1/1/11: Maurice McCall, 22, Sumner, WA

Charles McCall

Maurice Charles McCall, 22, was last seen around 1:30 am New Years Day while attending a New Year’s Eve event with friends at a warehouse at 13701 24th ST. E. in Sumner, WA. According to witnesses, McCall was last seen in the parking lot along the road near the party. He may have walked off alone after a fight with a fellow partygoer.

His mother said he did not have a coat with him, and that it was not like her son to not come home or make contact with anyone. Family members filed a missing person report Monday afternoon (1/3), and authorities began searching the nearby White River area the following day.

In addition to asking for the public’s help in finding McCall, authorities also requested the aid of The Pierce County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, search dogs, and a helicopter.

On January 6, 2011, McCall’s body was found in a ravine near the Sumner/Pacific railroad line, on the 13700 block of 16th Street East in Sumner. Authorities have said that they do not believe McCall had been hit by a train, as his body had no obvious signs of trauma.

The location was a half-mile from the party where McCall had last been seen.

According to Sumner Police, McCall is from Auburn and may have been a student at Green River Community College.


Case Facts:
Name/age: Charles Maurice McCall, 22
Last seen: 1/1/11 at 1:30 a.m., Warehouse D4, 13701 24th ST. E., Sumner, WA 98390
Recovered: 1/6/11, Sumner/Pacific line, on the 13700 block of 16th Street East in Sumner, WA
Physical Description: light-skinned black male, 6’1”, 170 pounds, average build, physically fit/toned, neatly-trimmed goatee, short black hair.
Last seen wearing: either a white polo or a tan long sleeve shirt with zipper, tennis shoes, dark colored jeans, a silver cross necklace and a cross ring on his finger.
Investigating Agency: Sumner Police: 253-863-6384 (You can also call CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS).

01/11/06: Vincent "Buddy Roberts, 20, Minneapolis, MN

"Buddy" Roberts, 21, was last seen walking away from the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) mental health unit on January 11, 2006 with a pass. It was the last time that the young man--a fixture in metro area coffee houses and homeless shelters--was seen.

Family members put up posters of Buddy daily and spend hundreds of hours searching in frustration. The media seemed to pay little attention to the disappearance of a young black man with mental health problems.

Buddy had suffered with a bipolar disorder, since he was 15. According to the Star Tribune, "he was able to flourish when he took his medications. At those times, he was a charismatic young man who was a talented drummer."

But on December 3, Buddy was off of his medication. He was found walking around at the Mall of America without shoes or a coat and talking about his "super powers." With the approval of his family, he was taken to HCMC and held for treatment. Then on January 11, six days before he was to move into a group home, he was given a pass allowing him to leave the hospital.

Buddy's body was found three months later in the Mississippi River on March 29, 2006 near the Stone Arch Bridge, not far from where Chris Jenkins had been found three years earlier. Buddy's stepmother, Lynn Roberts, learned of the finding when she happened to see a notice from the authorities requesting the public's help in identifying a young black male. She and Buddy's father, Vincent Roberts, supplied the medical examiner's office with dental records and the identification was made. Authorities told family members that the body may have been in the river since shortly after his disappearance. His bank account had not been touched since he left the hospital.

Vincent Roberts has said the staff at the hospital was wonderful, yet he questions the hospital's policy of giving unsupervised passes to the mentally ill.


Facts of Interest in this Case:
Name/age: Vincent "Buddy" Harold Roberts II, 20
Last seen: 1/11/06, in the vicinity of the 700 block of Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN.
Date of Birth: 1985-03-03
Physical description: Black male, 70 inches, 160 pounds, black curly hair, brown eyes
Clothing: Usually wears baggy cargo pants, white athletic shoes with untied laces, black or tan doo-rag, may possibly have a black, white, and red leather coat, carrying a green backpack. Wearing a long, thick silver chain with a large silver "cross" pendant and "Fossil" brand watch.
Vincent has a medical condition and needs medication.
Investigative Agency: Maplewood Police Department Phone: (651) 777-8191
Case #: 06-00-0187
NCIC #: M-115526209, Phone: (612) 348-3755

02/22/08: Dennis Cornish, 37, 100 Mile House, BC, Canada

Dennis's story
On Feb. 22, 2008, Dennis James Cornish, 37 vanished after purchasing fuel at Race Trac gas station on highway 97 at the entrance to the 108 Mile Ranch subdivision. It was the last time he was seen. His brown 1995 GMC pickup was later found abandoned in the city of 100 Mile House, British Columbia.


The Search for Dennis Cornish
Dennis Cornish's parents, Janette and Dennis, made the trip from Calgary to 100 Mile House to hand out flyers, checking in with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and speaking with the 100 Mile Free Press. A Facebook page was created by Dennis's friend, Ken Mont from Calgary. Early on, Dennis's family expressed concerns on the page that Dennis had met with foul play.

On the one-year anniversary of his disappearance, the Cornish family released a statement that read, "It is now a year since our son, Dennis went missing. We know he is no longer with us. That is the focus of the RCMP investigation. Our family does not know how and why he died. The most important thing for us is finding his body. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of him. We can’t find peace and move on until we have his remains and give him a proper burial. We are open to all suggestions as to where Dennis might be."

When we come to the last moment of this lifetime,
As we look across it,
The only thing that is going to matter is,
“What is the quality of our love?”
~Richard Bach, as read by Dennis's sister, Corrine, at his memorial service on 8/16/09.

Sadly, it was later determined that Dennis had been murdered. On June 8, Darin Randle, a friend of Dennis's was arrested in his death. An RCMP officer flew to Calgary to inform Dennis's parents. On their Facebook page, the family posted, "We were advised that DARIN RANDLE, Dennis’ friend in 100 Mile House, had been arrested for murder and subsequently charged with “indecency to a body.” To date Dennis’ body has not been found. [Randle] was released until his next court appearance in July. If you have any further information regarding these charges, please contact Constable Jay Grierson, North District, Major Crime Unit – (250) 649-3923."

A trial is set to begin September 05, 2012. It is our sincerest hope that some measure of justice can be will be found for Dennis and his family.

About Dennis Cornish

Dennish Cornish, whose friends called "Corn", lived in the 100 Mile area for two years before planning to return to his home-province of Alberta in the beginning of 2008. His family states that he had an amazing smile, a love of life, and a positive attitude. At his memorial service, friends said that he was caring and non-judgmental, bringing many good things to the world.

"Dennis’ life was full of adventure and he lived on the edge. He grew up in the community of Mapleridge, Calgary. A big part of his time there was participating in Lacrosse. The family has many fond memories of Dennis’ team mates, his coach, Mr. Boykiw, lacrosse games and tournaments. Dennis loved water and snow skiing and became a Certified Canadian Ski Instructor in his early 20s. He had an inherent understanding of mechanics and technology. Computers became one of his passions. He received Computer Technology Certificates from SAIT. He worked for Apex Cable and then 5 years as a computer analyst at the Calgary Board of Education. He went on to apply his computer skills in video and slide presentations for businesses and individuals. From Calgary, Dennis found his way to Canmore, Kelowna and finally Northern BC where he settled for a couple of years.

He had a beautiful spirit and he touched many people with his warm and charming nature. We know and feel he is always with us....



Dennis Cornish Memorial Bench



A lovely memorial bench has been placed in Fish Creek Provincial Park to commemorate the life of Dennis Cornish. The inscription reads, "In Loving Memory of Dennis James Cornish 1970-2008. He lived, loved and laughed."

Dennis leaves behind a 13-year-old daughter, Chay. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to her education fund may do so at any Royal Bank - Trust account #: 06892-5099254.

Quick Facts:
Name/age: Dennish Cornish, 37
Date of birth: 9/13/70
Residence: 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada
Last seen: 02/22/08: Race Trac gas station on highway 97 at the entrance to the 108 Mile Ranch subdivision near city of 100 Mile House in British Columbia, Canada
Physical Description: 5' 7" tall, 165 lbs, short brown hair and hazel eyes. Tattoo on his right upper arm of a yin/yang symbol with crossed swords through it. Wears a heavy silver neck chain.
Investigating Agency: 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456
Links: Facebook

Originally published: 4/28/10. Updated 12/2/10.

01/01/08: Derek Kelly, 31, Bridge Lake, BC, Canada

Derek Kelly

Bring Derek Kelly home.

Derek Kelly, 31, of Langley, British Columbia, was last seen at a New Year's Eve party in the area of Bridge Lake and Highway 24, near the city of 100 Mile House, British Columbia on Jan. 1, 2008.

Derek had made the trip to Bridge Lake, in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, on Dec. 30 with a new girlfriend and some friends and acquaintances. There were at least four and perhaps as many as eight in the party. Those friends returned to the Lower Mainland without Derek and didn’t notify the authorities or his family that he was missing. He was reported missing to the Langley RCMP by his family on January 16, 2008.

An extensive investigation by the Langley RCMP Serious Crime Unit has not located him. Although classified as a missing persons file, the matter is being treated as a homicide, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has said.

The investigation has since been turned over to the North District Major Crimes Unit. Langley RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Peter Thiessen told the Langley Times, “It’s difficult to conduct an investigation from that distance. Combine that with the complexity of the investigation and the different directions it may be going, it requires the North District Major Crimes to take over the file.”

Fargo teen hospitalized after being found in subzero temps

I am in the process of looking into this case a little bit further. Stay tuned for a special investigative report.

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Fargo teen hospitalized after being found in subzero temps

By (Copyright 2010 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)

KARE11.com

updated 7:45 a.m. CT, Tues., Jan. 5, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS -- A teenager from Fargo is hospitalized tonight in Minneapolis after wandering in frigid temperatures for hours.

He had actually taken off his jacket and his shoes and was found trying to get inside a church early New Year's Day.

His family hopes it can be a lifesaving reminder for anyone in these freezing temperatures.

Recovering from his severely frostbitten feet, 18-year-old Jacob Eichelberger is choosing not to talk today. But he and his family do want to send a message, that alcohol and the bitter cold can be deadly.

His aunt, Julie Helm, says, "He is grateful to be here with us and alive. The doctor told him when they found him that he had only 45 minutes before he would have been gone."

Helm says Eichelberger was at a house party in Fargo on New Years Eve. She says, "People that purchase alcohol for kids that are not of age need to quit."

It's unclear how much alcohol Eichelberger had, if much at all, although police do say it was a factor. But eventually he ended up outside where Helm says it was 7 below with a 30 below windchill and he became hypothermic.

Gina Cincinelli, a physician's assistant in burn and plastic surgery at HCMC says, "When your internal corps body temperature drops, you immediately become disoriented."

Helm says Eichelberger called someone at 1:30 a.m. She says, "He was confused from the cold and he didn't know where he was."

So family, friends and police searched for him for hours.


Helm says, "His mom gave him a necklace of a cross with wings that he has on his neck right now. And he held onto that the whole time and prayed that somebody would find him and save him."

She says the only reason he was found was that he was trying to break into this church and someone called police. His shoes and coat were gone.

Helm says the doctor told them that when someone becomes hypothermic, "you get hot and you start shedding your clothing."

Initially it was feared Eichelberger would need both feet amputated. But he was taken to HCMC and treated with TPA, a drug often used to treat stroke.

Cincinelli says, "It actually increases the blood flow to the affected extremities or digits."

So now the damage appears to be much less.

Cincinelli says, "He will likely, maybe lose a big toe, a great toe out of this thing."

Currently there are four people with severe frostbite hospitalized at HCMC, and many more being treated.

Eichelberger is in serious condition.

While his aunt says its unclear how much alcohol, if much at all, he consumed, Cincinelli says any amount can be dangerous when it's this cold.

06/27/04: Craig Frear, 17, Scotia, NY

Craig Frear is still missing.
Seventeen year old Craig Frear was last seen about 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, 2004, walking toward the woods behind the Cambridge Manor apartment complex in Scotia, NY where he had been visiting his ex-girlfriend. He called his parents to say he was on headed home, but he never made it there. His car was left in the parking lot of the apartment complex, and he has not been seen since.

Scotia is a small village of 8,000 people about 20 miles northwest of Albany, NY (upstate NY). According to the Times Union, police and family believe Frear was following paths in the woods that link Cambridge Manor with his family's home on the Yorkshire Court cul-de-sac in Schenectady, NY, just a short distance away. Railroad tracks cut through most of that area, but police say there were no signs that he was hit by a train. The area has since been searched numerous times by hundreds of people, and search dogs have also been used, and nothing has been found. Similar searches of the nearby Mohawk River have turned up nothing.

Frear's social security number has not been used since his disappearance, indicating that he has not paid taxes, opened a bank account or applied for a job in the United States. He was not carrying a cell phone, any cash ($40 was left in his bedroom), credit cards, clothes or his driver's license. His license had been stolen at school, and he had not gotten a new one.

Timeline
The night before he disappeared, Craig Frear slept at his friend Matthew Holub's house. The pair had been friends since age 10, and they were co-captains of their high school soccer team. Holub told the Times Union that Frear was upset about a break up with his long-term girlfriend but gave no indication that he planned to run away or hurt himself.

The following day, Frear visited the ex-girlfriend at the Cambridge Manor apartment complex. While he was there, his mother spoke with him on the phone and told him she and his father had found out he was not showing up for his job at the Price Chopper. Craig had actually lost his job at the supermarket after two months of employment and had been hiding it from his parents. He told his mother he would be home in 10 minutes, the time it would take to drive.

Two middle-school students told investigators they saw Frear walking along the tracks, away from where he parked his car. It would have been a 45-minute walk, but Frear never made it home.

Quick Facts:
Name/age: Craig Frear, 17
Last seen: 6/27/04, Cambridge Manor Apartments, Scotia, NY
Physical Description: Caucasian, 5'11", 190 pounds, red hair, brown eyes, dimples, sometimes wears goatee; wearing white short-sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans or jean shorts, white Adidas sneakers with three black stripes, gold chain with a St. Christopher medal