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.

Damien Sharp now missing 5 years, Warren, Pennsylvania

I first heard of Damien Mark Sharp through another missing person. There had been an article on Yolanda Bindics of Jamestown, New York (since found deceased, though her murder still seems to be unsolved); Damien; and another missing woman from New York named Lori Bova.

Here is the portion of the article on Damien. The article was originally published June 13, 2006.

But the rally was also meant to remember two others who disappeared without
a trace — Damien Sharp of Warren and Lori Bova of Lakewood.
‘‘We have this club that we don’t want anyone else to join,’’ said Janeane
Shanahan, Damien’s mother, as she stood beside her husband, Paul; Jim and Sue
Ceci, Ms. Bova’s parents; and Ms. Bindics.
Damien Sharp
Damien was last seen in Warren during Memorial Day Weekend in 2002 at the
age of 22. For Mr. and Mrs. Shanahan, May 25 marked the fourth anniversary of
his disappearance. Since he was living on his own, family members didn’t know he
was missing until more than a week had passed, reporting it to police on June 3.
In the wake of his disappearance, police searched areas of the Allegheny
Reservoir, the Allegheney National Forest and Morrison Run in the Warren
vicinity, but no evidence ever turned up.
Mr. and Mrs. Shanahan have in many ways been discouraged with the
investigation. Mr. Shanahan feels other agencies could have been more involved,
and both agree they could have been provided with more information.
‘‘There was a lot of conversation in the first couple months. Then it was
mostly us chasing them,’’ Mr. Shanahan said. ‘‘We have some frustrations with
how things have been handled.’’
‘‘(The case) needs a new perspective,’’ he added.
It wasn’t until March 2003 that the Warren City Police Department
reclassified the case as a criminal investigation rather than a simple missing
persons investigation. Under Pennsylvania law, the change allowed police broader
powers in their search.
‘‘Now we can consider him a victim. He no longer has the right to be
missing. Primarily we are starting from scratch,’’ Warren Police Chief Richard
Poorman told members of the press at the time.
In contrast, Mrs. Shanahan was impressed with the way the Jamestown Police
Department is handling the Bindics case, especially with the support they’ve
given Ms. Bindics’ family.
‘‘I look around here and see officials who came out for this. I think it’s
wonderful,’’ she said, pointing across the parking lot where several ranking
members of the Jamestown Police Department stood conversing with the crowd.

Damien's Charley Project profile (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/sharp_damien.html):

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: May 25, 2002
from Warren, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of
Birth: August 6, 1979
Age: 22 years old
Height and Weight: 5'7, 170
pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Blond hair,
blue/hazel eyes. Sharp has an ankh tattooed on his chest.
Clothing/Jewelry
Description: A dark-colored shirt and shorts.
Medical Conditions: Sharp's
ankle was injured at the time of his disappearance and he was on aluminum
crutches as a result.

Details of Disappearance
Sharp was last seen
when he was reportedly dropped off at a Memorial Day weekend party in Warren,
Pennsylvania on May 25, 2002. He was carrying a bookbag at the time of his
disappearance. He has never been heard from again. In March 2003, the
investigation into his disappearance was reclassified as a homicide, but few
details are available in his case and little evidence has been located to
determine his fate.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Warren Police Department
814-723-2700

You can also call Crimestoppers at 1-800-832-7469.

Damien's website: http://www.warrennet.com/amotherasks/

Damien's guestbook: http://htmlgear.tripod.com/guest/control.guest?u=warrennet&i=1002&a=sign

I haven't found an actual poster of Damien, but his Charley Project profile is probably concise enough to use.

Photo of Damien from the Charley Project.

Sandra Baker now missing 7 years, Delaware Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania

The good news is that Sandra K. Baker is obviously not forgotten, not even by area media.

Article from http://www.sharon-herald.com/local/local_story_144203548.html:

Published May 24, 2007 08:35 pm - Sandra Kay Baker went missing seven years
ago today, but her best friend Linda Henry hasn’t given up hope that the case of
her disappearance will be solved.
Friend of Baker marks 7th year of disappearance
By Monica Pryts
Herald Staff Writer
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP —
Sandra Kay Baker went missing seven years ago
today, but her best friend Linda Henry hasn’t given up hope that the case of her
disappearance will be solved.
“Every year when it’s unresolved it gets
harder, but I try to do positive things,” said Mrs. Henry of
Greenville.
Today she plans to think of the good times she spent with her
friend and hang new posters in the Greenville area that show Ms. Baker’s smiling
face and list information about her disappearance.
“I’m still trying to keep
it in the public eye,” she said, adding she thinks about Ms. Baker every
day.
Ms. Baker, who was 46 and lived in Delaware Township went she went
missing May 25, 2000, is presumed dead, state police said. Her fiancé, William
T. Crea Jr., whom she used to live with in his parents’ home, has been named a
suspect in her disappearance. Crea, who now lives in Ellwood City, hasn’t been
charged.
In January 2006, Clifford Stephen Aley Jr., 49, a private
investigator from Ambridge who performed a background check on Ms. Baker for
Crea, was found guilty of lying to police about her disappearance.
Aley was
sentenced in March 2006 to 18 to 48 months in prison and is serving in
Frackville. Aley appealed the conviction but it was denied in February in state
Superior Court. He’s also serving a 4-to-12-months sentence for threatening
Mercer County Sheriff’s deputies and Mercer County Jail guards.
While Aley
was on trial, he testified that on May 28, 2000, Crea told him he strangled Ms.
Baker May 25 after accusing her of having an affair. Crea told Aley he buried
her body in a container where no one would trip over it, about five to eight
miles from his parents’ home at 62 Folk Road, Delaware Township. Police have
searched that area but found nothing.
Aley admitted he lied to police about
Ms. Baker’s disappearance because Crea told him he would have Aley’s children
killed if he told police Crea confessed to killing Ms. Baker.
Mrs. Henry said
she believes Ms. Baker is dead and there may be someone out there who knows more
about her disappearance. She urges anyone with information to come
forward.
“Fear keeps them from coming forward. Realize even if you’re afraid,
that to think of the fact if you had a loved one missing, wouldn’t you want
someone to come forward and help you?” Mrs. Henry asked.
Police said Crea
reported Ms. Baker missing May 31, 2000, and that he last saw her May 25 at the
Sheetz in Pymatuning Township.

If you happen to be someone who has any additional information on the disappearance of Sandra Baker, please call the Pennsylvania State Police at (724) 662-4200 or (724) 662-6162.

You can print a poster of Sandra at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200300269W.

Brooke Wilberger now missing 3 years, Corvallis, Oregon

From http://www.koin.com/Global/story.asp?S=6565942:

Third Anniversary Of Wilberger Disappearance
CORVALLIS, Ore. - May 24 marks
the third-year anniversary of the disappearance of 19-year-old Brooke
Wilberger.
The Brigham Young University student disappeared from a Corvallis
apartment complex her sister managed near Oregon State. Her body is yet to be
found.
The man police believe abducted and killed the teenager awaits trial
on other charges in New Mexico. Joel Courtney has been held in New Mexico on
charges of kidnapping and raping a University of New Mexico student in November
2004.
That trial is expected in September after which Courtney will be
extradited to Oregon.
5/24/2007

Another interesting tidbit comes from http://www.katu.com/news/local/7658602.html:

2 Exclusive: Wilberger witness talks to KATU
Story Published:
May 23, 2007 at 7:07 PM PDT
Story Updated: May 24, 2007 at 4:07 PM PDT
By Dan Tilkin and KATU Web Staff
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Although Nate McKelvey did not see Brooke Wilberger the day she disappeared, he heard the scream that investigators believe was the last anyone would hear of her. It would prove to be a key piece of information. Brooke Wilberger disappeared on May 24, 2004 from outside the Oak Park Apartments in Corvallis.All that was left behind was her flip flop shoes, her purse and her cell phone.
Nate McKelvey was there that day. When he woke up the morning of May 24, 2004, his wits were clouded by a night of partying and then the scream came.
"It was somewhat blood curdling," he said. "I would say, like a fan scream like at a
concert (McKelvey makes a scream sound here) and then it just got cut short."
McKelvey said he looked out the window, but in the wrong direction.
"It definitely caused a shiver in my spine and I looked through the parking lot," he
said. "But of the 400 cars in the parking lot, I (only) see two people walking
back and forth. I'm scanning. I'm scanning and eventually nothing, so I walk out
to the front door."
McKelvey did not see the green minivan that police would
spend months searching for. In fact, McKelvey saw nothing and thought nothing of
it until the story of Wilberger's disappearance hit the news and investigators
started talking to him.
Detectives would base the time of Wilberger's
abduction on McKelvey's memory of when he heard that scream - 9 a.m. on May 24,
2004.
It was not until 14 months later that Joel Courtney would be arrested
in New Mexico for attacking a college student. He would also be accused of
kidnapping Brooke Wilberger and killing her, although her body has never been
found.
"It's hard," said McKelvey. "It's tough because you want to be the
guy who did the good thing, did the good deed that day and helped somebody stay
safe. It kind of haunts you a little bit when you know you were there, (when you
know) you could have been that deciding factor."
Joel Courtney is accused of
trying to kidnap, rape and murder two other women the same morning that
Wilberger disappeared. Public records show at least one of those women lived
just blocks from where Wilberger was abducted.

(Obviously, Nate McKelvey is the one on the left and Brooke Wilberger is the one on the right.)

If you know anything about Brooke's whereabouts, please call the Corvallis Police Department at 1-877-367-2270, email tips@findbrooke.com, or go to http://www.findbrooke.com/submittip.html.

Brooke's website: http://www.findbrooke.com

You can print a poster of Brooke at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200401499S.

Jeanne Scrima now missing 27 years, Erie, Pennsylvania

Note: Am currently having problems with blockquote featured, so quoted information appears in purple text between dotted lines.

(Jeanne Marie Scrima was living near Knox, New York, when she disappeared, but she was last confirmed to be in Erie, Pennsylvania.)

Photo and information from the Charley Project:

--------------------------------

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: March 19, 1980 from Knox, New York
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: October 15, 1935
Age: 44 years old
Height and Weight: 5'3, 118 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Dark brown hair, hazel eyes.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A gold heart-shaped cocktail ring with diamonds on the outside.

Details of Disappearance
Jeanne resided in a farmhouse near Knox-Gallupville Road in Knox, New York. She met her second husband, John Scrima, while she was employed as a restaurant in the New York City borough of the Bronx. Their marriage was troubled by February 1980 and Jeanne planned to file for divorce. She met John Sidney around the same time and the two began having an affair. Sidney's marriage was ending and Jeanne told him that she was divorced from her husband. Sidney resided in Schoharie County, New York and was employed as a General Electric plant designer in Schenectady, New York.
Jeanne and Sidney drove to Erie, Pennsylvania on March 17, 1980. They stayed at the Hilton hotel while Sidney attended to company business. Jeanne told John that she was visiting loved ones in the area. She learned that her husband realized she was having an affair during a phone conversation with her sister on March 18. Jeanne told Sidney that she was still married and needed to return to Knox the following morning. She promised her four children that she would be home by the time they returned from school in the afternoon.
Jeanne departed from Erie during the morning hours of March 19. She was driving her light blue 1977 Lincoln Continental at the time. The car had New York license plates numbered 458LXS. Authorities believe that she arrived at her family's residence in the early afternoon, but her whereabouts after that time period are unknown. Jeanne has never been heard from again.
John failed to report his wife's disappearance to authorities. Her attorney filed a missing person's report after he was unable to contact her by May 4, 1980. Sidney cooperated with the investigation and was eliminated as a possible suspect after passing a polygraph exam. John refused to speak with authorities and retained a lawyer shortly after Jeanne's disappearance was reported. He sold the family's farmhouse and relocated to Esperance, New York in 1981.
Jeanne's vehicle was spotted in Fultonville, New York several weeks after she was reported missing. Investigators determined that the car passed through several owners in Ohio before it was discovered abandoned in Michigan on October 5, 1980. No evidence related to Jeanne's case was found inside the vehicle.
Authorities said that Jeanne told John about her plans to open a restaurant in Ducenesburg, New York with the money she would receive from the sale of their property after their divorce. Investigators said that they wanted to question John about his wife's case, but all attempts have been unsuccessful. There have not been any arrests in connection with Jeanne's disappearance, which remains unsolved. Foul play is suspected in her case.

Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

New York State Police

Troop G

New Scotland Station

518-768-8162

OR

518-477-9333

----------------

You can also submit tips online by emailing crimetip@troopers.state.ny.us.

I have yet to find an actual poster of Jeanne, but her New York State Police page seems concise enough for that function. You can print it off at http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Wanted_and_Missing/Missing/view.cfm?ID=227160bb-5ee9-4db2-a5b7-a073a35d5370

Porschette Evans now missing 3 years, Washington, D.C.

Information and photo from http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/e/evans_porschette.html:

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: May 10, 2004
from Washington, D. C.
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth:
February 12, 1981
Age: 23 years old
Height and Weight: 5'5, 115 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American female. Brown hair, brown
eyes. Evans has pierced ears and may wear her hair in braids. Her nickname is
Porcia. She may be missing some of her teeth and she wears metal orthodontic
braces. Evans has a dark-colored oval birthmark on her outer right thigh, scars
on her chest from a breathing machine, a three-inch surgical scar on her neck,
and a three-quarter inch surgical scar on her left calf.
Clothing/Jewelry
Description: A gold necklace with a Lady of Guadalupe pendant, a black Timex
watch with a wide band on her left wrist, a gold Lee High School class ring set
with a garnet on her left hand, a heart-shaped ring on left pinky, small gold
hoop earrings, and possibly N.Y. jeans, a t-shirt, and gray Skechers sneakers.
Medical Conditions: Evans has an unspecified medical condition. She is also
deaf and mute.

Details of Disappearance
Evans was last seen at
approximately 4:00 p.m. on May 10, 2004 at Gallaudet University in the vicinity
of the 800 block of Florida Avenue northeast in Washington, D. C. She may have
been carrying a yellow and blue backpack with wheels at the time of her
disappearance. Evans has never been heard from again. Few details are available
in her case. Her family believes she may be homeless.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Metropolitan Police Department
202-727-9099

You can print a poster of Porschette at http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200502746S or at www.projectjason.org/downloads/comehome011Porschette_Evans.pdf.

Jan Scharf: Husband/suspected killer dead, probable suicide

This will most likely make it harder for Jan to be found, but it is encouraging to know that authorities aren't giving up.

From http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/174342.html:

Prison suicide deepens mystery
Wife's body still missing after man kills self in cell.
By Christina Jewett - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, May 10, 2007Story appeared in METRO section, Page B1
A man convicted of killing his wife but leaving no trace of the crime has committed suicide in prison, officials said, likely taking a secret with him to the grave: where the body of Jan Scharf is buried.
Glyn Wolfgang Scharf, 54, was discovered unresponsive in his cell at Pleasant Valley State Prison at 6:12 a.m. March 21 during a routine security check, Lt. Cheryl Campoy, a Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman, said Wednesday.
He was taken to Coalinga Regional Medical Center, where he died at 4:26 p.m. March 27 from what officials later ruled was an overdose of medicine.
Scharf was a paramedic in Amador County before an El Dorado County jury convicted him in October 2004 of killing his wife, a 45-year-old Cameron Park nurse.
Scharf's disappearance in May 2002 was followed by fervent searches of canyons, riverbeds and fields throughout El Dorado County. Meanwhile, investigators gathered accounts of Glyn Scharf's odd behavior at the time of her disappearance and Jan Scharf's reports of his threatening actions beforehand.
To this day, her body has not been discovered.
"He didn't even have the decency to let us know where he put her," said Marcie Flores, who worked as a nurse alongside Jan Scharf at UC Davis Medical Center. "Now the trail is dry."
El Dorado County Sheriff's Lt. Kevin House, who supervised the murder investigation, said officers at the prison in Fresno County are combing Scharf's magazines and papers for clues about the location of the body.
"We're hoping that somewhere in his belongings we find some kind of document that may assist us in finding the body so we can get closure for Jan's family," House said. "That's the last shred that we have to go on -- for him to finally to tell us where she's at."
House said if prison officers fall short, the detective who worked on the case will sift through the papers.
Doctors initially said the death was a result of natural causes. However, Fresno County Deputy Coroner Joseph Tiger said the death has been ruled a suicide.
He said Scharf overdosed on amitriptyline, which is the generic form of the antidepressant Elavil.
Dr. Peter Yellowlees, a professor of psychiatry at UC Davis Medical Center, said the drug is seldom prescribed because safer drugs like Prozac and Paxil are now available.
"It's well known to be a relatively dangerous drug in overdose because it has cardiac side effects," he said.
Campoy said certain "hot meds" are known to be dangerous, and inmates who take them are monitored by nurses. She did not know if Scharf's pills were on that list.
Campoy said Scharf was not on suicide watch, but he was assigned to a "special-needs" recreational yard for nonviolent inmates who would be targeted for attacks among the general population.
While jailed in El Dorado County, Scharf made two attempts to take his own life after he was convicted and before he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
Both times, he sliced himself with a jail-issued razor, once in the arm and again in the neck. After the second attempt, he remained on suicide watch and lost his shaving privileges.
Scharf's daughter, Tegan Sharpe, said she questions whether the death was indeed a suicide.
"They didn't call it a suicide until we decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit against them," she said.
Sharpe said the family learned of their father's death only when another inmate sent a condolence more than a week later.
Court records indicate that Scharf's legal journey ended in January of this year, when the California Supreme Court denied a bid to review his case.
The trial -- based fully on circumstantial evidence -- was highly publicized.
Jurors who voted for conviction told The Bee at the time that they were convinced of Scharf's guilt when they heard that Jan Scharf's Celtic cross and a ring were found discarded at the house of Glyn's girlfriend, whom Jan Scharf never met.

I didn't know about the jewelry at the girlfriend's house; that is a bit suspicious.

If you know anything about the disappearance of Jan Scharf, please call the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office at (530) 621-5703.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a "poster" of Jan. There is a short profile of Jan at the Carole Sund Carrington Foundation's website which might work as a flyer if you change your page setup to landscape. If you know a site that has posters of Jan for printing, please let me know.