Police Release New Documents in Kelly Currin Morris Case

February 26, 2009

There have been new developments in the case of Kelly Currin Morris, a 28-year-old mother of two who went missing from her Stem, N.C., home on Sept. 3, 2008.

Authorities have released a new search warrant that was recently issued for an America Online account that allegedly belongs to Kelly's husband, William "Scott" Morris.

According to the warrant, police interviewed a "good citizen" on Feb. 13, who informed them that he or she had recently purchased an item from Scott Morris via the Web site Craigslist.

"Scott provided the citizen with his phone number and when the citizen spoke with Scott, Scott told the citizen where the item was located," reads the search warrant. "The citizen went to the house at the address Scott gave the citizen ... The citizen said the man he met there was named Connie Wright and Wright lived at the location. Wright was storing items for Scott and said he was helping Scott sell some of them so Scott could pay his attorney, Jerry Clayton."

The individual who purchased the item told police that it was still in the original packaging and appeared to have be shipped to Kelly, as her name and address was printed on a label attached to the package.

"E-mails are frequently used as a means of communication, and may therefore contain information that would be valuable in this investigation, potentially generate additional leads and may therefore lead to additional evidence of the crimes of homicide and/or arson," the warrant reads. "An examination of the records and communication held by AOL.com regarding the account is needed to gather information related to this investigation."

The items to be seized were listed as search records for the AOL account, subscriber information, address books, e-mails and files from Jan. 1, 2008 to Feb. 18, 2008, and any and all user data.

Read the Warrant

Investigators have not yet released what, if anything, was found.

Meanwhile, the search for Kelly Currin Morris continues.

"Our volunteer base has diminished," search coordinator Al Mignacci said in an e-mail to Investigation Discovery. "We must get the word out on our weekly search schedule. Without your continued support we cannot. Soon, spring will be here and the vegetation will be return, making it harder to search effectively. We need all the help we can get now."

Mignacci is requesting volunteer searchers for Feb. 28 and Mar 1. Anyone interested in getting involved can receive more information by contacting the Kelly Currin Morris Command Center at 919-812-2310 or via e-mail, at: helpfindkelly@gmail.com. The command center is located at 2816 Old Weaver Trail in Creedmoor, North Carolina.

On the morning of Sept. 4, 2008, firefighters with the Stem and Providence fire departments were dispatched to a fire at the Morris's house, located at 3220 Tump Wilkins Road. The house and much of its contents were destroyed; however no one was home when the fire broke out. Kelly's husband, 34-year-old William "Scott" Morris, was allegedly at his towing business in Creedmoor and the couple's two young children, ages 8 and 5, were in school at the time of the incident. It was initially believed that Kelly was in Raleigh, where she worked for Nationwide Insurance; however, investigators soon learned that she never showed up for work that morning.

Kelly's car, a burgundy 2005 Honda Accord, North Carolina license plate TXP-5917, was later found abandoned in an undeveloped subdivision, less than a mile from her home. Inside the locked car, investigators found Kelly's keys, purse, and cell phone.

When questioned by police, Scott Morris allegedly told them that he had not seen his wife since the previous night.

On Sept. 12, 2008, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the State Bureau of Investigation conducted forensic tests at the scene of the fire which, according to Smith, have revealed that the fire was the work of an arsonist.

The family of Kelly Currin Morris is offering a $30,000 reward for information on her whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call 919-812-2310.

Discuss The Kelly Morris Case

Related Links:
Full Coverage: Kelly Currin Morris Case

Photo Credits: Kelly: Currin Family; Search: Carla Lohr

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Two Pennsylvania Teens Stand Accused in Brutal Homicide Case

February 25, 2009

In the event you've missed it, a very disturbing case is making news in Prince Township, Pennsylvania, involving the brutal murder of a man who was reported missing earlier this month.

According to Stroud Area Regional Police, 21-year-old Michael Goucher went missing on Feb. 3 after he left his Stroudsburg apartment to meet a friend. The mystery of Michael's disappearance deepened on Feb. 10 when a concerned citizen informed police that Michael's vehicle, a 2000 Buick Century, was in a ditch on Stony Run Lane. The caller told police that he or she first spotted the car on Feb. 8, but, at first, thought nothing of it.

Recent snowfall hindered the initial search of the area surrounding Michael's car; however, on the afternoon of Feb. 11, police made a startling discovery when they found his body in a wooded area roughly two-tenths of a mile from the location where his car was located.

"The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the Monroe County Coroner David Thomas," reads a police criminal complaint authored by Officers Craig Vanlouvender and James Wheeler. "On Feb. 11, 2009, at approximately 1800 hours, Trooper Craig Vanlouvender spoke with Coroner David Thomas, who advised Trooper Vanlouvender that the victim suffered what appeared to be twenty sharp forced injuries."

The report further states that a cleaver and a knife were found in close proximity to the body. The handle of the knife was wrapped in duct tape. During a further search of the area, investigators found a discarded roll of duct tape under a nearby bridge. The tape was similar to that found on the handle of the knife, so investigators bagged it as evidence.

During the course of the investigation, investigators learned that Michael was supposed to meet with 19-year-old Shawn Nicholas Freemore on the night of his disappearance. When police questioned Freemore, he waived his right to an attorney and agreed to talk to them.

"The defendant (Freemore) admitted to having met the victim in late January 2009, and they had a sexual encounter," reads the criminal complaint. "The defendant related that they had this encounter inside the victim's car, off Snowhill Road in Prince Township Monroe County. The defendant related that a second encounter had been arranged with the victim and was scheduled to take place late on February 3, into early February 4, 2009."

Freemore told police that Michael attempted to have sex with him but that he refused and got out of the car. Michael allegedly followed him, at which time Freemore said he pulled out a knife. A confrontation ensued, during which Freemore stabbed Michael in the neck and stomach. While the victim struggled on the ground, Freemore continued the brutal attack, stabbing Michael multiple times about the body. Afterwards, he said, he went through the victim's pockets and covered him in snow.

After giving his statement to police, Freemore agreed to ride with them to areas relevant to their investigation. During the course of the ride, Freemore told police that a friend, 17-year-old Ian Seagraves, had also been involved in the incident.

According to Freemore's statement, the two had concocted a plan to "meet him, scare him, and kill him." Freemore told police that he had stabbed him in both the neck and stomach and that Seagraves had stabbed Michael in the neck. To back up his story, Freemore said that Seagraves had stolen a DVD of the movie Eagle Eye out of the victim's car and that it could be found at Seagraves' house.

Investigators later obtained a search warrant for Seagraves' residence, at which time they were able to locate the stolen DVD, along with wooden-handled knives that were similar to the one found at the murder scene.

Later that night, Seagraves, accompanied by his mother, went to the Swiftwater police barracks and willingly spoke with police. However, unlike Freemore, Seagraves was unwilling to implicate himself in the murder. Instead, he told police that he had never talked to or communicated with Michael.

Seagraves did, however, admit to being in Michael's car at one point, but he said that he did not know whose it was and had assumed someone had gotten stuck and had left it alongside the road. Seagraves said that the vehicle was unlocked and that he had gone inside and looked around. When asked if he had attempted to move the vehicle, Seagraves replied, "No, I only sat in the car. I was not trying to get the car out. I don't want to get linked to this murder thing." The questioning then came to an abrupt halt, as Seagraves' mother requested an attorney for her son.

The following day, investigators questioned two unidentified individuals who informed them that Seagraves had admitted to helping Freemore kill Michael and had changed his MySpace moniker to "ThrOwt Stabba."

The MySpace profile to which the informants referred has since been deleted; however, a cache of it is still available on the Internet. The "About Me" section reads:

"yo, my names Ian Thomas Seagraves. im a hardcore Juggalo. been down for like 7 years. my carnie name is itsophrenic. im going out with the best girlfriend anyone can ever have. i almost lost her and i wont lose her again. i love her more than anything in the world. i would take a <redacted> storm of bullets for her and my best friends sean, skippy, Fritzy, and Vicki. i also love writing peoms. i won three contests <redacted>!!!! if you dont know, i am kind of crazy since i got out of jail doin 21 months. i hear voices that tell me to kill people, hallucinate, get dillusional sometimes...schitzophrenia runs in my family and i think i caught it early. i also rap under my carnie name. im pretty fresh if i do say so myself. im seventeen years young and im down with the clown till im dead in the ground motha <redacted>!!!MUCH MOTHA <redacted> WICKED CLOWN LOVE!!!!!!WHOOP WHOOP!!!!!" [sic throughout].

According to police, Seagraves is a resident of Cresco. Little else has been released about him. Seagraves' mother, Kathleen Seagraves, recently admitted that her son suffered from psychological problems, but said that he was incapable of committing murder.

"He's just a 17-year-old boy," she said. "Up until now, the worst thing we've ever caught him doing is smoking cigarettes."

One of the "Top Friends" listed on Seagraves' alleged MySpace profile is "Skippy Critter," a username that is allegedly associated with Freemore. The "About Me" section of that profile reads:

"<redacted> ANY PIGS READIN THIS! <redacted> YOU COPS! I CANT SAY IT ENOUGH! <redacted> YOU <redacted> YOU <redacted> YOU! ok lets see, basically everyone calles me Skippy. the name came about because of my friend Megan in 7th grade and it just stuck. Im 18 and bi, but currently leaning towards guys (sry girls) and just because I like guys doenst mean im one of those flaming "OMG" type of people. in fact, most people are suprised when they find out. kinda funny. hmm. Im a big time Furry. dont know what it is. dont worry about it. but i do wear a fox tail and i occasionally wear my ears. still working on them tho. well lets see, im a pretty open person u just have to ask. im also usually pretty laid back. i have a bit of a gutter mind if u dont care about that. if u do i dont really care haha. i love to adventure and discover new things, just a free spirit. my zodiac sign describes me pretty well actually. in a relationship i can be very lovey dovey or cuddly (call me gay or w/e remember im bi, u just gotta deal with my Furry side possibly coming out haha. i just love romance and being in romantic situations. im into a lot of things and im pretty open to trying new suggestions. P.S. my sn is evilpyropunker3. ok. Later. Lately ive been feeling suicidal" [sic throughout].

According to police, Freemore lives in Upper Rock Ledge Estates near Cresco. His home is less than a mile from where Michael's body was found. Freemore and Michael graduated from the same school, two years apart; however, there is no indication that the two ever hung out together.

"Shawn was a loner, kept to himself, didn't have many friends," Principal Lois Palio said in an interview with wnep.com. In regard to Michael, she described him as an "extremely hard worker, very reliable, [with a] great personality."

The victim in this case also allegedly had a profile on MySpace. In it, he described his interests as "video games, bike riding, TV, movies [and] law enforcement." In describing himself, he wrote:

"Hey Everybody. My name is Mike and I'm 21 years old. I'm from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. If you want to chat with me or anything just send me a message on AIM and my s/n is musicboymike."

According to family members, Michael was an outgoing and likable young man. He graduated from East Stroudsburg High School-South in 2006, at which time he joined the military, working as a mechanic in Alaska. Upon his return last summer, he got a job working as a janitor at the high school. Michael was active with the East Stroudsburg Crime Watch and enjoyed participating in the choir at the Zion United Church of Christ.

Police say that both of the suspects in the case have juvenile criminal records. Evidence against Seagraves has reportedly mounted in the past week, with the revelation that police lifted his fingerprint off the roll of duct tape that was found at the murder scene.

Read the Criminal Complaint

Both Freemore and Seagraves are being held without bail on charges of murder, aggravated assault, robbery, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and conspiracy.

Photo Credit: iStock

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Dice Run Benefits Search for Missing NY Mother

February 24, 2009

Family and friends of Corrie Anderson, a missing mother of three from Ashville, N.Y., organized a snowmobile dice run on Feb. 21, to raise money for the family's reward fund and an upcoming search that is being planned by volunteers from the search and recovery group Texas EquuSearch.

Over 50 people registered for the event, which began at the Chautauqua County Snowmobile Club's headquarters on Hannum Road and ended at the Maple Springs Fire hall, where participants enjoyed a buffet of food and entertainment by the Mayville band Disorderly Conduct.

In addition to gift certificates and a slew of other accolades, two cash prizes were handed out during the event, totaling $800. The recipients of both those awards graciously turned their winnings over to the family.

''We have really been overwhelmed by the support that the community has shown for us over the past few months,'' Corrie's mother, Vicki Acquisto, told post-journal.com. ''And with the event today, we've had so much help from everyone and we are so thankful for the opportunity to have a fun day- we needed this.''

BNN Plans Tribute Show for Sean Krause

The Blogger News Network has scheduled a radio show to coincide with a candle lighting for Sean Krause tonight. If you go to www.blogtalkradio.com a few minutes before 8PM EST you will find the link on the main page. Everyone is invited to call in and share their thoughts about Sean.

Click here for more information.

Related Link:
True Crime Community Mourns Loss of Writer Sean Krause

True Crime Community Mourns Loss of Writer Sean Krause

February 23, 2009

The true crime community feels lost today with the passing of one of its most outspoken writers, 25-year-old Sean Krause.

Today has been no easy day for me. It started out well – I was informed that I won the In Cold Blog award for Best Crime Blogger of 2008, but quickly took a turn for the worse when I learned that a fellow writer and close friend had passed on.

Sean Krause was, in the words of fellow writer Sloane Reed, "informative yet blunt."

In a November interview with Reed, Sean described what drove him to start his Web site, Thedailybs.com.

"I got tired of seeing bad people get praised," he said. "The mainstream media wants people to feel remorseful for murderers; I don't. The news was never honest, so TDBS was born. People think it's the worst name, but never understand the meaning. To define it: BS is in the news every day; I report on it."

Sean was very outspoken, perhaps more blunt than he should have been at times. He was, of course, aware of this trait, yet it didn't bring him down.

"I like to make people laugh; it's a gift," he wrote on his MySpace profile. "Some may not like my risqué humor; I understand."

Regardless of how people felt about his humor, I can attest that Sean Krause was a good man with a heart of gold, who, despite his own illness, often put others first.

Many people were aware of Sean's three-year battle with cancer; however, he kept most of the actual details of his condition to himself. He often referred to it as an "evil entity." He told me on more than one occasion, "It will rob you and rape you when you least suspect it." Nevertheless, he was hopeful that he could win the fight, and he continued his work, often writing entries to his blog while suffering the effects of high fevers and draining chemotherapy.

Last Day to Vote: Best Crime Blog/Blogger Nomination

February 20, 2009

Today is the last day to vote for for the Best Crime Blog and Blogger of 2008:

http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2009/02/icb-detective-award-nominees-2009.html

Click here to see last year's results: http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2008/02/icb-detective-award-winners.html

I greatly appreciate all your support!

Disturbing New Evidence Released in Caylee Anthony Murder Case

February 19, 2009

On Wednesday, the Florida State Attorney's Office released hundreds of pages of discovery documents in the Caylee Anthony murder case. The documents provide details about the discovery of the remains and also delve into previously unreleased details regarding the state's evidence.

Within the documents, Orange County Sheriff's Office Detective Yuri Melich details the observations that he made at the crime scene on Dec. 11, 2008.

"Once we arrived at the scene, we were directed to a location on Suburban Drive just east of Hopespring Drive on the south side of the road," Melich's report reads. "Just past the end of a wooden fence was a path leading south into the wood line. Within a short distance down this path, and to the west (right), was a black plastic bag and lying next to it what appeared to be a human skull. The skull was void of flesh but quite a bit of hair could be seen on and around it. The skull appeared to be that of a child or young adult. I immediately noticed that there appeared to be a piece of silver duct tape across the mouth area of the skull. The tape appeared to have been purposely placed there."

Melich reports that there were two bags next to the skull – one a black plastic bag and the other a tan colored canvass bag. A white and pink striped article of clothing was also found next to the bags.

An additional item of interest found at the scene was a Gatorade bottle that contained unknown liquid and white sediment. A syringe wrapped in a toilet paper roll was found inside the bottle.

Once the items were logged and photographed, they were transported to the medical examiner's office for further investigation.

Melich's report further details the items that were found inside the bags by Dr. Gary Utz, the lead pathologist assigned to the case. Those items were describes as a Winnie the Pooh blanket, a pair of Circo brand size 24-months pink and white striped shorts, the collar of a t-shirt, and parts of what appears to be a pair of pull-up pants for a child.

In regards to the skull and the duct tape found on it, Melich wrote about observations he made while at the medical examiner office:

"The duct tape over the mouth area of the skull appears to have caught up the hair alongside the skull. This is what appears to have kept the tape in place. The hair had to be cut in order for the tape to be properly removed…. On the tape within a black oval was written the word 'HENKEL.' Also written on the tape was 'Consumer Adhesives Inc. max temp 200f Avon Ohio 44011.' The tape was affixed to the skull in such a manner that the mandible was still adjacent to the skull."

The documents also provided information regarding the revelation last month of a "heart shaped" sticker that had been placed on duct tape that was found wrapped around the child's skull.  

As a result of the discovery and the evidence recovered at the scene, authorities obtained a search warrant for the Anthony family home. During that search, several items of interest were found and taken into evidence. Among the items seized was a cloth laundry bag; a red gas can that had a piece of "HENKEL" duct tape adhered to it that "appeared to be the same make and brand as the tape found on the body;" a photograph of Caylee wearing "pink and white vertical striped" shorts; black plastic bags; and several articles of "Circo" brand clothing.

The Missing – A Weekly Exposé of Lost Souls – Issue #31

February 18, 2009

The Mysterious Disappearance of Jarrod Johnston

In this week's edition of "The Missing," we revisit the case of 18-year-old Jarrod Duke Johnston, an endangered and missing adult who was last seen in Yazoo City, Mississippi, in July 2007.

"He left his new home in Kentucky with his grandmother on the weekend of July 4, 2007, to visit some friends in Mississippi," Jarrod's father, Stephen Johnston, said in an interview with Investigation Discovery. "He stayed with his friends for a couple days and then they took him to his grandmother's house. He was going to stay there for a couple of weeks before returning home."

Unfortunately, Jarrod and his grandmother got into a heated argument and he stormed out of her house on July 7, 2007. Jarrod took with him a black duffel bag full of clothing, a walnut-colored Ibanez guitar in a black carrying case and $20 in cash. He has not been seen or heard from since.

"The police have talked to the friends and they've talked to the grandmother, but they were unable to locate him," Stephen said. "Eventually I started receiving ransom demands over the internet, so I got the FBI involved. They determined it was an Internet scam."

Jarrod's profile on MySpace.com was last logged into on the day of his disappearance. Within the profile, Jarrod described his interests and his love of music. His last blog post, posted on Jan. 31, 2007, reads in part:

"Geez life is sad. You ever wake up in the morning and miss there being someone next to you? Someone to hold, someone to love? I do. Name calling, violence, anger - none of that affects me, but love does. I hate it, but I want it at the same time ya know? I've truly been in love one time and she's gone and if I'll ever get her back who knows. The possibility seems so far away, yet so close. I can reach but I can't touch. It's depressing. I want to move out again so I can have a place for her to come to if she wants to, but will she?"

It is apparent by reading the user comments on Jarrod's profile that his friends care about him and are anxious for his return. There is also an indication that some believe he remains missing of his own accord. The most recent comment, left by a female friend on Oct. 24, 2008, reads in part:

"I miss you and I think I know u don't want to be found, but at least let me know your ok."

A profile for Jarrod's band, Only an Atrium, can also be found on MySpace. That profile has not been accessed since May 13, 2007.

Still Time to Vote: Best Crime Blog/Blogger Nomination

As mentioned in a previous post, Criminal Report Daily has been nominated for Best Crime Blog of 2008. I have also been nominated for Best Crime Blogger of 2008.

ICB opened up the polls for voting last week. You are allowed to cast one vote, per category, per day.

Please show you support by voting at:

http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2009/02/icb-detective-award-nominees-2009.html

Click here to see last year's results: http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2008/02/icb-detective-award-winners.html

I greatly appreciate all your support.

Thanks!

As mentioned in a previous post, Criminal Report Daily has been nominated for Best Crime Blog of 2008. I have also been nominated for Best Crime Blogger of 2008.

ICB opened up the polls for voting last week. You are allowed to cast one vote, per category, per day.

Please show you support by voting at:

http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2009/02/icb-detective-award-nominees-2009.html

Click here to see last year's results: http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2008/02/icb-detective-award-winners.html

I greatly appreciate all your support.

Thanks!

Misty Croslin … Cat's out of the bag

February 17, 2009

In my last blog post I alluded to new information law enforcement had received in the search for Haleigh Cummings, a 5-year-old girl who vanished from her Putnam County, Fla., home on Feb. 10.

In that post, I informed you that a source close to the investigation had told Investigation Discovery that law enforcement had received new leads "revolving around the timeline the girl disappeared and the initial report given to law enforcement." I also said, "due to the sensitive nature of the information obtained by ID, no further details can be provided on it at this time."

Unfortunately, that information has since been leaked and was reported on tonight by both a local Florida outlet and a national media outlet.

The information I am referring to is a tip that investigators received from a local resident who came forward and told them that Misty Croslin, the 17-year-old girlfriend of Haleigh's father, 24-year-old Ronald Cummings, was not at home the night Haleigh disappeared. It has further been alleged that the night Haleigh was abducted was not the first time Croslin had sneaked out while Cummings was at work and his kids were sleeping. There are further allegations regarding her activities at that time; however that information has not officially been released.

Croslin's inconsistent statements to both law enforcement and the media have been apparent since the start of the investigation. Whether or not these new allegations will cause her to reveal new information to the authorities is yet to be seen.

Keep checking back with Investigation Discovery for more details in the case.

Haleigh Cummings is described as three feet tall, weighing 39 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt and underwear. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 386-329-0808 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS.

Discuss the case:
http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/81919214001

Related Links:
Florida Police Receive New Leads in Abduction of Haleigh Cummings
Florida Police Say Haleigh Cummings Was Abducted
Florida Authorities in Desperate Search for Missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings

Photo Credit: Famiy photo

Florida Police Receive New Leads in Abduction of Haleigh Cummings

The search for Haleigh Ann Marie Cummings, a 5-year-old girl who vanished from her Putnam County, Fla., home on Feb. 10, has been significantly scaled back; however investigators say they are following up on new leads.

"We were able to come up with several good leads that we are following up on today," Capt. Steve Rose of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said at a press conference today. "At this time we cannot discuss the nature of those leads."

Sources close to the investigation have told Investigation Discovery that the new leads revolve around the timeline the girl disappeared and the initial report given to law enforcement. This information reportedly changed the focus of the investigation, which in turn resulted in the search being scaled back. Due to the sensitive nature of the information obtained by ID no further details can be provided at this time.

Among those pulling out of the search for Haleigh is Texas EquuSearch, a search and recovery group from Dickinson, Texas, who was recently involved in the search for Casey Anthony's missing daughter, Caylee Anthony.

According to Mike Ray, a Texas EquuSearch search coordinator who was on the ground during the search effort, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office asked Texas EquuSearch to pull out of the search yesterday. Ray would not discuss the specifics of that request; however he did say they had conducted a thorough search of the area.

"We had 300 searchers at our disposal," Ray told investigation Discovery. "We went out multiple times and cleared all of the wooded areas around Haleigh's home. The terrain was some of the most difficult I've seen compared to other searches I have been on. There was a lot of saw brush and a lot of volunteers came out with cuts on their forearms and legs. No one can say we did not put forth our best effort. We went out of our way to clear every area. The scale of this search could only be matched by the one we conducted for Caylee."

Ray said that while volunteers searched the woods, law enforcement personnel focused much of their attention on a nearby waterway.

"They had about 30 boats in the water," Ray said. "They were conducting sonar searches and they were also dragging the bottom."

Celebrity bounty hunter Leonard Padilla was also present during the search effort; however Ray said he did not actively participate in the search and remained camped out with the media. Last week, Padilla offered a $25,000 reward to anyone who returned Haleigh by Feb. 14.

Haleigh Cummings Case Discussion

February 13, 2009

Hello Readers,

As you are aware, authorities in Putnam County, Florida, have launched a desperate search for Haleigh Cummings, a 5-year-old girl who was abducted from her home on Feb. 10, 2009.

In response to your requests, Investigation Discovery has created a thread on our message board where you can share your thoughts on the case. To participate, please visit the following link:

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/81919214001

If there are any other discussions you would like started please let us know.

Thanks!

David Lohr

Related Links:
Florida Police Say Haleigh Cummings Was Abducted
Florida Authorities in Desperate Search for Missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings

Photo Credit: Haleigh's family

Florida Police Say Haleigh Cummings Was Abducted

February 12, 2009

The search for Haleigh Ann Marie Cummings, a 5-year-old girl who vanished from her Putnam County, Fla., home early Tuesday morning, has gone on for over 50 hours now, and investigators still have no new leads on her whereabouts.

The search effort, which initially involved over 130 officers from at least 10 county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, was significantly scaled back today to about 60 active searchers. The reason for the scaleback, according to Maj. Gary Bowling with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, is that investigators believe Haleigh was abducted.

"The evidence that it's an abduction is that there's no reason to believe that the child wandered off," Bowling said during a media briefing last night. "She's a 5-year-old child, and she's afraid of the dark."

According to authorities, polygraph tests have been administered to Haleigh's father, 24-year-old Ronald Cummings, and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty Croslin. Cummings has told the media that they both passed; officials will not comment on the validity of his claims.

Earlier today, Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy said that investigators have collected evidence from Cummings' mobile home but would not describe the evidence.

"I can't discuss what evidence was taken into custody," Hardy said. "I don't want to reveal what was found or not found."

The evidence has since been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Crime Lab for analysis.

Speaking with Fox News, Putnam County Sheriff's Office Capt. Steve Rose confirmed reports that there have been prior problems with Cummings, Croslin, and the children. He refused to elaborate on what the problems were, saying only, "There have been some investigations done through the Department of Children and Families," Rose said.

On Tuesday, Haleigh's mother, 23-year-old Crystal Sheffield, and her grandmother, Marie Griffis, arrived on the scene from Georgia. Griffis initially told the media that there were no problems between her daughter and Cummings; today, however, she told the media that their relationship had been "rocky."

Florida Authorities in Desperate Search for Missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings

February 11, 2009

Authorities in Putnam County, Florida, have launched a desperate search for Haleigh Ann Marie Cummings, a 5-year-old girl who was last seen sleeping inside her father's mobile home early Tuesday morning.

According to John Merchant, a detective with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, police were first notified of the case at about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, when they received a call from 17-year-old Misty Croslin, girlfriend of Haleigh's father, 24-year-old Ronald Cummings. A partial transcript of that call reads as follows:

Croslin: I just woke up, and my back door was all open, and I can't find my daughter.
Operator: Can't find what?
Croslin: My daughter.
Operator: OK. When did you last see her?
Croslin: We just like, you know, it was about 10 o'clock. She was sleeping.
Operator: OK. How old is your daughter?
Croslin: She's 5.
Operator: OK. What was she last seen wearing, Ma'am?
Croslin: She was in her pajamas. She was sleeping.
Operator: OK. All right, you said your back door was wide open?
Croslin: Yes, with a brick. Like, there was a brick on the floor. Like, when I went to sleep, the door was not like that.
Operator: OK. Was your back door locked? Do you know?
Croslin: Yes. That door always stays locked.

Ronald Cummings then gets on the phone.

Cummings: I just got home from work. My 5-year-old daughter is gone. I need someone to be here now. I'm telling you, if I find whoever has my daughter before you all do, I'm killing him. I don't care. I'll spend the rest of my life in prison.                                                                                                                               

Operator: It's OK, sir. We got them on the way.

When police arrived at 202 Green Lane in the River Villa mobile home community in the Hermit's Cove area of Satsuma, they were greeted by a frantic Ronald Cummings. When deputies were finally able to calm him down, he explained that he had last seen his daughter at about 10:00 p.m. Monday night before he left for work. He said he is employed by PDM Bridge, a company in nearby Palatka that builds steel girders for bridges. When he had returned home, at about 3:45 a.m., his girlfriend had told him that his daughter was missing.

According to Misty Croslin, she had been alone in the house with Haleigh and the child's 3-year-old brother, Ronald Jr. Croslin said that when she had fallen asleep, Haleigh was next to her in the bed; however, when she later woke up to go to the bathroom—minutes before Cummings arrived home from work—she discovered that Haleigh was missing. Croslin also stated she observed that a rear door to the trailer was ajar and that a brick had been used to prop it open. Croslin further said that she observed a blanket and sheets scattered on the wooden ramp leading from the door.

"She's afraid of the dark," Cummings told First Coast News. "She didn't leave my house. Somebody came in my back door and stole my child while I was at work."

A Crime Writer's Goodbye to Caylee Marie Anthony

February 10, 2009

When you write for a living, it becomes second nature to mentally plot out a story prior to putting pen to paper or, as is the case nowadays, fingers to keyboard. When you write about true crime, you obviously must separate yourself from the subject matter. If you don't, you'll find that you live a very bleak and depressing life.

Every writer has a personal way to cope with the atrocities of human nature – some good, some not so good. While some turn to positive outlets, others look to alcohol and drugs. My outlet is an Xbox. I find that games such as Halo or Medal of Honor can do wonders for relieving anger and frustration.

Regardless of our coping methods, there will always be cases in which we become emotionally involved. I have had several throughout my career. They generally involve missing persons. The case of Caylee Marie Anthony is no exception.

During the months that Caylee was missing, I was able to keep from getting too close by busying myself with the case and participating in the search efforts. I tried not to dwell on her image, and I hung her missing child shirt at the back of my closet. However, my ability to successfully separate myself from the case was greatly affected when I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Caylee's grandmother, Cindy Anthony, at the end of the second search effort. The pain in her eyes struck a chord within me.

View a video a reader made of the search effort

Tim Miller, founder and director of Texas EquuSearch; Tim's assistant, Barbie Tarr; and his media spokesperson at the time, Mandy Albritton, were all at the hotel when Cindy came to see us. Prior to my formal introduction to Cindy, she sat with the group and listened to a song that had been written about Tim's daughter, Laura Miller. Laura was abducted and murdered in 1984. Her killer has never been identified. Everyone who was present at the meeting had tears streaming from their eyes as they quietly listened to the song.

Listen to Laura's song

To my surprise, Cindy knew who I was. She had actually read some of my work. Even more surprising, she did not physically or verbally assault me. I say that because, as many of you are aware, I held back few punches when I initially began my coverage of this case. Instead, Cindy embraced me. I won't reveal what was said, as some things deserve to be kept private, but I can tell you that I was left with the impression that Caylee was the center of her life.

Hundreds Gather for Caylee Anthony Memorial Service

The public memorial for 2-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony was held today at the First Baptist Church of Orlando. Roughly 1,200 people attended the service, which included prayer, song and testimony from the family.

"It's difficult to say goodbye to someone as precious as Caylee Marie," Pastor Shane Stutzman said to the large crowd of mourners. "Caylee was a beautiful young lady who has touched our hearts and our lives forever. Her memory will live with us for all of eternity."

The first person to speak on behalf of the Anthony family was Caylee's uncle, Lee Anthony.

"Today is the day for this family to unite and to display their solidarity and strength," Lee said. "I am telling you it is hard to stand up here and be the pillar of strength. This family is united but this family is incomplete. I am incomplete. I am broken. CMA, each day you continue to teach me about life and about the way it should be lived. Each day you give me the ability to be strong or to be weak. It has been so long since I have been able to see you, to hug you or to tell you how much you mean to me. CMA, I miss you. I love you CMA. I am so proud of you. I hope you are proud of me too. I need you to know that I will never forget the promise that I made to you. I will never forget."

It remains unclear why Lee used the initials CMA, rather than Caylee's name – Caylee Marie Anthony. Some analysts have speculated that the initials were actually code and that Lee was addressing his sister, Casey Marie Anthony.

Following Lee's statement, Caylee's grandfather, George Anthony, addressed the crowd.

 "I am not goanna say how much I will miss things that I am not going to be able to do with [Caylee] because someday I will be able to hold her hand again in god’s heaven. I will be able to take her on wagon rides, I will be able to kiss her [and] I will be able to smell her again.

"I miss my daughter. Do not form any judgments, because I’ll tell you that you don’t want to be in any of our family’s shoes, no matter what it is. Casey deserves prayer. She deserves understanding, she deserves love [and] she deserves letters. Take the time to write a letter to her. It could just say, "Hi Casey, I am thinking about you today." If you can do it for me, I would love it if you could do it for my son, for Cindy [and] if you can do it for Caylee."

The Missing - A Weekly Exposé of Lost Souls - Issue #30

February 09, 2009

The Mysterious Disappearance of Paige Birgfeld

In this week's edition of "The Missing," we revisit the mysterious disappearance of Paige Birgfeld, a 34-year-old mother of three from Grand Junction, Colo., who was reported missing on June 30, 2007, following a meeting with her ex-husband, Ron Biegler.

According to statements Biegler made to police, he and Paige had several contacts over the previous month to discuss the possibility of rekindling their relationship. Biegler said that on the night of Paige’s disappearance, the couple had a brief rendezvous, and at 9 p.m., he spoke with her on her cell phone as she drove through the north suburbs of Grand Junction en route to her house.

On the night of July 1, firefighters were dispatched to a motor vehicle fire in the parking lot of Walker Products SMS, at 727 23 Road. After extinguishing the blaze, investigators with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department ran the vehicle’s license tag through their computer and identified it as a 2005 Ford Focus registered to Paige Birgfeld. The burned-out vehicle revealed few clues, and police were unable to locate any sign of Paige.

In the days that followed, a group of searchers walking along U.S. 50, south of Grand Junction, found over two dozen items belonging to Paige scattered along the median. Among them were her checkbook and a Blockbuster movie-rental card. An unloaded Ruger 9mm handgun was later found in the same area, but police have yet to comment on whether the gun is related to the case.

"Nothing during the course of our investigation has led us to believe that Paige walked away from her family or that she left of her own free will," Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey said in a written statement to the media. "Unfortunately, we do suspect foul play in her disappearance and the subsequent arson of her vehicle."

To her close friends and family members Paige was a successful businesswoman who lived in a million-dollar home outside of town. Everyone believed she paid for her luxurious lifestyle through her business, Grand River Acupuncture, and her part-time job as a sales consultant for the Pampered Chef, a company that markets food products, cookbooks and kitchen utensils. However, as the case evolved, investigators discovered Paige did not hold a license to perform acupuncture and that the bulk of her income came from her career as an online escort.

In her now defunct profile at NaughtyNightlife.com, Paige went by the alias "Carrie" and described herself as a Grand Junction escort with 34D-24-35 measurements. She offered in-call and out-call services, which she described as "escort, erotic massage, private dancer, groups and parties," to men, women and couples alike.

"Beautiful body and face, nice hair and teeth," the profile read. "Sensual mannerisms with a fun attitude. Tired of chopped meat showing up when you ordered Filet Mignon? Affluent clients are lavishing in delightful sessions."

Best Crime Blog/Blogger Nomination

As mentioned in a previous post, Criminal Report Daily has been nominated for Best Crime Blog of 2008. I have also been nominated for Best Crime Blogger of 2008.

ICB has now opened up the polls for voting. You are allowed to cast one vote, per category, per day.

Please show you support by voting at:

http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2009/02/icb-detective-award-nominees-2009.html

Click here to see last year's results: http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2008/02/icb-detective-award-winners.html

Thanks!

Nazi War Criminal Aribert Heim Presumed Dead

February 05, 2009

Newly discovered evidence suggests that Aribert Heim, a former SS member known as "Dr. Death," died in Egypt more than 16 years ago. Heim is accused of torturing and murdering hundreds of Jewish prisoners at the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria.

Investigation Discovery first brought you Heim's story in July 2008. At that time, the Simon Wiesenthal Center announced that they had strong evidence suggesting that Heim, who would now be 94 years of age, was alive and residing in either southern Chile or Argentina. Dr. Efraim Zuroff, Nazi hunter and director of the center, refused to comment about the information he received regarding Heim's living in Chile. However, he did say that he expected Heim to be in custody within a "couple of weeks."

Heim never was taken into custody and the investigation appeared to stall until yesterday, when the German television channel ZDF and The New York Times reported that they had uncovered new evidence that Heim had spent much of his time on the run living in Egypt under a false identity.

Heim's son, Rüdiger Heim, has confirmed that he knew his father was living in Egypt and now claims to have been at his side when he died.

Evidence pointing to Heim's life in Egypt was recently found in a briefcase that had been in storage for nearly 20 years. Inside the briefcase, reporters found letters written by Heim, financial records, medical reports and other supporting documents. Some were in Heim's name, while others were in the name of his alleged alias, Tarek Farid Hussein.

ZDF and The New York Times have since obtained a certified copy of Tarek Farid Hussein's death certificate, which states he died of rectal cancer on August 10, 1992. Following his death, Hussein was interred, without identification, in a common grave.

According to public records, Aribert Heim was born on June 28, 1914, in Bad Radkersburg, Austria-Hungary. His father was a policeman and his mother was a housewife. Little is known about his early years; however, Heim later became a professional hockey player.

At the age of 21, Heim joined the local Nazi party in 1935. During that time, Heim also began to study medicine in Vienna. He continued his studies until 1940, when he joined the Waffen-SS, a group of select soldiers who committed themselves to Nazi ideology and the decimation of the Jewish people.

Heim's ruthlessness reportedly peaked in October 1940, when he was sent to Mauthausen concentration camp to perform medical experiments on Nazi captives. It was there that Heim received the nickname "Dr. Death" because of the manner in which he tortured and murdered hundreds of Jewish prisoners.

According to an account later related by Karl Lotter, a political prisoner who survived the concentration camp, Heim murdered an 18-year-old Jewish man who was being treated at the clinic for foot inflammation. Lotter reported that Heim was more interested in the teenager's fit physical condition. After questioning the man about his life, Heim allegedly anesthetized him and cut him open. He then removed the man's kidneys and castrated him before removing his head, which Heim then de-fleshed and used as a paper weight.

"He needed the head because of its perfect teeth," Lotter stated during a 1950 court proceeding. "Of all the camp doctors in Mauthausen, Dr. Heim was the most horrible."

Another witness allegedly reported that Heim once removed the tattooed skin of one of his victims and fashioned it into a seat cover.

Day 204 of the Casey Anthony Saga

February 04, 2009

There have been several recent developments in the case of 22-year-old Casey Anthony and her deceased 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony.

Casey Anthony's father, George Anthony, 57, was admitted to Halifax Medical Center on Jan. 23, the same day that he disappeared and sent despondent text messages to family members. George remained in the hospital until he was released yesterday evening. According to George's attorney, Brad Conway, his client will continue to attend outpatient counseling to help him to deal with the loss of his granddaughter and the incarceration of his daughter.

"He's feeling good," Conway said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "He's ready. He's totally receptive. And this is part of the healing process. He knows that his family needs him, and he's ready to move forward."

In related news, Jack Trimarco, a former FBI agent, has identified "Todd Black" - the public relations spokesperson hired by Casey Anthony's attorney - as Gil Cabot, an ex-convict who allegedly tried to extort money from a Los Angeles news anchor in 1990. Trimarco claims that he investigated Cabot in the late 1980s and that he was able to recognize Cabot based on those investigations. Trimarco says that it is not the first time Cabot has used the pseudonym Todd Black.

Last week, Black denied that he is Gil Cabot, telling the Orlando Sentinel that it is "an absolute lie." However, Black did admit that the group he works for, Press Corps Media, was founded by Cabot.

According to a statement that Black emailed to the media last week, "It simply DOES NOT MATTER if our company was founded by a gentleman who spent time in prison over twenty-five years ago, especially since that distinction is a key selling point that brings credibility to our services assisting celebrities, politicians and others charged with a crime." The statement claims that when he sold the company in 1996, Cabot remained on staff as a consultant. In the announcement, Black also affirms that the company assigns security names to its staff.

Anthony’s attorney, Jose Baez, has since chimed in on the issue, claiming that at least three employees of Press Corps Media have used Todd Black as a pseudonym. Baez said the ruse had been devised to protect the safety of employees.

Missing Florida Hedge Fund Manager Surrenders to Federal Authorities

February 03, 2009

Arthur G. Nadel, the missing 76-year-old hedge fund manager from Sarasota, Fla., was arrested last week after turning himself in to federal authorities.

According to the U. S. Attorney's Office, Nadel, accompanied by two attorneys, surrendered in Tampa on Jan. 27, at which time he was arrested for securities fraud and wire fraud. Nadel had been missing since Jan. 14, when he allegedly fled Florida after his investors began to suspect that he had defrauded them of $350 million.

Authorities released the criminal complaint against Nadel on the day of his arrest. The complaint also contained excerpts from a handwritten letter found in a shredding machine in his office that Nadel had allegedly written to his wife, Peg, before he disappeared. An excerpt from the letter is as follows:

"If you want to survive this mess, what follows is for your eyes only. I strongly suggest that you destroy it after reading.

"The avenues to money for you will likely be blocked soon. You must use the trust (yours) to your benefit as much and as soon as possible. Please look for the [Bank] credit card account and you will see a large credit balance that can be used in the usual way or to withdraw cash. Withdraw as much cash as you can, as this account might also become blocked.

"I have deposited enough in the Scoop Management acc[ount] for about a month; the same with Tradewind [and] Home Front Homes as well as Laurel Mtn. The Jet Center is self supporting, as you know.

"All the bills will come to 3966 and I have closed the POBx [sic]. Look at all the recently paid bills in the 'package' to see where they stand. Also in the package are enough documents that I think will do the trick to give you complete control and ownership of what is left, and even documentation for divorce. Sell the Subaru if you need money. I will send you a letter in a day or so to tell you…"

Read the criminal complaint

Peg Nadel denies receiving the letter. "Arthur never ever gave anybody in the office instructions to do anything like that," Peg Nadel told Heraldtribune.com. "He would never, never do that. It was just not like him," said Peg Nadel.

Peg Nadel also denies any knowledge of her husband's alleged illegal activities.

The Missing - A Weekly Exposé of Lost Souls - Issue #29

February 02, 2009

The Disappearance of Kristen Anderson

In this week's edition of "The Missing," we revisit the disappearance of Kristen Anderson, a 24-year-old resident of Wheeling, W. Va., who went missing from Martins Ferry, Ohio, in October 2006.

In the months leading up to her disappearance, 24-year-old Kristen Anderson had experienced a nightmarish series of confrontational, sometimes violent, altercations with her estranged husband, James Anderson. According to Kristen's brother, Ed Edwards, James demanded full control of his wife's life.

"When he beat her up a couple of years ago, she took the kids and went to live with my mom," Ed said. "The police showed up at my mom's and told her if she didn't get back home with him, they were going to take the kids from her for abandonment or kidnapping or something ridiculous, so she had to go back home. From then on, she had to pay rent even though she lived with him as his wife. She wasn't even allowed to use the computer; it was password protected. He was very controlling."

The incidents grew in severity over time, resulting in Kristen finally moving out of her home in September 2006 and into a friend's apartment. Nonetheless, the move did not come without its own problems. Whenever Kristen had left in the past, James had threatened to turn her in for abusing her children, a charge her family says was a threat without any merit.

When James found out where Kristen was, he showed up at the apartment every day and pleaded to no avail for his wife to return home. Kristen was through with the abuse and fed up with his lies.

At around 2:00 a.m. on Oct. 1, James showed up for what would be the final confrontation with his wife.

"My sister's friend woke up and heard her yell, 'James, don't hit me.' This was followed by silence," Ed said. "I don't know why her roommate did not go down to see what was going on. Maybe she was scared, but her son also heard the argument, and he later said that after the screaming stopped, [Anderson] looked in his bedroom at him to see if he was awake."

What happened between them remains unclear; however, a short time later, Kristen's 5-year-old son woke up crying for his mother. The roommate went downstairs to check on him, and Kristen was nowhere to be found, but her personal effects - purse, wallet and cigarettes - were still lying on the counter. The only thing missing was her cell phone.

Kristen's mother, Mary Dailey, tried to file a missing person report with police later that morning, but the police department said that it had not been 24 hours since Kristen had been seen, so they couldn't do anything about it. Undeterred, Mary knew something was wrong. She was well aware of the abusive situation her daughter had been in with James, so she contacted Ohio news station WTRF. They in turn tried to get the police involved, but they were also told that 24 hours would have to pass before anything could be done.

When police finally brought James in for questioning, he was inconsistent in his version of events, but with no evidence and little information to go on, police were forced to let him go.