15-Year Anniversary

By the end of this month, we will be observing the 15-year anniversary of when Debbie Key was last seen. The 10-year anniversary got a lot of attention, which I am still thankful for. (see slide show at the bottom of this page) This time around, I would like to point out some other significant events that have occurred in 1997.

1997 - Deaths
Perhaps most memorable are Mother Theresa and Princess Diana, but also were comedian Red Skelton, poet Allen Ginsberg, and the lovely Nicolette Larson.
Carrie Slaughterbeck may have become the first person to die from blue-green algae.
Not as well loved but also remembered is Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan.
Let' not forget the entire congregation of Heaven's Gate, with the appearance of the Hale-Bop Comet, on March 26, 1997

Other Anniversaries in '97
Vampire fans in the US and UK have observed the 100-year anniversary of when Bram Stoker (a favorite author of mine) published "Dracula," the novel that made him famous. (1897)
And in Roswell, New Mexico, a festival was held in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of the alleged UFO crash that made that town famous. (1947)

Other Events
Another favorite author of mine, Kathy Reichs won the Ellis Award for her first novel, "Deja Dead." This author's work was the inspiration for the TV series, "Bones."
The first mass protest against Scientology took place in Clearwater, Florida.
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (the TV series, not the movie) began in 1997 and continued through 7 episodes. (1992 for the movie)

We do not live in the past. We get on with our lives and strive to progress. But one of the best ways of doing this is by learning from our history.

As for Debbie Key, at the present time I am not aware of any plans to commemorate the coming date, but I would not be surprised if any of our friends were to show up at that parking lot across the street from the Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant on Main Street in Carrboro, NC. It's been known to happen before around this time, and if you ask me, I'd say to enjoy a good Chinese dinner at Jade Palace is a good enough reason to go there anyway. Should an impromptu gathering occur, that's likely where it will be.

Holiday Season is approaching.
Peace on Earth. Good Will to People.

FDK now 5 years old.

Friends of Debbie Key first appeared on the Internet on June 1st, 2007.
The first website about Debbie was called "Debbie Key - Murder Victim" and was done by Jackie Helvey in 2006. Jackie is probably known by every musician and artist in the Chapel Hill/ Carrboro area, but is best known for the website Carrboro.Com.
http://www.carrboro.com/

I thought Debbie's story deserved more than one page, and so in May of 2007 I bought the URL and hired Judith Gadd of Star WebWorks to create FDK.
http://www.starwebworks.com/
I am very grateful to Judith for all the support and encouragement she has given me.

Our first year got off to a very good start with the news coverage of NC Wanted, and the 10-year anniversary candlelight vigil. But more than anything else, it was the blog "Who Killed Theresa?' by John Allore that really got it off the ground. There is a rather uncanny parallel between the stories of Debbie Key and Theresa Allore that got everyone's attention. From there the website seemed to take off on its own momentum.

The most rewarding thing for me about doing this was connecting with people like John Allore, Todd Matthews, Doreen Prior, Monica Caison, and our special friend 'Anon', who have each been a blessing to me. Through these new friends I have become more aware of the plight of missing persons, the heartbreak of victim's families, the people who are doing something about it, and the insane laws that fail to keep dangerous people locked up.

I really hate it whenever I hear people say, "I don't think there's anything we can do about it." before they even try. If I can make a positive example to anyone, I will consider it karma payed forward for all I have received.

Special thanks to everyone who has helped me along. I hope you know who you are.

FDK Meets CUE

ON THE ROAD TO REMEMBER
MISSING PERSONS TOUR 2010

On Thursday, Aug 19, I've had the honor of meeting Monica Caison and Lisa Valentino, as well as Lisa's two children, and other members of the CUE staff who were too busy taking pictures for introductions.

The weather had co-operated beautifully. It had been drizzling that morning, but it stopped long enough before the gathering that we were able to do everything outside in the parking lot, including setting up a table with pictures, flowers, and candles, and the CUE Center's big sign. I was joined by my friends Joy, Steve, and Laurel. There was a great bunch of balloons (bio-degradable, I am told) which were released at the end of our gathering.

Monica's team arrived in a big white van, emblazoned on the sides with color pictures of about a hundred missing persons, arranged in the shape of a map of the United States. The same image is on the sign.

Reporter Katelyn Ferral with the News and Observer (Chapel Hill News) was on the scene. She promised to notify me when her story is printed.

Monica called for some group shots of us with our balloons by the big sign they had set up. Cameras were still ready when Monica asked if we wanted a moment of silence before releasing the balloons.
"We're not very good at being silent." Joy said.
"Except whenever we go by this parking lot."
I can certainly say the same for myself.

It was fun watching the colorful display of balloons going up, up, and away.
Lots of photos were taken, which I am looking forward to seeing and sharing.

I came home with some nice souvenirs, including a t-shirt, booklet, and DVD.
It makes me happy to know that Debbie is being remembered by new friends, as well as her old ones.
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Looks like N&O did a good job for us! What do you think?

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/08/20/636866/women-still-missing-not-forgotten.html#storylink=misearch

CUE Coming to Carrboro

The CUE Center for Missing Persons, as part of their annual 'On the Road to Remember Tour,' will be making a stopover to remember Debbie Key at the Jade Palace Restaurant in Carrboro, NC, on Thursday, August 19, at 11:30 AM.

For those who came late, The Cue Center became involved in Debbie's case after skeletons were found in Wilmington, NC, more than 10 years after Debbie's suspected killer stated in his confession that he dumped the body in Wilmington. The remains were later identified as those of Allison Jackson-Foy and Angela Rothen. NC Wanted has made an episode about Allison Jackson-Foy as well as one about Debbie Key. Jim Ware of Star News in Wilmington had written an article comparing the two cases.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080621/ARTICLE/806210334

Links to the websites of Allison Jackson-Foy and CUE Center for Missing Persons are on the Links List. Special thanks to CUE Center.
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UPDATE - Aug 15
News report of this event by News 14 Carolina

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/nc_missing/629274/cue-center-road-tour-aims-to-solve-cases-in-north-carolina

Now We Are Three

This is me and my friends during a gathering in beautiful downtown Carrboro. We may look a little older now, but you should still be able to recognize some of us.

Friends of Debbie Key appeared on the Internet for the first time on June 1, 2007. It was preceded by "Debbie Key: Murder Victim" which appeared December of 2005.

So far this year has been very encouraging, with three times as many website visits, and more comments than ever before.

In January there was an interview with News 14 Carolina with me, Chris, and Joy, and they decided to keep Chris and Joy. I keep telling myself this is okay, because our story is about Debbie, not me. I'll get my Andy Warhol moment someday.

This year my friends finally succeeded in convincing me to sign up for Facebook, and it wasn't easy for them. Eventually I was assured I wouldn't be attracting the creepy kind of visitors we've all been warned about. Indeed, I was much surprised to find how many people I know are already there. I am fond of the saying, "The friends of my friends are my friends." In Facebbook, this saying has taken on new meaning.

Perhaps the most exciting day for us this year was on March 29, with the news of the sentencing of Mr. Dalzell, and our favorite news reporters wanting to talk to us about it. I don't think we will be forgetting that anytime soon!

Another exciting event happened just a week ago, when Joy and I got to see our friend, John Allore, performing in "Eurydice," a play at the Carrboro ArtsCenter. YAY! That was fun!

This summer I'm looking forward to meeting with the CUE Center for Missing Persons when they have their "On the Road to Remember Tour."

I sure hope we keep those comments coming in, and not the kind I have to delete. Thanks to everyone for your support!

Santa Visits Carrboro

'Twas awhile before Christmas when all through the town,
not a person was smiling. They were all pretty down.

I was walking down Main Street 'til I came to this spot
called the Bank of America parking lot.

Whenever I come here I always remember
a friend who went missing the first day of December.

At the Jade Palace Restaurant across the street
I was joined by some friends who I happened to meet.

We greeted each other and remembered the reason
we tend to be sad on the Holiday Season.

A fellow spoke up and said "That's enough!
I'm tired of hearing this old Debbie stuff!

"Get on with your life. Get this through your head.
Life is for the living and Debbie is dead."

Then down on the street came a reindeer-drawn sled
with a fat jolly fellow all dressed in red.

We knew right away just who it was.
Who else could it be but Santa Claus?

He was handing out gifts as he stepped from his sleigh,
and everyone's sadness seemed to just melt away.

As a crowd gathered 'round at the sight to behold,
he turned to the fellow who had spoken so bold.

"Regardless of if you've been naughty or nice,
listen to me and I'll give you advice.

"Everyone you encounter becomes part of you.
Remember that someday you will die too.

"With those who are living share your love and your cheer,
and also with those who are no longer here."

Santa then turned his head and he looked right at me,
saying "I too remember your friend Debbie Key.

"The Spirit of Christmas she held close to her heart,
and she still shares our love even though we're apart.

"She celebrated life from beginning to end.
My advice to you... Keep on blogging, my friend!"

He returned to his sleigh and said "I believe
I will see you again on this Christmas Eve!"

He then shook the reins and took off down the street
to the sound of thirty-two reindeer hoof beats.

The people were standing in shock and in awe,
each asking if this really was Santa they saw.

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and keep up the good fight!"

Beyond This Place

My favorite story about what happened to Debbie Key is "Bad Dream House" by John Allore. During our Halloween weekend I have learned that John had written a sequel to the story. It is called "Beyond This Place," and the first chapter now appears in his WKT? blog.

http://theresaallore.com/?bloggerURL=/.com/

Below is a sample of the first chapter, edited by me.
(...) indicates where I left out sentences.

(You don't have to tell me I'm biased because I already know that, but I also want to make it shorter for this post)
------------------------------------------------------------

I live in a house once inhabited by a psychopath. (...) Each day there are a dozen little things reminding me that Deborah Key – the young woman who was most likely murdered by the former owner of our home – is still missing. Working in the garden, I’ll unearth some artifact belonging to the former owners. Inevitably, it will be some weapon or instrument of torture – an arrow, a spear, the broken blade from a sword. One time I found a gigantic hunting knife with brown stains on the blade. (...) Another time I found the remains of a dismembered Barbie doll.

Last year my wife started a business; a children’s resale shop in downtown Carrboro. Carrboro is a little bedroom community of Chapel Hill in North Carolina. My wife’s shop is cute. She has a lot of nice stuff. (...) As fate would have it, my wife rented the space where the bar Sticks and Stones was formerly located. The same Sticks and Stones where Deborah Key was last seen alive. Every day after work I pull into the parking lot to pick up the kids. I always park in the spot where Deborah was last seen kissing Andrew Dalzell against the hood of her car. Deborah’s mother placed a small memorial on the spot with flowers and a plaque. It’s nice that it’s there to remind me. Just in case I forgot.

Not long ago I got another call from our local police. Deborah Key’s body still had not been recovered. Chief Henderson wanted to return and search our property. This time they weren’t bringing a cadaver dog; they were bringing a psychic.

I don’t understand this “psychic” business. They always seem to be able to see everything that is totally extraneous. They do everything but the one thing police ask them to do: solve the crime. (...)

“She had a vision that Deborah’s body was in a place with woods and a lake.”

(...) That was the thing, it wasn’t a gimmick; my friend had done it. It was amazing. She had a conversation through the medium with her dead relatives. It was creepy. There were details this medium knew about my friend’s life that only people who had “passed” could have known – little pieces of knowledge that no one could find through deception. My friend came to a conclusion. Either the medium was really a psychic and she was reading your mind; or it was for real, and she talked to the dead. My friend suggested I arrange for a consultation with my sister. The medium charged two hundred dollars an hour. I said I’d think about it.

On the weekend I phone my parents and ask them about the medium. They say, why not? I talk with my brother. He can’t think of a reason not to do it either. Curious. I was hoping one of them would stop me. At Barnes & Noble I “inadvertently” wind up in front of the New Age section. My medium’s staring at me from the cover of her book. What’s going on here?
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IN OTHER NEWS:

Today is the day the trial begins for Curtis Lavelle Vance, who last year murdered TV news anchor Anne Pressly in Little Rock, Arkansas. I plan to keep up with this case.

Here is some more news on the prison release issue.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6304543/

Tomorrow will be the 31-year anniversary of the murder of Theresa Allore - November 3, 1978.

Also on this day, 3 years ago, Michelle Young was killed near Raleigh, NC - November 3, 2006.

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

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.

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.

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.

See New Slideshow

You've read the posts, now see the slideshow.
Just scroll on down to the bottom of this page, and stop where it says "More Pictures." Then check out the awesome photography!
Special thanks to Laura and Judith for creating this.
Merry Christmas from all of us at FDK.
God bless us, every one!

Thanks to All

Special thanks to all who braved the cold night to participate in the vigil. Thank you for being there, and for making it happen.
To Steve, for transporting all the furnishings that were set up in the parking lot, including, if not especially for, the kerosene heater!
To Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant, for offering the use of their big side dining room for us to gather in preparation for our long cold night.
To Debbie's sister, for bringing lots of candles, and for the good things she had to say.
To Joy, for making sure everyone knew about it.
To the Carrboro Police Dept for watching over us through the night.
To the camera crew for the Fox 50 production of "NC Wanted," for aiding our cause through the publicity of television coverage. Thank you for all the time you've spent with us.
To Open Eye Cafe for supplying us with coffee.
To John Allore who always stood by us.
To Judith Gadd, my Web Goddess.
To all the friendly folks who were out having a Friday night on the town, who came by to visit us.

As cold as it was, it left me with a warm glow.
It did my heart good to see everyone there, to share stories, goodwill, and good spirits. I love you all!

We are promising pictures of the event, coming soon!

Candlelight Vigil News

Vigil to honor memory of Debbie Key


By Beth Velliquette : The Herald-Sun
bvelliquette@heraldsun.com
Nov 25, 2007

CARRBORO -- It was 10 years ago, the weekend after Thanksgiving, when friends of Debbie Key realized something was wrong.

Her car, with her purse still inside, was parked in a bank parking lot near their favorite hangout spot, Sticks & Stones at 102 E. Main Street.

"When we realized her car was still there, and her door wasn't locked, that was so out of character," recalled Key's friend, Joy Preslar. "Immediately we knew something had happened to her."

Key was never found, and she is presumed murdered. To honor her memory, Preslar and other friends have planned a candlelight vigil for Friday at the spot where she was last seen alive, in the Bank of America parking lot, from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. Saturday.

The organizers are hoping to find an indoor space nearby where Key's sister, Susan Gagnon, will speak between 7 and 9 p.m. They also hope to lay a stepping-stone in her memory near the site. Key's mother, who has since passed away, placed a similar stone there years ago but it was stolen.

Preslar remembers that weekend 10 years ago. Usually she and her husband stopped by Sticks & Stones on their way home from Sunday dinner, but that night they decided to drive straight home.

Other people who were at the bar later told police that they saw Key, 35, talking with a younger man with a ponytail. He had recently started showing up at the bar, where he drew drawings of nude women.

"She was out with friends, meeting new people," Preslar said. "She committed no crime. She had not put herself into a dangerous situation until he misperceived her intentions and lost his temper and strangled her."

He, many people believe, was Andy Dalzell, a young man who grew up in the area and attended local schools.

Key was last seen with Dalzell in the parking lot next to her car.

Dalzell confessed to strangling Key, driving her body to Wilmington and putting it in a waste bin. But a judge later threw out the confession, saying the Carrboro Police Department violated Dalzell's constitutional rights as well as a number of North Carolina laws when they tricked him into believing he was being arrested for murder and would receive the death penalty unless he immediately told police where to find her body.

Dalzell's family said they believe he made a false confession, but many others believe he did indeed kill Key after she rejected his advances in the parking lot.

Preslar still thinks of her friend, who she called a vivacious, warm and friendly woman who loved music. "She and I were concert buddies," said Preslar, who sings and plays in a band.

Although it's been 10 years since her friend went missing, the pain still cuts deep, Preslar said. "I stopped going to Walnut Creek [a concert venue]," she said. "It was just too painful."

Driving to the Raleigh arena makes her think of Key. "I can't make it alone," Preslar said. "I just start crying."

Key knew many musicians, and they've been invited to bring their instruments to the vigil. If the weather is good, they may play music, said Bill Widman, who maintains a Web page called debbiekey.org in Key's memory.

A television station will also be there to film a few scenes of the vigil for a segment that will be part of a show called N.C. Wanted, Widman said.

© 2007 by The Durham Herald Company. All rights reserved.

Bill W. to the Carrboro Police Department

Bill W said...
I'd like to address this to the CARRBORO POLICE DEPT.
Please be it known that I have the greatest respect for the efforts made by those of your department concerning DK, and I hold no fault, but support.
There are those of the Carrboro Police Dept. who I know personally, and you know who you are.
I regret that you have been punished for what you did wrong in the effort of doing right. The punishment should have gone to the one who was not trying to do right.
Each of us, at some point in our lives, has done the wrong thing for the right reason. Where I am guilty of the same thing, should I ever be confronted with it, I hope to do so with the dignity demonstrated by Carolyn Hutchison.

I'm sorry I don't have the same praise for Carl Fox. Perhaps if he had taken his fair share of the blame, I just might have a little respect for him. Considering that the Carrboro Police have taken more than their fair share, it would have been nice if he had been willing to take a little more.

I have it on good authority that the Carrboro Police have been working really hard to solve this case for 7 years, prior to the arrest. I know that the efforts made by the CPD have been far greater than the amount of evidence they had to work with.

On behalf of Friends of Debbie Key, I thank you for your sincere and honest efforts.
Bill Widman

In no conceivable way could I ever write about the Carrboro Police the way I have the Surete du Quebec.(Copy available upon request)

In Loving Memory of Debbie Key

In 1997 our friend Debbie Key was taken from a Carrboro, North Carolina parking lot and never seen again.

Friends of Debbie Key have started a website, http://debbiekey.org.

From the Chapel Hill News:

http://www.chapelhillnews.com/opinion/story/2818020p-9264929c.html

The tragic case of Deborah Leigh Key appeared to reach a dismal end last week, as the district attorney prepared to drop the last remaining charges against the man police say admitted killing her.

That would mean Andrew Dalzell is free and clear. Carrboro police said he told them he had killed her in 1997.

Dalzell had already shed the murder charge; that was dropped earlier this year after a judge ruled that the elaborate scheme Carrboro police used to coax his confession rendered it inadmissible. Key's friends and family hoped that some other unrelated charges -- theft and pornography counts -- might stick.

But on Thursday a judge ruled that the evidence in those charges was also tainted. He tossed the evidence, leaving D.A. Jim Woodall nothing with which to make a case.

Carrboro police had suspected Dalzell in Key's disappearance for years, but had been unable to come up with sufficient evidence to charge him. When an opportunity did present itself last year, it appears they drew up a Hail Mary play; it was a long shot, but it was probably the only shot.