Today is the last full day on the tour and even though we have 3 stops scheduled they aren't far apart and we are hoping for a non stressful day that may actually include meals and a laundry run. When we first started out it seemed like we were going to be on the road for such a long time. Half way through it started picking up momentum and by the end you don't understand how it went so quickly.
Missing Clartha Epps McLeod's family is hosting this stop (10/11/13 10:30am) at the Cypress Forks Church in Manning SC. 6 family members and a close friend dressed in their matriatch's missing shirts with Still Missing But Not Forgotten! written on them greeted us with smile and hugs. There was also an impressive law enforcement presence. Along with photos, a banner, and I believe a license plate, there were key chains with a poem on the flip side "A broken heart is what I feel It leads to flowing tears My happiness has gone Knowing you are all alone It fells like only yesterday That I just saw your smiling face I truly hope there comes a day when our love will reunite I can wash away the tears And sleep throughout the night".
If you have not seen Clartha's missing person photo I ask that you look at it now. She's not smiling in it and her eyes are large and staring. Janeane had mentioned how it's like you can see her soul. I mentioned this to her family and they said it was taken only a few days before she went missing in 2009, I find that so interesting because normally you wouldn't use that photo and I did see many smiling photos of her on display today.
2 years ago their rally was held at the police department and I still remember how many of her family showed. I remember that she was dropped off at church and then vanished. I remember that there have been many extensive searches conducted, both when she originally went missing and in subsequent years. I remember that at 75 years of age she had been recently diagnosed as in the early stages of Alzheimer's but that her missing poster states that she was "vibrantly healthy". I remember wondering if she could have attempted to walk home and gotten confused. But then why are we unable to find her?
Thinking I know this case fully I glance down at her poster and pick up on something I hadn't noticed before. Clartha was allegedly dropped off at the Hickory Grove Church in Turbeville by a family acquaintance at 11:30PM. That just can't be right. Why would she be going to church that late at night? I talk to the family and yes the poster is correct and yes they agree it's not normal. Then they tell me the man who drove her was not even family or someone that was close to the family. I realize this is not new information to the family, law enforcement, CUE or the searchers. I just made an assumption that she was dropped off at 11:30am 2 years ago and never really looked at the information again even though I look at her picture fairly often. It's a reminder that things are not always as you may think the first time you look at something and that you need to take the time when you are looking at something you've seen before.
Elisa
A national awareness campaign seeking resolution for Missing Persons, Unsolved Homicide and those who remain Unidentified.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Jacksonville Florida
Our last Florida rally stop is being held for our Tour Honoree Missing Michael Austin Davis. Florida State Outreach Coordinator and Austin's mom, Christy Davis, is our host at Memorial Park on the St John's River (10/10/13 2:30pm) in Jacksonville.
The tables are set up with photos, poster boards, missing person information, and the normally seen missing flyers, but at this stop there's more. Approximately 15 huge photos of some of Jacksonville's missing. Blown up pictures of big, bright and smiling faces, a powerful reminder of happy ordinary people who have simply vanished.
Austin's sister, Anita Sullivan, begins the program by explaining how you become part of a new family when you have someone missing, something she initially found surprising. She's standing up there for her new family, even those whose nuclear families could not be present. She names them all, slowly reciting 20 names of those missing from Jacksonville.
Missing Mark Degner's grandmother tells us the story of how Mark went missing at the age of 12 in 2005 along with Missing Bryan Hayes (age 13), neither of them to ever be seen again. It's been 8 years and 8 months since the day that 2 students left middle school together in broad daylight. Where could they have gone? What could possibly have happened to them? I look over at their age progressed photos showing what they could possibly look like now.
Missing Rosemary Day's parents are next. Rosemary's mother standing stoically beside her husband as he speaks about their missing daughter. I remember the raw emotions they exhibited at the 2011 vigil when Rosemary had been missing just a few months, back when it was still considered a fresh case. 2 years later they appear just as heartbroken. In fact, we are told how they did not want to come today. How hard it is for them to show their vulnerability, to open up their pain which is clearly visible to everyone present.
Missing John Rowan's mom, Peg, speaks of living in limbo since her son went missing at the age of 34 in 2001. The son, husband and father of 2 simply left for work one day, (12 years and 1 month ago), never to return home again. 10 months before he vanished the beneficiaries of his 3 million dollar life insurance policy changed from his family to his 2 former business partners. A handwriting expert hired by law enforcement believes his signature was forged. To date no charges have been filed. Peg laments about her frustration with the lack of evidence in his case. She tells of living for media coverage, and how this Jacksonville group of families of the missing never seek publicly individually, always including one another whenever they can.
Christy explains how having Austin featured on the tour has renewed her hope in receiving information that could help locate him. Austin has been missing since 2007, when the then 26 year old bought a shotgun, put it into a duffle bag and ventured off on foot never to be seen or heard from again. How does someone simply walk off and vanish? Reading Christy's letter in the press package gave me a true sense of Austin, so much more than just the facts of his disappearance. She also wrote "My heart is broken that my son is out there somewhere, and that we've not been able to bring him home...My hope is always that we find Austin". She continued "One person can make the difference...Between never knowing what happened, and being able to bring a missing loved one home".
Austin's father, Jim, told us how days after Austin's disappearance he was printing flyers when someone told him about a Reader's Digest article featuring Monica, thus bringing CUE in at the initial stages of their search. He also spoke about the tour restoring his hope for resolution.
Monica once again explained how having a missing loved one is the one event in life that has no resolution. If there's an accident or someone dies there is resolution, but when someone disappears their family lingers in an unknown state of what ifs.
Anita announces that the program will close with a flower toss into the river. I can feel my apprehension grow. As I try to get my emotions under control she explains the symbolism of tossing flowers into the water. To paraphrase, the flowers will continue to exist long after being tossed, even after they disappear out of view. This is also true of our loved ones. With that one explanation I was soothed .
Elisa
The tables are set up with photos, poster boards, missing person information, and the normally seen missing flyers, but at this stop there's more. Approximately 15 huge photos of some of Jacksonville's missing. Blown up pictures of big, bright and smiling faces, a powerful reminder of happy ordinary people who have simply vanished.
Austin's sister, Anita Sullivan, begins the program by explaining how you become part of a new family when you have someone missing, something she initially found surprising. She's standing up there for her new family, even those whose nuclear families could not be present. She names them all, slowly reciting 20 names of those missing from Jacksonville.
Missing Mark Degner's grandmother tells us the story of how Mark went missing at the age of 12 in 2005 along with Missing Bryan Hayes (age 13), neither of them to ever be seen again. It's been 8 years and 8 months since the day that 2 students left middle school together in broad daylight. Where could they have gone? What could possibly have happened to them? I look over at their age progressed photos showing what they could possibly look like now.
Missing Rosemary Day's parents are next. Rosemary's mother standing stoically beside her husband as he speaks about their missing daughter. I remember the raw emotions they exhibited at the 2011 vigil when Rosemary had been missing just a few months, back when it was still considered a fresh case. 2 years later they appear just as heartbroken. In fact, we are told how they did not want to come today. How hard it is for them to show their vulnerability, to open up their pain which is clearly visible to everyone present.
Missing John Rowan's mom, Peg, speaks of living in limbo since her son went missing at the age of 34 in 2001. The son, husband and father of 2 simply left for work one day, (12 years and 1 month ago), never to return home again. 10 months before he vanished the beneficiaries of his 3 million dollar life insurance policy changed from his family to his 2 former business partners. A handwriting expert hired by law enforcement believes his signature was forged. To date no charges have been filed. Peg laments about her frustration with the lack of evidence in his case. She tells of living for media coverage, and how this Jacksonville group of families of the missing never seek publicly individually, always including one another whenever they can.
Christy explains how having Austin featured on the tour has renewed her hope in receiving information that could help locate him. Austin has been missing since 2007, when the then 26 year old bought a shotgun, put it into a duffle bag and ventured off on foot never to be seen or heard from again. How does someone simply walk off and vanish? Reading Christy's letter in the press package gave me a true sense of Austin, so much more than just the facts of his disappearance. She also wrote "My heart is broken that my son is out there somewhere, and that we've not been able to bring him home...My hope is always that we find Austin". She continued "One person can make the difference...Between never knowing what happened, and being able to bring a missing loved one home".
Austin's father, Jim, told us how days after Austin's disappearance he was printing flyers when someone told him about a Reader's Digest article featuring Monica, thus bringing CUE in at the initial stages of their search. He also spoke about the tour restoring his hope for resolution.
Monica once again explained how having a missing loved one is the one event in life that has no resolution. If there's an accident or someone dies there is resolution, but when someone disappears their family lingers in an unknown state of what ifs.
Anita announces that the program will close with a flower toss into the river. I can feel my apprehension grow. As I try to get my emotions under control she explains the symbolism of tossing flowers into the water. To paraphrase, the flowers will continue to exist long after being tossed, even after they disappear out of view. This is also true of our loved ones. With that one explanation I was soothed .
Elisa
Friday, October 18, 2013
Port St Lucie, Florida
Running late (again), for our last stop of the day (10/9/13 7pm) but I'm not stressed about it because I know the event being held at Duffy's Super Play is from 5-10pm and so it's OK if we're not exactly on time. Teresa Halliday is hosting this stop for Missing Dori Myers.
Dori's sister, Donajean was at the Lake City vigil the night before (could that really have only been yesterday?) but Dori went missing from around here. I did get to meet some of Donajean's friends who came out to support Dori for her.
Teresa did an amazing job. She got Duffy's to donate 10% of proceeds from patrons who turned in her flyer and she had her daughter's Girl Scout troop stationed at the front door making sure every and any one who entered had the flyer. They were also selling 50/50 tickets. She had a slew of missing persons posters plastered on poles and hanging by clothespins. It was disheartening to me to recognize so many of the faces of the local missing.
I met Teresa at the 2011 rally stop that she hosted in Fort Pierce (even if she doesn't remember meeting me). At that stop she had the families of Missing Richard Borrack, Missing Dori Ann Myers, and Missing Patrick DiFrancisco, and she had read a letter from the family of Missing Emillie Hoyt. All 4 are still missing. Teresa has told me what an emotional day that was for her, but I remember her strength, resolve and determination. The way she embraced and bolstered those families. She has only grown more so with the passing years. I've watched as she has both supported and encouraged Donajean, and I've watched her dedicate so much to CUE and all missing persons.
Teresa's husband, Nicholas Halliday Jr, went missing in 2010. He was missing for two months before his remains were found in a canal, his death the result of hypothermia. Nick was not a registered CUE case, Teresa came upon CUE afterwards. She strongly believes in media attention which is why she jumped at the chance to host us both back in 2011 and this year. Having a missing person changes you forever no matter if they have been recovered or how long they were missing.
It turned out to be a relaxing, low key evening, which I really needed. Monica had family and friends attend as did I. We got to sit and tell stories, even if Monica couldn't find anything to eat and the waiter totally forgot about Harlan's food. I didn't eat either, but it was more because Janeane and I took turns jumping up to man the CUE table, and pictures needed to be taken. I guess you can't really expect to eat during an event, at Hurricane's we wolfed down the food before the rally started. Otherwise, we usually have dinner after the 7:00 vigils.
Another reason we were relaxed was that Teresa had gotten us rooms right next door, so there was no rushing to drive late into the night and we were able to get a good nights sleep before leaving in the morning for our last Florida stop.
Elisa
Dori's sister, Donajean was at the Lake City vigil the night before (could that really have only been yesterday?) but Dori went missing from around here. I did get to meet some of Donajean's friends who came out to support Dori for her.
Teresa did an amazing job. She got Duffy's to donate 10% of proceeds from patrons who turned in her flyer and she had her daughter's Girl Scout troop stationed at the front door making sure every and any one who entered had the flyer. They were also selling 50/50 tickets. She had a slew of missing persons posters plastered on poles and hanging by clothespins. It was disheartening to me to recognize so many of the faces of the local missing.
I met Teresa at the 2011 rally stop that she hosted in Fort Pierce (even if she doesn't remember meeting me). At that stop she had the families of Missing Richard Borrack, Missing Dori Ann Myers, and Missing Patrick DiFrancisco, and she had read a letter from the family of Missing Emillie Hoyt. All 4 are still missing. Teresa has told me what an emotional day that was for her, but I remember her strength, resolve and determination. The way she embraced and bolstered those families. She has only grown more so with the passing years. I've watched as she has both supported and encouraged Donajean, and I've watched her dedicate so much to CUE and all missing persons.
Teresa's husband, Nicholas Halliday Jr, went missing in 2010. He was missing for two months before his remains were found in a canal, his death the result of hypothermia. Nick was not a registered CUE case, Teresa came upon CUE afterwards. She strongly believes in media attention which is why she jumped at the chance to host us both back in 2011 and this year. Having a missing person changes you forever no matter if they have been recovered or how long they were missing.
It turned out to be a relaxing, low key evening, which I really needed. Monica had family and friends attend as did I. We got to sit and tell stories, even if Monica couldn't find anything to eat and the waiter totally forgot about Harlan's food. I didn't eat either, but it was more because Janeane and I took turns jumping up to man the CUE table, and pictures needed to be taken. I guess you can't really expect to eat during an event, at Hurricane's we wolfed down the food before the rally started. Otherwise, we usually have dinner after the 7:00 vigils.
Another reason we were relaxed was that Teresa had gotten us rooms right next door, so there was no rushing to drive late into the night and we were able to get a good nights sleep before leaving in the morning for our last Florida stop.
Elisa
Naples Florida
Marcia Williams, mother of Missing Terrence Williams hosted the stop (10/9/13 2:30pm) on the corner of 111th and Vanderbilt in Naples, Fl. in honor of Terrance, Missing Felipe Santos and Unsolved Homicide Victim Francisco Cuevas. The location was chosen because it is the place that Terrance was last seen. We spread out onto the four corners of the street with banners, signs, and posters. We also handed out flyers to passing motorists.
Terrance went missing in 2004 at the age of 27. He may have had car trouble, or he was just stopped by Collier County Sherriff's Deputy Corporal Steven Henry Calkins. Terrance could have been cited by Calkins for up to 6 moving violations, from not having a license to an expired registration, yet he received none. Calkins claims he dropped Terrance off at a nearby Circle K store, but there is no evidence to support his claim, and Terrance has not been seen since. Calkins returned to Terrance's vehicle and called it in to ask for a tow in a recorded conversation rife with racist dialect.
Felipe Santos was a 24 year old illegal immigrant when he disappeared in 2003. He was involved in a minor traffic accident when Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Corporal Steven Henry Calkins arrived at the scene, cited Felipe, put him in the back of his patrol car and drove off. When Felipe's boss attempted to bail him out of jail that same day, there was no record of Felipe having being booked. Calkins claims to have changed his mind about the arrest and now says he dropped Felipe at a nearby Circle K. Felipe has not been seen since.
Francisco Cuevas was last seen alive at his business in Pompano Beach, Florida in 2007. He was 47 years old. 5 months later a metal box with partial remains inside was found in Palm Beach Gardens, near where "Franky" had job sites. It took another 2 months before the remains were identified as Franky's. His vehicle was located 5 miles from another job site, with neighbors saying it had been parked there the entire 9 months. Recently, Franky's business partner was arrested and charged with first degree murder and armed kidnapping. Gustavo Enamorado-Dubon is currently being held pending trial. Francisco's family remains committed to locating ALL of his remains.
I had planned on holding a rally stop for Mathew in 2006. When his remains were found, I decided to attend the rally stop in Naples. And that is when I first met Marcia. We bonded pretty quickly. We met again at the 2007 CUE National Conference. Marcia was giving a speech at victim's hour, and Mathew was being honored at the candlelight vigil (meaning I had to give a speech also). Marcia fretted all weekend about her speech, I ignored the fact that I had to give one. We supported one another and both survived. I've watched Marcia as she fights for her son. I know too well that if you do not fight for your child no one will. She has also "adopted" Felipe's family, making sure to include them in everything she does. She has found her voice and uses it well. In fact, last year when I traveled to Naples for a large press conference about Tyler Perry posting a reward she sat poised on the podium and spoke very well (although I know she's still just as nervous).
Margarita Goedeke, Franky's mother is another fighter. We've met before at conferences and I will be attending the vigil she is hosting next month. She will continue until she gets total resolution and justice for her child. Her large family traveled to Naples for the rally and they also have a website Justiceforfranky.com.
Most of Felipe's family is in Mexico, including his wife and daughter. His brother remains here seeking resolution and justice. He filed a complaint against Calkins after Felipe's disappearance but at that time Calkins was quickly cleared of any wrongdoing. He's been to every event I've attended honoring both Terrance and Felipe.
It's taken years and a lot of pressure but Calkins has finally (at least) been fired by the Sherriff's office. He maintains his innocence, once calling his involvement in the 2 cases "coincidence extreme". He has not been charged in either case.
Elisa
Terrance went missing in 2004 at the age of 27. He may have had car trouble, or he was just stopped by Collier County Sherriff's Deputy Corporal Steven Henry Calkins. Terrance could have been cited by Calkins for up to 6 moving violations, from not having a license to an expired registration, yet he received none. Calkins claims he dropped Terrance off at a nearby Circle K store, but there is no evidence to support his claim, and Terrance has not been seen since. Calkins returned to Terrance's vehicle and called it in to ask for a tow in a recorded conversation rife with racist dialect.
Felipe Santos was a 24 year old illegal immigrant when he disappeared in 2003. He was involved in a minor traffic accident when Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Corporal Steven Henry Calkins arrived at the scene, cited Felipe, put him in the back of his patrol car and drove off. When Felipe's boss attempted to bail him out of jail that same day, there was no record of Felipe having being booked. Calkins claims to have changed his mind about the arrest and now says he dropped Felipe at a nearby Circle K. Felipe has not been seen since.
Francisco Cuevas was last seen alive at his business in Pompano Beach, Florida in 2007. He was 47 years old. 5 months later a metal box with partial remains inside was found in Palm Beach Gardens, near where "Franky" had job sites. It took another 2 months before the remains were identified as Franky's. His vehicle was located 5 miles from another job site, with neighbors saying it had been parked there the entire 9 months. Recently, Franky's business partner was arrested and charged with first degree murder and armed kidnapping. Gustavo Enamorado-Dubon is currently being held pending trial. Francisco's family remains committed to locating ALL of his remains.
I had planned on holding a rally stop for Mathew in 2006. When his remains were found, I decided to attend the rally stop in Naples. And that is when I first met Marcia. We bonded pretty quickly. We met again at the 2007 CUE National Conference. Marcia was giving a speech at victim's hour, and Mathew was being honored at the candlelight vigil (meaning I had to give a speech also). Marcia fretted all weekend about her speech, I ignored the fact that I had to give one. We supported one another and both survived. I've watched Marcia as she fights for her son. I know too well that if you do not fight for your child no one will. She has also "adopted" Felipe's family, making sure to include them in everything she does. She has found her voice and uses it well. In fact, last year when I traveled to Naples for a large press conference about Tyler Perry posting a reward she sat poised on the podium and spoke very well (although I know she's still just as nervous).
Margarita Goedeke, Franky's mother is another fighter. We've met before at conferences and I will be attending the vigil she is hosting next month. She will continue until she gets total resolution and justice for her child. Her large family traveled to Naples for the rally and they also have a website Justiceforfranky.com.
Most of Felipe's family is in Mexico, including his wife and daughter. His brother remains here seeking resolution and justice. He filed a complaint against Calkins after Felipe's disappearance but at that time Calkins was quickly cleared of any wrongdoing. He's been to every event I've attended honoring both Terrance and Felipe.
It's taken years and a lot of pressure but Calkins has finally (at least) been fired by the Sherriff's office. He maintains his innocence, once calling his involvement in the 2 cases "coincidence extreme". He has not been charged in either case.
Elisa
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tarpon Springs Florida
Last night, after starting the day in Alabama and doing 3 stops,we drove from Lake City to Tarpon Springs, arriving at close to 2am this morning. To say we are tired today is an understatement. Today's 3 stops in Florida are all families I know well though, and I am excited for the day to begin.
Donna Scharrett, CUE volunteer and best friend of Missing Kelly Rothwell is hosting the rally stop (10/9/13 10am) at Anderson Park. We arrive at a serene waterfront park. As we enter the area there are colorful balloons spaced apart and floating, each one tied to a missing person poster held down by a CUE tote bag with a sprinkling of flower petals. Kelly's banner is hanging, her poster board is on display, photo albums are out and flowers are arranged on a green tarp with votive candles. I'm finding this stop to be very calming and peaceful. I know just about everyone here, it starts out as a small intimate group but grows as people continue to arrive. Joe Cannon, Louisiana State CUE Coordinator, and his wife have been trailing the tour for a number of stops now. Joe got to see first hand how different the stops are and I know he has learned a lot. Florida State Outreach Coordinator Kelly Osborn is also here along with Christi Henthorn, sister of CUE Volunteer Stephanie White (and winner of the laptop at the Grand Finale).
Originally there wasn't any press present, but after some last minute phone calls, we were asked to wait. This put us way behind in our schedule but it's the most important aspect of the tour so wait we did.
Kelly Rothwell was 35 and a police cadet days away from becoming an officer when she went missing from Clearwater in 2011. She was in the midst of leaving her boyfriend, David Perry, a retired corrections officer. Donna and Kelly had lunch that day and then Kelly left for the condo she shared with David in order to end their relationship. She didn't show for a planned get together that evening and has not been seen or heard from since. Donna reported her missing the following morning and Kelly's car was found later that day two miles from her home. Detectives later discovered that David had left and driven to NY. He has refused to be interviewed and has since been named a suspect in Kelly's disappearance. David Perry has also recently been convicted in NY on charges of Grand Larceny and Insurance Fraud, stemming from faking an injury and defrauding the NY retirement disability system of more than $100,000. As of today he is incarcerated in NY.
I first heard of Kelly's case at the 2011 National Conference that was held just a few weeks after she had gone missing. I then met Donna on the 2011 RTRT. Her rally stop that year in Tampa was my first butterfly release and flower toss. I remember it was a fresh case back then, and I had hoped Kelly would be found sooner rather than later, so Donna wouldn't have to adjust to this life so many of us lead. The last time I was here was on a search for Kelly held over New Years weekend 2012. Monica asked me to be Donna's victim advocate and we spent a lot of time together. I can honestly say that she helped me as much or more than I hope I helped her.
That weekend Ellen Friel came out with some of her friends and family to help search. Ellen did not know Kelly or Donna, she told me that she had read about the case and tried to make it to an event in December. When that didn't happen, she friended Donna on Facebook and vowed to be at the next event. She ended up searching, getting food donated for lunch and becoming a volunteer. Since that time I've watched Ellen and Donna's relationship grow. It seems to me that Ellen has helped fill the void in Donna's life left by Kelly's absence, and I am thankful to her for that.
Looking at the sea of balloons I ask Donna about them. She tells me that there is one balloon for every CUE registered case in Florida. There are 48 balloons. Monica asks everyone to stand by a balloon and we get some truly moving pictures. Then we gather up the flowers and walk to the water. I'm busy taking pictures as the group tosses them in. I start to tear up as memories of Matt come flooding into my brain. I often toss flowers into the canal where Mathew lost his life and am reminded of that. I think I've pulled myself together as I go to give Donna a hug. I was wrong and I burst into tears as Donna comforts me. I'm thinking this is not how it should be, I'm supposed to be comforting her, but somehow it all seems right. As we are leaving I speak with Monica about what happened and it all made perfect sense the way she explained that to me. I had relaxed and let my guard down in this peaceful place among friends and that allowed my emotions surface.
Elisa
Donna Scharrett, CUE volunteer and best friend of Missing Kelly Rothwell is hosting the rally stop (10/9/13 10am) at Anderson Park. We arrive at a serene waterfront park. As we enter the area there are colorful balloons spaced apart and floating, each one tied to a missing person poster held down by a CUE tote bag with a sprinkling of flower petals. Kelly's banner is hanging, her poster board is on display, photo albums are out and flowers are arranged on a green tarp with votive candles. I'm finding this stop to be very calming and peaceful. I know just about everyone here, it starts out as a small intimate group but grows as people continue to arrive. Joe Cannon, Louisiana State CUE Coordinator, and his wife have been trailing the tour for a number of stops now. Joe got to see first hand how different the stops are and I know he has learned a lot. Florida State Outreach Coordinator Kelly Osborn is also here along with Christi Henthorn, sister of CUE Volunteer Stephanie White (and winner of the laptop at the Grand Finale).
Originally there wasn't any press present, but after some last minute phone calls, we were asked to wait. This put us way behind in our schedule but it's the most important aspect of the tour so wait we did.
Kelly Rothwell was 35 and a police cadet days away from becoming an officer when she went missing from Clearwater in 2011. She was in the midst of leaving her boyfriend, David Perry, a retired corrections officer. Donna and Kelly had lunch that day and then Kelly left for the condo she shared with David in order to end their relationship. She didn't show for a planned get together that evening and has not been seen or heard from since. Donna reported her missing the following morning and Kelly's car was found later that day two miles from her home. Detectives later discovered that David had left and driven to NY. He has refused to be interviewed and has since been named a suspect in Kelly's disappearance. David Perry has also recently been convicted in NY on charges of Grand Larceny and Insurance Fraud, stemming from faking an injury and defrauding the NY retirement disability system of more than $100,000. As of today he is incarcerated in NY.
I first heard of Kelly's case at the 2011 National Conference that was held just a few weeks after she had gone missing. I then met Donna on the 2011 RTRT. Her rally stop that year in Tampa was my first butterfly release and flower toss. I remember it was a fresh case back then, and I had hoped Kelly would be found sooner rather than later, so Donna wouldn't have to adjust to this life so many of us lead. The last time I was here was on a search for Kelly held over New Years weekend 2012. Monica asked me to be Donna's victim advocate and we spent a lot of time together. I can honestly say that she helped me as much or more than I hope I helped her.
That weekend Ellen Friel came out with some of her friends and family to help search. Ellen did not know Kelly or Donna, she told me that she had read about the case and tried to make it to an event in December. When that didn't happen, she friended Donna on Facebook and vowed to be at the next event. She ended up searching, getting food donated for lunch and becoming a volunteer. Since that time I've watched Ellen and Donna's relationship grow. It seems to me that Ellen has helped fill the void in Donna's life left by Kelly's absence, and I am thankful to her for that.
Looking at the sea of balloons I ask Donna about them. She tells me that there is one balloon for every CUE registered case in Florida. There are 48 balloons. Monica asks everyone to stand by a balloon and we get some truly moving pictures. Then we gather up the flowers and walk to the water. I'm busy taking pictures as the group tosses them in. I start to tear up as memories of Matt come flooding into my brain. I often toss flowers into the canal where Mathew lost his life and am reminded of that. I think I've pulled myself together as I go to give Donna a hug. I was wrong and I burst into tears as Donna comforts me. I'm thinking this is not how it should be, I'm supposed to be comforting her, but somehow it all seems right. As we are leaving I speak with Monica about what happened and it all made perfect sense the way she explained that to me. I had relaxed and let my guard down in this peaceful place among friends and that allowed my emotions surface.
Elisa
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Lake City Fl
The third stop of this really long day brought us to a Home Depot parking lot (10/8/13 7pm), where we could see a semi truck with two rows of missing persons flyers hanging from a clothesline, with an open space in the middle left for our RTRT banner. We saw tents set up to shield us all from the hot sun and a table already set out for our use. Our official host is Stefani Mitchell, mother of Missing Kamrie Mitchell, and unofficially co-hosted (or helped) by Donajean Kapp, sister of Missing Dori Ann Myers.
Kamrie Mitchell was a 24 year old mother of a little girl when she was last seen at her father's home on August 25, 2012. Earlier that same day a police report had been generated by victims in the house, who told deputies that Andrelo Witcher had entered with a firearm and made verbal threats towards them. No one saw Kamrie leave the home that night or had any idea where she might be going. She has not been seen or heard from since. Her car was found a few days later submerged in floodwaters with both her purse and her cellphone inside. Witcher was booked a few weeks later on charges of burglary while armed and possession of a weapon by a felon, as well as failing to comply with his sex offender registration. He is currently serving a 5 year sentence for the burglary. Witcher is also connected to another missing woman's case, Heather MacCrossen, a former girlfriend of his who was last heard from in 2007. She also remains missing and investigators consider Witcher a possible suspect in both Heather and Kamrie's cases.
Dori Ann Myers disappeared in 2006 at the age of 43 from Ft Pierce, Florida. She was last seen in the company of 2 unidentified men whom she believed to be Marines wounded in Iraq. Neighbors report hearing loud voices coming from her home after which it was intentionally set on fire killing both her dog and her cat. Her car was seen leaving her home and was later found 80 miles away. It had also been burned. Dori has not been seen or heard from since and her bank account and credit cards remained untouched until her family had her declared legally dead to benefit her only living child. Investigators have concluded that she was abducted by the 2 men who were with her that night and they remain prime suspects in her case.
Kamrie's family seemed to all be at the stop. There were so many little ones including her daughter. I watched a video of her and perused through family photo albums. I spoke with many of her family including her sister Kershta. Stefani was able to hold it together while speaking to the crowd, her granddaughter clinging to her side. She had hundreds of balloons and sky lanterns that she wanted to release. The number concerned me but she explained that she had one for every day that her daughter had been missing. We convinced her that setting off that many sky lanterns was not a good idea since we had run into trouble on last year's tour in a Walmart field. Even though we knew there were too many balloons, every one present wrote notes on them and then we released them all.
Dori's sister Donajean is a CUE volunteer and a close personal friend of mine who has helped me through many an anniversary or just a bad day. Dori went missing around the same time as Mathew and from my neck of the woods making her special to me. Donajean does a lot of the graphics for both the road tour and the conference. Little by little I've watched as she progresses. It's a long road and so difficult when there's no resolution. She does better out of the limelight but is working on finding her voice. I read a poem she wrote to Dori titled For My Lil Sis. "You were my Lil-Tag-A-Long but I didn't mind There was a big world out there we had to find.. Our lives were hard but we played the hands we were dealt wondering if anyone knew just how we felt Years of sacrifice Just trying to belong.. then before I knew it, you were gone. No more the responsibility of watching over you.. The real world has come into view. How I yearn for your sometimes annoying ways and to bring back our happiest days.. You looked up to me I never understood why Your faith in me makes me cry.. My heart is breaking always aching, for my lil tag-a-long Your disappearance is just so wrong.. I wait impatiently for news of your whereabouts, always nervous and full of doubts.. I Pray, I Cry, I Scream!! I wish this was all a dream I'm so full of anger and rage, my feelings are hard to gage. Please come home Lil Sis so many things we have yet to see Please come Tag-A-Long with me.."
I wish they could both come home. Most of all I wish for the answers these families so desperately need.
Elisa
Kamrie Mitchell was a 24 year old mother of a little girl when she was last seen at her father's home on August 25, 2012. Earlier that same day a police report had been generated by victims in the house, who told deputies that Andrelo Witcher had entered with a firearm and made verbal threats towards them. No one saw Kamrie leave the home that night or had any idea where she might be going. She has not been seen or heard from since. Her car was found a few days later submerged in floodwaters with both her purse and her cellphone inside. Witcher was booked a few weeks later on charges of burglary while armed and possession of a weapon by a felon, as well as failing to comply with his sex offender registration. He is currently serving a 5 year sentence for the burglary. Witcher is also connected to another missing woman's case, Heather MacCrossen, a former girlfriend of his who was last heard from in 2007. She also remains missing and investigators consider Witcher a possible suspect in both Heather and Kamrie's cases.
Dori Ann Myers disappeared in 2006 at the age of 43 from Ft Pierce, Florida. She was last seen in the company of 2 unidentified men whom she believed to be Marines wounded in Iraq. Neighbors report hearing loud voices coming from her home after which it was intentionally set on fire killing both her dog and her cat. Her car was seen leaving her home and was later found 80 miles away. It had also been burned. Dori has not been seen or heard from since and her bank account and credit cards remained untouched until her family had her declared legally dead to benefit her only living child. Investigators have concluded that she was abducted by the 2 men who were with her that night and they remain prime suspects in her case.
Kamrie's family seemed to all be at the stop. There were so many little ones including her daughter. I watched a video of her and perused through family photo albums. I spoke with many of her family including her sister Kershta. Stefani was able to hold it together while speaking to the crowd, her granddaughter clinging to her side. She had hundreds of balloons and sky lanterns that she wanted to release. The number concerned me but she explained that she had one for every day that her daughter had been missing. We convinced her that setting off that many sky lanterns was not a good idea since we had run into trouble on last year's tour in a Walmart field. Even though we knew there were too many balloons, every one present wrote notes on them and then we released them all.
Dori's sister Donajean is a CUE volunteer and a close personal friend of mine who has helped me through many an anniversary or just a bad day. Dori went missing around the same time as Mathew and from my neck of the woods making her special to me. Donajean does a lot of the graphics for both the road tour and the conference. Little by little I've watched as she progresses. It's a long road and so difficult when there's no resolution. She does better out of the limelight but is working on finding her voice. I read a poem she wrote to Dori titled For My Lil Sis. "You were my Lil-Tag-A-Long but I didn't mind There was a big world out there we had to find.. Our lives were hard but we played the hands we were dealt wondering if anyone knew just how we felt Years of sacrifice Just trying to belong.. then before I knew it, you were gone. No more the responsibility of watching over you.. The real world has come into view. How I yearn for your sometimes annoying ways and to bring back our happiest days.. You looked up to me I never understood why Your faith in me makes me cry.. My heart is breaking always aching, for my lil tag-a-long Your disappearance is just so wrong.. I wait impatiently for news of your whereabouts, always nervous and full of doubts.. I Pray, I Cry, I Scream!! I wish this was all a dream I'm so full of anger and rage, my feelings are hard to gage. Please come home Lil Sis so many things we have yet to see Please come Tag-A-Long with me.."
I wish they could both come home. Most of all I wish for the answers these families so desperately need.
Elisa
Tallahassee Fl
We survived another time change and even though this one worked against us and was a bit nerve racking, we still managed to arrived early. We have reached Florida! The next two days are going to be a whirlwind as we crisscross the state with 3 stops a day.
CUE volunteer Stephanie White was our host at Hurricane Grill and Wings in Tallahassee (10/8/13 3pm) in honor of Missing Jerry Michael Williams and Missing Pamela Biggers. Stephanie outdid herself with her attention to all the details. She had sponsors, a program, items to raffle off, and also served food at the stop.
The program began with Stephanie introducing CUE Florida State Outreach Coordinator Kelly Walker. Kelly told us about Pam Biggers, who was 52 years old when she went missing from Panama City Beach in 2008. She was there traveling on business from Alabama, and was last seen entering her motel room for the night at 7pm. Her car was found in the parking lot, and her cell phone and purse were found in her room. It is possible that she became disoriented and wandered away. Although she has no prior history of either memory loss or of going missing, she was acting strangely on the day of her disappearance. Her son was about to be deployed to Afghanistan, causing her to be stressed and she may have gone off to try to find him. Foul play is not suspected but due to her mental condition there is grave concern for her safety. I can't help but think she COULD be alive, she could be homeless and unaware that she is a missing person!
Next up was Cheryl Williams, "Mike's" mom. Mike went missing in 2000 at the age of 31. He was last seen leaving his home in Tallahassee to go duck hunting at Lake Seminole, which was not something he normally did alone. His vehicle was discovered, (not parked at his usual location), and his boat was found in the lake running (though it should have been out of gas by then). Mike has not been seen or heard from since. His mom lamented how it took her three and a half years to get a criminal investigation started and by then the potential crime scene had been contaminated with evidence being both lost and destroyed. You see, law enforcement initially believed that he had accidentally drowned, even though searches never located him and 6 months after the alleged drowning (and days before his wife had him legally declared dead and collected 1.5 million in life insurance) some of his personal effects were found in areas previously searched. Law enforcement believes these items were planted after the searches had been conducted. Police NOW believe Mike is missing under suspicious circumstances and possibly met with foul play. I will never understand why Law Enforcement refuses to take the opinions of family more seriously. We are the ones who know what is normal for our loved ones, we are the ones who feel it in our hearts, and in our guts. Even if we have no "proof", we still have information that would benefit the police if they would JUST listen to us.
The rally ended with a family friend of the Williams reciting this; "A butterfly lights besides us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment, it's glory and beauty belong to our world. But, then it flies on again, and although we wish it could have stayed, we feel blessed to have seen it". We then released butterflies and watched as they became aware of their surroundings and flew up and away. It turned out beautifully.
Elisa
CUE volunteer Stephanie White was our host at Hurricane Grill and Wings in Tallahassee (10/8/13 3pm) in honor of Missing Jerry Michael Williams and Missing Pamela Biggers. Stephanie outdid herself with her attention to all the details. She had sponsors, a program, items to raffle off, and also served food at the stop.
The program began with Stephanie introducing CUE Florida State Outreach Coordinator Kelly Walker. Kelly told us about Pam Biggers, who was 52 years old when she went missing from Panama City Beach in 2008. She was there traveling on business from Alabama, and was last seen entering her motel room for the night at 7pm. Her car was found in the parking lot, and her cell phone and purse were found in her room. It is possible that she became disoriented and wandered away. Although she has no prior history of either memory loss or of going missing, she was acting strangely on the day of her disappearance. Her son was about to be deployed to Afghanistan, causing her to be stressed and she may have gone off to try to find him. Foul play is not suspected but due to her mental condition there is grave concern for her safety. I can't help but think she COULD be alive, she could be homeless and unaware that she is a missing person!
Next up was Cheryl Williams, "Mike's" mom. Mike went missing in 2000 at the age of 31. He was last seen leaving his home in Tallahassee to go duck hunting at Lake Seminole, which was not something he normally did alone. His vehicle was discovered, (not parked at his usual location), and his boat was found in the lake running (though it should have been out of gas by then). Mike has not been seen or heard from since. His mom lamented how it took her three and a half years to get a criminal investigation started and by then the potential crime scene had been contaminated with evidence being both lost and destroyed. You see, law enforcement initially believed that he had accidentally drowned, even though searches never located him and 6 months after the alleged drowning (and days before his wife had him legally declared dead and collected 1.5 million in life insurance) some of his personal effects were found in areas previously searched. Law enforcement believes these items were planted after the searches had been conducted. Police NOW believe Mike is missing under suspicious circumstances and possibly met with foul play. I will never understand why Law Enforcement refuses to take the opinions of family more seriously. We are the ones who know what is normal for our loved ones, we are the ones who feel it in our hearts, and in our guts. Even if we have no "proof", we still have information that would benefit the police if they would JUST listen to us.
The rally ended with a family friend of the Williams reciting this; "A butterfly lights besides us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment, it's glory and beauty belong to our world. But, then it flies on again, and although we wish it could have stayed, we feel blessed to have seen it". We then released butterflies and watched as they became aware of their surroundings and flew up and away. It turned out beautifully.
Elisa
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Rally Stop Spartanburg, South Carolina
The stop for Evelyn Shelton is well put together, ever little detail in place, speakers all lined up and a program set to honor the missing and aid in the promotion of the tour effort; the vocal performances were more than up lifting. The sun was bright and it appeared to shine on the event with pride. The speak for life foundation is new but was formed in honor of Evelyn and to aid families in their spiritual needs when enduring a missing loved one. They were very gracious host during our time visiting.
You see many families do step up and try to help in so many different ways when they see the many unresolved issue concerning missing persons, most come back and aid those who helped them weather it be by getting trained to search or advocate, some may even help by raising needed funds for organization to continue their mission. The family of Evelyn's approach is more local to their area but attempting to comfort a need they feel is important to survive. All efforts to help in any form is much needed. I look forward to seeing growth in this new organization.
I sit back and reflect on the missing during different songs, although each case has it's own story on how the person vanished, sadly most have no ending, with no ending it creates long term needs which ultimately increases the demand of long term care for families who are left to suffer. I think this is the part that no one ever gets or really can see unless they are on the ground floor working with families.
I wish silently that this could be captured in a larger way to reach in communities abroad to obtain a greater understanding. You see everyone wants a happy ending or at least an ending, then they feel they can help in some way, but with the missing that journey can be long, most are not willing to commit to that, people want a quick resolve. I find myself getting angry so I re focus on the task at hand, this stop and the message of those we are trying to promote on this year's tour.
I leave feeling more has to be done but with a renewed hope for the cause that this group will be up for the task ahead. I know I will add them to my prayers in their mission and their loved one who is still missing.
Monica Caison LYMI
Friday, October 11, 2013
Dothan, Alabama
Ashley Solomon and Amanda (Mandy) Morrow hosted the rally stop (10/8/13 10am) in a ballroom at the Clarion hotel. They had invited us to dinner the night before, but we knew we wouldn't arrive early enough, so they insisted on bringing dessert (delicious cookies) to us at the hotel when we arrived. They had gotten us rooms at the hotel and it was really nice not to have to drive anywhere in the morning.
Their grandfather, whom they call Papa, Missing James Aaron Toole (Aaron) went missing in 1995 at the age of 72. He said he was going to drive to Florida to visit a sibling for a few days. He never made it there and is still missing along with the car he was driving. The girls both saw him on that last day. He had met Ashley at the bus stop and Mandy,who had just started driving, came to his home to get her sister. He made a point of telling Mandy to make sure to not leave Ashley the following day at the bus, because he wasn't going to be there, and he didn't want her left alone.
The ballroom was decorated with love. A table with family photos, banners, and a large board with Alabama's missing. They also has a table set up with information on another missing, Shanna Peoples. The board they had set up had the state of Alabama made up of twine in the middle, with their Papa's photo in the lower right hand corner of the state. All around the state were cards with the photos and information on other Alabama missing cases. They had Thank You cards printed up with his picture and information attached to a packet of Forget-me-not seeds. They told us Aaron loved to garden. On the cards was written "If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever".
Ashley emceed the event. A Lieutenant was there from the Geneva Police Department to speak on behalf of Missing Shanna McKee Peoples, who was 19 when she went missing on September 8, 2011. Shanna is considered at risk due to her vulnerability as a developmentally challenged young woman. The Houston County Sheriff said he believes the not knowing endured by the families of the missing is worse than the suffering families of homicide victims experience. The lead investigator then told us what has been happening in Mr Toole's case.
Ashley read a letter from Aaron's only remaining sister, Irene, who was unable to travel to the stop, and then introduced her sister. Mandy held strong through her speech about her Papa. She told me she had practiced many times until she could get through it without breaking down. She did a wonderful job making us all feel as though we knew him. She told us that when she was growing up he was her favorite person in the whole wide world and her best friend. That "He taught me how to love so much it hurt".
After Monica spoke and everyone signed the banner we went outside for a balloon release and the necessary media interviews. We need to get going as we are headed to Florida and we have another dreaded time change to deal with.
This is a fairly recent CUE case and I really hope that we are able to do more to help this family find Aaron. I spoke with many of his family members and know that even though it's been almost 20 years they will never give up in their quest for resolution.
Elisa
Their grandfather, whom they call Papa, Missing James Aaron Toole (Aaron) went missing in 1995 at the age of 72. He said he was going to drive to Florida to visit a sibling for a few days. He never made it there and is still missing along with the car he was driving. The girls both saw him on that last day. He had met Ashley at the bus stop and Mandy,who had just started driving, came to his home to get her sister. He made a point of telling Mandy to make sure to not leave Ashley the following day at the bus, because he wasn't going to be there, and he didn't want her left alone.
The ballroom was decorated with love. A table with family photos, banners, and a large board with Alabama's missing. They also has a table set up with information on another missing, Shanna Peoples. The board they had set up had the state of Alabama made up of twine in the middle, with their Papa's photo in the lower right hand corner of the state. All around the state were cards with the photos and information on other Alabama missing cases. They had Thank You cards printed up with his picture and information attached to a packet of Forget-me-not seeds. They told us Aaron loved to garden. On the cards was written "If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever".
Ashley emceed the event. A Lieutenant was there from the Geneva Police Department to speak on behalf of Missing Shanna McKee Peoples, who was 19 when she went missing on September 8, 2011. Shanna is considered at risk due to her vulnerability as a developmentally challenged young woman. The Houston County Sheriff said he believes the not knowing endured by the families of the missing is worse than the suffering families of homicide victims experience. The lead investigator then told us what has been happening in Mr Toole's case.
Ashley read a letter from Aaron's only remaining sister, Irene, who was unable to travel to the stop, and then introduced her sister. Mandy held strong through her speech about her Papa. She told me she had practiced many times until she could get through it without breaking down. She did a wonderful job making us all feel as though we knew him. She told us that when she was growing up he was her favorite person in the whole wide world and her best friend. That "He taught me how to love so much it hurt".
After Monica spoke and everyone signed the banner we went outside for a balloon release and the necessary media interviews. We need to get going as we are headed to Florida and we have another dreaded time change to deal with.
This is a fairly recent CUE case and I really hope that we are able to do more to help this family find Aaron. I spoke with many of his family members and know that even though it's been almost 20 years they will never give up in their quest for resolution.
Elisa
Rally Stop Concord, NC
It's early, the roads are calm when we arrive to the stop for Crystal Morrison, their awaits her law officials and her family, as we drive in I think of her, her life and son the most. It's a clear day and the reality sets in of the loss we have felt so far from the prior stops, it becomes heavy for a moment. We are greeted in full force and the mood is up lifting. We fall right into the program set by the family and wrapping up with pictures and feeling accomplished in our quest.
We are still searching for her, matter of fact I leave knowing CUE is coming back in two weeks so you feel different because everyone knows we will be back together very soon. It's not like the last few stops when the families are requesting you to get back and search again or are sad because they know you just came and it might be while before its their turn again. That is the main thing that bothers me the most as a searcher and an advocate for the missing, to know that you cannot be everywhere all the time and search every single day for those lost, which brings comfort to those left behind suffering. I pray for more help, more organizations that will do more, we need more help on the ground, real help!
So now here we have a mother who is lost from her son, a daughter from her father, a sister and the list goes on and on just with one family unit. I find myself wondering with the thousands of people that missing people touch each day how can it not be more than the silent crisis it is?
Monica Caison LYMI
Bay St. Louis Mississippi
Detective John Luther hosted our rally stop at the Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Bay St. Louis.,Mississippi (10/7/13 3:30pm) in honor of Missing Floyd Price, an 80 year old gentleman who disappeared after being dropped off at his home in 2004.
Mr Louis was in good mental health at that time and all of his belongings, including both of his cars were found at his home that showed no signs of a struggle. He had written 2 checks totaling $3000 to the same person earlier that day. It is unknown whether these transactions had anything to do with his disappearance but a suspect has been identified, and although there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, it is believed that he met with foul play.
The rally stop was held inside the Sheriff's office with multiple law enforcement (including the Sheriff) and 3 or 4 members of the press there to cover it. No family members were able to attend, CUE's contact person, Floyd's granddaughter, lives across the country in Colorado. We do not need family to physically be there for either rally stops or searches. This is something that needs to be stressed more. We can and do get coverage whether they can make it or not. CUE supports all of our missing cases. Obviously families want to attend, and we do need someone to host the stop. Sometimes it is a CUE state coordinator or volunteer, in this case, the investigators on the case stepped up.
Floyd's case hit a roadblock back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina came through and his case file was destroyed. In 2008, a 78 year old man was held for ransom and found dead in a wooded area in Gulfport. John Neicase was on trial for his capital murder in 2010 when he took his own life. There are many similarities between this case and Mr Price's, and the investigators who spoke today stressed their belief that Floyd most lively fell victim to Mr Neicase.
It may be helpful knowing who is responsible because there can be no resolution without Floyd. His family needs to find him. Law enforcement believes he may be on the same property in Gulfport where the other older gentleman was found. It is a very large piece of property that was owned by the Neicase family.
Elisa
The following morning when Floyd's story ran in the media Monica received a phone call from one of Mr Price's brothers who it turns out doesn't live very far away. He was very distraught to open the paper and see all that had occurred to honor his father without him being present. Maybe there is a rift in this family. CUE became involved in this case about 5 years ago and didn't know about him (although I bet law enforcement did, and they certainly could have let him know what was going on). Hopefully he can provide us with some new facts and can become a local liaison.
Mr Louis was in good mental health at that time and all of his belongings, including both of his cars were found at his home that showed no signs of a struggle. He had written 2 checks totaling $3000 to the same person earlier that day. It is unknown whether these transactions had anything to do with his disappearance but a suspect has been identified, and although there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, it is believed that he met with foul play.
The rally stop was held inside the Sheriff's office with multiple law enforcement (including the Sheriff) and 3 or 4 members of the press there to cover it. No family members were able to attend, CUE's contact person, Floyd's granddaughter, lives across the country in Colorado. We do not need family to physically be there for either rally stops or searches. This is something that needs to be stressed more. We can and do get coverage whether they can make it or not. CUE supports all of our missing cases. Obviously families want to attend, and we do need someone to host the stop. Sometimes it is a CUE state coordinator or volunteer, in this case, the investigators on the case stepped up.
Floyd's case hit a roadblock back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina came through and his case file was destroyed. In 2008, a 78 year old man was held for ransom and found dead in a wooded area in Gulfport. John Neicase was on trial for his capital murder in 2010 when he took his own life. There are many similarities between this case and Mr Price's, and the investigators who spoke today stressed their belief that Floyd most lively fell victim to Mr Neicase.
It may be helpful knowing who is responsible because there can be no resolution without Floyd. His family needs to find him. Law enforcement believes he may be on the same property in Gulfport where the other older gentleman was found. It is a very large piece of property that was owned by the Neicase family.
Elisa
The following morning when Floyd's story ran in the media Monica received a phone call from one of Mr Price's brothers who it turns out doesn't live very far away. He was very distraught to open the paper and see all that had occurred to honor his father without him being present. Maybe there is a rift in this family. CUE became involved in this case about 5 years ago and didn't know about him (although I bet law enforcement did, and they certainly could have let him know what was going on). Hopefully he can provide us with some new facts and can become a local liaison.
Montgomery Alabama
As we pull into Riverfront Park in Montgomery Alabama I pull out my itinerary ( which is odd, once we put the address into the GPS I don't usually recheck it) and read the directions to go through the tunnel under the big Riverfront Park sign and then turn left to the Gazebo. We see the big sign over a tunnel but there's no way to drive it. So we do a circle (or two) around the area and realize we are going to have to walk it. The parking is city metered (quarters anyone?), and now we are late. What to bring? It's pretty far and we have so much stuff. Some quick decisions are made and we are off on foot.
Tillis James is hosting this stop (10/6/13 1:30pm) in honor of her son, Missing George James. We find Tillis waiting for us at the bottom of the tunnel. There's already press there and she's so excited for our arrival. She escorts us to the gazebo on the water. It's a beautiful location. It begins to rain and we hurry to get under cover. Tillis' husband, son and granddaughter are there. They have plastered missing person posters onto the poles and as I begin photographing I see a handwritten note on George's, "KNOW THIS GEORGE: Mama is coming for you, no matter how long nor how far, I will bring you home. love, Mama". My heart begins to ache for her, next month it will be 15 years.
George James was 21 years old when he left home after an argument with his mother in 1998. He allegedly had a large sum of money on him and possibly plans to move to Mobile or Florida to find work and start life over. Later that day his broken down car was found about 80 miles away, and the last sighting of him is nearby at a telephone booth in a convenience store. He has neither been seen or heard from since. He is considered a probable homicide victim.
I listen as George's father tells an interviewer that whoever picked up his son was likely the last person to see him alive. He says that not knowing what happened to his son is something tragic that they have lived through every day since George's disappearance. He is "pretty sure" his son is no longer living but his body has never been found. Tillis tried her best not to cry through her interviews vowing to spend the rest of her life searching for her son. I watched her search for the words to express her feelings, to get people to understand what it's like to be the mother of a missing son.
There were 3 or 4 different media people there, which I found wonderful for such an old case. They did not have any other people there. When they tried to apologize we were quick to tell them having all that press was far more important. When the rain started, the gazebo filled with people from the park seeking shelter. Tillis said "George sent the rain so the pictures would show lots of people".
They all signed the banner and this is what Tillis' granddaughter (George's niece) wrote, "We all LOVE you George! I wish I could have met you! Annie James". She's probably 12, another generation affected. Something you see way too often. As I talk with Tillis, telling her a little about Matt's story, about how I truly understand what she's going through I realize that all of us helping Monica on the tour this year; Janeane, Harlen and I have had missing young men. It was a strange awakening, and as I shared it with her I could see it helped her to know we had all been there too.
Elisa
After George's story ran the next day in the news Monica received a phone call from a woman who said that she knew George. Her son was murdered and George had given a statement to the police days before his disappearance. Monica will probably explain it better if she blogs about it but this may be new information received some 14 years later because of the RTRT. The reason we go on this trip every year.
Elisa
Tillis James is hosting this stop (10/6/13 1:30pm) in honor of her son, Missing George James. We find Tillis waiting for us at the bottom of the tunnel. There's already press there and she's so excited for our arrival. She escorts us to the gazebo on the water. It's a beautiful location. It begins to rain and we hurry to get under cover. Tillis' husband, son and granddaughter are there. They have plastered missing person posters onto the poles and as I begin photographing I see a handwritten note on George's, "KNOW THIS GEORGE: Mama is coming for you, no matter how long nor how far, I will bring you home. love, Mama". My heart begins to ache for her, next month it will be 15 years.
George James was 21 years old when he left home after an argument with his mother in 1998. He allegedly had a large sum of money on him and possibly plans to move to Mobile or Florida to find work and start life over. Later that day his broken down car was found about 80 miles away, and the last sighting of him is nearby at a telephone booth in a convenience store. He has neither been seen or heard from since. He is considered a probable homicide victim.
I listen as George's father tells an interviewer that whoever picked up his son was likely the last person to see him alive. He says that not knowing what happened to his son is something tragic that they have lived through every day since George's disappearance. He is "pretty sure" his son is no longer living but his body has never been found. Tillis tried her best not to cry through her interviews vowing to spend the rest of her life searching for her son. I watched her search for the words to express her feelings, to get people to understand what it's like to be the mother of a missing son.
There were 3 or 4 different media people there, which I found wonderful for such an old case. They did not have any other people there. When they tried to apologize we were quick to tell them having all that press was far more important. When the rain started, the gazebo filled with people from the park seeking shelter. Tillis said "George sent the rain so the pictures would show lots of people".
They all signed the banner and this is what Tillis' granddaughter (George's niece) wrote, "We all LOVE you George! I wish I could have met you! Annie James". She's probably 12, another generation affected. Something you see way too often. As I talk with Tillis, telling her a little about Matt's story, about how I truly understand what she's going through I realize that all of us helping Monica on the tour this year; Janeane, Harlen and I have had missing young men. It was a strange awakening, and as I shared it with her I could see it helped her to know we had all been there too.
Elisa
After George's story ran the next day in the news Monica received a phone call from a woman who said that she knew George. Her son was murdered and George had given a statement to the police days before his disappearance. Monica will probably explain it better if she blogs about it but this may be new information received some 14 years later because of the RTRT. The reason we go on this trip every year.
Elisa
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Acworth, Ga
Sherron Lankester hosted the Acworth Georgia stop (10/5/13 7pm) at the New Hope Baptist Church in honor of her son, Miising Stephen (Steve) Lankester-Cox and Missing Deborah Lee Crawford.
Steve was 38 years old when he went missing from his mother's home in 2004. He had received a phone call and was overheard saying that someone was pulling into the driveway. He told his mother he was going to the store and would be right back. He went off with the unknown driver and was never seen or heard from again. 6 weeks later, one of the boots that he was wearing that night was found in a wooded area nearby. Authorities believe that his disappearance is the result of foul play. Information uncovered has lead law enforcement to believe he was planning a robbery for that evening and that he was killed during that robbery attempt or shortly afterwards.
Sherron is already talking about what she is going to do next November for the 10 year anniversary of his disappearance. When someone goes missing you think you cannot stand one more day, than one more week, or one more month. She's at the point where she's planning the 10 year anniversary over a year in advance. Every time she hosts an event, whether it's some kind of anniversary or vigil, or the RTRT the persons responsible for her son's having gone missing try to intimidate her. This time she arrived with a bandaged leg from a cut she sustained after falling in her home. You see, someone took Steve's memorial rock and threw it through her front window. She fell while cleaning up the broken glass.
Deborah Lee Crawford, 42, was last seen on August 19, 2013. She may have been dropped off at a KMart and she may have been picked up from there by a male. The reason I'm writing it this way is that the woman who supposedly dropped her off has changed her story so many times that she was arrested for obstruction of justice. While the police sort through her case the family struggles for answers.
Deborah has only been missing for 6 weeks, and it's been a CUE case less than a month. When trying to find information online all I found in the press were short blurbs. There doesn't seem to be any interest in her story. I just can't understand that, someone may have seen her. If you cannot get the information out you will never know. It needs publicity, now, while memories are still fresh. To compound the difficulties her family is in Ohio. They came in for the stop, glad to be added on at the last minute and thankful to the Lankester family for including them.
As we arrived at the church they were all out in the street distributing flyers to the passing motorists. Her son, Floyd, who looked to me to be late teens to early twenties is the only one in the area. He was so excited to see us, actually, the whole family was. They want a search. I don't think there has been one yet, and they are willing to do whatever is necessary. They asked many good questions, and listened intently to the answers, soaking up all the knowledge that they could in the short time that we were there. As we leave I know that they're going to need a lot of help and I know CUE will do all that they can.
Elisa
Steve was 38 years old when he went missing from his mother's home in 2004. He had received a phone call and was overheard saying that someone was pulling into the driveway. He told his mother he was going to the store and would be right back. He went off with the unknown driver and was never seen or heard from again. 6 weeks later, one of the boots that he was wearing that night was found in a wooded area nearby. Authorities believe that his disappearance is the result of foul play. Information uncovered has lead law enforcement to believe he was planning a robbery for that evening and that he was killed during that robbery attempt or shortly afterwards.
Sherron is already talking about what she is going to do next November for the 10 year anniversary of his disappearance. When someone goes missing you think you cannot stand one more day, than one more week, or one more month. She's at the point where she's planning the 10 year anniversary over a year in advance. Every time she hosts an event, whether it's some kind of anniversary or vigil, or the RTRT the persons responsible for her son's having gone missing try to intimidate her. This time she arrived with a bandaged leg from a cut she sustained after falling in her home. You see, someone took Steve's memorial rock and threw it through her front window. She fell while cleaning up the broken glass.
Deborah Lee Crawford, 42, was last seen on August 19, 2013. She may have been dropped off at a KMart and she may have been picked up from there by a male. The reason I'm writing it this way is that the woman who supposedly dropped her off has changed her story so many times that she was arrested for obstruction of justice. While the police sort through her case the family struggles for answers.
Deborah has only been missing for 6 weeks, and it's been a CUE case less than a month. When trying to find information online all I found in the press were short blurbs. There doesn't seem to be any interest in her story. I just can't understand that, someone may have seen her. If you cannot get the information out you will never know. It needs publicity, now, while memories are still fresh. To compound the difficulties her family is in Ohio. They came in for the stop, glad to be added on at the last minute and thankful to the Lankester family for including them.
As we arrived at the church they were all out in the street distributing flyers to the passing motorists. Her son, Floyd, who looked to me to be late teens to early twenties is the only one in the area. He was so excited to see us, actually, the whole family was. They want a search. I don't think there has been one yet, and they are willing to do whatever is necessary. They asked many good questions, and listened intently to the answers, soaking up all the knowledge that they could in the short time that we were there. As we leave I know that they're going to need a lot of help and I know CUE will do all that they can.
Elisa
Rally Stop Lexington, NC
We arrive to a dark side parking lot but lighting revealed the spot where the cousin of Donna Barnhill stood proud to represent her missing loved one. She had told me over and over that this would most likely happen, everyone has moved on and a lot of family has passed leaving know one to press forward on the case of this young teen who became missing decades ago. No press, no big crowd and sadly this quiet town again ignores the reality that this case evens exist just like they did when she vanished, they turned a blind eye to what really was going on in that household, and for that I angrily say shame on you all!
I have to take the time to name one person that I personally know that will never give up on Donna's case other than CUE, which is Bryan Queen who has spent thousands of hours in the research and investigation to include getting the case of her sister opened up and ruled a child abuse death from the original accidental death they had once said she died from, back when she was killed. Although justice will never be obtained in either case, because those responsible have died themselves, we want this case resolved. You see no child should ever leave this world without notice or reason and proof that they once were here, which happens a lot with secrets from a different time.
In a missing person case it is the responsibility of those left behind to fight and seek answers which go hand in hand with the authorities investigation, all should aid each other. We, as advocates have to fight for the weak and those who need guidance but every now and then we endure the simply resolution of it all for the victim's sake when no one grabs the torch and that's okay. We refuse to ignore those who have abandoned this child and we will not give up or give in either. Once the truth comes to light, and it always does, we will recover Donna. Then I will give thanks to God for the miracle he provided, and those left who knew the truth or kept it hidden he will expose.
Monica Caison LYMI
Spartanburg NC
This being my 3rd year on TRTR tour I have decided that we always have trouble finding city halls. Monica says it's because of all the one way streets, not sure about that, I mean the garmin knows about the direction of the streets. Yet even with the difficulty we were still on time.
Tim Shelton hosted this stop in honor of his sister, Missing Evelyn Shelton (10-5-13 2pm). Evelyn went missing on May 20, 2011 at the age of 42. She was last seen leaving a friends house headed home. She never arrived. Her car was found the following day just outside the city limits.
Evelyn's family has started a non profit in her honor called Speak Life Forever Foundation. Rebuilding lives one at a time, it's purpose is to create awareness about missing individuals through connections with other organizations who maintain similar goals. We set up our table next to theirs, and being in their initial phase they had lots of questions which we happily answered. Tim plans on attending the conference in March to learn even more to make their non profit a success and help the missing persons community even more. I remain hopeful that they will succeed in their goals.
Tim put on a wonderful stop, there was a singer, as well as the group One Purpose, that sang songs. Presentations by family, law enforcement and of course Monica. Bridget Musteata was also present, she is the Law Enforcement Victims Advocate for the Duncan Police Department as well as the Legislative Liason for the SC Law Enforcement Victims Advocate Association and those of us on the tour are familiar with her through the National Conference.
I feel as if I have a real sense of Evelyn after listening to all the stories told by Tim and her large extended family that was present. I always appreciate it when I can get to know the missing person beyond the circumstances of their disappearance. They highlighted other SC missing persons cases as well, both on a display and with individual posters on stakes in a row in the grass.
As people were coming up to sign the poster a woman came up looking for her brother's picture. Not knowing who she was, I asked if he was registered with CUE. She didn't answer me directly instead telling me that she had justice already. Justice without bringing him home. After telling her that he still needs to be found I directed her to Monica. It turned out he was registered and Monica knew her just not that she would be attending this stop.
Her brother, Darryl Miller is highlighted on the tour. He was 33 years old when he went missing in 2005. Preach, as he was known, was last seen with hanging out with his friends. His vehicle was later found in which his cell phone and wallet were found. The police were able to arrest and convict 2 men without a body, murder weapon or a confession. The evidence they did have included blood DNA.
While it is certainly important to get justice for a family member who life was brutally taken it does not take away the need to bring that person home. It seems that it makes it even more difficult because you no longer have police interest (if you ever did have any). The case is basically closed to Law Enforcement since the perpetrators have been apprehended. This is not the way it should be.
Elisa
Tim Shelton hosted this stop in honor of his sister, Missing Evelyn Shelton (10-5-13 2pm). Evelyn went missing on May 20, 2011 at the age of 42. She was last seen leaving a friends house headed home. She never arrived. Her car was found the following day just outside the city limits.
Evelyn's family has started a non profit in her honor called Speak Life Forever Foundation. Rebuilding lives one at a time, it's purpose is to create awareness about missing individuals through connections with other organizations who maintain similar goals. We set up our table next to theirs, and being in their initial phase they had lots of questions which we happily answered. Tim plans on attending the conference in March to learn even more to make their non profit a success and help the missing persons community even more. I remain hopeful that they will succeed in their goals.
Tim put on a wonderful stop, there was a singer, as well as the group One Purpose, that sang songs. Presentations by family, law enforcement and of course Monica. Bridget Musteata was also present, she is the Law Enforcement Victims Advocate for the Duncan Police Department as well as the Legislative Liason for the SC Law Enforcement Victims Advocate Association and those of us on the tour are familiar with her through the National Conference.
I feel as if I have a real sense of Evelyn after listening to all the stories told by Tim and her large extended family that was present. I always appreciate it when I can get to know the missing person beyond the circumstances of their disappearance. They highlighted other SC missing persons cases as well, both on a display and with individual posters on stakes in a row in the grass.
As people were coming up to sign the poster a woman came up looking for her brother's picture. Not knowing who she was, I asked if he was registered with CUE. She didn't answer me directly instead telling me that she had justice already. Justice without bringing him home. After telling her that he still needs to be found I directed her to Monica. It turned out he was registered and Monica knew her just not that she would be attending this stop.
Her brother, Darryl Miller is highlighted on the tour. He was 33 years old when he went missing in 2005. Preach, as he was known, was last seen with hanging out with his friends. His vehicle was later found in which his cell phone and wallet were found. The police were able to arrest and convict 2 men without a body, murder weapon or a confession. The evidence they did have included blood DNA.
While it is certainly important to get justice for a family member who life was brutally taken it does not take away the need to bring that person home. It seems that it makes it even more difficult because you no longer have police interest (if you ever did have any). The case is basically closed to Law Enforcement since the perpetrators have been apprehended. This is not the way it should be.
Elisa
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Rally Stop Lovingston, Virginia
Well we passed right by the stop talking to Kenny J as I told him I would be there in moments, we began laughing and it was one of the many times we laugh too hard due to exhaustion and not enough fresh air...most of you know those times if you have been with me on searches or traveling, enough said.
Dan, Gil, Kenny and the Murphy family worked hard to get everyone to this stop, they had an awesome turn out and the press was truly supportive of the tour and the cases. You see Dan and Gil walked in the very same shoes the Murphy's are now forced to endure and they now give back to others by starting Help Save the Next Girl, a program CUE endorses and proudly makes a part of the tour. We all are working together for that effort, Kenny J is one who spear heads the promotional side of this to help as well as a countless list of others.
Alexis Murphy's case is fresh and their are a lot of raw emotions that a family suffers through in those first few days, weeks and months; others that experience this can help because they survived. The one thing I recall when I think of Gil is those very same words she spoke at our national conference and candle light service when addressing the audience, quote....The man who murdered my daughter only gets to hurts us one time, we will survive! I pray for all families of the missing that one day they all can make that same statement.
So you see I'm traveling the path of resolution for families of the missing, the Harrington's are on the path for justice and the Murphy's are on the path to find their daughter, is it a coincidence that we all are on the same journey? No, because the journey of missing individuals is the same road it's just that people are at different mile markers, meaning first the search for the missing, then you need your justice all to get to the final resolution, because their is no closure, just resolution.
I remain empowered by all the thousands of families, wonderful communities and searchers along the way I have meet in my service for those lost, I know deep down my heart will never change and I will remain humble.
Monica Caison LYMI
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Concord, NC
Rick Morrison, father of Missing Crystal Morrison, hosted this rally stop (10/5/13 10am) in Concord, NC. Crystal left work on 8-23-12 and was never seen again. At the time she was a 31 year old mother of a young son.
On the day she went missing she had loaned her car to a friend. Having no vehicle when she started to not feel well at work, she had to call a family member for a ride home early. When they arrived at her work they found she had begun walking home and had left 20 minutes prior to their arrival.
It's interesting that to me she's recently missing. It's been over a year, but we visit so many stops that their loved one has been missing 5, 10, 25 or 50 years, that a little over a year seems like a newer case. I am sure that her family would disagree, and they are also correct. Mathew was ONLY missing for 6 months. It was an eternity to me. Going on this tour each year reminds me that although I have been through so much, I am one very lucky mother. As I watched Rick speak about his daughter, I remember the pain of going to bed each night and waking up each morning hoping today will be the day that you get some answers.
Crystal's family does not live in Concord where she lived and worked when she vanished. They live in Rock Hill, SC, where Crystal was raised. It's about 50 miles for her family to come search and meet with law enforcement. That's about the same distance from where I lived to where Matt went missing. It's an added burden when you have to travel. Every time you drive for a search or an event you just don't want to leave. You feel drawn to the area all of the time.
Elisa
On the day she went missing she had loaned her car to a friend. Having no vehicle when she started to not feel well at work, she had to call a family member for a ride home early. When they arrived at her work they found she had begun walking home and had left 20 minutes prior to their arrival.
It's interesting that to me she's recently missing. It's been over a year, but we visit so many stops that their loved one has been missing 5, 10, 25 or 50 years, that a little over a year seems like a newer case. I am sure that her family would disagree, and they are also correct. Mathew was ONLY missing for 6 months. It was an eternity to me. Going on this tour each year reminds me that although I have been through so much, I am one very lucky mother. As I watched Rick speak about his daughter, I remember the pain of going to bed each night and waking up each morning hoping today will be the day that you get some answers.
Crystal's family does not live in Concord where she lived and worked when she vanished. They live in Rock Hill, SC, where Crystal was raised. It's about 50 miles for her family to come search and meet with law enforcement. That's about the same distance from where I lived to where Matt went missing. It's an added burden when you have to travel. Every time you drive for a search or an event you just don't want to leave. You feel drawn to the area all of the time.
Elisa
Monday, October 7, 2013
Lexington, NC
The candlelight vigil this evening (10/4/13 7pm) is being held to honor Missing Donna Barnhill and is hosted by her cousin Beverly. We arrive to find Beverly standing besides her vehicle with a card table holding cherished memories. She is alone.
Donna Barnhill was 13 years old in 1981 when she left home to walk to a friends house. She never arrived and has not been seen or heard from since. Donna was one of what would total 5 siblings. Before Donna was even born, back in 1966, her older sister Anita died at 2 years of age. Anita's death was ruled accidental occurring as the result of a fall from a (high)chair. In 1999, a reporter investigating Donna's disappearance began researching Anita's death . The police reviewed Anita's case and reclassified her death as a fatal child abuse due to battery. No one has been charged in connection to either case. Both of Donna's parents are now deceased, and the remaining 3 siblings still live locally.
Beverly greets us with a smiling face and lots of hugs. She is excited to see us but nervous about the lack of support she has received. We start by letting her know that it is of no consequence, she is not alone, we are here with her, and CUE will remain on the case and continue to work with her until Donna is found. She belongs to a family outside of her family, the CUE family.
Along with the flyer of Donna both at the age she disappeared and age progressed to 42 is a portrait she had made combining the 2 images (left half age 13 and right half age 42). She has old family pictures on the table and a valentine that she found when they were searching the attic room in Donna's old house that held only a mattress.
She had a binder full of official documents and letters protected by clear plastic. She encouraged us to read certain pages. I read the original autopsy which documented many injuries inconsistent with a fall. Then Beverly directed us to a police report from Donna's disappearance which stated "NO NEW information has been found. Mother states Donna told her that her father had tried to have sex with her about 3 weeks before she ran away. Mother thinks that HE either knows WHERE she is or has KILLED her". How is that not new information? How was this originally classified as a runaway?
As it begins to get dark Beverly hands us lit paper lanterns and party horns in which she had placed battery tea lights ( a big hit with children at a later stop). We direct her over to sign the banner, and her husband and son drive up just in time for the balloon release.
Beverly talks a lot with us about Donna's surviving siblings and the difficulties they've encountered from the probable abuse that they both survived and witnessed. Some refuse to speak about what may have happened, some are still too scared to talk. Donna is blessed to have Beverly to speak for her and continue searching for how every long it takes.
Elisa
Donna Barnhill was 13 years old in 1981 when she left home to walk to a friends house. She never arrived and has not been seen or heard from since. Donna was one of what would total 5 siblings. Before Donna was even born, back in 1966, her older sister Anita died at 2 years of age. Anita's death was ruled accidental occurring as the result of a fall from a (high)chair. In 1999, a reporter investigating Donna's disappearance began researching Anita's death . The police reviewed Anita's case and reclassified her death as a fatal child abuse due to battery. No one has been charged in connection to either case. Both of Donna's parents are now deceased, and the remaining 3 siblings still live locally.
Beverly greets us with a smiling face and lots of hugs. She is excited to see us but nervous about the lack of support she has received. We start by letting her know that it is of no consequence, she is not alone, we are here with her, and CUE will remain on the case and continue to work with her until Donna is found. She belongs to a family outside of her family, the CUE family.
Along with the flyer of Donna both at the age she disappeared and age progressed to 42 is a portrait she had made combining the 2 images (left half age 13 and right half age 42). She has old family pictures on the table and a valentine that she found when they were searching the attic room in Donna's old house that held only a mattress.
She had a binder full of official documents and letters protected by clear plastic. She encouraged us to read certain pages. I read the original autopsy which documented many injuries inconsistent with a fall. Then Beverly directed us to a police report from Donna's disappearance which stated "NO NEW information has been found. Mother states Donna told her that her father had tried to have sex with her about 3 weeks before she ran away. Mother thinks that HE either knows WHERE she is or has KILLED her". How is that not new information? How was this originally classified as a runaway?
As it begins to get dark Beverly hands us lit paper lanterns and party horns in which she had placed battery tea lights ( a big hit with children at a later stop). We direct her over to sign the banner, and her husband and son drive up just in time for the balloon release.
Beverly talks a lot with us about Donna's surviving siblings and the difficulties they've encountered from the probable abuse that they both survived and witnessed. Some refuse to speak about what may have happened, some are still too scared to talk. Donna is blessed to have Beverly to speak for her and continue searching for how every long it takes.
Elisa
Shipman, Virginia
Help Save the Next Girl hosted this rally stop for Unsolved Homicide Morgan Harrington and Missing Alexis Murphy at the Lovingston Cafe (10/4/13 2pm). When we arrived it seemed as it had already started, there was a lot of press chomping at the bit to begin.
Morgan Harrington, a 20 year old college student , disappeared in 2009 from outside of a Metallica Concent. 3 months later her remains were located 6 miles from the concert venue. Her parents, Dan and Gil, started the national non profit organization Help Save the Next Girl in her honor. The organization promotes personal safety and violence prevention, and works to sensitize young women and girls to predatory danger.they hold women's issues awareness and Take Back the Night rallies on campuses and have begun branching out to the Girl Scouts of America.
Alexis Murphy vanished on August 3, 2013. At 17, she was getting ready to begin her senior year of high school as volleyball captain when she was last seen at a gas station. Her car was found 3 days later in a multiplex parking lot. Randy Taylor has been arrested for abduction by force and is being held without bond.
This stop was also full of children and teenagers, including all the girls on Alexis' volleyball team dressed in pink shirts featuring Alexis' picture, her parents, younger siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and grandparents. Alexis' teammates kissed her mother one by one, and they all signed our banner, both as a team and individually. At one point they came over to the van where Janeane and I were standing. Looking at the van they were amazed at how many people are missing, and not just children. I wish it didn't happen this way, but I am glad they are learning about missing people and keeping themselves safe.
Gil has been involved from the beginning, I believe, trying to lead the family through these first steps in what may be a long journey to resolution and justice. The family held it together as best they could through the press conference. They are luckily to have received so much press interest and the ability to get their message out. Most missing families do not get this opportunity.
When the rally was over we were able to sit in the cafe and get a quick bite before heading back to NC for a 7:00 vigil. Dan and Gil sat with us and one of Alexis' aunts came over. She was asking all the correct questions about what hasn't been done yet and what needs to be done in the future. I feel confident leaving the Murphy's in Gil's hands and knowing that they will be registering with CUE. I can see the wheels in Monica's head spinning with possible search areas and I know CUE will return and help find Alexis. Her aunt also asked about the upcoming holiday season. "How do you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years" she asked? Memories of when Mathew was missing flooded my brain. Mathew went missing on November 6th, holidays can be and remain difficult. It's October 4th, Alexis has been missing 2 months and 1 day. We have about 6 weeks until Thanksgiving and it's already on this family's radar. Holidays will never be the same, but then life will never be the same.
Elisa
Morgan Harrington, a 20 year old college student , disappeared in 2009 from outside of a Metallica Concent. 3 months later her remains were located 6 miles from the concert venue. Her parents, Dan and Gil, started the national non profit organization Help Save the Next Girl in her honor. The organization promotes personal safety and violence prevention, and works to sensitize young women and girls to predatory danger.they hold women's issues awareness and Take Back the Night rallies on campuses and have begun branching out to the Girl Scouts of America.
Alexis Murphy vanished on August 3, 2013. At 17, she was getting ready to begin her senior year of high school as volleyball captain when she was last seen at a gas station. Her car was found 3 days later in a multiplex parking lot. Randy Taylor has been arrested for abduction by force and is being held without bond.
This stop was also full of children and teenagers, including all the girls on Alexis' volleyball team dressed in pink shirts featuring Alexis' picture, her parents, younger siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and grandparents. Alexis' teammates kissed her mother one by one, and they all signed our banner, both as a team and individually. At one point they came over to the van where Janeane and I were standing. Looking at the van they were amazed at how many people are missing, and not just children. I wish it didn't happen this way, but I am glad they are learning about missing people and keeping themselves safe.
Gil has been involved from the beginning, I believe, trying to lead the family through these first steps in what may be a long journey to resolution and justice. The family held it together as best they could through the press conference. They are luckily to have received so much press interest and the ability to get their message out. Most missing families do not get this opportunity.
When the rally was over we were able to sit in the cafe and get a quick bite before heading back to NC for a 7:00 vigil. Dan and Gil sat with us and one of Alexis' aunts came over. She was asking all the correct questions about what hasn't been done yet and what needs to be done in the future. I feel confident leaving the Murphy's in Gil's hands and knowing that they will be registering with CUE. I can see the wheels in Monica's head spinning with possible search areas and I know CUE will return and help find Alexis. Her aunt also asked about the upcoming holiday season. "How do you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years" she asked? Memories of when Mathew was missing flooded my brain. Mathew went missing on November 6th, holidays can be and remain difficult. It's October 4th, Alexis has been missing 2 months and 1 day. We have about 6 weeks until Thanksgiving and it's already on this family's radar. Holidays will never be the same, but then life will never be the same.
Elisa
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Midlothian, Virginia
After a well needed night of sleep I awoke energized and ready to leave North Carolina and meet up with a good friend Virginia State Outreach Coordinator Madonna Layne.
Madonna was hosting a stop in Midlothian, Va (10/4/13 11am) for her mother Missing Annita Price. Annita vanished in 1974 at 26 years of age from West Virginia. She was last seen on her way to work and her car was found abandoned the next morning with her belongings scattered on the front seat. She was in the midst of a divorce and custody battle over her 2 children. Her disappearance remained unreported for 3 days, and the original case file contains only a few pages. Madonna has vivid memories of that night, even though she was only 5 years old at the time. Recently, her memories have been corroborated by an anonymous informant.
Madonna was also featuring Missing Bethany Decker. Bethany was 21 years old, a young mother and 5 months pregnant when she disappeared in 2011. She was working and going to school while her husband served in the Army National Guard in Afghanistan. Her car was found at her home. I was able to spend some time getting to know her mother Kim, who had snuck away from training at work on her lunch hour, and her grandparents.
It's always nice when unexpected people show up at a rally and surprise us. I did not know Mary Threatt but enjoyed meeting another CUE volunteer. She is the aunt of unsolved homicide victim Amy Baker. Amy was 18 in 1989 when she encountered car trouble on I95. Her assaulted, strangled body was found 2 days later partially buried in the woods nearby. It is possible she is the victim of the "Long Haul Territory Killer" John Boyer.
Missing person cases that are so different and so similar. 3 women, 18, 21 and 26 years of age who went missing 2 years ago, 24 years ago and 39 years ago. Families still searching for answers, families who have recovered their loved one and families without resolution. Assumed cases of stranger abduction, domestic violence and the still unknown. From grandparent to daughter united in their dedication to continue their fight for justice. You see, it doesn't matter if it happened last month or 50 years ago, if you are the parent or the child. When you peel away the specific details of every case all missing person families are the same underneath.
Elisa
Madonna was hosting a stop in Midlothian, Va (10/4/13 11am) for her mother Missing Annita Price. Annita vanished in 1974 at 26 years of age from West Virginia. She was last seen on her way to work and her car was found abandoned the next morning with her belongings scattered on the front seat. She was in the midst of a divorce and custody battle over her 2 children. Her disappearance remained unreported for 3 days, and the original case file contains only a few pages. Madonna has vivid memories of that night, even though she was only 5 years old at the time. Recently, her memories have been corroborated by an anonymous informant.
Madonna was also featuring Missing Bethany Decker. Bethany was 21 years old, a young mother and 5 months pregnant when she disappeared in 2011. She was working and going to school while her husband served in the Army National Guard in Afghanistan. Her car was found at her home. I was able to spend some time getting to know her mother Kim, who had snuck away from training at work on her lunch hour, and her grandparents.
It's always nice when unexpected people show up at a rally and surprise us. I did not know Mary Threatt but enjoyed meeting another CUE volunteer. She is the aunt of unsolved homicide victim Amy Baker. Amy was 18 in 1989 when she encountered car trouble on I95. Her assaulted, strangled body was found 2 days later partially buried in the woods nearby. It is possible she is the victim of the "Long Haul Territory Killer" John Boyer.
Missing person cases that are so different and so similar. 3 women, 18, 21 and 26 years of age who went missing 2 years ago, 24 years ago and 39 years ago. Families still searching for answers, families who have recovered their loved one and families without resolution. Assumed cases of stranger abduction, domestic violence and the still unknown. From grandparent to daughter united in their dedication to continue their fight for justice. You see, it doesn't matter if it happened last month or 50 years ago, if you are the parent or the child. When you peel away the specific details of every case all missing person families are the same underneath.
Elisa
Rally Stop Midlothian, Virginia
Mid afternoon we pull into Farmer"s Insurance Company who shared hosting this rally stop with CUE"s Virginia State Coordinator and families of the missing, lined up along the road side with good visuals of their presentation, it was very nice. You see, Madonna has a missing mother as well but she has stepped up to help others that have and are walking the same path she is on, she is an inspiration to the cause, like so many of our volunteers.
Kids came to learn about safety, families shared their stories and little by little the message revealed itself of those missing, sometimes it never seems like enough but as I was told years ago, it does'nt matter who is standing to tell the story, what is the important is that someone is still standing. Oh how those thoughts came to my mind during our visit. You see, many years ago when I began my journey of being an advocate and non profit, I found out first hand sometimes I was the only one standing and yet fuel by the fire, if you will, of that at least I was willing to take that stand.
So, the message is when it comes to the missing, one person can make the difference because while you stand alone people still notice and before you know it someone will come up and ask you why, this is when you can tell them a story and change begins instantly.
We have to do more....no matter how cold or old the case is, we have to do more....
Monica Caison LYMI
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Candlelight vigils seem to be especially poignant for me. There is no difference vs daytime rallies, it's the darkness, the illuminating candlelight, the solemness of it all. Or it could just be that it's always the final stop of the day, usually the third, and I'm already tired and emotionally spent. This being the first day of the tour I'm more tired than usual as we pull into Missing Shonda Stansbury's stop in Roanoke Rapids, NC (10/3/13 7pm).
Her sister Jackie is our host this evening. Shonda was 24 and the mother of 4 small children when she went missing after visiting Jackie at work in 2006. As we approached the vigil Monica told us this was going to be an emotional stop with lots of children present, including Shonda's.
I've been aware of Shonda's case since the beginning but I had not met them before. Present were her father, siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and friends, all wearing different missing shirts for Shonda. I particularly liked one that had Missing Loved One written above her picture on the front. Then I noticed a few in Road Tour shirts (which we no longer carry). One young woman ( I believe a sister in law ) was wearing one from 2007, and when I asked about it she began to apologize for not wearing a missing Shonda shirt. First of all Awesome, that they had hosted a rally in 2007, secondly it IS a Shonda shirt, the rally shirts have a picture of all missing persons being featured on that years tour.
Jackie had invited the family of Missing Amy Bridgeman to participate. 42 year old Amy disappeared June 24, 2013. She has been missing just over 3 months. Even though her family has been actively searching, giving interviews, and holding vigils, her husband James is still in that new raw stage that all missing person family members can both recognize and remember. You can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. When Jackie invited him to speak he barely got a few words out before breaking down and was unable to finish. Luckily, he had support with him and was still able to get his message out.
Monica was correct in that there were a lot of children, teenage girls clinging together arms entwined, babies on moms' hips. They were thought of in the planning of this event. Special candles with holders for dripping wax were handed out along with regular tea lights. There were a few balloons but I was not expecting a release at this stop, so when Jackie grabbed them I was surprised. Then she began calling out the names of all of Shonda's children and they stood in the middle of the crowd and let them go up into the dark night.
Elisa
Her sister Jackie is our host this evening. Shonda was 24 and the mother of 4 small children when she went missing after visiting Jackie at work in 2006. As we approached the vigil Monica told us this was going to be an emotional stop with lots of children present, including Shonda's.
I've been aware of Shonda's case since the beginning but I had not met them before. Present were her father, siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and friends, all wearing different missing shirts for Shonda. I particularly liked one that had Missing Loved One written above her picture on the front. Then I noticed a few in Road Tour shirts (which we no longer carry). One young woman ( I believe a sister in law ) was wearing one from 2007, and when I asked about it she began to apologize for not wearing a missing Shonda shirt. First of all Awesome, that they had hosted a rally in 2007, secondly it IS a Shonda shirt, the rally shirts have a picture of all missing persons being featured on that years tour.
Jackie had invited the family of Missing Amy Bridgeman to participate. 42 year old Amy disappeared June 24, 2013. She has been missing just over 3 months. Even though her family has been actively searching, giving interviews, and holding vigils, her husband James is still in that new raw stage that all missing person family members can both recognize and remember. You can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. When Jackie invited him to speak he barely got a few words out before breaking down and was unable to finish. Luckily, he had support with him and was still able to get his message out.
Monica was correct in that there were a lot of children, teenage girls clinging together arms entwined, babies on moms' hips. They were thought of in the planning of this event. Special candles with holders for dripping wax were handed out along with regular tea lights. There were a few balloons but I was not expecting a release at this stop, so when Jackie grabbed them I was surprised. Then she began calling out the names of all of Shonda's children and they stood in the middle of the crowd and let them go up into the dark night.
Elisa
Rally Stop Roanoke Rapids, NC
We arrived at our stop for a candle light service, and as we turned the corner to this area we immediately saw a lot of people packed in and a strong police presence which warmed my heart; even after all of these years Shonda's family still standing strong in numbers. Many stops we attend you will find lots of youth, sad that missing people can and do affect the next generation! Joining in the loss was the family of Amy Bridgeman, her husband had so much he wanted to say to everyone but when it was his turn to speak he became overwhelmed fighting back tears saying nothing more than hearing his whales of misery.
You see I have watched a lot of children grow up being with these families for so many years and searching for their loved one, I always have to catch my breath when I see them again because it can break your heart if you dwell too long on the thought of how much their life would be different if they had not suffered a missing person. I always pray hard for the children and their future ahead.
This is when I truly become enraged over the lack of concern by the general public moving about this world not paying attention to the suffering of those left behind to endure a missing loved one. PS just because it has not happened to you does not mean a person can not help, notice, lend support or how about do something! Then I realize we just have to keep pressing forward and educate, provide the proof in real time. This is what CUE is well known for and good at, getting the families strong enough to help fight the fight, lift the cause up and show their loss to those who do not have an understanding.
See a missing person is a roadway with not map, no lights and certainly no weather forecast....so many communities are lost trying to find their way all the while searching blindly for their absent loved one, experiencing road construction at ever bend in their journey. So as we leave here tonight I have left a revised road map knowing it will be revised many more times before we are provided a resolution. I remain hopeful though because I know from my work with cases of the missing everyone gets their turn to be found.
Monica Caison LYMI
Getting ready for the tour
Janeane and I both arrived in Wilmington on Wednesday October 2nd in the early afternoon. You could just feel the excitement and anticipation in the air and the awareness that there would be much to do to be ready to leave in the morning.
Entering Monica's home the first thing that caught my eye were the boxes and boxes of T-shirts. They all needed to be sorted, folded, and repacked into storage bins by size (which we didn't have yet). As Janeane grabbed a shirt I shrieked "Stop". They have to be folded in a specific way, the "Monica" way. And when I tried, to my amazement, finally, after three years, my best was correct. Janeane is still in the struggling stage, "How are you getting them so small? Why can't I do it?". It's her first time, it will come. We folded and sorted for hours, making neat piles all over the living room. Next up were the press packages. Shiny red bags needed to be filled. We quickly realized the fastest way would be for one to gather and the other to stuff. This also took hours.
In the meanwhile, Monica's in and out of the room, working on all the various things that need to be done before we go.Family and friends, including all the grand babies, were in and out of the house. Press arrived to take pictures and get an interview. Caison chaos was in full out mode and at the same time she's also preparing us a home cooked delicious dinner (even though Someone bought the wrong type of potatoes and she was unhappy with how they were frying).
After dinner it was time to go to the storage unit and pick up everything else. We needed to take 2 vehicles and I get the privilege of driving Monica's truck, since there is no way I'm driving a 15 person van. I normally drive a tiny sports car and it's nighttime, and I quickly realize you can't see out the back window since they're are dog crates in the back. Janeane jumps in with me for moral support and off we go. I followed Monica through road work and lane closures hoping for the best. We get back and all the shirt bins are full and not organized so we start over with our piles. At one point Janeane laid down on the floor and I thought she was toast since she had gotten up at 3am to get to the airport that morning. But she regrouped. Finally, everything is ready and we look around the living room at all the bins, boxes and containers wondering how we are ever going to fit it all in the van. We were supposed to load that night but tiredness got the better of us. It's past midnight and I know there's more Monica needs to do, there always is, but I really thought we were close. Janeane heads to bed about 1 and Monica and I sit down to do the tour map book. It probably took twice as long as it should to mapquest all the locations, print them out and put them in the book. Tiredness led to confusion led to reprints and skipped pages and computer and printer mishaps but we were finally finished around 3:30am.
5:30am the alarm goes off and I am wide awake. I thought packing the van was going to be difficult but I've watched Harlan the last few years and was able to do it by myself. When Monica came out at one point with a shower cap on because she was dying her hair I almost lost it, but we still managed were to get on the road early.
Elisa
In the meanwhile, Monica's in and out of the room, working on all the various things that need to be done before we go.Family and friends, including all the grand babies, were in and out of the house. Press arrived to take pictures and get an interview. Caison chaos was in full out mode and at the same time she's also preparing us a home cooked delicious dinner (even though Someone bought the wrong type of potatoes and she was unhappy with how they were frying).
After dinner it was time to go to the storage unit and pick up everything else. We needed to take 2 vehicles and I get the privilege of driving Monica's truck, since there is no way I'm driving a 15 person van. I normally drive a tiny sports car and it's nighttime, and I quickly realize you can't see out the back window since they're are dog crates in the back. Janeane jumps in with me for moral support and off we go. I followed Monica through road work and lane closures hoping for the best. We get back and all the shirt bins are full and not organized so we start over with our piles. At one point Janeane laid down on the floor and I thought she was toast since she had gotten up at 3am to get to the airport that morning. But she regrouped. Finally, everything is ready and we look around the living room at all the bins, boxes and containers wondering how we are ever going to fit it all in the van. We were supposed to load that night but tiredness got the better of us. It's past midnight and I know there's more Monica needs to do, there always is, but I really thought we were close. Janeane heads to bed about 1 and Monica and I sit down to do the tour map book. It probably took twice as long as it should to mapquest all the locations, print them out and put them in the book. Tiredness led to confusion led to reprints and skipped pages and computer and printer mishaps but we were finally finished around 3:30am.
5:30am the alarm goes off and I am wide awake. I thought packing the van was going to be difficult but I've watched Harlan the last few years and was able to do it by myself. When Monica came out at one point with a shower cap on because she was dying her hair I almost lost it, but we still managed were to get on the road early.
Elisa
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Rally Stop Woodland, NC
Many people my not know that my very first deceased person recovery was a child, since that day it has always stuck with me and normally I pass on children cases to other CUE members to work on, only because it is very hard for me and finding the body of one child would be enough for any one in a life time. Not that I don't from time to time work cases of the little ones but its just difficult, which is what Phyllis Powell"s case is, a child who was snatched up in the light of the day, but a case that has lived in the darkness for close to six decades. But let me tell where you will find hope shinning in any given day, a little country town called Woodland. The family of this child will never give up in there search or in the hope of finding her one day!
When we arrived we were welcome like family that was just there last week and the book made from duck tape laid on the table for all to see, simple but made with total love. We are gathered under the big shade tree in the yard, at that very moment I could see where Phyllis played and the community that surrounded her, most all family. It bothered me that now you realize someone most likely took this child that knew her, the community was to close knit. Will it ever be proven? Will this family ever see justice or can we find her? Bu her family and supporters right now was just happy that we stopped their to bring a reminder of her case and were grateful to honor her.
I cannot believe all the cases out there in this world that have the number of years on them, it takes someone willing to go the extra mile to get them solve, I find myself feeling upset that the fact remains here for this case. We got called in on this case only two years ago and their was no picture of this child as the family did not have one. The first thing I thought how could anyone every find someone when you don"t know who to look for? We jumped into getting a forensic artist to the location, our friend and supporter Diana Trepkov came at our request for help as she has many times over the years. Diana, Lori and Eddie Jay stayed with the family until it was done and approved by the family!
Now, we have a picture, it meant a lot to me to feature the case on the first tour able to because now I can show the world the face and age progression of this previous little girl that was lost before my time. The small task to get started sometimes in a task are the greatest gifts too family, someone cared, someone provided real help and someone came. I smile driving away from Phyllis Powell"s rally stop because that is who CUE is and being the founder of such a great purpose and great dedicated people, I feel accomplished in that task, knowing many more are to be conquered.
Monica Caison LYMI
Woodland NC
When we were mapping out the rally stops the other night I remember thinking about the location of this one. It was being held at Phyllis Memorial Garden in Woodland, NC (10/3/13 3:30pm). Is this a cemetery? The stop was being held for Missing Phyllis Powell, hosted by her brother, Buddy Powell. Maybe they picked it because it has her name. Maybe they picked it because they're family plot is there or they put something there for her. As we round the corner onto the block it becomes apparent that we are going to a home. It's Buddy's home. Ok, I was wrong, I remember briefly thinking before getting out of the van.
Phyllis Powell went missing on Jan 11, 1963. That deserves repeating, Phyllis Powell went missing in 1963. I was not even born in 1963. She was 5 years old when she disappeared from in front of a friends house where she was last seen jumping and skipping up and down the stairs leading to the house of a neighbor. Phyllis' family does not even have one photograph of her. She was one of what would be 11 siblings. We set up on a picnic table in the yard and met with her extended family. Buddy had a table set up upon which was a scrapbook of newspaper articles and letters. It was a large book, larger than even a coffee table book I think, made out of cardboard and the front was wrapped in duck tape. It said " What happen to Phyllis Lorrain Powell Missing around 12:00 noon January 11 1963 It is time we find out 1999 The Powell Vinson Family God is good all the time". Another page that tore at my heart said "Ma Ma If God allow me to live long enough I promise I will find out what happened to your child Phyllis. William Buddy Powell ". This family amazed me, they recalled every detail of the day she disappeared 50 years ago. We discussed theories and how back then things were different and investigations were different.
In 2012 CUE arranged for forensic artist Diana Trepkov to work with the family in creating a portrait. Finally they had a picture to match their memories. An age progression was also created and as I looked at the photos I could see the resemblance to all the family members around me.
At one point an elderly wheelchair bound aunt quietly said " Wouldn't it be a good day if Phyllis came walking up to the house". We were on the same block that she went missing from so long ago, just 2 houses down actually. As we sat discussing what may have actually occurred that day so long ago the pain that this family feels went right through me. You never get over having someone you love vanish. Phyllis' older sister told us about the toll it took on her and other family members. Buddy explained his promise to his mother that he would continue to search. One generation passes off the torch to the next. The need for resolution continues. This stop has hit me a lot more than I thought it would.
As the press were taking pictures I noticed them looking at something in the front yard. Walking up to the flagpole with planted flowers in front I came across the plaque that solved my earlier mystery. "In memory of Phyllis Powell missing Jan. 11, 1963 Age 5" so we are at Phyllis Memorial Garden.
Elisa
Phyllis Powell went missing on Jan 11, 1963. That deserves repeating, Phyllis Powell went missing in 1963. I was not even born in 1963. She was 5 years old when she disappeared from in front of a friends house where she was last seen jumping and skipping up and down the stairs leading to the house of a neighbor. Phyllis' family does not even have one photograph of her. She was one of what would be 11 siblings. We set up on a picnic table in the yard and met with her extended family. Buddy had a table set up upon which was a scrapbook of newspaper articles and letters. It was a large book, larger than even a coffee table book I think, made out of cardboard and the front was wrapped in duck tape. It said " What happen to Phyllis Lorrain Powell Missing around 12:00 noon January 11 1963 It is time we find out 1999 The Powell Vinson Family God is good all the time". Another page that tore at my heart said "Ma Ma If God allow me to live long enough I promise I will find out what happened to your child Phyllis. William Buddy Powell ". This family amazed me, they recalled every detail of the day she disappeared 50 years ago. We discussed theories and how back then things were different and investigations were different.
In 2012 CUE arranged for forensic artist Diana Trepkov to work with the family in creating a portrait. Finally they had a picture to match their memories. An age progression was also created and as I looked at the photos I could see the resemblance to all the family members around me.
At one point an elderly wheelchair bound aunt quietly said " Wouldn't it be a good day if Phyllis came walking up to the house". We were on the same block that she went missing from so long ago, just 2 houses down actually. As we sat discussing what may have actually occurred that day so long ago the pain that this family feels went right through me. You never get over having someone you love vanish. Phyllis' older sister told us about the toll it took on her and other family members. Buddy explained his promise to his mother that he would continue to search. One generation passes off the torch to the next. The need for resolution continues. This stop has hit me a lot more than I thought it would.
As the press were taking pictures I noticed them looking at something in the front yard. Walking up to the flagpole with planted flowers in front I came across the plaque that solved my earlier mystery. "In memory of Phyllis Powell missing Jan. 11, 1963 Age 5" so we are at Phyllis Memorial Garden.
Elisa
Rally Stop Laurinburg, NC
The case of Delwin Locklear is dear to my heart as I have been on this case and searching for him years now. Many things have helped me grow and one of those things I have taken away from this case is friendship. Harlan has taken this tour with me for seven years, he is at my side on countless searches and has been a true (soulmate) friend if their is such a thing. I will always be grateful for the year he called and said he was going on the tour that year, you see my best friend Selina had sudden died and through my heartbreak I worried about the tour she had founded it with me, it was our creation and how she lived for the road tour each year. Their are to many special times, to list that my friend Harlan and I have shared over the years; he remains loyal to those who are missing even when he still is seeking resolution for his own case, his nephew, Delwin.
Many of our families came to the rally stop like Jessica Lowery, Ricky Bethea, Roger Chambers and law officials spoke on behalf of Kimberly Thrower all who remain missing and families still waiting - hoping for answers. One family is too many, we will never give up in our search efforts for any of them. During the tour it becomes overwhelming when you are forced to slow down and look into all the faces of the families left behind and all the pain that is left lingering in mid air for all those near by to breathe. I am reminded of all the families along the way in my 19 year journey of service to the missing that we still remain in this silent crisis mode, we have to keep doing more to make a change.
I leave our first stop knowing ten days are ahead of this same experience of stop after stop all different but always that same look, a desire to know the truth, hungry for something to break, a change from the current status. I silently say a prayer for the families of the missing persons families and beg God to send peace throughout our journey ahead.
Monica Caison LYMI
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