57 replies to this topic

[Kelly]

http://www.dailymail...ha/201307170103

 

Wednesday July 17, 2013

Missing woman's family to hold fundraiser

by Cheryl Caswell

Daily Mail staff

Courtesy photo

Melanie Metheny was last seen July 19, 2006.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The family of Melanie Metheny has never given up hope of learning what happened to her six years ago.

They don't want everyone else to forget, either.

The family will have a fundraiser Saturday at Coonskin Park to mark the seventh anniversary of Metheny's disappearance. The 21-year-old mother of three dropped her children off at daycare on July 19, 2006, but what happened to her after that has remained a mystery.

"We do still have hope," said Sandra Metheny of Belle, Melanie's grandmother.

She and Melanie's mother, Debbie Daniels of Fredericksburg, Va., planned the activities at Coonskin that will mark the beginning of an annual event to raise money for one of her favorite things -- animals.

According to the family, Melanie loved animals from a young age and had a great desire to help any animal in need.

Melanie's HOPE -- which stands for Help Our Pets Endure -- will benefit local animal organizations.

"We aren't sure yet what the money will go to," Daniels said. "We've been taking applications by email, and I'm coming in Thursday. On Friday I'll meet with some groups."

The fundraiser will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Coonskin's Columbia Shelter. The family has planned plenty of kid-friendly activities that they hope will generate the fund's first income.

"We'll have little carnival games, a face painter, raffles, food and music," Daniels said. "These are little things we've planned ourselves, like a bean bag toss, duckies in a pool -- it will be like 25 cents a ticket.

"We're hoping it will be fun," she said. "This is our first time, and we're hoping to do it each year. We put quite a bit of money into it so far this year, and we think each year it will get better."

Even though this is considered a "cold case," Metheny's family still keeps in touch with the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department and hopes her disappearance can someday be solved.

"It's been very hard," Daniels said of her daughter's case. "We've had a lot of ups and downs, mostly downs.

"Lots of tips have come in," she said. "It has pulled us together, and apart, and drawn us back together again."

According to information listed on the Kanawha County Sheriff's department website, Metheny left her Campbells Creek residence on the morning of July 19 with her children. She dropped two off with a relative in the Dry Branch area and continued on to Country Kids Daycare in Belle.

After that drop-off at about 8 a.m., she told family and day care workers she was headed to Garnett Career College and West Virginia State College, but there's no indication she made it.

Her 1998 Chevrolet van was found four days later near Wyoming Street and Beuhring Avenue on the West Side. Her purse, cell phone, debit and food stamp card were gone.

Metheny is about 5 feet 3 and 100 pounds. She has strawberry blond hair.

Cpl. Brian Humphries with the sheriff's department said the investigation has been active from the beginning. Detective Samantha Ferrell, who heads up that investigation, is passionate about the Metheny case, he said.

"I can't tell you a week that has gone by that she hasn't had some tip on it," Humphries said. "Action on it is non-stop. There's always somebody calling in, but it doesn't pan out."

"The case has been dwindling in the public's eye," said Daniels. "We want to do something to keep it there. She's still missing."

 

[Kelly]

http://www.wchstv.co...717_17608.shtml

Melanie's Hope Planned To Remember Mother Missing For Seven Years

Reported by: Bethany Simmons
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Reported: Jul. 17, 2013 2:41 PM EDT
Updated: Jul. 17, 2013 3:45 PM EDT
 

Eyewitness News Photo

 

 

Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

A West Virginia woman who has been missing for seven years will be remembered with a fundraising event Saturday.

Melanie Metheny of Belle was last seen about 8 a.m. July 19, 2006, when she dropped her children at day care. Metheny was 21 years old when she disappeared.

Now the community is coming together to make sure she is not forgotten.

Melanie's HOPE (Help Our Pets Endure) will hold its first benefit to help people remember that Metheny is still missing while helping one of her passions - taking care of animals.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Columbia Shelter at Coonskin Park near Charleston. The family friendly event will include a hot dog sale, yard sale, raffles, games and face painting for the children.

HOPE plans to hold this event each July to bring awareness and raise donations that will benefit animal organizations and work to save animals in need.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.wvgazette...ws/201307200011

Melanie's HOPE honors missing woman with fundraising event
July 20, 2013
Laura Reston

CHARLESTON, W.VA. -- Seven years ago, Melanie Metheny dropped her toddlers off at daycare, called a local automobile body shop to confirm an upcoming visit, and vanished without a trace.

Metheny, then only 21 and a Belle resident, has not been seen or heard from since.

On Saturday, her family and friends gathered at Coonskin Park to honor her memory. Braving sweltering temperatures, they ate hot dogs, sang karaoke and even petted snakes as they shared stories about Metheny.

"She was a wonderful person," her mother Debi Daniel said. "She would help anybody who needed it."

Daniel especially remembered how her daughter constantly helped animals. Metheny once found a dog that had been stung by hundreds of bees and nursed the dog back to health.

"She just loved animals," Daniel said.

Daniel has founded an organization called Melanie's HOPE -- Help Our Pets Endure -- to continue her daughter's legacy as an animal lover. Daniel plans to donate the proceeds from the event to an organization dedicated to protecting animals.

Michele Mullins also remembers how deeply Metheny cared for animals.

She had seen Metheny the night before Metheny disappeared. They hung out, grilled some food and chatted about enrolling in nursing school while their kids played.

"She was just typical, fun-loving Melanie," Mullins said.

Today, Mullins remembers her best friend as a great mother and caring young woman who had big dreams for a career as a nurse.

"I miss her every day," Mullins said. "She was ready for a bright future."

Mullins now maintains a Facebook page to update people and maintain awareness for Metheny. She wants to show people that, "It could happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime."

The page could ultimately help find Metheny, Mullins said.

Daniel continues to hold on to hope that someday, someone may find her daughter.

"I pray every day that we find her," Daniel said. "But every year it gets harder."

Mullins also prays for her friend.

"We'll never stop looking for her," Mullins said. "Every family deserves closure, answers."

But neither Mullins nor Daniel has found closure even though seven years have passed since Metheny vanished.

"I don't know if we'll ever find closure," Daniel said.

Madonna Layne, who attended the event Saturday, understands what the women have gone through. She lost her mother 39 years ago and calls the experience "haunting."

Layne now works for the CUE Center -- an organization that continues to search for missing people years after they disappeared.

"I don't believe that I can find my mother, but I can help others," Layne said.

Layne believes that the family and friends who gathered at Coonskin on Saturday should simply continue to hope that Metheny remains alive.

[Kelly]

http://www.wowktv.co...in-torture-case

Missing Kanawha County, WV woman comes up in torture case

Posted: Sep 04, 2013 11:10 AM PST Updated: Sep 04, 2013 11:35 AM PST
By Lisa Robbins, Reporter

BELLE, West Virginia -

There are new details in the case of a missing Kanawha County woman, and it's all tied to a torture case that's getting ready to go to trial.

More than seven years after she went missing, posters of missing woman Melanie Metheny still hang from homes in the eastern part of Kanawha County.

Metheny was 21-years-old when she went missing in July 2006. She was last seen dropping her kids off at daycare in Belle. Her name is making headlines again after another case that happened right down the road in Witcher Creek.

Cindy Creathers has pleaded guilty for her role in the brutal torture of Leanne Quinn in December. Creathers told a judge she was with Joey Jeffery the night they beat, electrically shocked, and tortured the woman.

Creathers also said Jeffrey told the victim he was going to do the same thing to her that he did to Metheny years ago, court documents show. Authorities said both victims are from the same part of Kanawha County. Quinn is from the Witcher Creek area, and Metheny is from Belle.

Jeffery goes to trial for the Witcher Creek crimes on October 21.

Creathers is going to testify against him, prosecutors said. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree robbery. Prosecutors dropped the kidnapping charge in exchange for her cooperation and testimony against Jeffery. She will be sentenced in November.

Creathers has also been moved to the Central Regional Jail pending her sentencing for her safety, prosecutors said.

In relation to the Metheny case, investigators tell 13 News Jeffery has been questioned in the case, along with other individuals. No one has been charged in her disappearance.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department at 304-357-0169

[Kelly]

http://www.wchstv.co...908_18903.shtml

Testimony Possibly Links Man To Melanie Metheny's Disappearance

Reported by: Katy Brown

Reported: Sep. 8, 2013 5:29 PM EDT
Updated: Sep. 9, 2013 9:59 AM EDT


It's been seven long years for Sandra Metheny, after her granddaughter Melanie vanished after dropping her kids off at daycare.

"I just miss and love her so much," said Sandra, "And her kids need answers."

Ever since Melanie's disappearance, many questions about what happened to her have remained unanswered. But earlier this month, during a testimony in an another court case, a man was suddenly linked to her disappearance.

"It's not the first time I've heard it. I mean this name has been out there," said Sandra, " In the beginning, I heard Joey Jefferies many times."

Joey Jefferies was arrested in December 2012.

Police say Jefferies and Cindy Creathers, both from Belle, kidnapped Leanne Quinn, stabbed her and then dumped her body on the side of Witcher Creek Road.

According to the Charleston Daily Mail, during Creather's testimony in that case, she claimed Jefferies drove Quinn up a mountain and said, "Do you remember Melanie Metheny? I'm going to put you in the same hole I put her in."

"Well, where did that come from? I was in shock," said Sandra in response to the statement.

A shockwave Metheny says sparked more conversation about her own granddaughter's disappearance.

"I mean there's all kinds of stuff going around right now and people's talking. And I pray they keep talking so we can find out what has really happened."

Kanawha County Sheriff's detectives say they have questioned Jefferies before in connection to Melanie's disappearance, while also pursuing other leads.

Metheny is hopeful this new revelation means Melanie's case is a step closer to being solved.

"If people would just stay with us and keep on there, we'll get to the bottom of it," said Sandra, "We're on the right track. We're going to get some answers. I can feel it."

The family of Melanie Metheny asks anyone with information about her disappearance to call police.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.wvgazette.../140719498/1419

 

Missing woman’s family plans fundraiser to keep case alive

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

By Erin Beck

Staff writer

 

Melanie Metheny’s family isn’t about to let her fade from the public memory -- and they hope that a recent court case might pave the way for new information about her disappearance.

 

It’s been eight years since Metheny, a Belle resident, vanished after dropping her toddlers off at daycare. She was 21 at the time.

 

For the second year in a row, her family is holding an event to create awareness of missing persons, as well as raise funds.

 

This weekend’s event will raise money to benefit nonprofit animal rescue organizations -- a cause close to Metheny’s heart -- and, her family hopes, keep her case alive.

 

“She hasn’t been found yet,” said her mother, Deborah Daniel. “We can’t stop spreading the word.”

 

Metheny’s mother and stepfather hope that new witnesses could come forward after hearing about the fundraiser.

 

“You know how the news goes,” said her stepfather, William Daniel. “One day it’s fresh on everyone’s mind then a couple days later something else takes over the headlines. Because of that, with so many missing persons cases out there, you have to do something to keep the public aware of your specific case.”

 

He also hopes the event helps create awareness of the thousands of active missing persons cases.

 

“Melanie’s case is extremely important, but at the same time, we want to remind everyone that there are countless missing people out there, from children to elderly adults,” Daniel said. “Each one needs to be addressed.”

 

At the end of 2012, the National Crime Information Center’s Missing Person File contained active records for more than 87,000 missing people.

 

The Daniels family also said witnesses could be more likely to come forward, after Joey Keith Jeffrey was found guilty in April of kidnapping his cousin, Leanna Quinn. Jeffrey, who was sentenced to at least 24 years in prison, told his cousin that he would “put her in the same hole he put Melanie in.” Police and prosecutors said that Jeffrey meant Melanie Metheny.

 

“Before everyone was afraid of him,” Deborah Daniel said of Jeffrey. “Now that he’s sitting in jail, maybe someone who hopefully does know what happened -- if he is the guilty party -- they will come forward because he’s in jail.”

 

Quinn’s testimony doesn’t close the case in her mind, though.

 

“We are going to follow every avenue we can,” she said. “We’re not going to put all our eggs in one basket. We’re going to continue to follow other avenues until we bring her home, although he is the biggest lead we’ve had.”

 

Kanawha Sheriff’s Cpl. B.D. Humphreys called Jeffrey a “person of interest” in the case, as many others have been since Metheny’s disappearance.

 

“A lot of people have bluffed or made claims to have had something to do with Miss Metheny’s disappearance,” Humphreys said. “Every one of them that makes it to our office has been investigated. Some are still considered viable. We have not closed this case.”

 

Humphreys said he also hopes this weekend’s event could encourage new witnesses to step forward.

 

“We still think there is information out there people have that will help us fill in additional blanks,” he said. “We are still seeking information from the public about what happened to Melanie.”

 

The Melanie’s HOPE (Help Our Pets Endure) fundraiser will be held at Coonskin Park’s Family Center on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Activities planned include live music, a canine search and rescue, face painting, raffles, and education about missing people.

[Kelly]

http://www.wchstv.co...ml#.Va7y2PkZl8J

Annual Benefit 'Melanie's Hope' Held Sunday In Charleston

Updated: Sunday, July 19, 2015 | Jarrod Clay

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The annual benefit, “Melanie’s Hope,” was held Sunday at Coonskin Park.

Melanie’s Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of missing persons while donating money towards non-profit animal rescue organizations.

Melanie Matheny was last seen on July 19, 2006 after she dropped her children off at daycare.

She was reported that evening. Four days later, her minivan was found parked and abandoned in Charleston.

She has never been heard from again.

In order to help bring awareness of these issued to the public, Melanie’s Hope holds the annual event.

Organizers said Melanie’s was a big animal lover, and money raised at the event will go toward local animal shelters.

There was live music, food, face painting, raffles, education and awareness information about missing persons.

“What we hope to do by this, by putting out info, is make the public aware of the various missing persons cases out there and hope somebody out there recognizes one of these faces and recognizes one of these missing people and helps bring them home to their family,” co-founder William Daniel said.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Kids Print Program was also at the event. As part of the program, deputies fingerprinted children and provided safety packets and education material for parents.

[Kelly]

http://www.cdljobs.c...s-november-2015

 

Thursday, November 05, 2015 14:33

 

These 6 are Missing. Will You Help Find Them?

This month's edition showcases a wonderful and amazing teddy bear named Miles for the Missing, Superbear.  He is traveling all over the United States visiting families of missing persons, telling their stories and giving them the dual gifts of awareness and hope for their missing loved ones.

 

Most importantly, he has provided a means for these suffering families to share the stories of their missing loved ones.

We invite you to follow along with his journey on Facebook. Each family visit is saved in the Photos/Albums section of his Facebook page.

 

You can read more about Miles here.

 

If you are so moved, you can help support the travels of Miles for the Missing, Superbear with a donation to Project Jason, a 501©(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more.

 

Superbear has traveled more than 10,000 miles and visited 9 families. He's seen the ocean, attended a major league baseball game, visited a world heritage site, New York City's 9-11 World Trade Center Memorial, and much more. He's helped feed the homeless in St. Louis and helped distribute Project Jason's Personal ID Kits.

 

The missing person cases shown below were included in Miles' journey. The remaining cases will be included in the next issue. Please take just a moment of your time to view their faces. You may click on the Awareness Angels Network image below to print and share the poster and help reunite families.

 

 

Click On The Faces Below For More Information

 

 

Name: Jackson Miller

Date of Birth: 06/19/1990
Date Missing: 05/15/2010
Age at time of disappearance: 19
Missing From: Cupertino, California
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 150 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Complexion: White

 

Identifying Characteristics: Jackson has bright light blue eyes and long eyelashes that curl up. His facial hair is a lighter, strawberry blonde color as compared to his brown hair. He liked to wear his hair short and gelled on the top. He has a prominent widow's peak. He has very straight, white teeth. His skin tone is pink. His upper body and legs are muscular although his fingers are long & slender.

 

Clothing: Jackson was last seen wearing khaki shorts, tan loafers, white and black t-shirt, and a black hoodie sweatshirt.

 

Circumstances of Disappearance: Jackson was going through a temporary period of extreme anxiety and depression brought on by the elimination of his prescription medications. He parked his car at the Golden Gate Bridge but never entered the pedestrian tunnel necessary to cross the bridge. Authorities reported that video footage showed him walking towards the street and bus stop but then going out of view. There were 4 reliable sightings of Jackson on California Ave. in San Francisco 4 days later and several strong leads throughout San Francisco for the next 2 years. During the summer of 2014, there were several sightings in South Lake Tahoe. Jackson was close to his family & preferred staying close to home but may be staying away due to emotional & mental distress and confusion.

 

Medical Conditions: Jackson may be depressed, anxious, and sleep deprived.

 

Investigative Agency: Santa Clara Sheriff's Department
Agency Phone: (408) 299-2311

 

 

Name: Alexandria Lowitzer

Alias: Ali Lowitzer
Date of Birth: 02/03/1994
Date Missing: 04/26/2010
Age at time of disappearance: 16
Missing From: Spring, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Weight: 145 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Hair (other): Dyed auburn
Eye Color: Hazel: blue/grey
Complexion: Fair

 

Identifying Characteristics: Faint scar from chicken pox between her eyes, braces on upper and lower teeth. Wears dark makeup around her eyes.

 

Clothing: Ali was wearing a white t-shirt, dark hoodie, black and white checkered skinny jeans, and black tennis shoes. She had a blue slide cell phone and a checkered multicolored backpack.

 

Circumstances of Disappearance: She rode the bus home, and got off at her normal stop. She was going to walk to work but never made it.

 

Investigative Agency: Harris County Sheriff
Agency Phone: (713) 221-6000
Investigative Case #: 57351

 

 

Name: Melanie Renee Metheny

Date of Birth: 1985-06-21
Date Missing: 2006-07-19
From City/State: Belle, WV
Missing From (Country): USA
Age at Time of Disappearance: 21
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 63 inches
Weight: 100 pounds
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Light

 

Identifying Characteristics: Pierced ears, surgical scar on right ankle.

 

Circumstances of Disappearance: Unknown. Melanie was last seen at approximately 8:00am after dropping her children off at a daycare in the vicinity of the 3000 block of E. Dupont Ave. in Belle, WV. Her vehicle, described as a gold 1998 Chevy Ventura minivan, was later located abandoned in the vicinity of Wyoming St. and Beuhring Ave. in Charleston, WV.

 

Investigative Agency: Kanawha County Sheriff's Office
Phone: (304) 357-0169
Investigative Case #: 71924

 

Name: Emillie Victoria Hoyt

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

 

Identifying Characteristics: Tribal tattoos on both shoulders, plug style ear piercings

 

Circumstances: The last contact Emillie made with her family was via phone during the Christmas season of 2005. Her last known residence was in Highland Beach, FL. There are unsubstantiated reports that she was in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

 

Medical Conditions: Bipolar disorder

 

Agency Name: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department, Detective Craig B. Hall-Special Investigations Division
Agency Phone: (561) 688-4158
Case Number: 0726205

 

 

Name: Cloudia Leslie Wells

Alias Leslie, Candice Abbott
Date of Birth: 08/10/1953
Date Missing: 03/01/1998
Age at time of disappearance: 45
Missing From: San Diego, California
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 3in
Weight: 150 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Medium

 

Identifying Characteristics: Leslie wears glasses or contacts, has false teeth, and a c-section scar. She may wear wigs and use different names and identities. She will not use her legal first name. She uses Leslie.

Circumstances of Disappearance: Leslie has mental health concerns. At the time of her disappearance, she was staying at the YWCA in San Diego. She left to go to a doctor appointment and was not seen again.

In 2013, the LA Times did an article about the homeless in Santa Monica, CA, and a photo included (To the left above) was identified as being of Leslie. Further investigation revealed that the woman had been staying in California shelters for the same amount of time Leslie had been missing, she used one of Leslie's aliases, and listed her daughter as an emergency contact. In 2015, Leslie was spotted in Fargo, North Dakota.

 

Medical Conditions: She may have a heart condition.

 

Investigative Agency: San Diego Police Dept
Agency Phone: (619) 531-2277

 

 

Name: David Schroeder

Date of Birth: 08/05/1967
Date Missing: 09/22/2012
Age at time of disappearance: 45
Missing From: Onalaska, Wisconsin
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 300
Hair Color: Black, Graying
Eye Color: Brown

 

Identifying Characteristics: Dave wears glasses, but may not have them with him. He has a patch of eczema on his right calf.

 

Clothing: Dave was last seen wearing blue jeans, a bright blue "Journey Lutheran Church" shirt, black Sketcher shoes, and may also be wearing a navy blue coat with a grey insert and hood with his name and a "Ready Bus Line" patch. He may also be wearing a tan hat with "World's Greatest Dad" and his 3 sons names.

 

Jewelry: Dave was wearing his wedding ring.

 

Circumstances of Disappearance: Dave's wife left the home at 2:10 P.M. on Sept 22, 2012. The oldest son came home from work at approximately 2:25 P.M. and Dave was gone. He left with no money, wallet, ID, or his cell phone. Despite an extensive air, water, and foot search, Dave has not been found. There are no clues as to his whereabouts.

 

Medical Conditions: Dave has poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and sleep apnea.

 

Investigative Agency: La Crosse Sheriff's Department
Agency Phone: (608) 785-5584

 

Project Jason Needs Your Help

 

Truck drivers cross paths with more people in a days time that most. You could be the force that helps reunite a family. Have you seen any of these missing persons? Join the Awareness Angels Network and call the appropriate agency listed. The staff of CDLjobs.com and Project Jason thank you for your involvement with this important cause.