On the eve of the annual On the Road to Remember Tour sponsored by CUE Center for Missing Persons, Shattered Lives Radio host and Connecticut State Outreach Coordinator for CUE, Donna Gore presents past shows reflecting all aspects of missing persons.
Over the lifetime of Shattered Lives Radio listeners have learned about the impact of missing persons from family members, search and rescue personnel, and the Founder of CUE Center, Monica Caison. The day a person goes missing it affects everyone in the family, the community, and ripples out further that we can ever know. Resources unknown to the general public are often put into place when a full-blown search is launched.
Nothing ends until the missing loved one is found, no matter what the circumstances.
Guest Monica Caison
Monica Caison, Founder of the CUE Center for Missing Persons in Wilmington, North Carolina, is the keeper of the flame and the tireless organizer- searcher for the forgotten… a mission carried forth since 1994. Monica goes about her job systematically. She‘s built a reputation, the respect of law enforcement and service providers. She has an army of resources at the ready to assist… but can always use more dedicated people. Volunteers are the “lifeblood” of this amazing organization
Shattered Lives podcast of show with Monica Caison: Click here to listen.
Guests, Bob Rahn and Kim Anklin of Management Resources
The search for Vernon Jones continues, headed by his family and a private investigators, Bob Rahn and Kim Anklin of Management Resources LTD of NY, who decided to take on the case pro-bono. Since their involvement, they managed to get Vernon into the national DNA database, CODIS, by submitting an old baby tooth Vernon’s mother saved.
In addition to Vernon’s incorporation into the CODIS, they are looking into other possibilities. For example, it’s possible Vernon may have been murdered and never identified — at the time of his disappearance Vernon had no identification on him and would have been labeled a “John Doe,” had he been discovered dead.
Read details of Vernon Jones missing persons case at The Memobook of Bob Rahn and Kim Anklin.
Shattered Lives podcast featuring Bob Rahn and Kim Anlkin: Click here to listen.
Guests, Robin Moore and Chuck Elgin
The search and recovery of missing persons follows many trails and uses various tools. Robin Moore and Chuck Elgin utilize everything in their toolbox including specialized sonar equipment used for underwater searches.
Robin Moore and Chuck Elgin have years of service to the missing through their collective talents. They both work closely with federal, state, local and volunteer groups in an effort to reunite families and loved ones.
Shattered Lives podcast featuring Robin Moore and Chuck Elgin: Click here to listen.
Guest, Trina Murphy, Aunt of missing Alexis Murphy
On August 3, 2013 Alexis Murphy was doing what most American teens do on a summer Saturday evening. Heading out for a night with friends in nearby Lynchburg, she tweeted to her friends, and surveillance video showed her last sighting at a Lovingston, Virginia gas station located approximately halfway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville. When she failed to return home local sheriffs began investigating, and soon after, FBI and Virginia State Police joined the search.
It didn’t take long to locate Alexis’ abandoned car where search dogs traced scents, warrants were issued, and by August 11, 2013 a suspect was taken into custody. Subsequently a grand jury issued indictments for the abduction and murder of Alexis Murphy and by May of 2014 a trial was underway with 48-year-old Randy Taylor found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. This verdict was the third successful prosecution of murder without a body in Virginia state history.
Although it may seem that justice has been served, only a portion of the questions have been answered for the family of Alexis Murphy. One year ago a vibrant, beautiful 17-year-old teen went missing, devastating a family and community with news quickly reaching national proportions. The country has united in support of the family of Alexis Murphy and will continue to search for her until she’s found.
Shattered Lives podcast featuring discussion with Trina Murphy: Click here to listen.
Guests, Christy Davis and Maureen Reinjtes, How Families Give Back
In the blink of an eye a family’s dynamic can change drastically when a loved one goes missing. Despite the circumstances, they are instantly thrust into a chaos they usually are not equipped to handle. Where to turn for information and instruction is crucial, just as it seems that time is running off the clock to find their loved one. What better place to get assistance than from those who have already been there, done that, or are continuing in their search for their loved one.
Maureen Reinjtes’ husband, Jon, was missing for four years when he suddenly reappeared. Maureen is an activist for families of the missing through her association with NamUs, as Administrator for Peace4 the Missing, and several organizations in which she participates.
Christy Davis is the mother of missing Michael “Austin” Davis, who suddenly disappeared June 26, 2007. Finder’s Hope, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to bringing Hope to those with a Missing loved one through Direct Support and Services, Advocacy, and Education and Awareness. Christy also works closely with CUE Center for Missing Persons and is the State Outreach Coordinator for Florida.
Shattered Lives podcast featuring Maureen Reinjtes and Christy Davis: Click here to listen.
Guest, Jan Smolinski, Mother of missing Billy Smolinski
In 2004, Billy Smolinski disappeared under suspicious circumstances. If everything could go wrong in the investigation of his disappearance, it did. From the initial missing persons report, the Smolinski family has hit every roadblock possible in the effort to find their son.
Janice Smolinski has tirelessly continued to fight the uphill battle, through searches, through tips and clues, getting arrested and pioneering “Billy’s Law” that will help save other families from her experience. Website: justice4billy.com
Janice Smolinski’s quiet spoken and friendly demeanor defies the “tiger in her tank” that has sprung forth more times than she would like in the fight to locate her missing son, Billy. Billy’s case and the effort to pass legislation bearing his name has taken up residence on the website, Justice4Billy, since 2004.
This case is called the hot potato…not because they are “hot on the trail of finding Billy.” It has this reputation in the morass of local, state and federal errors that have consumed this family’s life… but not weakened their resolve or determination in their quest to find answers! Read full detailed blog about this show and the issue of missing persons: The Hot Potato Case in Connecticut
Shattered Lives podcast featuring Jan Smolinkski: Click here to listen.
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