Lauth Investigations International has joined the cold-case search for missing expectant mother Milagros Perez Peraulta, who was abducted from the sidewalk in front of a New York State building on South 5th Street in Brooklyn, New York on August 30, 1976. Investigators are preparing to bring new light to this cold case by virtue of ancestry databases and comprehensive due-diligence.
At the time of her disappearance, Milagros was only 22 years old and four months pregnant. She was living with her boyfriend on 33rd Street in Astoria, NY. On August 30, 1976, Milagros was exiting what was at the time a New York State unemployment office building. She was pulled into a vehicle by a Latino male in his late 60s, or early 70s, believed to be a man named Raul who lived in her neighborhood. At the time of her disappearance, discrepancies in reporting within missing person investigations could have delayed the search for the expectant mother.
Missing person cases present their own set of unique challenges with diverse nuance—circumstances that are only further exacerbated by the passage of time. Leads de-materialize, evidence is eroded, and witnesses disappear. However, blowing the dust off a cold case means getting fresh eyes on the information available, and fresh approaches to existing leads. This can increase the likelihood of case progression, even after decades. Lauth investigators are hopeful to unearth new leads in Milagros’ case through ancestry DNA databases in hopes of identifying living family members who may be able to answer crucial questions in the case.
Lauth investigators are prepared to turn over every rock in pursuit of answers on what happened to Milagros Perez Peraulta. If you have any information on Milagros’ disappearance, please contact Lauth Investigators through our confidential tip line at (317)-675-6701.
As missing person casese go cold, there is a lonely echo across generations that reverberates off the void left by missing loved ones. For one woman, solving the disappearance of her mother’s brother, Jerry Moore, has become a personal mission to bring her family the closure they deserve.
Jerry Wayne Moore, who vanished over 25 years ago in October of 1996 in McKenzie, TN. He stands 5’4”, weighing 135lbs, with reddish brown hair and brown eyes. He has a cleft in his chin, a scar on his left hand, and a tattoo of a rose on his left arm.
Bottom left to right: Jerry Moore, Bonnie, Frances (Jerry’s mother, deceased), Ginger (Jerry’s sister). Top left to right: (Debbie’s ex-husband Michael), Debbie (Jerry’s niece, deceased), Donna (Jerry’s sister deceased), Goodwin (Jerry’s uncle deceased), Jeannie (Jerry’s sister-in-law), Lloyd (Jerry’s brother, deceased)
Jerry disappeared after visiting with his mother on October 5, 1996. He walked away from his car without ID, money, a coat, or even a flashlight to navigate in the pitch black of night. The circumstances of his disappearance deeply troubled his family, because they did not consider him likely to want to disappear on his own. At the time of his disappearance, Jerry was a newlywed, getting ready to move into a new house, start a new business, and move to Arizona with his brand-new bride. Jerry has always been a big outdoorsman—hunting, fishing, swimming, and a huge fan of baseball.
When Jerry’s mother didn’t hear from him, she knew he was deceased because he was always checking on her, and would never let her worry. To many in Jerry’s family, it also didn’t make sense that he would vanish into thin air when his health had been in decline. Jerry had been hospitalized not too long before he went missing. He’d been having seizures and had a bout of pneumonia that left him temporarily on a ventilator. While under a doctor’s care, Jerry was also receiving disability benefits in order to support himself because he could not work. Without those benefits, it’s highly unlikely he would have simply relocated. His family did not consider him economically or physically well enough to simply disappear.
Jerry’s disappearance has directly altered the course of his family. His mother’s physical and mental health took a huge hit before her death. Following Jerry’s disappearance, she flat-out refused to reenter the home they had shared—even to retrieve her belongings—because the reminders of her son were much too devastating. One of Jerry’s sisters was diagnosed with cancer a year after his disappearance due to an onset of stress, and his brother passed away as well. Now, the daughter of his last surviving sister is trying to make sure that her family is finally able to get answers in his disappearance, going to the lengths of becoming a private investigator in order to get to the bottom of her uncle’s disappearance.
As she watched her family suffer for years without her Uncle Jerry, his niece, Dillon was inspired to become a private investigator so that she could continue the search on behalf of her grandmother, her aunts and uncles, and her own mother, Jerry’s only surviving sibling. Though she is not currently practicing as a private investigator, her body of knowledge continues to benefit missing persons and their families through her advocacy. Jerry’s disappearance inadvertently changed the course of Dillon’s entire life, giving her a passion for helping other families of missing persons. She is able to empathize with the rotting silence of long years without answers and how families are left in an arresting state of limbo with no forward and no backward. Dillon is in the process of forming a non-profit that will focus on providing quality resources for families of missing persons. She plans to call it Justice’s Journey.
After decades with no answers, Dillon is attempting to fund an independent investigation into her uncle’s disappearance. A GoFundMe account has been established to pull in the necessary monies. You can donate to that GoFundMe campaign here: https://gofund.me/f1bef1f7
Cold cases like Jerry’s can often seem like a black hole after so many years without answers, but make no mistake that there are real people still out there who are searching for Jerry. He deserves to be brought in from the cold and given a proper burial.
The family of Jennifer Leyanna may finally get long-awaited justice following the arrest of a Maryland man who has been arrested and charged with her murder. This case was thrust back into the news cycle when Jennifer’s remains were located in the backyard of a Maryland residence earlier this week.
Jennifer Leyanna, 41, was last seen in Hartly, Delaware, on October 9, 2020 about 18 months ago. The last time she had contact with her family was that same day when she spoke to her mother on the phone. Her mother told WMDT-TV back in 2021, “It didn’t click that there was anything wrong, usually she’ll say ‘take care of Natalie,’ but this time she said ‘mom please take care of my baby girl.”
Investigators had been investigating her disappearance with the possibility of foul play, determining that she was “likely dead as a result of criminal actions.” This trail of investigative measures lead them to Leonard “Buddy” Church from Henderson, Maryland.
Following his identification as a suspect in the case, public records confirmed that Church actually lived on the same block as the backyard in question. After he was arrested, Church was extradited to Delaware where he was charged with first degree murder and given a $2 million cash bond upon arraignment.
News like this is always bittersweet for families of missing persons, many of whom are desperate for answers, no matter how devastating, and that was no different for the family of Jennifer Leyanna. Upon hearing the news of the discovery of Leyanna’s remains, her family received a wealth of support and good thoughts from those following the Find Jennifer Leyanna Facebook page. On Tuesday, the page posted an update simply stating, “She’s home where she belongs.”
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Mark Ryde by calling 302-741-2730.
The search for a Rhode Island man who faced prosecution in the United States has now come to a close following his hospitalization for COVID-19. Authorities located Nicholas Alahverdian, 34, in all places, Glasgow, Scotland, after developing a serious case of coronavirus that required him to be placed on a respirator. Alahverdian was wanted by Interpol, and faces extradition to the United States with regards to a 2008 charge of first-degree rape in Utah, leading to a faked death investigation.
Back in 2008, when he was residing in Orem, Utah, Alahverdian was going by the surname “Rossi.” While on Myspace, he met a 21-year-old woman with whom he developed a relationship. When she finally ended the relationship, Alahverdian still owed her some money. Despite promises to pay her back, she asserted that Alahverdian sexually assault her. However, the crucial DNA material from the survivor’s evidence collection kit was not tested until almost ten years later in 2017 due to the nationwide phenomenon in which state departments experience deep backlogs in their evidence collection kits, or as they’re commonly known, “rape kits.” Once the DNA was finally tested, it came back as a match to another sexual assault case in Ohio. Unfortunately, Alahverdian was already believed to be dead due to a faked death scenario.
“Investigators also learned that Nicholas Rossi had fled the country to avoid prosecution in Ohio, and attempted to leave investigators and state legislators in other states to believe that he was deceased,” said a statement released from Utah County Attorney David Leavitt’s office on Wednesday. “Mr. Rossi was discovered to be living under an assumed name in Scotland.”
In addition to charges that Alahverdian faces in both Ohio and Utah, he is also wanted by Rhode Island State Police for charges related to failing to register as a sex offender. He is also wanted at the federal level by the FBI for charges relating to credit card fraud committed in the name of his foster father, totaling more than $200,000.
Following the discovery of Alahverdian’s various crimes and attempt to fake his death to evade prosecution, many have been left with the question of how individuals who are believed to have faked their deaths can ever be held to account for their actions. In Alahverdian’s case, law enforcement was heavily involved, if not hamstrung by the rape kit backlog that delayed the testing of the evidence. However, many families of victims of violent crimes, large-scale frauds, or related crimes, sometimes have no recourse with the main suspect in their case manages to evade justice. In Alahverdian’s case, his identity was ultimately discovered once he was forced to check into a hospital for COVID-19, but such circumstances may not occur in other cases. While it’s true that the FBI can work with other foreign state intelligence agencies to search for high-profile targets on their list, it can still be difficult to conduct boots-on-the-ground investigations that can lead to major developments in a search. To further exacerbate matters, when the individual has gone the extra mile to fake their death, the case becomes even more complicated.
If corporations, families, or private individuals believe a person of interest has faked death in order to escape accountability, there are options outside of the traditional law enforcement route. Private investigators and private intelligence firms sometimes have the resources and manpower to send investigators outside the United States borders to look for evidence of a faked death scenario in their case. Private investigators have access to verified databases that can extend nationally, and often do not have the caseload of state or federal investigators that would otherwise prevent them from chasing down every lead in a faked death scenario. While state or federal agencies may not be able to deploy agents on a particular case, private investigators have complete autonomy from state and federal agencies as long as they are acting within the confines of their license. The value in this autonomy is found in the investigator’s ability to trigger a field investigation outside of U.S. jurisdiction without waiting for approval. In this way, more valuable time is not lost in the case, which increases the likelihood that both witnesses and crucial evidence in the case can still be recovered.
The hunt for a 28-year-old male boater reported missing on Chippewa Lake in Ohio ended in great sadness on Sunday, 27th of June, when his body was recovered from the water. According to witness accounts, the unnamed man jumped from a boat into the water at roughly 9pm on Saturday and did not resurface. Some reports suggest that the boat may have been occupied by a group of people, although this has not been officially confirmed.
After the alert was raised, Chippewa Lake was closed off to the public while the Ohio Department of Natural Resources led efforts to locate the missing man. Several additional agencies including the Medina County Sheriff Office, the Medina Count All Hazards Team, the Westfield Fire Department, the Medina Park District, and Wooster Township Dive and Rescue all rallied to assist in the search.
Local Communities Rally
Volunteers are reported to have searched alongside the numerous rescue crews overnight, while divers and Ranger boats took to the water on Sunday morning in the hope that the man might still be found alive. As one of the largest of Ohio’s natural lakes, and spanning 325 acres, Chippewa Lake represented a vast body of water within which to mount such a challenging rescue effort.
After almost 24 hours of searching, the worst fears of all involved were realized when the missing man’s body was discovered. Although his identity has not been shared with the public, the Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa Deranek confirmed that he resided in Seville. In a Facebook post, the Sheriff’s office described the investigation as complicated before expressing, “Our thoughts go out to the victim of the incident. The patience of the community is appreciated during this difficult time.”
The Loss Of A Loving Family
“This is very tragic,” the county coroner continued, sharing that the man “came from a very loving family.” Sharing her empathy for their loss, she continued, “they were all there waiting the entire time, until we were able to recover his body, more than 24 hours straight. You don’t always see that in these kinds of situations, believe it or not. They’re just a very loving family, a wonderful and supportive family.”
Speaking to 19 News, friends of the unidentified man in his twenties are reported to have said that he grew up boating on Chippewa Lake. A witness shared that the man’s hat blew off into the water, and he jumped in to retrieve it. Framed by this unfortunate and unexpected turn of events, the investigation continues in an effort to understand how such a tragedy might have occurred. An autopsy and toxicology screen have been initiated through Cuyahoga County, but results are not expected to emerge for four to six months.
Safety On The Water
Chippewa Lake is a popular destination for boaters, offering the added draw of sights of a neighboring abandoned amusement park that has been closed since 1978. Following this recent fatal incident, safety on the water has been drawn into debate. Medina County Park District Director Nate Eppink stated that while a park district boat was on the water for much of the day on Saturday, they were no longer out on Chippewa Lake at 9 pm in the evening. He shared, however, that a ranger was stationed on Kennard Road, “a minute around the corner, in the close vicinity,” when the call came in. There are reportedly no immediate plans to increase lake patrol, but Medina County Park District recently purchased the adjacent Chippewa Lake Amusement Park property and has expressed intentions to develop the site in the future. Eppink also shared his sentiments on such a loss of life, saying “This was a tragic event and our hearts go out to the family.”
When a loved one goes missing, the first logical step is always to file a missing person report with local police. Detectives perform an intake narrative, and collect any and all information from the family they can before developing a strategy for the search. However, after weeks and weeks with no answers, the family of a missing person may wish to seek a second opinion by hiring a missing person investigator. When your loved one goes missing, consider the services of Lauth Investigation International and Thomas Lauth, the best missing person investigator in the Midwest.
The Missing Person Division of Lauth Investigations International is one of the oldest entities in our business. Our CEO Thomas Lauth founded Lauth Investigations International over 30 years ago with the intent of using his diverse discipline in private investigations and field operations to bring answers to families of missing persons. Since that time, Lauth has been on a journey to become the best missing person investigator in the Midwest by helping families who have nowhere else to turn.
Independent objectivity
Lauth’s missing person investigators always approach each with an open mind and an open notebook. Despite the circumstances of the disappearance, each investigation begins with complete objectivity. It is important not to get tunnel vision when approaching a missing person investigation, because otherwise important leads can be missed, important evidence can be lost, and relevant witnesses can disappear. For example, in many missing teen cases, law enforcement may be inclined to believe that the missing teenager has run away or is simply hanging out with a significant other. This can lead to valuable time being lost, and eventually a stall in case progression. The best missing person investigator for the job will also consider the possibility that the teenager has been kidnapped and is in danger.
Comprehensive documentation
Lauth’s missing person investigators know that there is no detail too small when it comes to a missing person investigation. In the case of law enforcement, details are sometimes dismissed due to professional bias or lack of experience. The best missing person investigator knows that the family is a wealth of knowledge with it comes to missing person investigations, and each detail must be considered in conjunction with the circumstances of the case. Lauth missing person investigators also know which resources to comb for information, including databases and living witnesses in order to develop the maximum amount of leads possible.
Due-diligence
It’s very important that the best missing person investigator does not let any rock go unturned, or any lead go unconfirmed. Private investigators and missing person investigators who do not exercise reasonable due-diligence can risk following a lead for weeks on unreliable information. When a missing person investigator gets a lead, they must confirm that all the information in that lead is correct in order to proceed in the most efficient fashion. This best practice ensures that no valuable time is lost in the investigation. Lauth missing person investigators know that when it comes to your missing loved one, every second counts.
Qualified staff
The best missing person investigators develop their practice by implementing diverse experience and education in law enforcement, practice of the law, field operations, or all of the above. The Lauth missing person investigator team is comprised of former law enforcement and military personnel who have a combined experience of over 50 years in searching for missing persons.
Grateful clients
Lauth missing person investigators in particular have received a plethora of testimonials from grateful families and clients who have received clarity as a result of our comprehensive investigations. When law enforcement was unable or unwilling to help, Lauth missing person investigators have provided those families with the answers they needed, whether that means recovering their missing loved one, or bringing the narrative of their disappearance to light so their family can achieve some semblance of closure.
If your loved one has gone missing and your family needs crucial clarity, please consider the team of Lauth missing person investigators for your case. We can get your missing loved one’s story out there in the form of articles, missing person alert videos, and help your family raise funds to mitigate the financial impact. Lauth carries a glowing A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and regularly receives 5-star reviews through Google. Call us today for a free quote on our missing person investigation services at 317-951-1100, or visit us online at www.lauthmissinstg.wpengine.com
