Somer Renee Thompson #2 10/29/09 - 4/26/10

[FindingAnswers]

AZSunny I was wondering the same thing. I just pray they have some real solid leads that will catch this monster before he strikes again on another innocent child. I know they are working hard on this case. I would hate for it to become another unsolved cold case.

[candycane]

This is a very nice article in Clay today
http://www.claytoday.biz/content/1692_1.php

[Fanny Mae]

This is a very nice article in Clay today
http://www.claytoday.biz/content/1692_1.php

That was a very nice article, and coming from an LE background, I know it to be true. LE are just as human as the rest of us. 

[cookie]

This is a very nice article in Clay today
http://www.claytoday.biz/content/1692_1.php

That was a very nice article, and coming from an LE background, I know it to be true. LE are just as human as the rest of us. 

yep... and putting their lives on the line every day..

[Brandi]

This is a very nice article in Clay today
http://www.claytoday.biz/content/1692_1.php

Thanks, candycane. Nice article indeed. My favorite parts are the last two paragraphs:

So next week when the shock wears off and reality gets weighty, I hope you will remember that every last one of these officers wants Somer’s killer captured and brought to justice.  They are determined to protect this community and send a strong message that you don’t mess with our kids.  A criminal may get away with some crimes in Clay County, but when a coward hurts one of our kids, you wake the sleeping giant…and that giant wears a badge and a gun.

By the way, if you do get pulled over for speeding, give the officer a break.  You don’t have to thank them for the ticket, but you should take the time to thank them for being there for our community.  They put it out there on the line every day and they need to know we appreciate them.  They are going to solve this—give them time.  Heroes.  Every last one of them.

Again, thanks for pointing out this article.

[monkey deep]

Ver nice article. thanks for posting 

[AZSunny]

This is a very nice article in Clay today
http://www.claytoday.biz/content/1692_1.php

Wonderful article, thanks for sharing that.

[Brandi]

http://www.examiner.com/x-23328-True-Crime-Examiner~y2009m11d4-Somer-Thompsons-killer-still-unnamed-dedicated-cops-sort-workable-leads-in-almost-3000-tips

Somer Thompson's killer still unnamed; 'dedicated' cops sort 'workable' leads from almost 3,000 tips
November 4

ORANGE PARK  Somer Thompson's killer remains unnamed, as Clay County (Florida) police continue to sift "workable" leads from 2,800 tips they have received as of 11/4.

During today's media briefing, police spokesperson Mary Justino related that the "multi-agency effort continues as detectives follow up on all the workable leads that remain."

Expressing the agency's request for ongoing cooperation, Justino added, "we remain dedicated to finding the person who killed Somer, and still encourage members of the community to contact the tip line (below) with any information they feel may be helpful."

<snipped>

In sweeping efforts to apprehend Somer Thompson's killer, Clay County Sheriff, Rick Beseler met yesterday with an "America's Most Wanted" show production crew.

Somer Thompson's murder case will be spotlighted during the Saturday 11/7 edition of the widely-viewed crime-fighting series, hosted by John Walsh. Harnessing his energies to effect anti-crime legislation and via the media, since 1991, Walsh has become a tireless advocate for the country's missing and murdered. 

In 1981, Walsh and his wife, Reve, lost their son, Adam, in an abduction-murder that began in a Hollywood (Florida) Sears store. In 2008, Adam's murder was formally attributed to Ottis Toole, a Florida serial killer who confessed, but was never tried for the crime, then died in 1996.

In the case of the slain little girl--dubbed a "community hugger" by her church minister--Clay County law enforcement, working with "America's Most Wanted," aims to intensify the hunt for Somer's killer. 

Along with Sheriff Beseler, John Walsh theorizes Somer's killer could be a pedophile serial murderer who may have re-emerged from a "dormant period," and who may be responsible for the previous disappearances of 4 additional children. Those cases remain open.

"America's Most Wanted" airs Saturday, 11/7, 9 PM EST (8 CST) on FOX.

[Brandi]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=147707&catid=3

More Purple Surfaces for Somer as Investigation Continues
 Roger Weeder  Taren Reed     Created: 11/5/2009 5:31:02 PM    Updated: 11/5/2009 6:41:54 PM

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- More purple is surfacing in the community where investigators are following up nearly 3,000 leads to find the killer of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

The elementary school student was abducted on her way home from school in Orange Park last month; her body was found days later in a Folkston, Ga. landfill.

Bobby Hartley's sign business is now busy making bumper stickers reading "Justice for Somer."

"Now it shifted towards providing as many things as we can that are purple with Somer's name on it to raise money for the family," said Hartley.

The Orange Park businessman said purple magnetic ribbons and rubber wrist bands are in the works.

Working around the clock to find the killer has the Clay County Sheriff's Office following up on thousands of tips.

"We still have a very large task force set up...we are vigorously running down all those leads," said Clay County Sgt. Dan Mahla who declined to talk about suspects or the direction of the investigation.

This weekend, Somer's story will be featured on "America's Most Wanted."  Investigators are hoping the national coverage will generate more leads and eventually an arrest.

[Brandi]

http://wokv.com/localnews/2009/11/clay-cops-get-help-dealing-wit.html

Clay Cops Get Help Dealing With Multiple Tragedies
By Rich Jones, News Director
November 5, 2009 6:22 AM

(AP)  Counseling will be offered to Clay County deputies after the usually quiet area has experienced seven killings in 18 days.

That includes a fatal police shooting, the discovery of Somer Thompson in a landfill, a double homicide and the murders of two children killed by their father, who committed suicide.

A crisis-management team is convening today to help Clay County's 600 deputies and civilian personnel.

Sheriff Rick Beseler said he's concerned for investigators, who can have a hard time dealing with the death of a child. He says they're also not getting a lot of sleep these days.

[strayze]

In several years from now it will be interesting to see if the newly enacted Louisiana legislation on mandatory castration of sex offenders, has a damping effect on these tragic outcomes to children.

[Tracygirl]

http://www.examiner.com/x-23328-True-Crime-Examiner~y2009m11d4-Somer-Thompsons-killer-still-unnamed-dedicated-cops-sort-workable-leads-in-almost-3000-tips

Somer Thompson's killer still unnamed; 'dedicated' cops sort 'workable' leads from almost 3,000 tips
November 4

ORANGE PARK  Somer Thompson's killer remains unnamed, as Clay County (Florida) police continue to sift "workable" leads from 2,800 tips they have received as of 11/4.

During today's media briefing, police spokesperson Mary Justino related that the "multi-agency effort continues as detectives follow up on all the workable leads that remain."

Expressing the agency's request for ongoing cooperation, Justino added, "we remain dedicated to finding the person who killed Somer, and still encourage members of the community to contact the tip line (below) with any information they feel may be helpful."

<snipped>

In sweeping efforts to apprehend Somer Thompson's killer, Clay County Sheriff, Rick Beseler met yesterday with an "America's Most Wanted" show production crew.

Somer Thompson's murder case will be spotlighted during the Saturday 11/7 edition of the widely-viewed crime-fighting series, hosted by John Walsh. Harnessing his energies to effect anti-crime legislation and via the media, since 1991, Walsh has become a tireless advocate for the country's missing and murdered. 

In 1981, Walsh and his wife, Reve, lost their son, Adam, in an abduction-murder that began in a Hollywood (Florida) Sears store. In 2008, Adam's murder was formally attributed to Ottis Toole, a Florida serial killer who confessed, but was never tried for the crime, then died in 1996.

In the case of the slain little girl--dubbed a "community hugger" by her church minister--Clay County law enforcement, working with "America's Most Wanted," aims to intensify the hunt for Somer's killer. 

Along with Sheriff Beseler, John Walsh theorizes Somer's killer could be a pedophile serial murderer who may have re-emerged from a "dormant period," and who may be responsible for the previous disappearances of 4 additional children. Those cases remain open.

"America's Most Wanted" airs Saturday, 11/7, 9 PM EST (8 CST) on FOX.

Brandi do you know what the 4 cases being quoted are?

[JessStar]

Tracygirl, it refers to this:



Justice for Somer Thompson: Predator May Have Killed Before
'America's Most Wanted' Host John Walsh Said Florida Community Has Reason to Be Fearful


The person who killed 7-year-old Somer Thompson  may have preyed on children before, making the search for the second-grader's slayer that much more urgent, police said.
Share
John Walsh weighs in on the search for 7-year old Somer Thompson's killer.

More Photos

Clay County authorities said they are running frustratingly low on credible leads despite receiving more than 1,000 tips about Somer's kidnapping and murder. But "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh said county Sheriff Rick Beseler is "looking very hard at certain people.

"The sheriff and I both feel that it's a predator who has probably done it before," Walsh, who has been following Somer's case since she disappeared last week, told "Good Morning America" today.

He pointed to a string of four child disappearances in the Jacksonville area about 20 years ago that have never been solved.

"I would hate to think this is a serial child killer who has raised it's ugly head," Walsh said, noting that it's not unusual for such a predator to come out of "retirement

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/somer-thompson-killer-serial-child-predator/story?id=8915179

[Tracygirl]

Thanks Jess, do you know the names of the children that went missing? It would be interesting to read about them.

[penny for your thoughts]

Tracygirl, it refers to this:



Justice for Somer Thompson: Predator May Have Killed Before
'America's Most Wanted' Host John Walsh Said Florida Community Has Reason to Be Fearful


The person who killed 7-year-old Somer Thompson  may have preyed on children before, making the search for the second-grader's slayer that much more urgent, police said.
Share
John Walsh weighs in on the search for 7-year old Somer Thompson's killer.

More Photos

Clay County authorities said they are running frustratingly low on credible leads despite receiving more than 1,000 tips about Somer's kidnapping and murder. But "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh said county Sheriff Rick Beseler is "looking very hard at certain people.

"The sheriff and I both feel that it's a predator who has probably done it before," Walsh, who has been following Somer's case since she disappeared last week, told "Good Morning America" today.

He pointed to a string of four child disappearances in the Jacksonville area about 20 years ago that have never been solved.

"I would hate to think this is a serial child killer who has raised it's ugly head," Walsh said, noting that it's not unusual for such a predator to come out of "retirement

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/somer-thompson-killer-serial-child-predator/story?id=8915179

here is a possible one
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=1&GSvcid=84533&GRid=23468223&

http://fightforjustice.blogspot.com/2007/07/investigators-find-cold-cases-hit-and.html
Orlando police Detective Michael Moreschi is investigating the 1988 cold case of 6-year-old Regina Mae Armstrong, whose skull and sundress were found in Oviedo. The case is the most infamous unsolved murder the department has worked on, Moreschi said. Investigators are preparing to test the sundress for mitochondrial DNA, hoping to find more clues to her killer.

http://www.cityoforlando.net/POLICE/unsolved/armstrong.htm
On June 18, 1985, six year old Regina Mae Armstrong was abducted by a stranger, in front of her sister, from an apartment complex on south Semoran Boulevard. Three years later, the remains of Regina Mae Armstrong were discovered at a construction site in Oviedo, Florida, approximately 15 miles away from where she was abducted.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=43981
long story of her disappearance and amw has run this case before

[sbm]

Here's the story from the local daily newspaper from Jacksonville.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-25/story/is_it_a_different_world_for_our_kids

[Brandi]

Here's the story from the local daily newspaper from Jacksonville.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-25/story/is_it_a_different_world_for_our_kids

Thanks, sbm!

That lists the four for TracyGirl. (Sorry, I did not know the answer before,)

[Brandi]

smb:

Sorry, just noticed that was your first post!

Welcome to the cage!

     

[penny for your thoughts]

Here's the story from the local daily newspaper from Jacksonville.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-25/story/is_it_a_different_world_for_our_kids

Thanks, sbm!

That lists the four for TracyGirl. (Sorry, I did not know the answer before,)

where?

[cookie]

snip from above post provided  by Penny:

http://www.cityoforlando.net/POLICE/unsolved/armstrong.htm
On June 18, 1985, six year old Regina Mae Armstrong was abducted by a stranger, in front of her sister, from an apartment complex on south Semoran Boulevard. Three years later, the remains of Regina Mae Armstrong were discovered at a construction site in Oviedo, Florida, approximately 15 miles away from where she was abducted.

interesting that Regina's body was found at a construction site...

a home in re-construction has been the focal point of Somer's disappearance....