Michele Fawcett now missing 10 years, near Donegal, Pennsylvania

On Google's news archive there is an article about Michele in The Gettysburg Times from 1998, but it requires a fee to access. However you can read a couple Pittsburgh Tribune-Review articles on Michele from that year for free on Michele's thread on the Porchlight International forum. (There she is listed as "Michelle Fawcett".)

From the Charley Project:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 27, 1997
from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Age: 35 years old
Height and Weight: 5'2, 170 pounds
Distinguishing
Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Fawcett wears
eyeglasses. Her first name may be spelled "Michelle."
Medical Conditions:
Fawcett became addicted to heroin in the late 1980s. She got involved in a
methadone treatment program and had been clean for several years prior to her
disappearance.

Details of Disappearance
Fawcett was last seen in
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania on June 27, 1997. She was at the Donegal exit
of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the time. Fawcett was traveling with her friend
of a few months, Robert M. Weston (nicknamed Dr. Bob), a former dentist. Weston
told authorities they visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that evening before
returning to Westmoreland County. He said he dropped her off at a phone booth
near Vincent's Plaza at the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Irwin exit the following
morning, but no one else saw her there. Fawcett has never been heard from again.
Fawcett was a resident of West Homestead, Pennsylvania in 1997. She has a
history of drug abuse. Fawcett was holding two jobs at the time of her
disappearancep; one was as a server in a restaurant and the other was as a
cashier at a convenience store. She lived in an apartment with three
well-trained dogs. She did not drive in 1997 and accepted rides from other
individuals for her transportation. Since her disappearance, her Social Security
number has not been used.
Authorities began working in cooperation with the
Allegheny County Coroner's Office in October 1999 to see if there were
connections between the homicides of several area women in the late 1990s and
Fawcett's 1997 disappearance, all of which are unsolved. Many of the victims had
histories of drug abuse and/or prostitution. Investigators do not know if all
the cases are related, but believe some of them are connected. It is unknown if
Fawcett's disappearance is linked to the homicides. There have been no arrests
in her case, but her loved ones believe she met with foul play.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Allegheny County Police Department
412-473-1200
OR
412-473-1271

The Doe Network points out that she disappeared near the Irwin Swamp. Michele's profile there is also concise enough to be printed off and used as a poster.

Michele's website: http://michellefawcett.50megs.com/

Sabrina Kahler now missing 5 years, Erie County, Pennsylvania

The latest stories I could find on Sabrina Mae Kahler were from 2005. Here is a brief from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, dated June 28 of that year:

Erie County
Search for missing woman yields nothing
Authorities recently
searched vacant fields in Erie after a tip but found no indication of Sabrina
Kahler, according to Erie police Detective Sgt. Barry Snyder, the lead
investigator in the case. Kahler went swimming in Erie County with friend David
Heck on June 24, 2002.
The two went swimming in Springfield Township and
later were seen by a state police trooper at an ice cream stand. Heck told
police he dropped off Kahler, who would have turned 23 last week, at the West
Erie Plaza. Police have been unable to confirm Heck's story. Heck is in jail on
unrelated charges. Kahler's mother, Susan Burg, said she is desperate for some
news about her daughter.

Sabrina's case is listed with the National Center for Missing Adults (poster link below), Pennsylvania Crimestoppers, the Charley Project, the North American Missing Persons Network, Pennsylvaniamissing.com, Crime Shots True Crime Forums, the CyberSeekers Society, and Porchlight International for the Missing and Unidentified. Her photo is also posted on a friend's MySpace profile, and she is also mentioned at http://www.freewebs.com/find_dean_marie/thoughtstheories.htm.

Sabrina's NAMPN profile:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 24, 2002 from Erie, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: June 20, 1982
Age: 20
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 130 lbs.
Hair Color: Dark Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
Race: White
Gender: Female
Distinguishing Characteristics: Braces on teeth.Pierced ears.
Medical Conditions: Mentally challenged.
Clothing: Two piece bathing suit or
possibly wearing a pink or red top with blue shorts, blue and white
athletic shoes.
AKA: "Bree"
NCIC Number: M-020250200
Case Number: 0223863
Details of Disappearance
Kahler was last seen at a swimming hole in Western Erie County. She was in the company of a 26-year-old David Sherman Heck at the time. She never returned home from the swimming hole. Heck claims he dropped her off to see a movie after they went swimming. Police say they doubt his claim. He was arrested and charged with violating probation after Kahler's disappearance. He is considered a suspect in her disappearance.
A witness claimed that Kahler may have visited the Elk Creek Access area, a popular local fishing spot, the day she disappeared. It is unknown whether the woman seen was Kahler or another individual who resembled her. Kahler remains missing. No one has been charged in her disappearance.
Suspect: David Sherman Heck, circa 2002
Age: 26
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 200
Race: White
Gender: Male
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Erie Police Department
(814) 870-1506

You can print a poster of Sabrina at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200301530W.

Photos from NAMPN.

New missing persons reform law in Connecticut

Normally, I do not post about laws, but I felt this is worth posting since the law was introduced by the family of one of the missing people on this blog, William "Billy" Smolinski. It also is a victory for missing persons advocates, provided that these changes do come to pass.

I also think Janice Smolinski's idea about missing persons playing cards for prisoners is an excellent suggestion, especially since a similar method has worked in the cases of unsolved murders.

Article from http://www.justice4billy.com/Residents_Fight_For_Legislation.pdf:

Residents Fight For Legislation
by Josh Morgan
Herald Staff
Talk to any mom and you’ll quickly discover there is no stronger force in
nature than a mother’s love for her children. It is a force that can turn even
the most quiet and reserved woman into an outspoken advocate for
change in Connecticut.
Just ask Cheshire resident Janice Smolinski.
The strange story of her son’s disappearance began nearly three years ago,
and the flaws the Smolinski family has encountered during the investigation has
turned Janice into a different woman.
With her newfound strength, Janice Smolinski spearheaded legislation — with
the help of State Rep. Vickie Nardello, D-Prospect — that will change the way
missing person cases are handled in Connecticut. The legislation was unanimously
approved by both the state House of Representatives and state Senate this
session. Last week, Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed the bill. The Smolinskis now hope
change in Connecticut, and hopefully across the United States, will be on the
way.
“Not only does Connecticut have a problem,” Janice said, “the entire
country has a problem.” She believes the law enforcement system is broken when
it comes to handling missing persons cases.
Getting changes implemented, however, has been a long and emotional journey
that also exposed flaws in the system. Flaws the Smolinski family hope will
change. From lost DNA samples to slow responses from the police, Janice’s hopes
are that the system will be revamped; a system that she says has treated her
family unfairly.
Her story begins on August 24, 2004, the day Janice’s 31-year-old son,
William Smolinski Jr., went missing. Billy, as he often was called, asked a
neighbor to watch his dog Harley while he was out of town for a few days. When
the neighbor went to Billy’s house, the dog was locked inside, but no key had
been left out as planned. Immediately the family knew something was wrong. After
waiting three days to file a missing persons report, the Waterbury police
stepped in. They found Billy’s keys and wallet under the seat of his truck,
which was parked in his driveway. Other than that, William Smolinski Sr. said
the police weren’t much help. “We had to do everything ourselves,” he said. “We
organized our own search parties to look for our son.”
The family offered up DNA samples to the police. But after several weeks,
there was still no word. Janice went back to the police department and asked if
the DNA had been entered into federal databases like CODIS. CODIS, or Combined
DNA Index System, is a universal database that local, state and federal law
enforcement agencies can access to help link crimes or to identify remains
across the country. They were told it had not been entered, and in fact, were
told the department had not even heard of CODIS.
“My wife had to explain how to use the DNA to the police,” William Sr.
said. “Imagine that.”
The new act calls for the state’s Police Officer Standards and Training
Council to review the way they handle missing person cases and adopt and
implement a policy no later than January 1, 2008. Not a lot of
attention was paid to Billy’s case since he was a healthy 31-year-old male, but
the Smolinskis are hoping that all missing person cases will be handled the same
way, regardless of age or sex.
They also hope that law enforcement agencies across the country will have
specially trained officers who will be able to help with crisis situations like
a missing child.
“Every state needs someone on staff that can help,” Janice said.
Her thoughts were echoed by her husband who said there should be “one or
two” trained officers who can “take control of the situation” when needed.
Frustrated at the lack of knowledge the Waterbury Police Department had on
DNA, Janice Smolinski wants additional training for officers so they are more
knowledgeable on the subject.
“The most important part of this is to educate them on DNA,” she said. “We
are in 2007. It’s time to educate.”
U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy, D-5th District and U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman
have both contacted her within the last couple of weeks, and she hopes that,
with their help, the legislation can be taken to a federal level.
In addition to the new legislation, Janice wants to put faces of missing
persons on playing cards that can be distributed among prisons.
The idea is similar to the “most wanted” playing cards that U.S. soldiers
were given in Iraq. In Polk County, Fla., unsolved homicide cards were
distributed to 2,500 inmates and fresh leads and tips came in almost immediately
for some of the cold cases.
Her husband said cards like these are a great idea and he thinks they would
work for missing persons as well. “Criminals like to talk and brag,” he said.
“They also might be interested in reward money that they can collect when they
get out of jail. Any little tip could help.”
Despite their efforts, there has been no word or sign of Billy Smolinski
since August 2004. The Smolinskis are all but certain that he was
murdered.
Although their story is ongoing, Janice hopes changes to the system will
help other families whose worries might just be starting. “These changes aren’t
going to help Billy,” Janice said. “But maybe they will help another
family.”
For more information about Billy Smolinski Jr. and his story, visit http://www.justice4billy.com/.

There has been some other recent activity in Billy's case: a tip led authorities to search for his body in Shelton. Police dogs picked up a scent, but nothing was found. You can read more on this story at http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=6483149 and http://waterburyobserver.com/worxcms_published/homepage_419.shtml.

If you know anything about the disappearance of William Smolinski, Jr., please call the New Haven FBI at (203) 777-6311. You can also email tips to info@justice4billy.com or mail them to P.O. Box 123, Cheshire, CT 06410.

You can print a poster of Billy at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200402022S.

Guestbook for messages to Smolinski family: http://www.justice4billy.com/guestbook.html

Banner of Billy from his website.

Jason Jolkowski: An example of the issues faced by families of the missing

About three years ago, police contacted Jason's family regarding an unidentified deceased male that had been found in California. A woman had seen an artist's rendering of the man and thought he resembled Jason. It is now known that this man was not Jason, but Jason's mother, Kelly, has now posted about the incident on the Project Jason Voice for the Missing blog. The posts are based on her own diary entries from the time, and names of places and people outside the family have been changed. The story, however, is still powerful.

An introduction to the series can be found at http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/62107-untold-story-awaiting-dna.html, which also links to audio files of a dramatization of the diary. The first actual post in the series is at http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/62107-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-i.html, and the rest of the story has yet to be posted.
Update: Link to part two: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/62207-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-ii.html
Part Three: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/62707-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part.html
Part Four: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/62807-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-iv.html
Part Five: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/62907-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-v.html
Part Six: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/06/63007-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-vi.html
Part Seven: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/07/72007-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part.html
Part Eight: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/07/7507-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part.html
Part Nine: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/07/7607-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-ix.html
Part Ten: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/07/71207-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-x.html
Part Eleven: http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/07/71407-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part-xi.html
Part Twelve (which also stresses the importance of personal ID kits): http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/07/71707-untold-story-awaiting-dna-part.html

If you know anything about the disappearance of Jason Anthony Jolkowski from Omaha, Nebraska, please call the Omaha Police Department at (402) 444-5657 or Omaha Crimestoppers at (402) 444-STOP.
Jason's website: http://members.cox.net/prayersandposters/
Jason's guestbook: http://pub36.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=3085091876
You can print a poster of Jason at http://projectjason.org/18wheel/Jason6YearPoster.pdf. Or, if you do not have a PDF reading program (such as Adobe Acrobat or Foxit Reader), the older poster is available at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200301135W.
Jason is one of the missing people you can "adopt" through Project Jason's Adopt a Missing Person program. For more information, visit http://projectjason.org/adopt.html.

Project Jason website: http://www.projectjason.org/.


Photo of Jason from Voice for the Missing blog.

Georgina DeJesus: Photo and AP to be shown during NBA finals!

It sounds like this must have happened this week. I do not know if people watching the game at home were also able to see this information. Either way, hopefully this helped provide leads to help find Gina and Mandy!

Article from http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=69609&provider=gnews. 2004 photo (left) from newsnet5.com. Age progression (right) from the Cleveland Free Times.

NBA and Cavaliers with the assist for two Cleveland families
Paul Thomas
Created: 6/13/2007
11:20:39 PM
Updated:6/14/2007 12:01:50 AM
CLEVELAND -- All eyes are on
Cleveland for the NBA Finals.
And the families of two missing girls hope
more eyes will help in the search for their loved ones. 14-year-old Gina Dejesus
disappeared while walking home from school three years ago. Amanda Berry
vanished after leaving her job in 2003.
Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena, the photos of both girls, along with
age progression pictures of how they may look currently, will be played on the
Cavaliers scoreboard.
"I thanked them from the bottom of my heart," said Nancy Ruiz, mother of
Gina Dejesus. "They've given me this chance, this hope."
The photos will be shown before the game and at halftime. And fliers with
the girls' information will be taped to the arena's doors.
A friend of both families wrote a letter to the Cavaliers asking for
permission to post Amanda's and Gina's photos. The Cavaliers and NBA officals
gave their approval.
"You never know," Ruiz said. "If somebody just sees these girls or saw my
baby, to call and help me bring my baby home. Both of them."

If you know anything about the disappearances of Georgina Lynn DeJesus or Amanda Marie Berry, please call the Cleveland Police Department at (216) 621-1234, the Cleveland Crimestoppers at (612) 252-7463, the FBI Missing Children's Task Force at 1-888-660-5437, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

You can print a poster of Gina DeJesus here (does not include age progression) and a poster of Amanda Berry (includes age progression) here.

Gina's website: http://www.findgeorgina.com/
guestbook: http://www.findgeorgina.com/gb/guestbook.php
Amanda's website: http://www.amandaberry.net/
guestbook: http://www.amandaberry.net/cgi-bin/guestbook.cgi

Both Amanda and Gina are available for you to "adopt" through Project Jason's Adopt a Missing Person program. For more information, visit http://www.projectjason.org/adopt.html.

Ashley Martinez: Included in On the Road to Remember 2007, other news

The On the Road to Remember Tour is held by the CUE (Community United Effort) Center, a non-profit missing persons organization based in North Carolina. It stops in various locations in several states and holds rallies to gain attention for local missing people who have become "cold cases".

This year their schedule included a stop at the Krug swimming pool in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 14. Ashley Martinez, then 15 years old, was last seen there on July 6, 2004. She is believed to have run away with a 32-year-old convicted felon named Christopher Hart. He was arrested in Olympia, Washington, on September 4, 2004, but Ashley was not with him. He had been promising to take her to California, or she may be in Nebraska or Kansas City, Missouri. The car they were supposedly traveling in, a stolen grey 1995 Pontiac Bonneville with Missouri license plate 377MPY, has also not been found.
Ashley has bipolar disorder and may engage in dangerous behavior when she does not have her medication. She also has asthma. She did not bring along her medicine or any of her personal belongings. Therefore, she is rightly classified as "endangered".
Update: Article mentioning rally from http://stjoechannel.com/content/fulltext/?cid=12356:

National Spotlight Shines on Missing People in the Area

Reported by: Patty Santos
Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 @10:30pm
A
national spotlight shines on missing people in the Midland Empire. The 4th
Annual Missing Persons Tour made a stop in two area towns. Word of Branson
Perry's disappearance will reach 11 states by the end of June, giving his family
another glimpse of hope that the 26-year-old will soon be found.
"It's an awesome feeling, it makes you feel like there is hope, that there
are people that really do care," Becky Klino, mother, said.
Monica Caison is leading the "On the Road to Remember" tour spreading the
word and pictures of 75 missing adults across 5,100 miles.
"A lot of these cases that we are featuring, are cases that have gone cold,
because they weren't promoted properly at the beginning, of they just didn't
have enough information to go on," Caison said.
For the remaining 2,400 miles the van will attract the attention of many
people in small and big communities. They also want to grab some media
attention.
"It's important that we get the press involved, and get Perry's name out,"
Ben Espey, Nodaway County Sheriff, said. "We're still looking for clues and
leads that we can follow up on."
Branson's mother said it's vital to keep these cases front and center. So
far the group has helped bring in several new leads in other cases. Every
opportunity to get Branson's name to one more person could mean one more
clue.
"You feel like you're very alone and with organizations like this, you feel
like you are embraced with a lot of love, a lot of support and it gives you
strength," Klino said.
"We don't have a reason or rhyme or why, we're here for them and its just
one more piece that it gives them to get through another day," Caison
said.
The tour is sponsored by the community uniter effort organization. The tour
features mostly missing adults, whom they said are often left by the wayside.
The group also stopped by Krug Pool to feature Ashley Martinez. Her family
has been searching for her since she disappeared from this same area three years
ago. The runaway would now be 18 years old.
Her mother said having the community united effort feature her daughter's
story in 11 states could lead to her where abouts. Martinez's family and friends
gathered at the park wearing pins with her picture on it.
They said they're not giving up hope on finding her. For more information
on the tour log on to www.ncmissingpersons.org .

Ashley's mother was recently interviewed for Project Jason's missing people podcast. You can listen to it by clicking on the following links: http://www.lumospub.com/images/Ashley_Martinez_Item_3a_missingpeoplepodcast.com.mp3 , http://www.lumospub.com/images/Ashley_Martinez_Item_3b_missingpeoplepodcast.com.mp3 and http://www.lumospub.com/images/Ashley_Martinez_Item_3c_missingpeoplepodcast.com.mp3.

Ashley was also scheduled be featured on the Missing radio program yesterday (June 15).

If you have any information about the disappearance of Ashley Renee Martinez, please call the Saint Joseph Police Department at (816) 271-4777 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

You can print a poster of Ashley here.
Ashley's website: http://www.findashleymartinez.com/
Ashley's guestbook: http://www.findashleymartinez.com/ashleygb
Additional information at http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/m/martinez_ashley.html.

You can "adopt" Ashley through Project Jason's Adopt a Missing Person program. For more information, visit http://www.projectjason.org/adopt.html.

For more information about the "Road to Remember Tour", including a schedule of stops, visit http://angelsthatcare.blogspot.com/2007/06/on-road-to-remember.html.

Photo and age progression of Ashley from the Charley Project.

Jason Jolkowski: Rally article

A few days ago, I had mentioned that Jason Jolkowski was going to be included in the CUE Center's Road to Remember Tour 2007. Here is an article on the rally that was held.

It sounds as if it was successful; now if only Jason and Jesse could be found!

Article from http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10042595. Photo of Jason from his website.

Published Thursday June 14, 2007
Missing people's stories told at ceremony
BY LEIA BAEZ
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Kelly and Jim Jolkowski aren't giving
up.
Wednesday marked six years since they last saw their son, Jason Jolkowski,
then 19, when he left their Benson area home to walk to work.
More than 50 people attended a ceremony Wednesday night at Holy Name
Catholic Church to commemorate the day, which Mayor Mike Fahey declared Omaha
Missing Persons Day.
Project Jason, founded by the Jolkowski family, sponsored the event where
community members prayed and listened to stories from families of missing
persons.
"Things are going very good for Project Jason," Kelly Jolkowski said. "We
have had national recognition in many ways.
"Awareness is key."
Jolkowski said her toughest challenge has been living day to day not
knowing what happened to her son.
Through Project Jason however, she is able to show support to other
families of missing people and receive support in return.
The Cue Center, a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina that
provides assistance for families of the missing, included the Omaha event as a
stop on its fourth annual "On the Road to Remember Tour."
Monica Caison, founder of the organization, said it's important for
families of missing persons never to give up, but also to maintain a healthy
lifestyle for themselves.
The tour, which runs through June 21, will cover 2,400 miles, making 22
stops in 11 states and raising awareness for 75 missing person cases.
Don and Donna Ross of Belton, Mo., traveled to the Omaha event to show
support and raise awareness for their missing son, 20-year-old Jesse Ross.
Jesse Ross, who was a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,
vanished Nov. 21, 2006, after attending a conference in Chicago. After a dance,
Jesse was seen heading to his hotel room, a 10-minute walk. He never made
it.
"Seven months later we are still hoping for word," Don Ross said. "Thanks
to (Project Jason), Jesse's story has been heard nationwide."

If you know anything about the disappearance of Jason Anthony Jolkowski, please call the Omaha Police Department at (402) 444-5657 or Omaha Crimestoppers at (402) 444-STOP.

Jason's website: http://members.cox.net/prayersandposters/

Jason's guestbook: http://pub36.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=3085091876

You can print a poster of Jason at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200301135W.

Jason is one of the missing people you can "adopt" through Project Jason's Adopt a Missing Person program. For more information, visit http://projectjason.org/adopt.html.

To learn more about Jesse Ross, please visit http://boards.courttv.com/showthread.php?threadid=280760 and http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/brief.cfm?id=42565.

Project Jason website: http://www.projectjason.org/

For more information about the "Road to Remember Tour", including a schedule of stops, visit http://angelsthatcare.blogspot.com/2007/06/on-road-to-remember.html.

Jason Jolkowski now missing 6 years, Omaha, Nebraska

From http://www.ketv.com/news/13474249/detail.html:

Mother Marks 6th Anniversary Of Missing Son
POSTED: 7:30 pm CDT June 9, 2007
UPDATED: 9:08 am CDT June 10, 2007
OMAHA, Neb. -- Kelly Jolkowski's son Jason disappeared six years ago. His parents last saw him outside his house on June 13, 2001.
"It's hard to believe sometimes, the time seems very fast,sometimes it seems very slow, you just can't believe you'd be in this position," said Jolkowski.
Next week, she'll mark the anniverary of her son's disappearence by remembering him with the families of other missing people.
On Wednesday June 13, 2007, Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey will declare the day
Omaha Missing Persons Day.
There will be ceremony at Memorial Park in Omaha. The Air Force Color Guard and bagpipers will be there.
The founder of the Cue Center, a nonprofit organization from North Carolina led by Monica Caison, which provides assistance for families of the missing, will be there as well.
Caison has included Omaha and the event as a stop on her national tour to
bring awareness to numerous missing persons cases. The tour will cover 2,400
miles, 22 stops in 11 states and 75 missing person cases.
The ceremony at Memorial Park will go from 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. If it rains, the ceremony will move inside to Holy Name Church at 2901 Fontenelle Boulevard.
Jolkowski founded Project Jason in her son's name. She now helps other families of missing persons across the country.

If you know anything about the disappearance of Jason Anthony Jolkowski, please call the Omaha Police Department at (402) 444-5657 or Omaha Crimestoppers at (402) 444-STOP.
Jason's website: http://members.cox.net/prayersandposters/
Jason's guestbook: http://pub36.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=3085091876
You can print a poster of Jason at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200301135W.

Jason is one of the missing people you can "adopt" through Project Jason's Adopt a Missing Person program. For more information, visit http://projectjason.org/adopt.html.

Project Jason website: http://www.projectjason.org/

For more information about the "Road to Remember Tour", including a schedule of stops, visit http://angelsthatcare.blogspot.com/2007/06/on-road-to-remember.html.

Christopher Kerze now missing 17 years, Eagan, Minnesota

I was introduced to Christopher Matthew Kerze's case when one of his mother's friends emailed me last September. She gave an overview of the circumstances of his disappearance like what you will read below. She also said that two years ago (maybe three years by now), the local police received a letter postmarked in Seattle, Washington, asking them to stop looking for Christopher and saying that he will come home when he is ready. His family thinks he might be in that area, and they wonder if he had a head injury which made him forget who he was and where he was from.

Christopher, if you are reading this, you have people who obviously love you and miss you and are still hoping that you will return safely even though you have been gone for so long.

From http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/k/kerze_christopher.html:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: April 20, 1990
from Eagan, Minnesota
Classification: Endangered Runaway
Date Of Birth:
February 19, 1973
Age: 17 years old
Height and Weight: 5'11, 135 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown eyes.
Kerze had facial acne at the time of his 1990 disappearance. He wears eyeglasses
or contact lenses. Kerze's feet point outward while he is walking. He has a
one-inch scar on his forehead near the hairline and a small red birthmark on the
bottom of his foot. His nicknames are Chris and Rick-o.
Clothing/Jewelry
Description: A long acid-washed blue denim trenchcoat, a large black cotton
sweatshirt, blue Bugle Boy jeans with pockets at the knees, brown leather boat
shoes, and a zebra-striped Swatch watch.
Medical Conditions: Kerze is
allergic to sulpha drugs. At the time of his disappearance, he was ill with a
fever.

Details of Disappearance
Kerze stayed home sick from school on
the day he disappeared. He was last seen leaving his family's residence in
Eagan, Minnesota on April 20, 1990. He was driving his family's blue Dodge
Caravan at the time of his disappearance. He left a note saying he would return
home at approximately 6:00 p.m., but he never came back. The vehicle was
discovered abandoned one week later, approximately twenty miles north of Grand
Rapids, Minnesota. There was no sign of Kerze at the scene and he has never been
heard from again.
Kerze carried a black leather wallet at the time of his
disappearance. His case remains unsolved. Authorities believe Kerze left his
family's home of his own accord.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Eagan Police Department
612-454-3900

You can also call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

The photo on the left shows Christopher around 1990; the one on the right shows what he might look like today. Both photos are from The Charley Project (link above).

You can print a poster of Christopher here.

Lonnett Jackson now missing 1 year, Hazelwood, Pennsylvania

I first posted on Lonnett Myer Jackson on April 28 of last year, about two weeks after she went missing. Apparently, not much has changed.
From http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/j/jackson_lonnett.html:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: April 11, 2006 from
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of
Birth: June 7, 1959
Age: 46 years old
Height and Weight:5'4, 192 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American female.Graying black hair,
brown eyes. Jackson's nicknames are Nett and Tootsie. Shehas a surgical scar
near her hairline on the right side of her head, and aCaesarean section scar on
her abdomen. Her ears are pierced.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A black
sleeveless hooded jacket, a white undershirt, dark blue warm-up pants and white
sneakers.
Medical Conditions:Jackson suffers from severe depression and has
threatened to commit suicide in the past. She may have overdosed on pain
medication on the day of her disappearance. She is supposed to take daily
anti-depressant medicine and does not have the medicine with her.
Details of
Disappearance
Jackson was last seen at approximately 11:00 a.m. on April 11,
2006 at her residence in the vicinity of the 5100 block of Chaplain Way in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has never been heard from again. Investigators
believe Jackson is at grave risk and may have taken an overdose of pain
medication before she left her home. She took only her identification and Social
Security card with her when she went missing.
Her case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case,
please contact:
Pittsburgh Police Department
412-323-7142

You can print a poster of Lonnett at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200604344S.

Mary Ann Verdecchia now missing 45 years, Bloomfield, Pennsylvania

If somehow Mary Ann is still alive, she would be 55 years old and maybe even a grandma.
The quality of the photo is not that great, presumably due to the fact that it is so old. Time is the enemy in cases like this, and probably not much can be proven until Mary Ann is found. And even then, most evidence (i.e., of being molested) would be long gone. Still, won't you take time to see if you can remember anything, if you were alive there back then?
From http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/v/verdecchia_mary.html:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 7, 1962 from Bloomfield, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: August 15, 1951
Age: 10 years old
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown eyes.
Details of Disappearance
Verdecchia was last seen on June 7, 1962 in Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. She completed a half-day of classes at Immaculate Conception School, went home, and changed out of her uniform and into streetclothes. At 12:30 p.m. she went to Martinique Apartments on Baum Boulevard in Bloomfield to run errands for a woman who lived there. The woman sent Verdecchia to the store. She was last seen re-entering the apartment complex at 2:45 p.m.
Verdecchia has never been heard from again. She was missed at 6:00 p.m. and her disappearance was reported to the police at 10:30 p.m. after her relativeshad searched for her with no result. A few days after her disappearance, a piece of jewelry believed to have belonged to her was found at the entrance to the Highland Park Zoo, but a massive search turned up no other sign of her.Authorities are uncertain if the jewelry is connected to her disappearance; she could have lost it before she vanished.
In 1991, an adult man came forwardand said that in 1962, when he was nine years old, he witnessed a Presbyterian minister molest and murder a young girl in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If the account is true the victim was probably Verdecchia, the only girl reported missing in the area at that time. The witness's account was never confirmed and the minister, who maintains his innocence, has not been charged in connection with Verdecchia's case.
Verdecchia lived with her aunt at the time of her disappearance. She had moved in with her after her own parents separated in 1957. Neither parent played a big part in Verdecchia's life. At first investigators believed Verdecchia's mother had taken her, but she was located and cleared as a suspect, as was the child's father. Both of Verdecchia's parents are now deceased, but her aunt still lives in Bloomfield.Foul play is suspected in Verdecchia's case; her aunt believes she is deceased and was probably attacked inside the Martinique Apartments. Her disappearance remains a mystery.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Pittsburgh Police Bureau
412-323-7800

There is an article on Mary from six years ago, and it can still be read for free at http://www.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20010722missingreg3p3.asp.
An article from 1991 about the minister has been reprinted at http://s10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/ar/t4736.htm. According to it, the witness said he was molested by the same man, and he showed police a five-acre burial site, but no remains were found.
Forum thread on Mary Ann: http://websleuths.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-19917.html

Charles Beltz now missing 2 years, Spring Creek Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania

If he had left the area, there is a chance he could have disappeared voluntarily, but then wouldn't he have taken his car with him? It sounds like the search was pretty thorough. Could he have become disoriented and wandered off? I know 56 is not quite "elderly", but it is still possible, right? Although, one would think he would have been found by now.

From http://www.nampn.org/cases/beltz_charles_r.html:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 7, 2005
from Spring Creek Township, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: August 29, 1948
Age: 56
Height: 5'8"-5'10"
Weight: 220 lbs.
Hair Color: Gray
Eye Color: Green
Race: White
Gender: Male
Distinguishing Characteristics: Scar around right
knee,scars on back, missing toe nails on big toes, upper dentures, may have
beard and mustache.
Clothing: Camouflage shirt and pants, brown boots.
Jewelry: Gold wedding band with a diamond worn on left ring finger.
AKA: "Chuck"
NCIC Number: M-804982284
Case Number: C06-0827659
Details of Disappearance
Charles was last seen in the Hallton area of Spring Creek Township, PA. His
vehicle, described as a white 1992 Plymouth Caravan, was later located at a
campsite in Clear Creek State Park in Spring Creek Township, PA. An extensive
search went on for approximately two weeks in June 2005 in a 200-mile radius of
the campsite where he was, at the time, belived to have been, but the search was
called off as it was believed Beltz was no longer in the area.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police
(814) 776-6136

You can print a poster of Charles at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200604090S.

Georgina DeJesus now missing 3 years, Cleveland, Ohio

Again, I do not believe in psychics. Anyway, the woman has a 50-50 chance of being right: Either Gina knew her kidnapper or she didn't. And it is definitely possible that she did know him/her.
The image on the left is from the same article and shows Gina around 2004. The picture on the right is from The Cleveland Free Times and shows how Gina might look now if she is still alive.
From http://www.newsnet5.com/news/11491977/detail.html:

Psychic Says Gina DeJesus Knew Her Kidnapper
Gina Disappeared 3 Years
Ago
POSTED: 7:33 am EDT April 2, 2007
CLEVELAND -- A psychic was called in
to help find a missing Cleveland teenager.
Gina DeJesus vanished three years
ago today while walking home on the city's west side. She went missing April 2,
2004, from West 105th Street and Lorain Avenue.
Gale St. John from northwest
Ohio believes Gina knew her kidnapper and felt comfortable with the person.
She said it's up to everyone to help with the search.
"We are hoping to
get more and more community involved in cases like this to help. We need to find
the missing people across the U.S.," St. John said.
Images:
Missing Persons
The psychic is also helping out with the search for other
northeast Ohioans who are missing.
There have been several tips provided in
the case, but they have not led to finding Gina.
Her mother hasn't given up
hope that someone might recognize her daughter's face and come forward with
information.
If you have information, call Cleveland police at (216)
623-5118.
You can also contact the Missing Children's Task Force at
(888)-660-5437.
A $25,000 reward is being offered.

A more recent update from http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=68090&provider=gnews:

Home videos may help find missing girls
Caitlin Kollar
Created: 5/20/2007
10:48:47 PM
Updated:5/21/2007 6:37:43 AM
CLEVELAND -- Their names are
Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus. One was coming home from work, the other from
school, but neither made it.
You've seen their posters and know their names,
but now a never before look into the lives of two girls who vanished without a
trace.
Until now these home videos were just private family memories. Now
investigators hope they will be the missing link they need to solve these cases.
Chances are you've seen the pictures of Amanda Berry and Gina Dejesus on
your TV more have than once. Now there is home video of Amanda and video of Gina
too.
Both families provided us with a copy of their precious moments.
Gina's family and her sister hope the tapes might get someone watching to
remember something.
Gina vanished April 2, 2004. Amanda disappeared a year before on April 21,
2003. Both girls were last seen walking across the street from this parking lot.
The years have been tough on the families and on investigators too who
think home video like this might help.
Any information on the cases is much appreciated. What is not appreciated
is intentional wrong information which has come in and slowed down the
investigations.
Now the hope is this home video will make someone remember something they
weren't sure about in the past and force someone to do the right thing.
With the anguish and frustration of living without Gina and Amanda, both
families trust investigators are doing all they can.
May 25, marks the 25th National Missing Children's Day.

There is also a much longer article at http://www.freetimes.com/stories/15/1/whatever-happened-to-gina-mandy that gives more background information on the two girls, along with a psychic's story on what happened to Amanda Berry and a map showing the routes both she and Gina took on the days they vanished.

You can print a poster of Gina DeJesus here (does not include age progression) and a poster of Amanda Berry (includes age progression) here.

Gina's website: http://www.findgeorgina.com/
guestbook: http://www.findgeorgina.com/gb/guestbook.php
Amanda's website: http://www.amandaberry.net/
guestbook: http://www.amandaberry.net/cgi-bin/guestbook.cgi
Both Amanda and Gina are available for you to "adopt" through Project Jason's Adopt a Missing Person program. For more information, visit http://www.projectjason.org/adopt.html.

Luis Gonzales now missing 3 years, Las Vegas, Nevada

I expected to have to do two anniversary postings tonight, only to find out that one person had been found at least four months ago. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about Luis Fernando Gonzalez--yet. Maybe you recognize him and could help return him home? Obviously he will look different, since he grew from a six year old to a nine year old. Since there is no age progression, you will have to use your imagination a bit.
Information from Luis' poster:

Family Abduction
LUIS GONZALEZ
DOB: Jan 30, 1998
Missing: Jun 2, 2004
Age Now: 9
Sex: Male
Race: White/Hisp
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 3'8" (112 cm)
Weight: 56 lbs (25 kg)
Missing From:
LAS VEGAS
NV
United States
RAFAEL GONZALEZ
Abductor
DOB: Feb 21, 1964
Sex: Male
Race: White/Hisp
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)
The child was abducted by his non-custodial
father, Rafael Gonzalez. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on
November 29, 2004. The abductor may use the alias last name Rivas.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
Department (Nevada) 1-702-229-3111

You can print your own poster of Luis by visiting the link above. Just remember to change your page setup to "landscape" or the father's information will be cut off.

Azucena Valdez found?

Today would have been the third anniversary of Azucena's disappearance. However, as I checked for information, I found a site which lists her as "RECOVERED". The link is http://someoneismissing.com/fbi-missing.htm. Under Yolanda Bindics' name it says "Remains Found", so I am hoping this means Azucena was found safe. Its FBI link also does not work any longer.
She is no longer listed on the FBI's missing persons webpage, http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/kidmiss.htm. However, she is still listed by the Cache County Sheriff's Office. But, according to a comment on Topix (http://www.topix.net/forum/city/wellsville-ut/TANUF349LHLBHGCBN) and a blog post (http://fighttostopviolence.blogspot.com/2007/05/missing-white-woman-syndrome.html), the FBI website did list her as recovered.
Someone asked about it on Yahoo! Answers four months ago, so she would had to have been recovered by February.
I suppose the FBI is a trustworthy source, but it would of course be nice to know more details.

Natalee Holloway now missing 2 years, Aruba

When we first heard this story, did we think this much time would pass before Natalee was found? Despite all the media coverage and all the searches, she is still missing, and little can be done (prosecution wise) until there is some solid evidence.

However, there has been some action in the case lately. To briefly sum it up, here is a transcript from the May 30 episode of On the Record with Greta van Susteren (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276715,00.html):

Missing in Paradise: Where Is Natalee Holloway?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
This is a rush transcript from "On the Record ," May 30, 2007. This copy may
not be in its final form and may be updated.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST:
Eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway headed off to Aruba for an
exciting high school graduation trip with friends in 2005. She said goodbye to
her mother and left Alabama for an island vacation. That was the last time Beth
Holloway saw her teenage daughter. And it was exactly two years ago tonight that
Natalee was out with friends at a nightclub in Aruba.
What happened after she
left the club? That remains a horrible mystery. Two years, plenty of heartache
but still no answers for Natalee's mother and father.
Beth Holloway joins us
tonight from Birmingham. Beth, I can only imagine, not only two years ago that
she left that club, but also you got that phone call two years ago and a few
hours from now. Is there any way to describe — describe how you're
doing?
BETH HOLLOWAY, NATALEE'S MOTHER: Well, I know one thing as far as the
phone call, Greta. It's the phone call that no parent wants to receive. And you
know, it's been a long, painful journey of two years. And I, you know, never
could have imagined all that has taken place, and you know, nor could I have
imagined when I received that phone call the twists and turns of this event and
how it was all going to unfold. And it's been unimaginable journey,
Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you give up hope, at some point, and sort of
reconcile yourself to the fact that this is the way it is?
HOLLOWAY: I don't
give up hope that I will get an answer one day. You know, I still am hopeful
about that, Greta. You know, and with things that happened just as recently as
the — you know, the latest developments, it does give you a little bit of
resurgence, and you know, remind you that, you know, things could still be
forthcoming. So I still remain hopeful that I will get an answer.
VAN
SUSTEREN: Well, it's- it's — I mean, you show a sense of optimism and you're
upbeat, you know, when we talk. I guess that the thing that's sort of
distressing from afar is that you get — you get word that there's going to be a
search someplace and it sounds like they're finally onto something, and then all
of a sudden, it falls flat like a big thud, and then that's the end of it. I
mean, you go up and down.
HOLLOWAY: Well, you're exactly right, and I think
the most painful thing that's occurred just recently was the search of the Van der
Sloot property. I think that, you know, that probably hit me harder than
anything else, Greta. And I don't know if it had been the time that had
transpired or if was just the act of — you know, of knowing what they were doing
and what they would possibly be searching for. But I think that was probably the
most difficult thing that I've faced in this journey. It was — I didn't see it
coming, and you know, I just had a really hard time with that.
VAN SUSTEREN:
You know, I've always found it particularly cruel that the Aruban government or
the prosecutor didn't provide you and Natalee's father more information about
the status of the investigation. They claim it's the rules, but frankly, I — I
think that there must be some way around that (INAUDIBLE) to be — to be humane.
Do you have any contact whatsoever with the current prosecutor?
HOLLOWAY: No,
I don't. And of course, John Kelly has been communicating with him. And I think,
over the least couple of weeks, things have picked up somewhat in the
communicative process from the justice officials in Aruba. So you know, it's
been a long time forthcoming, but I think it has picked up lately.
VAN
SUSTEREN: Well, you might get some information out of the lawsuit that you and
Dave have filed against the Kalpoe brothers. I know that John Q. Kelly is out in
California to argue at least part of it on Friday. But if you're able to
proceed, you're going to get the Kalpoe brothers under oath at a deposition and
ask them lots of questions, so maybe you'll get information then.
HOLLOWAY:
Oh, absolutely. And I mean, that's something that is still very much viable, and
you know, we hope that that will happen.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you hear from — I
know Natalee's friends spent a lot — stayed in touch with you for a long time.
Do you still stay in touch with Natalee's friends?
HOLLOWAY: I do. I do,
periodically. You know, they're busy with school. They, of course, now finished
and are home for the summer. But you know, yes. They would maintain a periodic
phone call or I would to them. So yes, and that's been good. It's been very
therapeutic for me, and I hope, as well, for them.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, I have
hounded you to write a book. And I know that you kept very careful notes during
the investigation, but I kept telling you that all the viewers want more
information. They want to find out anything about it. You're starting to write a
book?
HOLLOWAY: I am. I am. And you know, Greta, I feel as if — you know, if
we can share some of the painful lessons that I've learned and the power of
faith and can share these lessons with other parents and young adults, then, you
know — and if I can prevent this tragedy from happening to another family, then
it will be — well have been worth the writing of this book. So that is my
hope.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, I'm glad you're writing it. I know that I've been
pounding you to write it, just from the massive number of e-mails we get from
viewers who — they still — they send e-mails all the time, What's up with
Natalee? Anyway, Beth, thank you. Sorry that we're at this anniversary point.
Maybe next year at this time, we'll have answers. Thank you, Beth.
HOLLOWAY:
Thank you, Greta.

A few of my own little comments:

- I notice that Natalee's mom is referred to as "Beth Holloway". She is divorced (0r at least in the process of divorce) from George "Jug" Twitty as of last December. It seems odd that she went back to her surname from her previous marriage instead of her maiden name. Maybe as a tribute to Natalee? Or maybe it is an honest mistake on the part of Greta and the transcriber(s)?

- For more details on the van der Sloot search, which occurred April 27 and 28, see http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=6453297 and http://www.nbc13.com/gulfcoastwest/vtm/news.apx.-content-articles-VTM-2007-05-03-0016.html. The Kalpoe brothers' home was searched on May 12 of this year. (See http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=nation_world&id=5299653. I am not sure that calling the Kalpoes "one-time suspects" is quite accurate, since as far as I know, the only person who has been officially cleared of suspicion is Paulus van der Sloot.)

- As you probably already know, Natalee's father, Dave Holloway, has already published a book,
Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise (co-authored with R. Stephanie Good and Larry Garrison). It will probably also be good to hear Natalee's mother's side of the story, but I still think it is a little too soon for either of them to have published books on her disappearance. Maybe it would be different if she had been missing for longer. Dave, at least, would have to write a sequel after Natalee or her body is found, and there seems to be a lot of uncertainty even though suspicions always come back to Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers. According to Amazon.com, Beth Holloway (yes her name is listed that way there, too)'s book is called Evidence of Faith: Loving Natalee -- A Mother's Testament of Hope and is scheduled to be released on October 2. And I suppose I will probably go out and buy it, too, even if I think it is too soon.

Anyway, there is an update on the lawsuit and it is not good news for the Holloway family. I can see the reasoning, though.

Article from http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_152135917.html:

Jun 1, 2007 10:53 am US/Pacific
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Dismissed In
Holloway Case
(CBS) LOS ANGELES A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Los Angeles
against two Aruban brothers by the parents of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway was
dismissed Friday by a judge.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charles C. Lee granted a motion by Deepak
and Satish Kalpoe to throw out the lawsuit brought by Elizabeth Ann Twitty and
Dave E. Holloway because it has no connection to California and the court has no
jurisdiction over the siblings.
Natalee was vacationing with friends on the Caribbean island resort when
the 18-year-old disappeared the night of May 30, 2005.
The Kalpoes and another Aruban resident, Joran van der Sloot, have been the
subject of scrutiny by Aruban authorities and the U.S. media. All three were
arrested in connection with the girl's disappearance, but were later released.
The Kalpoes and van der Sloot have maintained that they were not involved
in her disappearance and also have denied rumors and allegations they had sex
with her.
According to court papers filed by the brothers' attorneys, an important
ruling occurred Jan. 24 in another case involving the Kalpoes in which they sued
"Dr. Phil" McGraw and CBS Television for defamation.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edward A. Ferns ruled that the wrongful
death claim of the teen's parents against the Kalpoes is substantially different
from the defamation lawsuit against the celebrity doctor.
The Kalpoes allege they were defamed in a Sept. 15, 2005, "Dr. Phil" show
that they maintain falsely suggested they gave Holloway a date rape drug and had
non-consensual group sex with her.
The episode also implied the siblings helped kill Holloway and dispose of
her body, according to the lawsuit, which is the subject of a hearing scheduled
for Wednesday.
"These actions do not arise from the same or substantially identical
transactions, happenings or events," Ferns wrote, in ruling that both cases
should not be kept before the same judge.
In addition to defamation, the Kalpoes' suit alleges invasion of privacy,
emotional distress, fraud, deceit and civil conspiracy.
William Cremer, an attorney representing the Kalpoes in both the wrongful
death suit and the defamation case, said outside the courtroom that he is
pleased with the ruling dismissing the suit by Natalee's parents.
"It was what we anticipated," Cremer said. "The only reason it was filed
was to detract attention from the Dr. Phil case."
Cremer said the only proper place to file a wrongful death case would be in
Aruba, but he said that also would be pointless.
"They don't have a shred of evidence against them," Cremer said. John Q.
Kelly, an attorney for Twitty and Dave Holloway, said he was disappointed with
the ruling and will talk with his clients about their future course of action,
which could include an appeal.
"There are all kinds of promising issues," Kelly said. Natalee's parents
were pessimistic about the chances of the lawsuit going forward, in part because
their previous wrongful death suit, filed against van der Sloot last year in New
York, also was dismissed, Kelly said.
Unlike the case against the Kalpoes, van der Sloot was personally served
with the lawsuit against him during a visit to the U.S., Kelly said.
Twitty, of Alabama, and Holloway, of Mississippi, filed their suit against
the Kalpoes the day after the brothers sued McGraw. The suit maintained they
caused fatal injuries to Natalee, even though her body has never been found and
Aruban authorities have not determined if she is dead or alive.
Twitty and Dave Holloway, who are divorced, maintained that by bringing an
action against McGraw in Los Angeles, the Kalpoes voluntarily submitted
themselves to the Los Angeles Superior Court jurisdiction.
But in their court papers, attorneys for the Kalpoes argued that Twitty and
Holloway are not part of the defamation case; that the alleged misconduct by the
defendants in the lawsuits occurred in two entirely different locations, Aruba
and California; and that one suit involves wrongful death and the other
defamation.
In support of their motion, the siblings' attorneys attached to their court
papers a declaration by their mother, Kemwattie Ramirez, stating that her sons
live with her in Aruba and have no ties to California.
"Neither Deepak nor Satish has ever traveled to California, or anywhere
within the United States, for business or pleasure," according to their mother,
who also said her sons have no business, employment of financial ties to
California.
George "Jug" Twitty, Twitty's most recent husband and Natalee's stepfather,
filed for divorce in December. Before the breakup, he and Elizabeth Twitty made
numerous media appearances together after Natalee went missing.

One last tidbit of lesser known news: a British psychic is claiming that he has information on Natalee's disappearance in the form of a Kansas "numberplate", which I'm guessing is the British term for a license plate. That certainly seems far fetched, and for the record I do not believe in psychics, but I suppose it is worth mentioning in case it somehow proves relevant.

If you have any useful information on the disappearance of Natalee Ann Holloway, please call 1-866-SOS-LOST (1-866-767-5678).

Natalee's website: http://www.natalee-holloway.com

Natalee's guesbook: http://www.natalee-holloway.com/guestbook/addentry.php

A couple blogs about Natalee: http://blogsfornatalee.com, http://justicefornataleeholloway.blogspot.com

Photo of Natalee from her website.

Nicole Bryner: Suspect pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter

Time will tell whether he lied about the burial site or if investigators just haven't found little Nicole's body yet.

The article did not include photos, so these images are from the Charley Project (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/b/bryner_nicole.html), which gives more details on earlier events in the case. The photo on the top left shows Nicole around age 3. The first two photos on the right show what she might look like today if by some chance Mr. Widman is lying and she is actually still alive. The bottom right photo shows Nicole's mother, and the bottom left photo is Timothy Wayne Widman himself.

From http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_510390.html:

Brookline man admits killing missing girl in 1982
By Bobby Kerlik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, May 31, 2007
A Brookline man pleaded guilty Thursday to
involuntary manslaughter for killing a 3-year-old girl, who was initially
reported missing from a South Side grocery store in 1982.
In a plea deal
with prosecutors, Timothy Widman, 52, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison
for killing Nicole Lynn Bryner on March 11, 1982.
Widman lived with Nicole's
mother, Melody Thomas, when the child was reported missing from a Giant Eagle
supermarket. He confessed to Nicole's death in June 1986 and was charged with
involuntary manslaughter. Thomas, by then living in Texas, was charged with
giving false information to police and hindering apprehension.
Prosecutors
dropped the manslaughter charges a year later because they could not find the
child's remains. At the time, case law dictated that a body was needed to prove
homicide.
Widman told investigators he smacked the child to the floor after
she bit his foot while he was napping on the couch. He and Thomas put the girl
to bed and awoke the next day to find her dead, police said.
The couple
buried the girl's naked body in a wooded area in Brookline, Widman told
investigators. Thomas then reported her missing from the supermarket the next
day. When Widman was arrested in 1986, he led police to a wooded area off
Dunsten Avenue in Brookline where he said the child was buried. The area was
searched extensively, but nothing was found.
Cold case detectives arrested
Widman again in September after police obtained new information and took
advantage of a change in law stating that a body does not have to be found.
Police searched the area again in the fall but Nicole's body was never found
Bobby Kerlik can be reached at bkerlik@tribweb.com or 412-391-0927.

One question that comes to mind is why her body was naked, since it seems hard to believe that she was just going around the house without wearing anything. Then again, she was only 3, and I am no expert on the mannerisms of small children. Or maybe he took her clothes off to put her to bed? Or maybe he and her mother took off her clothes before the burial so that people would not find them buried and be suspicious?

If you have any additional information about the whereabouts of Nicole Lynn Bryner, please call the Pittsburgh Police Department at (412) 255-2800 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

If you choose, you can print a poster of Nicole from the NCMEC; however, it still has the story about her being abducted at the store.