According to the FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as of May 1, 2012, there are 47,673 active missing adult cases in the United States. Many of these cases date back decades.
Madeline Anna Babcock was 35 years old when she vanished from Venice, CA. The beautiful young woman who went by the nickname Lynn, had been employed as a barmaid at Fred’s Tavern and worked a second job on an assembly line at a local factory, in Santa Monica.
According to Patricia Foy, Madeline’s sister, the last time anyone heard from Madeline was the afternoon of June 11, 1968 at approximately 4:00pm when she called her mother from a payphone in Venice. She told her mother that she planned to have a friend drive her to her mother’s home the following day, approximately 20 miles away; she never arrived.
In July, Madeline’s mother and sister travelled to Venice in search of her, and they were told by the owner of the tavern that Madeline had not reported to work the first week of July. Madeline’s property owner at her apartment on Flower Street permitted her mother and sister entry into her apartment, where they found all of her personal belongings were gone. It appeared she had moved out, though the property owner had not been aware of any activity at the residence. The identity of Madeline’s friend who she indicated was going to drive her to her mother’s home was never identified. Foy and her mother proceeded to attempt to make a missing person report with Venice Police Department, but they were told by police that Madeline probably left willingly; her family disagrees.
In 1968, law enforcement’s handling of missing person cases was very different than it is today. The FBI’s NCIC system did not exist and families were lucky to get police to accept a missing person report. Currently, Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case, but leads have grown cold in the years following. She would be almost 80 years old today.
In 2007 a person came forward and said they may have possible information that Madeline had been located, but unable to speak for herself. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS), Madeline was born with hydrocephalus, an often disability condition that can cause swelling of the brain. Madeline’s mother has since passed away but Foy provided a DNA sample to cross-reference with the DNA from the unidentified woman but it was not a match.
Often long-term missing person cases fall through the cracks and sadly, decades can pass without resolution for surviving family members. Many families have turned to private investigators for help. With any cold case, private investigators focus on reviving leads by interviewing individuals who knew the missing person at the time of their disappearance, former coworkers, friends, and family. Working cooperatively with law enforcement, private investigators bring with them a new set of eyes to review details of the case and the ability to spark the interest of media providing exposure necessary to potentially generate new leads. Advocates caution families to check the work history of any private investigator they plan to hire to avoid becoming victims of financial and emotional exploitation, but also agree hiring a private investigator may be their only hope to find the fate of their missing loved one.
Author – Kym L. Pasqualini
Founder, National Center for Missing Adults
& Social Network Advocate
Missing Persons Advocacy Network
On April 5, 2012 the Alaska state medical examiner confirmed that human remains found in the frozen Matanuska Lake, were that of missing barista and abduction victim, Samantha Koenig. Her cause of death has not yet been released, but investigators did state that they believed that Samantha was murdered within the first few hours of her abduction
Matanuska Lake is located about 35 miles northeast of Anchorage, where Koenig was last seen on video surveillance being abducted by an armed and masked man on February 1, 2012. Law enforcement officials, including a FBI search team, used snowmobiles and ATVs to navigate across the frozen lake. They used chainsaws to cut a four-foot hole in the ice to allow divers access to the lake’s water. Diver’s then began their search of Matanuska Lake, where Samantha’s remains were eventually recovered.
The recovery of Samantha Koenig’s body came just a couple of weeks after the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested their “one and only person of interest” in the Koenig disappearance, Israel Keyes. Keyes had fled Alaska shortly after Samantha Koenig was abducted. At the time of this publishing, Israel Keyes has only been charged with one federal count of access device fraud. However, the FBI has ensured the public that authorities are preparing criminal charges against Israel Keyes for the abduction and murder of Samantha Koenig.
The access device fraud charge that Keyes has been charged with is because the FBI alleges that just hours after Koenig’s disappearance, Keyes burglarized a vehicle and stole someone’s debit card and used it to make several unauthorized withdraws. Keyes used the stolen money to fund his escape from Alaska, which led him through California, Arizona, New Mexico, and finally ended with his arrest in Texas. Keyes has since been extradited back to Alaska to face the access device fraud in federal court. It is also expected that he will face a list of charges regarding the abduction and subsequent murder of Samantha Koenig. The exact charges that Keyes is going to be charged with regarding Samantha’s disappearance and murder have not yet been released by authorities.
Mary Rook, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Anchorage Division, is asking for any additional information about Israel Keyes to please be reported to the FBI’s Anchorage Division. They are specifically looking for any information regarding a white Chevrolet pickup truck that Keyes used for his company, Keyes Construction. They are also seeking tips from anyone who helped Keyes remove a large utility rack from the aforementioned truck. Authorities are especially interested in speaking with anyone who seen Keyes driving his white work truck in the vicinity of Matanuska Lake and/or anyone who seen him driving the same truck on February 1, 2012 around 8:00 p.m. in the area of the Common Grounds Espresso stand on Tudor Rd., near Gambell St., in Anchorage, AK.
Anyone with any of the information mentioned above, any other information regarding Samantha Koenig’s abduction and subsequent murder, and/or any additional information about Israel Keyes is strongly urged to contact the FBI’s Anchorage, Alaska Division at (907) 276-4441 or the Anchorage Police Department at (907) 786-8900.
Original Post (February 20, 2012):
Police say Samantha Koenig, 18 year old from Anchorage, AK disappeared from her place of business around 8pm Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Samantha worked as a barista at a popular coffee shop at a busy intersection. Police say Samantha was on camera being forced to leave the coffee shop by a man dressed in all black, but are unsure if this was the same man Samantha had filed for a restraining order against earlier this year.
It is believed that the man was armed, and headed toward the Old Seward Highway. Samantha’s boyfriend, Dwayne, had planned on picking her up that night when she got off work at 8pm, but was held up by his own job, states her father. Along with Samantha missing, so was the money that had been in the cash drawers that evening.
Melanie Ornelas, Common Grounds barista, said that when she arrived in the morning, it was apparent that no one had cleaned, but it did not immediately raise any concerns. She noticed that Samantha’s things were still in her cubby in the back and she had left a note asking if she was scheduled to work that Saturday.
Background on Samantha Koenig
Determined to get a job, James Koenig Jr, Samanatha’s father, stated that he did not want her to work there in the first place. He wanted her to explore other options such as nursing or veterinary school, as they had previously talked about. Keonig also says that Samantha had filed for a restraining order against a man that she did not know for very long, but then was scared to show up to the court date for fear of he might do something. Samantha had only worked at the coffee shops for a few months before she went missing. Co-workers describe her personality as bubbly and energetic.
Rewards have been offered.
Description of Samantha Koenig
Gender: Female
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: Medium
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 160
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Nearly 6 years ago, Roxanne Paltauf went missing on July 11, 2006, from a Budget Inn motel in Austin, TX. She was staying at the hotel with her boyfriend Lewis Walls. The hotel was located near Interstate 35 and Rundberg. Walls reported that Roxanne had left the hotel after they had been arguing and that she never came back. He claims the last time he had seen her was around 8:30pm that evening.
Being close with her daughter, Roxanne’s mother, Elizabeth Harris, says they talked frequently at least every other day, and to not hear from Roxanne is unusual.
Police suspect Roxanne’s disappearance could be linked to her boyfriend.
Background on Roxanne Paltauf
Roxanne was the oldest of 5 children, and she was finishing up getting her GED when she went missing. Roxanne’s mother says she was always helpful around the house and was very talented and artistic. Her dream was to study fashion and interior design.
Description of Roxanne Paltauf
Gender: Female
Race: Caucasian
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 124
Hair Color: Light Brown
Eye Color: Green
Clothing: Pink or peach tank top, light blue shorts, flip-flops.
Identifying Characteristics: Double pierced ears, pierced navel, quarter size scar on left knee, mole on right side of neck, false upper front tooth
If you have any information about Roxanne, contact the Austin Police Department at (512) 974-5750 or CrimeStoppers at (512) 472-TIPS.
Alexis Mills is a Volunteer for the MissingPersonsNetwork.org and a recent graduate of Purdue University
Michael Taus Summary of Disappearance
Michael Taus, a 25 year old man from West Islip, NY, and his dog Romeo were reported missing on the night of June 18, 2010. Michael’s father, Russell, reported that Michael had mentioned going on a blind date with a woman he met on an internet dating site. What’s odd is that authorities say Michael’s dog, Romeo, and his food and water bowls were also missing from his home.Michael Taus, a 25 year old man from West Islip, NY, and his dog Romeo were reported missing on the night of June 18, 2010. Michael’s father, Russell, reported that Michael had mentioned going on a blind date with a woman he met on an internet dating site. What’s odd is that authorities say Michael’s dog, Romeo, and his food and water bowls were also missing from his home.
Description of Michael Taus
Gender: Male
Race: Caucasian
Physical: Pierced ears,
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 190
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
Last Seen: Wearing pink shirt and light colored jeans
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Michael Taus, please contact Suffolk County Police Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.
Alexis Mills is a Volunteer for the MissingPersonsNetwork.org and a recent graduate of Purdue University
Ashley Carroll Summary of Disappearance
Ashley Carroll, 24, was reported missing on May 6, 2010, from Albany, NY. Ashley was allegedly supposed to be traveling to New York City that weekend to meet some friends. She was last seen at 1st Street and Quail Street in Albany, where she was dropped off by her friend Courtney Deaton. It was reported that Ashley had been fighting with her boyfriend, Jermon McLean, the morning of her disappearance. The area where Ashley was dropped off is a neighborhood known to be frequented by her boyfriend.
It was believed that Ashley’s plan was to meet with McLean, pack some of her belongings for her trip, and then head to NYC where she was going to stay with some friends. She intended to return on May 9, which was Mother’s Day. Ashley had left her one year old daughter, Arionnah, with a friend while she went away. Reports say there is no indication that she ever made it to the city. Her family questions whether or not she ever even left, as her jewelry was still at her apartment.
Background on Ashley Carroll
Ashley was in-between jobs at the time of her disappearance. Her family states that this is out of character for her, as Ashley would never leave her daughter or her family without notifying anyone.
Description of Ashley Carroll
Gender: Female
Race: Caucasian
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 140
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Defining Characteristics: Last seen at 1st and Quail St in Albany, NY on May 6, 2010 wearing a black t-shirt, light colored jeans and flip flops; Tattoo right arm: “Arionnah”, tattoo left hand: “Steve” – red & black, tattoo right foot: rosary with cross “Maria”, tattoo left side of neck: “Steve”, tattoo lower back: tribal, tattoo on calf: tiger cub, tattoo right wrist: “What goes around comes round”, tattoo right calf: tiger, tattoo right thigh: cat paws.
If you have any information about Ashley, you’re asked to contact either the Rensselaer Police Department at (518) 462-7451 or Albany Police Department at (518) 458-5660. You can also contact Ashley’s mother Margaret at 518-334-1680.
Alexis Mills is a Volunteer for the MissingPersonsNetwork.org and a recent graduate of Purdue University
Unique Harris, a 24 year old mother of two, was reported missing from her home in Southeast D.C. on October 9, 2010. Unique’s home was located at the 2400 block of Hartford St, SE. Police say Unique was abducted from her home, while her sons and niece were asleep in the next room.
Authorities believe that whoever is responsible for Unique’s disappearance, was likely someone she knew. The only items missing from Unique’s home were her keys and her cell phone. She allegedly had not been wearing her glasses the evening of her disappearance.
Description of Unique Harris
Gender: Female
Race: African American
Physical: Tattoos on lower back and left arm
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 120-130
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Last Seen: Wearing white t-shirt and gray pants
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Unique Harris, please contact the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099.
Alexis Mills is a Volunteer for the MissingPersonsNetwork.org and a recent graduate of Purdue University
Mary Rook, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Anchorage Division, is asking for any additional information about Israel Keyes to please be reported to the FBI’s Anchorage Division. They are specifically looking for any information regarding a white Chevrolet pickup truck that Keyes used for his company, Keyes Construction. They are also seeking tips from anyone who helped Keyes remove a large utility rack from the aforementioned truck. Authorities are especially interested in speaking with anyone who seen Keyes driving his white work truck in the vicinity of Matanuska Lake and/or anyone who seen him driving the same truck on February 1, 2012 around 8:00 p.m. in the area of the Common Grounds Espresso stand on Tudor Rd., near Gambell St., in Anchorage, AK.
<
