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Missing Woman: Lisa Stebic - IL - 04/30/2007


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#1 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:19 PM

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http://www.findlisastebic.com/

http://abclocal.go.c...l...&id=5268578

Plainfield police search for missing woman
By John Garcia

May 2, 2007 - The search for a missing Plainfield woman centered on a pond behind her southwest suburban home Thursday. Thirty-seven-year-old Lisa Stebic was last seen Monday evening.

Police finished searching the area around the pond Thursday afternoon. The pond is located fairly close to where Stebic lives with her family. There is no indication what led police to this area, but they left without apparently finding anything that would help them find her.
The 37-year-old Stebic has been missing since late afternoon Monday when she left the house, presumably to work out at Plainfield North High School.

Police say they have no reason to suspect foul play. They are treating it as a missing normal missing persons case.

Stebic is married with two children, ages 10 and 12 years. Her car is still in the garage. She took her purse and cell phone went with her, but police say her credit cards and phone show no activity.

"It was Monday. She left home here supposedly to work out. As far as I know, somebody picked her up and come Tuesday morning to go to work, she wasn't here. I called all of her friends, nobody had seen her," said Craig Stebic, victim's husband.

Craig Stebic filed for divorce from his wife about seven or eight months ago. He says, because of that, they live in the same house, but they do not communicate a lot. He said he noticed no unusual behavior that would give any indication why she turned out missing.


#2 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:20 PM

http://cbs2chicago.c..._123141753.html

Plainfield Woman Missing For 3 Days
Lisa Stebic Was Last Seen At Her Home Monday Evening


(CBS) PLAINFIELD, Ill. Police are searching for a 37-year-old Plainfield who has been missing since Monday.

Lisa Stebic, of the 13200 block of Red Star in Plainfield, was last seen around 6 p.m. Monday at her home, Plainfield police said. Police took a missing persons report for Stebic on Tuesday.

Members of the Plainfield Emergency Management Service on Thursday searched a wetlands area of the Nature's Crossings subdivision for any sign of Lisa Stebic. The 37-year old Plainfield mom has been missing since Monday night.

When the search was called off Thursday, there was still no sign of the missing mother of two.

There is no indication of foul play.

“We have no indication at this point that there's any foul play involved,” said Deputy Chief Mark Eiting of the Plainfield Police Department.

Stebic's husband of 14 years says the couple had been living in the same home while finalizing plans to divorce.

“We haven't said five words to each other in the last six months,” Craig Stebic said.

Craig says he hopes Lisa just took off to take a break, despite the fact that he says that would totally be out of character.

“I can't see her leaving the kids. That's not like Lisa,” he said. “Even not calling into work on Tuesday morning, she doesn't do that.”

He says he last saw her Monday evening when he says somebody picked her up to go workout.

“She just never came back,” Craig Stebic said.

Plainfield police are now checking out a posting she put on a Web site last month looking for exercise partners. She wrote that she'd like to meet new people and listed her favorite activities, including rollerblading, walking and running.

Stebic is described as a Caucasian woman standing 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 125 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Anyone who has seen her is asked to call Plainfield Police Detective Sgt. Troy Kivisto, at 815-267-7217.

#3 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:20 PM

http://www.chicagotr...ll=chi-news-hed

Husband: Suburban woman missing since Monday

By Mary Owen and Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporters
Published May 3, 2007, 8:55 PM CDT

The husband of a missing Plainfield woman said Thursday that the family has not seen her since Monday, when an unknown person picked her up at the house.

Plainfield police are searching for Lisa Stebic, 37, who lives in the 13200 block of Red Star Drive. Her husband, Craig Stebic, 41, said he was working in the back yard and their children, ages 10 and 12, were out buying candy about 6:30 p.m. Monday when his wife left.

He said that she went to Plainfield North High School every night to work out, and that he believes someone picked her up. She took only her purse and cell phone, he said.

Plainfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting said Craig Stebic reported his wife missing at 10 a.m. Tuesday. There is no evidence of foul play, he said.

"We're not sure exactly what's happened," he said.

Lisa Stebic's car remains in the garage, and her cell phone and credit cards haven't been used since Monday, Eiting said.

Eiting said he could not confirm whether anyone saw Lisa Stebic working out at the school or whether she was picked up at her house.

"It's uncharacteristic of her to leave her children, so that's the reason we are putting this investigation together," Eiting said.

Knowing she often went on walks and runs, police have searched a nearby jogging path and around an adjacent retention pond and found nothing, Eiting said.

Investigators were aware of an Internet posting she made on April 11 looking for "female friends only" to join her in exercise, he said. She listed her "goals" as "increase cardio, tone up, simply get out more, meet new people, just have fun."

"I am a parent and would like to include my children in my health activities," she wrote in the posting, in which she said she was "looking for partners to get out and enjoy nature."

Eiting said they looked into the posting and found no information useful to their search.

Craig Stebic said he filed for divorce after 14 years of marriage in mid-January after his wife declared in October that she "didn't want to be married to me anymore." Since then, he said, they've lived separate lives in the same house.

Eiting said police were called to the home in December, for a "non-violent domestic trouble call, so it was a verbal altercation between Lisa and her husband. No arrests, no battery."

According to court records, Craig Stebic sought joint custody of the children, with her as custodial parent, and said neither spouse needed to support the other. She also sought joint custody, asking that the court award her support and maintenance payments, records show.

On April 17, their last court date, both agreed to complete the Will County parenting program at the University of St. Francis Solutions Resource Center. They are due back in court June 6.

Craig Stebic said he can't be sure where his wife went or with whom in the last several months. "We haven't talked five words for the last five months," he said.

He said he is worried because he doesn't believe his wife would leave suddenly.

"I can't see her leaving her kids," he said. "She's a good mother. She'd do anything for her kids."

Lisa Stebic worked in the lunchroom at Lincoln Elementary in Plainfield. She did not show up for work on Tuesday, her husband said.

She has brown hair and hazel eyes, is 5 foot 2 and 120 pounds, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department at 815-267-7217.

#4 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:21 PM

http://www.nbc5.com/...013/detail.html

Missing Woman's Husband 'Nervous Wreck'
Police Continue To Search For Clues


POSTED: 6:32 am CDT May 3, 2007
UPDATED: 8:07 pm CDT May 3, 2007

PLAINFIELD, Ill. -- The husband of a 37-year-old woman who was reported missing said he was a "nervous wreck," over his wife's disappearance.

Lisa Stebic, 37, walked out of her suburban home on Monday evening and hasn't been seen since.

"I haven't slept in three days," said Craig Stebic.

NBC5's Alex Perez reported that authorities spent much of the day on Thursday searching the area behind the Stebic's house for leads. Police also searched Stebic's computer files for a lead.

"The longer it goes on without leads or hard facts, the more difficult it is for the police department to come to a conclusion in the investigation," said Plainfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting.

Married for 14 years, Lisa and her husband, Craig, are now going through a divorce. Her car remains in the garage, and her cell phone and credit cards haven't been used since Monday. Perez reported that Lisa Stebic still lived at the house.

Stebic works as a food assistant at Lincoln Elementary School, and had recently posted an Internet ad for a workout partner.

Craig Stebic said she would never just walk away from her children, a 10-year-old and a 12-year-old.

"She's a good mom. I can't imagine her disappearing on her kids like that," he said.

While the search continued for his wife, Stebic said he was consoling his children and keeping his fingers crossed.

"I'd like to see her walk through the door right now," Stebic said.

A hot line has been set up for anyone with information. That number is 815-267-7217.

#5 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:22 PM

http://www.foxnews.c...,270106,00.html

Illinois Police Search for Missing Mom; Husband Thinks Someone Picked Her Up for Exercise Class

Friday, May 04, 2007

PLAINFIELD, Ill. — Police in Plainfield, Ill., are investigating the disappearance of a mother who has been missing since Monday.

Authorities said that so far there are no signs of foul play.

Lisa Stebic, 37, of Plainfield — an upscale community 20 miles west of Chicago — was last seen early Monday evening.

Her husband, 41-year-old Craig Stebic, said he was working in the backyard and their young children were out when his wife disappeared, according to The Chicago Tribune.

"I can't see her leaving her kids," Craig Stebic told the Tribune. "She's a good mother. She'd do anything for her kids."

Lisa Stebic worked out at the Plainfield North High School track every night, according to the newspaper. Her husband believes someone picked her up. She took only her purse and cell phone; her cell phone and credit cards haven't been used since Monday.

"The last time Lisa was seen was around 6 p.m. Monday," Plainfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting told FOXNews.com on Friday. "We're still interviewing people who were friends and acquaintances."

Eiting said the children, who are 10 and 12 years old, were home when Lisa returned from work that day, but were not there when she vanished. He also said that no suspicious cars or people were seen near the Stebic home around the time of Lisa's disappearance.

"We're asking the community for their help," Eiting said.

Authorities hope that someone will see Lisa's picture and call police, said Eiting, "or if Lisa sees somebody has been looking for her, she will contact family or friends or the police department."

Investigators were aware of an Internet posting she made on April 11 looking for "female friends only" to join her in exercise, he said. She listed her "goals" as "increase cardio, tone up, simply get out more, meet new people, just have fun."

"I am a parent and would like to include my children in my health activities," she wrote in the posting, in which she said she was "looking for partners to get out and enjoy nature."

Eiting told FOXNews.com that Craig Stebic voluntarily handed over the family computer to police. Authorities still have it in their possession.

"We're actively looking at all leads," Eiting said when asked if police are still searching the computer for any clues.

Craig Stebic said he filed for divorce after 14 years of marriage in January when his wife declared in October that she "didn't want to be married to me anymore," the Tribune reported. Since then, he said, they've lived separate lives in the same house and have not spoken more than five words to each other in five months.

Police were called to the Stebic house once in December during a domestic dispute, according to the Tribune.

Eiting told the paper that it was a "nonviolent domestic trouble call, so it was a verbal altercation between Lisa and her husband. No arrests, no battery."

Eiting confirmed to FOXNews.com that the Stebics were going through a divorce and said Craig Stebic was fully cooperating with the investigation.

In 1995, Craig Stebic was charged with two felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon after police stopped his vehicle about 1,000 feet south of two Lincolnshire schools at 9 in the morning, according to the Tribune.

Police found a 10-gauge double-barrel shotgun, a .44 magnum semi-automatic pistol, a Ruger Mini-14 assault rifle and an AK-47 semi-automatic assault rifle in his 1998 Toyota pickup.

He was also charged with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a weapon, operating an unsafe motor vehicle and driving while his license was revoked, according to the Tribune.

FOXNews.com's Liza Porteus contributed to this report.

#6 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:22 PM

Search continues for Lisa Stebic
MISSING WOMAN'S FAMILY HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE; INFORMATION REMAINS LIMITED

May 5, 2007
By BRIAN STANLEY Staff Writer

PLAINFIELD -- Mark Greenberg looked around the missing woman's neighborhood Friday afternoon.

"It's strange how everything is so normal," the Naperville man said.

As if to underscore his point, a man crossed the yard behind him and stuck a flier for a lawn care company in the front door of 13244 Red Star Drive, the last place Lisa Stebic was reportedly seen Monday.

Greenberg and his wife, Melanie, met with the media to speak for the family and announce a Web site created to find her.

"The family is in anguish," said Stebic's cousin Mark Greenberg. "We're very concerned. This isn't like Lisa. She would never leave her children."

Mark and Melanie held a picture of Lisa as they spoke across the street from the house.

Stebic, 37, was reported missing by a neighbor to Plainfield police on Tuesday. Stebic's husband, Craig, said he last saw his wife around 6 p.m. Monday when she left the house on foot with her purse and cell phone. The couple, married 14 years with a 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, is divorcing.

Melanie Greenberg brought www.findlisastebic.com online Thursday night.

Craig Stebic did not attend Friday's announcement. Melanie Greenberg said her husband spoke with Stebic earlier that day.

"He said he wouldn't be able to be here. He's supportive of the Web site and very concerned about what happened," she said.

The Greenbergs said they'd prefer not to address rumors about the Stebics' upcoming divorce.

"We don't want to speculate. Our principal goal is to find out what happened to Lisa," Mark Greenberg said.

Mark and Melanie Greenberg said they had last seen her at a family gathering in December and they were not aware of any depression or medical issues with her.

After the Greenbergs spoke with the media, Craig Stebic's father answered the door at 13244 Red Star Drive. He said he was watching one of his grandchildren but had no new information.

Greenberg said he was speaking for the family because her parents and sisters were too distraught by her disappearance.

Greenberg also had a message for his cousin.

"You are enormously loved and missed. The family is broken-hearted. Please come home," he said.

In addition to the Web site, the family is asking for volunteers to distribute fliers with information to meet at noon Sunday at Walker's Grove Elementary School, 24810 W. 135th St.

http://www.suburbanc...SING_S1.article

#7 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:23 PM

http://cbs2chicago.c..._126180810.html

May 6, 2007 5:02 pm US/Central

Family Takes To Streets for Missing Woman
Plainfield Family Continues to Look For Leads to Find Lisa Stebic

(CBS) Plainfield, Ill. The family of a Plainfield woman missing for nearly a week is desperately asking for help.

They're hoping someone knows what happened to 37-year-old Lisa Stebic. As CBS 2's Katie McCall reports, they hit the streets Sunday with flyers in hand.

Hundreds of people gathered at a Plainfield Elementary School Sunday to try to find her -- some came to search, others to distribute flyers.

"You can see the outpouring of support that we have here today. It's amazing," said Melanie Greenberg, Stebic's cousin.

Monday will mark one week since the 37-year-old mother of two vanished from her home. Her husband told investigators she left to work out with a partner she met on-line and never came back. Those who know Stebic say that's out of character.

"There is no way that she would ever leave her children--never, ever," said Greenberg.

No one can understand what could have happened to Stebic. She is a devoted mother, the job that she had as a lunch lady, she had, so she could always be home for her children when they got home from school.

Stebic and her spouse were living together while divorcing. He has told police he does not believe she would have left on her own. Her sisters and parents don't think so either. Sunday they joined the group searching remote fields for any sign of her.

Stebic's sisters and parents came out to Plainfield to join in the effort. The family says the the response to a Web site set up last week has been overwhelming with nearly 6,000 visitors so far, including those as far away as India.

"We are hoping that someone will see Lisa's picture, recognize her, and will have some information that they can give to the Plainfield Police," said Greenberg.

Police say they have no leads, no suspects and no sign of Stebic.

"There's been no activity on her cell phone, on any of her credit cards," said Plainfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting.

Relatives say as the days pass, their anxiety grows.

"Hopefully, a tip will bring Lisa back safely to us," said Greenberg.

Police say Stebic's cell phone has been silent and her credit cards untouched.

"The longer time frame that goes on, the greater potential there is to lose information and evidence," said Eiting.

Stebic's relatives say they are encouraged by the support of people who love Lisa and are determined to find her.

"The longer it goes on, the more one worries; it's been a very difficult time and all we can do is pray and hope," said Greenberg.

Plainfield Police are still calling this a missing person case. They say right now, they have no evidence of foul play.

#8 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:23 PM

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > U.S.

Family, Friends of Missing Illinois Mom Wait for News

Monday, May 07, 2007

Lisa Stebic, who was last seen around 6 p.m. April 30, at her home.

PLAINFIELD, Ill. — Missing mom Lisa Stebic was close to her children, which is why her family and friends say there's no way she would have left home voluntarily one week ago without saying a word to anyone.

"It's my understanding she was really devoted a lot to her children, spent a lot of time with them," Plainfield Police Chief Donald Bennett told FOX News on Monday.

Stebic, a 37-year-old mother of two, was last seen April 30 at her home in the 13200 block of Red Star Drive in the southwest suburb of Plainfield, Ill., about 20 miles west of Chicago.

"All we can do is pray and wait," Jill Webb, whose brother is married to Stebic, told The Chicago Tribune. "It's a horrible feeling."

"There's no way she would leave her children — never, never," Melanie Greenberg, a cousin of Lisa's, told the Tribune. "It's incomprehensible that she would leave without contacting the family."

Her loved ones have reached out to the public, holding news conferences and creating a Web site to enlist help in finding her.

Click here to read the Chicago Tribune story

On Sunday afternoon, about 60 volunteers gathered at an elementary school near Stebic's home. They fanned out to wooded areas, parks and farm fields to search for clues. They also went to subdivisions and shopping areas to distribute fliers with a photograph of Stebic and her description.

"It seems like the most obvious place someone would hide something in this region," he said. "We're just looking for some piece of evidence — anything — that can lead to a larger search."

Harriet Bloomingbird, who lives in the Stebics' subdivision, said she didn't know Stebic personally but decided to help when she saw a television news story about her disappearance.

"It's just being a good citizen," Bloomingbird said as she taped a missing person's flier to a sign post. "The more people get involved, the better to help locate her."

Her husband, 41-year-old Craig Stebic, said he was working in the backyard and their young children were out when his wife disappeared.

"I can't see her leaving her kids," Craig Stebic told the Tribune. "She's a good mother. She'd do anything for her kids."

Lisa Stebic worked out at the Plainfield North High School track every night. Her husband believes someone picked her up. She took only her purse and cell phone; her cell phone and credit cards haven't been used since Monday.

Eiting said the children, who are 10 and 12 years old, were home when Lisa returned from work that day, but were not there when she vanished. He also said that no suspicious cars or people were seen near the Stebic home around the time of Lisa's disappearance.

"We're asking the community for their help," Plainfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting told FOXNews.com.

Authorities hope that someone will see Lisa's picture and call police, said Eiting, "or if Lisa sees somebody has been looking for her, she will contact family or friends or the police department."

Investigators were aware of an Internet posting she made on April 11 looking for "female friends only" to join her in exercise, he said. She listed her "goals" as "increase cardio, tone up, simply get out more, meet new people, just have fun."

"I am a parent and would like to include my children in my health activities," she wrote in the posting, in which she said she was "looking for partners to get out and enjoy nature."

Eiting told FOXNews.com that Craig Stebic voluntarily handed over the family computer to police. Authorities still have it in their possession.

"We have her computer that we're now working with the Chicago regional crime laboratory on to see if we can find additional information off the computer," Bennett said.

Asked whether Craig Stebic was a suspect, Bennett responded: "We have to look at all the things, but right now we're really trying to gather information, trying to put a timeline together ... as to what her whereabouts was."

Craig Stebic said he filed for divorce after 14 years of marriage in January when his wife declared in October that she "didn't want to be married to me anymore," the Tribune reported. Since then, he said, they've lived separate lives in the same house and have not spoken more than five words to each other in five months.

Police were called to the Stebic house once in December during a verbal domestic dispute, according to the Tribune. No arrests were made.

Eiting confirmed to FOXNews.com that the Stebics were going through a divorce and said Craig Stebic was fully cooperating with the investigation.

"From what we can gather, it was a relationship that was strained," Bennett told FOX News on Monday. "She would come home after work, stay with her children, the husband would get home around 6, then she would normally leave the house then come back at a later time."

In 1995, Craig Stebic was charged with two felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon after police stopped his vehicle about 1,000 feet south of two Lincolnshire schools at 9 in the morning, according to the Tribune.

Police found a 10-gauge double-barrel shotgun, a .44 magnum semi-automatic pistol, a Ruger Mini-14 assault rifle and an AK-47 semi-automatic assault rifle in his Toyota pickup.

He was also charged with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a weapon, operating an unsafe motor vehicle and driving while his license was revoked, according to the Tribune.

http://www.foxnews.c...,270458,00.html

#9 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:24 PM

http://cbs2chicago.c..._128122601.html

May 8, 2007 10:42 pm US/Central

Missing Woman's Estranged Husband Talks About Case
$20,000 Reward Offered For Missing Plainfield Mother

(CBS) CHICAGO Lisa Stebic disappeared more than a week ago. She was in the middle of a bitter divorce. Tuesday evening, her estranged husband spoke about the case, and his fears that investigators are targeting him.

As CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports, Craig Stebic said his attorney advised him not to take the polygraph test that had been set up for Tuesday by Plainfield police.

“I don't know why… they don't want me to take it,” Stebic said.

But, he said he is willing to take one.

“Everything's got to go through the attorney right now,” he said. “They could go through the attorney. And we're more than willing to keep working with them. It's not that we're not working with them. The attorney just wants us to go through them now.”

Stebic says he fears police may think of him as a suspect in the disappearance of his wife of 14 years.

“They probably do think I am,” he said. “But they haven't said I am.”

And to those who think he had something to do with Lisa's disappearance more than one week ago, Craig Stebic had this to say: “I hope they don't think that ‘cause, I'm not.”

He said he had “nothing at all” to do with it.

And while Craig Stebic did open the door for CBS 2, it was a different story when FBI investigators stopped by his home hoping to talk with him. No one answered.

Lisa Stebic's family is leaving no stone unturned in their quest to locate her, and they are pleading for the public's help.

As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, on Tuesday morning, the family of Lisa Stebic answered questions and publicized a $20,000 reward for information in the case.

On Tuesday, the family thanked the public for all its help in prayers, and urged people to take a continued interest in the case. Already, the Web site findlisastebic.com has received about 15,000 hits, and relatives hope that site and their pleas reach someone who knows something.

"We miss Lisa. Everybody misses our Lisa," said Stebic's sister, Debbie Ruttenberg.

Stebic's family is holding onto the hope she will return home. When the mother of two disappeared, she did not take her car, and credit cards and a cell phone she apparently had with her have gone unused in the time she has been missing.

Her cousin, Mark Greenberg, said what Stebic did not mention was what CBS 2 news partner the Naperville Sun reported from neighbors. The neighbors said Stebic feared her husband, Craig, and that she went for counseling at an agency that helps battered women.

Several friends of Lisa Stebic told the Naperville Sun she was attending counseling at the Guardian Angel Home of Joliet.

"I don't know how many times I heard her say she feared her husband," said Amer Zegar, who, along with his wife, hosted Lisa and her two children at his home several times since January.

"We've known Craig since the time that they were married," Mark Greenberg said. "A lot of what is coming out is news to the members of the family. We're very troubled by it."

Mark Greenberg and the others said they would like Craig Stebic to answer any questions police have. As of Monday, Craig Stebic was declining to take a polygraph test. They also want the public to know there is a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Lisa Stebic's whereanbouts.

"She's a caring, concerned, fun-loving dedicated mother; a good, good person," Ruttenberg said, "and we need her back."

"It's incomprehensible that she would leave her children. She just would not," added Melanie Greenberg. "That's what is the big mystery."

As of Monday, Plainfield police said Craig Stebic was not a suspect or even a person of interest in the case, and that he had been cooperative.

"It's hard, after a week of no news, not to fear the worst," said another relative, Melanie Greenberg.

Still, the family is trying to stay optimistic, because Stebic has a lot to live for. Relatives say even though she was going through a divorce, she was getting her life together and often talked about the positive stride she was making.

#10 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:24 PM

http://www.suburbanc...SING_S1.article

'She feared her husband'
Missing woman in midst of divorce; husband is not a suspect - at this time

May 8, 2007
By Paige Winfield Staff Writer

A darker picture emerged Monday in the case of a missing Plainfield woman in the midst of a divorce.

Several friends of Lisa Stebic say she was frightened by her husband, Craig, and was attending counseling at the Guardian Angel Home of Joliet - an agency that provides services to battered women.

» Click to enlarge image

Several friends of Lisa Stebic, who lived in Plainfield, recalled her saying she was frightened by her husband, whom she was divorcing and was receiving counseling from a battered women's agency.

"I don't know how many times I heard her say she feared her husband," said Amer Zegar, who, along with his wife, hosted Lisa and her two children at his home several times since January.

Craig Stebic says the last time he saw his wife was around 6 p.m. April 30 when she left the house with her purse and cell phone. It was not unusual for Lisa to spend her evenings working out at Plainfield North High School.

After she didn't return that night, a neighbor reported her missing the next morning.

Lisa worked at Lincoln Elementary School in Plainfield. Craig Stebic works as a mechanic. He has not been to work since Lisa was reported missing.

"I don't know where or what or who she's with - I don't know what to think," Craig Stebic said.

Lisa, 37, was in the thick of a troubled relationship with Craig Stebic, who had filed for divorce in January. Friends say she would sleep on the living room sofa, where she kept a purse with her personal belongings constantly by her side.

She found ways to leave the house whenever her husband was home, and on four occasions took her 10-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter on visits to the Zegars' home.

There, Lisa met a 45-year-old friend of the Zegars, with whom she went on a few dates while still living with Craig Stebic, Zegar said.

Zegar and others who know Lisa say she was suffering verbal abuse from her husband, but would never have willingly left her home and her children for a long period of time.

"She didn't want to leave her house and her kids," Zegar said.

Lisa has not used her cell phone and credit cards since she disappeared, Plainfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting said.

Police have no reason to suspect foul play so far, Eiting said. He said that along with investigating Craig Stebic's computer records and speaking with friends and associates, police have interviewed him several times and found him to be cooperative.

When asked if he was a suspect or person of interest in the investigation, Eiting said no - not at this point.

"(Craig Stebic) does have a criminal history, but nothing we think is connected to this," he said.

That history includes two felony counts and four misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a weapon in 1995, according to published reports. Police found a 10-gauge double-barrel shotgun, a .44 magnum semi-automatic pistol, a Ruger Mini-14 assault rifle and an AK-47 semiautomatic assault rifle in his 1998 Toyota pickup.

Eiting said they found weapons in Craig Stebic's house, but have no reason to believe they were fired recently. He said police have not given him a polygraph test, but did not rule out the possibility.

Police were called to the house once in 2006 for nonviolent verbal fighting. Craig Stebic says he called police after his wife showed up intoxicated after being out all night.

But one of Lisa's friends, who asked to remain anonymous, recalled Lisa saying her husband locked her out of the house.

"Both the chief and deputy chief are being very tight-lipped with us and we don't know much of anything," said Melanie Greenberg of Naperville, who is married to Lisa's cousin, Mark. "It's very frustrating."

Greenberg brought www.findlisastebic.com online Thursday night. The Web site had received nearly 15,000 hits as of late Monday evening. Greenberg said she has been contacted through the site by people from coast to coast, as well as India and Brazil.

#11 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:25 PM

http://www.crimelibr...isa_stebic.html

Lisa Stebic Vanishes, Without a TraceMissing for Two Weeks

By David Lohr

May 9, 2007

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (Crime Library) — The search for a missing mother of two is now in its second week. Friends and family members have plastered missing persons posters throughout town, and, as of Friday, they took have taken their search to the web in hopes that someone might recognize her photo.

Lisa Stebic, 37, was last seen at about 6 p.m. on April 30 at her home, 13244 Red Star Drive. The following day, one of Lisa's neighbors reported her missing. When investigators went to her home, they discovered that her car was in the garage, but her cell phone and purse were missing.

Lisa and her husband, Craig, 41, have been married for 14 years, and have a 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son together. However, in recent months, the couple filed for divorce. Despite the turmoil in their relationship, they continued to live together. Police were recently called to the residence to settle a heated argument, the details of which are not yet known. The Tribune recently reported that Craig has a criminal record, which includes two felony counts from 1995, for unlawful use of a weapon.

According to statements made to police last week, Craig said that he has only had sporadic contact with his wife in recent months, and that it was not unusual for her to stay out late at night. He cooperated with police during a search of the couple's home and he turned over his wife's laptop for forensic examination.

Police say Lisa recently posted an ad on the Internet, looking for a female jogging partner. "I am a parent and would like to include my children in my health activities," she wrote in the posting. She also said she was "looking for partners to get out and enjoy nature." Police are not yet sure whether the posting is related to her disappearance.

On May 4, Lisa's cousin, Mark Greenberg, and his wife, Melanie, held a press conference on behalf of Lisa's parents, who were reported to be too distraught to speak with the media.

"The family is in anguish," Mark said. "We're very concerned. This isn't like Lisa. She would never leave her children."

Mark also announced that the family had started a Web site, www.findlisastebic.com to aid in the search for Lisa. When asked why Craig was not at the conference, Mark's wife, Melanie, had this to say:

"He said he wouldn't be able to be here. He's supportive of the Web site and very concerned about what happened," she said. In regard to the impending divorce, Mark said, "We don't want to speculate. Our principal goal is to find out what happened to Lisa."

Police have not named Craig as a suspect in his wife's disappearance. They initially described him as cooperative, but, during this past week, he raised eyebrows with some of Lisa's family members when he refused to take a polygraph, purportedly on the advice of his attorney.

Yesterday, Lisa's family held a second news conference, at which time they announced that they were offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts. Mark and Melanie Greenberg were again chosen by the family to speak.

"It's hard to be optimistic after a week of no news," Melanie said. "We're just hoping that someone will come forward with this new reward, and bring some new information to the Plainfield police. It's incomprehensible that she would leave her children; she just would not, and that's the big mystery ... Lisa is a person who worked as a lunch lady at a local school so she could be home for her children every day after school. It's incomprehensible to us that she would have just left."

Following the press conference, Melanie told FOX News that she hoped that Craig would reconsider taking the polygraph.

"We're just hoping that Craig will cooperate fully with the Plainfield police, and whatever they need to do to bring Lisa home," Melanie said. "We're just hoping he will change his mind, and talk to them and if there's any additional information they need, he will provide it."

Craig's sister, Jill Webb, also spoke with FOX News yesterday afternoon.

"Of course he's devastated, he's in shock," Jill said. "I can't imagine a worse nightmare for somebody to go through. It's a waiting game. It's a horrible waiting game."

As of this writing, Lisa is considered a missing person. Police say there is no sign of foul play. Lisa is described as a white female, 5' 2" tall, 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a small rose tattoo on her ankle and a butterfly tattoo on her lower back. Anyone with information in her disappearance is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department at (815) 267-7217.

#12 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:25 PM

http://cbs2chicago.c..._129183406.html

Husband Of Missing Mom Takes Unusual Legal Action
Craig Stebic Temporarily Seeking Sole Custody Of Children Who Already Live With Him

(CBS) PLAINFIELD Wednesday evening, co-workers of Lisa Stebic, a Plainfield mother missing for more than a week, will gather for a candlelight prayer vigil.

CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports they're uniting in a public show of support, just as Stebic's husband takes legal action against her.

Lisa Stebic has one week to respond to that legal action, or she can appear in court on May 22 and contest it. Of course, her family would be overjoyed if she did, since she has been missing for nine days.

Lisa Stebic's cousin and sister stopped by her home Wednesday to talk with Craig Stebic about his missing wife.

Lisa hasn't been seen in nine days, despite a $20,000 reward, national interest in her case and more than 34,000 hits on the website findlisastebic.com.

Craig Stebic, on the advice of his attorney, refused to take a polygraph test Tuesday. But Mark Greenberg, Lisa’s cousin, says the subject didn't come up in their 90 minute conversation today.

Greenburg didn't want to speculate on Craig's guilt or innocence. “Craig appears very distraught. It's a difficult time. He's part of the family,” Greenburg said.

Craig's father said his son has been advised not to talk with the media. He says he doesn't believe Craig had anything to do with Lisa's disappearance.

“He told me, he said ‘Dad I had nothing to do with this.’ That's what he told me. I asked him yesterday,” Craig’s father said.

Earlier in the day, Craig's divorce attorney confirmed that he filed an emergency motion in Will County Court to temporarily grant Craig sole custody of his two kids, ages 10 and 12.

His attorney said he filed the motion as a “protection for the children and my client.”

CBS Legal Analyst Irv Miller says it's unusual.

"There are no reasons that make this an emergency for him to go into court to get temporary custody of his own kids who live in his own house," Miller said.

Craig's attorney also says he hopes that investigators do not become fixated on Craig individually.

In Iron County Michigan, Craig's cousin confirmed that sheriff's department investigators on Friday searched a home that Craig co-owns with his father. Plainfield police said they didn't find anything.

#13 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:26 PM

http://www.foxnews.c...,271074,00.html

Was Lisa Stebic Living in Fear?

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

This is a rush transcript from "On the Record ," May 8, 2007. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: "We need her back," that plea tonight from Lisa Stebic's family. We are following this one closely. This 37-year-old mother of two vanished eight days ago.

Now many are wondering if her husband Craig knows anything about her disappearance. The couple is divorcing and some say Lisa Stebic lived in fear of her husband. Joining us, Lisa's sister Debbie Ruttenberg and her cousin Melanie Greenburg.

Welcome to both of you. Debbie, I assume that there's no update in the search. There's no new information tonight; is that right?

MELANIE GREENBURG, MISSING MOM'S COUSIN: We don't have any new information at that time. We're hoping that the $20,000 reward that we announced on your show last night will lead to some new information and some new tip that will bring Lisa home safely to her family.

VAN SUSTEREN: Melanie, we have heard that she has said things to neighbors or friends in the weeks leading up to her disappearance. What did she say?

GREENBURG: You know, I have been reading surprising things in the press. I mean, a lot of these things were surprising to the family. We didn't know — know any of these things. We certainly would have been willing to help her out if we heard that she was in trouble or that she needed our help.

VAN SUSTEREN: Debbie, when is the last time you spoke to your sister?

DEBBIE RUTTENBERG, SISTER OF MISSING MOM: I spoke to her Thursday, I believe it was the 28th.

VAN SUSTEREN: And did she say anything unusual that day?

RUTTENBERG: No. We had a wonderful conversation. It was a long conversation. She was very positive. We were sharing sisterly stories. She was just having a positive time moving forward, getting her life together, doing some exercising, taking the kids places. We were talking about how she worked on homework with the kids. So, really, she was in positive, positive spirits.

VAN SUSTEREN: Debbie, I mean any time a woman disappears or a man for that matter, we always look at the spouse. And in this instance, your sister was in the process of divorcing her husband, her husband divorcing her. Did she ever say anything to you that suggested she had fear of her husband?

RUTTENBERG: Well, I mean, you know, my sister and I shared a lot of things. But, if she had fear of her husband, I was not aware of that. You know, like Melanie said, if there was something that we could have done, you know, if Lisa was in trouble, we certainly would have been there for her. We're obviously extremely concerned. And at this point, we need Lisa to return. And that's, you know, really what we are here for. How can the public help us?

VAN SUSTEREN: Melanie we only have about 45 seconds left, she post something on the Internet that might at least give us some clue?

GREENBURG: You know, we know that the police have taken her computer and are looking over it. Possibly, they might find some clue. We hope that they will find some lead with the new information coming in from the reward. And if anyone out there in the public has any information, we urge them to visit the Web site findLisaStebic.com and give the Plainfield police a call and let them know if you have seen anything, if you know anything, even if you think it's irrelevant. It might be something that the police can use to bring Lisa home safe to her children and her family.

VAN SUSTEREN: All right. And I — by asking about her husband, I didn't mean to suggest that he had done something, but he's simply the first person you look at are family members and friends and people she might have come in contact with.

Melanie, Debbie, thank you both.

#14 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:26 PM

http://www.nbc5.com/...057/detail.html

Family, Friends Gather To Remember Missing Woman
Family Meets With Police, Husband

POSTED: 6:39 pm CDT May 9, 2007
UPDATED: 7:19 pm CDT May 9, 2007

CHICAGO -- A vigil was to be held on Wednesday for a missing Plainfield woman.

Lisa Stebic, 37, disappeared on Monday from her home. Police said neither her cell phone nor her credit cards have been used.

"We're very, very concerned about Lisa's whereabouts," said one of Lisa Stebic's sisters, Debie Ruttenberg. "We miss her, we're longing for her, we're in a desperate situation."

Hundreds of family and friends were expected to attend the vigil. People were being asked to bring tokens of remembrance for Stebic, NBC5's Amy Jacobson reported.

Jacobson also reported that Stebic's family met with both the Plainfield police and the FBI. The family then went to Stebic's home, where they met with her husband Craig and the couple's two children.

"At this point, I think we're just trying to protect the kids," said Mark Greenberg, Lisa Stebic's cousin. "Craig's not letting them watch TV, the school is trying to be very protective of them."

Lisa and Craig Stebic were in the process of getting a divorce, but Lisa Stebic still lived at the couple's home. Stebic said he would like to take a polygraph test, but his attorney has rejected the idea, saying that polygraph tests are unreliable and an unproven science.

Craig Stebic said he felt he was being wrongly accused.

"I wish I could say something right now, but I can't," Stebic said.

Joe Stebic, Craig's father, said his son has told him that he had nothing to do with the disappearance.

"That's what he told me, I asked him yesterday," Stebic said. "I have to believe him -- he's my son."

#15 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:27 PM

http://www.columbust...s4professor.txt

Missing woman's family offers $20,000 in search
Husband declines polygraph test

By Jo Napolitano and Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporters
Published May 9, 2007

While the family of a missing Plainfield woman announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts, a lawyer for her husband Tuesday defended the spouse's decision not to submit to a polygraph.

Lisa Stebic, 37, was last seen at her home in the 13200 block of Red Star Drive about 6 p.m. April 30. Relatives said that her car was still in the garage and that only her cell phone and wallet were missing, neither of which has been used since.


Stebic and her husband were in the middle of a divorce, although they continued to live together. Relatives said she wanted her children to remain in the same school and to keep their friends.

Mark Greenberg, Stebic's first cousin, said he was troubled by news reports about how badly the marriage had deteriorated. He said he spoke to Stebic's husband, Craig, Tuesday morning and acknowledged there was tension since Craig declined to take a polygraph test.

"He said he's given police everything they could possibly need, including free access to the house, and at this point, he's not sure he wants to continue to cooperate the way he has been," Greenberg said.

Dion Davi, Craig Stebic's attorney, said he instructed his client not to take the polygraph because the test is unscientific.

"Polygraphs have no meaning," Davi said. "The only reason they are used is to coerce confessions. While [police] say it will eliminate him as a suspect, I find that very hard to believe."

Davi said police told Stebic he was not under criminal investigation but were conducting themselves as though he were, by entering the home and taking some of his belongings.

Davi instructed Stebic and his two children to refuse police interviews unless their attorney is present. He also has asked Stebic to turn down further media requests.

Police Chief Don Bennett said Craig Stebic was not directly asked to take a polygraph.

"We simply told some members of the family that as part of our investigation we might be asking some family members to take a polygraph," Bennett said. "He called us and said he wasn't interested."

Craig Stebic also declined an offer to have the children interviewed by workers at the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, Bennett said, although investigators spoke with the children shortly after their mother disappeared. Their stories seemed to confirm their father's account, he said.

Bennett said that Craig Stebic was not a person of interest and that police had no strong leads in the missing-person case.

Greenberg said he asked Stebic to reconsider taking the polygraph and to continue to cooperate in any way he can.

"This would be a challenging time for any family," he said.

Greenberg's wife, Melanie, said Lisa Stebic is a devoted mother who would "never, ever leave" her children.

"All the family can do is hope and pray. We need a tip, something to bring Lisa home safe to her family and to her children."

She said Stebic left her job as a cafeteria worker at Lincoln Elementary School in Plainfield about 2 p.m. April 30, and her husband said he saw her between 6 and 6:30 p.m. in their house. He told the family he did not see her leave.

Mark Greenberg said Stebic's children appear in shock.

Debbie Ruttenberg, Lisa's sister, said Lisa is "a good person, a fun-loving individual.

We've missed her," she said. "We're longing for her. We're in a desperate situation. Everybody misses our Lisa. We need Lisa back."

Ruttenberg said she and another sister had "very positive" conversations with Stebic shortly before she disappeared.


"She was getting her life together," she said.

Ruttenberg declined to answer whether her sister said she was afraid.

Davi, aware of media reports that the marital relationship was rocky, said Lisa was never in danger of harm from her husband. "We don't know where these allegations come from," he said.

Through a trying week, Mark Greenberg said his family was heartened by the support of the community. More than 100 people showed up to help search for Stebic and post fliers Sunday, and there have been at least 15,000 visits to the family's Web site, www.findlisastebic.com. According to the Web site, Lisa is 5 foot 2, 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and has two visible tattoos: a small rose on her ankle and a large butterfly on her lower back.

Greenberg said he has no idea what happened.

"I don't know what to believe," he said. "I do not believe in my heart of hearts that she simply walked away on her own. From everything I know of her and know about her mood at that time, she was in good spirits. The only reason we haven't found her is because somebody doesn't want us to. Maybe we are hoping for a miracle."

#16 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:27 PM

http://www.chicagotr...ll=chi-news-hed

Lake searched for missing woman

By Hal Dardick and Jo Napolitano
Tribune staff reporters
Published May 10, 2007, 3:44 PM CDT

Firefighters in boats searched a Plainfield lake today for a mother of two who has been missing for more than a week.

Firefighters searched Lake Renwick, just north of U.S. Highway 30 and Renwick Road, for Lisa Stebic, 37, according to Deputy Chief Mark Eiting. The lake is about five miles from the Stebic home in the 13200 block of Red Star Drive.

"We had no information that anything was out there," Eiting said today. "It was just part of the search. . . . We are going to continue to conduct searches as part of the overall investigative process."

Authorities today also announced two more searches will be conducted.

Divers from the Plainfield Fire Department will search the retention ponds immediately surrounding the Stebic residence starting at 9 a.m. Friday.

On Saturday, officials from the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency will focus on large water areas, retention ponds, bike and jogging trails, parks and natural areas within the Village of Plainfield.

Anyone wishing to volunteer in Saturday's search is requested to meet at Lincoln Elementary School at 14740 Meadow Lane in Plainfield at 8 a.m. for registration and briefing, officials said.

Meanwhile, Stebic's husband, Craig, is seeking temporary full custody of the couple's children, his lawyer said today.

Craig Stebic last reported seeing his wife at home about 6 p.m. April 30. The couple are getting a divorce but still live together.

Stebic's lawyer, Dion Davi, said he filed the custody petition in a Will County courthouse Wednesday in order to protect his client from the possibility that Lisa Stebic could return and then disappear again, possibly with the children.

As for how his client is handling her disappearance, Davi said: "There's a huge weight on his shoulders right now. He is fortunate enough to have Lisa's family around and supporting him."

Though family members have voiced support for Craig Stebic, they have also expressed some frustration that, on the advice of his lawyer, he has refused to take a polygraph test.

Today, Davi said he stands by the decision to forgo the polygraph. "We are being cooperative in any way we can while protecting his rights," he said.

Eiting said today authorities in Crystal Falls, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, have searched the family's cabin there, but nothing came of the search.

He also said there has been no use of Stebic's credit card or cell phone since her disappearance, and police have no persons of interest in the case.

#17 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:28 PM

http://www.wlos.com/....wlos.com.shtml

Search for missing woman yields body of apparent suicide victim

May 13, 2007 03:28 EDT

YORKVILLE, Ill. (AP) -- The search for an Illinois woman missing for two weeks turned up a body yesterday, but not hers.

Three-hundred people spent the day looking for Lisa Stebic , who vanished April 30th. One of the searchers found the body of a 72-year-old man. Police say his death appears to have been a suicide.

Police say a search of four square miles surrounding Stebic's home in Plainfield, southwest of Chicago, has been completed but there's still no sign of her.

Authorities say Stebic's husband, Craig, told police he didn't see her leave the house on the day she disappeared. The two live together but are in the process of getting a divorce.

#18 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:28 PM

http://www.suburbanc...SING_S1.article

Stebic family faces difficult Mother's Day
Volunteers, restaurants unite to aid search for missing woman

May 13, 2007
By Paige Winfield Staff Writer

Melanie Greenberg's three children are planning to surprise her with Mother's Day gifts.

But what the Naperville resident really wants is her cousin home safe and sound.

Lisa Stebic, 37, of Plainfield was reported missing May 1 from her home on the 13200 block of Red Star Drive and hasn't been heard from since.

"It's going to be a difficult Mother's Day," Greenberg said. "I think about her kids and the people she would have celebrated with, like her parents."

But, sadly they won't be able to give her the flowers they planned for Mother's Day.

Instead, they and other volunteers are distributing hundreds of carnations today to businesses throughout the Plainfield area. Attached to each flower is a photo of the missing woman and contact information to report tips on her whereabouts.

Volunteers gathered at a gazebo Saturday around the corner from the Stebic residence to pin Stebic's photo to carnations to be handed out on Mother's Day at area restaurants in hopes of someone identifying her.

Alongside the gazebo was a makeshift memorial with flowers, stuffed animals and a sign that read "Lincoln isn't the same without you."

Stebic worked in the cafeteria at Lincoln Elementary.

"I'm a little distressed," said Kimberly Young, Stebic's supervisor. "We want her to come home. I think of all the other mothers out there who are so lucky to be with their families."

Melanie and Mark Greenberg - Stebic's cousin - have highly publicized the search effort, setting up the Web site www.findlisastebic.com and acting as the family's spokespeople.

Far-reaching support from community members and people worldwide continues to buoy the family during this dark time, Melanie Greenberg said.

"We've had hundreds and hundreds of messages of support," she said. "It really is heartening to the family, and we really appreciate your support."

During the weekend the Greenbergs coordinated a trio of events, beginning with the launch of a YouTube video Friday titled "Help Find Lisa Stebic by Mother's Day" and concluding with carnations as thanks to the community today.

Stebic's husband, Craig, did not participate in any of the weekend events. The couple live together but are in the midst of a divorce.

On Tuesday - Lisa Stebic's birthday - Heavenly Creations in Shorewood is holding an art sale or auction. Profits will be used either to fund the $20,000 award Stebic's family is offering for information leading to her whereabouts, or to fund college tuition for the couple's two children, Lexi, 12, and Zach, 10.

Lexi and Zach did attend a vigil for their mother Wednesday, but also did not participate in the events during the weekend. Since their mom was reported missing, they have been at home with Craig, Melanie Greenberg said.

Describing Stebic as a devoted mother who would never leave her children, Greenberg said Lexi and Zach are going through an unimaginably difficult time. But she thinks attending the vigil helped them see how much their mother is loved.

"(The vigil) brought to them the reality of the love that so many members of the community have toward Lisa," she said.

It is that love that gives the family hope, Mark Greenberg said, pointing to the numerous volunteers and more than 75,000 hits on the Web site.

"Obviously as time goes on it gets harder, but when you see this outpouring of support, you keep your hopes up," he said.

#19 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:29 PM

http://www.suburbanc...RAID_S1.article

Police search Stebic house, vehicles

May 15, 2007
Sun staff

PLAINFIELD – News Radio 780/WBBM received a tip early Wednesday morning, saying the house of Lisa Stebic, the Plainfield woman who has been missing for two weeks, "was lit up like a Christmas tree." WBBM’S Debra Dale reported on the CBS2 media partner station this morning that Plainfield police confirmed they obtained a search warrant, and late last night, searched the Stebic home at 13244 Red Star Drive.

Plainfield police, the FBI and a special operations unit from the Joliet Police Department searched the house and the Stebics’ vehicles about midnight, according to a press release.

According to a Herald News report, Police Chief Don Bennett this morning would not say what items were taken from the house, but said investigators took Lisa’s car and her husband, Craig’s vehicle.

The two vehicles were registered to Craig Stebic: a 2002 Chevy S-10 pickup and a 2004 Saturn Ion. Lisa Stebic’s husband, Craig, also confirmed that Plainfield police came to the family home in the middle of the night, performed a search, and removed a few items. He would not specify what those items were.

Lisa Stebic, 37, was reported missing May 1 by a neighbor. Police say there has been no activity on her cell phone or credit cards since April 30, when she was last seen at home by Craig Stebic about 6 p.m. He says she went out.

Although investigators are considering the possibility that Lisa Stebic’s disappearance was not voluntary, Bennett said they have no hard evidence of foul play.

“We need to focus part of our investigation on the fact that she may not have voluntarily disappeared,” Bennett said.

Police said that, at this point, they have no suspects and no persons of interest.

Bennett said police aren’t looking at anyone as a suspect.

Craig Stebic has reportedly cooperated with investigators but has refused to submit to a polygraph test, he says, on the advice of his lawyer.

Lisa Stebic's family and friends hope another package of events this weekend will deliver new information on her whereabouts.

More than 400 volunteers spent Saturday combing Plainfield for Stebic, who was last seen April 30 at her home on Red Star Drive. On Sunday, they distributed hundreds of carnations affixed with her photo and a hot line number to businesses throughout the area.

But the effort failed to produce new clues. Melanie Greenberg, who is married to Stebic's cousin, Mark Greenberg of Naperville, said another campaign to circulate her photo is planned so that no stone is left unturned.

"I'm going to feel like we have done absolutely everything we could do," said Melanie Greenberg, who has acted as the family's spokesperson.

Police say they have found no trace of Stebic, whose car was still in the family's garage.

Family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers cling to hope that Stebic will return safely to her two children, ages 12 and 10 years.

Volunteers plan to hand out 300 magnets with Stebic's picture this weekend at Spring Fest in downtown Plainfield on Saturday, which marks Stebic's 38th birthday. The Plainfield Chamber of Commerce donated space at its table to help distribute the magnets.

Organizers are fielding offers of private donations that would add to the $20,000 award for information leading to her whereabouts being offered by Stebic's family.

"I'm hopeful that the reward may have brought in some tips and leads that the police haven't had a chance to thoroughly check out yet," she said.

Volunteers at Spring Fest also plan to distribute photos of Stebic attached to balloons.

On Saturday evening, another candlelight vigil is planned, similar to one last Wednesday that was attended by more than 100 of her family members, friends and co-workers from Lincoln Elementary School.

Finally, a new video will be launched this week on the Web site www.findlisastebic.com that will show more photos and video footage of Stebic.

"(We're doing) anything we can think of to keep her name and face fresh," Greenberg said. "The world is concerned about Lisa Stebic and wants to find her."

If no new leads turn up after this weekend, Greenberg said she is not sure of the family's next steps.

"It's difficult to be optimistic, but I'm personally still willing to do what I can," Greenberg said Monday. "It's very difficult because it is two weeks today."the southwest suburb.

#20 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:29 PM

http://www.suburbanc...SING_S1.article

Tensions on the rise
Husband absent from search; family pleas for his polygraph

May 14, 2007
By Jennifer Golz Staff Writer

Tension might be surfacing between Craig Stebic and his missing wife's family.

Until now, Lisa Stebic's family has said they do not want to make any assumptions as to what has happened to the 37-year-old Plainfield mom who has been missing since May 1.

Lisa Stebic's car remains in the garage, but neither her cell phone nor credit cards have been used since her disappearance.

Family wants answers
For the first time, the family is publicly speaking out about the many unanswered questions they have.

During an on-air interview Saturday evening with Kimberly Guilfoyle of "The Line Up" on FOX News Channel, Melanie Greenberg of Naperville, Lisa Stebic's cousin and spokesperson for the family, said they want Craig "to take a polygraph" test and do anything he can to help.

Plainfield police have said Craig Stebic has been "cooperative" in their investigation thus far.

But last week Craig Stebic refused to take a polygraph test, under the advice of his divorce attorney. The same day he canceled the test, Craig Stebic also refused FBI agents entry into his home when they showed up on his doorstep Tuesday.

Although Plainfield police have offered family and friends of the Stebics the opportunity to take a polygraph test, it is unclear if Craig Stebic was asked by police to take the test as part of the investigation, or by family out of curiosity.

Plainfield police were not available for comment on the case Sunday.

"All investigators are off on Sundays," a Plainfield police dispatcher told The Sun that afternoon.

Craig not looking
Despite the family's pleas, Craig Stebic also was missing from the massive search events this weekend.
More than 200 volunteers gathered Saturday to search local ponds, bike paths, parks and forested areas. They also tied ribbons with pictures of Lisa Stebic to hundreds of carnations to be handed out at area eateries on Mother's Day.

Sarah Norwood, 21, of Plainfield works at one of the restaurants that was handing out the flowers.

She said that while the search efforts by Lisa Stebic's friends and family are great, she doesn't hold much hope, as she's seen it before.

Norwood used to live in California, just 20 minutes away from the home of Scott and Laci Peterson.

A seven-month pregnant Laci Peterson went missing from her Modesto, Calif., home Christmas Eve 2002. Her remains washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay four months later.

Almost two years after her disappearance, her husband, Scott Peterson, was found guilty of double murder and sentenced to death Dec. 13, 2004.

"This is like a mirror image of what happened in California," Norwood said.

#21 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:30 PM

http://www.wbbm780.c...ontentId=502825

Items Seized From Stebic Home

(WBBM/STNG) - Police confirm that they searched a missing Plainfield woman's home early this morning and impounded two cars and other items from the house in the southwest suburb.

WBBM’S Debra Dale has the story.

Plainfield police confirm that they obtained a search warrant late last night and searched the Stebic home at 13244 Red Star Drive.

Police also impounded two cars registered to Craig Stebic...a 2002 Chevy S-10 pickup and a 2004 Saturn Ion. Lisa drove the Saturn.

Police say they took some items into custody, but will not specify what those items are.

Craig Stebic tells WBBM that Plainfield police came to the family home in the middle of the night...performed a search...and took a few items. He says they took "blankets and stuff."

“We need to focus part of our investigation on the fact that she may not have voluntarily disappeared,” Police Chief Don Bennet said. Although investigators are considering the possibility that Lisa Stebic’s disappearance was not voluntary, Bennett said they have no hard evidence of foul play.

Lisa Stebic has been missing for two weeks. She was last seen by her husband. He says she went out. She took her cell-phone and credit cards, which have not been used since.

Plainfield Police are being assisted in their investigation by the FBI. At this point they say they have no suspects and no persons of interest.

Craig Stebic has reportedly cooperated with investigators but has refused to submit to a polygraph test, he says, on the advice of his lawyer.

Lisa Stebic's family and friends hope another package of events this weekend will deliver new information on her whereabouts.

More than 400 volunteers spent Saturday combing Plainfield for Stebic, who was last seen April 30 at her home on Red Star Drive. On Sunday, they distributed hundreds of carnations affixed with her photo and a hot line number to businesses throughout the area.

But the effort failed to produce new clues. Melanie Greenberg, who is married to Stebic's cousin, Mark Greenberg of Naperville, said another campaign to circulate her photo is planned so that no stone is left unturned.

"I'm going to feel like we have done absolutely everything we could do," said Melanie Greenberg, who has acted as the family's spokesperson.

A neighbor reported the mother of two missing the morning of May 1. Stebic is in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Craig Stebic, who says he last saw her at their home around 6 p.m. the evening before.

Police say they have found no trace of Stebic, whose car is still in the family's garage.

Family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers cling to hope that Stebic will return safely to her two children, ages 12 and 10 years.

Volunteers plan to hand out 300 magnets with Stebic's picture at Spring Fest in downtown Plainfield on Saturday, which marks Stebic's 38th birthday. The Plainfield Chamber of Commerce donated space at its table to help distribute the magnets.

Organizers are fielding offers of private donations that would add to the $20,000 award for information leading to her whereabouts being offered by Stebic's family.

"I'm hopeful that the reward may have brought in some tips and leads that the police haven't had a chance to thoroughly check out yet," she said.

Volunteers at Spring Fest also plan to distribute photos of Stebic attached to balloons.

On Saturday evening, another candlelight vigil is planned, similar to one last Wednesday that was attended by more than 100 of her family members, friends and co-workers from Lincoln Elementary School.

Finally, a new video will be launched this week on the Web site www.findlisastebic.com that will show more photos and video footage of Stebic.

"(We're doing) anything we can think of to keep her name and face fresh," Greenberg said. "The world is concerned about Lisa Stebic and wants to find her."

If no new leads turn up after this weekend, Greenberg said she is not sure of the family's next steps.

"It's difficult to be optimistic, but I'm personally still willing to do what I can," Greenberg said Monday. "It's very difficult because it is two weeks today."

#22 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:30 PM

http://www.suburbanc...SING_S3.article

Lisa memorial removed

May 16, 2007
By Tim Waldorf Sun-times news group

PLAINFIELD -- The makeshift Lisa Stebic memorial in the Plainfield Park District gazebo behind her home is gone.

Kim Young, who supervised the missing 37-year-old mother of two in the lunchroom at Lincoln Elementary School, said park district employees on Monday tried to trash it.

However, Plainfield Park District officials insist their workers had nothing to do with its disappearance.

"I can guarantee you the park district isn't in that business," said Gene Goldwater, Plainfield Park District's superintendent of parks. "We just wouldn't do that."

Young, Stebic's supervisor at Sodexho, said that at 2:30 p.m. Monday she stopped by the park in Norman Greenway, just behind the Stebics' residence near Blakely and Red Star drives and was shocked by what she saw.

"This man was piling up the little animals and the figurines into a trash bag and stuffing them down, and I'm like, 'What are you doing?'" Young said. "He's like, 'My boss! My boss! My boss tell me to clean up! Clean everything up!' And I go, 'This is a memorial.' He said, 'No, this is trash. You need to clear out the trash.'"

The man told Young he worked for the Plainfield Park District, and he was wearing a park district uniform and driving a park district truck, she said.

Goldwater said his crews have driven by the memorial site from time to time, and they've tried to keep items from getting strewn about the park. But, he said, they haven't trashed a thing.

Goldwater said there are others memorials of this sort set up in other park district locations, and, as a rule, maintenance crews leave them be.

"We wouldn't do it, We didn't do it," he said. "We have too much respect for this sort of issue."

In fact, Goldwater said his crews drove by the site between 3 and 4 p.m. Monday and found that it was "still in its original condition." It was 9 a.m. Tuesday morning when they discovered that 99 percent of it was down.

Young said she and her colleagues took everything that was collected in the garbage bags to her home and washed them.

"All of these things we were saving for the kids to give to them when this is over, with the posterboard and all of the nice sayings, were in the trash bag with empty pop bottles and the rest of the trash they had picked up from other sites," Young said.

Young said she has visited the memorial with some of Lisa's co-workers every Monday, adding fresh flowers to the display each time. During those visits, they try to "fix everything up so that it doesn't look trashy."

"If somebody would have called us, I would have come out and loaded everything in my truck and moved it if that was the problem," she said.

But throwing it in the trash?

"I don't know who authorized this, but my God, show some compassion for the family," Young said.

Goldwater said they are welcome to rebuild the memorial.

"If they'd like to resurrect what they did to begin with, I can guarantee that the park district won't touch it."

#23 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:31 PM

http://www.wbbm780.c...ontentId=508119

Stebic's Husband Accuses Authorities Of Coercion

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (STNG) -- While police say they have no suspects in the disappearance of a local mother of two, her husband's attorney believes a midnight search of her house was an attempt to intimidate her husband and coerce a confession.

For the first time Tuesday, investigators said they are expanding their search for Lisa Stebic to include the possibility of foul play -- and served early-morning search warrants at the Stebic house as the next step in the investigation.

Lisa Stebic, 37, was reported missing May 1. Police say there has been no activity on her cell phone or credit cards since April 30, when she was last seen at home about 6 p.m.

"We need to focus part of our investigation on the fact that she may not have voluntarily disappeared," said Police Chief Don Bennett.

Although investigators are considering that possibility, Bennett said they have no hard evidence of foul play.

Plainfield police, an FBI evidence response team and a special operations unit from the Joliet Police Department searched the house at 13244 Red Star Drive, and the Stebics' vehicles early Tuesday morning.

Craig Stebic's attorney Dion Davi said Stebic was not allowed to call him during the search, which police said lasted about four and a half hours. Bennett said Stebic was offered the chance to call his attorney and declined.

Stebic was cooperative and let officers in to conduct the search, police said. During the search, Stebic stayed in a room with officers while his two children were in a car outside with female officers, police said.

"They say he's not a suspect. They say he's not a person of interest. But they come in the middle of the night, take the kids out of their sleep and force them to sleep in a car while they search for hours," said Davi, who said he learned of the search when Stebic called him about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

"They're trying to coerce a confession from my client when he's already stated his innocence," he said.

Bennett said the process of obtaining the warrants from the Will County State's Attorney's office started much earlier in the day Monday and took longer than expected, but that investigators had personnel available to conduct the searches and felt it was important to move forward that night.

Deputy Police Chief Mark Eiting said investigators still have no suspects and no persons of interest in connection with Lisa Stebic's disappearance. He would not say what items were taken from the house, nor would he discuss the content of the search warrant.

Police did say they impounded Lisa's 2004 Saturn Ion and Craig's 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck, both of which are registered to Craig Stebic.

Will County State's Attorney spokesman Chuck Pelkie said because of the high-profile, ongoing investigation, the warrant is under court seal and not available for public scrutiny.

Investigators are not currently planning further ground searches nor have they sought additional search warrants, Eiting said.

Melanie Greenberg, a spokeswoman for Lisa's family, said she had not talked to police and declined to comment on the latest development in the case.

Lisa Stebic's family has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts. Anyone with information on Lisa Stebic's location is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department at (815) 267-7217 or Will County Crime Stoppers at (800) 323-6734.

#24 Denise

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 04:32 PM

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#25 Denise

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Posted 17 May 2007 - 03:39 PM

http://cbs2chicago.c..._137122330.html
May 17, 2007 11:20 am US/Central
Lisa Stebic Filed To Have Husband Kicked Out

(CBS) PLAINFIELD, Ill. Lisa Stebic, the missing mother from Plainfield, tried to have her estranged husband evicted the day she disappeared.

An attorney for Stebic released a petition she mailed to his office. In it, she called husband Craig Stebic "unnecessarily relentless, cruel, inconsiderate, domineering and verbally abusive," and wrote that his conduct was "jeopardizing the mental well-being" of their two children, the Joliet Herald-News reported.

Lisa Stebic, 37, was last seen April 30 at her home, after leaving the house to work out. Professional search teams and volunteers have been combing the area around her Plainfield house ever since.
After the disappearance, Craig Stebic filed for sole custody of their two children. That hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Lisa Stebic's cousin, Mark Greenberg, said last week the family was trying to keep hope alive as he spoke with CBS 2 about Craig Stebic.

"I think the commitment is there, from what I've seen of Craig – and I spent a good amount of time with him today – he's very troubled by this. He's very broken up," Greenberg said last week.
But several friends who spoke to CBS 2 news partner the Naperville Sun last week painted a picture of an extremely troubled marriage. They said Lisa told them Craig threatened on several occasions that he would kill her and nobody would find her.

Family members have said the allegations surprised them and that Craig would never hurt his wife. But neighbor Amer Zegar said that last week, during visits to his home, Lisa spoke of receiving verbal abuse from her husband and expressed fear of him and his threats.
Zegar and his wife, who declined to be named, said Lisa had been receiving counseling from the Guardian Angel Home in Joliet - a nonprofit organization that provides services for victims of domestic violence and rape.

The FBI and police earlier this week searched the Stebic home. Craig Stebic has accused authorities of coercion.

"They say he's not a suspect. They say he's not a person of interest. But they come in the middle of the night, take the kids out of their sleep and force them to sleep in a car while they search for hours," said Davi, who said he learned of the search when Stebic called him early last Tuesday.

Lisa Stebic's attorney, Glenn Kahn, told the Herald-News it was not clear whether Craig Stebic knew about the petition to have him leave the house. He said it was not filed in court because it was received after Lisa was reported missing.




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