Somer Renee Thompson #1 10/19/09 - 10/29/09

[AZSunny]

http://jacksonville.com/community/my_clay_sun/2009-10-23/story/somers_slaying_investigaton_narrowing_down_origin_of_trash

Excellent article here. Very long though.

Part of it:

Investigators know how Somer died based on an autopsy done in Savannah Thursday, but they are keeping those details secret to protect the investigation, Justino said. Somer was initially identified through a birthmark and clothing she was wearing when her body was found.

Funeral arrangements made Friday will involve opportunities for the public to pay their respects, while the family's privacy will also be ensured.

A public viewing will be at the same church from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park, 1140 Kingsley Ave. A public memorial service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Graveside services and burial will be private, but there will be a procession from Kingsley Avenue to Blanding Boulevard to the property of Jacksonville Memorial Gardens just south of the Orange Park Mall.

Diena Thompson, Somer’s mother, emerged from her home Friday night to tearfully tell dozens of supporters that she wouldn’t be able to view the body.

“They are going to give me a lock of her hair, but I’m not going to be able to see her,” said Thompson, 34. “I wanted to tell somebody that, so maybe it’ll make somebody want to say something if they’ve seen anything. Anything. Somebody please tell.”

Thompson’s boyfriend said Friday night that she was too exhausted to give interviews. A message left for her by the Times-Union was not returned.

Diena has surely been strong throughout this. I am amazed at her strength.

This means the public viewing will be closed casket, I am sure.

How so sad.

Oh my God, please take this child and Mother  in your loving arms and bless them.  Not to be able to say goodbye and see your daughter one more time has  to be devasting to her. 

[SloSthrnStyle]

I will be very surprised if this wasnt a neighborhood person.

[my2cents]

They identified her by her dental records and the mother will not be able to see her? I am hoping that this is because dental records were the fastest way to make a positive ID and that just too much time has passed for open casket service .....but they found her quickly and the weather there is cool humm...

[my2cents]

I will be very surprised if this wasnt a neighborhood person.

me too and I think that they were on foot...JMO

[Brandi]

They identified her by her dental records and the mother will not be able to see her? I am hoping that this is because dental records were the fastest way to make a positive ID and that just too much time has passed for open casket service .....but they found her quickly and the weather there is cool humm...

I am sure legally, she could have insisted on seeing her.

I also believe she was talked out of doing so for her own good.

She has had a detective as a liaison staying with her 24 hours a day since Monday night. I am betting he/she talked her into keeping the lock of hair and the memories of her child in tact. Seeing a loved one dead is not always the right thing to do. It's an image one never forgets.

I am very impressed with how LE has handled this so far.

JMO.

[cookie]

I feel so bad for the mom.... and the whole family for that matter, but especially the mom....a lock of her hair but she can't see her baby...how sad is that...sigh...

[cookie]

They identified her by her dental records and the mother will not be able to see her? I am hoping that this is because dental records were the fastest way to make a positive ID and that just too much time has passed for open casket service .....but they found her quickly and the weather there is cool humm...

I am sure legally, she could have insisted on seeing her.

I also believe she was talked out of doing so for her own good.

She has had a detective as a liaison staying with her 24 hours a day since Monday night. I am betting he/she talked her into keeping the lock of hair and the memories of her child in tact. Seeing a loved one dead is not always the right thing to do. It's an image one never forgets.

I am very impressed with how LE has handled this so far.

JMO.

very true Brandi...I think that she could have insisted too...but was talked out of it...and probably the right decision..so sad though...

[my2cents]

They identified her by her dental records and the mother will not be able to see her? I am hoping that this is because dental records were the fastest way to make a positive ID and that just too much time has passed for open casket service .....but they found her quickly and the weather there is cool humm...

I am sure legally, she could have insisted on seeing her.

I also believe she was talked out of doing so for her own good.

She has had a detective as a liaison staying with her 24 hours a day since Monday night. I am betting he/she talked her into keeping the lock of hair and the memories of her child in tact. Seeing a loved one dead is not always the right thing to do. It's an image one never forgets.

I am very impressed with how LE has handled this so far.

JMO.

Yes I think that it is best for her to remember her the way that she saw her last....No parent should ever have to look at their child deceased....so sad

[luvmyboys]

Why will she not be able to view her body? I don't understand. Is it because she won't be able to handle it emotionaly. Or the le told that it is not a good idea? I am sorry for asking. But you don't know till you ask.

[AZSunny]

One of the blog comments mentions older teanagers, and a person named Maddie Clifton. Who is that?  They suggests she needs investigating??

[AZSunny]

Why will she not be able to view her body? I don't understand. Is it because she won't be able to handle it emotionaly. Or the le told that it is not a good idea? I am sorry for asking. But you don't know till you ask.

You have the ablitity to read as much information as we have, you will have to draw your own conclusions. 

[Brandi]

One of the blog comments mentions older teanagers, and a person named Maddie Clifton. Who is that?  They suggests she needs investigating??

I have never heard of Maggie Clifton.

[luvmyboys]

Sorry I just now read the article with the mom talking about it. My computer was messing up. And I was haveing problems with my blackberry. Excuse me for asking

[islandmonkey]

One of the blog comments mentions older teanagers, and a person named Maddie Clifton. Who is that?  They suggests she needs investigating??

I have never heard of Maggie Clifton.

MAddie Clifton is another murdered child

Dates Set For New Trial Hearings For Maddie Clifton's Killer
 Admin Staff     Created: 11/9/2005 1:20:06 PM    Updated: 11/10/2005 5:28:29 PM
Recommend Print Article Email Article Larger Smaller

By First Coast News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Two hearings will be held in December for Josh Phillips. He was found guilty of killing 8-year-old Maddie Clifton in 1998. Phillips wants a new trial. He claims his first defense attorney was incompetent.

The hearings are scheduled for December 7 and 21. On the 7th, a status conference will take place.

"I hate to think of having to go through this again, but it is his right," said Sheila Delongis the mother of Maddie.

A hearing Wednesday set in motion the dates for the upcoming courtroom events.

"We just were shell shocked all the way through. So Josh deserves a fairer trial with a good attorney," said Josh's mother Missy Phillips.

After an intense search Maddie's body was found underneath Phillip's bed. He was 14 at the time.

"She stays with me all the time in my heart and guides me in where I have to go and what I have to do," said Delongis.

Josh Phillips' original trial was in Bartow, FL., southwest of Orlando.

Related article:

Maddie Clifton's Mom Fights for Park

[SloSthrnStyle]

I would think Diena has seen her....I know myself as a mom, they would play he77 to keep me from it.
I think that since this is such a horrific crime, they would spare everyone else.

[klaasend]

Sorry I just now read the article with the mom talking about it. My computer was messing up. And I was haveing problems with my blackberry. Excuse me for asking

Seeing a dead child/loved one isn't easy.  Often it's not the last memory you want to have.  It's likely quite a bit of decomposition took place not to mention, we don't know the cause of death. 

[Fanny Mae]

O/T IM, I left you a message on JSM's thread. 

[Brandi]

Thanks for the info on Maddie Clifton, IM.

I just started following MP cases last summer when the Caylee case began.

I had not heard of Maddie before.

[luvmyboys]

Ty klaasand for answering or should I say. Makeing me understand better. When I asked my question I had not read what somer's mom said the le advised her not to. My computer ia messed up. Anyway ty for being nice with your answer. Good nite all. God bless somer

[islandmonkey]

Thanks for the info on Maddie Clifton, IM.

I just started following MP cases last summer when the Caylee case began.

I had not heard of Maddie before.

YW~It's a pretty famous case, I was shocked when it happened and then IIRC 48 hours or one of those type shows has done a piece on it. No one would ever have thought a friend and neighborhood child did this to her and when I watched the last piece the parents still lived across the street from each other   I'd be crazy if I had to see the house and neighbors every day.