Zahra Clare Baker #8 11/15/10 - 11/27/10

[crazybabyborg]

Still no sign of Adam being arrested??? 

Indeed.....it is beyond disturbing.

They should have their ducks all in a row by now ?

I am curious if they were able
to determine her date of death.

I hope it is son, but I want it done properly, and to the max possible.

I hope they can determine TOD too, LEP. It will help make those ducks in a row a little more straight! 

[4myjoey]

Zahra Clare Baker

Obituary:
Zahra Clare Baker, 10, of Hickory, is in the presence of Angels and in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Zahra was born on November 16, 1999 in Wagga Wagga, Australia, daughter of Adam Baker and Emily Dietrich. She was a strong, courageous and fun person who was everyone’s friend and protective of her family and friends. Zahra never met a stranger and was an inspiration to all those who knew her. She had a beautiful smile, an energetic personality and a wonderful sense of humor that gave her the ability to turn the worst possible situation into a fun situation.

Zahra was a very strong-willed individual that allowed her not to hold anything back. She taught her physicians and doctors not to set boundaries; she would set her own boundaries. Zahra was very athletic and won several swimming races in Australia. She attended Granite Falls Elementary School and Hudson Elementary School where she was on the A and B Honor Roll.

Zahra is survived by her father, Adam Baker of Hudson, NC; her mother, Emily Dietrich of Australia; paternal grandparents, Karen and Tony Baker of Australia; aunts and uncles, Kate Baker, Gemma Bell, Donna Shaw, David Baker, Scott Baker and Dale Baker, all of Australia; great-aunt, Mandy Edwards of Australia; great-uncles, Lance Edwards and Stephen Edwards, both of Australia; great-grandmother, Lola Edwards of Australia; and step-sisters, Amber Fairchild and Brittany Starbuck.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010 in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Hickory with the Reverend Larry Cooley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Zahra’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (1.800.805.5856).

The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 940 29th Ave. NE, Hickory, NC.



Services:
7:00PM at Chapel of Drum Funeral Home - Hickory on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

http://www.drumfuneralhome.com/

[KCJackie]

Memorial service scheduled for Zahra Baker
 
Credit: James Nix / AP

Zahra Clare Baker, 10, gets a hearing aid at an event at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. in May.

by NewsChannel 36 Staff
WCNC.com
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 2:49 PM

HICKORY, N.C. – A memorial service for 10-year-old Zahra Baker has been scheduled in Hickory.

According to Drum Funeral Home and Cremation Services the memorial service will be held at their Hickory location on 29th Avenue Northeast at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2.

Right now it hasn’t been decided where Zahra will be buried.

Zahra was reported missing from her Hickory home on Oct. 9. Her father and stepmother, Adam and Elisa Baker, told police they’d last seen the girl sleeping in her bed.

Zahra Baker was born in Australia. Her biological mother, Emily Dietrich, battled post-partum depression and says that Adam left with their daughter.

The 10-year-old battled cancer twice and lost part of one leg and her hearing to the disease. She wore a prosthetic leg and hearing aids.

Investigators found Zahra’s prosthetic leg in a wooded area off of Christie Road in late October. Just over a week later police found a bone in that search area as well.

On Nov. 12, Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said that DNA from that bone matched an item taken from Zahra’s home that was believed to have belonged to the 10-year-old.

At that point, Adkins said that police had recovered enough physical evidence to believe they’d found Zahra.

Children Protection Council of Catawba County held a candlelight vigil for Zahra on Tuesday, Nov. 16 – Zahra would have turned 11-years-old that day.

So far, no charges have been filed in connection with the girl's death.

Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, has been charged with obstruction of justice. Police say she admitted writing a bogus ransom note.

Court papers filed by Elisa Baker’s attorney say that Zahra’s stepmother told police the 10-year-old had been dismembered.

Those documents requested a bond reduction for Elisa Baker because she had cooperated with police.

The owner of a crime memorabilia website shared letters, allegedly written by Elisa Baker, that point blame towards Adam Baker.

Adam Baker was arrested on unrelated charges but is now out of jail.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Memorial-scheduled-for-Zahra-Baker-110874714.html
 

[KCJackie]

  I'm really hoping they arrest Adam before the Memorial service.

[Green Eyes]

I'm really hoping they arrest Adam before the Memorial service.

You and me both.

[Brandi]

Family plans memorial service for Zahra Baker
By Meghan Cooke
macooke@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Nov. 26, 2010

Zahra Baker's family plans a memorial service next week to celebrate the life of the 10-year-old cancer survivor whose tragic death shocked many captured by her winning smile.

The service is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Drum Funeral Home's chapel on 29th Avenue Northeast in Hickory.

An obituary the funeral home says was submitted by Zahra's father, Adam Baker, lists several of the girl's family members, including many from her native Australia, but omits the name of Adam Baker's wife and Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker.

Elisa Baker, 42, was charged with obstruction of justice days after police say she admitted writing a bogus ransom note to throw off investigators looking into Zahra's disappearance.

Adam Baker reported Zahra missing Oct. 9, and investigators have said they found what they believe are Zahra's remains.

No one has been charged in connection with Zahra's death. Elisa Baker remains in jail, and both she and Adam Baker have denied any wrongdoing.

Zahra's family is making funeral arrangements with the Drum funeral home, according to the obituary, but staff there said burial plans have not yet been made.

Hickory Police Deputy Chief Clyde Deal said Friday the medical examiner had not released Zahra's remains as of Wednesday. He said police expect to receive the results of evidence sent for testing next week.

Although Elisa Baker's name isn't included in the obituary, her daughters – Zahra's stepsisters, Amber Fairchild and Brittany Starbuck – are listed among survivors.

During an Oct. 20 bond hearing for Elisa Baker, Fairchild asked the judge not to release her mother, saying she feared for her own safety and that of her children.

Thursday's service is open to the public, said funeral home office manager Patti Merritt, and will be held in a chapel that seats about 200.

More than 1,000 people attended a vigil for Zahra in downtown Hickory on what would have been the girl's 11th birthday Nov. 16.

Court documents say Zahra's remains were scattered in several rural areas and that Elisa Baker had helped investigators locate key evidence, including a bone later identified as Zahra's and the gel liner of the prosthetic leg the girl used after losing a leg to cancer.

The obituary describes Zahra as a strong-willed, courageous girl who attended Granite Falls and Hudson elementary schools, where she was on the A and B honor roll.

"Zahra never met a stranger and was an inspiration to all those who knew her," the obituary says. "She had a beautiful smile, an energetic personality and a wonderful sense of humor that gave her the ability to turn the worst possible situation into a fun situation."

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Zahra's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.


Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/26/1868189/memorial-planned-for-zahra-baker.html#ixzz16RBL5DYg

[KCJackie]

Zahra's candle link
 
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Zahra

Bump

[4 Donks]

I really hope that Emily is given Zahra's remains to bury in Australia near her maternal family and not to AB or his family.

[theboyzmom]

WTH does AB get off submitting an obituary? Perhaps he should have listed himself as cause of death?? 

[no rose colored glasses]

I really hope that Emily is given Zahra's remains to bury in Australia near her maternal family and not to AB or his family.

That is what I've been wondering.

[Northern Rose]

Reader comments:
Ghoul_1  Today 03:24 PM 

When do we get to go to the memorial service for her dad and step mom at the state prison? Everyone can turn off all their lights at midnight to make sure the chair has enough juice for two.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/26/1868189/memorial-planned-for-zahra-baker.html

[Northern Rose]

So Adam listed Emily as Zahra's mother but made no mention of Zahra's biological siblings, nor any of Emily's family which includes aunts, a grand mother etc.  What a POS for listing Gothmonster's two kids ( yet nothing of Proctor either) and totally leaving out the maternal side other than Emily.  Guess he did not choke on a turkey bone for thanksgiving.  What a shame. 

[Brandi]

Reader comments:
Ghoul_1  Today 03:24 PM 

When do we get to go to the memorial service for her dad and step mom at the state prison? Everyone can turn off all their lights at midnight to make sure the chair has enough juice for two.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/26/1868189/memorial-planned-for-zahra-baker.html

JMO ... but I'd like to find out what LE has uncovered as to the facts of what happened first.

[Sister]

So Adam listed Emily as Zahra's mother but made no mention of Zahra's biological siblings, nor any of Emily's family which includes aunts, a grand mother etc.  What a POS for listing Gothmonster's two kids ( yet nothing of Proctor either) and totally leaving out the maternal side other than Emily.  Guess he did not choke on a turkey bone for thanksgiving.  What a shame. 

Choking to death would be far to quick for this POS in my humble opinion (although I would have been delighted!).

O/T Klaas, may I have you e-mail address?

[klaasend]

smklaas@hotmail.com

[Sister]

smklaas@hotmail.com

Thank you.

[Monkey King]

Do we know if a GJ has been inpanelled for this case to date?

[trimmonthelake]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/zahras-family-plans-us-memorial-service-20101127-18b8f.html
Zahra's family plans US memorial service
Meghan Cooke
November 27, 2010 - 3:34PM
Zahra Baker's family is planning a memorial service next week to celebrate the life of the 10-year-old Australian girl whose murder shocked many captured by her winning smile.

The service for the little girl who had survived cancer in Queensland is set for Thursday at a funeral home in Hickory, North Carolina.

An obituary the funeral home says was submitted by Zahra's father, Adam Baker, lists several of the girl's family members, including many from Australia, but omits the name of Adam Baker's wife and Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker.
Advertisement: Story continues below

Elisa Baker, 42, was charged with obstruction of justice days after police say she admitted writing a bogus ransom note to throw off investigators looking into Zahra's disappearance.

Adam Baker reported Zahra missing October 9, and investigators have said they found what they believe are Zahra's remains.

No one has been charged in connection with Zahra's death. Elisa Baker remains in jail, and she and Adam Baker have denied any wrongdoing.

Zahra's family is making funeral arrangements with the Drum funeral home, according to the obituary, but staff there said burial plans have not yet been made.
Hickory Police Deputy Chief Clyde Deal said on Friday the medical examiner had not released Zahra's remains as of Wednesday. He said police expect to receive the results of evidence sent for testing next week.

Although Elisa Baker's name isn't included in the obituary, her daughters - Zahra's stepsisters, Amber Fairchild and Brittany Starbuck - are listed among survivors.

During an October 20 bond hearing for Elisa Baker, Fairchild asked the judge not to release her mother, saying she feared for her own safety and that of her children.

More than 1000 people attended a vigil for Zahra in downtown Hickory on what would have been the girl's 11th birthday November 16.

Court documents say Zahra's remains were scattered in several rural areas and that Elisa Baker had helped investigators locate key evidence, including a bone later identified as Zahra's and the gel liner of the prosthetic leg the girl used after losing a leg to cancer.
The obituary describes Zahra as a strong-willed, courageous girl who attended Granite Falls and Hudson primary schools, where she was on the A and B honour roll.

[Curly]

This is beyond reprehensible.
Have the death threats stopped and he's no longer afraid to go out in public?
If they have, they better start again.
Why didn't Emily receive the remains? I thought the Australian government was going to intervene on her behalf.
What's wrong with this picture?

[MuffyBee]

This is beyond reprehensible.
Have the death threats stopped and he's no longer afraid to go out in public?
If they have, they better start again.
Why didn't Emily receive the remains? I thought the Australian government was going to intervene on her behalf.
What's wrong with this picture?

This is an older article, and there have been some changes since it was published, including moving the memorial and etc., but some of the article is still pertinent imo.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/19/ap/national/main7071276.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsTheEarlyShowBooks+%28CBS+News%3A+The+Early+Show%3A+Books%29
Anger Builds In Case Of NC Disabled Girl's Death
Public Frustration Builds In Small NC City As Investigation Of Disabled Girl's Death Drags On
November 20, 2010

(snip)
No charges have been filed in her death, though her stepmother is accused of obstructing justice in the investigation and led police to the remains.

The area's top prosecutor is defending the pace of his investigation. In fact, similar cases have been notoriously difficult to prosecute and rushing into charges unsupported by evidence could be more disastrous than waiting.

"Once we have a complete picture of the events surrounding Zahra's disappearance and her death, we will meet with law enforcement to determine what, if any, charges are required," District Attorney James Gaither Jr. wrote in an e-mail in response to questions from The Associated Press.

After Zahra's disappearance, scrutiny immediately fell on her stepmother, Elisa Baker, and father, Adam Baker, after police publicly doubted their story of how she vanished from their home and neighbors talked about their suspicions of abuse.

Elisa Baker's attorneys have said in court documents that their client told police two weeks ago that Zahra "was deceased, that her body had been dismembered and that it would be recovered at different sites." Elisa Baker then accompanied police to sites where the remains were found.

In a letter that Elisa Baker apparently sent to a Florida dealer of crime memorabilia, she wrote, "We didn't really kill her but what he did after the fact is kinda horrifying," referring to Adam, who emigrated from Australia with Zahra after meeting Elisa online. "Makes me scared of him."

One of Elisa Baker's attorneys, Lisa Dubs, said Friday the letter appears to have been written by her client, but declined to comment further. Adam Baker's lawyer, Mark Killian, did not respond to requests for comment.

The ability of prosecutors to hold anyone accountable for Zahra's death depends on the evidence investigators can collect, forensics experts and former prosecutors say. That includes recovering what's left of the girl, who had a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer and wore hearing aids because of damage caused by chemotherapy.

Police have not said how Zahra died, and the lack of an intact body will make it more difficult to blame someone for it. But experts say suspects have been prosecuted in similar cases.

"You don't have to have a specific manner of death," said former Connecticut prosecutor Walter D. Flanagan. "All you have to do is show death."

Flanagan won a conviction in a notorious 1986 murder in which Richard Crafts tossed his wife's corpse into a woodchipper. Without the victim's body, prosecutors were never able to prove how the victim was killed or where.

But detectives recovered a piece of her skull, a bone pathologists said would have been impossible to live without, Flanagan said. He then persuaded a jury by weaving together other evidence: Crafts rented the woodchipper used to destroy the body, he cleaned his bedroom carpet soon after a previous cleaning, and small bits of hair embedded in wood chips were found in Crafts's car.

"All these little things that are innocuous in and of themselves acquired significance," Flanagan said. "When you put everything together, it sort of showed what was happening."

Elisa remains in jail, accused of hindering the investigation. Adam appeared in court on unrelated charges Friday, and refused to speak to members of the media. No one has been charged with causing the disappearance or death of Zahra, although the Office of Capital Defender has assigned Elisa Baker an attorney through a process normally used only after murder charges have been filed.
(snip)
"The high profile of this case and the public interest that it has created only strengthen our resolve to do our job fairly and impartially and to avoid any rush to judgment," Gaither, the prosecutor, wrote. "The job of the District Attorney's office is to follow the evidence and the law and to pursue justice no matter what."
****************************

I don't believe LE is just letting Adam Baker wander around willy nilly.  He's being watched.  There have been no charges filed yet in the death of Zahra, but that doesn't mean there won't be.  Zahra is an angel now, and there's no reason to rush things.  Isn't it better to be certain all the evidence is gathered and processed and all the ducks are in a row before making an arrest?  There may be enough evidence to make an arrest, but that's not enough. There needs to be enough evidence, enough information to make a CONVICTION.  Once an arrest is made, the clock starts ticking.  While the public may be displeased at the pace of the investigation, what really matters is doing it right and making it stick to get justice for Zahra.  Read back and see all of the effort LE and the search teams have put out there to try to find Zahra and the evidence needed for the case.  How many locations were searched and how many times?  Some of those areas were difficult to search, but they did it.  Look at how the house was pulled apart in their efforts.  Right now, I can't fault LE nor the prosecutor.  It may not be fast enough to please some, but more than speed, getting it right is paramount. 

One more note:  I find Adam and Elisa Baker repulsive.  If they (either or both) have caused harm to Zahra, they should be brought up on charges, tried in a court of law and receive punishment.  I don't believe people should make death threats against others, and those that do should also be brought up on charges.  JMHO