrie's body to be returned to her family. The searchers who have taken on this daunting task of trying to find her have been called everything in the book for taking a stand. I'm now being told I'm the female version of John Mark Karr. LOL
I'll be Little Richard if I can bring Carrie home. Just give her back to us, ok? Please see the related article below.

Million dollar mess alleged in Brown County lawsuit
By CARRIE CARLSON Staff Writer
BLANCHESTER, Ohio -- A 2004 property search for the body of Clarissa Ann "Carrie" Culberson in Brown County has prompted the property owners to file a lawsuit naming several parties, including the Brown County sheriff, in the United States Southern District Court of Ohio.Jeanette Spangler and her son, Jerrod Messer, owners of the property on Fayetteville-Blanchester Road, where officials searched for Culberson's body, are suing the Brown County and Clermont County sheriffs, in their official and individual capacities, for executing a search which "led to excessive personal and real property destruction in damages."Spangler and Messer are seeking compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $1 million.Carrie Culberson was 22 years old when she disappeared in 1996, and her body has yet to be located. However, a jury convicted her boyfriend, Vincent Doan, in 1997 of kidnapping and murdering Culberson.The lawsuit names not only the sheriffs, but names Brown County and Clermont County commissioners, as the political and corporate bodies that govern the departments. The suit also names the Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association, an insurance agency.Spangler and Messer claim the search "exceeded the scope of the warrant by digging in an area much larger in geometry than the scope of the warrant allowed."
The complaint also alleges the search was executed with "recklessness and malice," that led to damages in excess of $75,000.Spangler and Messer said many damages occurred during the search including "destruction of a barn, fence and other structures, as well as significant loss of personal property including loss of tools, destruction or damage to a number of automobiles and numerous household items."In addition to the destruction, the suit claims officials destroyed the septic system, making the property uninhabitable, which caused occupants to vacate the land. The vacancy also prompted property vandalism, according to the action. Due to all the damage, the Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association canceled the insurance policy, and never paid the plaintiffs for damages, covered under the terms of the policy, the suit contends.In a statement issued Thursday, Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger said he stands by his decision that had his deputies excavate the property, with a search warrant that was received by Clermont County Sheriff's Office.Wenninger went on to explain that information obtained by his investigators, the Clermont County Sheriff's investigators, FBI officials and other agencies led the parties to continue the search.Wenninger said he and others who participate in public professions, will always be subject to scrutiny, but "we must still do the job that we are entrusted to do by the public."
Wenninger said he is convinced that he, and other officials, "did that job" and believes the search warrant on the Spangler-Messer property led to more leads and information concerning the Culberson case.

Still Missing But NOT Forgotten - Carrie Culberson 10 Yrs Later

2006-08-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, mom and I headed North to Blanchester Ohio for the day that I've been dreading for two months. We were joined by some precious friends, Patti Bishop (mom of Karen Jo Smith), Lorraine Lucas (mother of unsolved murder victim - Brian Lucas), Dawn Vowel (daughter of Sandra Travis missing), Karen Kraemer (mother of missing Becky Marzo), just to name a few. All of the mothers and daughters came from various states to join Debbie Culberson for Carrie's 10th disappearance anniversary and a special ceremony that was to be held. I thought I would share with all of you dedicated supporters how our weekend went.

Beginning with Saturday night after we had all gone out to eat and to catch up on things, we were driving down a back road in Wilmington, which is not far from Blanchester (where Carrie vanished), when Carrie's mom accidentially took a wrong turn. We ended up in the general area of the police department that now has a permanent statue in place in rememberance of Carrie. Since we were in the same area, we all pulled in and took a look at Carrie's statue. At midnight the statue was illuminated by the lights coming from the pole lights. She was so beautiful it was unbelievable. I wondered silently maybe had Carrie guided us to the statue because this was the only way we can visit with her since her body is missing.

We spent a lot of time visiting and just talking about the various cases. We dont have to feel weird about talking openly about the cases because we know that the people we are around understand and are basically as obcessed as we are. Sometimes certain people just do not understand and that was another topic - friends understanding and dealing after you are struck with a tradegy or in my case, working on cases with a lot of sadness. As I've stated many times, there is grey area with this. People either get it or they dont, and making them understand is not very easy if not completely impossible.

The day I dreaded came on Monday. Our day consisted of going to all the places were Carrie was last seen the night she vanished. Debbie took all the ladies out on the road to see these places because everyone agreed, they wanted to see everything to get a clearer understanding of what exactly went wrong on August 28, 1996. I have never done real well with being in the area where the junkyard pond is. I suppose knowing that is where Carrie was after she'd been murdered makes me so upset. That's also where she slipped right through our fingers. There is no way we could have known and this bothers not only me but her mom daily.
We had to rush back and get dressed because we had to get to the ceremony at 6, and I was a basketcase by the time we got there.

The ceremony was not about Carrie only. It consisted of others in Blanchester who were victims that originated from domestic violence. Another statue was unveiled for the fallen police officer who was recognized. The statue was beautiful.
After the ceremony ended I was able to visit with Bill Peele the Clinton County District Attorney who has set the tone for so many other DA's and has given hope to so many families with his all or nothing approach to Carrie's murder case. A soft spoken man who is extremly smart, and knows his job well. Bill was only a few of the dear people that I got the chance to visit with in person not just via email and telephone. One of our long time supporters who logs onto our forum drove out and came to support Carrie. I thought that was so nice of her to take time for Carrie. Lynn, if you are reading this, you are truely appreciated.

A night filled with sadness, kindness and love ended up back at Carrie's house where we held a small vigil for her in the front yard. I decided that our balloons this year should be purple and yellow. The purple stood for domestic violence and the yellow was for missing. We incorporated both of these colors to remember not just Carrie's situation, but several of the ladies whose loved ones were missing under the same circumstances. The sky was beautiful as Carrie's balloons floated away into the beautiful night time sky. Just like Carrie, there at one time, but now gone in a flash.

As the night concluded and we all said our goodbyes, we began plans to leave and come home. I felt a presence of what I believe to be Carrie that rode with me all the way to our hotel. I know in my heart of hearts that Carrie and some of the other lost loved ones were there in spirit. Everyone felt it.

As I was driving down I75 South just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, mom and I began to talk about patience and why is it taking so long. As the conversation was going along, I looked up and noticed the under pass concrete beam that had something spray painted on it. In forest green spray painted letters, it read "Trust Jesus". I asked mom did she see it because I wanted to make sure I was not seeing things. I did not sleep well last night. I never sleep well on August 28th. Mom saw the same words just as we were passing.

While that probably sounds very cheesy and lame, I had to take it as a sign of hope that goes back to what we've all been told time and time again. Everything is in God's timing. I went home today without Carrie being found and it now being 10 years with her being gone. I went home wondering when will be time for this nightmare to end. I also was reminded yet once again that nobody ever said this was going to be easy and when all is said and done, I'm just going to have to do what that spray painted message said today. I will have to do this because he'll be the one who brings Carrie home. My obcession with finding her resumes and is going stronger than ever. I've been joined by several others that I know will continue to search for her if something should ever happen to me. I'll never give up on finding Carrie and in my heart, I know more than ever I was meant to do this. However long it takes, I'll always be looking and even though Carrie is still missing, she's not forgotten. Carrie's memory will live on in our hearts and minds. It cannot be hurt, hidden, or destroyed.
(pictured left - I found this picture of Carrie that was taken in 1995. I got this from her mom in the stack of pictures I'm going to add to Carrie's site. I thought it was only appropriate to post this in closing) You were riding with us today in spirit. I couldn't see you, but in my heart, I felt you were there. You know my promise. I'll find you.

See Photos From the Weekend to Remember Carrie
Carrie's Main Website

Have We Really Made A Break in The JonBenet Case?

2006-08-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

Unless you live in a cave, you've probably seen the news flashing this pathetic looking man wearing his pants pulled up underneath his arm pits. His name is John Mark Karr and he is believed to be responsible for the now ten year old unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey.
He was arrested in Thailand and shortly thereafter, made a confession in front of hundred of TV cameras. Karr claims that he "loved" JonBenet, he was with her when she died and her death was an accident. However, he dodges the questions about how he got into the house. This is making some people wonder, was this man ever inside the house, or is he using this for attention? I'll tell you all why I suspect this.

Karr is a pervert. He's in trouble for child porn in Thailand. Their laws are very different from the United States. Chances are he's looking at some serious jail time there if he is tried and convicted there. If he gets back to the states and is tried her for this situation, and they find out he's a blooming idiot and made the whole thing up, chances are, he won't be sent back to Thailand to face those charges so he's gotten himself out of a lot of trouble already. You say, well why'd the FBI come after him if they had NOTHING. That's the part that is interesting. Obviously they had something they wanted to talk to him about. I believe his factination with the documented Polly Klaas murder and then JonBenet, and his email trasactions may be what caused the authorities to zero in on him. This man is a nut case for sure. I am still not ready to jump conclusions and say OH MY GOD they've found the KILLER, because there is still something that is not adding up.
Karr is not giving them the correct information and it could be that he's doing this to be a typical psychopath or it could be because he is not the real killer, I just dont know. I do know one thing. The media has exploited the hell of that poor family and JonBenet. Is it really necessary to put a film crew out by her gravesite for crying out loud?
How many other families are there out there right now who have suffered the same type of situation but never got this type of media hype. Frankly, I was trying to watch a little of the Perry March trial when it was interrupted by this man wearing these pants up too high. By the way, the found March GUILTY and I was glad.
We'll all be watching this whether we want to or not and hopefully they'll find out if this man is for real or if he's just another pervert who needs to be put to sleep.

What It's Really Like To Have Someone You Love Turn Up Missing Pt II

2006-08-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Today is part two of taking a look at what it's like to have someone you love disappear without a trace. I decided that I wanted to have a few relatives tell our viewers what it's like to live a day in their life. Today's story comes from Karren Kraemer, a lady I met through Patti and Ed Bishop this past July at the Midwestern Coalition for the Missing. Karren and I bonded immediately because she's just a nice lady. She tells me that Debbie and I have given her inspiration and strength. She's given us so many wonderful things as well. I'd like for you all to please read her words about her missing daughter. Once you complete it, please visit Becky's website. We need to find Becky and bring her home. Karren, thank-you for sharing this with us. We will find Becky!

Help Find Becky Marzo

Words by Karren
Today, I took a minute to think about how my life has changed. Some people never ask themselves this question but today I felt it was important that I share this thought with the people I care most about. I am the mother of as missing person. You know I never in my life thought I would lose a child, someone that I gave birth to, someone that I loved. A daughter that any parent would be proud to have.
When my mother died I thought that I had felt the worst pain of all. I never thought I would or could feel such an overwhelming pain and loss, one that hurt so deep. I remember back to that evening when I walked into the emergency room so unprepared for my mother’s death. I looked at my mother and thought oh God please let her life with you be better then the life she had on earth. I prayed that God took all her pain away and let her walk through the gates of heaven pain free and happy. Something she wasn’t able to feel for so many years. I had to believe that God was that powerful, to help her escape the painful life she had and that he somehow knew that, that night was the night to bring her home. You know I felt guilt and pain when she died. Did I do everything I could to help her? Why did I ignore the truth for all those years? It took me a long time to overcome that pain and loss, I still struggle to force myself to go to the cemetery to visit her grave. I go there and even though it’s been so long ago I am reminded of her sad painful life. It still causes the pain to return, the sadness, the sorrow for her life of pain in the end.
I did everything I could to protect my children from the pain I saw in my family. Yet, it wasn’t enough! I thought if I raised the kids in a better neighborhood with great schools and was always there for them, they would never have to endure what their parents endured. They had a great father who showed his love to them everyday. My husband cared about their happiness, he would give his life for each and everyone of them. He showed such pride in each and every one of their accomplishments. I never knew what that felt like as a child. I as a child never experienced that type of love and compassion. I thought I could stop the cycle.
Then it happened!!!
I saw my daughter Becky going down a road that I knew could eventually kill her if she didn’t get out. I kept begging her to leave her boyfriend. I couldn’t understand the pain she let him inflict on her. She was so smart and beautiful. She could have had anyone she wanted. Why did she stay with him? Why didn’t she listen to us? Why did she distance herself from the people who really loved her?
Becky went missing!!!
Then I lost Becky. My Becky, God I loved her so much. I will never be able to tell you guys how much I miss her . I hope none of you will ever have to walk in my footprints. For those of you, my Sisters and brothers in search, you understand so well my pain. We share it and understand each other like no one else could ever understand us. When we have our breakdowns and periods of crying you understand, and wait for the moment to pass. I have had my share of sad days and nights. You know when you get up in the morning and you see something that reminds you of that very special person that you’ve lost. It could be a commercial, a picture, or a song. Reminders are there all the time. Sometimes they are more prevalent than other times. I think to myself, how will Life ever be normal again? Then, I realize this is my life, changed forever. .
I have spent two and a half years in pain and helplessness because of my loss. I have been forced to ask myself questions like. Where is my daughter? Is she dead or alive? If she is indeed dead, why was she murdered? What gave him the right to take her life? These are the moments of wonderment I now have. How could this happen to my Becky? How could the police treat this as just another ordinary crime? How I can I overcome this with some dignity intact? What can I do to make a difference?
Then today as I cleaned the house I took the time to think, “ Multitasking” That I’m good at, I thought you know maybe everything does happen for a reason, maybe God’s plan is greater then mine. I don’t know, but I do know that I can’t let Becky’s life be for not. It is up to me as her mother to make the difference, and find her. I have to get the strength and courage to go full circle with this. My goal is to make people hear my story, and the stories of all the women and men who have gone missing. This is a very hard road to cross, as most government officials don’t want to get involved. Most politicians want pretty topics during election year. Domestic Violence, Murder, and our missing children, seem to be way to messy for them. I can tell you all that I am going to stay committed to getting this Coalition going and it needs to be done with urgency. Everyday another woman is battered by her spouse or boyfriend. If she’s lucky she will get away, if not she will end up like our daughter’s murdered and dumped somewhere. These beautiful souls lost forever. It is up to us the parents, the brothers and sisters and the public to help put an end to this type of violence. I have to fight this battle because I need and deserve closure.
My life has changed, I know that there has to be something I can do to make a difference. I need to have a mission to help bring justice to all the families that have suffered through the same pain that I have. . I look at all my Sister’s in Search and I think there are no boundaries here. This is not a crime for a special group of people. This is a crime that crosses every boundary line race, religion, and economic class. I need to find the people who will listen and I need to make them hear our lost one’s voices. I need to find the answers and start educating our children, daughters and sons our legal system, and the police. I need to stay focused on what my objectives are. It is to put an end to the loss that will most certainly affect another innocent family today, tomorrow and in the furture.
As a parent I feel so much pain on a daily basis. I’ve had cops say, ”You need to talk to someone”, I’ve had cops say, ”Don’t talk to anyone you might foil the case”. As a parent what do I do? Do I call the Crisis Intervention at the DA’s office and talk about my pain? Will he use my pain to work against me later on? Do I seek help out of the control of the DA and Police? Will that help? Do I find a support group where I can talk openly and honestly? Who can I trust? Is it wrong to want to blame the cops for my fear of screwing up the case so I go no where with my pain except the occasional frustrated call to the cop in charge of Becky’s case. She must think I’m a total emotional wreck. Then I remember I am the victim, or Am I? Do I feel like I’m a victim but really I’m not? Who is the victim? Is Becky the victim? Does her pain and death institute the type of justice I’m seeking? Do I as a parent of an adult victim have any real rights? What is the answer? Do any of us really know? I ask these questions daily of myself? I’m only one person, yet I feel that I must do something. I need to make a difference for Becky and all our missing children.…..
I need to make things right. I need to make all the men that have hurt our daughter’s, mother’s and sisters think twice before they do it again. I need every voice possible to help me make this happen. It is only a question? Is it the right question? I don’t know any more. All I know is that my Becky is gone! Deb Culberson’s daughter Carrie is gone, Patti and Ed Bishop’s daughter Karen Jo is gone, Margie Mortior’s, son Amos is missing, Dawn and Tom Vowell’s mother Sandra Kay Travis is missing, Darlene Pitts sister Kathy Fry is gone. This is such a small list and yet it grows daily. These are the families that need to know the truth, these are the people who wake up every day thinking,”How has their lives changed?”
Our lives will never be the same. The pain will never go away.
Today, my life has a mission. Three years ago I had a good nights sleep. Three years ago I had a great job, three years ago I was planning for an Alaskan cruise. Three years ago life was normal. Today I look at every ditch and railroad track as a possible place to hide my daughters remains. Today when I hear a news story about an unidentified female body discovered somewhere I call the local Medical Examiner to see if they know who it is and should I send Becky’s DNA or Dental Records. Today I drive into the darkest streets in Milwaukee to hang Posters on telephone poles. I knock on doors and ask strangers if they knew my daughter. Today I go to my computer and start the search all over. Is he on a different website or does he have a new e-mail address. Today I cry. Yes my life has changed forever as I have to continue to search for my daughter. I need answers to my questions. I need to know what happened to her. I need to know that the person responsible for her disappearance and murder is held accountable. I need to have a good nights sleep. I need your prayers. I need support. Yes my life has changed forever!

Janet March Missing Today for 10 Years - Husband on Trial for Her Murder

2006-08-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Janet March disappeared off the face of the earth ten years ago on this date (August 16, 1996). Her loving husband, Perry March would tell her parents that she told him she needed a break from things and took a small vacation to get away, and she never returned. Janet's car would turn up in an apartment complex about a week later abandoned, but still no trace of Janet.
The case began to take a more sinister turn. Perry March did not want Janet's parents to go to the authorities just yet, although by this time, Janet had been gone for nearly two solid weeks. Perry claimed that going to the police might embarass Janet because she'd been on vacation and that he'd opt to hire a PI instead of going to the police. Janet's parents thought this was ridiculous and reported Janet MISSING. This was only the beginning of what would be a ten year roller coaster for the Levine family.

Perry March surely had an edge over most people who would want to commit a crime, he had knowledge of the law, after all, he was a successful attorney in Nashville, Tennessee. He has claimed from the beginning that he had NOTHING to do with Janet's disappearance. Well I suppose everyone should just believe him and leave it at that? Not hardly.
As it became apparent Perry March was not going to cooperate with authorities regarding his wife's disappearance, they would need to secure a search warrant for the March house.
Perry March claimed that Janet had typed him a to do list before she took her vacation. The only problem is that their computer's hard drive was gone, just like Janet March. Who would take the computer's hard drive out and why? Could it be because Janet March never typed that to do list and if the hard drive were to be analyzed that it would be determined that Perry March had made up the list, and the story about Janet taking a vacation?

It would take nearly nine years before Perry March's castle would begin to crumble. He'd already moved to Mexico to be with his smart mouth daddy whose interview with 48 Hours was one that nobody can ever forget. Dear old dad and Perry were first charged with attempting to hire a hit against Janet's parents to stop them from trying to gain custody of the two children Janet had with Perry March. Arthur March struck a deal with the police to escape a lengthy jail sentence and testified against Perry. He stated that he and Perry helped dispose of Janet after Perry murdered her on August 16, 1996. So far, they've been unable to find Janet's body. Could it be that Arthur lied? He should go back to jail as far as I'm concerned.

Janet is now missing for ten years today and FINALLY Perry March is on trial for her murder. To date Janet has not been located, so this is a trial without the body, just like Carrie's case. It'll be difficult, but not impossible to win. In some ways, you have look at how this all has worked itself out. Perry is now being held accountable for his actions on that August 16, 1996. I feel like justice is coming for Janet and soon. We are all hoping that her body can be located for proper burial soon.
We will all be watching and waiting for the jury's verdict on Perry March. He has put Carolyn and Larry though enough hell. Thinking of Janet today on this tenth anniversary. She's still missing but NOT forgotten.

Additional Links:

Court TV's Coverage of The Perry March Murder Case
What Happened To Janet March?

What It's Really Like To Have Someone You Love Turn Up Missing

2006-08-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

In the next few days I am going to share with you two stories written by two mothers who have written out what it's like to have their child vanish without a trace. Many times as websleuths and advocates we can imagine what it must be like, but we can't ever understand fully what these people feel on a daily basis.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to use our blog as a space for families to tell their stories and not to use it just for my own thoughts and ideas. I'm seeing too many blogs that are popping up online that are copy pasted material of Amber Alerts and things that are important but at the same time are missing the personal aspect that I feel the readers need. I know that we have people who are reading my material, so I want you all to read the material of these heartbroken mothers, dad, and others who are trying to find their loved ones. Lets all take a moment and step outside from our own lives and imagine ourselves walking a mile in these shoes.

Our first story is written by a dear sweet lady I've only met one time at the CUE Conference in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her name is Donna Parent, and her daughter Brandy Hanna disappeared without a trace on May 20, 2005. She needs to be located. Once you complete reading Donna's writing, please visit Brandy's website - Missing Brandy
Thank-you Donna for sharing this with Angel Garden of Hope and all the others who will be reading this.

What happens when one day someone you love more than life itself disappears? Have you ever thought about this I never did. Until the day my sweet little girl was gone and I had no idea or clue as to what to do. Can you imagine the millons of things that race through your head at a time like this. When Brandy disappeared I did not know what to do other than call the Police that went nowhere fast. My daughter is 32 I was told she could come and go as she pleased. So imagine you realize your child is missing and the people you think are suppose to help you could care less.

I have tried every avenue I can think of to bring attention to her case and keep her face in the public but on a daily basis I have people come into the Restaurant where I work and she did before she went missing . They have not heard one thing about Brandy missing and these people live in the same town I do . Brandy has been missing almost 15 months how is this possible?

Then you have the people who call you with all the I saw her over here or she was at this motel. I saw her walking down the road. You would not believe the stories I have been told.

Then you have the bodies that are found these are the worst as you wait sometimes days to find out if this is your missing loved one and all the thoughts go through your head as you wait to find out.

Then you have the people who think just because its been 15 months I should be over it, they forgot about it why haven`t you.Life is not easy for the family of missing persons only a select few get the attention they should all get.

Missing males get the least amount of publicity I don`t know why this is, they are just as important as females.My daughter is Missing I hate saying that but it is true I can`t move forward nor can i go backward I am stuck in the day she went missing.

People can say all they want but until you`ve walked in our shoes please don`t judge how we react to things you say or do.You do not feel the pain and suffering we are going through constantly, we can not turn these emotions on and off . Nor can we stop looking for our precious missing person even if we have to do it alone. Its not a path I chose but its one I have to walk to find my daughter

Mom Still Missing After Two Years

2006-08-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

Yolanda Bindics had just concluded her shift at the Family Dollar store where she was employed in Jamestown, New York when she disappeared without a trace. She'd never not called nor come home because she was a devoted mother of four young children that she loved and cared for. The next day Yolanda's car was found abandoned at a nearby Arby's and still no sign of Yolanda. By now, family and friends were very much concerned that something had happened to Yolanda. Now that two years has passed, that concern has grown to fear.

In the months after Yolanda's disappearance, there were some items related to her that were found and submitted into evidence, and even some people that might be potential suspects, but so far, no arrests. One man in particular was employed with the police department and known to have a connection with Yolanda at one time. He's had some questionable behavior with women and some believe he may have harassed Yolanda Bindics around the time before she vanished. To date, he has not been arrested in connection with her disappearance.
There have been more questions than answers in regards to Yolanda's disappearance and it just does not seem possible that anyone could just drop off the face of the earth. Somewhere, there is someone that knows where Yolanda Bindics is.

Today our group is remembering Yolanda Bindics on the two year anniversary since she vanished. Our thoughts are with her family and friends who continue to search for her. May they be given the strength to continue on as long as this may take. The uncertainty of dealing with a missing person case is so very difficult at times.

Related Link:

Where is Yolanda

When Helpfullness Turns To Harassment With Victim's Families

2006-08-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Scenario

Imagine yourself as a normal everyday Joe or Jane who came home from work one day and your life has been turned upside down. Somebody you love has been taken from your life and you have NO idea what has happened to them, and it appears that you are going to have to start a campaign to find them. Let’s say that you’ve never ever been on TV, never even called into the radio station to request a song, but now you have to do something, so you started out doing the best you can do. Nobody can ask you to do any better, after all, this is what any relative would do for somebody they love.

All the sudden, after being on TV, you begin receiving emails, phone calls, packages, among other things from an individual that you don’t know. They start out as friendly and helpful, but as you are eventually unable to answer over 50 emails per day for example, they begin take a turn towards something not so pleasant. It becomes very overwhelming for you because you are already in the middle of a crisis, because let’s remember your loved one is GONE and you are fighting to find them.

Personal Thoughts on the Above Scenario

Often times when some people see a television show on Court TV or AETV for example of a family who has suffered a loss, they want to reach out to the family to offer assistance and understanding to help them with their loss.
Any person who is having a difficult time could surely be appreciative of someone’s assistance, UNTIL it begins to overstep certain boundaries that should never ever be crossed.

There is a fine line that must never ever be crossed when helping someone or when we decide to become an advocate. Basically, it’s what I call a code of ethics. We must never ever tread into someone’s territory without being permission and trust must be earned. Trust is not earned with families suffering overnight, it will take time, probably not for months, or until they learn from your work from references. Let’s remember these people are hurting and do not need more drama added to the hell they are currently witnessing.
We are here to help and understand that there are certain parts of the case and heartbreak that we are not to be part of. After all, we are NOT a family member and we have no right to intrude into someone’s personal space by calling, emailing, showing up, or doing things that exhibit mental instability.

At no time should a family who is already suffering a loss have to go to their local authorities and file charges against a person has interjected themselves into their case and have taken the turn from friendly to threatening. It is enough to lose a loved one, and enough to be taken out of normal every day life, having to go onto TV shows for assistance, but then to pick up unwanted viewers who do not have the best intentions.

As with every family who longs for that one minute on National TV, I always tell them, please be aware of what can happen once you go onto TV with your case. While there are so many positive aspects of that, there can be a dark side. There are so many people who have nothing better to do than sit at home and watch TV all day long and actually think they are part of your situation and do anything to get into your life – and not for positive reasons. I suppose this is a risk that the family has to take to find out what happened to somebody the love. It’s not fair but what else can you do?

There are laws in each state that protect against online stalking, telephone harassment, those who have mental disabilities who harass innocent people. No family, victim’s advocate, or organization should have to deal with this type of situation.

Life is all about choices and actions. If you are witnessing this type of unwanted behavior, it is best to nip it in the early stages. Sometimes when dealing with a full on stalker, you must contact your law enforcement to file a report. If your local law enforcement refuses to take the matter seriously, call your news media. Always keep copies of the harassment in all forms, and stand up for your rights. Those who choose to victimize families and organizations of the missing and murdered are the same as the murderers. With the assistance of those working to stop these types of people, they will be taken off our streets and put behind bars where they belong. They are not helping they are hurting others.

I hate to see another family or person be hurt by another individual who finds it necessary to overstep the boundary of helpfulness to harassment. How can we know the next person who will wake up tomorrow and their life will be changed forever and then they’ll have to witness not only their personal loss, but then have to witness something of this nature. We’ll all work to stop this from happening. Just as we’ll work to find each and every missing and murdered person justice.

Midwestern Coalition For the Missing & Murdered

2006-07-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

Just a few weeks ago, Patti Bishop had mentioned to me a meeting that was going to be held in Indiana where several mothers were going to support another family of a missing woman, Niqui McCown who vanished on July 22, 2001. With Carrie’s 10 year anniversary date approaching, I just didn’t know if I felt up to going, but Patti’s encouragement changed my mind there at the last minute. (Pictured left back left - Spartanburg Police Detectives, Front Left, psychic detective "Kelly" and mother of missing daughter Becky Marzo - Karren Kraemer)

I met Patti Bishop several years back on Court TV just as I’ve met others who have missing loved ones. Patti’s step daughter, Karen Jo Smith vanished under the same circumstances as Carrie. They just as the Culberson’s were able to get a conviction without the body. They just like us are not satisfied because that last piece of the puzzle is missing and they’ve been cheated of the grieving process due to the lack of the remains.

Total strangers, but only speaking on the telephone a few times, I met Patti Bishop and we all rode back to the hotel where all the others were gathering. Most of us had never met before, but what is so odd, is how we all can just pick up and start talking to one another with no problem at all. We all have a common goal and some of us have a deeper connection – that being the loss of a child. (Pictured left - detectives, family members, advocates, and others gather before dinner @ Niqui McCown's rememberance dinner)

I was amazed at the gracious law enforcement officials who traveled all the way from South Carolina to support one family who has a son who was murdered with three others in a motorcycle shop. Coming out of their own realm to sit down and talk to us and work with us on our issues and concerns. They were not the only ones, others in attendance were a District Attorney, the Mayor in the town where Karen Jo Smith’s killer was convicted, and so many others who have decided that this is unacceptable, and we have to put a stop to violence and by showing up to an event like this is a step in the direction to helping stop these things.

Some of the others occupants of the hotel I observed were watching our group either in thinking we were weirdoes or they were genuinely interested in what we were doing. This all goes back to the conversation that a very dear friend and mentor of mine told me one time when I was upset about a comment someone had made to me about my work with the missing. He says, “Jill, you know something…. Our group is not the same as the average Joe and why should we be? People are either going to get it, or they won’t. With this, there’ll be no grey area”. And that is so very true. So, when one of the families of the missing or murdered say to me, my friends I used to have won’t talk to me anymore, they don’t know how to handle me. I say to them, how can they understand? They’ll either try or they won’t. (pictured top left - Debra Culberson, Me "FindCarrie" and Patti Bishop - stepmom of Missing - Karen Jo Smith)

We never know what can happen in life and what will come our way. As the minister told us in his prayer as he closed the service for Niqui. He said that just like with boxing, we may have been knocked down, but that does not mean we are out for good. We have an army and that army is so strong with positive reinforcement that I have no doubts with our hard work and the grace of God we will find these missing people and we will solve these murders. We are stronger than ever. Love to all my dear friends who came to Indiana this weekend, and that includes the four legged angels who walk beside us in search of those missing and lost loved ones. Not all of God’s angels are in heaven. (This is me with Jersey Joe, a blood hound with Advanced K9 who works in conjunction with Missing & Exploited Children who attended the special event for Niqui McCown Saturday night)

Additional Links

See All Photos From this Event HERE
Help Find Karen Jo Smith
Missing & Exploited Children
5 years later: Still hoping, praying Daughter of Niqui finds joy in celebration

Louise Poe Has Been Found

2006-07-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

Just today I opened my inbox and there was an email from Louise Poe's daughter Sheran that I've worked with for nearly six months now. She told me that her mom Louise Poe had been found. Another one of my cases had been closed. Another one solved and able to have some sort of understanding and closure.

Louise disappeared on Dec. 28, 2005 from her personal care home in Woodstock, GA. She was 79 years old and suffering from severe dementia. Louise Poe's case would take me back to Woodstock and working once again with the same police department who at the time was handling Sueann Ray's case. It seemed that there was an even more urgency to help find Louise Poe due the circumstances surrounding her condition. I knew time was not on our side. My group had been dispatched immediately with Sgt. Dan King with the Woodstock Police Dept. who was the lead investigator handling Sueann Ray's case, who at the time was still missing. Sgt. King has a special spot in his heart for those who are missing and has worked countless hours to locate them, although the last two did not have positive outcomes.

As days would turn into months, hope would begin to fade, but our thoughts and ideas never stopped. We had a family searching for answers and needed to find Louise. Her face and name will be one that I'll never forget.

Apparently Louise Poe had wandered away from her personal care home on several occasions and was not the easiest person to care for. The last time she climbed out the window of her room and vanished forever. Later a nursing home employee was arrested for failure to check on the alarm that sounded once Louise opened the window and escaped. She was charged with a misdemeanor and fired from her job. It is unclear if Louise's family will sue the nursing home for negligence.

Search dogs and searchers on foot canvased the area, but to no avail, were unable to locate her. Once Louise was discovered on Monday, July 18, 2006 by land suveyors, it was almost unbelievable how she could have been missed but it happened. It proves that dogs and other search tactics are not always fool proof. Sometimes they fail.

Her daughter tells me that GBI identified Louise by dental records and once the body is released that her remains will be given a burial in her home town of Anniston Alabama. This will be a difficult time for her family. Our group had offered to do a six month vigil just weeks ago for Louise but her family declined saying it was just too difficult at this time and little did we know that less than two weeks later, her body would be discovered in some woods nearby.

Tonight I know that Louise is not out there in the elements waiting for us to find her. I know that she's resting peacefully and knows that her family can rest better knowing her fate, although this is painful. Now some sort of healing can begin for them. I will always remember Louise Poe. As each of these cases slowly start to come to a close, in the back of my mind, I wonder, when will it be Carrie's turn to be found? Friday afternoon I board a flight to Indiana to join th Midwestern Missing Person Coalition. As with all the trips and events that I attend, each of them are to to help educate others about missing people and keep Carrie's memory alive. We are nearing ten years, but we are not about to give up. With each of these cases being solved, it gives me hope deep inside that one day hopefully soon, we'll have her back. My heart will never rest until that happens. God bless each family and loved one out there tonight who continues to hurt and wonder where somebody they love is. May God have mercy on them and give you strength to make it until he's ready to reveal their whereabouts.

Previous Blog Entry
Prayer Vigil For Louise Poe
http://findcarrie.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_findcarrie_archive.html

The Fate of Shannon Melendi Now Known

2006-07-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Shannon Melendi vanished from a soft-ball field in Dekalb County Georgia on March 26, 1994. The last person to have seen Shannon was Colvin "Butch" Hinton, a soft ball umpire at the ballfield where she worked part time. Hinton had a past that included sexual violence against several young women. This is something that Shannon Melendi had no knowledge of.
After Shannon's disappearance, massive searches followed, and authorities were interested in Hinton's information as well. He claimed he knew nothing of what happened to Shannon and only saw her working at the field that fateful day.
Mysteriously after Shannon vanished, Hinton's house would burn to the ground. This happened after FBI agents did a clean sweep of the residence with both agents and special trained dogs. To no avail, there was no sign of Shannon Melendi.
Colvin "Butch" Hinton was later sentenced to eight years for burning his house down for money and the disappearance of Shannon was begin to fade into a mystery only spoken about at various pubs in the Emory college town. Although the case seemed to have slowed down a lot in the community, Shannon's parents never forgot and the pain never died down.

Just as Hinton was released from his eight year stent, he was indicted for the murder of Shannon Melendi without her body, and the case began to heat back up all over again. Nearly ten years after Shannon's disappearance, an Atlanta jury found Colvin "Butch" Hinton GUILTY of kidnapping and murdering Shannon Melendi. Her body was still missing and he claimed he was INNOCENT.

Just today (July 17, 2006), Hinton told prison officials that he did indeed murder Shannon Melendi. He revealed that he kidnapped her at knifepoint from the ballfield that fateful day, took her to his home, where he raped her, then murdered her, from there he burned her body. At this time, authorities are about to begin a full scale search for her remains. There is no indication that Butch Hinton has ANY remorse for what he's done to Shannon Melendi. As our family sat here in shock as this news report came across the news tonight, we thought we'd have to be satisified alongside with Shannon's family with just a GUILTY verdict and no body. Because, Hinton, just like some others would force us to relive to hell each day by never revealing the body's location and that we'd always have to wonder. It's a sick sense of satisfaction that will be repaid by a greater entity whose wrath, I hear, is pretty bad. While I'm glad some parts of this have been revealed, I'm sad to think that the FBI and those dogs were not trained enough to find her because she was there.

Related Article:

Hinton admits to Melendi murder
Emory University student raped, killed in 1994
By DAVID SIMPSON

The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 07/17/06

Colvin C. "Butch" Hinton III confessed to the murder of Shannon Melendi on Monday, admitting he raped and strangled the 19-year-old Emory University student in 1994 and then burned her body.
"I hate what I done," Hinton said in a meeting with authorities at Rogers State Prison in Reidsville Monday. "I know I'll never, ever be forgiven by most people. And I accept that. But I am so sorry. I've hurt so many people with the lies I've told."

Hinton spoke with law enforcement authorities and prison officials for more than two hours Monday. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter was allowed to attend the meeting.
Melendi was last seen March 26, 1994, working a part-time job at a softball complex where Hinton was an umpire.
Hinton said Monday that he gave Melendi a ride to Burger King to have lunch. Then tricked her into driving his car by faking a leg cramp.
Once she was behind the wheel, Hinton said he pulled a knife and forced her to drive to his home in Clayton County. He raped her and held her there for about 12 hours. He then strangled her with a necktie, he said.
He said he burned Melendi's body in his yard and scattered the ashes.
Hinton had never admitted killing Melendi. He was convicted of the murder in a DeKalb County court last September, even though investigators never found Melendi's body and prosecutors could not say when or where she was killed.
Hinton said Monday he had wanted to confess since seeing Melendi's family at his trial. But he held out some hope of freedom until the Georgia Supreme Court upheld his conviction last month.
Hinton long was a prime suspect in Melendi's disappearance, because of past sex offenses, but he wasn't indicted for her murder until 2004.
Melendi's disappearance sparked a high-profile search for information by her Miami-based family and by friends in Atlanta. They distributed posters and fliers. Shannon's photo wound up on billboards and on TV programs such as "America's Most Wanted."
Former President Jimmy Carter helped get the FBI involved. Melendi had worked part time at the Carter Center.
Hinton went to federal prison in 1996 for arson, and inmates who served time with him helped build the case against him in his trial for Melendi's murder. They claimed he talked to them about disposing of a body. One said Hinton awoke screaming one night and said, "I didn't kill her. The demon inside of me killed her."
Shortly after his conviction was upheld, Hinton contacted his defense lawyer, B.J. Bernstein, and asked her to set up the meeting held Monday with representatives of the DeKalb district attorney's office, DeKalb County Police and state prison officials

Judge Dismisses Jury in Lunsford Murder Case

2006-07-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

A year after Jessica Lunsford was found after being buried alive by a scriveled up sex offender, John Evander Couey, jury selection has finally began - or so we thought. Just today, the same judge who tossed out Couey's confession and his past brushes with sex offenses decided to hault jury selection because he feels like there cannot be any suitable jury seated for Couey.
I'm just so disgusted with our judicial system. We have to worry ourselves to death with have we violated somebody's rights and were they mistreated as a child, so maybe we should give them a second chance once they are about to be held accountable for the crime they've committed. We look up down, around and all around, backwards, forwards, through a crystal ball and as many ways as possible to see if we can let them off, but our victims are never given a second chance.
They are tried, convicted, and sentenced all in one night. Usually for a crime they didn't commit. Within days their names and what happened to them is nothing but a memory and the world just needs to sit down and shut up about it. There's a man who's life is on the line now and he needs to be given ever opportunity for a chance to do better. - PUUUUUUULEEEZE people. Who was there as the victim was begging and pleading? It's wrong and it's inhumaine to execute somebody. No, where you are wrong is when these people who are being made to stand accountable for their actions raped, strangled, beat, tortured, or whatever the case may be, did to the victim. When you choose to take an action against another individual like that, no matter what you may feel they've done to you, it's wrong.
I believe that the outcome of Couey is that once a jury is finally seated is that he will be finally found GUILTY murdering this child and he'll be given the death penalty. From there he'll probably sit in jail for another 25 years reading tv and reading magazines probably mailed to him from some weak minded woman he's met through some prison fan club and then he'll be put down. Hopefully when he blinks out of this world, he'll be finally resting in hell where he belongs. I have no special thoughts for those who violate and murder children. For those who have not heard those transcripts of this schriveled up bastard admitting to murdering Jessie, then maybe you should see them and then you might can agree with my harsh words and thoughts of this piece of crap.

Stacey Lannert - A Victim or Not?

2006-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

July 4, 1990, 18 year old Stacey Lannert shot her father, Tom Lannert to death as he slept on the couch. She claimed that she killed him because she'd had enough of the repeated sexual abuse that had began when she was only eight years old.
Stacey claimed that her mother, Deborah knew that the abuse was going on but was unable to stop it. A victim herself, Deborah Lannert, would later claim, she had no idea her daughter was being abused by Tom. Leaving many people to wonder how someone who was a victim of the same thing could not see the crime being committed on their own child? Perhaps the crime wasn't able to be seen because it was not happening?

Later Stacey's parents Tom and Deborah would divorce but Stacey remained with her father Tom who was supposidly abusing her time and time again. She'd remain with him until she turned 18 and killed him.

As someone who has great sympathy for those who have been victimized by sexual predators, I know that my personal thoughts on this case may not be welcomed by everyone and that's fine. I have some serious doubts about the truth of Stacey's case because of these facts below. While I recognize I've never been sexually assaulted by a family member and I do not know how I'd react, I do question this behavior and wonder why only after a life sentence was handed down did this dispute come into play.

We know that Stacey Lannert went to at least one stranger previously and told them she was being sexually assaulted by her father as a youth. She'd later claim after her conviction that she never brought up the motive to kill her dad was because he'd raped her time and time again. She went on to say that she never brought this up because she did not trust any family member NOR stranger to talk to them about it before or during the trial - WHICH may have swayed the jury to lessen the sentence. If she'd gone to a stranger previously, couldn't she speak to the DA's office, attorney representing her, or other individual unrelated to the case about whey she murdered her dad as some sort of self defense? Or was it only after she was staring at a life sentence did she see this as a way to possibly get a good appeal?
If you are being sexually abused by someone, and you are legally able to move from the household, why would you continue living there, putting yourself in harms way? Stacey was 18 years old not 13 or 14 when the crime occured.

I do not believe Stacey Lannert's story of being a victim. I have some trouble with the money that was taken from Tom Lannert's account that it's known Stacey took. If I had been sexually assaulted, the last thing I'd wanna do is anger the man who'd come after me even more. This story does not pass the smell test with me. I'm sorry if I have offended someone but in my opinion, this woman needs to remain behind bars because she is a cold blooded killer. If there was a rape occuring over and over again, it was time to move out, go to the police, have him arrested, make him pay, and stand up and help others. You can make a right decision out of something bad. I'm sorry but I have no sympathy for Stacey Lannert or her dad.

The Missing Groom Mystery - One Year Later

2006-07-05T10:11:00.001-07:00

It was one year ago today that George Smith IV fell overboard a cruise liner and was never seen nor heard from again. He was just a few days into his honeymoon. It was supposed to be a wonderful and happy time, but it ended up being far from what.
It's now a year later, and there seems to be more and more unanswered questions than the week following this tradegy.

Shortly after Smith's disappearance, the media began to speculate that his wife Jennifer may know more than she was revealing to authorities and to George's family. She'd obviously been traumatized by what happened on aboard the ship, but then came the interview on Oprah that raised even more eyebrows. While nobody believed Jennifer Hagel-Smith planned George's death, they believed there was obviously something she was just wasn't telling, and furthermore, why was Hagel-Smith estranged from the Smith family from early on in the investigation?

Late last week news reports were circulating that Jennifer Hagel-Smith had reportly settled with the cruise liner for an undisclosed amount of money regarding the disappearance of her husband, George. Hours later, in an interview on Nancy Grace, George's family fired back saying that they'd never been made aware of any settlement and were not settling with anyone and were not stopping until they found out what happened to George that fateful night. It all now seems as if George's wife is saddened by what happened, but now wants to cash in on the benefits of this mishap.
I have always wondered how anyone could be so intoxicated that they could not remember a single thing from the night before but yet pick themself up and head to the massage parlor the next morning, never noticing that their husband was MISSING? I also wondered if maybe there was maybe something that happened that was very embarassing that perhaps maybe should not be made known, and if it were made known it might possibly uncover what reallly happened to George Smith that night? Or is it another part of selfishness and the thought of what's done is done so I'll live with my mistake and this too shall pass? These are things that some of us may never know the answer to.

One has to wonder why she'd set up several things that take up funds and even a website that is in honor of her "beloved" husband but the title is "Hagel-Smith". I believe his name was George Smith and he is missing. I am beginning to wonder where the priorities of this person are right about now, and I think maybe the comments made by George's family on Nancy Grace were probably right on target about George's "beloved" wife.

I do hope justice is found George Smith because in my heart of hearts I doubt his body will ever be recovered for burial.

Constant Reminders

2006-06-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

There is always something that reminds you of something that is important that other people may not think twice about. It could be anything. For some people, there are things that remind them of something sad that most people will never be able to understand and probably don't want to.
Since my obcession with trying to find Carrie began nearly four years ago, there have been several things that always remind me of the obvious and the desperate need to find her. While these things may seem to small and unimportant, they mean so much to me and my family and I think it's worth sharing them with those dedicated readers of this blog so that maybe they care understand just how personal this search has become for us.

Just today I was in a store picking up a few odds and ends for a baby shower I'm having tomorrow for a friend of mine. As I walked by the gift bags, I looked down and saw a bag that had daisy flowers all over the bag. My mind went straight to Carrie. Every time I see a daisy flower, I think of Carrie. The daisy was Carrie's favorite flower. In fact, every time I'm driving down the road when it's Springtime, and I see the daisies growing in the median, I think of Carrie. In the beautiful sight of the flowers, then comes the flood of ugly dark thoughts of could Carrie's remains be dumped alongside one of those roadways I'm passing.
I can be visiting mom and flipping the home shopping network channel while gem week is on advertising a choice of three birth stone rings, and mom and I will always say, "the Garnet", because that is that beautiful deep red stone that just happens to be Carrie's birthstone.

On a clear starry night, dad will tell me if you try really hard, you can see Carrie's star tonight. There is always one more thing that makes us remember Carrie, especially as we come up 10 years with her still being missing. I know that when these pleasant thoughts enter my mind, that I should not allow bad things to come in and overshadow them, but sometimes it is hard not to think the bad things. I have to tell myself that this is how Carrie would probably want us to remember her in happy ways and to not the bad things that happened. I have to tell myself each time I see a daisy flower, a garnet, or the beautiful sun, that this is a little sign that says "hey don't forget about me". I won't ever forget and I know that when God will reveal Carrie's location so we all can have peace when he is ready. I was thinking of Carrie today as all other days, but more so than others.
I'm still looking for her.

Carrie's Mom Urges Congress to Pass Missing Person Database

2006-06-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

It's been nearly ten years since her daughter Carrie disappeared without a trace. Although it's been proven by a court of law and her mom knows that Carrie will never return alive, Debra Culberson still would like to find her Carrie's body and bring it home for a proper burial. She struggles with the every day uncertainty of possibly never finding the humanly body she used to hold and love knows as Carrie. While she continues to wait and suffer in her own personal hell, Debra Culberson is determined to help others from going through what she's dealt with the last decade.
This past week she was in Washington DC testifying about a subject she feels is very important. That is the fact that there is no mandated DNA database that could match all human remains that are found. There are over 50,000 unidentified people right now who we are confident that there is a family just like the Culberson's who are waiting and wondering - where is my loved one. Although they may not know for sure if their loved one is even dead, if the mandate was in order in all 50 states, there'd be no doubts or persons sitting in undiginified boxes on shelves in dark rooms, but rather being sent home to be with their families who have been searching for them. At this time, there are less than ten states in the United States that have a law that states that all human remains found must go into a matching database. This simply has to happen in all states. We have wonderful people like the Doenetwork who volunteer their time and efforts to help law enforcement because it is known that the police often do not have time to spend on these cases to solve all of them, but imagine what we could accomplish with both Doe and the mandate?

Something that most people will never be able to understand is waking up every single day waiting and wondering where is my child/friend/sister/etc? I know that there is the one person who holds the key but they refuse to tell me anything. I will have to accept that somehow in my heart and continue searching for them, but maybe just maybe could they be already be found and lieing in a morge but cannot be identified due to certain pieces of the puzzle being missing?

I urge each person who wants to make a difference to determine who your congressman or congress woman is and begin a campaign within your state to mandate this database to help these missing people. This could be your loved one or even maybe yourself someday that needs identification. Think of those who'd be hurting and working so hard to find you and would have it so much easier if this were in place. Please read the article below regarding Debra Culberson's efforts in Washington DC.

Related Article from Channel 13 News
By Tom Walker - Eyewitness News

Local police and law enforcement agencies in other cities could benefit from a new national database. It would help find missing people and identify the remains of those already recovered.
Debra Culberson has a mission that stems from ten years of painful and sometimes horrifying frustration. The pain began with the murder of her daughter Carrie in 1996 and the fact that Carrie's body has still not been found. A website dedicated to her case still pleads for information.
The horror came with rumors her body had been dismembered before being dumped in the Ohio River and the wondering if it's true.
"The not knowing of where your child is, not knowing the fate they had suffered. You can only imagine," said Culberson.
The uncertainty is similar to that surrounding cases in Indiana like the disappearance of six-year-old Shannon Sherrill, missing since 1986 from Thorntown and IUPUI student Molly Dattilo, last seen two years ago.
"That's not all that unusual in this country, where people are literally missing and maybe in another state and they're not necessarily identified and so the family members never find out what happened," said Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH).
Debra Culberson told members of Congress states should be required to run DNA tests on all remains found so they could be put in a national database. She says another state might already have her daughter.
"If they picked up those remains and put them in a box and put them on a shelf because there is no mandatory testing, then Carrie could already be found and sitting in a box on a shelf," Culberson said.
She says such a database could not only find her daughter but many others. "You'd think it would be something that should automatically be done. It shouldn't have to be mandated."
As it stands now, there are only six states where DNA tests of remains are required. Indiana is not one of them. That could change if Congress decides to make it mandatory everywhere.Carrie Culbertson disappeared near Cincinnati. Her mother says there are as many as 50,000 unidentified remains nationwide.
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5062051&nav=9Tai

Suspected Helper in Sueann Ray Murder Case Asks For Less Restrictions!

2006-06-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

Sueann Ray was missing for nearly six months when her body was found on property within spitting distance to relative's property of her estranged husband, Quinton Ray. The day her body was found buried in a shallow grave on Cherokee Gold Trail, her husband was arrested. Shortly thereafter, Sueann's father-in-law (Harrold Ray)was arrested for assisting his son, Quinton Ray in disposing of Sueann's body the night she vanished (August 26, 2005).
Harrold Ray has maintained his innocence since his arrest. He was granted bond, and made to take two drug tests per week as well as wear a GPS ankle bracelet to monitor his movements. He has not been happy with the judges orders because he claims he is innocent, and should be able to come and go as he pleases.

Ray has a past history of alcoholism and drug abuse. It is believed the testing two times a week more than likely has prompted his new requested hearing on June 28th. At this hearing, he is requesting for some of his restrictions to be removed. He feels as if they are straining his personal life. His personal life......... Let's discuss personal life.

It seems somewhere that the world has forgotten about Sueann Ray. She was murdered and buried in a shallow grave. She was found and finally laid to rest properly. It does not end there. The people "believed" to have helped put her there need to be punished. No jury has found either guilty thus far, however they have been charged. To me, you should DEAL with the restrictions put on you until the day in court arrives. Personally he should not be out on the streets at all, but he is. Being drug tested and wearing an ankle bracelet is only a drop in the bucket as to the uncomfortable reminder Sueann Ray's family must recall each day that they have to get up and go to work and carry on with life. At what point do we forget the life that ended and the restrictions of the family and the ultimate price that was paid that fateful night? While I will wait for the jury's decision in this case so ensure that justice is given where it's due, I feel like some of these requests are not only pathetic but an overall first hand look into the individuals mind who is "suspected" of assisting in this crime. Feeling justified, or that it never happened and life should just be able to go on without any restrictions or payment for actions taken that are against the laws of our land. One person comes to mind when I think of people who like to deny their actions. He was convicted of the crime and he now rests on San Quintin's death row. Seems that a sociopath mind is not enough to fool every jury in the US.

What Would Life Be Like Today If 8-28-96 Never Happened?

2006-06-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

Every day that gets closer to August 28th, the more frustrated I become. I can only imagine how her family must feel. How can it continue to drag on and on with Carrie never being brought home?

I know that many families are out there who are thinking, "why us"? "What did we ever do to deserve this"? I wish I knew the answers to that. My mind often begins to wander towards that fateful late August night when Carrie vanished without a trace. What would've happened if she had just stayed home that night? Would she have never vanished, or would it have been delayed? I realize that there are some people who tell others that Carrie just up and left and that this whole thing was planned. Everyone knows that did not happen at all and that Carrie died that night and has been place in a undiginified location which is not only disgusting, it's pure out evil. We know that Carrie is not suffering or hurting anymore, but it's very important to find her remains. I really do not care what these people think or try to tell the public. It's all a matter of reality and fantasy.

I know that her family wonders what she'd be like today. What would her life be like had it been allowed to continue? This is so difficult.

It is hard to think of what has happened and the waiting and work that is still needed to bring Carrie home. There is work that needs to be done for all these missing people.

I know that we cannot turn back the clock and stop August 28, 1996. I know that everything happens for a reason, like it or not. It's been very hard to focus the last few days. If I could have one wish come true, I'd bring Carrie home. This cannot be solved until God sees fit. He is larger than evil and he acts when he's ready. I shall work on my patience and trusting in the bible verse that many of us rely on.

"There is nothing hidden, that shall not be revealed" - Matthew 10.26

When Patience Begins to Wear Thin

2006-06-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

We are taught that God has patience and understanding. We are told that we should do the same. If there is one thing that I need improvement on, it's having patience and understanding about some things.
Every single day I wake up and wonder will this be the day that the one piece of information to bring Carrie home will happen. Usually somewhere in between my commute to work or coming home, I think of what it must be like to have a child missing and not know where where they are, or to know they are dead, but cannot bring them home to be buried. Why should I be concerned, because Carrie and the others are not related to me, and technically none of my business. I guess it was meant for me to carry this personal burden because many times I've decided that I am taking a break or maybe this will never be solved and I should just forget about it.

Usually about two hours into putting it all behind me, I end up thinking of the situation more and thinking that it would be betraying Carrie and those who are unable to speak right now, if I turned away. I've had friends ask me what will I do with myself when Carrie is found. I answer them by saying, it's not what I will do, but what will her family do when they are finally able to begin to heal in some fashion. Why did Carrie Culberson become the one person who changed me from who I was to who I am now? Lots of people have speculated about this, but Carrie never knew me and I never knew her, but from only what I've been told by her mother, past friends, and oodles of news articles and court documents. What would she think of me being obcessed trying to find her? Would she think my whole family is nuts because we've traveled allover the United States, telling her story?

As many of you know, our age is just a few months apart. When I was 21 years old (a little behind Carrie) in 1996, I too had met a guy who I felt sorry for and began dating him. The relationship spiraled out of control into violence on several occasions. I was young and I did not really take the situation serious as I should have. Now that I'm 31 years old, I can honestly say that I got away from this guy because the violence had boiled over the night before my favorite holiday (Halloween) and I was hit in the side of my head where I'd end up losing hearing in my right ear to some extent. That's something I've never fully recovered from but I am alive. The point where I learned danger was around me was when I went to the hospital that night with the bloody ear and horrible headahe. This was the last time for me, but not for many other young women. I could've been just like them.
When I read about Carrie's story, I felt a lot of myself and my own personal battles in her story. I seen that my own life could have ended under those same circumstances and it became my mission to do whatever I could to help her.
My mom and I have gone everywhere we can, we've trained ourselves to react to emergencies, help others who are just witnessing their loved one being missing, and most of all, I've learned the personal hell each family has to endure. I am running out of buttons, ribbons, bumber stickers, and other things to make to occupy my idle mind until that call comes in that she's been found.

I'm physically tired of all this. I don't want anything for myself, except maybe a nice vacation alone by the ocean to relax, but with that vacation, I'd like to know that Carrie was finally home, and her mom and sister could sleep tonight without wondering where she is. Carrie would want those of us who geninuely care about her (and I know she knows my intentions from above - somehow) to do all they can to bring her home and not give up. I just wish there was a way to not be sad about the unknown future ahead.

Nobody knows what it's like to wait and wait and wait. Nobody knows what it's like to wonder which day could the right day. The days that pass with nothing are the ones that make it even more difficult to smile and be positive. I'm ready for Carrie to be found. I know that my patience boiling over is no better than those who took her away if I let it get there. I just wish it were easier. I'm gonna say a small prayer here on this blog. There really isnt any difference in my thinking silently then posting it here. Maybe if some others see it and pray along, maybe he will see fit to reveal all of this and some hearts can be a little lighter? It's worth a shot.

Dear Heavenly Father, I know you have a lot of people coming to you asking for important things. If you could see fit somehow, please help us find Carrie. I know that if you do not reveal it to us, we may never find out where she is. You told us to wait for your timing and I'm trying so very hard. It is so hard contining to wait with no answers no location. I have put my full trust in you and know you can help us. Please help me or her family find her. If it's not to be soon, then please give me strength and understanding until it can be revealed. Today has just been a heavy day and I cannot leave this task behind. I will continue to trust in you always - Amen

For all of you who have been following Carrie's case, please remember her and the fact that she'll be missing for 10 long years. We simply cannot give up on this until she's found.

The bikini strangler is a repeat sex offender

2006-06-09T04:37:00.000-07:00

Jerry "Buck" Inman was captured in Tennessee near his mommy's house shortly after a warrant was issued for his arrest just days ago. Inman had gone back to where he should've been all along when police took him down. Shortly after his arrest, reports started coming out that he has spent time in prison for kidnapping and rape. Inman is also a registered sex offender in at least two states.

Inman was employed in Tennessee as a construction worker when he abandoned his job and subsequently was fired. It appears that he just got into his car and wandered around like a lost dog until he found a woman somewhere that he decided to assault. He is now said to have attacked three women within a five day time span, killing at least one of them - Tiffany Souers.

I have a huge problem with this story. This man is a clear threat to society. Yes he was registered in a few states, but what stopped him from traveling to another area under the radar, putting others in danger? People, this is why we need electronic monitoring of these people. Obviously after the time he spent in jail, he was NOT cured of his perverted tendencies.

After some questioning, Jerry Inman told authorities that he did indeed kill Tiffany Souers and that he he'd seen her and decided to wait for her to go to bed before he made his move. He says he's a "sick animal". This is yet another example of a preventable crime.

I wonder how many more innocent people will lose their lives because our government is afraid to violate these criminal's rights? This is a complete outrage! Let's think of what will happen to this jerk now.

He will sit in jail for about two years before a trial date can be set, fed great food, able to watch TV all day. He might possibly be given the death penalty and from there it'll take another 20 years to put him down. He'll be living and breathing, and wasting air and resources. It's disgusting, but this is NOT the only one left. There are thousands of them out there roaming the streets right now. Tiffany Souers will not be the last innocent person who dies because these people are not in lock up. It is time for us to start to take these things more serious and make sure that these people stay out of society.

S.L.E.D closing in on Bikini Strangler

2006-06-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

(Please note that we've posted the criminal's photos before the victim in this blog entry because this man is currently on the run and authorities are asking for the public's help in capturing him).
Memorial Day weekend, college co-ed Tiffany Souers was found strangled to death in her apartment near the college campus of Clemson, South Carolina. She apparently had been strangled with her own bikini top. A few short days later, S.L.E.D. (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) released a series grainy photos of someone attempting to use an atm with their face and head covered (pictured left). The photos as they were released on FOX News were just plain spooky to look at. This attempt may have been what really set the wheels in motion to solve Tiffany's case. Once the bank machine recognized the incorrect code being typed into the system, it took the ATM card and then the police were notified. Shortly after that, Tiffany's drivers license was found alongside a roadway in Anderson, SC.

Late June 6th, S.L.E.D. held a press conference to announce that they have matched DNA from a past sex offender from the State of Tennessee by the name of Jerry Buck Inman. A warrant for the following has just been issued: murder, criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and kidnapping involving the death of Tiffany Marie Souers.

I will honestly say that I've been watching this case from behind the side lines because of the fact I have never had very good experiences with the State of South Carolina. After doing some research of S.L.E.D, I've come to realize that maybe their State Police is one of the best agencies in the South East.

At this time, Jerry Buck Inman is still on the loose. An APB (All Points Bulletin)has been sent to ALL law enforcement agencies throughout the United States to be on the lookout for Inman. I feel like it's only a matter of hours before this man is captured. Seems as if justice is on the horizon for Tiffany Souers.

It appears now that S.L.E.D., along with TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are now working very close to help capture this man. Hopefully by the time this blog is posted, he will be in custody. More updates to be posted shortly.

Related Article

Warrants issued in Clemson student murder

Warrants have been issued in the murder of a Clemson University engineering student.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Robert Ariail said at a news conference this evening that warrants have been issued for a Jerry "Buck" Inman of Tennessee for murder, criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and kidnapping involving the death of Tiffany Marie Souers.
Souers' body was found May 26 in her Central apartment. She had been strangled by her bikini top.
Inman, described as a construction worker, became a suspect after DNA samples from the crime scene were submitted to a national database and returned his name from two states, S.C. State Law Enforcement Division chief Robert Stewart said at the news conference.
Inman is registered as a sex offender named James Inman in Blount County, Tenn. The so-called "cold hit" matches -- DNA matches that bring an entirely new suspect to light -- were confirmed this afternoon, Ariail said.
Inman might be driving a green Chevrolet Camaro or an Econoline van, Ariail said. He also could be driving a Chevy Blazer. He is heavily tattooed and considered extremely dangerous.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide have been put on alert about Inman, whom South Carolina investigators do not believe has remained in the Central area, Stewart said.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14755364.htm

If you have ANY information on the whereabouts of Jerry "Buck" Inman, you are asked to call 1-800-442-2746 and press 2

Who Murdered Brandon Glenn???

2006-06-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Brandon Glenn was a young man who had a difficult life. His family were very poor and unable to hold down a job. Brandon found himself having to quit school at 17 to help his father make ends meet. It was a time when Brandon should've been participating in school events, and mingling with friends, but he chose to give that up to help his family.
A kind hearted young man who wanted to help others. Someone wanted to take away on June 4, 2002.
Brandon's body was found in an alley near his home. He had been shot to death by an unknown assailant. Who would want to end his life and why?
It was later learned that Brandon had been seeing an emotionally unstable girl that was known by only her first name "Tammeron". Brandon had cut all ties to Tammeron shortly before his death.
After Brandon's murder, this girl was never seen nor heard from again. It is believed she has some information regarding the death of Brandon Glenn. Unfortunately there is no photograph of Tammeron to post on this blog for others to look at.

Brandon's story broke my heart when I saw it a few years back. I felt as if there had to be someone I could do to help him. It was like this young man had no voice and that was totally unfair.

Brandon's life was simple but it was important. He was not given the same things most young people were able to have. Someone needs to pay for what happened to him that fateful night. If you get a chance, please take a look at his website we created for him a while back. Leave him a message or some flowers at his memorial at Find-A-Grave. Let's remember Brandon Glenn on this anniversary of his death. May justice be found soon.

Additonal Links:

Justice For Brandon

Trail Gone Cold - The Abduction of Vanessa Dawn Smith

2006-05-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Late afternoon on May 31, 1997, 15 year old Vanessa Dawn Smith sat out for a nightly walk in her neighborhood in Winton, California. It was a walk that Vanessa took almost nightly, however on this night, something went wrong.

Once Vanessa was discovered "missing" shortly thereafter and about 200 yards from her residence, Vanessa's walking cane was found. It was clear, Vanessa had been abducted. Who would do something like this and where could they have taken Vanessa?

That is a question that is still being asked nine years later. Vanessa's case is one that you probably have not seen on many shows, although it's as serious as any.
Authorities in an interview with the Merced Sun Star, report that they are still actively investigating Vanessa's case, but do not believe an arrest is near. They claim that probably IF someone had information on the case, that they might be afraid to come forward because they might be targeted for violence. Where does this leave the family seeking information on their child's case?

This case is one that sparked my interest when I learned of it about three years ago when helping with the Kristin Smart case. It's just unheard of that this case is not receiving more air time. This is something I wish I could change if I were in a position to do so. I want all these children and adults to be shown the public because somewhere someone has some information to help. It is a proven fact that the public watches and has an interest in missing person cases. If we could somehow find a way to give each person who is missing a chance to be broadcasted at LEAST three times a year, it might break the case.

If you have ANY information regarding the case of Vanessa Dawn Smith, please call Merced County Sheriff's Department at 209 385-7616. You may also log onto their website and leave an anonymous tip @ www.mercedsheriff.com. Please review Vanessa's spot on the web if you have some extra time. Remember Vanessa, as she's missing today for nine long years.

Additional Links:

Vanessa Dawn Smith Has Vanished

Missing Now For a Year - Natalee Holloway

2006-05-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been living underneath a rock, you've seen something on some news station regarding the disappearance of Alabama teen, Natalee Holloway. Her bright eyes and smile have graced the airways since that fateful May 30th night, when she was last seen at a night club while on her senior trip in Aruba.

In the early stages of Natalee's disappearance, two security guards were detained for possible connection in Natalee's disappearance, but soon were released. Many people thought that the mystery was about to be solved when these two were detained, but soon learned that these guys were not the ones responsible. Their arrest set off a chain of arrests that would follow in the next days and month.
There are four people that are believed involved or have some knowledge of what happened to Natalee the night she vanished. Those people are known as Joran Van Der Sloot, Satish and Depak Kalpoe, and the believed mastermind, Paulus Van Der Sloot. Due to lack of evidence, all four were released.
It is believed that one of the three young men put a date rape drug into Natalee's drink at Carlos N' Charlies. At that point, Natalee became more vunerable to the plan devised by the three. Natalee was taken someplace, possibly the lighthouse, sexually assaulted and then murdered. Some believe that Natalee died accidentially. At what point does an accident become murder? In my opinion, it's when you decide to cover up the crime and change your story three times.

We know that Joran Van Der Sloot initally told authorities that he and the Kalpoe brothers dropped Natalee off at the Holiday Inn where she was staying. It was later found that Natalee never arrived back at the hotel. Only then did Van Der Sloot change the story two more times. He claims that he was indeed with Natalee at the lighthouse that night, but left her there alone at her request. He say's "I now think what an asshole to do that, and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time". Yes, you are indeed an asshole (pardon my French), but for greater reasons. The reason of lieing and witholding information to bring Natalee home.
Natalee's mother and father have been vigilant in the search for Natalee in the last year. They refuse to give up and who can blame them. It's becoming very obvious that tourists are in danger in Aruba. Several states here in the US have started a boycot of Aruba to prove their point. The government there seems to work more so for those who are in a more prestigous standing. An example, is the fact that Paulus Van Der Sloot was a judge in training who has some authority. His statement "no body, no crime" is proof that they believe they are above the law, and so far they have been.

With all the searching and all the publicity, Natalee remains missing without a trace. Whether you believe she was taken into human trafficking or she was a victim of Joran Van Der Sloot, you must at some point think of how you'd be if it were your loved one who simply never came home. It's ridiculous and there is a HUGE cover-up.

I realize that some people are sick of hearing about the Holloway case. I know that not all cases are given the same air time. Dave Holloway tells us in his book "Aruba" that he does not know how Natalee's case became so important to the media, but he's glad. The fact is that her case, although publicized more than some, is the same thing - that of a missing person. At some point the media will probably move away from Natalee's case, but her family will never forget. They'll never give up on locating her. I hope that she can be found and brought home. Natalee, just like the others deserves dignity. So today, if you can, say a prayer that Natalee can be found, and that her family can have some peace of mind. They've been through pure hell in the last year.

Additional Links

Natalee Holloway Website

A Decade of Questions - The Disappearance of Kristin

2006-05-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

Today across America, we recognize National Missing Children's Day. On one side of the US, there is a family recognizing another type of day. That is the family of Kristin Smart who remembers on this date ten years ago when she vanished without a trace after going to an off campus party.
The last known person to be seen with Kristin was Paul Flores, a shady character who offered to walk her to her dorm that fateful night. The day after Kristin's disappearance, Flores showed up at a basketball game with a black eye. He'd change his account of how he obtained the black eye several times, before he quit talking alltogether. Months later a cadaver trained dog zeroed in on his dorm and indicated the presence of human remains. It was clear that something went wrong the night Kristin vanished, and Flores more than likely knew something, however he wasn't talking. Ten years later, with a continued dark cloud hanging over his head, he remains silent.

Flores has had several brushes with the police since he was suspected by many of being involved with Kristin's disappearance. He has four DUI charges to date. Some have to wonder if his drinking problems are the onset of guilt that comes from that night from ten years ago. Will we ever know what Flores holds deep inside?
On several occasions attorney's for the family of Kristin Smart offered Flores a reduced charge if he'd lead them to Kristin's body, and both times, his counsel refused to respond. This makes so many people believe that he indeed knows something.

Refusing to let things die down, Kristin's family has searched on their own. Along the way, they met Dennis Mahon, a dear friend of mine, who has worked for the last eight years to locate Kristin. He's built the most informative website regarding the case, and has held vigil for Kristin outside the Flores residence until they filed a restraining order to keep him away. Apparently, there is something to hid or there would not be so many measures taken to keep Mahon and others away. Mahon began assisting the Smart family while working on another missing person case, in California, that of Kristen Modaferri. Kristen Modaferri vanished after leaving a part time job and has never been seen again. Mahon tells us all that he cannot abandon these two girls and that he will not stop until they are located. He shares in the theory that someone know something, and for the case to be solved, that one tip needs to be sent in.

With the Kristin Smart case, there is now a $100,000 reward in place to bring Kristin home. It was put in place by a man the Smarts nor Dennis Mahon have ever met, by the name of Terry Black. Black claims he is tired of this, and thinks that someone holds the key to solving the case. He feels that his money would be well spent if it helps find Kristin. I agree with him on this.

A special rememberance walk was held for Kristin on Saturday, May 20, 2006 in San Luis Obispo. More than 250 people showed up to show their support for Kristin. My group was unable to attend this year, but recognized Kristin at our home. You can see that information in a previous blog entry. We feel that Kristin's case is one that needs to be solved. It's one that is very important to my group. We've supported the Smarts and Dennis Mahon from the beginning. I flew to California last year to assist with the rally for Kristin as well as to visit with Kristin's mom, Denise. We just want to find Kristin.

Although it's been 10 years, it's important that we do not forget Kristin, and it's even more important for us to continue searching for her. I believe the answers are right under our noses, but not being shared with us out of fear. Somewhere along the way, someone has made a mistake, and we will find it. Kristin will be found and brought home. We have to keep working until we make the break.

See Also - Son Of Susan

related article - posted in it entirety

Decade passes; pain lingers Missing teen's family continues hunt for answers
SCOTT SMITH Record Staff Writer

STOCKTON - It was 10 years ago today that Kristin Smart, an athletic, tall and vibrant 19-year-old woman from Stockton vanished from a college campus in San Luis Obispo.Her disappearance touched off a nationwide story, and hundreds traveled to help find her. Even more have posted their own theories on Web sites speculating what happened after she left a drunken party at California Polytechnic State University.Still, no arrests have been made, and she has never been found.A decade after this high-profile case, Smart's family and friends still hope to find her. They've hired psychics, searched fields and even acted as their own detectives, interviewing Smart's friends, acquaintances and people who knew the No. 1 suspect."It's a tough time every year when May rolls around," said Smart's father, Stan Smart, who wants justice. "It's really important to find our daughter and bring her remains home."
Missing
Kristin Denise Smart was last seen on campus in the early-morning hours of May, 25, 1996, after staggering away from a house party in the coastal hill town of San Luis Obispo.Paul Flores, then 19, a fellow student whom Smart first met that night, was to walk Smart to her campus dorm at Muir Hall on the way back to his own dorm.By morning, her roommate - worried Smart hadn't come in - reported her missing. Flores showed up later that day with a black eye when he met friends to play basketball.At first giving police conflicting stories, Flores quickly stopped talking and asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. That's been his stance ever since.Flores and his attorney could not be reached for comment this week in Southern California. Investigators make guarded comments about Flores, saying he's at the center of a "very active" case."He has not been excluded as a suspect. Let's put it that way," said San Luis Obispo County Undersheriff Steve Bolts.Aside from his black eye, cadaver dogs early in the investigation led police to a mattress in Flores' dorm room, but he has adamantly refused to answer questions.He dropped out of college shortly after Smart disappeared and has a drunken-driving record. In December, Flores was arrested in Los Angeles again on suspicion of driving under the influence, and this time he could go to state prison if he's convicted.Asked why Flores hasn't been arrested in connection with Smart's disappearance, Bolts said he couldn't comment."We believe there is knowledge that somehow Paul Flores has, or may have, that he may be willing to share," Bolts said.Stan Smart, frustrated with the faltering investigation, said Flores' attorneys have twice suggested a deal in which Flores would lead them to the body in exchange for a significantly reduced charge. Both offers fell through."It makes me further believe that he's the one," Smart said.
Persistent pressureFamily and friends refuse to let Kristin Smart's memory fade.Over the weekend, about 250 people gathered for the Kristin Smart Hope and Awareness Run near San Luis Obispo, marking a decade of frustration and unanswered questions. The money will help post signs asking the public for information.
Matt Smart, Kristin's brother, who lives in Stockton and sells pharmaceuticals, recalled his big sister as a powerful swimmer whose eyes brightened at the thought of travel. Matt Smart, 26, was 16 when his sister vanished.An online video shows the Smarts playing together on a tropical beach in Jamaica and riding a cruise ship through the icy passages of Alaska. Another scene shows Kristin Smart graduating in 1995 from Lincoln High School.She was in her first year at Cal Poly when she vanished. Smart was declared legally dead in 2002, despite the fact that her body has never been recovered.Gov. Pete Wilson in 1998 signed the Kristin Smart Security Act into law, requiring campus police to report cases involving violence or missing students to local police. Smart's family faulted Cal Poly officers for failing to investigate the case early on.Kristin Smart's death brought together a family that was already close, Matt Smart said.Kristin Smart's mother, Denise, teaches English language learners at Lincoln Unified. Her youngest child, Lindsay Smart, is now 23.Stan Smart recalled driving down to Cal Poly to collect his daughters belongings from the Sheriff's Department and bicycle from the campus dorm where she once lived."You're supposed to bring your child home - not her possessions," Stan Smart said.
Fervent supporterFew have thrown themselves into the hunt for Kristin Smart like Dennis Mahon.The Charlotte, N.C., man isn't related to Smart and never knew her. He learned about the missing Stockton girl while searching for another girl from his hometown who vanished on vacation with her family in San Francisco.Mahon, 45, maintains an elaborate Web site dedicated to Smart. He once held a vigil in front of Paul Flores' family home in Arroyo Grande demanding answers until Flores obtained a restraining order.Mahon, a former homeless shelter manager who now works at Wal-Mart, spent 12 days in jail for continuing to harass Flores. He's agreed to take down the Web site when Flores begins to cooperate with law enforcement."These girls, I'm just not going to abandon them, that's all," he said.There's a good reason cases like Kristin Smart's draws such strong public reaction, said Andrew Edelman, a criminal justice professor for the University of Phoenix in south Florida."Any event that rattles our sense of safety and security gets society's attention," Edelman said. "I think it shocks."Cases like Smart's are alarming because men are expected to protect women and hold them in high esteem. Parents send their adult children to college campuses believing they're safe. Complacency sets in, Edelman said.It's particularly devastating when there's no closure, he said.
What's next?In retirement, Stan Smart said he'll spend time with his family and search for Kristin. He predicts more treks down to San Luis Obispo, like before, when somebody thinks they know where she is. He's done making the talk-show circuit.He's thrashed through the surrounding hills looking for her, too often uncovering the remains of dead animals and never finding his daughter.
"I'm not sure if we ever will. You know, they can't do anything more than what they've done to her. She can't be hurt any longer."

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/NEWS01/605250335/1001

What Happened to Jody Ledkins

2006-05-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Today Jody Ledkins was missing for 21 years. I wrote about her case several months ago and tonight, I will repost that blog entry in the event you missed it before. Today my thoughts and prayers are with Karen (Jody's mom) as she goes through another tough day without answers. She's a dear friend of mine.

On May 23, 1985, Jody Ledkins called her mother Karen to ask for a ride home from a friend's house. Karen was unable to come pick up Jody because at the time she did not have a car that particular afternoon. Jody told her mother that it was no big deal, that she'd begin walking home, because after all it was not far away, and she would be home soon. Jody never arrived. As hours passed, Karen began to become concerned where Jody was. She should be home by now. After calling several of Jody's friend's, Karen still had no answers of Jody's whereabouts. Karen attempted to call the authorities about Jody's disappearance, but she was told that Jody probably was just angry about something, and to give it the weekend and if Jody still was not home, to give them a call back. The weekend passed, and still no sign of Jody.In prior months, Jody had been in trouble at school for skipping school with a few other teens. Jody was a normal teen in that she loved the Dukes of Hazzard and anything with stars. Authorities told Karen that her daughter more than likely ran away, and it was left at that. Karen never believed that her daughter ran away that May afternoon. She believed that something went wrong and nobody was listening to her pleas for help to find Jody.In 1985, there were few resources in place for people who become missing and many people simply slipped through the cracks. Possibly valueable information being lost because the police's inability to act on the situation in time.It is now 20 years later and Jody remains missing. Karen continues to take at least one day a week to dedicate to the search for her daughter. Alive or dead, Karen wants to find out Jody's fate. Karen claims that she was ignorant about what to do when something like this happened back then. How could she know how to handle a situation like that? There is no manual that tells parents what to do when a child becomes missing. What's more disturbing is how authorities can pass off a disappearance as something that is not important.Jody's mother has become a very dear person in my life in the last year. She's shared so many things she continues to do in searching for Jody. What amazes me the most about all of these cases of missing loved ones, is that no matter how long it has been, there is always a mom or dad who refuses to give up. I believe there is someone who knows what happened to Jody that day. I believe that this case can still be solved, even after 20 years. For more information about Jody, visit her website @ www.GeoCities.Com/FindJodyLedkinsJody is still missing but never forgotten.

Original Post Link

When Negativity Surrounds Missing Person Cases

2006-05-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Since October 22, 2005, there have been some wild speculations and accusations surrounding the disappearance of former beauty queen and high school teacher, Tara Grinstead. Messages boards were lighting up like Christmas trees with people wanting to discuss the case. Everyone had one question, "Where is Tara?"
As with many message boards and websites, some of the information has become incorrect and down right ugly towards Tara's family and especially those who have been working on the case. What's so interesting is how people will attempt to pick apart the case by only the facts and information that has been posted with online articles or maybe snippets they've seen on TV. When we everyone learn that not all evidence is given to the media and often times the information is added to or taken away from in order to spin a headline?

Several individuals on some message forums have slammed the efforts of Dr. Maurice Godwin who has been working on the Grinstead case for several weeks now. After reading some of the posts, I can see clearly that these people making these accusations really do not have all the facts of the case, nor have the ever worked on a missing person case. Not to say that I am a qualified person, but judging from the posts, there is a lot these people do not know and are speculating about are WRONG.

Aside from the posts about Godwin, there are posts about Tara's relatives and how they are only on TV to make themselves look good. That's ridiculous too and I know this because I know from my own experiences with one of the family members that this is not the case. They've been put in a position that is not only very uncomfortable but one they are not familiar with.
Where do these people come from? I have an explanation. I wrote about these people in a previous blog entry. It's called short term supporters on high profile cases. The same as those who want to get in the middle of the current issue to get themselves noticed. There's no real understanding or knowledge of the case, just speculation and hopes of that 15 minutes of fame.

This is a very serious matter and it's not to be taken lighly. Words are hurtful, especially when they are incorrect. I offer this piece of advice to those who are posting away on these boards and really do not know every fact of the case. If you cannot say something nice, just don't say anything at all. Thank God you are not being dealt the same cards as the family of Tara Grinstead has been lately. These types of topics and thoughts are best left for tabloid magazines. Maybe if everyone would stop reading that trash, then they'd simply fade away?

See Also - Short Term Supporters on High Profile Cases

Two Important Rememberances on May 20th

2006-05-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

This week my posting has been slow on here. I've had a few things going on that demanded my time and I just couldn't devote as much time to the blog as I should.

This past Saturday, May 20th, there were two important events held on separate parts of the United States for two ladies who remain missing. The first was Kristin Smart whose family held a special run/walk in her honor. On May 25th, Kristin will be missing for 10 long years. The run was to bring awareness to her case and to possibly help bring that one tip that can lead authorities to her.

My group was unable to go this year due to some other obligations that we had. I knew that we had to do something to remember Kristin as well as Brandy Hanna whose family held a special vigil for her Saturday night in Charleston, South Carolina.

Brandy's mom has become one of my favorite people. I met her briefly at the Cue Center for the Missing Conference back in late March, but we've communicated a lot online since then. I felt terrible that I could not go to the one year vigil for Brandy. Donna has searched endlessly for her daughter since she vanished last year. She's also started working with other moms to help them cope with the situation of losing your child.

My family decided that we would release some balloons for both the missing ladies to remember them here where we live. We walked out to the garden and let the blue balloon with a special note for Brandy float into the sky. Next we released the 10 mult-colored balloons for Kristin Smart. We do this frequently when we cannot be at these important vigils or events for those who are missing or murdered. Although it's a small gesture, it makes me feel better knowing we did something to remember these people.

May God bless each of them and help them through this tough time they are going through. Hopefully soon, they will have the answers they need.

Additonal Links

Find Kristin Smart - Son of Susan
Missing Brandy Hanna

News Article Regarding Kristin Smart

Questions remain unanswered in Smart case
By Quintin Cushner/Senior Staff Writer - Santa Maria Times

Ten years after Kristin Smart's disappearance, no one surrounding her case has felt anything near closure.
Not Smart's family, who remember her as a loving and persistent 19-year-old, excited to be attending college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. They assume she is dead and buried somewhere, but cannot be certain.
Not Paul Flores, a 1995 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School, who was the last person to see the young woman alive and who remains under investigation in her disappearance. Flores is out on bail facing a fourth drunken-driving conviction and continued scrutiny for his actions the night Smart vanished.
Not detectives from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department, who still believe they can crack the case.
And not Dennis Mahon or Terry Black, two men working to keep the Kristin Smart case from fading. Mahon maintains a Web site and has written a book. Black is offering a $100,000 reward to anyone with information leading to Smart.
Each of these lives was altered early on May 25, 1996, after Flores walked with Smart and another student from an off-campus party onto campus.
Flores and Smart apparently met at the party, where both had been drinking. The third student broke off from Flores and Smart about 2:30 a.m.
Flores, then 19, told law enforcement he and Smart parted ways near his dorm, and that she returned to her Muir Hall dorm room alone.
Police say there's no proof Smart ever returned to her room. Her roommate reported her missing May 27. Smart's clothing, toiletries and identification were undisturbed.
Cal Poly police first interviewed Flores on May 28. He sported a black eye from what he claimed was a basketball mishap. A friend of Flores later told police the young man had arrived at the pick-up game bruised.Campus police appear to have made a crucial mistake early in the investigation. Officers failed to secure Flores' room at Santa Lucia Hall until after he vacated the dorm for the term.The Kristin Smart case was soon after turned over to the Sheriff's Department.More than a month after Smart's disappearance, cadaver dogs searching the dorm honed in on Flores' room. Once inside, the dogs zeroed in on his mattress.During a grand jury hearing convened in October 1996, Flores refused to answer questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He has never been charged in the young woman's disappearance.Later searches of Flores' family home in Arroyo Grande turned up nothing substantial. Psychics, national talk show hosts and local media all tried in vain to discern Smart's location.San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Roger Piquet later declared Smart dead as of May 25, 2001, so her family could pursue a wrongful-death lawsuit against Flores.SuspectThat civil case, which alleges “Flores violently assaulted and murdered Decedent Kristin Smart and disposed of her body in an unknown location, presumably in San Luis Obispo,” returns to court June 9.The civil suit has been repeatedly delayed since the Smart family filed it in 2002. The Sheriff's Department still considers its investigation open, and has refused to release any evidence to the Smarts' attorneys.Denise Smart, Kristin's mother, said she has mixed feelings about the criminal case staying open.“As long as it's still open, there's hope,” she said. “But I'm frustrated by the lack of progress.”An educator living in Stockton, Denise Smart said the slow reaction from Cal Poly police damaged the case.“It was way over their head,” she said. “When Kristin's roommate reported her missing, they didn't even go check on her. It was a total failure to respond.”In 1998, Gov. Pete Wilson signed a state law named after Smart, requiring universities and colleges to notify local law enforcement quickly if a violent crime may have occurred.“I know that members of the Smart family have complained that our police did not respond properly,” said Cal Poly Provost Bob Detweiler. “I wasn't here at the time, but I can find no evidence of us handling the case inappropriately. Because of Kristin's disappearance, we have beefed up our emphasis on alcohol awareness and sexual assault awareness on campus.”Since they took over the case, sheriff's deputies have focused on Flores, who is now a 29-year-old living in Lawndale in Los Angeles County.“Paul Flores is the only person of interest that we have not excluded as a possible suspect,” said Undersheriff Steve Bolts. “We've got several avenues we're pursuing that I can't really discuss. The case remains very active.”Bolts said Detective Dave Kenny is spending the majority of his time working on the Smart case. Kenny declined comment.Bolts had no estimate of how many hours have been spent on the case.“It's one of those cases that has the potential to be resolved,” Bolts said. “We are reasonably certain that she's deceased, and we're optimistic that her remains will be found some day.”Bolts would not comment on a specific theory about Smart's disappearance.“There's no evidence to exclude an intentional homicide,” he said.Since Smart went missing, Flores has racked up three drunken-driving convictions and a probation violation. Flores served time in 2000 at Santa Barbara County Jail for driving drunk in Santa Maria, and was sentenced again to County Jail for drinking while on probation.On Dec. 20, 2005, he was again flagged for drunken driving, this time in Los Angeles County. He is free on $100,000 bail while the case works its way through the courts.Flores could face prison time if convicted, said Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paulette Paccione. The case returns to court June 29 for a preliminary hearing.Flores has rejected a plea deal in the latest drunken-driving charge that would have landed him in jail for a year, Paccione said.“He wants to fight the case,” she said.Bolts has several theories on Flores' battles with alcohol.“I think it's reflective of a chemical dependency that may be at the root of Kristin's disappearance,” Bolts said. “It also may be a product of a guilty conscience.”Denise Smart said Flores has negotiated in the past with law enforcement. She is certain Flores knows her daughter's whereabouts.“Do we know what he did? No. Do we know he knows where she is? Yes,” Denise Smart said. “He's kind of making his own prison. But for us there's no punishment we feel would be enough. Where she is is not where she wants to be and it's certainly not where we would want her to be.”Bolts wouldn't comment on any negotiations between law enforcement and Flores.“Even if there were negotiations,” he said, “they are privileged and are not presumed by us to be evidence.”Attempts to reach Flores were unsuccessful. Calls to his criminal and civil attorneys were not returned. His parents, Susan and Ruben, have separated and live in Arroyo Grande.Outside both of their homes is a printed flier with this message:“Notice: Please respect the privacy of the occupants of this residence. They have chosen to resolve their legal matters in the courtroom, not the media.”A man who emerged from Susan Flores' home last week snapped several pictures of a visiting reporter, but declined comment.The activistsDennis Mahon of Charlotte, N.C., has spent years tracking the case. Mahon's Web site, www.sonofsusan.com, includes his short book on Smart's disappearance and a log of Flores' legal troubles.Mahon used to park outside the Flores' home in Arroyo Grande and took to photographing Paul Flores during his court appearances.For his diligence, Denise Smart considers Mahon “a saint.”The Flores family sees it different. They have a restraining order against him.“It's a matter of not abandoning Kristin,” Mahon said. “My Web site is geared toward getting Flores to cooperate with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department. The crime is in the cover-up.”Terry Black, a Sacramento investor and political consultant, recently offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the location of the missing woman or her remains.Black, who believes Smart's body could be buried on the Nipomo Mesa, said he has provided police several tips received through his hotline.“I just would like to see closure to the family, and sometimes money is the only thing that motivates people to come forward,” Black said. “My sole concern is retrieval of the body. I'm not in the blame or punishment role here.”PersistenceDenise Smart remembers her daughter's persistence and discipline above all else.An avid swimmer who stood more than 6 feet tall, Smart cared deeply about her health, Denise Smart said.“Before it was cool to be fit, she exercised and watched what she ate,” Denise Smart said. “She never had egg yolks.”The young woman loved Hawaii and even managed to graduate high school early to work as a camp counselor there.Originally accepted at UCSB, Smart decided to switch schools shortly before her freshman year. The prospect of transferring from her communications program into Cal Poly's elite architecture school was a lure.Denise Smart said her daughter also would have been content to work in TV.“She thought Joan Lunden had just about the best job in the world,” Denise Smart said.Ten years later, Denise Smart is still acutely aware of how her daughter's life was cut short.“She was a very loving and compassionate type of person, and it's hard to have lost her,” Denise Smart said. “Her friends are now getting married and having children.”Matt Smart was just 16 when his sister disappeared.“In a moment, your life is turned upside down,” he said. “You go from watching the news on TV to being on the news. From reading the newspapers to being in the newspapers.”His sister's disappearance inspired him to take life seriously at a young age, he said. Matt Smart threw himself into swimming competitions, eventually making it to the 2000 U.S. Olympic trials.Now a pharmaceutical representative, he tries to live well every day. Still, his sister's disappearance lingers.“It's one thing to have a death in the family,” he said. “It's another thing to not know what happened. You can't allow it to eat at you.”Tana Coates, attorney for the Smart family, said she is heartened that police continue to investigate.“I'm sure Denise thinks of this as if it were yesterday,” Coates said. “It's so important to keep the public's interest. It's a terrible mystery. The family would appreciate closure. Let's hope that happens.”Kristin Smart would have turned 29 this past February.

ArtiBrandy Hanna News cle

Daughter's Disappearance An Open Wound
By Brian Hicks - Charleston Dot Net

It has been a year, and still she cannot sleep.Her life has become one long nightmare, a hunt that never ceases. Everywhere she looks, Donna Parent sees her daughter - on the street, in the store. She has to force herself not to follow every passing car with a thin blond woman inside.It's not her, she constantly has to tell herself.The restaurant she manages has become a shrine of missing person posters and well-wishers who come in to eat every day. A year later, and the Alex's Restaurant's reader board still asks 'Where is Brandy?'After work, Parent spends much of her time on the computer, reading about and corresponding with people who are just like her, who have lost someone without a notion of when they may find out what happened. Like her, they try to avoid the unthinkable: that they may never know. So many people out there like her, she realizes with great sadness.Every night as she lies down to attempt sleep, Donna Parent looks at her daughter's picture and asks the same question:Where are you?On Saturday night, nearly 100 people gathered at Alex's Restaurant on Dorchester Road to mark the one-year anniversary of Brandy Hanna's disappearance with prayer and a candlelight vigil. On May 20, 2005, Hanna, then 32, got off from work there on a Friday afternoon with big plans for the weekend.She caught a ride home with a customer and made plans to go shopping that night, to be ready for a trip to the beach. She spoke with her mother once more on the phone. And then nothing.All leads in the case have proven dead ends. The few suspects brought in passed polygraph tests, leaving police stumped. Every day more time passes without answers, without clues.One year later, and all of the sudden Brandy's disappearance is a cold case.'This is a situation that a year ago I never thought I would be in,' Parent says. 'I can't stop looking, because if I stop, who's going to look for her?'Parent has become disillusioned about a lot of things. Mostly, she is upset that no one has found her daughter. When she first reported her missing, it was nearly a week before police would investigate, because adults have a right to be missing.Police departments across the country say they cannot investigate every call that comes in on a missing adult - they would get little else done.There are nearly 2 million people missing in the United States right now, about half of them adults. While there are networks and agencies and Amber Alerts for children who go missing, there is no mechanism ? save for dozens of networks that exist on the Internet and in the kitchens of people who have suffered loss ? to hunt for adults who disappear.'Adult missing person cases are hard. You have the right to be missing, a right to privacy,' says Monica Caison, the founder and executive director of the CUE Center, a missing persons organization in North Carolina. 'I've heard police say they don't want another Runaway Bride story. We've got to stop judging people, and listen when families say someone is missing. If they turn up on a beach drinking pina coladas, so what? Let it embarrass them.'Caison says that if police had looked quicker at Brandy Hanna's last-known whereabouts, they might have turned up a clue. But in this case, there are no guarantees. Because, unfortunately, hers was a trail that went cold fast.North Charleston Detective Eric Jourdan said there has been no new information in Brandy's case since last August, when Caison brought search teams and cadaver dogs to town to search several areas. Police followed up on a few leads from those searches, but they were all dead ends.'What's most frustrating is that she had such a close circle of friends, only four or five people she associated with, and none of them could think of any reason she would want to disappear on her own,' Jourdan says.A boyfriend, as well as a recent ex-boyfriend, were considered possible suspects, but both submitted to polygraph tests and passed. Since then, one of them, Ray McAdams, has died of natural causes.'I check Brandy's Web site all the time, looking for anonymous tips, and I check into all unidentified bodies found in the state,' Jourdan says. 'But there's not a lot we can do without some sort of clue.'Parent has pushed the city to do more, and in February got Mayor Keith Summey to agree to put up billboards with Brandy's face, asking for information in her disappearance.Parent is upset those billboards have not gone up, but Summey said he's at the mercy of charity. MAC Advertising has agreed to put up a city-designed Brandy billboard starting June 1. They will leave it up all summer, moving it to a new location every month.'We've been working with MAC, but we've had to wait until they had space available,' Summey said.On Saturday night, Parent set up a table with Brandy's pictures - as a baby, in the ROTC, at work at Alex's - and the vigil attendees signed the guest book with notes such as, 'We all pray for your safety' and 'You are and always will be my best friend.'Cindy Cornell, who worked with Brandy at Pappy's in North Charleston, said when she first heard the news, she assumed her friend had 'just gone off somewhere.''I hope that's right, I hope she's off somewhere,' Cornell said. 'I just hopes she comes back.'As the people crowded around the shrine to Brandy began to light their candles, a mighty wind blew up where moments before it had been calm. For several minutes, they tried in vain to light a few flames to Brandy's memory on the anniversary of her disappearance.Eventually, Parent said it was no use and asked them to simply hold the candles high above their heads for a moment. There would be no candlelight at this vigil.It was a disappointment for sure, but Parent has had many of them in the past year. This was a small problem, she knows. There is a much bigger one out there, one that has been looming over her entire life for a year now.http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=89037§ion=localnews

Mother's Day Is Not The Same For Everyone

2006-05-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we celebrate Mother's Day. Most will begin with family coming over and spending the day together. Others will begin the same but something will be much different. It will be another day without a child who has become missing or one that has been murdered. It could be that your mother is missing and you are searching for her or find justice for her death. Nevertheless, the day will be incomplete and very difficult no matter how long the child or mom is not there.
This is a holiday that most people who've never witnessed losing a child or mom cannot understand and probably won't seek you out to discuss. It always happens to somebody else, and not them.

As Mother's Day arrives on Sunday, I can't help but think of all those who aren't celebrating the holiday with joy and happiness. I think of how it doesn't seem right to have a child die before it's parents OR to lose your parent due to a crime.

They say there is no love like a mother's love. I believe that. I know that my mom loves me no matter what. She'd go to the end of earth for me. She sees only the positive and supports all my ideas, no matter how crazy they may be. She drives me up the wall and is my best friend all at the same time. She's no different from any other mom when it comes to family.

While this next statement applies to most moms - I recognize it may not apply to each and every mother in the world.

When Mother's Day arrives I want to say this to all moms and those who have a mom. If you are a missing person, you know that mom loves you, and she won't stop looking until she locates you. Those who have died because of a violent crime. Your mom loves you, and she won't stop until she finds out who is responsible and brings them to justice. And, if you've lost your mom because she's missing or she's been murdered, mom will always love you and she knows the things you're doing to help her.

Remember to always tell mom you love her and that she's cool even if she still tells you "you're not leaving the house without that being ironed". It's Mother's Day and God bless all the moms out there.

New Leads In the Jodi Huisentruit Disappearance

2006-05-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

On June 26, 1995, Jodi Huisentruit was headed out the door to her job with the local TV network in Mason City, Iowa, when something went terribly wrong. As Jodi attempted to get into her car at around 3 a.m., someone abducted her. Later authorities would find Jodi's shoes, hair dryer and some other personal items scattered on the ground near her car, as well as a bent key in the car door.
It would appear that whoever decided to take Jodi obviously knew her schedule and that she'd be exiting her apartment around that time. You simply do not stand around at 3 a.m. unless you are up to something strange.

In the days and months after Jodi's disappearance, a local sex offender was considered as a possible suspect. Authorities would rule him out due to the fact his palm print did not match the print that was left on Jodi's car. It is still unclear just who left the print. It could very well be somebody that was not linked in a criminal manner to the case.

Just days ago a man named Duane Arnold came forward to say that he believes he knows where Jodi is after nearly 11 years. He claims that days after Jodi's abduction, that he noticed that the ground appeared to be disturbed and it was a possible burial. He claims that he's gone to the police previously about this information and because nobody is taking his story seriously, and he's hired his own group to work the area with GPR. Since Arnold's crew was hired, the police have fianlly decided to excavate the property as well to see if they can find Jodi.

Reports are coming out across the news and online that the GPR has picked up something that is buried underneath the ground that could be in the shape of a body, however other items are often mistaken with GPR. It is not fool proof.

Although there have been several promising leads in the past concerning the missing news anchor, Jodi Huisentruit, they've never found her. I have to wonder if this will be the lead to finally break this cold case?

For more information on the abduction of Jodi Huisentruit, please visit her new website that her family put up just months ago. There's someone out there who knows what happened to Jodi. Her case has been one I've followed for many years now since it first aired on Unsolved Mysteries. Here's hoping that she's found before the 11th anniversary has a chance to arrive.

Additonal Links:

Find Jodi

News Link - please note the complete article has been posted her due to the fact that some links will go inactive after several days.

Man who thinks he knows where Jody Huisentruit is buried says police will digLISA ROSSIREGISTER AMES BUREAU
May 9, 2006

A Mason City man who has tried to convince police for a decade that the body of missing anchorwoman Jodi Huisentruit is buried by a lake near Britt said police have agreed to dig in the area.Duane Arnold, 74, said he's met with Mason City detectives several times in that time period to tell them to investigate an disturbed area of ground near Eagle Lake, where he has a cabin.Now, after hiring an engineering company to study the area, he said police have agreed to dig in the ground to see if there are new clues in the case."It's not a matter if they are going to dig it, it's a matter of when," said Duane Arnold in an interview today with the Des Moines Register.Arnold said he met with officials from the Hancock county sheriff's department and the Mason City police department to talk about the matter today.Police in Mason City and the sheriff from the Hancock county sheriff's department have not returned phone calls on the story, which has generated national media attention from outlets planning on featuring the missing anchorwoman's disappearance.Huisentruit is the anchorwoman for KIMT-TV who vanished from her Mason City apartment in the early morning hours of June 27, 1995.Arnold said he met Huisentruit at a bar in Mason City before her disappearance and has been driven to solve the mystery with her memory in mind. "I had to have closure," he said. "I couldn't let it go. I had to know. I knew I was right. I kept running into roadblocks. I'd go home, get mad, and I'd go after it again. And now it's paying off."In June of 2005 near the 10 year anniversary of her disappearance, the Register reported that police had no new leads in the case

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/NEWS/60509024/1001

Second Suspect in Hamlin Case Found NOT GUILTY

2006-05-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

Friday, in a Cherokee County Courthouse, a jury found Jonathan Elkins NOT GUILTY for his alleged role in the rape and murder of 15 year old Katie Hamlin.

In July of 2002, Katie Hamlin's badly burned body was found as a passerby saw a fire burning near a creek bed. Later tests would prove that Hamlin had been sexually assaulted and then set on fire to cover up the crime.
There were two young men arrested in connection with her murder, one of those being Jonathan Elkins. Just last December, a jury found Jamerson Mangrum GUILTY of rape, murder, and attempting to cover up a crime. Mangrum told fellow inmates that Katie died while trying to break free from being held down. He claimed that Jonathan Elkins was there and that he helped him. The most damning evidence against Mangrum was the DNA found on Katie's body connecting him to her.
The jury felt as if Jonathan was not involved in the murder. I have to wonder how they determined he was not there when it was apparent that Katie had been held down by someone as Mangrum assaulted her that night. Even if Elkins did not have sex with Katie Hamlin, isn't he guilty of something?

Wouldn't be wrong to stand there and watch a crime being committed and not tell police? There was someone else there that night, and I think they've been let go to never have to answer for this crime.
While Katie's family may never know the full story of what happened that night to their 15 year old daughter, I guess they can find some comfort in knowing that main culprit is behind bars.
You may read the past blog entry from late December regarding the Mangrum trial by clicking HERE.

Blood Evidence - The Disappearance of Scott Dunn

2006-05-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

It was May 16, 1991 when Roger "Scott" Dunn vanished without a trace. It would be nearly two weeks before his family would be made aware of this. Scott was living in Lubbock, Texas, separate from his family.
Scott's father, James Dunn would receive a midnight phone call from a girl who claimed to be Scott's girlfriend. Her name is Leisha Hamilton and she has a questionable past, even before the mystery of Scott's disappearance began. Leisha Hamilton would tell Scott's dad that she was unable to find Scott after leaving him home to rest because he was sick. She claimed that after she returned from her job that Scott was not at the apartment and has yet to return. Pressing Leisha for more information regarding his son's whereabouts, James Dunn began to notice that Leisha's demeanor changed. This was only the beginning of a long road of lies and deceit.
After a missing person report was filed by Scott's family, authorities would visit the apartment Scott had been sharing with Leisha Hamilton. What they found was disturbing. It appeared that carpet had been cut and patched up with duct tape. Beneath the duct taped carpet, the floor had dark red stains, and they appeared to be blood. When questioned further about the carpet and the stains, Leisha Hamilton claimed to have never noticed them, although the dishelved carpet was very obvious. Leisha was more concerned about who was going to take Scott's vehicle, more than finding Scott.

Further testing with Luminol would reveal that someone in the bedroom where Scott Dunn was last known to have been suffered a violent attack. There was blood spatter on the walls and ceiling. Although it had been cleaned up, the Luminol told a more sinister tale. Months later, the blood found in the room was determined to be Scott Dunn's and the amount found was said to be more than any human being could lose without dieing.

Scott's parents would later learn that Leisha Hamilton was seeing another man named Timothy James Smith who lived in the same apartment complex at the same time she was seeing Scott Dunn. Letters would reveal that Smith was deeply in love with Leisha Hamilton and he felt as if Scott Dunn was coming in between their future.

With all this information and it being clear that Scott was more than likely murdered, justice had to be found for those responsible, and Scott's body had to be recovered. It would take nearly six years before Leisha Hamilton was arrested and charged with Scott Dunn's murder. Subsequently, her boyfriend, Timothy James Smith was arrested shortly thereafter. A jury would find Leisha Hamilton GUILTY of murdering Scott Dunn. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Sadly, Timothy James Smith was found GUILTY as well, but due to the fact he had no prior criminal record, the jury allowed him to walk out with 10 years probation. To date, Scott Dunn's body has never been found.

Scott's dad, wrote a book regarding his son's disappearance and murder. He wants the world to know about what their family went through trying to find Scott and trying to find some justice for him. The Dunn family still continue to search for Scott's body to give him a proper burial. There is an empty grave in Lubbock Texas that belongs to Scott, although he's not there.

I had the opportunity to meet James Dunn at the CUE Center for the Missing conference this past March. He's a great dad but he's broken. He needs to find his son. Something I will never understand is how people can hold something like that in forever. Just call in a tip and give us what we need to find them.

On May 16th, Scott's family will endure another anniversary since Scott vanished. Some agencies have Scott listed as missing on the 31st, but it was the 16th when this nightmare began for the Dunn family.

On Tuesday, May 16th, AETV will be reairing the segment regarding Scott's case. Everyone should watch it if they have some extra time. I also recommend "Trail of Blood" By James Dunn. It is a full account of the case and a father's search.

I'll always remember Scott and hope that he too can be found.

AETV will Reair Blood Trail on Cold Case Files @ 1 PM EST and again @ 6 PM EST on Tuesday, May 16, 2006.

Purchase Trail of Blood From Amazon Dot Com

Scott Dunn Information Site
The Charley Project Case File

Revisiting the Excavation for Carrie (2 Years Later)

2006-04-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

It was two years ago today that Carrie's memorial was to be unveiled in Blanchester, Ohio, but was delayed. Police had received a tip that Carrie's body was located underneath a pole barn and a two week excavation began. Four cadavaer dogs alerted that human remains were there. We waited patiently hoping that Carrie was about to be found. At the time, Carrie had been missing nearly eight (8) years. This was the most valid tip in a good long while. During the excavation, there were several positive things that made us believe that tomorrow it would all be over, but it wasn't.

The search ended nearly two weeks later and at 14 feet beneath the barn, a t-shirt and sock belonging to Carrie was found, along with some garbage bags. It was very strange that someone would bury these items at that level and not just burn them. Still with these items being found, Carrie's body was not recovered.

Having to go back home empty handed, Carrie's family continued to wonder, had Carrie been at that location at one time. Furthermore, where could she be now? Although we know Carrie is deceased, we know that somewhere there has to be a trace of her. It was more than anyone could deal with.

Looking back on that emotional roller coaster of two weeks, I have come to several conclusions. The first one is that the tip was called in by someone that communicates with Vincent Doan. We know that from the reports. This person obviously wanted to stop Debra Culberson from having a memorial for Carrie because it was another reminder to the Baker family and those who believe they are involved in Carrie's murder that nobody is willing to give up on this. It's basically another constant reminder of what they wish would go away.

Secondly, because of the information in the unsealed warrant, we know that Doan obviously had some knowledge regarding the events surrouding Carrie's disappearance, otherwise this person would not have given information that led to what little we found. I feel like it was just enough to send those searching for Carrie down another roller coaster of emotions, without giving her back, and to let us know, yes we have the upper hand on you all.

We will never fully understand why we are not allowed to have Carrie's body back for a proper burial. We still have many unanswered questions as to why those who are responsible cannot have a friend call in a tip that will lead us to her and this all can end. We've overcome several obstacles in trying to find Carrie, and we've never once thought about stopping our search.

Carrie's family has been luckier than some families in that they were able to find justice for those who murdered Carrie. Some families are never given back the body or given justice. Some feel we should be satisified and let it go at that, but we cannot. Carrie's body has to be found, plain and simple.

I have been ridiculed by some people for being obcessed with finding Carrie. The last four years of my life have been surrounded with thoughts and theories for what happened to Carrie and how to find her for her family. A lot of people thought I'd burn out by now and that I need to get a life for searching for a missing girl. Those who really know me, know that I'm serious as a heartattack about finding her. Some people even ask me, "what are you going to do once she is found?" I will continue to help other missing and murdered people because that is what is important to me. Carrie is the reason for every bit of my work. I made a promise to her and her family that I would not give up and I won't.

My memory goes back to the anxiousness I felt two years ago when I thought there was a chance she was finally coming home. I think that whoever continues to do this to her family is cruel and sick. Postponing Carrie's memorial was all that happened and made her mom sad when she had to spend two weeks out there near that barn. It has never stopped Debra Culberson from searching and telling others about Carrie. We never know when that day will be our day to bring Carrie home. We will just wait until it's our turn.

To read all the news articles surrounding the search for Carrie in 2004, click HERE

Event for Victims of Crime

2006-04-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today I joined Sueann Ray's dad, Danny Jenkins and our 9th Judicial Circuit court for an event to remember crime victims. This week is known as National Crime Victims' Awareness week all across the US.

We felt that we needed to be a part of this event because of Sueann. The road has been so long since last August. Even after Sueann's body being located, the road has not gotten any easier. We are still anticipating a two year wait until the trial can even begin.

Sueann's dad takes every opportunity to tell others about not giving up on finding justice for their loved ones, so today was very necessary.
There were others there who have suffered a similar loss and it is amazing to me how this type of thing continues to happen. Somehow we must stop it.
My heart goes out to Danny and all others who are going to these events across the US to remember their loved ones. I wish there was some way I could reach out to all of them and take away the pain they are feeling. Although that is impossible, I know that taking a stand for the victims and their memory is a step in the right direction. Being available to offer assistance and support to those who that we know about is our main goal. Little pieces make larger pieces, and from there, we can do so much.

Sueann's husband, Quinton Ray will be in court again on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 for his formal arraignment. It has been scheduled previously but pushed back.

A reminder to all people reading this blog who may have suffered a loss.... You can stand up and make a difference. You can give your loved one and many others a voice. Don't be afraid to mess up or look stupid. The world needs to hear what you have to say. Don't keep these things hidden inside. You'll feel much better if you open up and let others learn about your situation. No person walks alone.

What Happened to John Fiocco

2006-04-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 25, 2006, John Fiocco went to bed in his dorm according to his roommates after a night of drinking any partying. Shortly thereafter, John Fiocco vanished into thin air.
After a closer look, blood was found near a trash dumpster outside of John’s dormitory. It was believed that John may have gone through the trash chute straight into the dumpster. Further testing revealed that it was John’s blood that had spilled outside the trash bin, leaving authorities to suspect something more sinister may have happened to John on March 25th.
A massive search was launched with the New Jersey State Police searching for John in the nearby landfill. The search would go on for days with no luck. Just one day before reports stated the search was about to end for John, his body was found in the rubble.

John’s remains were badly decomposed and his identification was made from dental records. Police have not ruled John’s disappearance and death a homicide but classify it as “suspicious”.

There are many unanswered questions surrounding John’s death. Many question how he could go through a 2x2 trash chute without any assistance. Many people want to know if John was murdered and then placed in the trash, or was he alive and then crushed by the compacter? These are horrible thoughts that any family should have to think when they’ve lost a loved one like this. I believe John’s death was planned and he died as a result of foul play.

John’s autopsy is incomplete at this time. Surely the report will reveal what really happened to John and give authorities direction in their investigation.

Related Article:

Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the body found in a Pennsylvania landfill has been identified as a missing college freshman from Mantua.
While noting their investigation was not complete, police said there is no evidence of foul play.
Officials confirmed that the body found Tuesday was that of John Fiocco Jr., the former Clearview Regional High School track star who disappeared exactly one month earlier from his dormitory at The College of New Jersey.
State police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes said there was "a voluminous amount of blood evidence" found in a dormitory trash bin early in the investigation, and Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini cited numerous fractures to the body.
But, officials say, the circumstances are consistent with having gone through the dormitory trash system and that investigators may never fully unravel the mystery.
"There continues to be no evidence of foul play," Fuentes said at a news conference at TCNJ.
A woman answering the phone at the Fiocco home said the family would have no comment. On Tuesday, the student's uncle, Joseph Fiocco, thanked police for "bringing closure" to the case and urged anyone with information on his nephew's death to come forward.
TCNJ President Barbara Gitenstein said the entire college community was deeply saddened but that its sorrow paled to what is being experienced by Fiocco's loved ones.
"Our feelings are a mere shadow of what John's family must be feeling," Gitenstein said.
The popular athlete and graphic design major was last seen early in the morning March 25 after a night of drinking with friends. Fiocco, who lived on the fourth floor of his dormitory hall, wound up in a trash bin in the dormitory's basement, but Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini said officials still do not know whether he went down the trash chute or got there some other way.
Injuries found during the autopsy were consistent with going through the dormitory's trash system, which moves garbage out of the Dumpster, Bocchini said. He indicated the body was still fairly intact and showed no evidence of bullet or stab wounds but said it was unknown whether fractures were sustained before or after death.
Fiocco was identified through dental records, though DNA testing will take place for final confirmation, Bocchini said.
An autopsy by the Mercer County medical examiner, which will include toxicology screening, could take four to six weeks.
The search brings to an end a painstaking 23-day search through two Bucks County landfills involving 35 law enforcement officers and troopers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania state police and other departments. With assistance from landfill owner Waste Management Inc., police and company workers went through 3,450 tons from a select area of the landfill, covering one acre to a depth of 25 feet, Fuentes said.
Fuentes said officials have talked to more than 1,000 TCNJ students and workers and have interviewed more than 150 friends, associates and family members. Authorities say they have found no "persons of interest" or suspects.
The search also covered the entire trash chute in the 10-story dormitory and Dumpsters, as well as college grounds, woods, lakes and rooftops.
Authorities sought to deflect any blame from college maintenance workers, who saw liquid at the trash bin but did not consider it suspicious until a police search later revealed blood and blood-soaked material in and around the Dumpster. By then, the trash was on its way to a Trenton compacting station, then a landfill.
Officials said it is not unusual for liquids to drip out of the trash.
The search threw the entire college into chaos, leaving students in fear and disrupted from their routines.
TCNJ junior Serena Miller, 21, of Marlton, said she is glad to have confirmation that Fiocco's body had been found so the rumors can stop. The entire situation has been unsettling, she said.
"It's really been anxious because this is like our home," she said, talking of the dining hall and reporters roaming the campus.
As unsettling as it was for the college, troopers and police were burdened by similar emotions, said Lt. William Robb, who oversaw operations at the Tullytown landfill.
"Most of us have children," Robb said. "You can't help to have compassion for the family, knowing what happened."

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060427/NEWS01/604270392/1006

Aruba - Book Review

2006-04-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

Just this weekend I finally had a chance to read Aruba "The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise" I thought the book was well written and told a story that many of us have not seen nor heard about Natalee or the disgusting ways of the Aruban government.

I feel like vital clues surrounding Natalee's disappearance were tampered with from those protecting the three suspects. What many people did not realize is the hard work and searching Natalee's dad, Dave Holloway does, not just Beth. I knew Dave was invovled, but the book gives in depth information on how he spent countless hours combing sand dunes, following leads, and dealing with nut cases online who've tried to contact him with boggus information.

What I found interesting was how he takes the time to read through all of that to try to find that one clue that might bring Natalee home. I know they must receive hundreds of messages daily.

How could one senior trip turn into such a nightmare for the Holloway family? When will they finally have answers? They are like so many other families out there. They suffer and wonder every single day.

If you have not picked up Aruba yet, I recommend it, especially if you have been following the Holloway case. I think it's important to hear about having a missing child from the father's perspective. We always hear the angry mom, but it's time to hear from dad. Dave's book give us all a serious look at what dangers tourists face when leaving American soil.

I am not ready to give up on finding Natalee and neither is her family. The truth will come out in this mess eventually.

New Shake-up in Oranjestad, Aruba

2006-04-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, authorities in Aruba announced that a new person had been arrested for possible connection or knowledge in the nearly one year old Natalee Holloway disappearance mystery. Natalle vanished after visiting a local pub in Aruba (Carlos & Charlies) while vacationing in Aruba last May 30, 2005.

Van Cromvoirt was employed with a video survelliance company that supposidly handled video camera activty at the Holiday Inn where Holloway while on her trip last May to Aruba. There have been reports of a shirt found on the island that included the company's logo where Van Cromvoirt was employed. It is unclear at this time, if that shirt can be linked to the new suspect. As expected, Van Cromvoirt claims to have never met Natalee Holloway or the three original suspects.

Natalee's family has reported to the media that they remain hopeful but guarded in these new developments surrounding their daughter's disappearance. They still feel very strongly that Joran Van Der Sloot and the Kalpo brothers have more knowledge in Natalee's disappearance than they are revealing. The three suspects were released after being held for 90 days due insufficient evidence. Evidence that many believe that Van Der Sloots father, Paul helped the three boys dispose of in the early morning hours of June 1, 2005.

We are now 11 months into this search for Natalee and it seems that the investigation has started to fire back up again. There have been several new leads in Natalee's case within the last year but all of those leads have turned up no sign of Natalee. I am sure this is another test of Beth and Dave's patience. Both of them have gone nonstop since last year when this whole nightmare began.

Natalee's face and name have become a household name in many households across America, just like Laci Peterson, and many have the same question. "Where's Natalee?"
I know that there are so many others like Natalee who has not been given the press coverage that Natalee has had. It still doesn't change the fact that many us follow this case and worry about her just like the others. By now, it's pretty obvious that Natalee fell victim to a crime that night in Aruba. She did not leave on her own accord.

Just today, (April 20, 2006) Aruba officials have reported that the new search including underwater sonar has been called off for Natalee. Perhaps they are waiting for the information from the new suspect to lead them directly to Natalee? Maybe he does not know anything, and maybe he does? There are only so many days they can detain him, just like Van Der Sloot and the Kalpo brothers. What will happen after that? When will we finally know, and is Aruba really working on this case?

Beth Holloway-Twitty is scheduled to speak at several events for Victims Awareness Week that begins this Sunday. I am praying that she will be strong and able to carry on these obligations as these new developments continue in Aruba. I'm proud of Beth and Dave Holloway for all the things they are doing to help others. If you get a chance, pick up Dave's new book title Aruba. With the grace of God, you two will not have to wait much longer for the answer to Natalee's fate.

Additional Links:

Purchase Dave's New Book

Find Natalee Holloway - The ONLY Official Site

Related Article - Cleveland Dot Com

Mother of girl missing in Aruba preaches safety
Friday, April 21, 2006
Karen FarkasPlain Dealer Reporter

Green -- The message on how to stay safe when traveling was familiar to most Green High School students Thursday but the messenger brought many to tears and all to a standing ovation.
"I can't save Natalee," said Beth Holloway Twitty, whose daughter disappeared almost 11 months ago while on a trip to Aruba. "It's too late for me, too late for Natalee, but it's not too late for you."
Twitty, who became nationally known as she led the search for her missing daughter, is traveling the country to promote her new nonprofit organization, the International Safe Travels Organization.

Natalee Holloway, 18, disappeared May 30, days after she graduated from high school near Birmingham, Ala. She was on a school-sponsored senior trip. She was last seen getting into a car with three men after spending an evening at a bar with friends.
"She never saw this coming and was blindsided," Twitty said. "Natalee had a false sense of security. She was among many friends and let her guard down for just a moment. In that moment, she vanished."
The three men were arrested and later released, although Twitty still considers one a major suspect. Last weekend, police arrested a fourth man, a 19-year-old, and continued to search offshore.
Twitty said the man in custody was not anyone the family discussed as a suspect with officers. She said she doesn't know if charges will be filed.
"Natalee was kidnapped, raped and most likely murdered," she said. "What happened to her could happen to anyone in this room."
Her presentation Thursday afternoon, which was also scheduled for last night and today at the University of Akron, Portage Lakes Career Center and Coventry High School, began with a moving video tribute to Natalee. The 600 juniors and seniors were silent as Twitty walked across the darkened stage, lighted by a spotlight.
She gave a synopsis of events, describing her frustration as she dealt with Aruba officials. She spoke of her problems coping with language barriers, Dutch law, the inability to get search warrants and officials' denial of how officials denied -RD%>the existence of crack houses and brothels. She searched many of them for Natalee, she said.
She said youths need a safety plan wherever they are and they have to watch out for themselves. They should carry cell phones and, if out of the country, make sure they can make international calls, which she regrets not arranging for Natalee, who left her phone in her room.
"Whether in a mall or outside the U.S., you're the only one who can save yourself," she said. "The best way I can honor Natalee is to share this information."
A Web site is under construction, www.safetravelsfoundation.org, and will include information for students and parents on more than two dozen popular tourist destinations.
"For the past 11 months I've been living every parent's worst nightmare," she said. "I don't know what happened, where she is or if she's alive. It doesn't look good."

First Phase of Justice for Janet March?

2006-04-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

On August 16, 1996 Janet March disappeared without a trace. Her husband, prominent attorney, Perry March told her parents and police that he and Janet had a heated discussion and she decided to leave and take a small vacation. Days later Janet's car was found in a nearby apartment complex abandoned. It appeared that Janet may not have taken the vacation her husband claimed. Finding an abandoned car was not enough for an arrest, and afterall, there was no proof that Janet was even dead.
Circumstantial evidence would surface later that Janet may not have left on her own accord and maybe Perry March was not telling everything he knew. Birthday invitations had been sent out for Janet and Perry's son for his upcoming birthday. The birthday party unbeknownst to Perry was set for one day before he claimed Janet told him she'd return from her trip. Janet would never miss her son's birthday that she'd been planning for months.

Years would pass and Perry would move to Mexico to be with his father (so he claimed). Perry March married another woman and began to move on with his life as if he somehow knew Janet would never return.
Nearly nine years later Perry March was charged with conspiracy to commit murder against his ex-inlaws, as well as murdering his wife. Next would be the tedious process of extradicting him back to the United States. Mexico sent him back to Tennessee to face his charges and he has remained there.
In a stunning turn of events, Perry March's own father, Arthur March testified (in order to avoid jail time for his role in the conspiracy charges) that his son beat Janet March on the night of August 16, 1996 with a wrench killing her. He claimed that he assisted Perry in disposing of Janet's body. Authorities believe there is some truth to his allegations and have conducted searches where he claims they buried Janet. To date, Janet March's body has never been recovered.
In a separate trial just today (April 19, 2006), a jury found Perry March GUILTY for stealing money from his in-laws, which that some believe prompted Janet's disappearance. The instance with the stolen money happened less than two weeks before Janet vanished.
His murder trial is still pending. I believe that justice is on the horizon for Janet March and I also believe that her body will be found soon. My thoughts are with her parents, and two children who have never given up on finding her and bringing Perry March to justice. All people reading this blog please keep Janet March's family in your thoughts and prayers as they move into the next tedious trial. It's been a long road for them.

From News Channel 5 Tennessee

The jury found Perry March guilty Wednesday in his first trial, in which he was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his former in-laws.
It took the jury less than 45 minutes to reach a verdict. Sentencing will take place on June 22 at 9 a.m.

The jury foreman said March was found guilty of theft in “the value of more than $10,000 but less than $60,000.”

The jury began deliberating Wednesday afternoon in Perry March's first trial. The trial went by faster than experts expected.

Wednesday was the second day of testimony in the theft case against Perry March. His former father-in-law, Lawrence Levine, testified for the prosecution.

March was married to Levine's daughter, Janet, and March worked for Levine's law firm until Janet disappeared in 1996. Perry March was accused of stealing $23,000 from the Levine Law firm.

Lawrence Levine spent more than two hours on the stand testifying about his relationship with Perry in his law firm and as a son-in-law. He explained that he helped Perry during his time in law school. He also said that he and his wife gave Perry and Janet money more than once, and that he even helped get Arthur March’s home out of foreclosure.

“I helped both him and members of his family. There is a provision in the United States Internal Revenue code that said you can go ahead and give a gift of $10,000 per year, per beneficiary. Carolyn would give Perry $10,000 a year, and Janet $10,000 a year, and Mark (Janet's brother) $10,000 a year,” He went on to explain, “And I would give Perry $10, 000 a year, Janet $10,000 a year, and of course Mark, $10,000 a year. In addition to that we helped out Perry’s father who had his house foreclosed. We bought the house out of foreclosure,” said Lawrence Levine.

Levine said that he was aware his daughter and Mr. March were having marital problems. He said they would argue, often coming to his wife Carolyn as a mediator.

Around the same time the Janet disappeared, Lawrence Levine said Perry came to explaining he needed money to start his own law firm.

“Within a week before Janet was gone, Perry said he wanted to go ahead and start his own law practice and he wanted to come and discuss money with Carolyn and I. And I said when do you and Janet want to come? And he said no he didn’t want to come with Janet. And I said, well every major decision I’ve ever made in the 40 -- well then it was 30 years -- that I’ve been married, about money, has been made with Carolyn,” Levine said.

He went on to explain that he didn’t want to talk about money with Perry without Janet being there, but he said Perry really wanted to come over, so they agreed.

Levine said Perry presented he and his wife with a list of expenses that totaled $30,000. Levine said Perry never asked them for the money, but after showing them the expenses he said he would take the money out of his pension plan. Even though he didn't ask them for the money, Carolyn thought he wanted to borrow the money from them. Levine said they were not willing to loan him the money in this instance.

Levine also told the jury that Janet March had decided she could no longer live with Perry and asked her father for a list of divorce attorneys. He said he gave her the list and made an appointment for her, but before she could meet with the attorney, she went missing.

Levine was called to the stand, in part, to refute what Perry said, in a deposition that was taken back in 1996. Part of that deposition was played for the jury.

In the deposition, Perry said he did not recall taking money from clients that was intended for the law firm after he left the law firm back in September of 1996. Then he said Levine gave him permission to take some of the money, but on the stand, Levine said that was not the case.

Stay tuned to NewsChannel 5, NewsChannel 5+ and NewsChannel5.com for more on this trial and the next two trials Perry March faces.

The Day Lorne Boulet Was Found

2006-04-18T04:57:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was Easter at our house, as it was all across the world. Our family was relaxing and doing nothing special, when my phone rang. Looking at caller id, I knew it was Aunt Wease calling. It was strange that she'd be calling on Easter, but I'm always glad to talk to her because we joke about the way I pronounce dog and the way they say it in New Hampshire :)

Today's call was different, and I could tell something was wrong. It seemed unreal to me when she told me that Lorne had been found. She told me that someone discovered him on Good Friday near Interstate 93, less than 25 minutes from where he was last seen on July 29, 2001. I didn't know what to say to her to help take away the pain she was feeling.

When I first came into the arena of assisting others who are missing, besides Carrie, I didn't know many people and my knowledge was small of the way things work. Some people at the time, I thought were good people but turned out not to be. I felt sad and frustrated. I will always remember how Louise called me on Saturday night and explained to me a few things about the situation and life in general. Just like she did with her nephew Lorne, she took time to understand and help me through my troubles. She never gave up on me, nor did she ever give up on Lorne when he was sick and when he became missing. It was that positive reinforcement that gave me strength to stand and continue helping others. I know that her strength helped Lorne after he became ill. I also feel like that it was meant for me to learn about Lorne, through the only person who could really tell me the real story of his life, Louise.

Lorne's disappearance jolted Lorne's family, and especially his aunt Louise out of their everday normal life into a very unpleasant place. No parent or relative should ever have to go through the personal hell Lorne's family suffered. Suffering her own loss of Lorne being missing, aunt Wease has traveled to several missing person conferences, telling Lorne's story, and circulating others. Never refusing to give up hope that Lorne was out there somewhere and he would return. (pictured left - Louise Holmburg)

I believe that Lorne crossed from earth to heaven where he now smiles down on Louise and although she may not realize it, giving her strength to educate others. Although no words can express the pain and sorrow I feel for Lorne's family, I know that losing Lorne was not in vain. There are many sad hearts out there, who felt better after meeting and speaking with Lorne's family. Although I only knew Lorne through her stories and photographs, he will live on in my heart and memory always.

God was ready to bring Lorne home and that he did.

Related Links:

In Loving Memory of Lorne

I-93 remains identified as Chichester man

Preparations for National Crime Victims' Rights Week

2006-04-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Next week kicks off a very important week for my group because it is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. It runs from April 23 - April 29th. For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to a violent crime, or you are a advocate, this week has a lot of meaning.
All across the United States there will be vigils, balloon releases, and other events to remember the victims. Since we lost Sueann last August, my advocacy for victims' rights have increased locally. I feel like we need to start local and branch out to begin making a difference.

We are scheduled to attend the ceremony in North East Georgia that includes all the Northeast Georgia District Attorney's Offices, as well as families of those lost. There are too many loved ones being taken away due to unnecessary violence. Although they are no longer living, their memory never dies. I am honored to be attending this ceremony.

In the last year, I have tried to branch further out from only assisting the missing, but to work with the murder victims as well. Our group has tried to focus from the beginning to bring more awareness to those who are eventually found and have been victimized. Often the media has moved onto the next disappearance mystery, when the victim's family is still left to suffer the loss.

We wish to leave no person forgotten, missing or murdered. Each individual is important, no matter the circumstance of their case. I invite you to become more aware of services for those who have fallen victim to a violent crime. Your voice counts! If you wish to become more involved with this ongoing epidemic, there is one specific organization that I recommend to anyone - Parents of Murdered Children. They have a National Conference coming up in August. There's something for all advocates, families, and law enforcement to learn there. Please review the link below for more information.

In support of all those missing and murdered people.

Parents of Murdered Children

Arraignment Pushed Back Again for Sueann's Murderer

2006-04-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, I appeared in court with Sueann's dad, private investigator, John Seay and some others for what we thought was Quinton Ray's formal arraigment. We learned that since his case has now become a death penalty case, they must start with the procedures allover again. This date was the first appearance. We sat there waiting an hour because the DA was having to drive from another county he's covering. I have to tell you it was difficult to sit there with all those people who to our right that we believe know more than they are telling about Sueann's murder.

Once the DA arrived, they brought Ray in and seated him right across from us. This court room was much smaller than the other one so it was ten times worse. Sitting there patting his foot, the judge informed him of the court's proceedings. He started answering "yes ma'am - no ma'am".

Quinton Ray now has two attorney's representing him who specialize in death penalty cases. We had the joy of hearing them stand up and advise the court of their credentials and how Quinton Ray was being violated because he was having to appear in court wearing a jumpsuit and handcuffs. It was almost more than I could take. I wanted to stand up and yell, "WHERE WAS SUEANN'S DEFENSE ON AUGUST 26, 2005"???????????????????

After what seemed to be an hour of rubbish the judge set the formal arraigment for September 20th, to give the new attorney's time to review the over 9,000 page case, which includes the Wal-mart parking lot tapes.

Leaving the court room we were bombarted with news reporters asking question after question. I took one of the interviews at the request of Sueann's dad and I told them straight up what I felt about the case. You can read that whole article below. I'm tired and I'm ready for justice on this situation. Saturday marks two years since Patrice was abducted and murdered. Her killer has not been brought to justice. Sometimes it gets very frustrating!

Cherokee Tribune Article:

By Angela M. Jones Cherokee Tribune Staff Writer

The estranged husband of murdered Woodstock mom Sueann Ray on Wednesday made his first appearance in court since learning he would face the death penalty if convicted.Quinton Ray, 27, of Jasper appeared in Pickens County Superior Court represented by a new attorney, Douglas Ramseur of the Georgia Capital Defender's Office in Atlanta. Ramseur, who has more than 10 years of experience trying capital cases, is replacing the public defender who was representing Ray.Wearing an orange-and-white prison jumpsuit, handcuffed and shackled, Ray respectfully answered "Yes, ma'am," and "No, ma'am," when Judge Brenda Weaver asked if he was satisfied with his attorney's representation of him, and if he had any questions about the unified appeal process. Ray was indicted Feb. 20 and charged with the murder of his estranged 26-year-old wife, Ms. Ray, who was last seen Aug. 26, when she went to his home.She was reported missing by her family three days later and that night her Ford Windstar minivan was found abandoned in the Canton Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot.GBI agents discovered Ms. Ray's body Feb. 8 in a shallow grave just of Cherokee Gold Trail in northern Cherokee County shortly after 8 a.m. near the home of Ray's parents.Ray was arrested an hour later and charged with her murder. He also faces charges of kidnapping, concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence.Judge Weaver set Ray's arraignment for 3 p.m. Sept. 20, a compromise between the defense's request it be delayed for five to six months, and District Attorney Joe Hendricks's opinion such a delay would unnecessarily bog down the trial process."While we certainly want to ensure that the defendant has every opportunity to a fair trial, at the same time, we intend to proceed with the process, and take the matter to trial as soon as we are able," Judge Weaver said, after setting the arraignment date.The judge also urged the defense to review footage from Wal-Mart's security camera, as the district attorney only can keep the machine needed to view them until the end of May. She issued an order as well that all investigating agencies involved preserve all the evidence related to the case, including the officer's' rough notes of the early investigation. She reserved the right to rule on a motion by the defense requesting that Ray be allowed to appear at future hearings dressed in civilian clothes, and without shackles, deferring the request to Major Allen Wigington and the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.Family and friends of Ms. Ray attended the hearing, including her father, Danny Jenkins of Augusta, who said while it may be a long trial, he is determined to see it through until the end."We certainly want to see all of the proper processes followed in this case, because our No. 1 goal is to find justice for Sueann, however long it takes," said Jill Bennett, a friend of the Jenkins family."Still, it's hard to sit there and see the man we believe responsible for her death, because Sueann had no one there to represent her," she added. "She was judged, tried and executed all in one night, but here he is being given so many more chances than she ever received."Several members of the Ray family also attended the hearing, including an aunt and several cousins. They declined to comment on the proceedings.Ray's father, Harold Danny Ray of Ball Ground, also faces charges for allegedly aiding his son in covering up the murder and burying Ms. Ray. He was arraigned last month and is out on bondhttp://www.cherokeetribune.com/306/10215388.txt

Unpleasant Psychic Experience With Sueann Ray Case

2006-04-11T06:03:00.000-07:00

I have edited this post to reflect that we had two separate incidents involving a psychics regarding Sueann Ray's case. We have had more than one person advise us of material pertaining to the case, and not all of them were unpleasant. I'd like to make that known to the person who I believe sincerely tried to assist us. That previous post was too vauge and unfair to this person who may have read the material, as I believe they had sincere hopes of locating Sueann.

When Sueann Ray vanished in late August 26, 2005, her family was double devastated. Sueann vanished on the 10th anniversary of her first cousin, Heather Teague. How on earth could this happen two times in family?

Shortly after Sueann's case made national attention and her website came up, psychics appeared from everywhere. I was then asked what do you think we should do? My answer was always I dont think you should but if you want to, I support your decision - just be aware... This one particular person contacted us right off the bat and claimed they had information that could lead us to Sueann but we had to move FAST. There was no charge, we just had to sit there and listen to their information (a nice word to describe it) or she could call Sgt. King with the Woodstock Police. In her report she had a series of about 40 words she'd put together and we were to figure out how they were linked to Sueann. She then went on to tell us that Sueann was dead and that she sustained a horrible attack from her estranged husband before she died. Going into detail, describing how he'd raped Sueann, kicked her and punched her, it was more than one person could take. She then went on to tell us how Sueann and told her from the other side how bad her leg and back was hurting. I felt by blood boiling. If Sueann could tell her that, why couldn't she tell us where she was?

Driving down the road searching for Sueann on countless occasions, all we could mentally picture was Sueann being helpless, injured and then ultimately murdered. What IF it was true. Were we moving too slow, or was it already too late?
It gets worse.

A few months into Sueann's disappearance, we couldn't take it anymore. We told the psychics contacting us, "if you are real, tell me the exact location of Sueann's body and the winning lottery numbers". Getting no responce to the second question, we were told that if we'd pay one of individuals way to Georgia then they could pinpoint her location. The family put them on a plane to Georgia and here's what happened....

The two separate visits did not uncover any valuable information, leaving us not only frustrated but angry that we had tried to take this route.

Little did we know that in less than one week Georgia Bureau of Investigation cracked Sueann's case wide open. They found our Sueann on property adjoining her estranged husband's property. The information regarding Sueann's abuse and disappearance had been televised and posted allover the Internet. These people took that information and added to it, victimized the family and angered me as the advocate helping the family.

I later saw a few reports where this person gone back home and told others that they'd cracked Sueann's case and this was not true, therefore we had to show this to the media people and others who'd heard that ridiculous claim. Police found Sueann, NOT psychics.

I have always tried to keep and open mind about these types of things and I've watched all of the shows that come on Court TV. I have never seen one epidsode that was clear cut - to the point. I have tried to watch Slyvia Brown as well. As some other agencies and blogs are reporting, this woman has never cracked a missing person case. What is she doing on tv? That woman needs to be taken OFF tv and put under one of those tents at the fair.

I can think of four families who have been on her show and have received no satisfaction. One mother in particular collapsed and had to be taken off the stage when Slyvia described her daughter's murder. We don't know if Erica Fraysure is "dead", she remains MISSING. She told one family she had no time to speak with them, but her son could for half price. Pretty sad if you ask me.

There's a very ugly side to losing somebody you love. It does not always lie within the facts of what may have happened to them physically, but the mental anguish their family suffers who has been left behind.

There are some states where psychics are illegal. I think families need to become aware of this problem and if they encounter a person like I'm reading online from others, you should contact your Better Business Bureau and report them. You'd need to find out where they live to file the complaint, but if they are set up shop, charging people for stuff that's false, they could get in trouble. To me they are just as guilty as the people who abduct and harm loved ones.

Tomorrow we will be back in a Pickens County Court for Quinton Ray's arraignment hearing. Sueann has been on my mind a lot in the last few days because this past Sunday (April 9, 2006) would've been her 27th birthday. We've been through thick and thin with Sueann's case. One thing remains though. Put your trust in God, and not in others. You will find the answers necessary when God is ready.

Additional Links:

Justice For Sueann Ray

Vote for Wes Neville To Win America's Most Wanted All-Star Award

2006-04-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday, there was information about Todd Matthews and his work with the DoeNetwork and Project Edan. Todd Matthews is not the only person who devotes his time and efforts to helping locate these lost loved ones. While there are many, there is another person that must be recognized for his hard work and determination to help find those missing. His name is Wes Neville (The Forensic Artist).

Wes Neville is the artist behind many of the age progressed photos, as well as the facial reconstruction shown on Project Edan.
Employed as a forensic artist with the Florence County Sheriff in South Carolina, he takes his gift outside of work to help others who seek answers for lost loved ones.
Having met several other artists, it seems that Neville's work is the most personal and heartfelt. It is not just a job he does everyday.

Cue Center for the Missing gave many of us the privilege to be in a class taught by Wes Neville in late March of 2006. So many people came out of his class talking about how amazed they were of his abilities and his need to help those who desperately need answers.

Wes has been nominated for the America's Most Wanted All-Star Award, and all of us here believe he deserves this award more than anyone. Often times, those who do the most work to help find these missing people are not given the recognition that is due. I think that every person who reads this blog entry should follow the link below and vote for him. You have until April 21st to vote. Let's help America learn what we've known all along. That Wes Neville goes above and beyond to make a difference for the lost. He will be the winner to all of us regardless. We need to clone him to all police departments :)

Vote for Wes HERE

For More Info About Wes Neville:

The Forensic Artist

http://www.fcso.org/forensicart.html

Vigil For Missing Dad - April 8, 2006

2006-04-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had the vigil for Gene Stewart, who has been missing since Feb. 4, 2004. The vigil was held at a small church in Northeast Georgia. Cars filled with blue balloons (Gene's favorite color) were tagged with mini laminated fliers that later floated into the beautiful sky in hopes they'd fall where someone could help solve this two year mystery.
Gene's birthday is on Monday and we thought it was only appropriate to have a vigil for him being that he's never had one since his disappearance to remember him. His family continues to seek answers and some sort of closure.

There has been little effort to help locate Gene since he vanished from local authorities, leaving his family very frustrated and helpless. Since my group began working on his case in early Jan., a special K9 unit (K9-Sars) which includes a great lady Trace Sargent has come to Northeast Georgia to do conduct ground searches in hopes of finding some trace of Gene. Nothing has turned up so far.

We have decided that we are going to be clearing some areas in two weeks that we feel might be areas of interest. We are hoping that community will join us as we lead the search for the missing dad. As we move closer to the scheduled search, I will post that information online so that the Georgia residents who work with us on a regular basis can participate if they like. As many days pass without answers, we must find more ways to circulate Gene's case. Somehow some answers have to be found. Please take a moment to view the photos from the vigil that have been up on his site this afternoon. We won't stop looking until we find him.

Additional Links

Find Gene Stewart

Helping Identify Missing Loved Ones

2006-04-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Today inside my inbox a friend of mine forwarded me an article about someone who I consider a friend and wonderful person. That person was Todd Matthews that many people know of from Project Edan and the Doe Network.

His major ground breaking case was that of Barbara Taylor Hackman(a.k.a., the Tent Girl) who had been missing since 1967. Todd learned of her case many years later from his father in-law who had found her body. For some reason, Todd became obcessed with finding out the key to this mystery. He spent countless hours online working on every possible lead to help find out who she was, and it paid off. After making the connection some ten years later with authorities, and the missing woman's family, Barbara was identified. It is still unknown what exactly caused her death.

Todd didn't stop with this one case, he started to do more. He claims that The Tent Girl was his life fulfilling moment and it changed him. Most people would not waste ten years on one thing, and that's where Todd stands out from the rest of the world in my opinion. Todd is head of several websites that assist with identifying people who are missing or murdered. One of the most known sites, is Project Edan. Edan stands for "Everyone Deserves a Name".
Edan and the Doe Network have many volunteers who work to help identify missing and murdered loved ones and compliment law enforcement in solving cold cases. I do not call them volunteers, I call them angels from above.

If you get some extra time, you should visit a couple of the websites linked to Todd Matthews. His work and dedication is very obvious. If you don't know him, you should. We need to clone him so that we can have more dedicated workers in this field of helping those missing and murdered. I'm so very proud of him for all the wonderful things he has done and continues to do.
Additional Links:

Project Edan
The Doe Network
Tent Girl

Related Article

(Pictures of Todd Matthews from Dickenson Herald Dot Com)

Vigil Set For Missing Hall County Man 4-8-06

2006-04-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, my group will be hosting a vigil for Waymon "Gene" Stewart who disappeared from his residence on Feb. 4, 2004. I remembered Stewart's flier in the police department over a year ago but that was about it. I became more familiar with his case, when a newspaper in Northeast GA contacted me to tell me Gene's daughter was trying to find me since the large article ran in the paper about my work with the missing. As it turns out, we went to the same school for a little while about a hundred years ago. Our friendship formed immediately.

Gene Stewart's case has not been highly publicized like some cases. He had an outstanding warrant for arrest at the time of his disappearance, and struggled with alcohol abuse. He had just used every last cent of his income tax return to furnish his new trailer that sat on property where a Meth lab had been just busted a few days earlier. All his personal items, including his false teeth were still in the apartment when he vanished. Gene Stewart also had no driver's license nor car. His house sat on a desolate country road where nobody would notice a crime being committed.

His daughter fears that he may have been a victim of something more sinister. Shortly after the disappearance, Gene's residence was not processed by the police department, leaving vital information to later be destroyed by an unknown visitor who randsacked the home within days. The family believes that there is someone nearby who knows what happened to Gene Stewart and can help solve this two year old mystery. They are also upset that the police have dismissed his case as unimportant.

We are having a vigil to remember him on his birthday that will be approaching on the 10th of April. It is our hope that our vigil and the news coverage from the news stations will rekindle interest in the mystery and prompt someone to come forward.

At this time there is no reward in place for Gene. The police department told the Sund Carrington Foundation that they did not feel like a reward would help this case. They also told Gene's daughter that at some point she needs to give up and get on with her life. Do you find these statements outrageous? I do.

Part of the reason my family has taken a stand for missing and murdered people is to bring awareness to the community that all missing people are important, regardless of social status or race. We think that any family should be given the same opportunity to find answers and support as others. Saturday night, we will show everyone watching in our viewing area just how serious we are about finding this man. Somewhere there are answers and we will find them. Think about what you'd do if your dad vanished without a trace.

Additional Links:

Find Gene Stewart

GBI Takes Over Patrice Endres Murder Case

2006-04-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday, I received a call from Patrice's husband telling me that now GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) has taken over Patrice's case. As many of you will remember, Patrice was my second missing person case ever. She was abducted from her privated owned and operated hair salon on Thursday, April 15, 2004. She was missing for 600 days when her body was found by accident behind a church less than eight miles from where she was abducted.
Months before she was found, authorities believed suspected serial killer, Jeremy Jones was the person responsible. Since that time, they are not sure.
GBI has taken the case and has their people working hard to find who did this to Patrice. In less than a week, that dreadful day will arrive again - April 15th. A day that her husband will never forget. It was a day that he claims destroyed his life.

Aside from the fact that GBI has taken over the investigation, the reward for Patrice's killer has been increased to $20,000 with a renewed $5,000 from the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation. Someone knows what happened to Patrice and it's not enough that she's been found, we need her killer put behind bars.

There will be no vigils or special events for Patrice on April 15th. Her husband wants to have a quiet day alone to reflect on that day's tragic turn of events. Her website will be having a rememberance for her and you can log on to see that. We have updated Patrice's website to reflect the reward increase and to bring those others back who used to visit so faithfully until she was found. Patrice still needs you all. She needs you to find her killer. Let us remember Patrice Tamber Endres and find justice for Forsyth County's best hairdresser.

Additional Links:

Justice For Patrice

Scott Peterson's Family Offers Reward for Real Killer of Laci

2006-04-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

As everyone will recall, a very pregnant Laci Peterson vanished on Christmas Eve of 2002. The media was allover her case and shortly after her disappearance, eyes began to turn towards her loving husband, Scott. His concerns over his wife's disappearance seemed to be non-existant. Still at the time, that was not enough to make an arrest, and Laci was only "MISSING". As I've stated previously, I thought Peterson may just be an arrogant a-hole in the initial phases of Laci's disappearance but later, I had no doubt he murdered her.
The shadow of doubt fell hard when Amber Frey came forward and claimed she'd been seeing Peterson and he told he'd lost his wife and child even before Laci became missing. What was even more evident was when the wire tap tapes rolled in court. There's no need for me to repeat the whole case in this blog, because most of you are all too familar with Laci's senseless murder and her unforgettable smile.

Which brings me to today's blog entry topic. What on God's green earth is Jackie and Lee Peterson thinking putting up a new reward for Laci's real killer? Laci's killer is behind bars unless you are one of the 10 fan club women who support Scott because you consider him too "nice looking" to commit a murder. The fact here is that no parent wants to believe their child is capable of a heinous crime. Especially when they've raised the child in a loving home. Our parents always think we are wonderful, no matter what. That's why they are called "parents".
Although some people will argue that Peterson's case was based on "circumstantial" evidence, I share in the same theory as the jury that Peterson planned to kill Laci and that plan may have been in the back of his mind for quite some time before he carried out the act. I don't necessarily think that Amber Frey is the reason he murdered Laci. I think the need to be single and to have no responsibilities as a father is what drove him.

Peterson has been sitting on death row now for a year. I'd imagine he wants out of that place pretty bad. The one thing that he probably will never realize is that he's there for murdering his wife and unborn child, and that there's no place for people like that in regular society. Peterson is one of several men who have murdered their spouse. He's also been classified as a sociopath. That means that the understanding you and I have of his actions are not the same to him. He believes he did nothing wrong. I have another word for him, but children may be reading this blog.
As for his parents, I'm sorry that they are having to be put through this because of their son's actions, however they need to wake up and smell the coffee. There will never be a brown van with robbers pull up and be the one who murdered Laci and dumped her body in the bay. It'll be the man you see to your top left who went out on the bay with those weights and came back home later on Christmas Eve.
We are all entitled to one good joke per day. I suppose this is the one for today?

Additional Links:

Laci Peterson Online

The Laci Peterson Case - On Court TV

What Does Marcus Harper Know?

2006-04-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Every since Tara Grinstead became missing and our family got involved with the searches and talked with others working the case, something has always bothered me. Whoever abducted Tara that night was someone who felt comfortable with that area, and if they were seen in or around that house, it would not appear "odd".
I'm having some trouble with the fact that Tara's ex-boyfriend, Marcus Harper has been showing no concern over her disappearance. Going as far as to be seen with officers on the police force, high fiving them once access was denied to property that was needing to be searched earlier in March. Why is that?

His attitude and facial expressions remind me all too much of Sueann Ray's now accused killer. Search after search, has turned up nothing and I think I know why. The one area that might lead authorities to Tara, has been denied! Again, why? If there is nothing to hide, then why can't it be searched. Furthermore, why can't macho man Marcus assist them in the searches?

There's also been some threats made against a man I consider a friend, Dr. Maurice Godwin who has been in Ocilla to help find Tara. The week he was in Ocilla, he received a death threat from an unknown caller. How funny is going to be when he uncovered the missing link that finds Tara and put those responsible in jail.
When does it become ok to get angry at someone and decide to abduct them and possibly murder them? When does it become ok to allow a criminal to walk free on the streets who is more than likely involved? I think Marcus Harper knows where Tara Grinstead is.
For some reason, although feelings of anger and sadness filled my mind last week when we sat in court with the man we believe murdered Sueann, who vanished similar to Tara. Somehow it gives me some sort of satisfaction to see him have to walk into that court room with his hands and feet shackled. It'll be the same feeling for me when they finally arrest this arrogant a - hole Marcus Harper. I also have full faith in our GBI now that I've learned the extent of their undercover investigation into Sueann's disappearance. They are involved with Tara's and I'm sure she'll be found soon.
I've had Tara on my mind today since receiving an email from her sister early this morning. Anita, we will find her! We are not giving up.

Related Links:

Find Tara

The thoughts and comments contained inside this blog are my opinions only. All "suspects" are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As with all cases, the truth will come out. I'll be waiting along with many others.

The Teresa Halbach Murder Mystery

2006-04-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

On Halloween night of 2005, Teresa Halbach disappeared. Three days later, after no contact with Teresa, her family reported her missing. It is known that earlier that day she was out taking photographs for her part time job, Autotrader. One of the places she visited that particular day was the auto salvage yard belonging to Steven Avery.
Avery had served some time in prison for a rape that later DNA exhonerated him for. He had been out of jail for two years when his path crossed with Teresa Halbach.
As the massive searches would later begin for the missing photographer, suspicion would start to fall on Steven Avery once Teresa's car was found on his property. Avery claimed that the police were out to get him because they believed he did commit the brutal rape many years earlier and because he'd filed a civil suit against the DA's office for wrongful imprisonment. It would be just a few days until the once proven innocent man was arrested again, but this time for a more sinister crime.

In a closer look on Avery's property authorities would find a burn pit where it appeared there was bone fragments of a young woman. Later analysis would prove that those bones were indeed those of Teresa Halbach, but that was not all. It was apparent that Teresa had suffered a brutal attack.
Months later authorities released in a press conference that there was another person involved in the murder of Teresa. Shockingly it was a 16 year old nephew of Steven Avery. The boy claimed that Avery brought him into his house to where he had Teresa's hands and feet shackled. He instructed him to sexually assault Teresa. After the assault, the young man claimed Avery told him "good job". Begging for her life, Steven Avery walked over with a butcher knife and stabbed Teresa in the stomach. Still not dead from the stab wound, Avery instructed his nephew to cut Theresa's throat. Teresa was still alive when she was then transported to the garage where she was shot several more times when she finally died.
Avery claims he is innocent of all charges that have been filed against him, although his blood was found in Teresa's car, her blood in his house, her keys, and some other items.
With this new disgusting information against Avery, many are beginning to wonder if he was indeed the right man who committed the rape years earlier. One would think that if they'd been released from prison that the last thing they'd want to do is commit a henious crime that might send them back to the personal hell they just emerged from.
The trial is pending against Steven Avery. One thing that bothers me a lot about this, is the fact that there is no death penalty in the State of Wisconsin. Maybe it's time for some laws to be changed?

Additional Links:

Teresa Halbach Online
The disappearance & murder of Teresa - Court TV's Crime Library

Quinton Ray to Face Death Penalty

2006-03-31T20:07:00.000-08:00

The alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. this morning as it does all other weekdays. I got up and had this terrible headache. I knew I'd be sitting in a Pickens County court room at 9:30 sharp and we'd be there to see Quinton Ray and that has not been pleasant since this whole ordeal with Sueann Ray began.
As I was attempting to get dressed, I noticed that my cell phone had a message because it was blinking. My cell phone will often times ring up until the wee hours of the morning if I dont put it on silent. Sometimes people forget what time it is ;) Listening to the message, I learned that Jeffrey Ben had been positively identified. All I could think was, thank the Lord Jeffrey has been found and Linda Miller will not lie down another night wondering where her son is. Another person found, another family able to begin healing to some extent.

Aside from the nagging headache, I woke up with this song inside my head all day, especially this morning. I wanted to include some of the lyrics to this song in here because it's very similar to what today ended up being.

Show me what it's like - To be the last one standing - And teach me wrong from right - And I'll show you what I can be - Say it for me - Say it to me - And I'll leave this life behind me- Say it if it's worth saving me

Nickelback
Savin Me
All the Right Reasons 2006
Arriving in the parking lot at the Pickens County court house, we saw all the local news stations and the Ray family standing outside. There was no avoiding them coming in. Sueann's sister, me, Jeannie, and Sueann's dad all locked arms as we walked up the parking lot into the court house. Today I just did not feel like dealing with the camera's in our faces or any of the junk that goes along with these court appearance.

Moments after we were seated, the DA entered the door and shortly thereafter, the clanking of chains began as Quinton made his way into the court room. I felt a cold tear run down my cheek as he took his seat with that ridiculous smirk on his face. That smirk dimmed somewhat, once the DA announced that the State of Georgia would be seeking the death penalty. There seems to be no understanding nor concern on his part for what he's facing or what has happened to Sueann. The arraignment was pushed back yet again for April 12, 2006. This was expected.
After the hearing, we all spoke with the DA and he informed us that this was going to be a very long drawn out process and it could be up to to two years before Quinton will stand trial. He told us there'd be many long days ahead and probably some very hard material for us to see or hear once it's ready to be presented to the jury. I suppose we will find a way to deal with it?

With April 12th upon us, I am not looking forward to that time at all because three days later is that dreadful day that I'll never forget. That being the day Patrice was abducted two years ago. I believe at the end of this month, I am going to pack up my things and head south the Gulf Coast and spend some time alone out on the water with the jet ski. It's time to run it wide open over the water and let a few things out. Sometimes that is what is needed to continue on the long winding road ahead.
I'd like for everyone to know that I have not forgotten all these missing and murdered people. Each one of them is important to me and my family. Sometimes my heart doesnt feel like it can hold any more sadness but I continue on as many others do because we have to take a stand for those who are unable to.
I have never regretted doing this and now it means even more to me than ever. May each family who has somebody they love missing or murdered have peace in their heart somehow tonight and may they find a way to deal with the days ahead. Jeffrey, Carrie, Sueann, Heather, and all the others, you are always in my heart.

Related Information:

Ray Facing Death Penalty

Waiting For Word on Jeffrey

2006-03-30T09:38:00.000-08:00

On Jan. 29, 2001, Jeffrey Ben disappeared without a trace. There have been few clues since he vanished. The five year anniversary has just passed since that terrible night. Just last week human remains were found near the area where Jeffrey was last seen. Could it be him? I've come to hold his mother, Linda Miller close to my heart since I met her at the 2005 CUE Center Conference. I had known of her through Sarah Teague (mother of missing Heather Teague).
None of us can understand what went wrong that night Jeffrey vanished and we are all left to wonder.

Anyone who visits Jeffrey's website, can see what a handsome young man he was or still is, wherever he may be. Linda tells me it will be today or tomorrow before there are results to determine if it's Jeffrey. The last four days have been hell for me as I know it has been for his family. I want to know if it's Jeffrey, or if it's one of the other two men who became missing at the same time Jeffrey did.
One thing I will never fully understand is how these people keep vanishing with no answers, no nothing.
I dont know if we will be satisified with the findings, no matter what they are. I just know that a part of me would be happy to know he's be found and he no longer is waiting for someone to find him. As with all things in this life, everything is in God's timing. Maybe it is time for us to have answers. I will wait patiently for Linda to call me. Jeffrey, I have not forgotten about you and if this is not you, we will wait, no matter how long it may take.

Additional Links:
Find Jeffrey Ben
Remains may be of missing SE Oklahoma teen

Our Journey Continues - CUE Center Missing Person Conference 2006

2006-03-28T06:25:00.000-08:00

This weekend my group traveled to the second annual Conference For the Missing held in Wilmington, North Carolina. Our group was one of many organizations and families that participated in the two day conference. I have to say it was so very nice to meet the people I talk to and work with throughout the year. The classes we took were wonderful, just like last year.
One part that was very touching was Saturday night, when everyone boarded a large school bus and headed down to the Wilmington riverfront for a vigil for the missing. Although it was freezing cold, the feeling in the air was so powerful. A wall was unveiled that included many missing people who had been submitted for this event. Carrie was included.

Sunday included speakers of those who have missing or murdered loved ones. One speaker that really made sense to me was Doug Lyall (father of Suzanne Lyall) who has been missing since 1998. He said that he had to face at times that he may never see Suzanne again nor learn her fate. He said that it's often hard to not become obcessed with our loved ones who have vanished but some how we have to form a sense of normalcy to survive every day life. That made a lot of sense to me.
Although I do not have anyone missing, I see the pain these families are having to endure. I know how bad I want to find out where Carrie's body is so she can be brought back home. What drives us each day is the fact we know we must continue on to help find these people and to comfort others who are going through the same ordeal. As CUE's founder, Monica Caison often says, "Somewhere, there's someone who knows something". That is so very true.
I have to say thank-you to the Klaas Kids Foundation who taught us how to handle abductions in the first few hours, as well as the K9 handler who taught how scent is so very important in a disappearance. There is always something more we as advocates need to learn. There is always room for improvement because nobody is perfect. We all need to work together and overcome the pettyness of who has more equiment or knowledge than you do. We need to come together not for us, but for these who do not have a voice right now and need someone to speak on their behalf. Cue Center's meeting was a very helpful thing for my group and we will attend next year if the conference is held.
(pictured left - Janet Cooke - mother of missing Rachel Cooke, CUE Founder, Monica Caison and Me @ the Vigil)
On another note, this Friday, March 31st beginning @ 9 a.m. we will appear in a Pickens County Courtroom for the formal arraigment hearing for Quinton Ray and his father who are believed responsible for the murder and cover-up of Sueann Ray. This will be the day that Ray enters GUILTY or NOT Guilty and Sueann's family and I have to hear him say what his plea is. We learned that it may be two years before the trial moves forward in Sueann's murder case. We are all waiting and hoping that justice prevails soon for her. It was not her time to go but someone chose to take her away.
Also, I'd like to send my thoughts and prayers to Tim Miller and the crew from Texas Equusearch who are going into a mine shaft this week looking for April Pitzer. This is a very rough area and I hope these guys are safe and successful in this search for April. Miller is one of my favorite people and is a mentor to me. I want his group safe.

Additional Links:

CUE Center for the Missing
More Photos from the Conference

Short Term Supporters On High Profile Missing Person Cases

2006-03-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is a topic I've been wanting to talk about for a while now, but I've held off to make sure when I wrote this that it would be inflammatory or rude. I wonder how many of you reading this blog have noticed the swarm of people who are hard-core in the ongoing searches for people like Laci Peterson, Dru Sjodin and Natalee Holloway for example? Ooodles of websites, chat forums and other things that support these missing people. These individuals have jumped right in the middle of a serious matter that they probably do not fully understand, and probably cannot hang out for the long hall. This really bothers me.
One that comes to my mind is one particular website that was set up for Dru Sjodin which focused on Dru and all the parts of her life. One day I return and the site is virtually vacant and there is no activity. This is ridiculous.
We do not become overnight supporters for something this serious and then drop it once the media hype passes. In my mind, I would rather not have any supporters than to have somebody be all gung ho and then abandon the person who is a victim. I dont know why but this irks me to no end. I suppose I expect everyone to take the same approach as mine, which is full speed ahead and not flaking out once it slows down.
I appreciate the fact that people are interested, but dont get online and set up profiles, sites, and chat forums if you are not intending to sticking with this. I've seen so many people come forward and say "this is it, I'm doing this" and then two weeks later you cant find them. In this area of life, you need people who can take the heat and will be there through thick and thin.
I wish we could stop these people who are exploiting these victims by setting up what I call overnight fan clubs with no backbone. We do not need a fan club, we need real advocates who care.

Brianna Maitland Sighting?

2006-03-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

Just last week someone claims that they saw Brianna Maitland in a New Jersey casino. Brianna has been missing since March of 2004 under very mysterious circumstances.
She disappeared after a night working at the Black Lantern Inn. Her car was found the next day, crashed at an abandoned barn. Several searches turned up no trace of Brianna. The sighting has brought renewed hope to her family that she's possibly alive and well. The person who claimed to have seen Brianna in the casino recognized her from fliers posted in several areas. The police are taking a close look at the photographs to determine if it was indeed Brianna.

Brianna's family say that they are unable to tell for sure if that is indeed Brianna in the photo but there is obviously a very strong resemblence. They go on to say that they've learned over the past two years to not get their hopes up to high because at times they've been shot down again. On March 19th, Brianna will be missing for two years. If that was her on the tapes, this could be the much needed break in her disappearance mystery.

I am hoping that it was indeed Brianna and that somehow this case can come to some short of good end. I have not written in the last week much on this blog because my group has been taking a break and also preparing for the Cue Center Missing Person Conference that will be held towards the end of this month. I am looking forwad to this meeting because not only will we get to see several very special people, we will be getting more training.

Related Links:

Missing Franklin teen may have been at N.J. casino
Bring Bri Home

Saying Goodbye to Sueann Ray

2006-03-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

Preparations to say goodbye to Sueann began yesterday at the Huey Funeral Home. I gave out the 30 photo memory books we created for Sueann's family and friends and visited with Sarah Teague and all of my other dear friends in that family close to Sueann. I did not want to send a pot of flowers that would die. I wanted something that would last. We put together an album that included 9 photos and various poems inside.
Nothing could prepare us for the actual funeral today. As soon as my family and I drove towards the funeral home, I felt a large lump in the back of my throat. It was so difficult.
Sueann's funeral was beautiful today. Looking over my shoulder during the service, I saw two very precious young people who made the 200 plus mile drive from Ocilla Georgia to join us @ Sueann's service. They were from the Find Tara group. We have gone to search for Tara on two occasions and I suppose they were returning the kindness by coming today. Sueann's family were glad they came.
After Sueann's service, we all gathered @ the relatives house. We could laugh at times but then I still felt that wave of sadness. It was so good to get to visit with my dear friends. My relationship with Sueann's relatives has grown to being family like. It's hard to explain. We all talk on a daily basis and they know my family as well. Just a wonderful group of people that have suffered a great loss.

As the day ended, Sueann's dad (Danny Jenkins) asked me to please drive with him to the Canton Wal-mart where Sueann's van was found a few days after she vanished. He wanted me to photograph the wreath he was going to place beside her cross. Although it's now known that Sueann was never back in that area where the van was found, many people still visit that place to leave items for her. We have kept it in place for the time being. I dont know at this time if we would be allowed to put the cross where her body was found. That is considered private property as far as I know.
I know that we have a long road ahead of us with the possible trials. I know that with God's help we will see this through. Visit the page on Sueann's website to see the booklet that Sueann's family requested that we created for Sueann. Many hours went into that booklet and her photo albums. They had to be just right for Sueann. We also will be adding more photos from her funeral as soon as her dad is able to email the ones on his camera. Always remember Sueann and dont forget her and others like her. Every day too many young women are murdered by someone they love.

Sueann Ray's Funeral Information Page
Help Find Heather Teague - Sueann's Missing Relative
Tara Grinstead - The Missing Teacher from Ocilla GA

Visiting Sueann's Temporary Resting Place

2006-02-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, I met with Sueann's family, and the film crew to visit Sueann's gravesite before we headed to a Pickens County court. Several of us walked through the damp and muddy woods searching for the site. We found an area that appeared to be easy to walk up and headed in that direction. A little ahead of me was Sueann's sister, Sandy. Sandy found the uncovered mound of dirt where her sister had been hidden for 164 long days. The rest of us came in behind her. As everyone gathered, a silence fell across the woods like nothing I've ever witnessed before. I felt a cold tear fall down my cheek and I knew I was supposed to be filming this for the family but I froze up and couldn't move my hands. A few minutes of silence, Sueann's dad informed me couldnt take it any longer and was heading back to the road to join the others. He told me to take some photos and that I did.
It was very difficult for me to look at the small grave that had been dug to conceal Sueann. A rush of emotions ran through me the whole time we were there and leaving.
After the visit to the grave site, we had to prepare ourselves to see the two that are believed responsible for putting Sueann in such a horrible place. First Quinton walked into the court room, walking past all of us without acknowledging our presence. The gag order his court appointed attorney requested did not happen. Instead the judge informed all law enforcement officials and others to not discuss the case to the media. Next Quinton's father, Harold D. Ray entered the court room for his bond hearing. He has been charged for helping Quinton dispose of Sueann on August 26, 2005 and then assisting his son in parking her car in the Wal-mart parking lot in the hours thereafter. The judge granted him a $60,000 bond. Aside from the bond that was set, Harold Ray is not to have any contact with any of Sueann's family, and he must wear a GPS device to name a few of the bond stipulations.
We were not happy that he was given a bond but the judge imposed what is within the law in Georgia.
We will be saying goodbye to Sueann next Friday, March 3rd. This will be a difficult day for sure. We can only find peace in knowing that Sueann's whereabouts were revealed as the bible verse Matthew 10:26 stated. Now, we will trust in God that those who did this to her will be punished accordingly.

Additional Links:

Sueann Ray Funeral Information Page
Photos from the burial site (requested to be posted by the family)

Sueann's Funeral Postponed

2006-02-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

Late last night we all came to the realization that Sueann's funeral could not happen on the scheduled 23rd. Sueann's body has not been released from the GBI crime lab and with the fact her family is requesting a private autopsy, Sueann could not be laid to rest next week.
Today was tough for me because this morning I was scheduled to take this booklet I've worked all week on the family to have it printed. They decided that Sueann's funeral booklet needed special pictures and poems. I was delighted to help create it. Also today around noon, the mailman delivered the poster sized photos Sueann's dad had me order of Sueann. As I was opening the pictures, I felt a wave of sadness come over me. There was sweet Sueann smiling at me, but she was only a picture, not really there. Another person loved by so many, taken away by jealousy and rage.
In some ways I'm glad that Sueann's funeral has been postponed because this will give us more time to make the event even more special and memorable. We are still throwing around the idea of having a gathering after the funeral to celebrate Sueann's life. It will be hard to be happy in the middle of being so sad. If there is one thing I could be grateful for in all of this. It's the fact that God revealed Sueann's location to everyone and she was able to be brought home. There is no more wondering or waiting. Although the truth is painful, she is home.
With God, all things are possible. He brought Sueann and Patrice home. He will bring others home as well.