21 Days For Heather

It's something I just can't let go and today I'm hoping that someone will see this post on my obscure little blog and be able to "be the one." In 21 days the ex-husband of Heather Thompson will be released from Federal Prison in Bennettsville, SC and be able to resume a relatively normal life after being incarcerated for the last 14 years for beating her to within an inch of her life. He has had a lot of time to think about how he can fulfill his promise to kill her and her children, and has made numerous threats over the years from prison.

Today Bloggers Unite has declared "Domestic Violence Day" and I hope that by banding together and writing about this epidemic, it will bring awareness to the many who are still trapped in an abusive relationship, men and women alike. While there are agencies and advocates all across the country, many of the abused aren't aware or savvy enough to figure out an escape plan. There is hope and healing available on the other side of abuse, if only the abused can reach out far enough.

In Heather's, and many other cases, all the right steps have been taken, but yet she and her children are not safe. GPS monitoring has been proven to be a useful tool, but in her case, authorities will not violate her abuser's rights by putting one on him at this time. Apparently he has to take a step towards murdering her and her children in order to be eligible. I know, this makes no sense, but is another flaw in the system that re-victimizes the victims.

The public has become immune to stories of fathers brutally murdering their families in the last few months. The news reports cover these stories and all the gory details, and yet there are families grieving the horrendous losses who are raw in their emotions. Please don't let Heather and her family become just another statistic or another news story and then wonder where the system broke down. The system that should protect the rights of the innocents is protecting the rights of the ones who have beaten, battered and killed in hopes that they are rehabilitated in prison and will become productive members of society again. That rarely happens.

The faces of domestic abuse are bloody and bruised, just like Heather's was, but at least she has survived.....so far. Reach out into your community, your church, your neighborhood and become more vigilant. Really look at that woman in the grocery store with the black eye, listen to her and if nothing else, guide her to a shelter or even a website that will get her the information she needs.

Educate yourself about the ways the abused may be helped. There are many organizations and advocates willing to share this information. Susan Murphy Milano has written the "bible" of safety escape procedures in her book "Moving Out, Moving On" and her new book to be released titled "Time's Up". These are important works which lay everything out in a step by step fashion so that abused women don't wind up dead.

Heather Thompson and her children will be living in great fear starting on May 29. She is in dire need of help, publicity, and protection from the man who most likely will make a move to snuff out her life and the lives of her children. Let's hope he is not successful and that Heather is not another entry at Mothers are Vanishing.

Maria Fernandez Has Been Found

A South Carolina mother's worst fears are unfolding as remains were found and authorities are 99% sure they belong to Aretha Maria Fernandez who has been missing since last September 3 leaving behind a small son.

Although no charges have been filed, her boyfriend was named a person of interest early on and has not cooperated with the investigation, possibly on the advice of the attorney he hired immediately.

After hearing that her daughter was dead, Susie Fernandez said the pain was "just too hard to take.

"No family should ever go through this," she said. "No family."

You are right, Ms. Fernandez, no family should have to suffer in the wake of child gone missing. And no child should have to go through life wondering what happened to his mother. You have my heartfelt sympathies.

"If somebody knows something, they really just need to let their conscience get the best of them and come forward," said Jennifer Timmons, SLED communications director.

Information can be called into the Union County Sheriff's Office at 429-1612 or to CrimeStoppers at 427-0800.

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing

Gina Bos

If ever there were missing puzzle pieces, this mother's vanishing is definitely the case. As much as I have hunted online for information or clues pertaining to the disappearance of Gina Bos, there just aren't any. From all accounts that I have read Gina (Regina) comes from a very musical family, a very close family, and she loves holidays and celebrations, always to be counted on to do the extra touches when needed.

Gina seems to me to be an "artsy" type of person, always having the need to be creative, whether it is her music, crafting costumes, or her art. It has been my experience that writers, painters, and musicians don't always aspire to fame and fortune, but just want to be involved in their art. It completes them and makes them whole. As a mother, an artist, a much loved daughter and sister, it seems Gina Bos had a very full and happy life. I have found no reports of an unhappy relationship or her having any enemies. Her disappearance is truly puzzling.

Gina is a beautiful, 40 year old mother of three, two sons and a daughter that she was raising as a single mother. All that is known about the evening of October 17, 2000 is that Gina gave a performance at Duggin's Pub in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was seen with her beloved guitar, "Harley", over her shoulder and walking out of the pub. The next morning her car was discovered across the street, the trunk ajar and her guitar in the trunk. There are no other clues, no other evidence, nothing leading authorities to the answers to what happened to Gina that night.

Her family knows Gina is dead.

"If she were alive we would know," her mother says. "She would have never left her children. Never. Ever."

This family is missing the puzzle piece that makes them whole. They have done monumental things to find her, and they have also done monumental things to help others through their own pain and heartbreak. Gina's sister, Jannel Rap belongs to a band called Clementine, who regularly performs to bring awareness to Gina and others. The "Squeaky Wheel Tour" is a well known and respected global outreach for families searching for a missing loved one. The organization 411Gina works tirelessly to expose scores of missing persons who otherwise would not be known.

The search for Gina Bos will continue until this family puzzle piece is put back into the place where only a perfect fit exists. It will not stop until there are answers, answers for every family member left behind and especially for Gina's children.

There is someone out there who knows something. I hope that one day soon that person will come forward and that this mystery will be solved.

Name: Regina Marie Bos
Classification: Endangered Missing Adult
Alias / Nickname: Gina Williams, Gina Rap
Date of Birth: 1959-11-04
Date Missing: 2000-10-17
From City/State: Lincoln, NE
Age at Time of Disappearance: 40
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 66 inches
Weight: 105 pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Medium
Glasses/Contacts Description: Glasses with wire frames or contacts.
Identifying Characteristics: Tattoo of small purple "flower" on back, pierced ears, freckles.
Clothing: Black shirt, black pants, black shoes.


Peace4 the Missing