ImaginePublicity Sponsors Tour Stop to Remember the Missing Persons of South Carolina

On Saturday, October 29 at 10am family members of the missing, along with members of the community, law enforcement, media and speakers will gather at Chapin Park at 1400 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach.  South Carolina has approximately 125 known open missing persons cases, some recent and many that have gone cold.  ImaginePublicity hopes to add to the awareness of each of them by hosting a stop along the CUE Center for Missing Persons’ Road to Remember Tour in Myrtle Beach.

Each year CUE Center for Missing Persons hits the road across several states in order to bring awareness to communities of the magnitude of a silent epidemic, missing persons.  This year’s tour will cover the following states: NC, TN, SC, TX, MS, AL, FL, LA .  Every year, Monica Caison and representatives from CUE travel a different route in order to bring needed attention in the media and each community.

The annual tour was created to generate new interest in cold cases of missing people across our nation. The inspiration came in 2004 from the case of North Carolina college student Leah Roberts, who had gone on a cross-country trip of self-exploration. Her wrecked and abandoned vehicle was found, but Leah is still missing. Leah’s case went cold and interest faded until CUE Center volunteers set out on a grueling 14-day trip to retrace her route and inform the media of all those who were missing in the path of the tour. In the years to follow, it only seemed right to keep hope alive after families across the country voiced the need for more help and supported the tour idea.

All families with missing loved ones in South Carolina are invited to participate.  Please bring pictures, signs, banners, or whatever you like, to honor your missing loved one and bring more attention to your loved one’s case.

If you are planning to attend, please email contact@imaginepublicity to give us an idea of who will be in attendance.   Your missing loved one will be honored regardless of attendance.

Melanie Metheny

There is a letter on the family website of Melanie Metheny that her family discovered among her belongings that they didn't even know was there. At the end of the letter Melanie writes the following:

"Being a single mom is not easy at all but watching my kids grow up and watching them learn new things is the greatest feeling that I ever had. I would not change them for the world and I don't know where I'd be right now if I didn't have them but I know my life wouldn't have as much meaning."

The rest of the letter is a mother's tribute to her children, a heartfelt look at them individually, something deep for young 21 year old mother with 3 children. The letter gives the reader a peek into the depths of love a mother has for her children.

After reading those words lovingly put down on paper by Melanie Metheny, there can be no question in the reader's mind that she did not drop them off at day care on the morning of July 19, 2006 and walk away into a new life. Something has happened to Melanie and someone knows exactly what that something is.

Melanie had too many life plans in place to just take off, 3 children, nursing school, and money saved in the bank for a new home. Not the typical things someone who is unhappy with their life would have. Melanie had a lot to look forward to in her life and in the lives of her children.

There have been extensive searches which have turned up nothing so far except her minivan found parked on "the wrong side of town", which, as usual, leaves rumors and speculations running rampant. It is reported that she was last seen by her boyfriend of 5 months, Jared Davis. The family has not given up, and will not give up, looking for her. Her children ask questions and in an earlier article in the WV Gazette, grandmother Sandra Winnings is quoted:

“What can you tell them? What can you say?” Winnings said. “They don’t understand time, thank God. The one says, ‘Mommy’s going to come and get me when she finds her keys.’”

To further put pressure on the "someone" who must know what happened to Melanie Metheny,
CUE Center from Wilmington, NC has erected a billboard with Melanie's information on it in hopes of finding a resolution to this case for her family. After erecting a billboard in Whiteville, NC, within 2 weeks there was a break in the case of Carol Dowless, someone came forward, and she was found after 3 years. We hope that the same answers can come for the Metheny family and that 3 children will have answers.

For further information, updates, or to leave an anonymous tip:

Official Family Website
Find Melanie
Charley Project
Missing Pieces
CUE Center

Investigative Agency:  Kanawha County Sheriff's Office
Phone:  (304) 357-0169
Investigative Case #:  71924
or contact CUE Center For Missing Persons
24 Hour Tip Line  (910) -232-1687
or submit a confidential tip Here

CUE Center’s 2011 National Conference for Missing Persons

National Conference for Missing Persons

HOPE LIGHTS THE WAY

The 7th Annual National Round Table Conference
March 24th thru 27th of 2011

Holiday Inn Hotel Conference Center 5032 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 392-1101

Everyone is invited to attend our upcoming national conference for missing persons and all who work in the arena from advocating, volunterism, investigation, search and rescue and identification process of those who are lost. This event is open to all who support the mission of finding a resolution for families who have suffered a missing loved one.

Please share this information to anyone in this line of work and or a family of a missing person or homicide victim. To learn more about CUE Center for Missing Persons please visit us at our web sitewww.ncmissingpersons.org or email us cuecenter@aol.com

Thank you

CLICK HERE to print flyer below (PDF)

FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO THE CUE CENTER FOR MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE   HTTP://CUECENTER.ORG

Information for the 2011 instructors, guest speakers, and exciting events will be posted as confirmations are made, please keep check back, thank you….

TRAINING SESSION, Certificate Classes

“Illuminations”, Surviving Victimization and Suicide, Allison West

“Intimate Partner Violence”,  My Loved One is Missing”, Susan Murphy Milano

“Psyhics & Missing Perons – Help or Hindrance?, Kelly Jolkowki and Robert Cooke

GUEST SPEAKERS AND PRESENTATIONS

Pat Brown, Investigate Criminal Profiler

Curtis Barnhill, Project Life Saver, New Hanover County Sheriff Office

Jane Bradley, Author of  “YOU Believers”

Victims Hours, Friday

National Candle Light Service – HonoreesMarch 26, 2011 @ Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington Waterfront – 7:30 pm, the public is welcome
MC -
Guest Speaker - Susan Murphy Milano “Moving Forward”
Reading of the Poem – Sheree Justus
Vocal Tribute - Mallory Malter
National Prayer – Angie Davis
Unveiling of the Wall
Service Dedication (see posters)

Conference aims to provide training to help find missing people

Wilmington | The annual conference by a local group focused on missing persons is expected to bring together various roles in the search and rescue field ranging from Federal Bureau of Investigation representatives to families of people who have gone missing.

Why Do We NEED Billy's Law?

3 Simple Steps to Help Find the Missing - Billy's Law

http://peace4missing.ning.com/forum/topics/3-simple-steps-to-help-find

Ida Dean Richardson Anderson, Missing For 51 Years

In 1995 three siblings were reunited in what I can only imagine was a bittersweet reunion. In 1958 their mother, Ida Dean Richardson Anderson vanished without a trace and her son and two daughters were forced to begin a chapter of their lives without her.

A young, 18 year old Ida became pregnant in 1955 and, as was the custom then, married the father, Kenneth Anderson, also known as Jerry. They began their marriage in Florida where Ida was living with her parents. Jerry Anderson was a musician and I surmise he and Ida and their young child traveled the circuit, finally settling down in Detroit, Michigan, and adding two more children to the family.

It's stated that their marriage was troubled, emotionally and financially, and Ida wrote about it to her family members still living in Florida. She left Kenneth Anderson, took her children, however, shortly afterwards was hospitalized with rheumatic fever and ulcers in February of 1958.

At that time, her husband was not able to care for the three young children and placed them in a "boarding home." It's not reported if the boarding home was an orphanage for children or just a private home which took in indigent children. As a recourse to this action the State of Michigan gained custody of the three children.

After Ida was released from the hospital, she and Kenneth Anderson attempted to regain custody of their children for the next six months. Ida was scheduled to receive custody in September, 1958. A plane ticket to Florida had been purchased for her and the children, however, on the 18th of September she vanished and has never been heard from again, the plane tickets never used.

Ida's son and older daughter were adopted by the same family and raised near Fraser, Michigan, while her younger daughter was adopted by another family and raised in the Upper Peninsula area of Michigan. After they were reunited they started to search for the mother who disappeared from their lives without a trace.

The 51 year old cold case has never been solved, there is no unidentified deceased person matching her description and searches through hospital records in Michigan and surrounding states show no one by the name of Ida Dean Richardson Anderson as being a patient.

Recently, Track Missing, a missing persons organization based in Michigan has tried to help the family with their search. It's Founder, Chad Scott, says that there is no missing persons report among the records filed in Michigan, although her family states that one was filed at the time of her disappearance.

51 years is a long time to wait, wonder and search. United in their efforts, the family, Track Missing, Peace4 the Missing Members, Porchlight International, Doe Network, Charley Project and a host of others with a passion for helping families of missing persons will do everything possible to help these children find their mother.

Ida is now 72 years old and has spent a lifetime without her children.

Sandra Travis

Hitting a brick wall is what it feels like to the children of Sandra Travis and many others who have a missing loved one. You hit that brick wall so many times it's a wonder it doesn't leave bruises. All of the bruises are hidden within a broken heart unlike some of Sandra's bruises which were visible on her tiny body.

Sandra Travis was living in a violent marriage when she disappeared July 31, 2005 from Mayfield, Kentucky, a rural area near the borders of Illinois and Tennessee. Sandra took a lot of punches over the years from her husband, Bobby Travis, probably another man who treated his wife as a piece of property, there to do his bidding, no caring for the way she felt.

Many women in rural areas believe they are supposed to live this way. This is the unbroken circle going back generations in some families and carrying forward to the children of today. In some families hunting dogs are given better care by their master than the wife and mother living in the home. I'll speculate Sandra's life was just as many others, doing everything in their power to please the one who thinks nothing of using them as a punching bag when the notion hits. Living in daily fear that this day will be just like the last one, Sandra most likely was beaten to death that last day of July.

According to information found online, Bobby Travis had sad news for the family, he said Sandy died while on a trip to Illinois visiting other family members. When that story was easily proved false, he had another ready. The "whore" left with a truck driver and was never heard from again! As he continues to abuse Sandra by lying about her, she has never been found, the abuser is still victimizing.

It's reported that Graves County has a new Sheriff that is willing to take a second look at Sandra's disappearance, a new set of eyes on the evidence. Bobby Travis has been a "person of interest" for quite some time, but there doesn't seem to be much movement towards justice for Sandra Kay Travis. Her daughter, Dawn Vowell, is certain there is someone else who knows what happened to her mother, but lips are sealed and Bobby Travis isn't cooperating, either. All it would take is a search warrant to search the property near where Sandra was last seen, but that has not been forthcoming.

In the meantime, Sandra Travis is just another missing mother, forgotten by many, but not forgotten by her family who loved her dearly. Every day they face that brick wall, the same brick wall many family members across our country hit when there seems to be nowhere else to turn, no one else to listen, and nothing active happening in their case.

Justice Interrupted will be presenting Sandra's case and Dawn Vowell, her daughter will be a guest on Justice Interrupted Radio tonight, Tuesday, March 24th starting at 11PM Eastern time. Investigator Vito Colucci will join the panel to discuss this case.


Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Network and Support for families of the missing and victims of crime.

Lisa Shuttleworth

A 19 year old daughter should not have to reflect on the past about her mother and how dear she was to her, and a 14 year old son should not have to worry about not being able to remember his mother's voice. Children should not have to wonder where their mother is and why she can't be found, but this is exactly how the last five years have been for the two children of Lisa Shuttleworth who has been missing since September4, 2003 from Beech Island, SC.

Lisa was supposed to pick up her son, Ryan, at the bus stop after school that afternoon, but in her stead an older family friend was there to meet him. Returning Ryan to his home, they found it locked and no sign of Lisa, although her car, along with a car she had borrowed, were still in her driveway. After Lisa's parents were called they all entered the house and found no signs of struggle, and the only thing missing was her purse. It looked as if Lisa planned to return shortly, even a pot of tea was on the stove, her jewelry on the kitchen counter.

Lisa was a single mother, an excellent mother according to family sources, her two children knew they were loved, well taken care of, and that she would never leave them of her own free will. So what happened to Lisa?

Lisa was divorced from the father of her children and it's said that he could be violent at times. Lisa also had a boyfriend at the time who sources say had a bad argument with her the night before she vanished. Both men had trucks that were not available to be searched at the time. One of the trucks was located recently and sprayed with luminol to detect the presence of blood. There was blood reportedly in the truck, but was determined to be "male blood".

As in most cases, suspicions and rumors abound and questions go unanswered while there is an open investigation. Law enforcement officials in Aiken County, SC claim that this is a "very open investigation". As of this writing, there have been no ground searches conducted and the pond behind Lisa's home has not been drained.

Five years have gone by and evidence may now be cold, but that doesn't stop Lisa's children, family members and close friends from giving up hope that one day their questions will be answered and justice will be served.

Grandparents shouldn't have to step in to raise their grandchildren, but Lisa's parents did just that. They have taken Krystina and Ryan into their home and loved them and provided for them for the last five years.

"She's my mom, when my mom was gone, she was here. She hasn't left my side."

Krystina is showing all the signs of being a beautiful copy of her mother, with a lot of her same features. She has plans to attend college and work in the area of criminal investigations to help others investigate missing persons cases as well as her mother's case.

Family and friends have passed out fliers and even have gone so far as to consult a psychic in order to help find Lisa Shuttleworth. They have registered Lisa with NCMA and set up a website, Bringing Lisa Home. Any information, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, should be reported to:

To help, call: Crimestoppers of the Midlands: (800) 559-TIPS

Aiken County Sheriff's Office: (800) 922-9709

Shirley Clift

Hennessey, Oklahoma sits north and a little west of Oklahoma City and is flat, barren and dotted with oil wells pumping up and down like a bird pecking the ground looking for worms. Scorching hot in the summer and cold winds in the winter, it's a rural town that has seen better days, yet many families settled there during the land rush generations ago.

Shirley and Gary Clift were 4 years into each other's second marriage when they realized the relationship was ending. In 1980 they were separated and went through a custody battle for their young daughter, Amanda, who was primarily awarded to her mother, Shirley. According to Gary, this breakup was friendly, and they had just drifted apart and all was settled amicably. However, Shirley's mother, Bonnie Anderson, speaks differently on the subject and recounts that she was told by her daughter that she was afraid of Gary.

"She would tell me a few things about her life with Gary, and none of it was very pretty," Anderson told The Daily Oklahoman. "She was deathly afraid of him."

Thanksgiving weekend in November of 1980, Shirley was seen leaving with Gary from her babysitter's home in his car. When she did not show up at her mother's for Thanksgiving dinner, Bonnie Anderson reported her missing, as well as Gary, two days later, stating that she had left that night with several Mexican men. Shirley was never heard from again.

Gary moved to Albequerque, NM with his young daughter, Shirley's daughter, and had several petty run ins with the law, nothing indicating violence, but resulting in a number of convictions. Nine years after Shirley disappeared, law enforcement agencies checked on her Social Security information, found no activity since she vanished, and indicated that she was most likely deceased.

Authorities finally caught up with Gary in NM and questioned him. He confessed that she was dead, that they had been in an argument, Shirley jumped from a car moving at 50 miles an hour and died from her injuries. Gary says, at that time, he panicked, rode around for several hours with her unresponsive body in the car and decided to bury her on the banks of the Turkey Creek. He was extradited to Oklahoma, Amanda was put into protective custody, then he quickly realized he implicated himself, changed his story, and according to authorities, there was not enough evidence to charge Gary with any crime at that time.

In October, 1999, police searched the site once more with cadaver dogs that indicated the presence of human remains. Heavy equipment was brought in, the site was excavated, and police indicated that evidence was strong enough to link Gary's earlier recanted statement to Shirley's whereabouts.

Shirley Clift was only 25 years old, her daughter, Amanda, 1, when her mother was taken from her under suspicious circumstances, probably involving her father. As of this writing, Gary Clift has not been charged, indicted, or convicted of having anything to do with the disappearance of Shirley.

Gary Clift is a free man. Did he get away with murder?

Kelly Currin Morris, Searching Continues

Since September 3, 2008 family members have organized searches every weekend for missing mother, Kelly Currin Morris of Stem, NC.   Every day, Pat Currin, Kelly's father,  has searched for his daughter and vows not to stop until she is found.  A reward of $30,000 from the family is offered, as well as $5000 from Gov. Mark Easley of North Carolina, for her return. 

The number of volunteers has diminished greatly since September and the family needs much more support before vegetation grows thick and makes searching much more difficult.  This family is serious about bringing home this 29 year old mother of two little girls.  If you live in the area, please give a little of your time to this effort, it means so much to family members to know that their loved one is not forgotten just because their case isn't making daily headlines.

If you aren't able to physically search, think about donating lunches or water for the searchers.  Oftentimes it's cold or damp and nothing goes down as well as a hot cup of coffee or chocolate.  Granola bars are a great pick me up when bodies get tired.  If your budget doesn't allow for donations, please light a candle, say a prayer, drive by and show your support for Pat Currin and Kelly's family.  Sometimes that's all it takes to keep the spirits up and accomplish the mission.

You can contact the Kelly Currin Morris Command Center at 919-812-2310 or via e-mail, at: helpfindkelly@gmail.com. The command center is located at 2816 Old Weaver Trail in Creedmoor, North Carolina.  Every small bit you do could make all the difference in the world!

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing

Suzanne Lyall, Monday4 the Missing

written by: Mammabear, Lost Faces of the Missing

Nineteen!
The thing I remember most about being nineteen, was how spontaneous and carefree the world seemed to be, back then. I had an entire life before me, and I was unstoppable!

Suzanne was nineteen when she disappeared...
she had her entire life before her, too!

Suzanne Lyall was last seen on the evening of March 2, 1998, at approximately 9:20 p.m., as she departed her place of employment at the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, New York. Lyall was known to have boarded a Capital District Transit Authority bus heading to Collins Circle at the State University of New York (SUNY), at Albany, New York, where she was a student. It is believed that she exited the bus at Collins Circle at approximately 9:45 p.m. and has not been seen since that time.


Man sought as a possible witness
At about 4 p.m. on March 3, 1998, Lyall's ATM card was used at the Stewart's Store located on the corner of Manning Boulevard and Central Avenue, Albany, NY.

At about this same time the individual appearing in the composite picture, left, made a purchase at the counter inside the store.

He is a black male, with a medium/muscular build approximately 30 years old, 6-foot tall,wearing a mid-length "Carhart" type jacket and a dark baseball cap with the "Nike" swoosh symbol on the front.


It is believed that Lyall was wearing the jewelry shown when she disappeared. A polished, 14K, fluted bow ring; a silver ring in the shape of a frog and a necklace with a silver medallion inscribed with a runic character that looks like a block-style letter S. She may also have been wearing a 14K gold flower design cocktail ring.

Eric DeGrechie
March 7, 2008

I was a student at the University at Albany when Suzanne Lyall went missing in
March of 1998.
Living in a downtown dormitory, I still recall the night when the fliers
stating she was missing went up on the walls in the hallways.
Looking at them, my friends and I shrugged the whole situation off as just
being another kid leaving town for the weekend and not letting their parents
know their plans.

Ten years later, we still don’t know what happened to Suzanne. Her parents,
Douglas and Mary, are struggling with not knowing and they may be for
the rest of their lives.
Suzanne Lyall story continues to tug at the heartstrings

Age ProgressedPrintable Poster

“Until we know for sure that Suzanne’s deceased, we’ll always hold out hope that she’s alive and out there somewhere. There’s no getting away from that for us. Even if on the surface people in our situation might say we’ve given up and there’s no way she’s alive, there’s still that little cell way back in the consciousness that says she could be. You see a story on TV where a woman has been held captive in some underground bunker for ten years and you think, ‘Is Suzanne being held against her will somewhere?’”
Crime Rant

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678
New York State Police
Troop G 1-518-783-3209
or 1-518-783-3211

sources:
FBI
NY Wanted and Missing

Jasmine Haslag, Monday4 the Missing

written by: Peace4 the Missing member, Miranda Rhuda

Jasmine Haslag of Cole County, Missouri, has been missing since June 18, 2007. Her family knew that something was very wrong when she did not arrive to pick up her children from their father’s house as she had promised them that Monday.

Her mother, Peggy Florence, called the Cole County Sheriff’s office to report her daughter missing on June 21st. What Peggy would hear next was devastating.

Her daughter’s car, described as a green 1996 Toyota, had been found in a field between Dixie and Mokane, off of Route PP in Callaway County, on the other side of Missouri River, the previous day. There was frontal body damage to the vehicle and the license plates were torn off.

“When we ran the VIN on the car it checked back to Haslag, but there was no connection with a missing person at that time,” said Callaway County Sheriff Dennis Crane Wednesday. “Since there were no warrants for her, we had the car towed because it was found on private property.”

    After learning of the girl’s disappearance, Sheriff Crane and his deputies processed the car for any potential evidence and completed a five hour search of the immediate area in which the car was found.

The Cole County Sheriff’s office has been very cooperative and forth-coming with all case details. They have worked with various Cole County officials in following up on leads in the Holts Summit area.

Her mother admits that it is possible that Jasmine was suffering from depression at the time of her disappearance but reassures that she would have never left her children.

Jasmine failed to appear for court on July 18, for a couple of drug-related charges which occurred in May. She was out on a 50 thousand dollar bond.

As of July 18, officials are saying that foul play is definitely suspected in the disappearance of Jasmine Haslag. A reward of increasing amounts has been offered for any information leading to an arrest in the Haslag case.

Authorities have followed up on several leads and interviewed many people

KRCG's Mallory McGowin spoke to Jasmine's mother, who is searching for answers about her daughter.

"I'm not going to give up looking for Jasmine because those three little kids want to know where their mother is.  And I need to know where their mother is," says Peggy Florence, Jasmine's mother.

Full Name:           Jasmine Sue Haslag
                                Maiden Name:      Martelli, Florence
                                Hair Color:           Brown, Possibly Blonde
                                Eye Color:           Hazel
                                Weight:              115lbs, Slender Build
                                Height:               5'9
                                Race:                 White

The last time Jasmine was in contact with her family was on the 17th of June '07.  It is said that she was last seen on the 18th of June '07.  Her car was found abandoned in Callaway County on the 20th of June '07.

Cole and Callaway Countys are seeking information on the disappearance of Jasmine Haslag. If you have any information, please call any of the following numbers:        Cole County Sheriff's Department at
          573.634.9160

      Callaway County Sheriff's Department at
          573.642.7291

      Or by submitting a tip to Crime Stoppers at
          573.659.TIPS (8477)

To help Jasmine's family in increasing the reward, donations can be made to The Jasmine Sue's Recovery Fund at Jefferson Bank. The address to Jefferson Bank is 2815 Truman Boulevard Jefferson City, Mo 65109.

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Network and support for missing persons.

Christopher Robin Coan, Monday4 the Missing

Had Christopher Coan been 18 in 1967 instead of 2007 he may have experienced some of the things he read about in books by Ken Kesey such as "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest" and "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test". He may have been one of the Merry Pranksters or maybe just another one of us with dreams of heading to San Francisco and hanging out at Haight Ashbury mingling with the flower children during the "Summer of Love".

It's reported that Chris was fascinated with life in the 60's, the unrest in America at that time, and the Viet Nam War. Maybe he toked a few doobies along the way, but from what I've read he seemed to be a typical teen in 2007 in Cedar City, Utah, a skateboarder, not a rebellious hippie of the 60's prone to taking off and not telling anyone.

On September 3, 2007, Chris left his job at Subway never to be heard from since. Accounts say that he had a difficult shift dealing with a rude customer, then being reprimanded by his boss for something minor, but nothing happened during that shift that was a big enough deal to just walk away from his life.

Chris belongs to a loving family who attended church together and had a girlfriend, Sasha, who lived with him in a small, separate space at her parent's home. Chris owned a 1994 burgundy and silver Chevy S10 Blazer which he had recently purchased, and which no one saw him getting into after work. His vehicle is also missing, no trace left behind, as well as his wallet, drivers license and ATM card. There has been no activity on his bank account.

Searches have been conducted yielding nothing and reported sightings have been inconclusive. Authorities believe he is missing under "suspicious circumstances", but because of his being 18, could have left voluntarily although nothing in his demeanor would indicate that he just wanted to walk away from his life, his girlfriend, and his family.

An appeal from father, Dave Coan:

I appeal to everyone out there to help us find our son. We love Chris and miss him very much. His brothers and mother are very much affected by his disappearance as well. Not a minute goes by that we don't think about him. We are stuck in a kind of limbo. We cannot move forward with our lives not knowing where he is or if he is alright. The stress, most days, is almost unbearable.

My personal message to Chris: If you are out there, son, we love you and miss you very badly and please call and let us know you are ok.

UPDATE: CHRISTOPHER HAS BEEN FOUND

CEDAR CITY, Utah — 

The body of a missing 18-year-old boy, Christopher Coan, was found by a hiker Thursday afternoon at a Canyon near Cedar City. Coan was last seen Sept. 3, 2007 after he left his job at Subway. The hiker, Rex Rushton, found the body at the foot of a 1,000 foot cliff in Right Hand Canyon, about 7 miles outside of Cedar City. Police said Coan's car fell off a treacherous road before landing at the foot of the cliff.

Searchers looked in that same canyon when Chris went missing in 2007. His parents, volunteers and Cedar City police never gave up on the year long search for Coan. Police said the brush where Coan landed was in dense and tricky area, hard to spot from a distance.

Maria Fernandez, Goodbye

Sadness grips the family and friends of Aretha Maria Fernandez as they say their final goodbyes to the missing mother who held such a sweet part in their lives.

Maria was reported missing on September 3, 2008 after she failed to report to one of the two jobs she held.  Maria was a single mother raising a young son, extremely well liked by all of her co workers and family alike, and it was gut wrenching when they realized that she was gone.  Her remains were discovered recently by a utility worker, her lifeless body tossed aside, while her boyfriend and father of her son, retained the services of an attorney and refused to speak to the authorities.

On February 9, 2009, Jamel Goode was arrested and charged with the murder of Aretha Maria Fernandez, the mother of his son.  Authorities were able to use cell phone records to place Jamel in the same remote area where Maria's remains were found.  Although they were critisized early on for lack of leads in this case,  they thoroughly investigated every angle, not always made public or told to the family members. 

Why, oh why, does this have to happen? Questions abound not only from family and friends, but from those of us who have gotten to know Maria from afar.

"Our beautiful butterfly is now free," said Kathi Dalton after she described Fernandez's grace, strength and compassion.

 May Maria be resting in God's loving arms, may her family be comforted by His angels, and may her son know the love of the Mother who would never have left him behind by choice.

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing

Legislation Changes For The Missing

Peace4 the Missing member, Jan Smolinski, has tirelessly worked over 2 years to make sure that other families of the missing do not have to endure the painful process she and her family have been through while searching for answers about the disappearance of son, William "Billy" Smolinski.

We have formed a Group at Peace4 the Missing to mobilize not only our members, but members of ALL Missing Persons organizations, no matter how large or small, to UNITE and do all we can to make sure that our nation's law enforcement agencies will be consistently using proper procedures when conducting investigations concerning the missing. Please join us and make this happen! Legislation Group

From Jan Smolinski:

The number of hurting hearts and lives tragically interrupted in this country are enormous, however, there may be an answer in the way of National Legislation.

After two years of emails, phone conversations and a meeting with Mr. Todd Stein, Senator Lieberman's Washington DC office, a draft for a bill is being written and with the Grace of God an eventual bill is within site, final destination Congress.

It does not matter who accomplished this, it's the fact that our citizens may have a little reprieve from the daily struggles of not knowing.

Please consider what this means for our country. Right now to achieve the final goal it does take a village and in order for this to become a bill your support is absolutely needed.

Please copy and paste the letter below and send it to the Federal Legislators from you state and/or Senator Lieberman's DC office directly.

The clock is ticking, together, we can help ease the burdens of the many lives shattered senselessly.

Thank you, please consider what this means and let your conscience be your guide.

DO NOT OVER COME EVIL WITH EVIL BUT OVER COME EVIL WITH GOOD.


DC Address: The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman
United States Senate
706 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0703
DC Phone: 202-224-4041
DC Fax: 202-224-9750
Electronic Correspondence: http://lieberman.senate.gov/contact/
index.cfm?regarding=issue
WWW Homepage: http://lieberman.senator



Dear


There are 150,000 Missing and 60,000 Unidentified dead in our country. This is a Silent Crisis and can be eliminated with the proper implementation of modern technology. The process has begun through the efforts of Connecticut Senator Lieberman to change the law in our country and help our citizens achieve the peace of knowing what happened to their loved ones.

We need to acquire the proper investigations after careful evaluation by law enforcement in our great nation with each and every case reported. It is important to follow proper protocol knowing that the first 24, 48, 72 hours are the most vital to retrieve evidence when trying to solve a case. Properly trained Law Enforcement will enhance safety, keep up with modern technology and become the CSI society most Americans believe we have already become.

The failure to identify the UID may allow a predator (serial killer) to escape detection and continue to prey on more victims.


Coroners and Medical examiners must under all circumstances when unidentified remains are found to enter DNA properly in a concise manner into the national database ( CODIS).

The NamUs Program instituted by the Department of Justice is now able to be fully utilized. The program is only as good as the authorities who enter proper information accurately into the system. To date our country lacks the proper communication.
Consequently by properly entering information into the Missing Persons section of Namus and information entered into the Unidentified side, matches are currently being made. The database has proven to be of value.

There is a manual already available for all authorities to have as reference but to date lacks the funding,it needs to be publicized and in the hands of the very authorities whom we depend on on a daily basis.
The manual was was authored by a panel of national experts representing investigators (IHIA, FOP, FBI etc), medical examiners/coroners ( NAME and IACME), victim families, groups ( NCMEC) and other experts...anthropologists, ethics (APA) . CODIS and NCIC, and prosecutors (NADA) etc

We are all striving to make our country a better place to live and put the criminals away.
Ultimately we may one day be able to walk the streets again knowing our lives are in the very hands of the authorities when properly trained will truly give meaning to the Code of Ethics Oath they must take when sworn into office.

Please listen to our pleas, there are thousands across this country to date who need answers and can not move forward until they are able to help lift the burdens in their hearts by not knowing.

Yes, this country is in an economic crisis, however should we not start at the root of our very country, our families, our future to allow funding needed and implement a law for the well being of our citizens?

After all no one is exempt.

We are asking for the support of all Federal Legislators to review and encourage the progress already taken place by Senator Lieberman and carefully consider all issues mentioned above. We are also asking to expedite the draft into a bill, to be presented to Congress in the near future.
This needs to be a National effort inorder to work properly and become effective.
Thank you


Respectfully,



EVIL FLOUISHES WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tina and Bethany Sinclair, Monday4 the Missing

Video and text written by: Angie Gilchrist



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As I begin to write the events of Tina and Bethany's disappearance my eyes are filled with tears and my heart bleeds with pain for Tina and Bethany and their family...I know first hand what this family has and is going through and know the nightmare that this family has been forced to live and without a choice.

In the year of 2001 34 year old single mother Tina Sinclair shared a residence on Mountain road in Chesterfield New Hampshire a quiet community, with her daughter 15 year old Bethany Sinclair, her boyfriend Eugene Van Bowman Jr and another young male.

The relationship Tina and Eugene had was a stormy relationship and Eugene often abused Tina..On one occasion Bowman tried to light Tina on fire..He poured kerosene all over Tina but she managed to get away from him..But it would not end there..Many people believe that Tina and Bethany met their fate at the hands of the man Eugene Van Bowman Jr...However finding proof and fact has been an obstacle for law enforcement..Or is it just plain ignorance on law enforcements part?

Febuary 3 2001 at around 9:30pm Tina and Bowman got into a heated argument at the Marina..Tina left the parking lot in her vehicle a white Neon peeling out and angry.
Tina picked up her daughter Bethany up from the Movie theater and returned home to her residence around 11:30pm on Mountain road, where she then got into another argument with Bowman..According to Bowman he left the home and when he returned Tina and Bethany were gone..Here is where the story gets confusing and unclear. Tina's car was still parked at the home, along with all of their personal things and their pet cat. If someone was going to leave wouldn't they take some of their personal items and their vehicle?
Also an unidentified woman phoned Bethany's school to say that Bethany would not be at school Monday..Who was this mystery lady?

This is what the family of Tina and Bethany do know...
They know that Bethany was on the phone with her boyfriend until almost midnight and had to hang up so she could finish her laundry in the cellar.
The Stepfather also says that Tina was angry with Bowman earlier, when she stopped over to ask her Stepfather to borrow $50 and made plans to cut his hair on Sunday. The stepfather was turned away when he showed up for his haircut by Bowman. He was cleaning the house.
at 4:30 am on Feb 4, 2001 Bowman was cursed at by his neighbors for being out on the river in his hover craft. It had a loud engine and a very bright light.
Bowman had a mistress who was married to one of his friends and co-worker..The four of them would go out on couple dates together.
Two Yankee Nuclear Power Plant barrels were allegedly taken from the plant. Allegedly driven home by Bowman and his truck.Had the markings VT Nuke Power Plant on them.Were black and oval, not like your normal oil barrels. One was on the property (said to be used for ice for parties), the other one was missing.
After Tina and Bethany went missing, Eugene Van Bowman, Jr. was sent to prison for an unrelated sexual assault conviction (child sex offense victim under 13 years old).He was released in April, 2005 to the same home they all lived in.
Eugene Van Bowman, Jr. has been released from jail this fall 2007 on an unrelated offense, and is residing at his home in West Chesterfield, NH.Since then Bowman has sold his residence and has moved.

There is so much more to the mystery of Tina and Bethany's disappearance that remains to be seen..And we can only begin to imagine the horror that Tina and Bethany suffered at the hands of Bowman or from who ever that is responsible for their disappearance.

Most people just don't vanish off the face of the earth for no reason. And if someone does leave on their free will, surely they don't go eight years without contacting a family member. Especially when they have close ties to their loved ones..

How can anyone not have or feel compassion for Tina and Bethany. And for their family? Why and how can anyone live with themselves knowing that they know what happened to these girls? Surely someone has the answer to where Tina and Bethany are and they need to come forward and give this family some sort of peace..All they have of Tina and Bethany is memorial site..A place for them all to go to find some closeness to Tina and Bethany..The family deserves more than that..Tina and Bethany deserve more than that..These girls deserve to be brought back home to their loved ones..

What this family lives day to day I can ASSURE you ALL that it is torture!! PURE TORTURE!! How would you FEEL if someone MURDERED and then DISPOSED of your LOVED one like they were a PIECE of TRASH!!??
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL HUH! You would feel Like your heart has just been ripped right out of your chest. Your life as you once new it is no longer the same..You are forced to become someone else, a person you no longer know or understand..And your whole purpose in life is to find your missing loved one. And to find that existence of peace that you once new, cherished and loved..

Here is a quote from Tina's sister Sharon..

Since my sister and my niece have been gone, so has a part of me. I havent ever been the same. My heart is broken and so is my spirit. My mother has gradually crumbled as time has passed without her precious daughter and grand daughter. The anger, hatred, confusion, nightmares have shredded through me and made me into a person I dont even recognize anymore! Our family was divided at first for a long time, as nothiing was the same. The holidays, birthdays, family gatherings were like a bad dream because Tina and Bethany werent there.
A memorial will replace the one that was stolen last fall in time for the anniversary of Tina and Bethany's missing. Please visit if you can, at the CT River's bend, on Mountain Road, off RT 9 in West Chesterfield, NH. Please light a candle, say a prayer. I will never give up! No one should!

I BEG of you, if anyone has information regarding Tina and Bethany Sinclair please contact

CONTACT: COLONEL FREDERICK H. BOOTH, DIRECTOR
TELEPHONE: (603) 271-3636
CASE: C-01-0161
DATE: 03-19-01


New Hampshire Division of State Police at (603) 271-3636 or (603) 358-3333 or send an email to: missingpersons@safety.state.nh.us

Let this family finally have peace...

Star Boomer, Who Is She, and Where Is She?

It's been reported that Shon Pernice of Kansas City, MO. is not only being questioned about his role in the disappearance of his wife, Renee Pernice, but now he is linked to another missing mother, Star Boomer. Star Boomer has been missing since 1999, 10 years, and she left behind a son and a family that deserve some real, truthful answers.

According to recent reports, Star Boomer was last seen during an altercation in a local bar. By all accounts there were 13 witnesses who saw Star literally beaten to unconsciousness. That's where the story of Star Boomer ends. No one is talking about what happened afterwards. Not one of 13 witnesses has told authorities where to find Star Boomer after 10 long years, and now it's stated that Shon Pernice was one of the last persons to see her alive.

Who is Star Boomer? In light of all the recent attention given to missing women, missing mothers, and the men suspected of knowledge, we often forget the main characters of these mysteries, the one who no longer has a voice to say to the world, "here I am!". The media tends to look closer at the ones who are possibly involved in these women's vanishings, scrutinizing their every move, and, in some cases (Peterson), surrounding the case in a circus atmosphere. But who are these Vanished Mothers?

Ten years ago, Star Gail Hurtie Boomer was a mother of a young son, Cody. Being the mother of a young son is not an easy task, and I would imagine that she took time off to unwind at a local bar.

Sources say that Star did not drink that much while at the bar, but went to the aide of another woman who was being physically beaten by another patron. Star was the only one to step up to help the woman, and later she was hit her off her own bar stool by a friend of the patron as he walked by and said something to her. She was knocked unconscious and dragged out of the bar. It's at this point, witness have said, Shon Pernice injected her with something and Star was never seen again.

Star Boomer came to the aide of another woman and paid the ultimate price for it.

There is a young man who does not know what has happened to his mother, and has only local rumors and stories to fill in the blanks. I have to believe that Cody wants answers, and he deserves the truth, along with other family members who love her and miss her in their lives.

"Until the day we find closure and justice for her, I can't give up and I have to be a voice for Star," said Cynthia Hurtie.

"I believe we will find her. I really believe that. I've never given up hope," said Hazel Hurtie.

I hope that during the investigation into the now declared death investigation of Renee Pernice, that her husband Shon will at the very least be questioned about the last night in the life of Star Boomer, and help her family find resolution.

I am pleased to include some personal insight about Star from a source close to the family:

Ten years ago, Star never thought to herself that this photo, would be used to help bring her home.

She had no way of knowing.. she wouldn't be going home..ever again, that the bright spot of her world..her son, would be left behind. She would never see him open his Christmas gifts, watch him play ball.. she wouldn't be there for her father..before he passed away, or to hug her Mother when he did. The chance to finish school.. Gone. No more shopping trips with her nieces, or getting her hair done in the new style. All Gone.

Gone by two men who ruthlessly removed the future of this young woman. The witnesses, who keep her family 'suffering' by their deafening 'silence'. There has been no justice, no one has been punished. There is no resting place to visit to acknowledge Star existed..no place to run to when the their tears fall, no place to put the flowers she so loved.. in her remembrance .

She was instead taken, and hidden.. in a place where no one visits. There are no flowers. No family ever comes...

She dreamed of one day living on a farm and watching her son enjoy the warmth of a day, tending her beautiful garden..and caring for a variety of animals. Most importantly to watch her son grow to be a man.

Star was a florist at heart, who loved flower arranging, she created beautiful arrangements and wreaths and had

won awards for her creations at local craft shows. She had nearly completed her GED and had plans to further her education. She was a warm hearted soul, that would offer her hand to others, and make it a point to bring a smile, even when times were troubled.

A true optimist is hard to find, and the loss her family has endured is inconsolable.

Cindy recounted to me when Star bought corrective shoe's for Cindy's daughter. A wonderful sister, and Loving Aunt to Cindy's children. She is remembered by the twinkle in her eye, I thought to myself while the family spoke of her.. that her name was rightly 'given' at birth "Star"

Her bright smile has been handed to her son Cody, who shares her warmth, kindness and love, and his laugh is a thought of Star brought home..and brings back those 'wonderful memories'. Star would be so very 'proud' of the young man she brought into this world. So, grateful for her family who have all come together in the nurturing of her son. She would be "so" very grateful to her Mother who has kept her in prayer 'everyday'. Hazel has waited on bended knee, for the day her daughter would come home. Her fervent prayers have been answered and faith will bring closure..soon. Cindy who has taken up the torch to find her sister, is a timid loving soul. Having been lost for a time herself... has found her strength and has become a 'star' herself. In Star's legacy Cindy will assist families of the lost, and help them to find the closure that she yearns for in her own life.

The pub that Star was in the evening she was taken. The twelve that sat by, watched. Those that were witnesses and have kept quiet 'all these years'. The burden lays with them. For a family to experience a death of a loved one, is an excruciating experience. To have that loved one plucked from life and out of reach for all 'time' is beyond horrific. To those who know and will not speak. I would like you to imagine the face of a small boy.. who sits on the edge of his bed.. and waits. His eyes looking up to 'you' for the answer. Where is my Mom? For her Mother who sits with folded hands at her kitchen table, still waiting. She smiles and it is apparent 'where' Star got her shine. To Cindy, Star has given you the greatest gift. Your direction..your path.

Please help give "Star" a gift. A place to rest..a place to be remembered. If you have information, no matter how small.. it will be kept confidential. Please visit http://helpfindthelost.blogspot.com/ and bring star home.

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