Police and Media Should Review Missing Person Guidelines

April 28, 2008

The evolution of crime journalism is both disturbing and disheartening. Too often missing persons go unreported by major media outlets because they do not fall into a specific category. If you're not white, blonde and good-looking, then you had better hope that you never go missing. If you do, there is a good chance that your case will receive little media coverage.  Unfortunately, this form of "media profiling" also spills over into unsolved homicide cases. If you are the victim of a homicide and your family wants the media to help catch your killer, you had better think ahead and do your best to ensure your murder occurs in a quiet suburban neighborhood, otherwise your case probably will not warrant even a two-minute mention on any of the major media outlets.

However, all is not lost. There are exceptions to the "white, blonde and good-looking" rule. If your death was horribly graphic, or if you have a social networking page on MySpace or Youtube, your case could provide the media with fodder for an editorial. A case in point is the recent murder of 17-year-old Heather Walker (photo here) in Dayton, Ohio...

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Comments

[Kellyn Huehn]

Thank you for being the FIRST writer to bring that sad fact to life. It is absolutely irrelevant what her myspace says, and it was inappropriate and in bad taste for the journalist in question to mention it.
I was a student of Robert Walker, Sr. for some time before moving out of state. The family is close to my heart and they are all wonderful people who do not deserve what happened to Heather, nor the disrespectful comments of the media. I wish them peace and courage in this tough time and also for anyone who has information to come forward and help this family find closure.

[Tami Walker]

Toxicology tests inconclusive for dead woman found in trash can
By Lucas Sullivan

Staff Writer

Thursday, June 19, 2008

DAYTON — The Montgomery County Coroner's Office is unable to determine what caused the death of a young woman found stuffed in trash can and has turned over all inconclusive test results to Dayton police.

Heather Walker's death has been officially ruled an "undetermined homicide by violence," Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab director Ken Betz said Thursday, June 19.

The ruling deals a serious blow to the investigation into the 18-year-old's death and how she ended up in a city-issued trash can.

It also eliminates the most crucial piece of evidence — Walker's body.

"We know she wasn't shot or stabbed," Betz said. "But we also know it's not a natural act to end up in a (trash can). She died at the hands of another."

Betz said the investigation surrounding Heather's death now rests in the hands of police detectives.

"The case is never closed until there is results, but unless we get new information, we are through with our tests," Betz said. "We will certainly cooperate with the police if anything new surfaces."

A woman found Walker on April 26 while walking by a trash can in a backyard just east of Jersey Street on East Third Street.

Betz said toxicology tests could not determine how long she had been there.

"There was just too much breakdown of her bodily fluid," Betz said. "Out of respect for her family, that is as much detail as I want to give."

Walker's father, Robert Walker, said police investigators told him she died a month after being reported missing on Feb. 9, but Betz and police Sgt. Gary White both said they don't support that statement.

Heather Walker, who had a 2-year-old son, Devin, lived with her parents .

She had a history of being a runaway, along with a juvenile criminal record and drug use, according to police reports.

Robert Walker said he's heard Heather might have died from a drug overdose, but has yet to see proof.

She was last seen in the parking lot of Sam's Market on East Third Street, where friends had dropped her off on Feb. 9 at about 7:30 p.m. Her body was found about three blocks from the store.

Anyone with information regarding Heather's death is urged to call 333-COPS.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2494 or lsullivan@DaytonDaily

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Please contact me at 937-397-5253 please donot post my phone number on here thanks.