RIP Caylee Anthony

So now it looks like little Caylee is laid to rest, George and Cindy are cleaning up their act, and Casey spends her holiday without family or friends.

There were times when I wondered if George and Cindy realize they have made asses of themselves in the public spotlight. Now I am starting to have good feelings for them. It began with my reading about them giving the memorial stuffed animals to needy children for Christmas, and it continues with what I have just read here.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18373572/detail.html?treets=orlc&tid=2658219508813&tml=orlc_4pm&tmi=orlc_4pm_-1_03000112292008&ts=H
(Thank you Doreen Prior)

Perhaps, with the discovery of Caylee's remains, George and Cindy have come to realize that Casey is not so innocent as they have claimed before, or that they can no longer persuade anyone to believe it. Either way, it seems they have turned around, just in time for Christmas.

Meanwhile, Casey sits alone in her cell, while the rest of the world celebrates. Does anyone feel sorry for her? It doesn't look like it. Who can say she didn't bring it upon herself? She won't even be allowed to attend Caylee's funeral.

Caylee's story has rocked the world from July to December, gaining more public attention than any other news story this year. Caylee's short life has become a story that will never be forgotten.

And it's not over yet.

Memorial Toys go to Charity

I like stories where something good comes out of something sad.

A makeshift roadside memorial at the scene in Orlando, FL, where the remains of Caylee Anthony have been found, has been growing each day since the announcement came. The memorial consists of cards, letters, balloons, flowers, and hundreds of stuffed animals.

On Sunday the hundreds of stuffed animals have been collected and donated to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. 89 homeless children who are being housed there, ages 18 months to 10 years old, have received these toys as Christmas gifts.

But not everyone is happy about that.
There are those who say the stuffed animals were given as a memorial to Caylee Anthony, and so they must remain.
George and Cindy Anthony made the decision to give the toys to the rescue mission, and some say that it was not their call to make.

Still, there are more who believe that the stuffed toys would be ruined by the weather if left outdoors, while we have needy children who would not have much of a Christmas without them. Besides, the balloons, flowers, and other trinkets would remain at the scene as a tribute to Caylee.

Brad Conway, the Anthonys' attorney, had this to say.

"The Anthony family knows that what Caylee would want is for some other children to have these gifts. She always shared her toys with other kids, and they know if Caylee was here, she would share these."

A survey was taken on these conflicting opinions, and you can see it here.
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/18331389/detail.html#

My opinion may not be worth a whole lot, but it's free.
I say when it comes to Christmas, the children come first.
Also, I believe we should always remember those less fortunate, and that living children would appreciate these toys more than anyone else.
Isn't that what Christmas is about?

Your opinion is also welcome, and there's a comment button down there you can use.
Merry Christmas!

Closure for John Walsh & Family

Although it has long been suspected that Adam Walsh was killed by Ottis Toole 27 years ago, it needed to become official. Thankfully, that time has come.

For the family of John Walsh, there has never been any doubt.

John Walsh is considered by many to be the greatest crusader against crime in America today. For 20 years John has served as host for America's Most Wanted, perhaps the most popular crime show not only in the US, but also in Canada.

Some believe that AMW was the inspiration behind NC Wanted, following similar guide lines, but focusing on crimes in the Tarheel State. NC Wanted has become my favorite crime show, for personal reasons I'm sure you'll understand.

Ottis Toole, a convicted serial killer, died in prison in 1996. By deathbed confession, he revealed to his niece he did kill Adam Walsh, who was 6 years old. For reasons I can't explain, it took another 12 years after that for it to become official.

Isn't it amazing how many crimes have been solved since this Holiday Season began?

I hope that John Walsh will continue as host for AMW.

http://www.amw.com/features/feature_story_detail.cfm?id=3078

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/12/fla-cops-solve.html

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/12/16/who-was-ottis-toole.aspx

Arrests Made in Ira's Murder!

More breaking news today!
Two men were arrested in connection with the murder of Ira Yarmolenko!

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4128171/

Ira's brother, and my new friend, Pavel Yarmolenko, has left for Mt. Holly to meet with police. We'll keep in touch.
---------------------------------------
PS - This just in from NC Wanted
---------------------------------------
-NC WANTED INSIDER-
December 12, 2008

ALERT: The Irina Yarmolenko case appears to have been solved. Two Mount Holly
men have been charged in the death of Ukrainian-born Yarmolenko, who was a
University of North Carolina-Charlotte student from Chapel Hill, police said
Friday.

Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko was also a graduate of Chapel Hill high school.

For more, go to www.wral.com and www.ncwanted.com
-----------------------------------------
PPS - Here's more on this story from the Gaston Gazette, with more links to check out at the end.
http://www.gastongazette.com/news/charlotte_28091___article.html/mystery_murder.html

Caylee Anthony Found?

Today the skeletal remains of a small child were found inside a plastic bag less than a half mile from the Anthony home in Orlando, Florida. The area has been under water during previous searches.
You can read all about it here
http://www.newsday.com/iphone/orl-bk-caylee-anthony-body-found-121108,0,7926553.story
and here
http://www.wftv.com/news/18253901/detail.html

Chris's Crime Forum has also picked up the story.

http://chriscrimeforum.freeforums.org/remains-of-young-child-removed-from-near-anthony-home-t2895.html

Crazy Christmas Lights

"Amazing" things happen to houses around here this time of year!

Website of the Month in CCF

Ladies and Gentlemen;
It gives me great pleasure to announce to you that Friends of Debbie Key has made "Website of the Month" for December 2008 in
Chris's Crime Forum.
There's a link over there where you can check out CCF. --->
Thank you, Everyone, for your support!

In other news...
Here's the latest on the Michelle Young case.

Thanksgiving Weekend News

Our Holiday Season is off to a good start this year, as two high profile murder suspects have been captured!

The killer of Anne Pressly, a popular news anchor for KATV in Little Rock, Arkansas who was murdered in October, has been arrested on November 26.
See story here.

The killer of Brianna Denison, who went missing January of this year and found murdered February in Reno, Nevada, has also been arrested.
See story here.


Shortly before Thanksgiving Day, in nearby Wake County, NC, a man who robbed a store, then beat up a woman to take her car for a get-away, got clobbered by a big frozen turkey.
See story here.

And on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving Day, early holiday shopping proves to be downright dangerous!
See story here.


The good news is that two dangerous killers are safely locked away, who have taken the lives of women who were loved by many, giving new hope for families and friends of murder victims everywhere.

Happy Holidays!

PS - Last year on this night, my friends and I gathered for a candlelight vigil in honor of the 10-year anniversary of Debbie Key. It was a night I will always remember. To see pictures of this event, scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Iannone No Longer a Suspect

I apologize to Tim and Susan Iannone.
Please forgive my earlier remarks.

Wilmington Police have cleared Tim Iannone as a suspect in the murders of Allison Jackson-Foy and Angela Nobles Rothen.

See story here.

With a Thankful Heart

Happy Thanksgiving!
Remember, People, it's not just about good food, football, and shopping. It's about being thankful.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Stay safe and warm.

Cary 6-year-old Awarded

A 6-year-old Cary girl received the town's first "I Knew What to Do Award" for calling 911 in an emergency, staying calm, and giving the correct information they needed to respond.
I'm sure there are more than a few adults who would do well to follow her example.
You gotta see this!
http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3994438/

Second Football Player Dies

For the second time this year, a football player for the Chapel Hill High School Tigers died. This occurred early Sunday morning, Nov. 16, about 4:AM.

Rodney Torain, 17, who played defensive tackle, was being taken home by his friends, Ashley Bynum, 18, who was driving the car, and Laticia Farrington, 17.
A car behind them was following too closely, then made an illegal pass, side-swiping the teen's car and running them off the road. The driver over compensated and ran off the other side of the road, hitting a tree.

Rodney Torain died of head injury. He was not wearing a seat belt.
The other two teens suffered minor injuries. They were wearing seat belts. This occurred near the intersecion of Old Greensboro Rd and Neville Rd.

Police are looking for a gold or silver colored 4-door sedan with side-swipe damage on the passenger side. It was occupied by several men at the time of the hit-and-run.

Rodney Torain and Atlas Fraley were close friends. Fraley was a CHHS football player who died in August.

Murder victim's brother speaks to killer

You tell him, Pavel!
---------------------------
This man was a guest at my house on Saturday, November 15.
Indeed, we had much to share.

Jennifer Rivkin

Another person missing from Gaston County, NC this year is 42 year old Jennifer Ramsey Rivkin.
Jennifer went missing on May 4, 2008, the day before Ira Yarmolenko was found murdered in the same county, in Mt. Holly, NC on May 5.

Her borrowed car, a BMW, was found 2 days later in the parking lot of the Winner's Circle Bar & Grill, on W.Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia, NC. The car was found locked with her purse inside, but the sun roof was left open and it had rained.

People at the Winner's Circle, including the owner, do not believe Jennifer Rivkin was a patron of the establishment, but just that the parking lot was chosen as a place to leave the car. It was in the back of the lot behind a building.

Jennifer is 5'5", 130 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes.
She is from nearby Kings Mountain, NC.
A reward of $5000 is offered for useful information.

Just about a month earlier, on April 8, 2008, is when Jamie Fraley went missing, also from Gastonia, NC.

Could the missing persons cases of Jennifer Rivkin and Jamie Fraley, and the murder case of Ira Yarmolenko, be connected? There are those who think so.

Gaston County Police are not talking much about these cases, but Ira's brother, Pavel Yarmolenko, is. I have found discussions going on in www.topix.com.

Texas EqquuSearch, who have been searching for Caylee Anthony in Florida, are coming to NC to search for Jennifer and Jamie.
You can check out their story here.
http://www.texasequusearch.org/

For more on Jennifer Rivkin, go to
http://www.helpfindthemissing.org/missing_database/?p=838

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

This is truly a 5th of November that will never be forgot, for on this day, here in America, "V" is also for "Victory"!

Let us rejoice and give thanks for our deliverance from evil!

Theresa Allore - 30 years

Today is the 30-year anniversary of the death of Theresa Allore.
Theresa was a spunky and lovable teenager who loved David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Archie comics.
When she went missing from her school on November 3, 1978, neither the school, nor the police, thought there was any need to look for her.
Murder was so uncommon in that part of Canada at that time, that even after Theresa's body was found, they still didn't think that's what happened to her.

John Allore is a man who has worked very hard since then to find out what really happened to his older sister, and now lives in Chapel Hill, NC. By a strange twist of fate, John and his family bought the house that Debbie Key's suspected killer once lived in. His story has brought us together.

Today I wish to honor the memory of Theresa Allore.
The blogging team of "Who Killed Theresa?" has been very kind and supportive of my efforts to put this website together. Without such encouragement, I might have given up.

I ask my readers to visit WKT?, and to check out the videos about Theresa on YouTube today. Let us remember this person who has brought us together in this unusual, but very meaningful way.
I suggest you start here:
http://whokilledtheresa.blogspot.com/2008/11/theresa-allore-october-12-1959-november.html

To everyone at WKT?, I thank you for your support, and I value the friendships we have made.
Wishing you peace and many blessings;
The Wildman

Nancy Cooper Update

This just in from NC Wanted

The husband of Nancy Cooper, the Cary jogger who went missing and later found dead back in July, has been indicted.

http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3830358/?d_feature_story=1

NC Haunted

If you are a ghost hunter visiting North Carolina, here are a few places you would want to include in your tour. These are not all the haunted places that can be found here, but it's a good start.
Happy Halloween!

Letter from Lisa

The ID on the Wilmington Bones Case became official on Wednesday September 10.
Although this may not be considered a happy time for the family of Allison Jackson-Foy, I am glad they have found the closure.
The following is a letter from Lisa Valentino, sister of Allison, to the CUE Center for Missing Persons, who have been working very hard on this case. It contains some links you may find interesting.
I appreciate this letter as an example of what it means to a family to find the closure they have been looking for. I think every day about the day when someone finds the remains of Debbie Key, and the impact that would have on us.
This was forwarded to me by 'Anon'. I hope Lisa doesn't mind that I share it with you.
------------------------------------------------
From: Lisa

Subject: No longer missing Allison Jackson Foy

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I contact you all this morning. It was just a little over two years ago that my life and the life of my family was turned upside down when my sister Allison went missing from Wilmington NC. Two days ago Wed. September 10th after almost 5 months of waiting on DNA results it was confirmed that one of the sets of remains found at the end of April off Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington was my little sister Allison.

Although I have known in my heart almost from the beginning that my sister was no longer living and that I would not ever see her again in this world, confirmation of those feelings still come as a shock and does not make any of this easier. Please pray not only for Allison but all who love her, especially her daughters Courtney and Jordan, my father and my entire family.

There are many people who God has brought into my life over the past two years whom I probably would never have met otherwise. These people have been a God send and a blessing and have impacted my life in ways the will never know; to all of you I say thank you, my heart is full of love for you all and you have become a part of my family!

To Monica Caison and CUE Center, I can't say more than I have already said over and over again. You are an angel among us and I continue to be inspired by you and your life's work, and the difference you make in the lives of others each and every day! Your efforts and your work and your ability to comfort and even make me laugh in times of tremendous sadness will never be forgotten.

To Marc; what can I say you were and are the right guy for the job, and your dedication and hard work on behalf of Allison has and remains unbelievable.

To my incredible friends; your support has been amazing throughout this ordeal and I am blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life. You have shown me what friendship is about and have made me a better person.

To my husband and children, you are my rocks and have put up with so much and not all of it very easy. God has blessed me with an amazing family!

As we remember Allison today please keep all those who remain missing and their families in your thoughts and prayers; I know that Allison would want that. I know too that Allison would be blown away by all who have given of themselves to this search for her and am sure she too is looking down and thanking you.

Allison; you are missed greatly and thought about daily. Thank you for 34 years of love laughter and sisterhood. I know that you are in a far better place and finally at peace. I love you.


When Allison's remains are released and we are finally able to bring her home, we will have a celebration of her life and memorial service in Oyster Bay Long Island, NY. I will certainly send out the word and let all of you know dates and times. My family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Allison's name to:

CUE Center for Missing Persons

PO Box 12714

Wilmington, NC 28405

Please feel free to leave any thoughts and feelings in the guestbook on Allison's web site www.helpfindallison.com
I also have included some recent links to press on Allison and her case.


http://www.wect.com/global/story.asp?s=8994091

http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=8987774&nav=menu157_2

http://news14.com/content/local_news/599249/woman-s-family-searches-for-answers/Default.aspx

http://www.wwaytv3.com/foy_and_rothen_followup/09/2008

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080910/ARTICLES/809100257/0/columnist58


Thank you again to all.

Peace and Blessings, Lisa

Theresa Allore Video

This is Part 3 of 5 in a series of videos made by John Allore about Theresa, using news footage by W-5 in Quebec. I have selected this part for posting here, because this is the part where Debbie, and the "Bad Dream House," are mentioned.

We will soon be observing the 30-year anniversary of Theresa's death, which was on November 3, 1978.

I'm Back!

After a long, hard, knock-down, drag-out fight with AT&T, I have finally regained the use of my home phone and Internet service. It was with the help of my neighbors, who were kind enough to let me use their phone and computer, and the Pittsboro Public Library, that I was able to keep up (sort of) with the blog. Having limited time online, I haven't been able to do much. But now I'm back online on my own, and have a whole lot of stuff to catch up on.
If you have been ripped off by AT&T, I would like to hear from you. Feel free to use the comment button.

Speaking of catching up...

Theresa Allore's birthday was October 12. She would be 49 if she were alive today.
John Allore, who is alive and kicking butt, has made a series of YouTube videos telling the story of his sister. There is a mention of our friend Debbie in the story.

Susan Iannone, wife of Timothy Iannone, has visited this blog and submitted comments. See "ID on Wilmington Bones."
I have promised Susan Iannone that I would post the following correction:
Timothy Iannone is NOT in custody, nor has he ever been for this case.
(my bad)
I will try to explain why Wilmington police have been unable to find enough evidence to make the arrest, as soon as I am able to understand it myself.

The family of missing person Allison Jackson-Foy has found closure with the ID of the human remains found in Wilmington back in April. Her sister, Lisa Valentino, has released a lot of material about the case, which I plan on sharing after I get it sorted out.

Halloween is an important holiday to me, as all of my friends know. The creepy and spooky decorations, which are now all over my yard, are just for fun. But to me, the real meaning of the holiday is to remember our friends and family who are departed, and this is very important to me.

Sharron Prior Tribute

Doreen Prior is a special friend of mine in Quebec.
She had this video made in memory of her sister, Sharron.
I cannot keep my eyes dry while watching it.
You will find the link to the Sharron Prior Website on my links list.
This is too beautiful not to share.

Debbie's Birthday

Call me a sentimental old fool if you will, but I still remember Debbie Key's birthday. She was born September 21, 1962.
Here's a little ditty I wrote for her.

Ode to Debbie Key

I never met a person who could do less harm
Never met a person who could be more warm
But I know a lot of people who will say to you
that her life was full of gladness
and her heart was true.

Happy and free is the only way to be
So long as you maintain responsibility
Always had a smile for folks like you and me
That's the way we remember our friend, Debbie Key

She lights up every house that she's going to
She makes the world better just by walking through
Living in the world is fun when she's around
She always makes you smile - she never lets you down
Everyone says how she's so kind and good
She's loved by everybody in the neighborhood.

No one around here has ever had a fear
That in a town the size of Carrboro, one could disappear
She vanished in the night, and has since been out of sight
but left a loyal group of friends
and we're all still here

Can anybody tell us, where did our Debbie go?
Some say she went to Heaven, others say we just don't know
But anyway you look at it, one thing we know is true
is that she made the world better just by walking through
Happy and free as the only way to be
that's the way we remember our friend Debbie Key

The Assumption Song

The song is by Arrogant Worms, a Canadian group I've become a fan of this year.
Happy Labor Day to all my readers. I'm glad some of you found time for a visit over the long weekend. Ya'll come back now, Hear?

Another Fraley (Jamie)

Reading about Atlas Fraley reminds me of another Fraley I have read about a few months ago. However, I don't think the two have anything more in common than a last name.

Atlas Fraley is a black male, over 6 feet tall, and weighs 250 some pounds.

Jamie Michelle Fraley is a white female, who is 4'8" and around 90 pounds.

No, I don't think the two are related to each other.

I can imagine a woman that size would be very easy to carry.
Jamie is a missing person from Gastonia, NC, since April 8, 2008. In the same county (Gaston) and about a month later, Ira Yarmolenko was found murdered.
That may or may not be related. I don't know.

There is at least one other missing person case in this area that I know about, but more on that later.

Jamie Fraley's apartment had been found locked, with her purse, ID, and keys still inside. The only thing missing from her apartment, besides Jamie, was her cell phone.
Jamie's cell phone was found 3 miles away by a construction worker.
Her last call said that she was going to the hospital.

So what makes me bring it up now? Because it bothers me that I have not found anything new about this story since then, except for this rather bizarre twist of the tale.

Jamie had a boyfriend, whose father had recently been released from prison, for killing his girlfriend. Believe it or not, he soon found another girlfriend. The man's name was Ricky Simmons, or Simons, or Simmonds.
I'm sorry, but I have found his name spelled 3 different ways, and I don't know which is correct.
This man was found dead inside the trunk of the car of the ex-girlfriend, Kim Sprenger, early this summer. Kim had placed a restraining order against him, as his behavior was making her and her neighbors uncomfortable.
For reasons one can only guess, Ricky decided to hide in the trunk of Kim's car, where he died of heat. It was 90 degrees during the day at that time. Items Kim was missing, including a set of keys, were found on Ricky's body.

Ricky Simmonds (however it's spelled) was a person of interest in the disappearance of Jamie Fraley. The police have lost their chance to question him about her.

I have found no more news on this missing person since then.
Of all the sites I've searched, this one seems to have the most information.
http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4518
Another good one.
http://www.dreamindemon.com/tag/jamie-fraley/

FDK in Lights

Every once in a while I like to do something artistic. I used some of my red, white, and blue lights that I use for my 4th of July display. This is currently on exhibit in my driveway.
-------------------------------------------------------
Back to School

School starts back on Monday for Orange and Chatham counties.
When I was a kid, (Yes, I said 'was') we got the whole summer off. By that I mean we didn't go back to school until September.

We had only black & white TV, you had to get up off your butt to change the channels, and the closest thing we had to a video game was the pinball machine. But at least we had the whole summer off from school.

Folks older than me, (Yes, some people are) claim to have had to walk several miles to school, usually through 3 feet of snow, (I guess they were still coming out of the Ice Age then) after getting up at 3:AM to do farm chores before going to school.

I promise you I won't get like that. I won't complain about how hard life was before we had computers, or before spanking was considered child abuse, but I do complain that kids today are getting short changed on summer adventures.

I heard they still read books in school. Is that true?

CHHS Football Star Dies

Chapel Hill High School Tigers defensive lineman Atlas Fraley, 17, died in his home on Tuesday August 12. He had called 911 before he died.

Atlas Fraley had played in a scrimmage early that day with Middle Creek High School in Wake County. He complained of a headache, and drove his car home after the bus took his team back to Chapel Hill.

His parents, David and Malinda Fraley, came home to find Atlas dead at 6:15 PM. It is still undetermined why his parents came home from work before emergency medical crew arrived, since Atlas called 911 hours before at 1:45.

911 call indicates Atlas called saying he just got back from football practice, was dehydrated, and in need of IV fluids. He has a history of dehydration.

Funeral Service will be held today, Saturday August 16, 3:00 PM, at the Chapel Hill Bible Church on Erwin Road. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sunday August 17
CORRECTION - with new information

Today I have read, on paper, the Chapel Hill News for Sunday.
It is indicated that Emergency Medical Service DID respond to 911 call made by Atlas Fraley on Tuesday, before his parents came home.
It seems that paramedics arrived at his house and stayed with him for 22 minutes before leaving again. It is not indicated what treatment they gave him, but that he did receive medical attention before he died. It is not yet determined why Atlas Fraley died after the crew left his house.

An autopsy has been performed before the funeral, which took place yesterday. The Medical Examiner has not yet released a statement. Emergency Medical Service is currently under internal investigation.

Orange County EMS was having a very busy day on Tuesday. Orange 911 received 11 calls between 5 and 7 PM. There was also an auto accident at the same time as another scrimmage game was taking place, between East Chapel Hill High School and Carrboro High School, when a player for the Carrboro HS team dislocated his knee. It was 23 minutes before a paramedic arrived, and another 20 minutes before an ambulance arrived, which made a lot of people very upset.

Orange EMS claims to be very short handed at this time.

Email Scam News Video

MISSING PERSONS EMAIL SCAM NEWS VIDEO
You've read the post. Now see the video.

Some people are sleazy enough to try to exploit those who are already grieving enough. What do you think we should do with people like this?

Please let it be known that FDK supports all families, websites, and organizations concerning missing persons.

Email Scam Alert

In the last 24 hours alone, I have received more than a dozen messages about some lowlife trying to swindle money from families of missing persons.

It seems this person has been browsing all the websites of missing persons, and collecting email addresses of the victims' family and friends. Emails have been widely circulated to such people, asking enormous sums of money, in exchange for information of the missing person's location.

It is believed there is one person doing this, and this person is wanted by the FBI, as well as the Missing Persons Network and all affiliates. If you receive an email from someone claiming to know where your missing loved one is, and will tell you if you pay him an outrageous fee, you are asked to report it to the FBI.

Judging by the high volume of information I've received, it seems to me that there are many who want this person caught really bad. I, personally, am appalled by this, and so I agreed to spread the word.

Rather than posting the long list of links I've got, which contain more info than I know what to do with, I'll just say that if you want more info, you won't have to look very far.

Let's catch this creep before some grieving family member decides to pay him.

Gordon Lightfoot - Don Quixote

In my life I have known a few good Canadians, and I have known of a few.
In the "known of" category, my favorites include Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell.

Since I started doing this website thing, I began to know a few more good Canadians in my life. Among them I've found the best supporters of my website efforts.

And among my favorite songs, since "Way back in the '70s, Man" is the one I've posted here, because it always reminds me, whenever I hear it, of every good person I have ever known.

Oh yes, there's another reason too why I decided to post this.
June and July were months of a lot of news stories to keep up with.
So I was thinking, 'Enough already! It's August now for gosh sakes! Let's put something nice up here - that's not about death!'

So I hope you approve of my decision, and that you enjoy this song.
The Wildman

PS -- My apple pie American self has never been North of the Border, but I've had the good fortune of meeting with those more widely traveled.

Where they were found

photo: Star News File

This is the place where the skeletons were found in Wilmington, NC, on April 26, 2008.

Memorial decorations have been placed by CUE Center for Missing Persons, and by Lisa Valentino, sister of Allison Jackson-Foy.

I wish to acknowledge Special Thanks to the following individuals who have helped me keep up with this case.
David Creech -- NC Wanted
Jim Ware -- Star News of Wilmington
Ellen Leach -- Porchlight USA
Alex Ross -- Local Computer Care

ID on Wilmington Bones

FINALLY! We have a preliminary ID on the "Bones" case in Wilmington, NC.

http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3248495/?d_feature_story=1

It may not yet be official, as there are still some tests to be done, but for now it seems the human remains found off Carolina Beach Road are that of Allison Jackson-Foy and Angela Rothen.

Timothy Iannone is not yet officially a suspect, but he is in custody.
Closure to this case appears to be in sight. I hope so!

"Bones" Case Update

Still no progress to report on the DNA testing of the bones found in Wilmington, but police now have a man being questioned in connection to this case.

Some news stories do not give the man's name, as it is uncertain if he should be considered a suspect, a person of interest, or just some nasty-assed lowlife who likes to abuse prostitutes.

NC Wanted and WWAY have given his name, so I will too. He is Timothy Iannone, 47, a cab driver in Wilmington with a violent history, who has been seen in the area where the bones have been found. WWAY includes a photo of the man, who doesn't look much like the composite sketch, if you ask me.

Local ladies of the evening have identified him as a man who has committed all manner of evil things against them.

Allison Jackson Foy was last seen getting into a cab at the Junction Billiards parking lot, 3 miles away from where the skeletons were found.

Now I've got some links for you.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080717/NEWS28/807170302/1004&title=Police_investigating_deaths_of_two_women_search_home__other_sites

http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3227884/

http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/9110

http://www.wect.com/global/story.asp?s=8693502

Thanks to Jim Ware for calling my attention to this development.

Cary Missing Person

Over the weekend, in Cary, NC, not so far from here, a woman went missing.
Nancy Cooper, 34, went jogging Saturday Morning at 7:AM, and was never seen again.
A friend expecting an afternoon visit from her reported her missing.

Nancy Cooper is a mother of two. She is originally from Canada. She often went jogging in the area of Lochmere Lake and Regency Park. She was training for a half marathon.

By 8:AM Sunday morning there was a large number of volunteers who showed up to join the search party, including police dogs and National Guard helicopters. Besides Lochmere Lake and Regency Park, they also searched Lake Wheeler and Lake Johnson.

This Monday morning the search continued, and 200 people showed up, including her parents and a twin sister, who arrived from Canada to assist in the efforts.

She seems to be a very popular person in her neighborhood. All of her neighbors have been very kind and supportive.

Nancy Cooper is white, 5'9", and 120 lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a t-shirt, jogging shorts, and running shoes. It is believed she carried no ID, keys, or money with her.

Anyone who sees her is asked to call the Cary Police Department.
(919) 469-4016

You can also use my "Crime Stoppers" link from the links list on the right of your screen. Click the "NC Wanted" link for more on this story.
--------------------------------------------------------------
This Just In!
You may think I'm crazy, and you may be right, but immediately after I finished posting this write-up, I got this incoming message.

Cary Police Department has reported a body found this evening.
They are hesitant to say if the body is of Nancy Cooper until it has been identified by the medical examiner.

A man walking his dog at 7:30 this evening called 911 after seeing a body floating in a pond on Fielding Dr. near Holly Springs Rd. The body is being sent to the state medical examiner in Chapel Hill for ID.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday July 15
Body is confirmed to be that of Nancy Cooper.
We no longer have to find a missing person. We have to find a killer.

Me Being Sarcastic

Can you imagine being a criminal defense attorney?
How would you feel if your job required you to defend someone you knew was guilty?
What would you do if the person you were trying to defend was guilty of the most horrific crime imaginable, and you knew you were sure to lose?

Whatever job it is that you have, I'm willing to bet you are much happier doing that.

So do I feel sorry for these people? Maybe I would, if it weren't for seeing how they perform in the courtroom.
I mean, if you were doing a job that you hate, wouldn't you want to get it done as soon as you could?

Well, they don't seem to think that way.

So it's day one of the Carson trial, and the judge orders the sealed warrants to be opened, and immediately the defense attorneys object.

Na, Man! We can't have that! Then everybody will already know they're guilty, and we aint got no defense!

I think the objection went something like that, or perhaps it was more like they were afraid the defendants would be convicted too quickly, before they even had a chance to attempt a defense. We sure don't want it to take any less time.

They say they want to see justice served in due process.
Does this mean they want to drag it out as long as they can?

Perhaps it's because they have so little to defend with, that they grab onto anything they've got, and milk it for all it's worth.

How would you defend these suspects, knowing that everywhere you look there are lynch mobs already gathering?

I have a suggestion.
Talk about how much they have contributed to our community.
No, really. Just think about it.
What have we learned about from these two young men?

For starters, we clearly see that it is completely uneffective to keep letting offenders get off on probation, when they keep on coming back for more crimes they get to do as soon as they're set loose.
After so many times, you'd think that one would eventually get the idea that this wasn't working.
We want to give them every chance to do better? That would work if they made use of the chances they got.

Yes, we should thank these young men for illustrating this point more elaborately than anyone in an NC courtroom has ever done before.

Now we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that cutting slack for a habitual offender only serves to allow them to offend some more.

Sure, you say, we already know that. It's common sense.
But hey. We're talking about court. We have a different set of rules here.

It's like, when you have to listen to someone lying his butt off, and you know damn well he's lying his butt off, but you still have to listen to him, because, hey, it's the rules.
Then, of course, you have to pretend that you don't know he's lying, and try to make up a reason to believe that he's not. Then, you have to pretend that the reason makes sense.

Not only do we have two young men here who have committed a crime most foul and inhuman, but they have given us the opportunity today to see what asses we really are!

Now that's got to be worth something. Don't you think?

Storm Front at Carrboro Day

Ladies and Gentlemen;
It gives me great pleasure to present Storm Front, my friends of many years, in their first YouTube video.
Special thanks to Alex Ross for making it happen.

Back to Eve

I apologize to my readers who were expecting me to blog the Eve Carson hearing. The truth is, I chickened out when we got to Day 2, when they unsealed the autopsy report.

I didn't know until then that she had been shot in the face with a shotgun. This struck me as a final insult, to rob us of her beautiful face, as well as her life.
That's where I lost it.
The report says that she was unrecognizable, that she was initially identified by her jewelry. I was outraged to think that Eve's loved ones were deprived of seeing her face one more time before burial.

SIGH!

I went to writing instead of 4th of July fireworks, taking advantage of the holiday to change the subject, after seeking comic relief from YouTube.
So there you have it. I see no way that I can write about Eve Carson objectively anymore.

Okay, I admit it. It's not like I knew her personally. I did not.
It's just that I have accepted her as "one of us."
It has been said by many that Eve Carson embodied the True Tarheel Spirit, and I myself am inclined to agree. I've always thought of her as Ms. UNC.

Just because I live outside the Chapel Hill city limits doesn't mean that I live outside Tarheel Country. Even in my rural Chatham neighborhood one still sees mailboxes of Carolina Blue, with either the "UNC" or the "Tarheel" logo on it.

Eve Carson was considered by me, my neighbors, and my friends, as a highly respected member of our community, and for good reasons.
Need I explain why?

I know I said this before. Humor me, okay?
Unlike Debbie Key and Kristin Lodge-Miller, Eve was someone we read about in the news before she became a murder victim, not just after.
We already knew she was a good person, and no one ever attempted to challenge that opinion. I'm glad.
Now I don't have to stand on a soapbox and preach about how good people can be victims of crime too. That point has been clearly made already.
That is what I appreciate most about Eve Carson.

I can tell you from personal experience that reading about her last moments alive is enough to make a grown man cry.

After confessing to a friend of my desire to execute her killers personally, I was told that this would make me no better than them.
I'm afraid I have only one defense against that, and that's this.
I'm sure I will be more easily forgiven for killing her killers, than for killing her.

Yes, I agree, the lesser of two evils is still an evil.
Still, I am willing to support any effort that promises to eliminate the greater evil, any way I can.

Fireworks

Once upon a time, in Washington, DC,
there lived a young boy who grew up to be me.
Washington DC was a fun place to be on the 4th of July
when they filled up the sky
with a bang and a boom and the great fluffy plumes
and the fountain of lights
that dance and delight in the eyes of a child.

My Mommy and Daddy took my brothers and me
to the Capitol Building where we could all see
the brilliant display taking place in the sky.
This we did every 4th of July.

The west side of the Capitol on terrace of steps
all the way down the hill
giving plenty of places to sit and be thrilled.
Facing the Monument, reaching up to the sky,
with pyramid cap and winking eyes,
that you see wherever you go in DC.

This I remember, as clear as can be,
the young boy I was growing up in DC.
And so to this day I continue to play with bright dancing lights
every year on this day.
This is the way I celebrate the day, and if you come out my way,
you will see a display.

I sit with my neighbors, the young and the old,
the shy and the bold.
Together we share in the dazzling glare.
With hot dogs and burgers, sodas and beer,
This I look forward to every year.

Mad TV Court Case

I hope and pray I'll see the day
when more trials will end this way.

Eve Carson Trial

The Eve Carson pre-trial hearing began today.
The sealed warrants were open, all 6 of them, having been sealed to protect the identity of the informant.

The attorneys for Lovette and Atwater objected to it.
Should we expect otherwise? Consider who they are defending. If it were my job to defend the likes of these, I think I would resign.

So now we get to learn the horrible details of the final moments of Carson's life, and I'm not sure I can take it. Next they will unseal the autopsy report. I'm beginning to wonder if such info as this will inspire more of us to support the death penalty.

After you read this, you might want to hang them yourself.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2811/story/1123431.html
------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE
Sorry about the confusion, Folks...
The trial date WAS set for Nov 2, 2009.
The trial date is NOW set for May 3, 2010.
(If they change it again I'm gonna scream!)
PLEASE NOTE: This is for the trial of Atwater. I still don't know when they will try Lovette. They are still saying prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty.

Digging Up Bones in Greensboro

Credit goes to NC Wanted for this one.
All I did was copy and paste.
----------------------------------

Human remains found in backyard Posted: Jun. 26, 2008 4:09 p.m.
Updated: Jun. 26, 2008 4:09 p.m.

GREENSBORO, N.C. Greensboro police have found human remains in the backyard of a home where local authorities were searching for the body of a pregnant woman reported missing in 2006.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported that police found the remains in a grave about 4-feet deep Thursday afternoon.

The discovery came just hours after 29-year-old DeCarlo R. Bennett pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Sherri Jackson. She was three-months pregnant when she disappeared.

Authorities believe Jackson was buried on the property where the remains were found. The home once belonged to Bennett's mother.

Police Capt. Janice Rogers said the remains would be sent to the state medical examiner's office in Chapel Hill for an autopsy Friday morning.

Bennett faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced.
------------------------------------------
Here's where I got it from.
http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3111840/

CSI : Sesame Street

Here's the latest story on our case from Star News in Wilmington, thanks to Jim Ware.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080621/ARTICLE/806210334/1004&title=Carrboro_victim_s_friends_keep_eye_on_bones_case

Here's a thought for the day.

"The person who killed my sister, he's in some ways a byproduct of the system that we live in, and we have to change it. You all have to make a difference now." -- Pavel Yarmolenko

Person of Interest in Wilmington Case

Jim Ware called me tonight to tell me Wilmington Police have released a sketch of a man seen by witnesses in the area where the skeletons were found. Police are saying this man is not a suspect, but a person of interest. Star-News Online has already run the story, and you can see it here.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080618/ARTICLE/108747802/1004&title=Police_release_sketch_of_man_seen_in_area_where_bones_were_found

While you have that page on screen, find the story titled, "Unsolved Mysteries: 5 Women Killed, Dumped" in the Related Links on the left, or you can go to it here.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080615/ARTICLE/806150301/1004

There are 5 other unsolved cases of murdered women in the Wilmington area going back to 1995.

We have a Full Moon tonight, Folks!
Is it starting to feel like it?

PS - I have already hit the Publish button when I got this incoming from NC Wanted.
http://ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3068027/?d_feature_story=1

The Wilmington Connection?

On Thursday this week, I've had the pleasure of talking to Jim Ware of the Star-News in Wilmington. Jim works on the crime team with reporter Dave Reynolds, who writes these news stories I've been posting links for, about the skeletons found in Wilmington, and Allison Jackson-Foy.

This man wanted to talk to me about some possible connections between the cases of Allison Jackson-Foy and Debbie Key. So we did. First he mentioned that Debbie and Allison were both last seen leaving a bar where people played pool. Both were in their mid-30s. It is debated whether anyone actually saw Allison leave the parking lot.

Sometimes even a little bitty clue can go a long way, and I think we made a pretty good example of that. It is always interesting to compare the parellels and the contrasts of similar cases. Curiously, on that same day, John had written a very interesting post in the WKT? blog on that very subject.

The bones were found just 3 miles from where Allison was celebrating her recent job promotion, at Junction Billiards in Monkey Junction, on Carolina Beach Rd. Allison has been missing since the summer of 2006. Naturally, her name appeared at the top of the list of people these remains might belong to.

There is talk of the possibilty of a serial killer in Wilmington. The FBI says a killer must kill 3 or more times to make that classification, but it is apparent the 2 skeletons were not dumped there at the same time. Someone killed 2 women at 2 different times, and used the same hiding place for both of them.

So what's the connection between this and Debbie Key? I am told we will be reading about this in the Star-News in the near future. In the meantime, they want to talk to Joy. I am looking forward to hearing what she reports back to me.

Having even a rumor of a serial killer in Wilmington, at the beginning of the summer, must have a negative effect on their tourist season this year. Too bad. It really is a nice place to visit. Even Dalzell considers it his "happy place."

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. A man I had an appointment with yesterday afternoon never showed up. It is now 27 hours later, and I still haven't heard from him.
Gee, what do you suppose that means?

Today is Flag Day, June 14th.
I wonder how many people remember Flag Day anymore?
Today there is an American flag displayed in my front yard.
Who would have thought I'd remember that?

Tomorrow is Daddy's Day.

"I know NUT-ting!"

This is Sgt. Schultz.
I have decided to appoint him in charge of my Q&A department.
Please refer all questions to him concerning recent cases currently under investigation by the Gaston County Police.
I'm sure he can answer your questions every bit as well as I can.
Thank you for your interest.
Wild Bill
---------------------------------------------------

About John Banner
Jan 28, 1910 - Jan 28, 1973
Born in Vienna, Austria, of a Jewish family, Banner was able to escape his homeland before Nazis began exterminating Jewish people.
In 1938 he went to Switzerland, where he joined an acting troupe, before coming to the United States later that year. At that time he weighed 180 lbs.
His Austrian accent and Germanic features got him typecast to play Nazi soldiers during WWII. It is ironic that he survived the war years playing the villains who were murdering his remaining family members back home.
Said Banner, "Who better to play Nazis than we Jews?"

By the 1950s, John Banner weighed 280 lbs. His roly-poly figure helped him get more roles. He had played in dozens of films, but never got to be a main character until 1965, when he was cast as Sgt. Schultz in 'Hogan's Heroes.' This is the character he is best remembered as.
'Hogan's Heroes' ran from 1965 to 1971.
Banner died of abdominal hemorrhage on his birthday in 1973, at the age of 63, having returned to live in his native Vienna. He is buried in Mauer in Liesing.

The murder of his former co-star, Bob Crane, who played Col. Hogan, remains an unsolved case.

Them Bones

We've all been waiting to hear the results on them bones found in Wilmington that they sent to Texas for DNA testing.

Thanks to a loyal reader in Montreal, I have received this link. It doesn't tell us who them bones belong to, but it does explain to us how come it's taking them so long to find out.

Here it is. It's a pretty long link now, so make sure you get it all.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080606/ARTICLE/806060333/1037/news05&title=Backlog_at_DNA_lab_keeps_families_waiting

Learn something new about forensics today. I know I did. Maybe them bones gonna rise again. Maybe they gonna tell us something when they do!

Today in History

It was one year ago today when this website, in its current version, made its first appearance on the 'Net. If you were to keep working back through the blog to the beginning, you will find this to be true. Those of us who can still remember past last year may recall the original Debbie Key website, in its one-page form.

The year 2007 was when we had the 10 year anniversary of Debbie's departure from us. I don't mind saying it was an honor for me to be managing the website at that time. I am pleased with the progress that has been made since then, and I'm feeling optimistic about the next year to come.

This year, the month of June began with a baking 88 degrees, making it really feel like summer. By evening we enjoyed a cooling rain.

The entire month of May, I've been hoping to get a report up here about the ID of the skeletons found in Wilmington. All I found was that they are still conducting the DNA test, and have sent the bones to a lab in Texas. Here it is.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080528/ARTICLE/576199540/0/NEWS 

Not saying that I was pleased with the murder of Eve Carson, but I was pleased with the fact that, this time, no one tried to blame the victim.
Unlike Debbie Key and Kristin Lodge-Miller, Eve Carson was someone we read about in the paper BEFORE she was killed. We already knew who she was when the tragic news was announced, and no one questioned her character as contributing to her death.
Honestly, I was glad to see that.
Ira Yarmolenko, just last month, provided another example of the same thing. I have not heard one single negative word about her, and believe me, I have heard a great deal of praise for this individual.

So have we destroyed the myth yet? You know, the one that says we should blame the victim? If not, I'd say, at least, that the myth has had a great big chunk taken out of it, and I'm glad of it.

One sure way to offend me is to blame the victim. Yea, it pisseth me verily!

I have had the pleasure of connecting with many praiseworthy individuals through the managing of this website, including John Allore, Todd Matthews, Doreen Prior, and my special Web Goddess, Judith Gadd. I have enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other families and friends of murder victims, and we have learned a lot from each other's stories.

Yeah, I'd say I'm ready for another year.

Memorial Day

Because today is Memorial Day, I've decided to write a letter to my ancestors, and ask them for advice on something,

Dear Ancestors:

I can remember when Chapel Hill was a place where people lived without fear.
Doors were never locked. Cars would be parked on the street with windows down on summer days. Bicycles were simply leaned against something when its owner went into a store. Wherever something was placed was where it was likely to be when looked for again. Parents were always sure their teenaged offspring would arrive home safely on their own, or would call if they needed a ride.
We used to hitchhike a lot.
No one was ever afraid of anyone.

This was the Chapel Hill that I discovered in 1970.
I was a 15 year old boy from Washington, DC.
I grew up where people were afraid of each other.
I fell in love with Chapel Hill at first sight.

Now I'm afraid to count how many years ago that was, but it's easy to count. My question is;
What happened?

Now if I can get an answer to that one, I'd like to ask another question, if I may.
What can I, as an individual, do about it?

Signed -- Wild Bill

Well, it wasn't until the wee hours of the next morning when the reply came back, and here it is.

Dear Bill:

We appreciate when you folks who are still living remember us.
Remember that we as a civilization have always made progress by adapting to changes. Change is inevitable.

The fact that a small North Carolina town can go from Mayberry to Gotham City in the course of a lifetime is indeed a disturbing sign of the times.

What you, as an individual, can do is always the same as what we, as a people, can do. And that is;
We can make choices.

We can choose to gripe and complain that nothing is the way it used to be, or we can choose to learn how to live in the world we have today.
Those who fear change go senile long before they die.
He not busy being born is busy dying.

When the world you live in goes into a direction you don't like, you might try calling attention to it. There's always the chance someone else will see it too, and respond to you.

While there are many terrible and frightening things in the 21st Century that we didn't have before, we can also use modern technology to our advantage. Blogging is a tool you have that we did not. Just having a newspaper was a major accomplishment for any human civilization. Think of the advances we've made since the printing press.

There are always a majority of people who see things going on that they don't understand, and so are afraid to mention them. When someone else says, "I see it too!" it assures us that we are not having a delusion. Get enough people talking about what needs to be fixed. and it's more likely to get fixed. Communication has always been humanity's greatest ally.
See if you can make it work for you.

Remember the little boy in "The Emperor's New Clothes"? Mention something you see, (or don't see) and maybe others will have the confidence to see it too.

Humans work like that, you know?
We can't help it. We are a social creature. It's in our nature. Modern technology cannot take that away from us, but it can provide us with another way to communicate.

"Stop, Hey! What's that sound? Everybody look what's going down!"
You get the idea.

Whenever you do cross over to the other side to join us, we'd like for you to tell us how it worked.

Signed -- Rolling in our graves

Ira Y - Amazing Journey

Now lookie here what I found on YouTube.

What I've Learned about "Ira"

Yesterday I went to the memorial service at CHHS.
It lasted between 10:30 and 2:30.
That was 2 hours longer than I expected, but it was all good!
What I saw was an inspirational presentation of the life of Irina Yarmolenko, told in slideshow, song, and poetry.
I consider the time very well spent!

What have I learned about Irina Yarmolenko?
I learned that the people who knew her called her Ira. (pronounced, sort of like, EE-ra)
That she was a beautiful child, whose smile could melt the hardest heart.
That her life reigned from May 2, 1988 to May 5, 2008.
Adding to the tragedy is that she was killed 3 days after her birthday, when she turned 20 years old.

This is where she has lived, since she was born.
1988 - 1996 -- Kharkov, Ukraine
1996 - 1997 -- Greensboro, NC
1998 - 2006 -- Chapel Hill, NC

Ira was very popular in Chapel Hill, and still has a lot of friends in the area. She graduated from CHHS before attending college at UNC-Charlotte.
She was the kind of girl who made friends instantly wherever she went.
She was known for her charm, her spunk, her playful spirit, and generous nature.
Ira excelled in theater, photography, and poetry, as well as in winning people's hearts.

Ira was a strong advocate of non-violence. This makes some people ask why she died the way she did. Some say perhaps this is a part of her message to us.

I was left very impressed with the impact her life has left in the world she lived in, for only 20 years, and the influence she still has on the people who knew her.

A man who spoke about her said that her name, IRA, means "Is Really Awesome."
Another person said, "Hope is the world that Ira lived in."

There is some speculation that her murder could be related to the missing persons case of Jamie Fraley, missing from Gastonia, NC, since April 8
See Jamie's story here.

http://www.gastongazette.com/news/gastonia_19299___article.html/april_missing.html

After the service, I had the honor of shaking the hand of Ira's brother, Pavel Yarmolenko. I told him I hope to meet him again.

I also enjoyed the opportunity of meeting with some young people I was introduced to, thanks to Joy, who was there with me, who told me about stories they want to share, that I look forward to sharing with readers of this blog, hopefully soon!

Remember that guestbook I told you about? It's full of personal testimonies like these, and I have since then discovered another cool thing about it. You can enter your e-mail address, and be notified whenever a new entry is made in it. It's still fairly new, and bound to fill up pretty fast.
Here it is again.

http://www.legacy.com/charlotte/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=109250336

I plan on following this story closely, and sharing what I find.
Some of Ira's friends I've spoken to have indicated some interesting parallels between her story, and the story of Debbie Key. I get the feeling that the more we look into these parallels, the more interesting this case will become.

If you knew Ira when she was still with us, I ask that you please share your stories with me, either here, or in her guestbook.

It does my heart good to know this beautiful person will always be remembered.

Memorial for Irina at CHHS

For those who have missed the funeral, here's another chance.

There will be a memorial service for Irina Yarmolenko at Chapel Hill High School on Saturday May 17 at 10:AM. (or 10:30, I'm not sure.)

The service will be held in the CHHS Auditorium, which is the big building on the left of the school, if coming from Homestead Rd.
If coming from Seawell School Rd., it is the big building across from the baseball fields.
Saturday is not a school day, so parking should not be a problem. However, I have been warned there may be a big crowd.
Well I hope so!

Hope to see you there!

Irina Yarmolenko

When I received the news of Irina Yarmolenko, I was not ready for it.

Oh God! Not Again!

It wasn't until last Saturday morning that I got the news, and only because I went to Who Killed Theresa? that morning. (Thank you, John!)

Oh God! Her funeral is today! Why didn't I know about this before?
Brain goes into spin while processing all the events of the passed week.
I was looking forward to a nice quiet weekend, with nothing more important to do, after some errands, than to write something about Debbie in Chris's Crime Forum, and check on the progress of my video project.

I was not ready to deal with yet another beautiful young woman from Chapel Hill being murdered, for no apparent reason.

My God! Haven't we had enough!?
(deep breath and chill out)

I kick myself for not picking up the story when her body was found on Monday.
It was in Mt. Holly, NC. I know someone who lives there. I have been there a couple of times. Her body was found next to her car on the bank of the Catawba River. It sounds like someone tried to drive her car into the river, but was defeated by a stump.

Then I remind myself of what I had going on that week. Would I have been in a better place to deal with it then? I also remind myself that murder very rarely, if ever, occurs at a convenient time for us.

All this spins through my head, but with a lot more detail, as I go through my morning coffee and e-mail ritual. I'm still in "wake up" mode, and asking myself if I can include a funeral in my plans for today.

As the coffee takes its effect, I then reflect upon a pleasant interview I've had with this nice lady, talking about Debbie Key.
At the time, I was collecting personal testimonies from people who knew Debbie, which I used to compose "My Eulogy to Debbie."
It was this lady who gave me the "She had a great talent for cheering people up, making people laugh, and inspiring people to get off their butts..."

I decide immediately that this is the very inspiration that I need right now.

Long story short, I compromise my plans for the day to include a drive down Legion Road, which runs behind the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, at the time the graveside service was taking place.
At least I get a view of how many people showed up.
Looks like a pretty good number to me.
Driving to my final errand of the day, I wish I could do more.

Since last weekend, I've been looking for something about Irina Yarmolenko to post in here. I've also had the opportunity to talk to some young people who knew her. It's a familiar story, perhaps too familiar.

Good person, never did any harm, loved by everyone, witty, charming, good natured, and why the hell would anyone want to kill her?

Way too close to home for us, for sure!
Now check out this cool guestbook I found for Irina on the 'Net.

http://www.legacy.com/charlotte/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=109250336

Skeletons Found in Wilmington

Two human skeletons were found in Wilmington, NC on Saturday April 26.
Both are believed to be white, female, and murdered.
Efforts are now being made to ID the discoverd remains.
One is believed to be a woman in her 30s, and the other to be in her 50s.
Both skeletons were found in a wooded area near Carolina Beach Rd. and Raleigh St.

There are a number of missing women in the Wilmington area. Among them is Allison Jackson Foy. Several families are awaiting the results of ID testing.

Sources
http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=8235243&nav=157_2

http://ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/2836302/

http://www.wect.com/global/story.asp?s=8285883

That Time Again

I love North Carolina in the springtime!
Oh how I love driving down that road going home in the afternoon, observing azaleas, redbuds, dogwoods, fruit trees, and all manner of botanical wonders that decorate our roadsides every spring.

Lately there's something new. Every few years it happens. These flat rectangular plants on two stems, with people's names on them, appear on lawns and roadsides. They seem to pop up overnight, like mushrooms, but two dimensional.

So I come in my door with my groceries, and I see the red light blinking on my answering machine. There are 4 messages.
The first one is from Hillary Clinton. She's reminding me of everything I value and believe in, and why I've gotta go vote on Tuesday.
The second message is from Jeremiah. Nevermind.
The third one is from Bill Clinton, reminding me to vote for Hillary. Haven't heard from Bill in a while. He's the last presidential candidate I voted for who actually won.
Now are you ready for this?
The fourth message is from, no, not Chelsea, but Andy Griffith. He wants me to vote for Perdue for governor.

How does that song go?
"Always something there to remind me..."

I wanted to write about the beautiful Sunday afternoon I had yesterday at Carrboro Day. I went to see my favorite local rock 'n' roll band, Storm Front, performing like they do every year at Carrboro Day, except they keep on getting better. With me is Alex, a teenaged wizard who knows more about computers, CDs, and video equipment than I ever will know about politics. We get footage of Storm Front doing what they do best.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear but one of Carrboro's most popular living citizens, Ellie Kinnaird. Ellie used to be mayor of Carrboro. Now she's our senator. We are all so proud of her. She's here to remind us that she's running for re-election, and I want to remind everyone of all the great things she's done for us, so I walk with her.
I can't help it. I love this lady a lot, and I don't mind saying so.

I love my community. I love my friends and neighbors. I love our country and our planet.
But Lord! our government sure scares the hell out of me!
Let's hope we do better next year.
Let's hope we can still afford to drive.

Please remember that the road to hell is paved with republicans.
I'm still not convinced Carl Fox really is a democrat.

Check out www.elliekinnaird.org and see why Ellie Kinnaird is so special to us.

Yep, it's that time again;
and the seasons, they go round and round,
and the painted ponies go up and down.

Response to John Hawthorne

While we respectfully acknowledge the good service to NC given by John Hawthorne as special agent with the SBI, we feel that we must protest his description of Debbie Key, as he had presented in the NC Wanted production, "The Disappearance of Debbie Key."

Mr. Hawthorne describes Debbie as a woman who may be bribed by the offering of alcoholic beverages by strange men in a bar, into granting favors of accompaniment.

Those of us who knew Debbie Key when she was still with us feel this description is unfair and inaccurate. We know this person to be of a more ladylike character, who maintained strict sexual boundaries, even among her closest friends. She was not at all the kind of person who would use her feminine charms to solicit drinks from strangers, but quite the contrary.

Debbie was a lady in many ways. She did not even approve of having "salty" language spoken in her presence, and had gotten her friends used to saying things like, "gosh darn it."
All the single guys in our circle of friends knew that it was okay to ask her to dance, to enjoy a hug now and then, but not to expect it to go any further than that.

Friends of Debbie Key have not attempted to paint Debbie up as an angel, though she was angelic at times, but have always admitted that Debbie liked to drink.
This to us did not make her a bad person, and certainly not a person who deserved to die for saying "no."
Please do not punish us for our honesty, but try to give our friend more credit than that.

Readers and viewers of Debbie's story are advised to wear filters concerning such descriptions of her character.
Debbie was a lady, and she did not practice such habits at the bar, or anywhere else.
We see this as just another example of the "blame the victim" syndrome.
We do not, however, blame Mr. Hawthorne as the originator of this interpretation
Your comments are welcome.

Video Now Available

For those who have missed it --
A video of NC Wanted's "The Disappearance of Debbie Key - Part One" is now available on the NC Wanted website. Use link from the links list.
Part Two is on Saturday April 26

Message from NC Wanted

-NC WANTED INSIDER-
04/18/2008

Programming Alert: For the next two Saturday nights, see the stunning results of NC WANTED's year-long investigation into Carrboro's unsolved case of Debbie Key. NC WANTED was granted exclusive access to three of the principal figures in this controversial case, including the lead investigator, the former D.A. and the primary suspect.

For anyone who tracks high-profile controversial cases, these next two shows are a must-see.

For more, go to www.ncwanted.com

NC WANTED airs Saturday nights after the 10 O'clock News on FOX50,
and after WRAL's 11 O'clock News on WILM-TV in Wilmington.

CALL 1.866.43.WANTED to Report A Tip, hotline specialists are available day or night
---

Debbie Key on TV

The Debbie Key episode of NC Wanted will be aired next Saturday, April 19.
This episode will feature interviews with several friends, music by Storm Front, our candlelight vigil, and, as a special surprise, an interview with our suspect.

Any NC Wanted Alert I have posted will show the times for watching it. Have your VCR ready. We be on TV!
------------------------------
April 14 - Have just received word from NC Wanted that this will be a two part story.

Cesar Laurean Arrested

http://ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/2719002/?d_feature_story=1

Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean was arrested in Mexico Thursday night April 10 at 7:00 PM EDT.
Lauren is charged in the murder of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach.
A press conference will be held 2:00 PM Friday April 11.

Here's another link
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080411/ap_on_re_us/missing_marine

More Good News!

You may not believe this, but soon after posting the above message, the following alert from NC Wanted arrived in my inbox. A BIG SURPRISE for all of us apprears at the bottom!
----------------------------------------------------
-NC WANTED INSIDER-
04/11/2008

CAPTURE ALERT: The international manhunt is over. Target Twenty fugitive Cesar Laurean has been captured on a street in the small town of Tacambaro, Michoacan in Mexico.

One report indicates Laurean told police he had been sleeping in fields and eating avocados.

Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson immediately cautioned that "it could be a year or two" for authorities to bring Laurean back to North Carolina if he decides to fight the extradition process.

A press conference is scheduled for 2p.m. today at the Onslow County Sheriff's Office.

For more on this developing story, go to www.ncwanted.com and www.wral.com

NC WANTED will be pre-empted this Saturday due to NASCAR on FOX Network. NC WANTED returns next week with an all-new episode covering the controversial case of Debbie Key in Carrboro. The primary suspect in the case has granted NC WANTED an exclusive interview.

NC WANTED airs again on Saturday night, April 19, after the 10 O'clock News on FOX 50,
and after WRAL's 11 O'clock News on WILM-TV in Wilmington.

Eve Carson Memorial Concert

Eve Carson Memorial Concert is this Saturday, April 12, at the Wilson Library on UNC Campus in Chapel Hill, NC, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.
info on the concert here
http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2008/04/11/Arts/Concert.To.Benefit.Carsons.Fund-3319010.shtml


More News

Members of Friends of Debbie Key got married.
Joy Preslar and Steve Moriarty were married on Feb 29 of this year, but have been keeping it secret until now. Joy and Steve both sing and play for "Storm Front," a popular local rock 'n' roll band, and will be performing for Carrboro Day on May 4.
Joy has a birthday this month on April 26.

My wonderful niece, Julie Higgins, also has a birthday this month on April 23.

Has it become a fad for people on probation to see how much more trouble they can get into? Check out the clowns who shot at a Raleigh police officer to get out of a ticket for littering.
http://ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/2689048/
They could have just paid a fine.

Missing Pieces

Spring Cleaning for DOC

Robert Lee Guy, director of the Division of Community Corrections, has described the situation as "Flat-Out Embarrassing."

The NC Department of Corrections is under investigation due to the tragic loss of Eve Carson, and it doesn't look good for them.
So far, the top 3 managers have already been removed from Wake County Probation Dept., and it looks like many more will lose jobs before this investigation is over.

It appears that Lovette was released from jail 2 days before the shooting death of Abhijit Mahato, which was just 6 weeks before the death of Eve Carson. During this time, Lovette has never once met with his probation officer.

According to Mr. Guy, Lovette's probation officer should not even have been working as a probation officer, as she had not completed her basic training.

See my sources here,
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2665364/
and here
http://www.newsobserver.com/2811/story/1022005.html/

A trial date has been set for May 5.
Chances seem to be rather slim they will get out on probation again.
Meanwhile...
Last Sunday night in Durham, another murder has occured. This one also was by a man who was on probation, Cory Anthony Jiggets.

Remembering Sharron Prior

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1975

It was 33 years ago today that Sharron Prior was brutally murdered.
It was a Saturday, same as this year, but it was Easter Weekend, in Point St. Charles, Montreal, Quebec.

Sharron Prior was a beautiful 16 year old angel of a girl who was getting ready for Easter when she was raped and beaten to death. The Prior family has never been able to enjoy Easter since then. Her killer(s) has never been found. Her family remains without closure.

Sharron's sister, Doreen Prior, maintains a website in her memory.
I have met Doreen through the blog of Who Killed Theresa?, and we have become pen pals. Doreen has never given up on bringing her sister's case to a close.
Today she is very active in the efforts of helping to solve cold cases, finding missing persons, and lending support to grieving families.

I am asking all visitors to this blog to visit the Sharron Prior Website today. This time of year is a very difficult time for this family. Please remember Sharron, and help to make this day a little less painful for the Prior family, who have all done so much to serve others in need.

Please refer to the Sharron Prior link on the Links List on the right of this page.
Thank you very much.
Bill

Missing Pieces Interviews Bill Widman

Click Here For the Interview

I wish to thank all of my friends here in NC for the moral support and encouragement to pull this off.
I also wish to thank Todd Matthews and the blogging team of "Who Killed Theresa?" for being there for me.
I love you all! --BW--

Peter Cottontail

Now let's take the old Bunny Trail down to Memory Lane and see how many of us remember this cartoon from the 1950's.
Let's see some hands! Oh come on, now. I know some of you are old enough.
Happy Easter from Bill and all his friends!

Another Killer Busted in Durham

CHRISTMAS MURDER MYSTERY SOLVED!
Those who were around this part of NC during Christmas may remember there was a murder in Durham on the morning of Christmas day. Way to mess up the holiday, I thought. Well, today an arrest was made by Durham Police, and the suspect's name is Kenneth Lamont Lunsford.

"Police could not confirm whether the incident was gang related, but told NC WANTED that the crime was not random."

Now here we have in one sentence an attempt to answer two questions that everyone seems to be asking these days whenever an arrest is made.
1 - Was the crime gang related?
2 - What exactly is a "random" crime?
--------------------------------------------------------
NC WANTED INSIDER-
03/20/2008

ALERT: In the early morning hours of December 25, 2007, Durham Police officers found a 1992 white Lincoln Town Car pinned against a guardrail.

They also found a bullet hole in the car. The driver – Jalil Stokes, 21, of North Elizabeth Street – had been shot. He soon died.

Durham PD has just announced an arrest in this murder case. NC WANTED is investigating the possibility of gang ties.

For more, go to www.ncwanted.com


THIS SATURDAY NIGHT ON NC WANTED: They were once labeled as 'Missing and Endangered.' Now, authorities in both cases suspect murder. This Saturday night, join NC WANTED for the latest on the death investigations of Pamela Mikels Waldher of Fayetteville, and Jimmy Nelson Davis of Dunn.


NC WANTED airs Saturday night after the 10 O'Clock News on FOX50, and after WRAL's 11 O'Clock News on WILM-TV in Wilmington
---------------------------------------------
Thanks, NC Wanted. Now tell us when you'll be showing the Debbie Key episode. I'm sure we're all looking forward to that.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Judge Craig Brown says, "NC Needs Anti-Gang Laws Now."
Check him out at
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2581231/

And in the News and Observer, staff writer Ruth Sheehan has written an article comparing the murders of Eve Carson and Kristin Lodge-Miller. This one is certainly worth checking out.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/987355.html

We have a Full Moon in Libra, Good Friday, Purim, and First Day of Spring, all happening on the same day. Now let's get ready for Easter!

Kiss Me I'm Irish

I promised a friend of mine that if the murder suspects were arrested by March 17, I would get back to the subject of St. Patrick's Day. This is what I started out with on March 1, but we know what happened after that. So may I present, through the courtesy of YouTube, my favorite song by Gaelic Storm.

For Want of a Nail

John Brownstone of Mt. Holly, NC, who wants me to mention his name, has submitted this statement to me.

"If Atwater and Lovette had been put in jail instead of on probation, Eve Carson would be alive today."

I could not get that statement out of my mind.

While pondering this I came across this information in the NC Wanted website. There is a link provided on this page for your convenience if you want to check it out.

An arrest in 2005 earned Atwater a sentence of 3 years probation. In June of 2007 Atwater had violated his probation by possession of a firearm. But it took until November of 2007 for his probation officer to process the charge for this offense. This should have placed Atwater in jail, as per the terms of his probation, but many clerical errors worked to prevent that from happening. He wasn't arrested for this violation until last month, on February 20.

On March 3 of this year Atwater and his probation officer showed up for court, where he was to be tried and sentenced for violation of probation. But yet another clerical error kept him from going to jail.
They could not find the court records in the 3rd floor courtroom of the county courthouse, and had determined the records were sent to the wrong courtroom, so the trial was rescheduled for March 31.
Where were the court records sent to?
Get ready for this.
To the 4th floor courtroom of the same building.

If you think I'm making this up, check out "MURDER SUSPECT WAS IN COURT 2 DAYS BEFORE CARSON'S DEATH" Posted March 13, 2008, Updated March 14, 2008, in the NC Wanted website at www.ncwanted.com.
There is was, right before my eyes. I couldn't believe it.

Again, instead of being put in jail, Atwater was turned loose, and Eve Carson was killed 2 days later on March 5.
One floor above the courtroom was the nail that was needed to shoe the horse for the rider who was needed to win the battle.

It is this writer's opinion that too many nonviolent offenders are in prison, while too many violent offenders are not.
Which would you rather have locked away?

Letter From a Reader

Not all visitors to this website are registered bloggers, and many of the comments I receive arrive via e-mail by clicking on the "Contact" tab. Since the murder of Eve Carson my inbox has been getting flooded. I have decided I should be posting some of the better messages I've been getting, and would like to start with this one.
-BW-
------------------------

In all branches of the US Armed Forces, military personnel are sworn in "To defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
Gangs are to be considered as domestic enemies of our nation, and dealt with as such.
If America is to declare war on terrorists, criminal gangs are to be included.
Gangs are terrorists by definition. They rule by force and fear. They deprive us of our freedom to walk our own streets, to feel safe in our own homes, and in Chapel Hill, our right to have our traditional Apple Chill Fair.
It is not the organizers of Apple Chill, nor the participants, who are responsible for the shoot-out that occurred on Franklin Street after the fair was over. It was a Durham street gang who was responsible. Yet it was decided to cancel the Apple Chill Fair because of this.
This is not the American way.
America does not surrender to terrorists.
Gangs of criminal nature should be regarded as domestic enemies and not as citizens.
They contribute nothing to our community but fear, death, and destruction. It is time we take steps to reclaim our right to live as a free and peaceful community in our own country.

-------------------------------
Would anyone care to comment?

Both Suspects Now In Custody!

Can you believe it only took a week?
Early this morning Lawrence Alvin Lovette Jr. surrendered to a heavily armed Durham Police Selective Enforcement Team, just 24 hours after capturing Demario James Atwater. See story here -- http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2561551/

As well as for the murder of Eve Carson, Lawrence Alvin Lovette is also a suspect (one of three) in the murder of Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato from Tatangar, India, on January 18, 2008.
See story here -- http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2569358/

Both Lovette and Atwater have heavy criminal records, were both on probation at the time of the murder, and were both already scheduled to appear in court this month.

There will be a memorial service for Eve Carson on Tuesday March 18 at the Dean Smith Center at 4:PM. For more information on this go to -- http://universityrelations.unc.edu/alert/carson/

It is still being debated if this crime is gang related or not. Readers are invited to respond. Thanks to all who have done so already.

And Another One!

Good news, if you ask me, but now these alerts just keep on coming in! I'll just post one more here for you, and remind you to look to the right of your screen, to the Links List, where you can click on NC Wanted to get to the website and read the latest updates. --- Bill W --
---------------------------------------
NC WANTED INSIDER-
3/12/2008

ALERT: Sources confirm that Demario James Atwater, 21, has been charged in the murder of UNC student body president Eve Marie Carson.

For more on this story, go to www.ncwanted.com and www.wral.com Updates will be made available throughout the evening.


SATURDAY NIGHT: The manhunts for the killers of Eve Carson, Maria Lauterbach and Jenna Nielsen.

NC WANTED airs Saturday night after the 10 O'Clock News on FOX50, and after WRAL's 11 O'Clock News on WILM-TV in Wilmington

More from NC Wanted

-NC WANTED INSIDER-
03/12/2008

ALERT: Sources close to the investigation have just confirmed to NC WANTED that Durham PD has detained a person of interest and turned over this person to the Chapel Hill Police Department. This person is now in the custody of Chapel Hill PD and being questioned at this very moment about the murder of Eve Carson.

For more on this story, go to www.ncwanted.com and www.wral.com throughout the day.

THIS SATURDAY: NC WANTED brings you the latest on the manhunts in the cases of Eve Carson, Maria Lauterbach and Jenna Nielsen.


NC WANTED airs Saturday nights, after the 10 O'Clock News on FOX50, and after WRAL's 11 O'Clock News on WILM-TV in Wilmington

Remembering Eve Carson

Message from NC Wanted

-NC WANTED INSIDER-
03/07/2008

ALERT: Chapel Hill PD just announced there is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the murder case of Eve Marie Carson. Chapel Hill PD also released the photo of her vehicle, and will soon release the 911 call. They said they do not have the keys to her car, but do have her laptop. They believe she was shot at the location she was found. Investigators could not release other sensitive specifics regarding evidence such as bullet shell casings, etc. They still do not believe the murder case of the other northern Georgia woman attending Auburn is related at this time.

For more on this story, go to www.ncwanted.com Updates will be posted as available.

Call 1.866.43.WANTED to Report A Tip, or go to www.ncwanted.com and click 'Report A Tip.' Your identity can remain confidential.


NC WANTED airs Saturday nights after the 10 O'Clock News on FOX50,
and after WRAL's 11 O'Clock News on WILM-TV in Wilmington