Justice for Lilly Aramburo

My Childhood Memories of Lily

2011-12-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

“This is 911 what is your emergency?” “My daughter Lily is missing and she left her purse, wallet, and phone at home!” Lily Aramburo, a close friend of the family went missing on June 1, 2007. Everyone misses her dearly, including me. Just imagine having a friend that comes to your house almost every day and then suddenly disappears.

Right before her disappearance she had a baby boy. His name is Palden. He has brown curly hair and big brown eyes. Right now he is 5 years old. He is so sweet and adorable, he is like a little brother to me. It is heartbreaking to think that now he has no mom and his dad doesn't want him. Because of this, he is being raised by his grandmother, Lily’s mother.

Later, we celebrated her birthday, we went to her favorite spot in Miami Beach. The beach on 81st street and Collins Ave. A lot of her family and friends met us there. We wrote her name in the sand and formed a heart made of flowers. I still remember I used to go to that area of the beach and play with her there. We also released balloons with mantras (prayers) written on them. It was extraordinary to see them being released into the sky!

The next year we held the first candlelight vigil at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove for the first anniversary of the day she disappeared. My sister and my friend Havana and I released butterflies in Lily’s memory. A lot of people came along with Power 96 and some people from the church donated water. My mom and I cut out butterflies, then we decorated them. Everyone signed it and we placed them on a poster board. Some people donated money. Money was donated because no one in the news had picked up the story so we were raising money for a billboard. Everyone was furious with that result. It is four years later and Lily is still missing.

Lily Aramburo helped me with homework, played at the park, danced and rode bikes with me. She was an incredible friend and I will never forget her. She will always be in my heart and all the memories will stay with me. But I look forward to the day when someone can answer the question, were is Lily? Hopefully sometime soon.

*Written by my 12 year old daughter, Anastasia - Dec 2011*

Friends, please remember to tune in to Investigation Discovery on Monday December 12, 2011 at 9pm (Eastern time), Lily's case will be featured on the show "Disappeared".

To follow Help Find Lily Aramburo on Facebook click the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Find-Lily-Aramburo/193954499815

Please help spread the word! And help bring Lily back home. Share and if you tweet, please tag tweets with #Justice4Lily

Thank you for caring and for your continued support to Help Find Lily.

Lily Aramburo featured on Investigation Discovery "Disappeared"

2011-10-22T00:54:00.000-04:00

Finally, some good news to announce! I am very happy to share that Lily's story will be aired on Investigation Discovery "Disappeared" (my favorite show on ID!) The NBC production/filming crew came down to Miami in May and interviewed Lily's mother Lucely, Detective Hoadley, Christen Pacheco, Private Investigator Joe Carrillo and myself. We're so grateful to Kate, Dave and Investigation Discovery channel! The new season premieres on October 24, Lily's episode will air in December.

Check out Lily's little boy behind the scenes!

Photo by Joe Carrillo

Watch the sneak peaks below of Lily's episode on "Disappeared".

"Disappeared: Lily Aramburo"

Twenty-four-year-old Lily Aramburo left her fiancé's Miami condo at 2 a.m., carrying only two bungee cords. Everyone knows that Lily would not have willingly left her 9-month old son behind, was there foul play involved in her disappearance?

"Disappeared: Lily Aramburo's Drug Relapse"

In what friends describe as uncharacteristic behavior, Lily Aramburo left her fiancé's Miami condo at 2 a.m. without her 9-month old son and she never returned.

We are still actively seeking justice for Lily and praying for resolution. You can help bring Lily home by spreading the word and sharing this video with friends, on Facebook and other social networks. Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Miami Dade Police Search for Lily Aramburo: Call for Volunteers!

2011-05-02T12:24:00.002-04:00

The investigation into the disappearance of Lily Aramburo who was reported missing on June 2, 2007 has been active since Miami Dade Police Homicide took over the case. (Hallelujah!) On Friday, April 22nd, 2011 Miami Dade Police searched an area close to where Lily disappeared, by the Dadeland Village Apartments. Unfortunately, at that time the police department didn't approve of us bringing volunteers to assist in the search. The small group of Homicide detectives, crime scene personnel and search dogs tried their best but the area was too large and overgrown.

Dt. Miller, Sgt. Gallagher, Janet Forte, Dt. Hoadley, Ana Lanuza (I don't know the other detectives names)

Janet Forte, Dt. Hoadley, PI Joe Carrillo

More pictures of the search

Miami Dade Police gave us the green light to do our own search. We need at least 20-25 people to help us search the area. It is a lot of space to cover and it is totally overgrown so we're going to need a lot of help. If you live in the South Florida area, please consider lending a hand. We'll be conducting the search the week of May 9th. Please contact me for more information at janet.forte(@gmail.com).

We're also planning a candlelight vigil on that week. It's going to be an opportunity to come together as a community to show our support for Lily and her family in this time of difficulty. It's a time to stand together in prayer and solidarity in support of Lily.

Our deepest respects and thanks to all persons and agencies involved in this organized effort to find Lily. We wish to extend our gratitude to Det. Ray Hoadley ~ thank you for your outstanding efforts, diligence and selfless dedication to Lily's investigation and 30+ years of helping victims and making a difference in our community. We wish you a very happy and peaceful retirement. We'll miss you! We'd also like to thank Sgt. Gallagher, Det. Miller, and the Miami Dade Police Homicide Specialized Investigations Squad members for their assistance and support in our fight to find Lily. And a special word of thanks to Joe Carrillo and partner Ana and team.

We thank all of those who continue to help spread awareness for Lily online by sharing her pictures, blog posts and updates. Please continue sharing this blog and the Help Find Lily page on Facebook. We hope it helps encourage people to come forward with information. Please help bring Justice for Lily.

Report anonymous tips to Crimestoppers 305-471-TIPS.

Lily Aramburo Article Featured in Today's Miami Herald!

2011-04-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

I can't thank David Ovalle and the Miami Herald enough for publishing this article in our hometown newspaper. We've been hoping and praying for so long! Thank you so much!

Read the article below or click on the link. Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment on this blog post! And stay tuned... new post with updates coming soon!

Search continues 4 years later for missing Kendall woman

Direct link to the Miami Herald article:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/03/2148943/search-continues-4-years-later.html

By DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com

Homicide detectives have recently re-interviewed her boyfriend, who reported her missing one day after she allegedly left the apartment in her nightgown.

For nearly four years, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo’s vanishing has befuddled family and friends. They insisted the 23-year-old mother who disappeared in June 2007 would never have willingly abandoned her infant son.

They have mounted an Internet campaign to keep the case alive.

It seemed to has paid off. After languishing for more than two years with the Miami-Dade’s missing persons unit, the homicide bureau recently took over the case

The target of the investigation: her boyfriend, Christien Pacheco, who was among the last to see her alive.

In the past two weeks, homicide detectives questioned Pacheco twice, he said in an interview Friday. He even submitted to a polygraph, which he failed - results he disputes.

“It burns me up that they keep coming back up to us,” Pacheco, 36, said of police efforts. “We had nothing to do with her missing. She walked out of my apartment, on her own merit. She left.”

He said he is still wracked by guilt for not showing Aramburo enough affection.

Miami-Dade homicide detectives won’t discuss details of the case, but say Aramburo’s disappearance is suspicious.

“She was always in contact with her friends and her family,’’ said Miami-Dade Detective Ray Hoadley. “She isn’t the type of person who goes out on her own. She doesn’t have the temperament. She doesn’t have the resources. She isn’t the type of person to be living in a cave somewhere. It just doesn’t seem possible she’s alive.”

Raised in Miami, Aramburo was a waif of a woman who had struggled with drug abuse and depression. But relatives say she was getting her life together, and was buoyed by the birth of her son, Palden.

“He knows Lily to be in Heaven,” said Aramburo’s mother, Lucely Zaldivar, 44, who cares for the 4 ½ -year-old boy. “But he doesn’t call her Mommy.”

Pacheco is not the father of her son. The couple’s relationship was stormy and fueled by crack cocaine use.

Longing for stability and fresh out a troubled stay in rehab, she moved in with Pacheco in his one-bedroom Kendall apartment at the Villages of Dadeland.

Police have arrested Pacheco, a former U.S. Marine, on a slew of minor drug and trespassing charges since 2001. He is on two years of state probation for resisting arrest with violence and driving without a valid license.

He says he’s sober now, and keeping out of trouble.

Kelly Rae Starling, Pacheco’s ex-girlfriend and Aramburo’s friend, told The Miami New Times in 2008 that Pacheco once “lunged” at her during an argument, and she had to pull the man off Aramburo.

Pacheco denies that claim, saying the fight was between the two girls.

Starling could not be reached for comment.

The events leading up to Aramburo’s disappearance started the night of June 1, 2007. Pacheco, Starling, Aramburo and another friend known as E.J. smoked crack cocaine together, and later returned to the Kendall apartment, according to records.

Pacheco claims that Starling went to the bedroom, sparking a fight between him and Aramburo because Aramburo didn’t want her sleeping there. He said he went into the bedroom for a few minutes to talk to Starling. When he came out, he said, Aramburo had left.

Pacheco claims he looked for her that night, to no avail. “Maybe she was going outside to chill and relax for a few minutes, and she got into someone’s car and things went bad from there,” Pacheco said.

He reported her missing on June 2, 2007, telling Miami-Dade police that she had left the apartment at 2 a.m., wearing nothing more than a long white nightgown and toting two bungee cords. Aramburo, he told police, suffered from schizophrenia and had a history of suicide attempts, according to a police report.

“Were we a bunch of people messed up on drugs at the time? Yes, but we wouldn’t do anything crazy, like hide somebody’s body,” Pacheco said. “No. We’re not like that.”

There were some puzzling behavior that family members and police looked at. Aramburo’s mother says Pacheco didn’t call her until a full 24 hours later, and only to tell her he filed a police report. Pacheco says that in the drug-fueled haze of those days, he doesn’t remember when he called her.

The case was assigned to detective Aaron Mancha, of the missing persons bureau. In interview several years ago with The Miami Herald, he downplayed Aramburo’s disappearance, saying she had been sighted at the Camillus House homeless shelter in February 2008.

Miami-Dade police now say those sightings have been deemed not credible. One of Pacheco’s friends told investigators that Pacheco asked him to lie about one sighting — something Pacheco denies vehemently.

The case dragged in the initial months after the disappearance, her supporters say.

Aramburo’s friend, new media strategist Janet Forte, began a tenacious Internet campaign, starting a blog and social networking pages dedicated to the case. The sites feature links to news accounts, online videos about Aramburo and photos of vigils dedicated to the missing woman.

“I was really frustrated with the lack of help in getting the story out there in the news,” Forte said. “It was the only avenue I had to get awareness out there.”

Thanks to her efforts drumming up publicity, private investigators Ana Lanuza and Joe Carrillo, of Leverage Investigations Inc., volunteered to begin working on the case in 2008. They’re still working.

The case finally ended up in the hands of detective Hoadley, who secured a conviction last year against a North Carolina man in the 1993 south Miami-Dade disappearance of Trinity Robinson — whose body remains missing.

Detective Hoadley praised Forte’s persistence: “If not for her efforts, who knows if the investigation would have continued?”

Anyone with information can call Miami-Dade’s homicide bureau at 305-471-2400, or Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

The Last Place You'd Look: True Stories of Missing Persons and the People who Search for Them

2011-03-18T14:59:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Disappearance Spotlighted in National Book Release

The story of Lucely “Lily” Aramburo, a resident of Miami Dade County, Florida, is featured in the upcoming book, The Last Place You’d Look: True Stories of Missing Persons and the People Who Search for Them by Carole Moore. (Rowman & Littlefield, May 2011)

Lily Aramburo disappeared on June 1st, 2007 from Miami, Florida.

Moore interviewed the families of dozens of missing persons across the county and around the world to compile The Last Place You’d Look, which also focuses on the efforts of police, search and rescue, nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

According to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Lily Aramburo case is one of about 100,000 active, open and unresolved missing persons cases that sit on the books in the U.S. each day. The numbers are similar in Canada, where annually more than 60,000 children are reported missing. Although many who disappear return home or are found, here’s what the numbers don’t say: They’re deceptive in that there are many they don’t count, such as those who disappear in foreign countries or the unreported thousands who fall through bureaucratic cracks, like the homeless and their children. Additionally, in the U.S. alone there are more than 40,000 John and Jane Does in cemeteries and morgues across the country, still waiting to be identified.

“Except for very high profile cases, many missing persons slip from the public memory, leaving their families alone in their grief. Can you imagine not ever knowing what happened to our mother, your brother, your child, your spouse?” asks Moore, a former police investigator and contributing editor at Law Enforcement Technology Magazine. “I wrote this book to help families bring attention to their cases.”

Often families are on their own when it comes to looking for their missing loved ones. Police may have neither the resources nor inclination to pursue an investigation involving multiple jurisdictions and hundreds of man-hours. Smaller departments often lack specialized units dedicated to searching for the missing, and many times officers are ill prepared to track missing persons.

Families are also confronted with a double-edged sword: As long as the case is open, police won’t share with them the critical information gathered in the course of the investigation. They are only allowed access when the case is closed, which means the police are no longer actively looking for the missing person.

Pursuing a missing persons investigation is both expensive and emotionally draining. Families often must travel, hire private investigators, operate media campaigns and engage in search and rescue operations. Although volunteer organizations dedicated to helping families find the resources they need provide help, a proper search is expensive and takes time.

Families are also asked to do the unthinkable: Provide DNA, dental records and fingerprints, the significance of which is not lost on those left behind. Worry and stress also take their toll. As one official at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children told Moore, he is forever haunted by a mother who poignantly shared her wish to cover her missing child with a blanket because she had nightmares about the child being cold.

The anguish of having a loved one vanish is unthinkable, yet thousands of families face this heartbreak every day. The Last Place You’d Look provides searchers a starting point and gives readers an overview of “the club no one wants to belong to.”

For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact:

Carole Moore
Moore can be reached by email at: carolemoore_biz(@)yahoo.com
Phone: 910.388.0714
For more information, you can go to her website: www.carolemoore.com

Local Contact : Janet Forte
janet.forte (@) gmail.com

"The Last Place You'd Look: True Stories of Missing Persons and the People who Search for Them" is available for purchase at Amazon.com. You can get a preview and search the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Place-Youd-Look-Stories/dp/1442203684

Missing Child Allyson Corrales Featured on Nancy Grace Tonight

2011-02-22T20:55:00.001-05:00

Tonight "Nancy Grace America's Missing" spotlights the case of missing 3-year-old Allyson Corrales of Kansas City, MO.

On tonight's episode of Nancy Grace: America's Missing - a show that aims at finding 50 people in 50 days - on HLN, Nancy Grace will be conducting an in-depth expose of 3-year-old Allyson Corrales from Kansas City, MO. Allyson disappeared in March 2009 after her mother was believed to have been murdered by her father, Luis Corrales. He is wanted for Allyson's disappearance and is also the prime suspect in mom's murder.

Allyson did not just vanish. Someone knows something. Please take a good look at her picture and her father's picture. They're out there somewhere. Help bring her home.

Here's a link to the main show page, with info for tonight's show:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/nancy.grace/

And a post about Allyson’s case:
http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/22/allyson-corrales-nancy-grace-americas-missing/

Nancy Grace: America's Missing airs weeknights at 9pm ET on HLN. Don't forget to tune in!

I love Nancy Grace. She truly cares and it shows. Every night she shines the national spotlight on (often neglected) missing children and missing adults. Her show on HLN has been very effective and helped many cases. Nancy Grace was the first to give Lily Aramburo's disappearance national exposure. I would love for Nancy to consider highlighting Lily Aramburo's case on America's Missing. Lily was reported missing June 2007 by her live-in boyfriend. Her case was recently transferred from Missing Persons to Miami Dade Police Homicide Unit. We're quickly approaching the 4 year anniversary of Lily's disappearance.

Lily Aramburo Featured in Highway Billboard and Miami New Times!

2011-01-13T13:49:00.001-05:00

It has been a very productive and extraordinary week for the search to Help Find Lily!

On Sunday, we learned that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement put up another highway billboard featuring Lily. This time the entire billboard is devoted to her! It's on the Palmetto Expressway South bound by Okeechobee Road, a very busy highway that gets mad amounts of steady traffic. I was able to see it for myself this morning. Wow, it was really impressive! Check out the photos I took:

On Monday January 10, 2011, CBS4 Miami highlighted Lily Aramburo's cold case. It felt phenomenal to finally see Lily on the news!! We're ecstatic and very grateful to CBS4.

On Tuesday January 11, 2011, a follow up article was written by Frank Alvarado from the Miami New Times. Thank you Frank! The article is posted below. Read it for yourself and please take a minute to comment if you feel inclined! Your thoughts are important to us.

If you'd like to assist in the search for Lily, you can do so easily by sharing these articles and recent news with friends and social networks. You can also join and invite others to the Help Find Lily Facebook Page. THANK YOU so very much for caring about Lily!!!

Police Suspect Missing Mom Lilly Aramburo May Have Been Killed

More than three years after she went missing, Miami-Dade Police investigators believe Lilly Aramburo was a victim of foul play. At least, that's what an updated missing persons flyer seems to indicate. New Times wrote a cover story about the young single mother's June 1, 2007 disappearance from the east Kendall apartment she shared with her then-boyfriend Christian Pacheco.

In December, Aramburo's case was transferred from missing persons to homicide. And the department has assigned the case to Ray Hoadley, a veteran homicide detective who solved the cold case murder of an 18-year-old Homestead girl killed in 1993. The development has given hope to Aramburo's closest relatives and friends.

An ongoing social media campaign started by Aramburo's friend and Miami-based Internet marketing consultant Janet Forte generated national media coverage about the case, but has turned up few leads into what happened to the 24-year-old woman. Forte and Aramburo's mother, Lucely Zalvidar, had grown frustrated with the police investigation, at times suggesting detectives were indifferent to finding Lilly because of her history of running away from home and drug addiction. A Miami-Dade police spokesman declined comment because of the open investigation.

"I feel very confident with the new detective on the case," Forte says. "I believe in karma and know that whoever was involved in Lilly's disappearance will ultimately face the consequences of their actions."

Hoadley, a 38 year veteran, was the lead investigator in the cold case of Trinity Robinson. In 2006 Hoadley arrested her boyfriend Christopher Phillips for her murder despite not finding the body. This past September, a jury convicted Phillips based on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony Hoadley gathered. The 38-year-old, who was sentenced to life in prison, is only the second person in Miami-Dade history to be convicted of murder without a victim's body.

Lily in The News! Thank You CBS4

2011-01-11T12:36:00.002-05:00

Miami Dade Police Department reopened the investigation into the disappearance and probable murder of Lily Aramburo last month. Since then, a lot has happened! (I'll fill you in soon) And now the case has finally received local news coverage! CBS4 went out to Lily's mother's house yesterday morning and filmed the segment which features Private Investigator Joe Carrillo. CBS4 also interviewed the new detective on the case, Det. Ray Hoadley. The article below is taken from their website and has a few misspellings (Lily's mom is Lucely Zaldivar) but we can overlook them. We're just elated to finally see Lily on the news!

Mother Pleas for Help in Daughter's Cold Case

DANIA BEACH—-Lucely Saldina says she is not giving up, she is determined to find her daughter.

It has been more than three years since Lily Aramburu vanished, and now Miami-Dade Police tell CBS4 that they are stepping up their involvement in this troubled case, and they are also asking for the public’s help.

Aramburu was 23 when her boyfriend says he last saw her leaving their apartment not far from the Dadeland Mall. She has not been seen since.

“Lily represented everything that I knew that was good to me and always wanted,” said Saldina, whose Dania Beach apartment is filled with photos of her daughter and her grandson, Palden. Palden, 4, now lives with Saldina. “She represented happiness to me,” Saldina told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, as she fought back tears. “Hope is always there. I just want to find out if she is out there. Is she alive?”

Bud Aramburu had a problem.

“She was involved with drugs but was getting her life together,” Saldina said. “She was going to drug court and she had everything to live for.” Her little boy, Palden, was just 6 months old when she disappeared.

“The baby meant everything to her, she has a reason to stay alive,” Saldina said. “But I am realistic enough to realize that she may not be alive… I know somebody out there knows something.”

While there are no clues as to what might have happened, Saldina said “I know that Lily did not just disappear. She is a human being. She is a daughter and a mother. And that must be respected.” Saldina and Private Investigator Joe Carrillo have been circulating flyers describing Aramburu; she was 4-feet and 11-inches tall and weighed just 100 pounds. Her hair is brown and her eyes are hazel. She has pierced ears, a scar on her left hand and a scar on her lower abdomen. And she has two large, distinctive music symbols tattooed on her lower back.

Aramburu also had previously broken her right wrist and back.Aramburu also has a medical condition and may need medication.

Carrillo said some key, potential witnesses have not come forward. “We’ve attempted to speak to them,” Carrillo said. “And when you’re asking for help from people who know her and they won’t help, that raises some big red flags. I think there’s people out there who know who they are. We’ve managed to identify two groups of people who are of interest to police.”

D’Oench also spoke to the lead detective in this case Ray Hoadley who has just been assigned to this case.

Hoadley has been a detective for 25 years with Miami-Dade and says that it is too early to have additional details in this cold case.

“We’d like anyone who is in her circle of friends or anyone who was around her at the time she disappeared to come forward,” said Hoadley. “There’s some people out there who we have made contact with. I don’t know if they are deliberately trying to avoid us or whether it’s just that they are out of town,” Hoadley said. “Are you eager to solve this case?” asked D’Oench. “Absolutely,” Hoadley answered.

Saldina’s daughter has been featured on billboards and posters statewide since 2007, and Saldina says she welcomes the stepped-up efforts by Miami-Dade Police.

“Solving this would mean closure,” Saldina said. “It would mean answers. Answers for my grandson when he asks what happened to his mother.”

Anyone in the public who knows anything about this case is urged to call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

News Update: Lily Aramburo Case Reopened

2010-12-22T01:56:00.002-05:00

Lily's case has been cold for a long time. It's been a long, agonizing 3 and a half years since the night of June 1, 2007. But finally we have a news update to share. If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you may have noticed that I have had my issues with law enforcement, mainly with Detective Mancha's handling of Lily's case. Out of desperation, we tried (almost) everything including a week long hunger strike in order to attain police attention and coverage from local media. Nothing worked. In the process, I've made my share of mistakes.

The good news is, to our relief, the investigation into Lily's disappearance has been reopened and reassigned to a new detective. Detective Ray Hoadley from Miami Dade Police Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Bureau is now lead detective. Lily's family, Private Investigator Joe Carrillo and I have all met with the him. We are working closely together. I'm hopeful as never before. And I have absolute faith in Detective Hoadley. He's got over 20 years of experience under his belt and has investigated many difficult cases. He's very effective at what he does. Det. Hoadley is working daily to find the answers which will bring about a resolution to this case.

Lily Aramburo updated flier:

Miami Dade Police Investigative Case #: 070602291858

NCIC# M497579638

NamUs MP # 1542

Once again we're reaching out and asking anyone with information to come forward. If you believe someone you know might be involved, please call immediately and share that information. It may be nothing or it may be the missing piece of information that will help bring closure to Lily's family and little boy. The truth shall set you free.

We know someone knows what happened to Lily and they need to step forward now, not tomorrow or next week or month or year from now – NOW! Make the call to Detective Hoadley at 305-471-2400 or you can email him at rbhoadleyjr@mdpd(.com).

If you wish to remain anonymous please contact Miami Dade County Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) OR 1-866-471-8477. crimestoppersmiami.com You may be eligible to receive a reward.

Lily Aramburo pictures

Assist in the search for Lily by sharing this post with all your friends across the internet. Follow @HelpFindLily on Twitter and connect with us on Facebook. And please be sure to stay tuned to America's Most Wanted.

Thank you so much for your help and continued support. Many heartfelt thanks for all your prayers for Lily and her family. We are especially grateful to those special individuals who have donated so much of their time and effort into the search for Lily; thank you Joe Carrillo and team. Thank you kindly for your dedication and hard work. And last but not least, sincere thanks to Miami Dade Police Detective Hoadley.

Lily Aramburo Featured on Billboard for Florida Missing Children's Day

2010-09-16T13:30:00.001-04:00

Monday September 13th, 2010 Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse hosted the twelfth annual Florida Missing Children’s Day in Tallahassee.

During the weekend leading up to the event, advertisers with the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association (FOAA) will be donating digital billboard space throughout the state to feature children and adults from Florida that are still missing. Lamar, Clear Channel Outdoor and CBS outdoor are participating. The artwork will feature 25 missing children and adults. The billboards will run beginning today through Monday.

“The Florida Department of Law Enforcement appreciates our outdoor advertisers for partnering with us once again to broadcast the photos of missing children and adults,” said Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “It is our hope that someone, somewhere in our state will recognize one of these faces and provide us with information that will reunite them with their families.”

The following children and adults will be featured on billboards:

Danielle Bell, missing from Pensacola since Sept. 28, 2001
Tavia Bailey, missing from Pensacola since Jan. 24, 1986
Preston Mills, missing from Pensacola since June 25, 2010
Ali Gilmore, missing from Tallahassee since Feb. 2, 2006
David Jackson, missing from Tallahassee since Oct. 28, 2008
Portesha Morris, missing from Monticello since April 16, 2001
Tiffany Sessions, missing from Gainesville since Feb. 9, 1989
Shirlene Roberts, missing from Jacksonville since Sept. 9, 2009
Mark Gibson, missing from Jacksonville since March 12, 2008
Mark Degner, missing from Jacksonville since Feb. 10, 2005
Bryan Hayes, missing from Jacksonville since Feb. 10, 2005
Zachary Bernhardt, missing from Clearwater since Sept. 11, 2000
Ronkeya Holes and Masaraha Ross, missing from Haines City since Oct. 18, 2009
Jennifer Kesse, missing from Orlando since Jan. 24, 2006
Phillip Desir, missing from Palm Bay since Feb. 7, 2009
Desiree Wilson, missing from Orlando since Jan. 16, 2010
Navisha Maddox, missing from Orlando since April 15, 2008
Jacqueline Hernandez, missing from Clermont since Dec. 22, 2007
Teresa Alfonso, missing from Marathon since Sept. 3, 1974
Lucely Aramburo, missing from Kendall since June 1, 2007
(billboard featuring Lily is off I-95 & 8 St Miami)
Deelee Bohler, missing from Miami since Nov. 2, 2005
Gayle Moran, missing from Lake Palcid since July 30, 2009
Danny Mordenti, missing from Punta Gorda since May 22, 2008
Alexander Erb-Sanchez, missing from Ellenton since Nov. 4, 2008

Florida Missing Children’s Day is held each year to recognize past and present missing children and their families, to educate citizens on safety awareness, and to honor individuals in our state who have made a difference in the life of a child. Families of missing persons will travel to Tallahassee to attend the ceremony and honor the memory of their loved one.

Links
Sun Sentinel post
Capital News Service

South Florida friends and family, if you're in the area please take a look at the billboard featuring Lily. It is on the West side of I-95, 100 feet South of 8th Street. According to the FDLE, the billboard will be up until October 19th. If you see it and have your phone handy, snap a picture and send it to me via (HelpFindLily(@)gmail.com). If you capture it on film or video, please share it on Facebook and Twitter - add #Justice4Lily. Please contact me if you need any assistance! Thank you for all your support. Thank you Florida Department of Law Enforcement! And a great big thank you to the advertisers for donating to this awareness campaign for Florida Missing Children's Day.

Justice for Lily Aramburo Hunger Strike: Latest Videos

2009-11-25T11:18:00.000-05:00

Monday November 16th, Lily Aramburo's 26th birthday marked the start of a Justice for Lily Hunger Strike in downtown Miami, Florida.
We hung up banners and put up a multitude of signs at Government Center passing out flyers and engaging the community all week long. Most of everyone we spoke to was supportive of our efforts. Many shared their personal stories and offered encouraging words and prayers, including a Buddhist monk who prayed with us. I made sure to update everyone as much as I could via Twitter.

Early Monday morning, Lucely went on the Enrique Santos radio show. They've been an enormous help in our search for answers. We love their show and appreciate all their support. Take a listen here:

Univision's Primer Impacto came over after hearing Lucely on the radio. Watch the video below:

Telemundo was kind enough to cover our hunger strike, as well. (video posted below) We also had NBC6 and WSVN7 take footage Monday afternoon but the segments have not aired (that I'm aware of).

Private Investigator Joe Carrillo went on the Enrique Santos Show on Friday morning, the last day of our 5 day fast. He gave a great interview on the radio which lasted about 15 minutes. Joe offers his insight into his investigation of Lily's case.

Here's Part 1 of P.I Joe Carrillo on Enrique Santos Show:

Here's Part 2 of P.I. Joe Carrillo on Enrique Santos Show:

Miami Dade Police detectives called Joe and set up a meeting, which already took place on Tuesday November 24, 2009. I'm pleased that there is dialog between Joe and Miami Dade Police command staff. But the fight for justice continues.

Justice for Lily Hunger Strike on Monday November 16

2009-11-15T13:31:00.003-05:00

Monday, November 16, 2009 would have been my best friend, Lilly Aramburo's 26 birthday. Lily has been missing since June 2, 2007. Her plight has been featured on Nancy Grace and Americas Most Wanted.

Lily disappeared from the apartment of her heroin addicted boyfriend in the Dadeland area. Since then, her mother Lucely and I have launched an exhaustive search for her only to become disillusioned and extremely frustrated with the lack of effort of the Miami Dade Police Department. (Lucely on Lily's 2 Yr anniversary)

Police failed to locate two witnesses that were present the night she disappeared. We've been working with private investigator Joe Carrillo and his team for over a year locating the two witnesses within days. A convicted killer has been identified by the investigators as a person of interest in her disappearance. After four meetings with the missing persons detectives, a convicted killer who served time for murder has yet to be interviewed even though identified and located by the private investigator. Why? Police refuse to answer the why.

Lily's mother and I desperately need to bring attention to her disappearance and want answers from the Miami Dade Police Department. We're both commencing a hunger strike Monday at 9:00 AM in front of the Miami Dade Government Center until we get answers.

RSVP via FACEBOOK and please join the Find Lily Aramburo Facebook Cause!

Location: Government Center
111 NW 1 Street
Miami, Fl.

View Justice for Lily Aramburo Protest Rally & Hunger Strike in a larger map

We'd like to thank all of you for supporting us in our fight to find Lily and for keeping Lily in your hearts and minds. PLEASE do not stop passing on this blog to all you know! You can also help support the search for Lily by donating to Lily's reward fund via paypal or by purchasing a T-Shirt.

Justice for Lilly Aramburo uses Google Friend Connect to power our site's community, please connect with us Google Friend Connect.

Anyone with information pertaining to the disappearance of Lily Aramburo is urged to contact Private Investigator Joe Carrillo at 305-926-3110 or call Miami Dade Police at 305-418-7200.

Video of Lily Aramburo on AMW My Story

2009-09-13T13:20:00.003-04:00

Young Mom Lily Aramburo Disappears
Lilly Aramburo has been missing since June 2007.

In the early hours of June 2, 2007, Lilly Aramburo left her boyfriend's apartment, never to be seen again. As her family and friends have told us, she would never leave her baby son behind on her own free will.

Now, they have turned to America's Most Wanted for help.

Lilly is described as friendly and always willing to listen and help a friend in need. A blog has been started, called Justice in Miami, to raise awareness about her case.

At 22, she was not without problems. She struggled with drugs, and may have found herself in a situation where people she knew did her harm.

Those who love her have great concerns about her not being alive when she left that house.

Private Eye Working To Find Lilly
Lilly's friends are desperate for answers in her disappearance.

Law enforcement sources say they know the last place she was seen alive, a private home on the street.

Those who love her have great concerns about her not being alive when she left that house.

A South Florida private investigator has received some great tips that have been passed on to Miami law enforcement.

Those that know Lilly think some people might be afraid to come forward. Lilly's loved ones want to know what may have been done to her.

Continue reading Lily Aramburo America's Most Wanted "My Story"

Lily Aramburo Case on America's Most Wanted Tonight!

2009-09-12T20:40:00.003-04:00

Friends and supporters, I am so very excited to announce that Lily Aramburo is being featured TONIGHT (Saturday September 12th) on the 23rd Season Premiere of America's Most Wanted at 9pm (Eastern time).

Lily's case will be on AMW's "My Story" segment. "My Story" producer says it allows the loved ones of missing persons to submit video to America’s Most Wanted about their case, told in their own words. As the show is configured it will air 46 minutes into the show. For people that miss it, the show is always available at www.amw.com after the show airs.'

The video we submitted included shots of Lily's mom, Lucely, Private Investigator Joe Carrillo and his partner Ana Lanuza in front of the house we think Lily may have been last, which is in Coconut Grove, Florida.

I'd like to thank Kelly of Project Jason for her kindness and support. Kelly reached out to us and let us know that AMW (America’s Most Wanted) was working on adding more missing person case features into the show. She updated the Project Jason Forum with all the details for all the families of missing loved ones to see. Giving us strength with her words: "Remember, there is always hope........."

I've been working diligently to get media coverage for Lily over the last 2 years. It's been a real struggle. But it wasn't that difficult with AMW. They gave us an opportunity to reach out to the community for help. Please help us find Lily. Someone out there knows what happened. Please call AMW's confidential hotline at 1-800-CRIME-TV.

We are very grateful to America's Most Wanted for the coverage. THANK YOU so much! And thanks to all our friends and supporters. Thank you for caring, for keeping Lily in your mind and prayers. Never give up on her, someone knows something.

AMW's 23rd Season Begins Saturday Night

Missing Persons and Nonprofit Organizations on Twitter

2009-09-12T15:54:00.097-04:00

Do you tweet? I began using Twitter right around the time my good friend Lily Aramburo disappeared, over two years ago. I knew I had to do something. As a Social Media Strategist, I used my know-how to start a blog, created a MySpace for Lily and Facebook Cause, and turned to Twitter to create awareness and to try to get media attention for Lily. I update my network daily, sharing news, Amber Alerts and all types of information related to missing person cases, not just Lily's case. My content comes from all over the web. My twitter handle is @yogini

Social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace can be very effective in the search for missing children and adults. But Twitter is not a broadcast-only medium. It is a community. Sharing, retweeting and commenting is very important.

Help support the families of those missing one tweet at a time. One Follow or Retweet may help bring a missing person home!

Here's a list of missing persons and support organizations for families of the missing that tweet:

@FindJennKesse

Project Jason @Project_Jason

National Center for Missing Adults @NCMissingAdults

America's Most Wanted @1800CRIMETV

You're invited to join the Twitter group for Amber Alerts and news related to Missing Persons. All you have to do is post an update about a missing person and add the tag #missingpeople to your Tweet.

If you're using Twitter to raise awareness for a missing person or if you Tweet for a nonprofit organization supporting missing persons; please leave a comment with your Twitter handle.

You have the power to get people involved and ultimately generate new leads and public interest for a missing loved one.

Voice for the Missing

2009-09-10T14:22:00.003-04:00

"Project Jason, A Voice for the Missing"

New Tool to Locate US Missing Persons Online

2009-08-31T06:30:00.002-04:00

Attention Miami Dade Police, City of Miami Police, US Law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, victim advocates, volunteers and families of missing persons:

There is an incredible online tool, the U.S. Department of Justice's National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). This online tool allows you to search records of missing persons and unidentified human remains (recovered throughout the country) in an effort to SOLVE CASES. Anyone can search the national database using characteristics such as sex, race, body features and dental information. If you have a missing loved one, MAKE SURE to have their information listed on this FREE database! NamUs has already begun solving cases!

Washington Post article, The NamUs System

"There are perhaps 40,000 sets of unidentified human remains held by medical examiners and coroners across the country, according to government estimates. A patchwork of record-keeping policies govern the related data.

With that in mind, the Justice Department has created the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), a searchable database of "unidentified decedents," in hopes of matching remains to missing persons, an estimated 100,000 of which exist in the U.S. at any given time.

The more information in a NamUs profile, the more likely a match can be made. NamUs has created a five-star rating system indicating how much information is in a file, a hint at how likely it might be that the remains can be identified."

Early in 2009, I submitted my friend, Lily Aramburo (missing from Miami, FL since June 2007) into NamUs. All the information we had on Lily (including pictures of Lily and her tattoo) was entered; except for Lily's dental records and NCIC number, which we did not have. Lily Aramburo NamUs profile

In February, while searching the database, I got a match for skeletal remains found in Broward County, FL. I got in touch with the Medical Examiner's Office and they made contact with law enforcement in Miami Dade. Soon they had the two DNAs compared and were able to get a quick turn around time regarding the results. The University of North Texas and the F. B. I. both had mitochondrial DNA profiles already established. Therefore, based on their unidentified decedent’s profile and Lily's mom’s profile, the labs came to the conclusion that it could not possibly be Lily.

A short time later, I was contacted by Tony, the Regional System Administrator at NamUs. He said his goal was to make Lily's file as complete as possible to enhance a resolution. He offered to help get Lily's NCIC number, as well as working on contacting Lily's dentist. Thanks to Tony we were finally able to acquire Lily's NCIC number! The National Crime Information Center number for Lucely "Lily" Aramburo is M497579638. (For some reason, law enforcement didn't want to share it with us.) We are grateful to Tony and the caring staff at NamUs. Everyone has been so willing to go out of their way to help.

Everyone NEEDS TO KNOW about NAMUS. Law Enforcement and Medical Examiner’s need to know about NamUs. Please make sure to help spread the word!

Recommended reading:

New Path To Restore Identities Of Missing

Names, the missing matched on NamUs

14 years later, missing Va. boy ID'd via national tool

Families of the missing can search from home

Filming for AMW "My Story" on Lily Aramburo

2009-07-30T00:29:00.008-04:00

In an effort to bring awareness to the disappearance of Lily Aramburo, our team got together yesterday to shoot a video for America's Most Wanted "My Story".

"AMW gets hundreds of letters each month from viewers who are seeking justice. Often, AMW is their last hope and the letter they send us might be the most important they have ever written. Like each writer, every My Story is different. Yet they all share a common bond — the search for justice."justiceinmiami.org, America’s Most Wanted: My Story, Jul 2009

(Photo courtesy of Joe Carrillo) Here is Lilly's mother, Lucely (left) and me (right) standing in front of the house where Lily was last seen in Coconut Grove, Florida.

Private Investigator Joe Carrillo and his partner Ana Lanuza.

Lucely asking the residents of Miami and Coconut Grove for their help. If you know anything at all about the disappearance of Lily Aramburo, please report your tip to law enforcement or place a call to Private Investigator Joe Carrillo at 305-926-3110.

Lindsey Baum and Jaliek Rainwalker are Missing, You can Help!

2009-07-15T00:07:00.000-04:00

The latest episode of The Missing features the cases of Lindsey Baum missing from WA and Jaliek Rainwalker missing from NY state. Please take a moment to watch the video.

Please help raise awareness for these missing children by sharing this video with your friends and social networks. Together we can make a difference!..

Help NCMA Support Missing Adults

2009-06-27T17:22:00.003-04:00

The National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) needs volunteers! State Advocates are needed to:

To support their individual state in the advocacy of the Federal Bill HR 632 by setting a meeting with their US Senators and Congressional leaders to promote passing of the legislation through the US Senate.
To interact and communicate with other parents of missing adults and family members, provide them support and resources in their time of need.
To promote the action of building a grassroots base of volunteers and supporters in each state to bring awareness of missing adults.
To build a charitable base of donors and contributions by interacting with other community entities such as churches and other institution, social services, corporations, other community and faith based organizations.
To assist in the organization of a planned trip to Washington DC in July or August of 2009 and conduct a meeting with US Senators in promoting HR632 and support of the legislation.

The NCMA needs state advocates in the following states:

Alabama-AL
Arizona-AZ
Arkansas-AR
California-CA
Connecticut-CT
Delaware-DE
District of Columbia-DC
Hawaii-HI
Idaho-ID
Indiana-IN
Iowa-IA
Kansas-KS
Kentucky-KY
Louisiana-LA
Maine-ME
Massachusetts-MA
Mississippi-MS
Missouri-MO
Montana-MT
Nebraska-NE
Nevada-NV
New Hampshire-NH
New York-NY
North Dakota-ND
*Oklahoma-OK
Oregon-OR
Rhode Island-RI
South Carolina-SC
South Dakota-SD
Vermont-VT
West Virginia-WV
Wyoming-WY

They especially need supporters in Oklahoma to write letters, make calls, or have an office visit with Senator Coburn. If you are interested in becoming a state advocate, please contact:

Thomas Lauth at Tel. 800.690.3463 Ext. 1 or Kym Pasqualini at Tel. 602.749.2000 Ext.102

Provide your Name, Address, Phone or Email address and their volunteers will contact you.

If you tweet, please show your support by following the National Center for Missing Adults at @NCMissingAdullts.

2 Years Ago Lilly's Life Changed Forever

2009-06-21T02:32:00.001-04:00

Lily's case remains unsolved but our resolve to find her is unwavering. We remain strong, focused and working very hard to find answers.

Sunday, May 31st, 2009, we had a Justice March and Candle-light vigil to mark the 2 year anniversary of Lily's disappearance. Lily's family, friends and supporters met at Cocowalk. We put on our white T-shirts, held signs and passed out Lily's missing person posters. It was a cloudy day with bits of rain (Maybe the reason why media didn't show?) but there was plenty of traffic and movement in the Grove. I felt sick at heart watching Lily's mother, Lucely that day, and Lilly's elderly grandmother with Lilly's little boy, Palden sitting innocently in his stroller.

Lucely, Lilly's mother

About an hour later we marched through the streets of Coconut Grove, five blocks to the location where we held the vigil; steps away from where we believe Lily's life was taken. We didn't know what to expect. But as our group approached 3440 Percival Ave, a City of Miami police officer arrived and parked his police car down the block. He was friendly and cooperative and stayed until the end.

Night began to fall. Lucely said a few words and thanked everyone for their support and prayers, (I tried my best to translate) candles were passed out and Lily's grandmother said a prayer. Afterward, we had a balloon release with the help of Palden, Lilly's 2 year old son. He released purple balloons and said "I love you mom" and "we miss you". He's a big boy now and is well aware of Lily's absence.

On behalf of Lily's family and friends please accept our heartfelt thanks to each and every person who came out and shared this moment with us. I would like to thank Private Investigator Joe Carrillo, whose continued efforts and commitment we're so grateful for. Thank you for caring and keeping her case moving forward! Thanks to everyone who has helped in the fight to find Lily. (Including my Twitter friends, Facebook community!) Thank you to each and every person, who continues to visit this blog, your messages of encouragement and prayers give us strength during this very difficult time. We are forever indebted to you.

Please check back as we update information. Your continued support is critical to bring Lilly home! We will not let Lily's story go away. Together we will find our missing loved ones!

Thank You Miami Herald Crime Scene Blog!

2009-05-30T15:17:00.001-04:00

Candle vigil to mark young mother's disappearance to be held in Coconut Grove

From Lily

Lucely "Lilly" Aramburo, 25, was last seen June 1, 2007.

She is the mother of a two-year-old boy named Palden, and has a history of drug abuse and mental illness.

Her mother Lucely Zalvidar told a New Times reporter that while growing up in Miami she had run away from home, and had made attempts to commit suicide .

Local activists are organizing a candle vigil at 6 p.m., on May 31st, at 35 Percial Avenue, in Coconut Grove to mark the two year anniversary of her disappearance. More information at the Justice in Miami blog.

Thank You Coconut Grove Grapevine!

2009-05-30T15:09:00.000-04:00

Vigil and March planned for missing Lucely Aramburo

There will be a candlelight vigil and silent march tomorrow, to commemorate missing mother, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo on the two year anniversary of her disappearance.

On June 1, 2007, Lilly Aramburo, 23, left her ex boyfriends house in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. The Miami Dade Police Department’s detectives failed to interview Christen Pacheco, Kelly Starling, and “EJ” who were present when Lily disappeared.The march will start at 6 pm at CocoWalk, tomorrow, May 31. The march will go to 3440 Percival Avenue.

Francisco Alvarado, of the New Times, was the first to report on the disappearance last September.More info on the vigil and march at the Justice in Miami Blog.

Thank You Frank Alvarado and Miami New Times!

2009-05-30T14:58:00.000-04:00

Two Years Later: Lilly Aramburo Remains Missing
By Francisco Alvarado
Friday, May. 29 2009

It has been close to a year since I wrote my cover story about Lilly Aramburo, a 24-year-old single mother and drug addict who disappeared from her boyfriend's apartment June 1, 2007. Today, there is still no trace of her, but friend Janet Forte presses on with her social media crusade to find out what happened to Aramburo.

There has been some progress. Joe Carrillo, a private investigator who helped Miami Police nab the Shenandoah Rapist, volunteered to help Forte track down leads. On a recent afternoon, Carillo met with me to give an update on his investgation, which he is doing free of charge.

A former bodyguard for Latin boy pop band Menudo, Carrillo stands over six feet tall and has a gleaming bald head à la Kojak.

He informed me he believes Christen Pacheco, Aramburo's boyfriend, had nothing to do with her disappearance. "He was telling the truth when he said Lilly left his apartment after they got into an arguement," Carrillo notes.

Carrillo says he interviewed two of Aramburo's friends, who told him about a house at 35 Percival Ave. in Coconut Grove, at the time a known flop house where Aramburo and her pals smoked crack. Carrillo says he recieved another tip that Aramburo, after leaving Pacheco's apartment, went to that house where she was allegedly killed by three individuals she knew, including a drug dealer who has a murder conviction.

I've chosen not to disclose their names until I've had an opportunity to verify Carrillo's claims.

Carrillo says he provided the names of the three men to Miami-Dade Police detectives investigating Aramburo's disappearance on four occassions. "They haven't done squat," Carrillo says.

This Sunday at 6 p.m., Forte will lead a march from CocoWalk to 35 Percival Ave., where she will hold a candlelight vigil in Aramburo's honor.

Justice March and Vigil for Lily Sunday in Miami

2009-05-29T22:14:00.002-04:00

The South Florida community and local media is invited to join us this Sunday for a Silent March and Candle light Vigil for Lilly Aramburo. Please see the media alert below.

MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 29 May 2009

Candlelight Vigil and Silent March to commemorate missing mother, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo on the 2 year anniversary of her disappearance

(Miami, Florida, May 29, 2009) On June 1, 2007, Lilly Aramburo a single mother 23 years of age left her ex boyfriends house, a known heroin user, shortly after 2 AM never to be seen again. The Miami Dade Police Department’s detectives failed to interview Christen Pacheco, Kelly Starling, and “EJ” who were present when Lily disappeared.

Only after an article in the Miami New Times in September 2008 was Christen Pacheco interviewed. A private investigator who volunteered to help in Lily’s disappearance has developed a theory that Lily lost her life the night she disappeared in a crack house in Coconut Grove. The investigator has had 4 meetings with the Miami Dade Detectives providing details of the location as well as suspects in Lily’s disappearance/murder. To this day, the Miami Dade Police Department has done nothing to solve the case.

This Sunday, May 31, 2009, we will hold a vigil commemorating the second anniversary of Lily’s disappearance. The vigil will be held at the location where it is believed she lost her life. Names and details of the suspects in the case will be provided in the hopes that someone in the Coconut Grove community will come forward with information. Six months have passed since this information was provided to the Miami Dade Police Department with no results.

Come join us to commemorate and pray for Lily and her family.
Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 6pm

The march will begin in Cocowalk to
3440 PERCIVAL AVENUE, COCONUT GROVE, FL.

Information about the vigil can be found at the following websites:

http://justiceinmiami.blogspot.com

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2009/05/two_years_later_lily_aramburo.php

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/crime_scene/2009/05/rally-to-be-held-for-young-mother-missing.html

Candlelight Vigil and Silent March for Lily Aramburo's 2 Year Anniversary

2009-05-07T00:00:00.054-04:00

Community to Hold a Silent March and Candle light Vigil for the 2nd Year Anniversary of Lilly Aramburo's disappearance.

What: Justice for Lily Candlelight Vigil and Silent March
When: Sunday May 31st at 6pm
Where: 3440 Percival Ave Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Map
Why: It's been exactly 2 years since Lilly vanished. We need to find Lilly and we need the person(s) responsible to be brought to justice!

Sunday May 31st, the South Florida community is invited to attend a candlelight vigil and silent march in memory of my friend, Lilly Aramburo, a young mother missing from Miami since 2007. Beginning at 6pm (Eastern time), Lilly Aramburo's mother, Lucely will lead the crowd in a Justice for Lilly silent march in front of the house it is believed Lily may have lost her life.

The purpose of the silent demonstration is to grab the public’s attention for a short time on the two year anniversary of Lilly's disappearance to make everyone aware that Lilly is still missing, and we are still looking for answers. We understand that Lilly isn't the only loved one that's missing. There are many missing persons in South Florida and thousands across the country. We are remembering them and their families on this special occasion, as well. Anyone with a missing loved one is urged to attend the event and bring a photo or flyer to share. Let us stand together in solidarity.

Family and friends will peacefully deliver a powerful message to Miami Dade Police Department that Lilly deserves justice, she deserves to be found. Lilly has not been forgotten by her family and friends and she shouldn't be forgotten by the community where she lived. We'd like to see Miami Dade Police take meaningful action. Please show your support by joining Lilly's family and friends. Help us seek JUSTICE FOR LILLY!

I realize few of you (loyal readers) live in the Miami area, if you are unable to be there in person, we ask you to have Lilly in your thoughts and prayers while the vigil is going on. Please join us in spirit by lighting a candle for Lily (where ever you are). But to those who live in South Florida, we'd love the chance to see you in person to thank you for your support and commitment to finding Lilly these past 2 years. Although it will be a very hard day for all of us, spending it together will help us heal in a small way.

Visitors are welcome to bring a candle to light for Lilly but it is not required. Please RSVP via Facebook or if you're on Twitter, you can RSVP below.

Media is encouraged to attend.

We'd like to give very special thanks to Anita Hunt of Nita Joy Craft Design and author of "Are You Being Bullied" for creating the lovely flyer pictured above. Nita, you're a star, thank you for your generosity! Nita graciously volunteered after responding to my tweet. (Pictured below ~ Note: read from bottom to top)

Nita's reply was a complete surprise. As you can see, the exchange was short and sweet. A few hours later, the flyer was done. It was that easy and carefree. So, if it's a personalized greeting card or gift you need to help brighten someone's day, please consider Nita Joy Craft Design. If you tweet, you can follow Nita on Twitter.

And finally, I'd like to thank Staples for donating flyers for Lilly. Thank you, Staples!! We appreciate all of your support.

Help us spread the word. Pass on the link to this post, tweet it, invite your friends on Facebook and email your network, if you have a blog inform your readers. We need your support now more than ever.

Hope to see all of you on Sunday, May 31st!

Mayor's Take 25 Children's Safety Event in South Florida

2009-05-03T01:12:00.001-04:00

South Florida friends, I have great news to report. Well, actually it's an event I'm very excited for.. I'm happy to announce that Miami Mayor Carlos Alvarez is hosting a Take 25 Children's Safety event for National Missing Children's Day! Check out the details below and if you're in Miami on May 20th, please swing by and show your support. I'll be there with my children and I hope to meet you and yours!

What: Mayor's Take 25 Children's Safety Event
When: 5/20/2009 2:00:00 PM – 5:00:00 PM

Where: Mas Canosa Center, 250 SW 114 Avenue
Sweetwater, FL 33174

Get directions

Details: This event will provide daycare children and afterschool program children with safety demonstrations, hands on interaction with police and fire personnel to discuss the importance of children's safety, and an educational puppet show that will emphasis child safety tips. In addition, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez will hold a press conference to heighten awareness about children’s safety issues, with a focus on prevention and encouraging parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role models to spend time talking to kids and teaching them ways to be safer.

For more information contact: Suzanne Salichs at (305) 375-1216.

Parents, don't miss this excellent opportunity to teach your children about safety!

Missing Children Cold Cases

2009-04-27T16:12:00.000-04:00

Host Scott Davis of The Missing TV looks back over decades to help gain exposure for missing children whose cases have little to go on.

Thank You Enrique and Joe!

2009-04-24T20:19:00.004-04:00

As some of you already know, this past Monday April 20th, Lucely (Lily's mother), Joe Carrillo (our private investigator) and I went on the world famous morning radio show "El Show de Enrique y Joe". We had the opportunity to inform and appeal directly to the South Florida community for information about the disappearance of Lilly Aramburo. A big warm hug to Joe Carrillo, the best private investigator in Miami, for his help in making it happen!

Pictures Courtesy of Joe Carrillo

Enrique and Joe ~

Lucely and I want to thank you for letting us be guests on your show. It was a real honor. We are very impressed with all the thought and organization you put into your shows.Your energy and passion was so inspiring and positive.You made it so easy and so comfortable for us. We really appreciate your willingness to educate your listeners about the disappearance and possible murder of Lily Aramburo, a Miami native and young mother who's case remains unsolved. The world needs to know about this. Lily's case hasn't been featured on the local news yet. We really thank you for having us on as guests and devoting so much valuable time on your show to cover this topic. I know your listeners were concerned enough to do their own research. Thank you so very much!

Sincerely,

Janet
Family Spokesperson for missing person Lilly Aramburo
Site http://justiceinmiami.blogspot.com/
Social Media Strategist at Subliminal Pixels Lab
Site http://www.subliminalpixels.com/

Listen to EL SHOW DE ENRIQUE Y JOE for Latest Update on the Lilly Aramburo Case!

2009-04-19T15:13:00.002-04:00

That's right, folks! Monday morning, April 20th (tomorrow) tune in live to EL SHOW DE ENRIQUE Y JOE on 98.3 in Miami at 8am. I will be on the show along with Lilly's mother, Lucely and our good friend/private investigator, Joe Carrillo to discuss the latest developments in Lilly Aramburo's case. We need your help and support now more than ever!!

Lilly was reported missing almost 2 years ago. We believe she lost her life the night she disappeared. Our investigation reveals that she lost her life in Coconut Grove at the hands of a convicted murderer and his accomplices. We have handed the Miami Dade Police Dept. the information over 4 months ago and to this day NOTHING has been done to bring her killers to justice. We need the communities help to pressure law enforcement to do what we pay them to do! Listen to 98.3 FM Monday morning beginning at 8 AM for the latest developments in Lilly's case. Remember, tune in to 98.3 FM Monday at 8 AM and feel free to call in with your questions or comments. The phone number is 1-888-305-SHOW.

Click here for more details ~ You can also listen online here.

ENRIQUE Y JOE SHOW...The high-profile and outlandish radio personalities Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero have repeatedly broken sales and audience records and maintained as the number 1 radio show in Miami and one of the most popular Hispanic programs in America. The pair's bilingual broadcasts are a crossover hit of humor, social satire and political commentary that bridges cultural and generational divide. Santos (a former police officer) bid for City of Miami mayor last election, running against incumbent Manny Diaz and winning nearly a quarter of the vote. Enrique along with radio veteran Joe Ferrero have made Miami Radio history and are internationally known for their phone pranks to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro.

El Show de Enrique y Joe on Myspace

Read more about the insanely popular morning show, El Show de Enrique y Joe.

Missing Denver Child found thanks in part to the internet!

2009-04-17T22:31:00.002-04:00

For those of you who may have doubts about the power of social media (specifically Twitter) please read on. And to those of you who use Twitter, next time you see a missing child or missing person alert, please consider re-tweeting it.

The following article is written by Mari Kurisato from the Denver Examiner.

After nearly a week of being missing, Jennifer Frisina was found safe and returned home to her family, due in large part to efforts like the folks who submitted comments in the original Examiner.com story, Facebook, Twitter, and other internet outlets to raise awareness and keep the pressure on. Even as commenters in the story were asking if this was a hoax, I phoned Arapahoe County Sheriff Investigator Lieutenant Curti looking for Bruce Isaccson to confirm the story. He confirmed the story, and thanked me for my interest, stating that he would get back to me when he knew anything further. Through no fault of his own Lieutenant Curti didn't get back to me until later that day, but he did call. Though efforts were spreading across the internet, I can only write about what I knew happened. (UPDATED: I'm getting several reports that many others than listed here helped contribute to the effort. This includes @AlohaArleen and @NashvilleDebbi amongst others. This list is by no way inclusive of everyone who helped, just the indiviuals that I saw in the busy rush of events yesterday.) Coordinating with the efforts of other Twitters, including @SoulGeek, @BuzzEdition, @TheExpert @AbsolutelyTrue and most crucially Denver's own @Zaibatsu, Reg Saddler, people were able to saturate the social media service and catch the attention of CBS 4 News Denver, via @cbs4denver who broadcast the story on the 5 o'clock news yesterday. CBS 4 Denver reporter Terry Jessup reported on that report that the Sheriff's Office “did receive an unusual amount of what he (the investigating officer) called 'blogosphere calls' at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's office” The alerts continued for some time on Twitter. And then at 7:33pm, Linda Frisina, the family spokesperson and Jennifer's grandmother, sent this last night via email: She's been found...details to come I called Linda soon after and got an exhausted confirmation--Linda sounded like she had been fielding calls from the whole planet, and maybe she had been. So I hopped back on the Twitter service, and flashed this out to everyone who had been helping send out the alerts JUST RECIEVED EMAIL FROM LINDA FRISINA THAT JENNIFER FRISINA HAS BEEN FOUND. NO DETAILS YET. which I then forwarded to CBS 4 News' Assignment Editor Misty Montano who was able to confirm the story and get an update on their 10 o'clock newscast. If anyone had any doubt what role services like Twitter, Facebook, and other internet outlets are playing in cooperative news telling, this story may cast aside some doubt. And because it began with Frank Frisina reaching out, I thought I would let him have the last word, taken from an email sent to me at 3:38 AM: SHE IS HOME! SAFE AND UNHARMED!

To read the full story, go to:

Denver Internet Examiner: Missing Denver child found thanks in part to the internet

Missing Child Alert: 14 Year Old Jennifer Frisina Missing from Denver, CO

2009-04-16T18:13:00.005-04:00

URGENT Alert! Missing 14yr Old Girl

A 14 year old girl in Colorado has been missing since Saturday April 11, 2009. Jennifer is 14 years old (5/5/94) approx 5 foot 5, 120/130 pounds. Brown hair / Brown eyes. Pictures are available on website.

If you have any information about Jennifer, please contact Frank Frisina (Jennifer's uncle) at http://lifesabluff.com/2009/04/15/my-14yr-old-neice-is-missing/ And if you use Twitter, please follow @frankfrisina for updates.

Frank wrote the following in his blog:

"I was really hoping I would never have to write this here…..

My niece Jennifer has been missing since Saturday night. She left here at 3pm to go to a friend’s house and was to be home by 8. None of her friends have talked to her since 7pm that night and there is no sign that she ran away. No clothes.. no cell phone charger.. nothing to suggest that she had any intention of being away that long. She has never been more than an hour or so late and this is beyond her character. There was no trouble here and she was in a good mood when she left.

It took us a few days to get the police to take this seriously since the responding officer on Saturday night had her pigeon holed as a runaway from the start. Thanks to that moron we have lost precious time. Now we have the Colorado Bureau of Investigations involved and they are trying to get phone records quicker than I seem to be able to get them. We would have had them already but CBI needed the Arapahoe County Sheriff to upgrade from runaway to missing. The next step is to get her picture on the local news stations.

I cannot describe the torment we are all going through. My worst nightmare has come true…. The idea of seeing her picture on the news is something I don’t think I could ever be prepared for. If anyone would like to donate the cause, please send via paypal to frankybones@comcast.net - (* should no reward be issued…. monies will be returned.) If I get some of this other cash I waiting on, it will be added.

I have never needed the help of our readers more than now. Please take her pictures and info posted here and send out to your social networks.

For those of you who know me… know these kids are my life. I am the legal guardian of both my neice and nephew. I consider them my children and have dedicated my life to their happiness. I have always been there to make sure they had a father figure and someone to count on. I am living pure hell and each day that passes is killing my soul. I have been through too much to be burdened with more heartache. This has gotta be resolved soon… I would give my life to bring her home.

One thing that is getting harder to do is handle all the phone calls from concerned friends and family…. The constant updates are wearing me down so I will be posting here any major updates we have. You can also follow my twitter account.

That’s all I have for right now…

Jennifer… if you are reading this… I love you more than you will ever know and you are my best friend in the world… nobody is mad at you… mom is here too.. come home…"

- Frank Frisina

Please help spread this information via social networks, blogs, and any other way you can!

Missing Child Alert Cancellation for Derrick Herlong

2009-04-16T16:59:00.000-04:00

Missing Child Alert CANCELLATION
Derrick Herlong Jr.

Missing From: Kissimmee

County: OSCEOLA

Narrative: This is a cancellation to the Florida MISSING CHILD ALERT that was activated on 4/13/2009 for Derrick Herlong Jr. This message is to let you know that the case has been resolved and the child has been located. FDLE has no further information about the recovery/location at this time.

FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse
1-888-FL MISSING
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Missing Child Alert Cancellation for Tatiana Jordan

2009-04-16T16:51:00.000-04:00

Missing Child Alert CANCELLATION

Tatiana Jordan

Missing From: Melbourne,FL

County: BREVARD

Narrative: This is a cancellation to the Florida MISSING CHILD ALERT that was activated on 4/13/2009 for Tatiana Jordan. This message is to let you know that the case has been resolved and the children have been located. FDLE has no further information about the recovery/location at this time.

FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse
1-888-FL MISSING

http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Missing Child Alert for 8 Year Old Florida Girl Tatiana Jordan

2009-04-14T06:11:00.009-04:00

MISSING CHILD ALERT

TATIANA JORDAN ENDANGERED

Date Missing:    4/12/2009
Missing From:   Melbourn
County:   BREVARD
Birth Date:    11/30/2000
Age Disappeared:    8 yrs 4 months
Race:    White/Hispanic
Sex:   Female
Height:     4' 00"
Weight:   85
Hair:   Brown
Eyes:   Brown

Narrative: A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for Tatiana Jordan, a white/hispanic female, last seen in Melbourne wearing a pink pull over shirt, white shorts and pink sandals. The child was last known to be in the company of her mother, Sylvia Hernandez, who is a white/hispanic female, 31 years of age, 5 feet 03 inches tall, 250 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes. They may be traveling in a purple Toyota Corolla, Florida tag number 475KSV.

Companion Adult: SYLVIA HERNANDEZ

Date Missing:    4/12/2009
Missing From:   Melbourn
County:   BREVARD
Birth Date:    7/30/1977
Age Disappeared:    31 yrs 8 months
Race:    White/Hispanic
Sex:   Female
Height:     5' 03"
Weight:   250
Hair:   Brown
Eyes:   Brown

If you have any information concerning the whereabouts of this child, please contact the Brevard County Sheriff's Office at 321-264-5201 or call 911.

FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse
1-888-FL MISSING
Internet: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Missing Child Alert for 2 Year Old Derrick Herlong Jr.

2009-04-14T02:04:00.001-04:00

MISSING CHILD ALERT

DERRICK HERLONG JR. ENDANGERED

Date Missing: 4/13/2009
Missing From: Kissimmee
County: OSCEOLA
Birth Date: 12/18/2006
Age Disappeared: 2 yrs 3 months
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 2' 05"
Weight: 029
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown

Narrative: A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for Derrick Herlong Jr. last seen in the area of Clipper Cove Lane in Kissimmee. The child may be in the company of Derrick Herlong Sr., a black male, 25 years old, 5 feet 07 inches tall, 150 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. They may be traveling in a newer model dark blue Chevrolet Malibu FL Temporary Tag ADG6905. Caution suspect may be armed.

Suspect: DERRICK HERLONG
Date Missing: 4/13/2009
Missing From: Kissimmee
County: OSCEOLA
Birth Date: 5/25/1983
Age Disappeared: 25 yrs 10 months
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 5' 07"
Weight: 150
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown

If you have any information concerning the whereabouts of this child, please contact the Kissimmee Police Department at 407-847-0176 or call 911.

FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse
1-888-FL MISSING
Internet: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Missing Person Alert: 22 Year Old Laura Nimbach from Florida

2009-04-14T00:46:00.005-04:00

HAVE YOU SEEN LAURA NIMBACH?

Pay close attention, especially if you live in Florida. Laura Nimbach is MISSING and possibly in DANGER. Here is what we know: No one has had any contact with Laura since February 17th, 2009 and her family is terribly worried. Laura's family does not live in Florida. They believe Laura had an abusive boyfriend. Laura was last seen by local police walking down the street after leaving a domestic violence shelter in Clearwater, FL. There has not been any media attention. But Laura is MISSING. And we need to find her before it's too late.

Help is desperately needed to help find this young woman. Fliers need to be placed in local business', bus stops, hospitals, shelters, churches, grocery stores, post offices, bars, restaurants, airports, places where NA meetings are held, and especially in the Tampa Bay area. Time is of the essence. Laura had been hospitalized in November, 2008 with kidney and heart failure. She may have still have medical problems as a result of this. She has a substance abuse problem and if she’s still alive, she’s in a horrible situation.

Print a poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_LauraNimbach.pdf

Name: Laura Nimbach
Alias: Lora Marie Nimbach, Laura Marie Numbach, Laura Marie Nimback
Date of Birth: 08/26/1986
Date Missing: 02/17/2009
Age at time of disappearance: 22
City Missing From: Clearwater
State Missing From: FL
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Weight: 105 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Hair (other): May be very light blond
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Tan

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Laura Nimbach, please contact the Pinellas County Sherrif's Office at (727) 582-6200 or dial 911.

Investigative Case #: SO09-71009

For additional information on Laura's case, please visit Project Jason and Help Find The Missing. If you use Twitter, please follow @FndLauraNimbach.

Amber Alert Cancelled for Florida Missing Child Sarah Norton

2009-03-29T18:50:00.001-04:00

AMBER ALERT CANCELLATION

SARAH NORTON
Missing From: Bradenton, FL

County: MANATEE

Narrative: This is a cancellation to the Florida AMBER ALERT that was activated on 3/29/2009 for Sarah Norton. This message is to let you know that the case has been resolved and the child has been located. FDLE has no further information about the recovery/location at this time.

FDLE MISSING ENDANGERED PERSONS
INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
1-888-FL MISSING
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Amber Alert Issued for Florida Child SARAH NORTON

2009-03-29T13:11:00.001-04:00

AMBER ALERT ENDANGERED CHILD

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has issued an Amber Alert for a 12 year old Florida child Sarah Norton (Pictured above). Sarah Norton was last seen around 10 a.m. Saturday. Norton is 5' 3" tall with brown hair and brown eyes. She wears glasses. She was wearing a gray sports bra, jeans and no shoes. Please keep your eyes open for this child who may have been kidnapped by an older man, described as being 45 to 50 years old. They may be traveling in a red Jeep Cherokee, see details below.

SARAH NORTON
Date Missing: 3/28/2009
Missing From: Bradenton,FL

County: MANATEE
Birth Date: 11/30/1996

Age Disappeared: 12 yrs 3 months
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5' 03"
Weight: 093
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown

Narrative: Sarah Norton was last seen at approximately 10am yesterday in the area of 75th Street West and Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. She was last seen wearing a gray sports bra, jeans, no shoes and wears glasses. She may be in the company of an unknown white male, 45-50 years old and wears glasses. They may be traveling in a red Jeep Cherokee.

If you have any information concerning the whereabouts of this child, please contact the Manatee County Sheriff at 941-747-3011 or 911.

. FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse 1-888-FL MISSING Internet: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Additional links:
Amber Alert issued for Missing Bradenton girl
Amber Alert for Missing Bradenton Girl

Invitation to Imagine Miami's Changemaker Summit

2009-03-29T00:10:00.004-04:00

I'd like to invite my local readers to an exciting event in South Florida. It's unusual for me to blog about events unless it's somehow related to a missing person but this post is special.

The Imagine Miami Changemaker Summit is being presented by the Human Services Coalition and Imagine Miami. The Human Services Coalition (HSC) is a local non-profit organization that adopts and shares new, innovative approaches to community change. The summit will focus on Arts, Culture and Civic Engagement featuring hands-on workshops with National and Local experts. If you're an activist, volunteer, philanthropist, nonprofit organization or just someone who cares about Miami Dade, this is THE event you don't want to miss.

This totally Green gathering will bring together civic, community and grassroots leaders, emerging leaders from lower-income neighborhoods; community capacity builders from nonprofit, government, education and other sectors; and artists for social change to make a difference.

WHAT: Imagine Miami's Changemaker Summit

WHEN: Saturday, April 04, 2009 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (Eastern Time)

WHERE: Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus (Rm. 3210)

NE 4th St. between Biscayne Blvd. & NE 2 Ave.

Bldg. 3, 2nd Fl (Chapman Conference Center)

Miami, FL 33132

What You’ll Learn:

How to Start a Community Conversation
How Your Story Can Inspire Action
How to Tackle a Community Challenge By Building On What Works
How Local Groups Turned Their Passion Into Action

You can register for the event here. For more information, please call (305) 576-5001 ext 45, or email: corinnam@imaginemiami.org. The cost for the summit is $45 in advance or $60 at the door. Space is limited so register now to reserve your space.

I've already purchased my ticket. If you're interested in attending the event and would like to meet there, please let me know by leaving a comment on this post. I'd love to connect with you.

Until next time, stay safe! And don't forget to Subscribe to my feed to ensure you don’t miss any news or updates.

Missing Children and Take 25 Campaign

2009-03-26T13:18:00.005-04:00

May 25th is National Missing Children's Day . Events are being scheduled across the country to raise awareness about the importance of safety and as a reminder of our nation's missing children . The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Take 25 Campaign asks parents to take 25 minutes of their day to talk to your kids about safety.

National Missing Children's Day is around the corner. It's a perfect opportunity for law enforcement, public servants, advocates and volunteers to give back to the community. We all know violent crime (kidnappings, sexual assault, car jacking, murder) are a daily occurrence. Every day thousands of children are reported missing. Many are never found. Many of the kidnappings/abductions end tragically in rape, assault and death.

I'm pleased to announce that we will be hosting one of these events for the 2nd year anniversary of Lilly Aramburo's disappearance, to coincide with National Missing Children's Day in South Florida. Lilly went missing June 1, 2007 from Miami, FL. She is still missing. More about Lilly Aramburo.

More information about the upcoming safety awareness event coming soon. If you'd like to help out with the organizing/promoting of this event, please contact me or leave a comment on this post (or any post). If you're a family member of a missing person and would like your loved one featured on our missing persons wall, please contact me or leave a comment. We'd like to partner up with local residents who care about the safety of our children and loved ones, as well as any like-minded organizations. Together we can make a difference.

If you’d like to connect with me on Twitter my feed is here. Please share this blog to help raise awareness about Lilly and other missing loved ones. Don't forget to Subscribe to the Justice in Miami feed to ensure you don’t miss any news or updates.

Thank You New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish!

2009-03-25T12:17:00.000-04:00

I am very happy and proud that New Mexico's Lt. Governor Diane Denish is taking a stand for missing persons and their families. Finally, a politician is doing something positive for the cause. A lot more need to follow her example. But she needs everyone's support to make important changes happen. Watch the video and read all about it below.

Question: Do you think law enforcement should have a national protocol in handling missing person cases? Why or why not?

Denish calls for missing-person alerts
Mesa graves spur call for action

Reporter: Maria Medina

Web Producer: Bill Diven

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The uncertainty linking dozens of missing women with remains unearthed from Albuquerque's west mesa shows more needs to be done when someone disappears, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said Tuesday.

"Let's be frank about this," Denish told KRQE News 13. "This is mostly women who go missing and are not found, and that's really what caught my attention.

"I grieve along with all the other people in New Mexico not just for the families but for New Mexico. I think we can do better."

She's called a meeting for Friday to bring law enforcement, the media and other organizations together to talk about solutions.

Liz Pérez said she could've used more help when her daughter-in-law went missing. Nearly eight years ago Darlene Trujillo dropped her son off with Perez.

She said she was going on a quick trip to Arizona, but she never returned.

"(The police) said that they would file a missing persons report but that they couldn't really do nothing on it because Darlene was over 18 years old," Pérez said.

Trujillo is not one of the four women who investigators have identified so far from the west mesa graves. Forensics experts have said the remains are those of Victoria Chavez, Cinnamon Elks, Julie Nieto and Michelle Valdez.

All four young women disappeared in 2004, and all shared trouble in their lives involving drugs and prostitution. Eight sets of skeletal remains have yet to be identified, and investigators have yet to name any prime suspects in the case.

Denish said she doesn't want to hear about limitations adding that she thinks a lot more can and should be done to publicize missing persons cases quickly.

Missing Person Alert: Shanna Maschmeier

2009-03-24T18:00:00.001-04:00

Where is ALLYSON CORRALES and TANGENA HUSSAIN?

2009-03-20T22:55:00.002-04:00

Here's another episode from the good people at TheMissingTV, featuring the cases of Allyson Corrales and Tangena Hussain. Both beautiful little girls are missing.

Tangena Hussain has been missing since 10/02/08. The 2 year old toddler disappeared from a gas station in Detroit, Michigan under mysterious circumstances.She was last seen wearing a brown long sleeved shirt with a cartoon character on the front, white cargo pants, and gold sandals. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Detroit Police Department 313-596-2300 or National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).

Allyson Corrales has been missing from her residence in Kansas City, Missouri, since March 6, 2009. She may be in the company of her father, Luis Corrales. A felony warrant has been issued for Luis. Allyson's mother was found deceased on March 6, 2009. Allyson's life is in serious and immediate danger. They may travel to Manassas, Virginia or Houston, Texas. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Kansas City Police Department (Missouri) 1-816-474-8477 or National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) .

Please pay close attention to the posters and photographs of missing children. Be aware and stay vigilant. You never know when your observation could make a difference. A missing child is everyone's responsibility. It's a community issue. If you're a parent or caretaker, make sure to do everything in your power to safeguard your children from predators and those who seek to do them harm. Make child safety a priority!

Search the National Sex Offender Public Registry at www.nsopr.gov.

Use age-appropriate activities to teach children ages 5 to 17 how to stay safer on the Internet with http://www.netsmartz.org/.

Take 25 minutes to teach your children about safety (online and off). Minutes of prevention can make a huge impact in the life of a child.

Where is Teekah Lewis and Melisa Sloan

2009-03-15T17:47:00.003-04:00

Just found this channel while looking at my YouTube subscriptions. TheMissingTV is a video show which features cases of missing children and adults. I applaud their efforts and dedication to missing persons. Check out their website at http://www.themissingtv.com/

This episode host Scott Davis visits two cold cases. One is that of Teekah Lewis she was a 2 year old toddler when she was reported missing from a Tocama, WA bowling alley on 01/23/93, she is 12 years old now. He will also introduce to you the case of missing adult Melisa Sloan, reported missing from Orlando, FL in 1994 she was 23 years of age when she was reported missing.

Missing Child Alert for Jacoysha Horne Cancelled

2009-03-12T07:43:00.000-04:00

MISSING CHILD ALERT
CANCELLATION
JACOYSHA HORNE

Missing From: Winter Springs, FL
County: Orange
Narrative: This is a cancellation to the Florida MISSING CHILD ALERT that was activated on 03/11/2008 for Jacoysha Horne. This message is to let you know that the case has been resolved and the child has been located. FDLE has no further information about the recovery/location at this time.

FDLE Missing Endangered Persons
Information Clearinghouse
1-888-FL MISSING
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Missing Endangered Child Alert Issued For Jacoysha Horne

2009-03-11T18:40:00.001-04:00

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has put out a missing child alert for a teenage girl from central Florida. 16-year-old Jacoysha Horne was last seen in the area of the 150 block of Cory Lane in Winter Springs, FL. She may be in the company of 2 Hispanic males, one whose name may be "David". They may be traveling in a large silver or gray SUV. One of the subjects may have a yellow patch on his right shoulder. Another vehicle that may be involved is a green Volvo with a New York tag on the front. The direction of travel is unknown at this time.

Date Missing: 3/11/2009 Missing From: Winter Springs,FL

County: SEMINOLE
Birth Date: 3/10/1993

Age Disappeared: 16 yrs Race: Black Sex: Female Height: 5' 09" Weight: 165 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown

If you have information about this child, please contact the Winter Springs Police Department at 407-327-1000 or 911.

FDLE Missing Endangered Persons
Information Clearinghouse 1-888-FL MISSING
Internet: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

Austin Davis Missing from Jacksonville, FL Since June 2007

2009-02-23T13:05:00.002-05:00

Michael "Austin" Davis, age 26, has been missing from the Argyle area of Jacksonville, Florida since June 26, 2007. He was suffering from depression. It is devastating when a loved one goes missing. But to learn about the purchase of a shot gun? Not easy to deal with at all. Let's hope someone comes forward with information. Take a look at the video below. It's Austin's sister, Anita describing the circumstances surrounding Austin's disappearance.

Austin Davis

Last Seen June 26th, 2007
DOB: 04/24/81
Height 5' 8" / Weight 180 lbs.
Brown Hair/ Blue Eyes
Scar on right cheek / Dimples Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL, October 18, 2007 – Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has released information regarding the disappearance of Michael “Austin” Davis, 26, from his Westside home on the morning 0f June 26, 2007.

“We now know,” said Anita Sullivan, sister of the missing man, “that Austin’s mysterious taxi ride ended at Jax Jewelry and Pawn Shop at the intersection of 103rd Street and Blanding Boulevard around 12:30pm on June 26th.

JSO has confirmed Austin bought a shotgun there and the clerk said he put the gun in a duffle bag and left the shop on foot. "We have searched the area but found nothing”. “The pawn shop clerk said the gun barrel was protruding from the duffle bag when he left the shop. As busy as that area is midday, we think it is likely someone saw him and would remember something as unusual as a young man walking on Blanding or 103rd with a gun in a duffel bag”, the missing man’s sister said.

“We are hopeful someone will come forward, possibly with information regarding his direction of travel and help us target other areas to search”, Anita Sullivan said.

Anyone who may have seen a man walking with a duffle bag on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 26 in the area of Blanding Bvd. and 103rd Street, which includes Wesconnett Blvd., Timuquana Road, Jammes, and surrounding areas, is urged to step forward.

He may have been walking in any direction, and may have been seen on side roads up to several miles away from the intersection. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

IF SEEN Please Contact:
JSO Missing Persons Unit 904.630.2627
Family: 904.446.0740

For the full story please visit the Find Austin Davis Website.

Article: Help Find Austin Davis

Article: Family Continues Search for Missing Man

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/findaustindavis

Austin Davis America's Most Wanted

This case pulls at my heart strings because Austin disappeared in June 2007, just like Lilly. The family has been waiting for answers as long as we have. The month of June will never be the same for us.

Thank You Miami New Times!

2009-02-21T22:28:00.001-05:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Miami New Times for including our blog, Justice for Lilly Aramburo on their local blog links. We are very grateful to the Miami New Times Blog for linking to us! Another reason we love the Miami New Times. First, Francisco Alvarado writes the only article ever printed about Lilly, a cover story published last September and now this. It's a very big deal and I'm extremely humbled.

If you use Twitter, please be sure to follow the Miami New Times.

By the way, let's keep our fingers crossed for a follow-up article on Lilly Aramburo's disappearance. Feel free to help make it happen by contacting the Miami New Times directly.

As always, we appreciate the ongoing support we have received from everyone. Please continue to spread the word about Lilly's disappearance. And help us bring her home!

National DataBase for Missing and Unidentified Persons NamUs

2009-02-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

Is your missing loved one registered in the The NamUs Database?

The Justice Department has unveiled a computer database that will help families locate the bodies of lost loved ones. Families, law enforcement agencies, medical examiners and coroners, victim advocates, and the general public are encouraged to register their missing loved ones with The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), the first national repository for missing persons and unidentified decedent records. NamUs consists of two databases that anyone can search. The Justice Department hopes that law enforcement officials and the public will use the databases to share information to solve cases.Feb 2009
Let's just hope law enforcement start to use it. Families deserve closure.

Florida Missing Child Haleigh Cummings

2009-02-18T12:01:00.001-05:00

5-year-old Haleigh Cummings was snatched from her own bed just after 3am, February 9th, in a mobile home in northeast Florida. The girl's parents are divorced. She was being watched by her father's 17-year-old girlfriend when she disappeared. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said investigators think Haleigh was abducted because house-to-house searches of the neighborhood Wednesday found no evidence that she wandered away. Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings also said he didn't believe she had left their home in the middle of the night. "I know somebody took her. I know for a fact she didn't wander off. She's afraid of the dark," Ronald Cummings told several reporters.

It's been 9 days since Haleigh vanished. The ground search has subsided and police are focused more on the investigation at this point. Some of her family members were given lie detector tests but the sheriff's office won't discuss the results. Almost 1,200 tips have poured into a Crimestoppers hot line. One of those tips claim that Haleigh's father's girlfriend, 17-year-old Misty Croslin, may not have been at home the night Haleigh disappeared.

Authorities ask anyone with any information to call Crimes Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS or the FDLE's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 888-FL-MISSING.

If you pray, please keep Haleigh Cummings and her family in your prayers.

Latest news about Haleigh's case:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,495384,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29236594/
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090218/ARTICLES/902181008/1002/news?Title=Police-follow-leads-in-missing-girl-case#

The Search for Missing UF Student Tiffany Sessions

2009-02-13T13:15:00.003-05:00

February 9, 1989, 20 year old University of Florida student, Tiffany Sessions told her roommate she was going for a jog and never returned. That was the last time anyone ever saw Tiffany. This week marked the 20th year anniversary of Tiffany's disappearance from Gainesville, Florida.

Earlier this week, Alachua County Sheriff's Office announced new leads in the case. Tiffany's father, Patrick Sessions, a Miami resident and dedicated missing children advocate told the Miami Herald he does not expect to find Tiffany alive. He just wants closure.

The Sessions Family launched the “Official Tiffany Sessions” Website, http://tiffanysessions.com/. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip. It's also a resource for other families coping with the disappearance of a loved one.

The Sessions family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the remains of Tiffany Sessions and the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her abduction. Anyone with information about Tiffany's disappearance should call Detective Bob Dean at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 367-4161. Callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest by calling Crime Stoppers at 372-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can be left on the web site at http://www.alachuasheriff.org. Please help this family get closure.

One of the most devastating events that can happen to a family is the disappearance of a child. Can you imagine the agony this family has suffered for 20 long years? Think about it. Almost a lifetime of not knowing what happened to your child, your flesh and blood! The not knowing is simply torturous. If you know anything at all about Tiffany's disappearance, please come forward and help this family get the answers they've been waiting for.

In most likelihood, Tiffany is probably gone. Her family may never have the chance to see her smiling face and get to hold her in their arms again. But her name and memory lives on.

Last year, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 502, the “Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act.” Governor Charlie Crist signed the bill, which broadens the authority of FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse to provide assistance on investigations involving missing adults younger than 26 and missing adults age 26 and older who are suspected by law enforcement to be in danger.

"In addition, the Act requires that local law enforcement authorities transmit missing child and adult reports to the state and federal criminal databases within two hours of receiving the report. The local law enforcement agency investigating the case must also attempt to obtain a DNA sample if the child or adult has been missing for more than 90 days. These DNA profiles will be analyzed and uploaded into the FBI’s National DNA Index System and continuously searched against unidentified human remains."

What a huge leap for missing persons in my hometown state of Florida! Just a year ago, if someone over 18 went missing, law enforcement could easily say the missing person has every right to disappear. The law didn't require police to do much. Having dealt with the disappearance of my friend, Lilly Aramburo, I can tell you that the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act is of immense benefit to missing persons! And an ode to Tiffany.

Website: http://tiffanysessions.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/tiffanysessions

Additional links:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/894835.html
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/09/091828/20-years-later-family-still-searching-tiffany-sess/

The 17 Year Search for Abducted Child Sigourney Chisholm

2009-01-28T13:38:00.001-05:00

Sigourney Teresa Chisholm is missing. She was abducted by her mother, Patricia O'Byrne May 1993. Patricia is wanted for child abduction. Sigourney is 17 now. Her grief-stricken Dad, Joe Chisholm, has been searching for his daughter for 17 long, painful years. But he's not giving up!

Age-enhanced

From Joe Chisholm's blog:

"Sigourney was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Patricia Joan O’Byrne, on May 17, 1993 from Toronto, Ontario. Patricia, also goes by the name Trish or may be using an alias. On the 15th of May 1993, following a custody dispute with the father, O’Byrne left a message stating that she was leaving the country with her daughter, Sigourney. Patricia is wanted on charges of child abduction; there is a warrant for Patricia’s arrest. Abduction is a crime, even if the child is your own. The only consideration of the Chisholm family now, however, is to be reacquainted with Sigourney. The family treats this not as a legal or criminal matter, but as a family dispute – a solvable family dispute. They have been traced to London, Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Devon. It is believed they could be in Spain now."

Help this family reunite! Visit the website for more information http://www.missingsigourney.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sigourney_is_missing

Help Save the National Center for Missing Adults

2009-01-21T10:56:00.011-05:00

Want this badge?

Who would you turn to if your loved one went missing? The Police? The mainstream media? If that was your answer you have a rude awakening coming to you. Police departments are either way too understaffed, un-educated or just focusing on high profile cases. If your missing loved one was over the age of 18, police may say they have every right to "disappear". And the media, you can forget about it, unless your loved one falls into a certain category like Caylee Anthony or Natalie Hollaway, then you're probably not going to have any luck getting any attention or help from them.

Thankfully, for 15 years there has been the National Center for Missing Adults. The NCMA is a division of the Nation's Missing Children Organization, Inc. (NMCO) a 501c(3) non-profit organization, formally established after the passage of Kristen’s Law (H.R. 2780) by the United States Congress on October 26th, 2000. The NCMA operates as the national clearinghouse for missing adults, providing services and coordination between various government agencies, law enforcement, media, and families of missing adults. NCMA also maintains a national database of thousands of missing adults determined to be "endangered" or otherwise at-risk in the US. But not for long.

Since 2005, NCMA has been waiting for Congress to reauthorize Kristen's Act to provide the funding so crucially needed to continue its work. Due to its failure, the country's only national clearinghouse and missing adult database is in such extreme distress some believe only a miracle can save it. NCMA founder, Kym Pasqualini and her small staff of less than 5 volunteers, have kept the agency alive despite many difficulties including critical shortage and loss of funding, in 2006 they were
"financially forced to vacate and close the doors of the facility they had operated from for nearly ten years"
and going 2 years without pay and mounting debt, in order to continue providing services to those in need. Time is dangerously close to running out for NCMA. To make matters even graver still, Kym (a single mother) is facing eviction.

This doesn't seem right to me. Not for anyone but especially not for Kym and the National Center for Missing Adults! The loss of the NCMA would mean no more support for families of the missing!

How can this happen?

Days after Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast region, Bureau of Justice Assistance; United States Department of Justice (DOJ) requested the immediate assistance of the National Center for Missing Adults. In the weeks following, NCMA received 13,502 reports related to Hurricane Katrina and Rita, in addition to cases normally registered with the agency involving missing adults who are determined by the investigating law enforcement agency to be "at risk" due to diminished mental capacity, physical disability, medical conditions, suspected foul play or suspicious circumstances of the disappearance. NCMA resolved 99.8% of all reports with costs to the agency in excess of $250,000 and depleted the agency's non-federal reserve of funds. NCMA has only received $50,000 to cover the work they did at the request of the Dept. of Justice. The DOJ still hasn't released the funds owed to the NCMA for their work related to Hurricane Katrina.

We cannot allow this valuable resource to die.

I feel strongly about this as my own friend, Lily Aramburo, went missing and has been gone for almost 2 years now. Following Lily's disappearance, I contacted NCMA. Tanya, the volunteer who assisted us, was working from home on these cases because of the agency's funding situation. Despite these obstacles, she was comforting, professional and understanding. She was steadfast in her efforts contacting law enforcement in order to get Lilly's case confirmed and didn't stop until she finally succeeded. I've had the privilege of working with Kym and her faithful team of volunteers. I admire them for their selfless efforts on behalf of our missing loved ones and the families who are left behind, searching for them.

My goal is to show Kym that people do care, we recognize their work is valuable. The NCMA doesn't need to wait for a MIRACLE...

It's within our power to save the National Center for Missing Adults. I urge you to stand with me and help in any way you possibly can. What can you do to help, you ask?

First and foremost they need money! Click on the FirstGiving fundraising widget below and visit my NCMA Fundraising Page Tax-deductible donations can be made online safely and securely through FirstGiving.

The NCMA accepts donations on their website as well. You can give as little as $5 using Google Checkout. Or if you prefer to send a check directly to NCMA, please mail to:

National Center for Missing Adults
PO Box 6389
Glendale, AZ 85312 US

If you commit to giving just $5 (the cost of a Starbucks coffee) we would be that much closer to achieving the goal.

If you can't give money, no problem. Maybe someone you know can. Please share this post via your email list and IM.

Do you use Twitter?

Follow the NCMA! Share this post and ask your friends and followers to retweet it (Join the NCMA RT RALLY starting NOW!).

Are you on Facebook, Myspace, Ning, or other social networking sites?

On Facebook, support the NCMA by setting your status to display a short message with a link to this post. Join the NCMA Facebook Group and invite everyone you know. Use your social networks to spread the word! You can get your very own fundraising widget or badge to add on your profile and encourage others to do the same.

Do you have a blog or website?

There are several ways to help by using your blog/website:
1. Place the FirstGiving Fundraising Widget or badge on your site
2. Take a few minutes to write a post about the crisis, link to this and include the NCMA donation page
3. Add the NCMA badge on your site

I hope you take this opportunity to turn your compassion into action by donating to Help Save the National Center for Missing Adults...prevent thousands of families and missing people from being negatively affected and losing their only national resource. You can also help tremendously by signing the Support the National Center for Missing Adults petition.

Here's an article about Kym Pasqualini and NCMA recently published in the Phoenix Times, "The National Center for Missing Adults' Funding Was Slashed by the Feds, but Volunteers Are Keeping It Alive" By Sarah Fenske.

Don't forget to bookmark, Stumble and share this post. RT on Twitter. Link to post. Share on your social networks and most importantly... GIVE GENEROUSLY & SPREAD THE WORD!

Lilly Aramburo and Missing Minorities Campaign

2009-01-10T11:25:00.000-05:00

Dear friends, I was recently surprised to find Lilly Aramburo listed on a site called Missing Minorities Campaign. How awesome! It's a great site and very helpful for the benefit of missing minorities. As we all know, missing minorities rarely make the news. And if they do, they don't receive the same type of in depth coverage. (God knows how hard I've tried to get media coverage for Lilly!) But with sites like Missing Minorities Campaign and others using the internet to advocate for missing people, the more eyes we have looking out for our loved ones and the better chances we have of finding them.

Although most of us live very busy, sometimes hectic lives, a little time and effort goes a long way. You'd be surprised to know how easy it is to help. As I always do when I find a website, blog or organization doing good works, I stumbled their site, bookmarked it and shared it on Twitter and a few other networking sites and aggregators like Friendfeed. And it really helps! After reading the stories of the missing people on the Missing Minorities site and others, it's very helpful to DIGG or STUMBLE the story or share on whatever social network and news submission sites you use. I joined their community, as well. After all, that's what social networking is all about: community.

One last thing, if you use Twitter, please follow the Missing Minorities Campaign.

Appeal to Miami Residents For Info in the Possible Homicide of Lilly Aramburo

2009-01-03T00:51:00.007-05:00

In 6 months, it will mark the 2nd year anniversary since Lilly Aramburo was last seen by family and friends. The night was June 1, 2007, at approximately 2am. She walked out of her live-in boyfriend's condo after a heated argument and has never been seen alive since.

Lilly's family is asking the public for help. If you know anything at all or have information regarding the disappearance of Lucely "Lilly" Aramburo, Lilly's mother, family and friends urge you to contact Miami Dade Police at 305-418-7200 or Crime Stoppers at (305)471-8477. (You can get a cash reward of up to $1000!) It offers complete anonymity. Lilly may have walked to the bus stop or to the Metrorail Station which is very near to Dadeland Mall. She may have traveled to the Coconut Grove area.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO LILLY?

Chances are you've probably never met Lilly but if you did, you would understand why we're so determined to find her. Lilly was a girl of peace, a young mother who loved her baby boy very much. She was a humble person and good friend who touched everyone she met with her beautiful smile. She had the energy of a small child. It is a shame that this had to happen. And that her disappearance has remained unnoticed, while the media arbitrarily picks and chooses who they find important.

She loved music, and although she loved rock, oldies were secretly her favorite songs. She loved to read and write in her journals, but refused to learn computers. She was a very simple girl, who shopped at vintage stores, and hardly ever wore much make up. The term earth girl, comes to mind when I think of her. And pixie, as well. People would often confuse her with being a teenager because she looked so damn young. Lily was tough as steel, both emotionally and physically. Once she fell off a 2nd story building at the University of Miami campus. She went to the hospital and walked out, took the brace off and kept going, because she had to be at work the next day.

When she was pregnant with her son (now 2 years old), she glowed. It was the most amazing time in her life. The loveliest I had ever seen her. Her skin looked a golden olive, and her almond shaped eyes, glistened. I could see life in her. And she was truly happy and hopeful, looking forward to the birth of her son.

I thought she would make it. She began taking prenatal yoga, went back to being a vegetarian, and was dedicated to meditating and praying a lot. We had no idea of what was to come. Almost 2 years later, and we're still awaiting answers. Every day Lilly's mother wakes up thinking about Lilly and what could have been. It must be so painful for her to raise her grandson, Lilly's 2 year old son, while praying for the day when Lilly is found and finally put to rest.

We have reason to believe Lilly is a victim of homicide but many questions remain unanswered. And that is why we're asking for your help.

We’re currently trying to piece together Lilly's last movements. Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should immediately contact Miami Dade Police at 305-418-7200 or Crime Stoppers at (305)471-8477.

If you feel compelled to help find Lilly Aramburo, there are many ways you can help. Please do so by doing one or more of the following:
Friend on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/missinglillyaramburo
Join the Facebook Cause to Find Lilly Aramburo
Subscribe to the Justice in Miami RSS feed
Please Stumble, bookmark & share this post
If you're in South Florida, print a flyer and post and share it as much you can.
If you're a blogger, join the MyBlogLog Justice in Miami Community

Lily's case has received very little media coverage. So far, the only article published about Lilly's disappearance was in the Miami New Times last September. As you can see, Nancy Grace was kind enough to feature a Case Alert about Lilly, as well. Can you help us get media coverage for Lilly? Contact Nancy Grace and ask her to investigate Lilly's possible homicide. We'd like Lilly to be featured on local media stations in Miami. Please let us know if you can help with this. Drop me a line or leave a comment on this post.

Lilly's family and friends are grateful for your prayers and continued support. Let's bring resolution to this grieving family.

Last Day to Vote for National Protocol for Missing And Unidentified Person Cases

2008-12-31T14:17:00.003-05:00

Reminder: Today is the last day to submit your vote to Establish National Protocol in Missing and Unidentified Person Cases through Change.org's Ideas for Change in America. If you haven't added your vote, please do so now, time is running out! The first round of voting for the Ideas for Change in America competition will end tonight, December 31 at midnight Pacific Time. All you have to do is click on the widget below and sign in or register (it's easy) and vote!

Establish National Protocol in Missing and Unidentified Person Cases

Every 30 seconds someone in the U.S. disappears, an average of 850,000 persons per year. Of that number, approximately 105,000 remain as open cases, unresolved. There are also unknown numbers of unidentified deceased persons, with estimates as high as 50,000. With modern technologies, available resources and tools, more cases could be resolved. With law enforcement budgets slashed, available training and knowledge of these tools and resources remain out of the grasp of many agencies. Cases go unresolved, family members remain in pain needlessly, criminals go free, and the unidentified deceased are buried and even cremated, taking the answers with them, sometimes forever. The Department of Justice crafted model legislation which would give law enforcement, coroners, and medical examiners the necessary protocol and tools to correct this injustice. Efforts have been made to pass this legislation on a state by state basis, but this process has proven to be slow. Each day that passes without these procedures in place increases the number of missing persons who may never be recovered, and unidentified deceased persons who might never be named. The legislation provides law enforcement with a check list of information to acquire from the family of the missing person, databases and other resources to utilize, such as DNA analysis, and the new NamUs. Coroners and medical examiners are given procedures to report the unidentified deceased, and enter all available identifiers into national databases, such as fingerprints, dental records, and DNA analysis. The text of the legislation can be found here:
http://www.projectjason.org/downloads/ModelLegislation2008Revision.pdf

Important Petition Requires Your Immediate Attention

2008-12-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

The abduction of Sean Goldman happened 4 years ago but his father, David Goldman has not given up on his son. He wants him back and he needs our help. For more information about this case, please visit his website Bring Sean Home. Check out these videos below. And if you're like me, prepare to cry. This is a tragic story and desperately needs media attention and help from the US government. Please help this father get his son back by signing the petition.

Add your name to this petition and help bring Sean home where he belongs!
Direct link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/return-abducted-minor-sean-goldman-to-his-father
Bring Sean Home Website: http://BringSeanHome.org

Tribute to Lilly Aramburo

2008-12-27T23:13:00.003-05:00

There's never a day where thoughts of Lilly are far away. Listened to some of her favorite songs by the Magnetic Fields today... Somehow makes me feel better when I'm down. I remember the times we sat in my car as I drove her home, listening to music. She loved music. I could see her sitting next to me, smiling. As a tribute to Lilly's loving memory, here are a few of her favorite songs. The ones I listen to and reminisce...

The Magnetic Fields - All My Little Words

The Magnetic Fields - The One You Really Love

Sublime - Waiting For my Ruca

RIP Lilly Aramburo. Justice will be done. Words can't describe how much we love you and miss you! xoxo

Missing Baby Update: It Was All A Lie

2008-12-26T12:54:00.006-05:00

Talk about waste of time and resources! I can't understand why someone would make up such a drastic lie just to cover up a miscarriage. Police are saying it was a desperate attempt to fix a broken relationship. Nearly 20 detectives worked the case during Christmas Eve and Christmas. Now police want McCormick to pay for the resources that were used in the search.

clipped from wbztv.com

Police: Missing Baby Story Was A Hoax

The search in Florida for a missing toddler with ties to Massachusetts has been called off - because it was a hoax.

Miami police had been looking for help in their search for 6-month-old Riley Buchness, who was reportedly last seen by his mother December 23 in Miami.

It turns out there is no Camille and there is no Riley.

Miami police said Friday that the whole story was fabricated by the woman who claimed to be the missing child's mother.

That woman, Megan McCormick, has now been charged with filing a false police report.

According to Miami police detective Freddy Ponce, McCormick made up the story about her missing 6-month old son to cover up the fact that she had a miscarriage six months ago and didn't want her ex-boyfriend, John Buchness, to know the truth.

Police say Buchness had no knowledge of the miscarriage and was in Miami to meet his son for the first time.

That's when the story started to fall apart.

Search for Missing Miami Baby

2008-12-25T21:40:00.004-05:00

What a nightmare for a parent to experience... The parents of a 6 month old toddler are desperately looking for the whereabouts of their baby boy. The baby was last seen with his babysitter, Camille on December 23rd. She's described as five feet six inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with dark brown hair halfway down her back and a gap between her teeth. She speaks with a heavy French accent.

If you're in Florida, please keep your eyes open for this baby and look out for a red Acura with a Massachusetts license plate. Police ask anyone with information to call Miami Police at 305-579-6630 or 305-579-6619.

clipped from wbztv.com

Police: Missing Florida Boy May Be In Mass. Car

The search for a missing toddler in Florida has ties to Massachusetts.

6-month-old Riley Buchness was last seen by his parents December 23 in Miami.

Police did not offer details of his disappearance, other than he was with a woman by the name of "Camille."

Riley, who is white and about a foot tall was last seen wearing a white onesie with blue jeans.

His hair is in a mohawk style, he has one tooth, and a fake tattoo of an anchor on his left arm.

He's believed to be with a 20-to-30 year old woman named "Camille." Her last name is not known. She speaks with a heavy French accent. She is white, 5-feet-5 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, with very long brown hair, brown eyes, and a gap between her teeth.

Police say Riley and Camille are possibly traveling in a red Acura, possibly with a Massachusetts license plate.

Investigators are asking anyone who sees the child or the car to contact their local police department immediately.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2008-12-25T20:32:00.000-05:00

On behalf of Lilly Aramburo's family and friends, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays. We'd like to thank you for all your kindness and support. We appreciate all your prayers for Lilly and wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyous holiday.

If you're planning a holiday donation, please don't forget the missing. A few charities in special need of funding which we recommend supporting are:
National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA)
Project Jason

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

Prayers for Missing Mother Lilly Aramburo

2008-12-22T17:12:00.001-05:00

True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice. Martin Luther King, Jr

I spent the day yesterday with my favorite boy in the world...Lilly Aramburo's 2 year old son, Palden:-) Lilly's mother, Lucely, invited me over to their new place, along with a few of Lilly's old friends from school. I had a lovely time. It was amazing to see how much her little boy has learned to talk. He took me by the hand and showed me his room and all his toys. He walked me over to a chest, lifted the top and showed me what was inside...Lilly's boots and shoes...and he said "gone...gone". He broke my heart in two. Although, he was a baby when he last saw his mother, Lilly, (it seems to me) her memory is still very much alive in his mind.

The following prayer is dedicated to Lilly and all missing loved ones. May they be in peace, free from all harm and suffering. May they be found and may justice prevail.

Prayer to Find What Is Lost
St. Anthony, when you prayed, your stolen book of prayers was given back to you. Pray now for all of us who have lost things precious and dear. Pray for all who have lost faith, hope or the friendship of God. Pray for us who have lost friends or relatives by death. Pray for all who have lost peace of mind or spirit. Pray that we may be given new hope, new faith, new love. Pray that lost things, needful and helpful to us, may be returned to our keeping. Or, if we must continue in our loss, pray that we may be given Christ’s comfort and peace.

Amen.

Yet Another Holiday Without Lilly - An Update

2008-12-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

This will be our 2nd holiday without Lilly Aramburo. The feeling of great loss and grieving hasn't stopped since her disappearance but Christmas is especially arduous. Emotions are raw. Most of Lily's family is processing through this the same way we would with a death, except there’s no closure because Lilly's body has not been found.

In the midst of all this suffering, there has been some progress though. Lilly's mother, Lucely, requested a meeting with Captain Janna L. Bolinger-Heller from Miami Dade Police Department, she kindly agreed. Lucely, Joe Carrillo (private investigator), and I met with the Captain and Lieutenant Normando Gregorisch yesterday. It was our first time meeting Captain Heller in person, as well as Lieutenant Gregorisch. I must say, it was a very positive meeting. Obviously, I can't disclose any details since it involves an open investigation. The last thing I want is to compromise the case and let violent criminals get away with murdering my friend. If all goes well, and everyone keeps to their word, I have no doubt...the truth will come out and this case will finally be transferred to homicide.

Please light a candle and say a prayer for Lilly and her family.

10 Ways to Deal With Grief and Loss During the Holidays

2008-12-06T14:18:00.001-05:00

Imagine if your loved one was missing or a victim of murder....how would you cope with the holidays? While the holidays are a time of joy, going to parties and celebrations, for families coping with the loss of a missing or murdered loved one, it's no picnic. Grief is a normal response to loss. When we experience grief, our thinking, feeling and behavior are deeply affected. Since the disappearance of my precious and dear friend, Lilly Aramburo - June 2, 2007, my life hasn't been the same. Since then, it's been quite a struggle to remain positive knowing she still has not been found. (Lilly's mother and 2 year old child are pictured above) Sometimes if you're grieving, its hard to experience genuine joy...especially during the holidays. But no matter how intense our feelings are, they are temporary and while painful, experiencing the process of grief is normal.

Here are a few tips that might help you if you're grieving over the loss of a loved one:

It’s ok to need comfort. Ask for, and accept the help.
Talk about it. It's essential you have someone who will help sustain you emotionally. Seek out a good friend, family member or someone in your faith community to talk to.
Look at pictures of your loved one. Remember their voice and everything about them.
Find a support group. Share memories of your loved one. Allow your emotions to surface in order to work through them.
Keep a journal or blog. Some find it helpful to express themselves through art by painting, drawing or arts & crafts or by listening to music or singing.
Create a memorial in his/her honor (If they loved flowers, plant or fund a garden)
Get involved in a cause or organization that was important to them. Donate to them in your loved one's name.
Try to eat healthy and exercise.Take it one day at a time. Try meditation, it's very beneficial for calming the mind.
Support others who are grieving or experiencing loss, as well.
Remember that your time on earth is limited and human life is precious.

Here are 5 ways friends can help:

Be a good listener - Allow them to talk about their grief, or whatever they feel like expressing.
Be non-judgmental. Do not criticize them...
Support them by helping with household chores or cooking whenever possible. Their ability to do even simple tasks can be impaired. Don't ask, just do it.
If they're going through a trial or court proceedings, this can be very trying - offer a shoulder to lean on.
Send cards on important days such as their birthday, anniversary of their death or disappearance. Consider honoring their life by organizing a candlelight vigil and inviting the community.

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a missing or murdered loved one? Are you grieving? How are you coping with the holidays?

Missing Person Coral Springs, FL

2008-12-02T01:14:00.002-05:00

Francisco Cuevas, age 47, was last seen on Saturday, November 3, 2007 in Coral Springs, Florida, at his place of employment and has not been seen or heard from since. Francisco was driving a 2004 Jeep Cherokee, black, 4 door. Francisco has a tribal tattoo on his right bicep and "pantha" tattoo on his left bicep. Anyone with information about Francisco Cuevas should contact the Coral Springs Police Department at 954-346-1200.

Kid Finders Network Update

2008-12-01T23:54:00.002-05:00

Press Conference for missing person Heather "Kitty" Riggio
Originally uploaded by seoyogini

Lately, I've been receiving a lot of traffic and comments on this blog from folks who are curious about my connection to Kid Finders Network. Seems like followers of the Caylee Anthony missing child case, have been Googling information about Kid Finders and have found my old blog posts. Like many of you, I too have been watching in wonderment at the latest controversy surrounding them. This post is for you, those who want to know how Kid Finders Network came into our lives.

The date was July 2008, I received an email through Myspace from a friend, the sister of a missing person, Heather Riggio. She told me about Kid Finders and how they were doing a mobile billboard for Heather. She suggested I contact them to see if they'd be willing to do the same for Lilly. To my surprise, a few days later, I received an email from Sherri Milstead of Kid Finders. She told me about her organization and the work they were doing for Heather Riggio's case. She explained that along with the mobile billboard, they did press conferences to raise awareness in the community. She offered their services for Lilly. I was very excited about the possibility and immediately notified Lilly's mother.

A short time later (about a week), I received another email from Sherri. She asked me if I could meet her the following morning at the North Miami Beach Police station, where they were having a press conference for Heather Riggio. She wanted to talk about Lilly's case. I agreed and contacted Lilly's mother to go with me.

About 10am on Friday July 11th, we drove to the police station. We saw the mobile billboard for Heather parked out in front of the building on the busy Avenue. Lucely (Lilly's mother) and I met Sherri and Dennis Milstead moments before the press conference took place. (Pictured above) We watched as everyone exited the station and took their place in front of the mobile billboard. We listened to detectives and Kid Finders speak, we watched as reporters for the Miami Herald and WSVN Channel 7 asked their questions. It was a tough moment us. Although we felt happy for Heather and her family, we could not escape feelings of sadness for Lilly. Quietly, we fell to the background and took a seat.

A short time later, we had our meeting with Sherri and Dennis. They seemed nice and willing to help. They assured us that they would do the same for Lilly. They said it would not be long before the billboard would be ready with Lilly's picture and information. Dennis gave us each his invention, Safety in a Flash. After conversing for some 45 minutes, Lucely and I left our meeting hopeful.

On July 19th, I got an email from Sherri. She assured me that she did not forget about Lilly. And went on to explain that they were being pulled away to Orlando for a Missing 2 year old girl named Caylee Anthony. She said "As you know we are KID Finders Network and small children take precidence but rest assured we are still working on getting a mobile billboard out for Lily as fast as we can."

That was the last I heard from Sherri and Kid Finders Network. My emails to Sherri haven't been answered. But this is the kind of thing I've grown used to. I'm sure she's been really busy with the whole Caylee Anthony search.

But the fact remains, my dear friend, Lilly Aramburo is still missing... just like little Caylee. But NO ONE, not one organization is volunteering to search for Lilly Aramburo or doing anything at all for her or her 2 year old son.

Domestic Violence Webcast

2008-11-30T20:14:00.000-05:00

On December 1, 2008, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST (21:00 to 22:30 GMT), Embassy Suva will host a digital videoconference with NGO activists and others to discuss the prevention of violence against women, the protection of victims and how to increase social services.

The discussion will be led by Ruth Bennett, public affairs officer in the Office of Women's Issues, U.S. Department of State. The speakers are Jan Langbein, senior policy adviser in the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, and Marylouise Kelley, director of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The featured speakers will discuss ways to promote collaboration at the local and national levels among private and public partners to combat violence. They will also discuss legal, educational, health and infrastructural reforms, as well as offer firsthand observations of their successes and challenges in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services.

December 1, 2008 at 9:00am EST

Speakers: Sue Else, President, National Network to End Domestic Violence and Ruth Bennett,

Public Affairs Officer, International Women\'s Issues Office, US Dept. of State

Topic: Taking Action to Combat Domestic Violence: Overcoming Obstacles

Next Broadcast: December 1, 2008 from 4:00pm EST to 5:30pm EST

Speakers: Jan Langbein, Senior Policy Advisor, Office on Violence Against Women, US Dept. of Justice

Marylouise Kelley, Director of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, US Dept. of Health & Human Services

To view the webcast, go to www.cpcwebcast.com/state.

Source: U.S. Department of State

Emillie Hoyt Vanished From Highland Beach, FL

2008-11-30T15:53:00.003-05:00

Missing Persons, Emillie Hoyt
Originally uploaded by hoytzakk

Emillie Hoyt is MISSING. She vanished without a trace January 2006. She may have traveled to Fort Lauderdale from Highland Beach, FL.

Description:
Alias: Emmy
Date of Birth: Oct. 7, 1982
Missing Since: Jan 2006
Missing City: Highland Beach
Missing State: Florida
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5ft 6in
Weight: 110 lbs (aprox)
Hair Color: Light brown
Hair (other): May be dyed blonde
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Fair

Please to take a good look at her picture and go to the Flickr Missing Persons Group to see more pictures of Emillie. Her family needs to know the truth. No one vanishes into thin air. Someone out there has to know something. Please do the right thing and come forward if you know anything about Emillie Hoyt's disappearance. Contact Det. Bob Devito at 561-266-5800.

You can help find Emillie by joining her Facebook Group and adding as a friend on myspace. If you use Twitter, you can follow @emilliesbrother. As you could imagine, they are desperate to find Emillie. The holidays are especially difficult for families dealing with the loss of a missing loved one. Please don't forget about them. All missing persons deserve to be found.

FBI Offers 25K Reward for Info on Murder of 3 Year Old

2008-11-19T12:31:00.001-05:00

I just came upon this article in the Miami Herald and wanted to share it with you. I can't imagine the suffering this little girl's family has had to endure. If anyone knows anything about the 1987 murder of 3-year-old Julie Magliulo in North Lauderdale, please do the right thing and contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324.

clipped from www.miamiherald.com

Broward child's 1987 murder to be reopened

The Broward Sheriff's Office and the FBI plan Wednesday morning to announce the reopening of the late 1980s case of a 3-year-old girl found killed in West Broward.

On June 8, 1987, Julie Magliulo walked outside her family's home near North Lauderdale. Her parents never saw her alive again.

Her skeleton was found about 10 months later, dumped about 20 miles away in what then was a barren swampland, and now is the city of Weston.

Her disappearance was selected as part of an initiative by the FBI's Crimes Against Children Unit, which includes Child Abduction Rape Deployment Teams, FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela said Tuesday.

''This was one of the five that was picked from around the country,'' Orihuela said.

The FBI has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-225-5324.

Roses, Balloons and Prayers for Lilly Aramburo

2008-11-16T22:58:00.001-05:00

We had an amazing vigil for Lilly today. Lucely, Lily's mother came out with the baby (Lily's 2 year old son) despite feeling ill & being feverish. She brought Lilly's grandmother and cousin, too. We were so delighted to see them. Baby Palden has grown so much and he's talking like crazy! He is identical to Lily. He's super charismatic and gorgeous! He helped my girls make a heart in the sand made from yellow, pink and purple roses. (pictured above) We looked at Lily's baby pictures & pictures of her growing up, released balloons, and dedicated prayers. It was all very harmonious.

Joe Carrillo, (the pi working her case) couldn't make it due to a trial he's preparing for tomorrow but he provided a prayer for me to read at the vigil. I read it and everyone stood in solidarity. Joe also requested for everyone to please pray for their efforts. (I'm asking too!) Here's the prayer:

O, Blessed Mother and St Joseph,
you searched when your Son Jesus
disappeared when he was twelve.
You would not give up
until he was found.
You know the pain of having someone missing,
and the joy of finding them,
as you found your son.
Help those who are searching now,
to find the answers to their questions,
and an end to their searching.
Inspire people to be vigilant,
so that their eyes and ears
may see and hear news that will bring hope.
Comfort those who feel lonely and sad
because the one they love has vanished.
Be with them in the storm
and guide them in their efforts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Isn't it lovely? We're very fortunate to have you on our side. Thank you so much, Joe.

I really appreciate each and everyone who came out to Miami Beach today to show your support and love for Lily. Thanks so much to Carmen for being there for us, you're a godsend. For those who couldn't make it, we'd be so grateful if you could please light a candle and dedicate a prayer for Lily. Thank you for your loving kindness and compassion on this special day.