OUR BRENNIE

2007-11-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

Why I miss Brennie.....

I miss her smile.

I miss her laugh.

I miss the naive replies to adult situations.

I miss her innocence.

I miss the glint in her eye when she spoke of her parents.

I miss the way she called her brother "Boop".

I miss the rides to nowhere; admiring her working that gearshift!

I miss the way she kept me up with the latest in fashion.

I miss the way she said "I love you Dee"!

I miss you Bren! I Truly Do!

Love, Dee

2007-07-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Special Thanks to all who participated in the 1st Annual March for the Missing!! The event was a total success! We thank the local law enforcement for our police escort as well. To all of the families of the missing, we look forward to being of greater service to you in the future.

Our next fundraising event is scheduled for September 22, 2007- Bowling for Brennie. The event will be held at Thunderbird Lanes, 5830 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149. Tickets are $12 each, this includes shoes, food and drink. T-shirts for the event are also available (photo of shirt above). Shirts are $10 each in advance, $12 at the event. You can buy your shirt to wear to the event. To sell or purchase tickets, call 215-219-1019 or email dejuana45@msn.com.

The proceeds from this event will enable us to cover expenses related to next year's March which is tentatively scheduled for May 31, 2008. We are headed to the Ben Franklin Parkway!!! More info is forthcoming.....

2007-06-01T05:31:00.001-07:00

Lisa Michelle Hatchell seems to have vanished without a trace. The Willingboro, New Jersey woman had just turned 37, when she went missing on her birthday, July 19th, 2003. That was nearly four years ago!

Police say there was a reported sighting of Lisa Hatchell in the 5400 block of Warrington Avenue in West Philadelphia the night of July 19th. Some reports note that she was seen arguing with her boyfriend. So far, nothing has turned up.

Her aunt says it is just not like Lisa to abandon her mother and two children unless she's unable to make contact.

Katherine Farmer/Missing Woman's Aunt says, "she's got a little girl and she asks about her mother. Her son, her mother, most of all, her mother's heart is just aching, I'm telling you."

Lisa Hatchell is 5 feet 3 inches tall. She weighs 135 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.

Her married name was Cotton. She has, in the past, used her boyfriend's last name, Henderson.

There is a small scar under her neck. She has a birthmark on her outer right thigh. There are very small scars on her ankles from insect bites; and she previously suffered a fractured left ankle.

There are pictures of Lisa in her army fatigues. She was in the military for three years. If you have seen her, please pick up the telephone.

Katherine Farmer/Missing Woman's Aunt: "All my sister wants is some closure on this. She just needs to know if she is dead or alive."

If you know Lisa's whereabouts, make that call to the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-Tips. Receive a $1000 reward.

2007-05-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

VOLUNTEEERS STILL NEEDED

The plans for the March are progressing well but volunteers are still needed for various tasks. We need help at the registration tables, the ribbon tables and the balloon table.

Special thanks to all of the sponsors who have financed various needs. We appreciate your help.

All are welcome to come and march with us. To download the flyer go to www.richardpetrone.com.

Information regarding the March will be in the Philadelphia Daily News on May 29, 31 and June 2, 2007.

PECO will run a Brennie's Friend banner on the top of the PECO energy building on May 27, 29 and 31.

2007-05-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

March For the Missing - June 2, 2007

The plans for the March are underway. Volunteers are still needed. For more information you may attend the next information session on this Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 3 PM at Oasis of Praise Ministries located at 63rd and Woodbine.

On Saturday, June 2, we will meet at our gathering point which is Hunting Park and Old York Road at 10AM. The March will begin at approximately 10:20AM. We will process South on Old York Rd to Luzerne (the point where Brennie disappeared from). We will go left onto Luzerne to 9th, continuing North on 9th back to Hunting Park. Through the park back to our meeting point. After the March there will be a short ceremony remembering our missing loved ones, concluded by a baloon release.

The event flyer may be accessed on the website for Missing Person, Richard Petrone @ www.richardpetrone.com. To find out more about the dissappearance of Richard and his girlfriend Danielle Imbo, you may link to their site through the banner at the bottom of this page.

See you at the March!!!!!

2007-04-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

RECOVERED

Although the daily news has reported that a definite ruling has not been made, the National Center for Missing Adults has listed Alice Artison as recovered. No foul play has been indicated in her death.

I awoke this morning thinking of the upcoming March for the Missing. I wondered how I would get in contact with Ms. Artison's family to include them in our ceremony. Only to find out moments later that Alice had been found. My heart breaks for them. Although they now know where she is, they may never know how she died.

Read the story here: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20070423_UNKNOWNS_BONES.html

For information on the March for the Missing and how you can help, email dejuana45@msn.com.

2007-03-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

MARCH FOR THE MISSING 2007

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first annual March for the Missing will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2006. We will begin on a small scale and with growth and participation we will increase gradually. Our first March will be held in the area where Our Brennie disappeared.

The gathering point will be in Hunting Park. We will gather in the parking lot on the Old York Road side and march out of the park south on Old York Rd. We will turn East on Luzerne Ave to 9th, left on 9th northward back to the park. We will march through the park back to our starting point for a brief ceremony.

All families and friends of missing persons are invited to attend. Please email dejuana45@msn.com for more information.

2007-03-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Shamari Taylor Still Missing

ABOUT 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2006, Shamari Taylor and his young female companion were surrounded by a menacing pack of masked punks on the streets of Overbrook Park, according to police. The men - police say there were seven to 10 of them - flashed badges and guns and shoved Taylor, 26, and his companion into a car and sped off. Since then, Taylor - son of state Rep. John Myers - has not been seen or heard from. Six hours after the abductions, the ordeal was over for Taylor's unidentified companion, who was released on York Street near 31st in Strawberry Mansion. The next night, Myers' office released a statement. "On behalf of Rep. Myers and his family, we ask for your prayers at this time," it said. "We ask for anyone with knowledge of what happened to his son Shamari to come forward."

Mr. Taylor's 56-year-old mother and his sister, 21, were shot at the family's West Philadelphia home by two intruders the day after his disapperance, authorities said. The mother, shot in the head, was hospitalized in critical condition and later recovered. The sister was treated for a shoulder wound and released. Their names were not made public. Police consider the crimes connected, based on descriptions of the assailants provided by the female companion and the sister.

The companion reported that a group of seven to 10 men shoved them into a van at about 11 p.m., police Lt. John Walker said. She told police they were duct-taped and taken to an unknown location, possibly a warehouse. The woman said she was released at about 5 a.m. Sunday, but did not contact police until about 5 p.m., Lt. Walker said. Two hours later, two intruders -- who might have had a key -- entered the Taylor residence, Lt. Walker said. They shot the women and then rummaged through Mr. Taylor's bedroom, leaving with an undetermined amount of cash. Mr. Myers last spoke with his son a few weeks before the abduction. Nothing seemed amiss, he said.

2007-03-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

This is a profile of a woman that I posted nearly two years ago. For some reason she has been on my mind. I believe the main reason is because she has been missing so long and I have never seen any publicity on her case. My prayers are with her family as they enter the 7th year of her disappearance. Most of all my prayers are with her now nearly 9 year old son who may not even remember her.

Aesha Amerah Muhammed

Date Of Birth: October 11, 1977

Age at Disappearance: 23 years oldHeight and Weight: 5'8-5'9, 135-140 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. She has a gap between her upper from teeth.

Details of Disappearance: Muhammed was last seen at her residence in the vicinity of the 1600 block of north 56th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 30, 2000. Her two-and-a-half year-old son disappeared with her but turned up several weeks later when he was dropped off at a church in New Jersey by an unknown individual. Muhammed has never been heard from again. Foul play is suspected in her case.

If you have any information about Aesha or know of her wherabouts contact the Philadelphia Police Department @ 215.685-3257.

2007-03-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Still Praying........

I looked through the online news archives and found this article. It will tell a little about her disappearance for those who don't know her story.

It amazed me because I remember thinking at that time that it had been a long time for Brennie to be missing - The story was done in July 1997. It had been just 5 months since her disappearance.

Fastforward to March 2007. It has now been 10 years and 24 days since Brennie has been gone. It has been only God's grace and our faith that He will bring to light everything that was done in secret, that sustains us from day to day.

The strangest thing for me is that in 10 years, I have not been able to cry over what has happened. I watched a video last night of Brennie and I having a ball at a barbecue in 1993. As I watched, I immediately remembered our conversations, our laughter, our silliness. I felt a longing to pick up the phone and call her... but at what number? Not to mention the fact that she doesn't have mine.

I watched the video over and over but, I didn't cry. If anything it made me more vigilant, gave me another wind so to speak. So today, I place another post on this site that I have dedicated to her......and I wait for the day when we will be able to laugh together again!

Here is the article......

Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
July 21, 1997
WOMAN MISSING \ FAMILY HASN'T GIVEN UP HOPE AND STILL PRAYS FOR DAUGHTER
Author: Jamal E. Watson, Daily News Staff Writer
Edition: PMSection: LOCALPage: 06
Index Terms:MISSING PERSON
Estimated printed pages: 3
Article Text:
Karen and Harvey Smith refuse to give up hope.

Every day, the Logan couple think about their missing 25-year-old daughter and pray for her safe return.

Brenwanda Smith, a SEPTA bus driver for two years, has been missing since February.
``We believe that our daughter is still alive and there are certain circumstances that are preventing her from getting in touch with us,'' said Harvey Smith.

Despite rallies at the place where Smith was last seen - SEPTA's Luzerne depot in North Philadelphia - fliers plastered across SEPTA buses, and a $1,000 reward offered by her friends, police have no clues as to her disappearance.

``We haven't got a thing,'' said Lt. John Scholly, of the Cheltenham police, which is handling the investigation because Smith lived in the township.
``We've followed up on every lead possible, but we keep hitting a dead-end.''

At 4 a.m. on Feb. 18, Brennie, as she is called by family and friends, reported to work much like any other day. At 7 that evening, as she walked near the Luzerne depot - long after her shift was over - she told co-workers she was waiting for a ride.
After that, she vanished.

Smith worked as a hold-down operator - a job where she filled in when regular bus operators were sick or on vacation, said SEPTA spokeswoman Barbara Siegel.
The agency made up fliers and put them on buses.

Smith's parents said she worked long hours and saved her money to pay for the Lynnewood Gardens apartment in Cheltenham, where she moved in January. Before landing her job at SEPTA, Smith, a Central High graduate, attended business school for a short time, and worked odd jobs at a bank.

``She was excited about having her own apartment for the first time,'' said Karen Smith, owner of a hair styling salon.

On the day she disappeared, Brenwanda Smith had a minor traffic accident about noon on Broad Street near Girard Avenue while driving the Route C bus. She went to the depot to fill out an accident report, SEPTA officials said. She left work for the day around 1:30 p.m. Two SEPTA colleagues saw her about 7 p.m. on Old York Road, near the depot. She declined an offer for a ride, saying she already had one.

Police said it did not appear that Smith made it to her apartment that night.
``Someone saw her get into a vehicle,'' says DeJuana Price, a close friend. ``Someone saw her that night.''

Harvey Smith said his daughter did not own a car. Sometimes he picked her up from work. Other times, she caught rides with co-workers, or took the bus.

Erica Sterling, Brenwanda's best friend, said, ``If you paged her she would always call you back right away.''

Police also said they find no reason to suggest the young woman fled willingly.
``Everyone that we've talked to says she was hard-working and clean as a whistle,'' noted Lt. Scholly. ``It scares us the most that she had not made any contact with family or friends,'' said Detective Mike Santarelli.

Soon after Cynthia McCrae learned her cousin was missing, she began paging Smith twice a day.
It almost became a ritual for McCrae. Sometimes, said McCrae, her phone would ring.
She could hear a television in the background, but the caller never spoke. Smith's beeper was cut off May 30.

Meanwhile, family members try to cope, clinging to their faith to help them through the difficult period. They also continue to hope someone will come forward with information that will help reunite them with Smith.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Brenwanda Smith should call Cheltenham police 215-885-1600.

Caption:PHOTOHarvey and Karen Smith with picture of missing daughter Brenwanda, a SEPTA bus driver who hasn't been heard from since last February (GEORGE MILLER/ DAILY NEWS)PHOTO
Memo:Mystery Disappearance
Copyright (c) 1997 Philadelphia Daily NewsRecord Number: 9707220196

2007-03-09T05:55:00.000-08:00

JAMES T. BOOZER, SR.

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 21, 2006 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: November 7, 1925
Age: 80 years old
Height and Weight: 5'11, 128 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American male. Black hair, brown eyes. Boozer's nicknames are Jimmy, Jim and J. He is missing one of his upper front teeth and he has previously broken his right hand. He has a small scar above his right eye near his hairline.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A red and blue short-sleeved plaid shirt, a white long-sleeve thermal undershirt, a tan jacket, tan pants, brown shoes, a white cap, a dark brown belt and a Timex watch.
Medical Conditions: Boozer suffers from dementia and requires daily medication for a heart condition.

Details of Disappearance
Boozer was last seen left his residence on foot in the 5800 block of Montrose in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 8:00 a.m. on June 21, 2006 to take the train to a doctor's appointment at Wills Eye Hospital. He arrived safely at the doctor's office in the vicinity of 8th Street and Walnut and left afterwards at 11:30 a.m. He never made it home and has never been heard from again.
Boozer's wife describes him as an extremely shy man who would be unlikely to seek out attention even if he needed help. She reported him as a missing person at 5:00 p.m. on the day of his disappearance. Due to his medical conditions, there is fear for Boozer's safety. He was carrying a brown wallet at the time of his disappearance. His case remains unsolved.

Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Philadelphia Police Department

215-686-3183

Today's posting alarms me. This gentleman was 80 years old at the time of his disappearance. It is unlikely that he met with foul play. It is my guess that he got ill and was hospitalized. Due to his dementia, he probably did not know who he was. It is possible however that he was mugged which could have traumatized him and he slipped further into an amnesiac. I hate to play the race card again but, as a resident of Philadelphia, I have seen several white senior citizens on the news when they have gone missing and are victims of Alzheimers. I have yet to see any publicized missing black seniors. I believe the same in the case of Alice Artison who disappeared on July 22, 2004. These two grandparents could very well be victims of a careless municipality. They may be a Jane and John Doe in a local nursing home or state hospital....so close to the loved ones that search for them daily.

2007-03-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

10 YEARS, 18 DAYS.......

and I'm not giving up! I will find out where you are and who is responsible.

Today for some reason, I am feeling especially hopeful, full of faith. I had a dream recently that you returned to us and I cried while telling you that I never stopped looking for you. The possibility of that day is what I strive for. The opportunity to tell you that you are so loved and mean so much to me that I never ceased to search for you.

I am determined not to let anyone forget you. Even people who never met you will know who you are! I am still emailing Oprah. Still trying to contact Montell. I have emailed Steve Harvey, John Walsh. I will get national coverage someway, somehow. We will get your face out there and we will get to the bottom of this. The responsible party will not go unpunished although I'm sure they are in a comfort zone right now. JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED! The GOD we serve is too just and righteous for this to go unsolved. We have to be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might!

I remind myself that this did not come to stay....IT CAME TO PASS!!!! Looking forward to the day that you return to us! I LOVE YOU PUNKIN!!!!

LOVE, Dee

TO THE FAMILIES OF MISSING PERSONS, LET'S JOIN TOGETHER TO GET THIS MARCH FOR THE MISSING IN PHILADELPHIA. EMAIL ME AT dejuana45@msn.com.

P.S. To the families of Aesha Muhammad, Robin Ellis, Marilyn Lanier, Aaron Green, Allen Briscoe, Eulace King, Shameeka Dixon-Gordon, Daphne Philisa Jones, Tyesha Patrice Bell, Dymashal Lashon Cullins, Latoya Natasha Thomas, Shirley Geanes, Kireasha Pam Linkorne, Marcie Crane, Alice Artison and the countless others....KEEP THE FAITH - GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS MISSING

How long must you wait to file a Missing Persons Report?

A. 24 hours

B. 12 hours

C. 2 hours

D. I'm not sure

If you chose any of the answers above, then you need to learn the facts.

A person can and should be reported missing as soon as you realize they are missing and something is wrong. Children may be reported right away. As for a missing adult, that can very from state to state. Why assume?! Just contact your local authorities and get the facts. So the answer is RIGHT AWAY!

THE FIRST 24 HOURS

The first 3 hours are the most critical in any missing persons case. When you suspect someone is missing, you need to take immediate action because everything you will need to do will use up that valuable time. You will want to do as many of the things listed below, as fast and soon as you can.

What To Do First

The first thing to do may seem pretty obvious, but when you suspect someone is missing, there may be some things you haven't thought of.
1. Check around your house and neighborhood- TRY NOT TO DISTURB POTENTIAL EVIDENCE- EVEN IN YOUR HOME! ESPECIALLY THEIR PERSONAL ITEMS and things in their room. But do check in their closet, under the bed, in vehicles- INCLUDING THE TRUNK OR CARGO AREA. Check anywhere that is small enough for that person to fit into. Look around your neighborhood, in culverts, ditches, ponds, streams, bushes, woods, BUT DON'T GO ALONE IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO!

2. Call their friends and other family members- They may know something you don't. CHECK YOUR CALLER ID FIRST AND CHECK YOUR OUTGOING CALLS. perhaps one of the last calls going out or coming in could yield direction or information on where they might have gone or who they might be with. Check that before you make so many calls that the information risks being lost. Get a notebook and write the numbers down in your caller ID list before you start calling. Have someone else grab a pencil while you read the numbers off to them to make it faster and to reassure it is accurate. Include the times the calls were made or received. Have the people you call, call people THEY know that know the person who is missing. No one is going to care if their house is called twice or more when you are concerned someone is missing. Call hospitals, jails, or other areas you believe they could possibly be. Once you have taken these steps, it is time to call 911.

Where do I file the report?

You need to contact the Law Enforcement Agency that is nearest to where the person was last known to have been. You can do this by phone. You can also call 911 and give them that information. They will want to know from where the person is missing, who the person is, a physical description, age, what they were last seen wearing, and what they were doing or where they were headed. Did they have a car, what else is missing, what did they have with them, and why you think they are missing.

Other information that can be helpful can be found below in the "What you should do and know to be prepared if someone you know becomes missing." Hopefully you will have read that information BEFORE you needed it. Better yet, hopefully the information you have read will never be needed.

Group

After you have followed the above steps and contacted the authorities, invite a few close friends and/or family members over. Stay close to the phone and keep your group small. You will need support and someone to talk with. Make sure they too do not disturb any possible evidence before investigators do their job. Only allow the group you invited over to come to your house. Ask that others group at a neighbors, relatives, or another friends home. This keeps things such as fingerprints to a minimum and helps assure potential evidence is left undisturbed during the initial investigation.

Make a list of names, phone numbers, and addresses for persons phone numbers your unsure of. Include the missing persons neighbors, friends, family members, teachers, school mates, coaches, coworkers, church members, organizations they belong to, and others who know your loved ones. Authorities will need that list to aid in their investigation.

KEEP A NOTEBOOK: Make a copy of that list for yourself as well. To your list add contact numbers for the police who will be investigating the case, media, and any other important numbers. In the same notebook, keep a log of everything Law Enforcement says to you. List everything they take from your home.
Know Your RightsYou have the right to make recommendations and ask questions of law enforcement and others. They are working for you and the person that is missing. Don't be afraid to speak out.

Organize

Determine who will be doing what. Each group that forms should be given an area to search, or know what their role within the group is. Perhaps helping to set up a central meeting place, provide meals, a calling center, organizing search parties and contacting search members, gathering email addresses, sign up sheets, printing posters or taking the information somewhere to have them done for you (see underlined info in paragraph below), decide who will take incoming calls and have them document the calls such as who called, what time, and a brief description of the conversation, such as: called to offer help with search, meals, offer condolences, newspaper calling for latest details, etc.... Assign someone to contact missing persons organizations and the media. Some of these things you may wish to do yourself or have another immediate family member do, but be sure to keep your contact phone line open as much as possible. Use a friends cell phone or have another family member call from a neighbors. When the media comes for an interview, try to be short and to the point so that the most important details are what they air and print. They are your most valuable asset because they help to get the information in front of thousands of viewers and readers.
Missing Person PostersGather some recent photos together. Try to get various angles of their face as to show the shape of their nose and and other distinguishing characteristics. Make a missing persons poster. Be sure to include a clear picture or pictures, physical description, distinguishing characteristics- like talks with a lisp or accent, has a limp, wears braces, wears dentures, or what ever makes them unique. Include contact information , where the person was last seen, what they were wearing, If any of their personal belongings are missing or were left behind such as purse, wallet, vehicle, backpack, and so on. Medications they are taking. Some police departments, organizations, or businesses may help or offer their services for free, but you may wish to get a head start by having someone print several to start with.

Have groups spread out in various directions to distribute the posters. Begin within the first 5 miles of the place the person was last known to have been, and within 5 miles of their home. Put one up EVERYWHERE! Make several copies so you can flood the area with the posters. If you do not have a computer and a printer, send someone to the printers or ask that your friends who do have printers and computers to help. Have someone get ink cartridges if you decide to do them yourself so that you will be able to make plenty. Some posters may blow away or come down and you will want one of your groups to recheck that the posters are still up and replace any that are missing. Go to businesses, use telephone poles, go door to door. Anywhere you can find to get the posters in the publics eye.

2007-03-07T05:41:00.000-08:00

Stephanie Marie Gant-Brady

Missing Since: April 8, 1984 from Baltimore, Maryland
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: October 17, 1944
Age: 39 years old
Height and Weight: 5'3, 110 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Gant-Brady wears eyeglasses or contact lenses. Her nickname is Penny.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: An opal ring and a pinky ring set with a small diamond.
Medical Conditions: Gant-Brady was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978 and has difficulty walking as a result of her condition. She utilizes a cane and a wheelchair to get around, but she had neither with her when she vanished.

Details of Disappearance

Gant-Brady was last seen in Baltimore, Maryland on April 8, 1984. She resided in the 4600 block of Horizon Circle in the Woodlawn area at the time. After her disappearance, Gant-Brady's male companion stated she had traveled to London, England to write a book. However, Gant-Brady never obtained a passport, did not pick up her last paycheck, and left all of her personal belongings, including her cane and wheelchair, behind when she vanished.

Gant-Brady has one son. She got a bachelor's degree in sociology from Morgan State University and was attempting a master's degree from the University of Baltimore in 1984. She was the first African-American woman to reach the rank of lieutenant in the Maryland National Guard. She was also a member of the Governor's Committee for the Handicapped. Gant-Brady was employed as a substitute middle and elementary school teacher at the time of her disappearance. Her case remains unsolvd.

Family Reflections of Stephanie

Helen Gant-Fox describes her missing daughter, Stephanie, as a loving and generous person. A good daughter, a good mother, an achiever. She said that Helen always kept a positive attitude. She quoted Confucious, “he who has hope has everything.” Stephanie, who loved music, tennis and attending concerts, was also a believer. Helen remembers Stephanie’s favorite prayer was the Serenity prayer. She had a positive influence on everyone around her, and poured all she could into her family.

Stephanie Marie Gant-Brady – A Penny for Your Thoughts: Words from her son Paul.
“ ‘Sometimes a man seeks what he hath lost; and from that place, and time, wherein he misses it, his mind runs back, from place to place, and time to time, to find where and when he had it; that is to say, to find some certain and limited time and place in which to begin a method of seeking. Again, from thence, his thoughts run over the same places and times to find what action or occasion might make him lose it. This we call remembrance, or calling to mind.’” – Thomas Hobbs

It’s never easy, Paul states, writing about someone you love, that’s been missing for so long, but never difficult expressing how wonderful they are. This is my mother Stephanie Marie Gant-Brady, affectionately “Penny.”

Born October 17, 1944, Penny was destined to be an overachiever in all she set out to do. Upon leaving Morgan State University, she joined the Maryland National Guard, being one of three women to graduate from the school’s 18-year history (1997) of Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant. In 1978, she was diagnosed with having Multiple Sclerosis. She accepted the diagnosis, went out and had her hair done, joined a group to aid the disabled, and decided, life goes on.

She excelled even with a disability that affected her physically. ; commissioned to the Governor’s Committee for hiring the handicapped, a Resource Specialist for Baltimore Citizens for Housing for the Disabled; she returned to Morgan to receive an undergraduate degree in Sociology, wrote a news column for the disabled community in the Afro American newspaper and wrote the astrology page in the syndicated Dawn magazine. For recreation, she coached a boys little league basketball team (ages 11 and 12) and was an after school recreation leader. She went from coach to Ms. Brady, substitute school teacher at the elementary and junior high school in Baltimore County. At the time of her disappearance, she was working on her Master’s degree at the University of Baltimore.

She was the perfect mother, and “adoptive” mother to many children and young people, a respected adult, pillar of the community and an outgoing and caring person for all. She lived for the moment; a dreamer that made her dreams reality and a strong advocate for what she believed in, people.

As a single parent, Penny joined Parents without Partners, which she made many new friends to network with, attended meetings and social functions. She showed that her disability did not stop her from dancing to roller skating. She loved her family unconditionally as the eldest of three, she took the values instilled in her by her mother and aunt and applied them to all of her endeavors, including being an inspiration to her brother, sister and cousin.

But it was only one person that made up Penny’s world, her ‘soul’ inspiration, and that honor is me, her only child. My mother is/was my best friend, confidant, my completeness. She raised me to be independent, loving, and understanding. She proved that anything can be overcome, once you put your mind to it. Thought she may be a little disappointed with how my life has changed, but a mother’s love is a mother’s love. Today she is a grandmother of (3) beautiful grandchildren who all have one of her unique and loving traits. I can only imagine how spoiled they would be if you were here.

Unfortunately, we will never forget that beautiful Sunday afternoon, April 8, 1984, the very last words ever spoken to and from you was ‘I love you.’ You strongly believed these words should always be the last things spoken, so you’ll never regret not saying it.

It is those words that I hold near and cherish in my memory of you. They make me persevere in this quest. Many have moved on and light endless candles in remembrance, it’s that love we share that won’t allow me to give up. Only (3) truly know what happened; you, God and that person whose refused to disclose your true whereabouts. You live in the hearts and minds of your family, grandchildren, and friends. You’re in my soul and spread around through my love, you are my inspiration, best friend, and greatest mother. I love you forever.

Your one and only son, Paul.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Baltimore County Police Department 410-887-3943

2007-03-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOMAN????

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: February 18, 1997 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing

Age: 24 years old

Height and Weight: 5'9, 135 - 150 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair, brown eyes. Smith's hair was styled in braids at the time of her disappearance. Her nickname is Brennie.

Clothing Description: A light blue uniform shirt and dark blue uniform pants. A SEPTA logo was on her shirt sleeve; an image of the logo is posted above.

Details of Disappearance: Brennie worked as a bus driver for SEPTA, the public transit system, in 1997; she had held the job since 1994. She was last seen after work at the Luzerne depot near Old York Road and Luzerne Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 18, 1997. She was reported missing that same day. Brennie has never been heard from again. Authorities have speculated that Juan Covington, a diagnosed schizophrenic and former SEPTA employee who has been charged with two murders and is suspected of several more, may have been involved in her case. We believe this is a total falsehood. Smith's case remains open and unsolved. She moved from Philadelphia to Cheltenham, Pennsylvania shortly before her disappearance therefore; Cheltenham police are investigating her case. Please contact them at 215-885-1600 with any information.

2007-01-23T10:52:00.000-08:00

Oh Brennie!! I need help finding you!!

February 18th will mark 10 years since you've been gone. I need to get help for you and others like you.....to try to ensure that this doesn't happen to more people.

Today, I sit here in disbelief. Even after all the years that have gone by, I can't believe I am doing this. I am still looking for you, still trying to get answers as to what could have happened to you. As the days, weeks, and months pass by, more women and men fall into the same abyss that you've seemed to fall into. Where has everyone gone? Where on earth could you be?

I feel overwhelmed with so much work to do yet so little to work with. But I am determined! I won't say UNCLE! I will push, I will fight I will be your voice...Let's get moving people, if you feel moved to help with this cause, e-mail me. Only great numbers helping, will bring great numbers home!

This is dedicated to Brennie (Smith), Jason(Jolkowski), Eulace(King), LaToya(Byrd), Aeesha(Muhammad), Heather(Teague), Marilyn(Lanier), Aaron(Green) and a host of others who have yet to find their way home.

2005-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

Where is Asia Nicole Martin?????

Missing Since: May 27, 2005 from Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: November 5, 1985
Age: 19 years old (at time of disappearance)
Height and Weight: 5'1, 120 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. Martin is unable to bend her left pinky finger. Her ears are double-pierced, her navel is pierced and her lower teeth are crooked. Her nickname is Nikkie.

Medical Conditions: Martin has an unspecified medical condition.

Details of Disappearance
Martin last spoke to her mother at approximately 8:40 p.m. on May 27, 2005 from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Her roommate stated Martin left their residence on Robinson Place to take a walk and never returned. The roommate said Martin was behaving normally prior to her disappearance. She has never been heard from again.

Martin had purchased a bus ticket on May 24 to visit her mother in Denver, Colorado, but she never boarded the bus when it left a week later. She lived in Slidell, Louisiana for several years during her adolescence, then moved to Hattiesburg in 2003 and graduated from Petal High School. She had been a student at Pearl River Community College, but took a semester off to help her mother, who was ill. Authorities believe she may have left of her own accord, but her loved ones stated it is uncharacteristic of her not to contact them; they fear she is in danger. Her case remains unsolved.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Flathead County Sheriff's Office 406-758-5610

2005-11-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

MISSING PHILADELPHIA MAN

Missing Since: May 3, 2003 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Classification: Endangered Missing

Date Of Birth: June 20, 1973

Age: 29 years old

Height and Weight: 6'0, 155 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. King's nickname is Bam. He has the following tattoos: his nickname "Bam" on his upper right arm, the initials "BQ" on his upper right arm, the name "Wanda" on his upper left arm, the name "Naaja" on his left forearm, the name "Quadir" between his left thumb and index finger, and the name name "Raheem" on his right bicep. King has cataracts in his right eye. His ears are pierced.

Clothing Description: A white t-shirt, black jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt.

Medical Conditions: King has an unspecified medical condition and may be in need of medication.

Details of Disappearance King was last seen at approximately 11:00 p.m. on May 3, 2003 as he left a relative's home in the vicinity of the 2700 block of west Jefferson Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The jewelry he normally wore, a watch and two diamond earrings, were found in his apartment after his disappearance. King's car, a gray 1990 Oldsmobile with Pennsylvania license plates numbered FCE9685, was found abandoned on May 15, twelve days after his disappearance. It was located in the 300 block of Masher St in Philadelphia. The vehicle had been wiped clean of fingerprints and there was no sign of King at the scene. Although King was involved with the drug culture at the time of his disappearance, his mother stated that he always kept in contact with his loved ones and it was uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning. He did not call his mother on Mother's Day, and did not appear at his sister's wedding, which he had been looking forward to. Foul play is possible in King's case, which remains unsolved.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Philadelphia Police Department 215-685-3257

2005-11-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

Imagine 20+ years without your mother....Young Mother of 3 Dissappears from Kansas City 21 years ago.

Kimberly Carter would be 40 years old now. No one has seen her since 1984.

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: July 5, 1984 from Kansas City, Missouri

Classification: Endangered Missing

Date of Birth: April 21, 1965

Age: 19 years old

Height and Weight: 5'3, 115 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes.

Clothing Description: A black pantsuit and a white cap.

Details of Disappearance Young Kimberly Carter was last seen in the vicinity of the 4500 block of Kensington in Kansas City, Missouri during the early evening hours of on July 5, 1984. She left her three children in the care of a girlfriend and went to work. Afterwards she supposedly called a friend from somewhere in Kansas and asked for a ride home. Carter never arrived home and has never been heard from again. Few details are available in her case. Her family believes she met with foul play, as it is uncharacteristic of her to abandon her children.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Kansas City Police Department at
816-234-5136 OR 816-234-5000

2005-11-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

HOORAY!!!!

Young Harrison Carter, a teenager that I posted last week as missing has been found safe. Thank you to all who posted the press release and networked for his safe return.

2005-11-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

Missing Philadelphia Boy
I recently received an e-mail regarding a missing young man from Philadelphia. Please see the attached press release from the Philadelphia Police Department. http://www.ppdonline.org/pdf/pressreleases/2005/111505.pdf

2005-11-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

Missing New Jersey Mother and Young Daughter

Details of Disappearance
Sherry Stout was last seen in the vicinity of the 200 block of South Street in Elizabeth, New Jersey during the early morning hours of January 13, 2005. She disappeared with her young daughter, Quranah Gilliam. Neither of them have been heard from again. Stout and Quranah may be in the company of Laquan Gilliam. He is African-American; photographs and additional information for him are unavailable. Laquan has a warrant out for his arrest. Quranah and Stout's cases remains unsolved.

Sherry's Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: January 13, 2005 from Elizabeth, New Jersey
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: May 28, 1969
Age: 35 years old
Height and Weight: 5'3, 130 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. Stout's ears are pierced.
Clothing Description: Jeans and a brown blouse.

Quranah's Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: January 13, 2005 from Elizabeth, New Jersey
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: October 17, 2003
Age: 1 year old
Height and Weight: 2'0, 35 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair, brown eyes.

2005-10-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

YOU CAN HELP!!!!!!

I have decided to spearhead a Citywide Day for the Missing in Philadelphia. The date is tentatively set for Spring 2006. Target location is in front of Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. This will be an event for families and friends of missing persons. You are welcome to bring photos, posters, t-shirt and other items bearing the likeness of your loved one.I am in the process of making arrangements for the event. I hope to gain the support of our local sports teams and maybe get celebrities from our area to participate in the event. I will have law enforcement officials speak to the crowd regarding procedures for filing missing persons reports and safety for individuals to prevent personal endangerment or future abductions. To offer your assistance or to participate in this event please contact me via e-mail at dejuana45@msn.com.In the press recently there has been mention of the racial divide in coverage for missing black females. In all fairness, I have seen very few missing white males with the exception of Richard Petrone. Nonetheless, before being thrust firsthand into this situation, I was unaware of just how many adults go missing yearly. If I was in the dark - imagine how many others are in the same position!!! Let's make the public aware of our situation and help to prevent it from becoming an even bigger epidemic.To view photos of missing adults go to http://www.theyaremissed.com/. For information on beginning legislation for better police procedures when adults are missing go to http://www.projectjason.org/ and read about Kelly Jolkowski and her family's ordeal and what they did to make some good come out of her son's disapperance. Also see her daily blog http://www.voice4themissing.blogspot.com/. We have to do what they did....MAKE NOISE TILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!

2005-10-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Have You Seen Me???

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: September 24, 2004 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Height and Weight: 5'4, 165 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. Slaughter has no teeth. He has a scar on the top of his head and a moustache.
Clothing Description: Khaki pants, a brown flannel tweed shirt and boots.
Medical Conditions: Slaughter has a brain tumor and suffers from seizures as a result. He has the mental capacity of a nine-year-old.
Details of Disappearance: Slaughter was last seen at the intersection of 26th and Cambria Streets in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at approximately 4:00 p.m. on September 24, 2004. His family says it is uncharacteristic of him to leave home for an extended length of time. His case remains unsolved.

2005-10-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Have You seen Me?

Alice Artison
Artison was last seen at approximately 3:00 p.m. on July 22, 2004, at a family member's residence in the vicinity of the 3000 block of west Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She left the residence on foot with her relative and the two parted ways at the intersection of Broad and Masters Streets. She has never been heard from again. Artison was in good physical health at the time of her disappearance and had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or anything similar, but her loved ones say she was becoming increasingly forgetful before she vanished and often misplaced things. They believe she may have become lost and forgotten where she is and/or who she is. Her daughter was considering having her get a medical evaluation before she disappeared. Artison's case remains unsolved

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: July 22, 2004 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: May 2, 1928
Age: 76 years old
Height and Weight: 4'11 - 5'4, 125 - 135 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Gray hair, brown eyes. Artison was wearing a short black and gray wig at the time of her disappearance. She wears plastic-framed eyeglasses and a full set of dentures. She has pierced ears and a scar on her elbow.
Clothing Description: A gray or pink skirt, a matching jacket and a gold band on her left hand.

2005-10-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

YAHOOOO!!!!!!

Brennie was recently added to the following missing persons sites;

www.nampn.doenetwork.us

and

www.charleyproject.org

I plan to supply them with more information about her and her disapperance. This will give her a more complete profile. We are definitely making headway with getting her story noticed!!

2005-10-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Have You Seen This Woman???
Andriene Walker

Clothing Description: Black pants, a red shirt, and boots.
Medical Conditions: Walker has an unspecified medical condition.
Details of Disappearance: Walker was last seen at her residence in the vicinity of Windrim Avenue and North Pennok Avenue in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 2003. She has never been heard from again. Few details are available in Walker's case.

Investigating Agency If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Upper Darby Township Police Department 610-734-7684

2005-10-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

REPEAT POSTING!!!!

I have decided to spearhead a Citywide Day for the Missing in Philadelphia. The date is tentatively set for Spring 2006. Target location is in front of Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. This will be an event for families and friends of missing persons. You are welcome to bring photos, posters, t-shirt and other items bearing the likeness of your loved one.

I am in the process of making arrangements for the event. I hope to gain the support of our local sports teams and maybe get celebrities from our area to participate in the event. I will have law enforcement officials speak to the crowd regarding procedures for filing missing persons reports and safety for individuals to prevent personal endangerment or future abductions. To offer your assistance or to participate in this event please contact me via e-mail at dejuana45@msn.com.

In the press recently there has been mention of the racial divide in coverage for missing black females. In all fairness, I have seen very few missing white males with the exception of Richard Petrone. Nonetheless, before being thrust firsthand into this situation, I was unaware of just how many adults go missing yearly. If I was in the dark - imagine how many others are in the same position!!! Let's make the public aware of our situation and help to prevent it from becoming an even bigger epidemic.

To view photos of missing adults go to www.theyaremissed.com. For information on beginning legislation for better police procedures when adults are missing go to www.projectjason.org and read about Kelly Jolkowski and her family's ordeal and what they did to make some good come out of her son's disapperance. Also see her daily blog www.voice4themissing.blogspot.com. We have to do what they did....MAKE NOISE TILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!

2005-09-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

DAPHNE PHILISIA JONES Missing since January 3, 1999On the day Daphne disappeared, her grandmother, Ethel Clark, had dropped her off
at her New Orleans apartment at 2:30 p.m. Daphne, then 22, was scheduled
to work a 3:00 p.m. shift at Brennan’s Restaurant, but she never made it. “I didn’t have a good feeling about leaving her at that dark apartment,” Clark recalls. A student at the University of New Orleans, Daphne had recently moved from the dorms into an apartment after learning she was pregnant. She had a plane ticket and planned to leave for Maryland in six days, to live with her mother. To report information about Daphne’s disappearance, contact Captain Defillo at the New Orleans Police Department, (504) 658-5858.

TYESHA PATRICE BELL Missing since May 2003, Twenty-two years old when she disappeared from Aurora, Illinois, Tyesha had been a teenage mother; her daughters are now ages 7 and 3. Though in conflict with her own mother for much of her adolescence, in recent years Tyesha had started shopping with her, and the two women
were talking more. Police say that phone records show that on the night
Tyesha disappeared, the father of her younger daughter called. According to Tyesha’s mother, Tyesha wasn’t working, and he had apparently been taking care of her financially. “I just can’t see her up and leaving her children,” says Tyesha’s mother. “I’m still holding on to hope.” To report information about Tyesha’s disappearance, contact Detective James Coursey at the Aurora Police Department, (630) 801-6712.

DYMASHAL LASHON CULLINS Missing since August 2003Dymashal, an Atlanta real-estate loan officer, is the mother of five children, including twin girls. “Dee Dee,” as she is known, married their father in 1999. The couple later separated. Dee Dee’s
mother, Viola Corbitt, says that in early 2003, the twins’ father wanted to
reconcile with Dee Dee, then 32. Though Dee Dee talked with her mother about filing for divorce in July, she still let him move into her home in August. Corbitt last spoke with Dee Dee at 7:00 p.m. on August 28. “She was dating a new guy,” she recalls. “She was laughing and happy when she called me.” Three weeks later, her SUV was found abandoned. To report information about Dymashal’s disappearance, contact Atlanta Police Department, (404) 853-4235.

LATOYA NATASHA THOMAS Missing since September 30, 2000Latoya was 25 at the time of her disappearance from Hayward, California. After attending a birthday party in her honor thrown by coworkers at the Bosley Medical Center in San Francisco, Latoya returned to the Riverside Terrace apartments. She was seen doing laundry at about 10:00 p.m. Her 4-year-old daughter was staying with her boyfriend’s mother, and Latoya was supposed to pick her up the next day. She was last seen leaving her apartment that night. Her boyfriend, Nathan, reported her missing three days later. Her car was found abandoned with her purse on the seat. To report information about Latoya’s disappearance, contact Detective Stuart, Hayward Police Department, (510) 293-7219.

SHIRLEY GEANES Missing since September 2004On the day Shirley, 40, went missing from Richardson, Texas, she had called home while working a job in Rowlett. The co-owner of a cleaning business with her husband of 11 years, Shirley was on her way to another job at about 11:00 a.m. Her Ford Escort was found the next day in south Dallas, more than 20 miles away from her destination. “We’re still just baffled by the whole thing,” says her husband, Sam Geanes. Shirley has three children from previous relationships. Since her disappearance, Sam hasn’t had much contact with any of them. “Everybody is just coming to grips with the reality that she’s missing,” he says. “Even though that’s sad, and at times really difficult, I try to prepare myself spiritually for the worst.” To report information about Shirley’s disappearance, contact Sergeant Kevin Perlich at the Richardson Police Department, (972) 744-4801.

KIREASHA PAM LINKHORNE Missing since October 2003A resident of Camden, New Jersey, Kireasha, then 19, was last seen at her residence at approximately 8:30 p.m. on the day she went missing two years ago. She did not pick up paychecks from two jobs. According to public records, a Kireasha Linkhorne, now 21 and a resident of New York City, registered to vote in May 2004. But Detective Agron of the Camden Police Department says, “We’ve had no information about that. She’s still missing, according to our records.” Since her disappearance, Detective Agron has lost contact with Kireasha’s family and has been unable to locate a forwarding address or phone number. To report information about Kireasha’s disappearance, contact Detective Agron at the Camden Police Department, (856) 757-7400.

MARCIE CRANE Missing since October 2003The Marietta, Georgia, resident was 28 years old and the mother of five children under the age of 14 when she went missing. According to her mother, Barbara Crane, she had been living with her estranged husband, “trying to rekindle the relationship.” Marcie had recently completed training in real estate and was trying to establish her own business. She told her mother that she had borrowed $30,000 from someone who had subsequently chased her with a car and threatened her life. Another man, who had helped Marcie pay for schooling, was later discovered by police to be using a fake name. Barbara Crane admits she didn’t know much about the men in her daughter’s life, including her husband of less than a year, whom Marcie may have met on the Internet. To report information about Marcie’s disappearance, contact Detective Chris Twiggs at the Cobb County Police Department, (770) 499-3931.

WHERE TO CALL When someone you love is missing, in addition to state and federal law-enforcement authorities, these agencies can help:

National Center for Missing Adults A division of the Nation’s Missing Children Organization, Inc., this nonprofit organization works with the U.S. Department of Justice to provide a national clearinghouse for data on missing adults and also assists law enforcement and families with information and advocacy. Address: 2432 W. Peoria Ave., Ste. 1286, Phoenix AZ 85029. Hotline: (800) 690-FIND; Tel: (602) 749-2000; Fax: (602) 749-2020; Web site: http://www.theyaremissed.org

Team Hope
Established in 1998, the Philadelphia-based Team Hope assists families in crisis by offering “counsel, resources, empowerment and emotional support” from trained volunteers who have endured the trauma of a missing child and can share information based on firsthand experience. Tel: (866) 305-HOPE; Web site: teamhope.org/adultsdo.html.

Rino Kids
This organization offers free help to families in creating Web pages for missing relatives. It also works with police to distribute the information to more than 500 search engines. Tel: (646) 219-2438; Web site: rinokids.com; E-mail: missing@rinokids.com.

2005-09-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

Oh Brennie!! I need help finding you!!

At the least, I need to get help for you and others like you.....to try to ensure that this doesn't happen to more people.

Today, I sit here in disbelief. Even after all the years that have gone by, I can't believe I am doing this. I am still looking for you, still trying to get answers as to what could have happened to you.

As the days, weeks, and months pass by, more women and men fall into the same abyss that you've seemed to fall into. Where has everyone gone? Where on earth could you be?

I feel overwhelmed with so much work to do yet so little to work with. But I am determined! I won't say UNCLE! I will push, I will fight I will be your voice...

Let's get moving people, if you feel moved to help with this cause, e-mail me. Only great numbers will bring great numbers home!

This is dedicated to Brennie, Jason(Jolkowski), Eulace(King), LaToya(Byrd), Aeesha(Muhammad), Heather(Teague), Marilyn(Lanier), Aaron(Green) and a host of others who have yet to find their way home.

2005-09-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

2006 Philly's March For The Missing

I need all the help I can get guys. I need councilpersons, I need senators, HECK! I need Street himself to get me the resources (permits, etc.) I need to get this thing going.

What I propose is this. This spring or summer, the walkers/runners will check in at the base of the Art Museum stairs, at a specific time we will begin the walk down West River Drive (west bound lanes) to Strawberry Mansion Bridge and back down the Drive's east bound lanes and back to the parkway for a closing ceremony. During the ceremony we will mention missing persons names and have their family or friends release a balloon for every year they have gone missing. We will also have ID kits and a presentation on Preventing this from happening to you or someone you know.

I would like to to serve refreshments and set up stations with posters/pictures of missing persons as well.

Folks, this will take money and participation. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

2005-09-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

As I view various missing cases on www.charleyproject.org, project jason's and www.voice4themissing.blogspot.com I am overcome with dismay. There are over 97,000 open cases of missing adults. THAT'S HUGE!! I have to remind myself that there still has to be hope that some of them will be found and brought home one way or another.

That dismay has caused me to want to take greater action. I am proposing an Annual March for the Missing in Philadelphia to bring awareness to this "epidemic". I will keep you updated. Meanwhile, we pray -- and we wait.....

2005-09-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

I agonized yesterday over what I should post. Choosing one or two persons from an incredible number of missing seemed overwhelming. After going back and forth and reviewing vast amounts of information, I relented to the exhaustion and posted nothing.

So today, feeling refreshed renewed, I am back on task. However, I will not be spotlighting any of our local missing but calling on everyone to assist with the disaster resulting from Hurricane Katrina. There are now many people who will begin this journey of not knowing for an undeterminable length of time, what happened to their loved ones.

I know all to well the roller coaster ride that they will embark on....initially when the ride takes off, there is stage of overwhelming unbelivability, then the uphill stage of unwavering hope - the kind you have when you expect that person to walk around the corner any moment, followed by the the downhill stage of despair. There will be more hills, some up, some down - those potential sightings, unidentified bodies and various leads....then the ride will slow down as time passes and the posters fade. The ride will seemingly come to a halt when, like us, eight years or more have passed and there is still no word as to what has become of your loved one.

What we can do for them is pray and find an avenue to assist them in any way possible. Here are some resources:

American Red Cross: 800-HELP NOW
Catholic Charities: 703-549-1390
Operation Blessing: 800-436-6348
America's Second Harvest: 800-344-8070
Adventist Community Services: 800-381-7171
Christian Disaster Response: 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee: 800-848-5818
Church World Service: 800-297-1516
Convoy of Hope: 417-823-8998
Lutheran Disaster Response: 800-638-3522
Mennonite Disaster Service: 717-859-2210
Nazarene Disaster Response: 888-256-5886
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: 800-872-3283
Salvation Army: 800-SAL-ARMY
Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief: 800-462-8657 ext. 6440
United Methodist Committee on Relief: 800-554-8583

To donate money: (Specify donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina)*
American Red Cross, 1-800-435-7669, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. On the Web at www.redcross.org*

Catholic Charities USA, 1-800-919-9338, Hurricane Katrina, PO Box 25168, Alexandria, VA 22313-9788. On the Web at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org*

Christian Contractors Association, 1-800-278-7703, 2009 South Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604. On the Web at www.ccaministry.org*

Church World Service, 1-800-297-1516, P.O Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. On the Web at www.churchworldservice.org*

Convoy of Hope, 1-800-988-0664 or 417 823-8998, 330 S Patterson, Springfield, MO 65802. On the Web at www.convoyofhope.org*

Emergency Animal Rescue Services the disaster rescue program of United Animal Nations, (916) 429-2457, PO Box 188890, Sacramento, CA 95818. On the Web at www.uan.org*

Episcopal Relief and Development/U.S. Hurricane Relief Fund, 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101-5043. On the Web at www.er-d.org*

Florida Baptist Convention, 1-800-226-8584, Att. Baptist Men's Department, Hurricane Disaster Relief, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207.*

Florida Conference United Church of Christ, (407) 835-7501, 924 N Magnolia Ave., Suite 250, Orlando, FL 32803.*

Lutheran Disaster Response, 1-800-638-3522, 8765 W Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631. On the Web at www.elca.org*

Mennonite Disaster Service, 717 859-2210, 1018 Main St. Akron, PA 17501. On the Web at www.mds.mennonite.net*

Presbyterian Church, 1-800-872-3283, Att. PCUSA, Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15624-3700. Write on check: #000169. On the Web at www.pcusa.org*

Salvation Army, 1-800-725-2769, Salvation Army Headquarters, PO Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313 with a note "Katrina Disaster relief." On the Web at www.salvationarmyusa.org*

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, 770 410-6133, PO Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368. On the Web at www.namb.net/dr Make checks payable to: NAMB.*

United Methodist Committee on Relief, 1-800-554-8583, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Use advance #982410. On the web at www.umcor.org*

United Way,Tampa Bay 813 274-0900 or (727) 535-3545, or check the Web at http://www.uwtb.org
Or donate at any SunTrust bank branch http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/29/S...w_to_help.shtml

Internet Sites for seeking missing loved ones:
List from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/hurricanes/list/
• Craigslist: New Orleans Lost & Found http://neworleans.craigslist.org/laf/
•Nola.com's forums http://www.nola.com/
• WWL-TV's forums http://www.wwltv.com/forums/
• WDSU-TV's message board http://www.wdsu.com/news/4919183/detail.html
• Hurricane Katrina Survivors http://www.hurricanekatrinasurvivors.com/main/
• N.O. Pundit bulletin boards http://www.nopundit.com/bb/
• Now Public's missing persons board http://www.nowpublic.com/node/17228
• Salvation Army information request form http://qso.com/satern/emailfrm.htm
• Slidell Hurricane Damage Blog http://slidell.weblogswork.com/
• U.S. Next of Kin Registry https://disasterhelp.gov/portal/jhtml/index.jhtml
• Hurricane Katrina message boards http://boards.news.yahoo.com/boards/
• Katrina Family and Friends http://katrinafamiliesandfriends.com/PHPbb2/index.php
• The Sun Herald "Reach loved ones" http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/
• The Weather Channel message boards http://messageboards.weather.com/3/...764&f=457105398
• Pearl River County Katrina survivorshttp://picayunekatrina.blogspot.com/
• Hurricane Katrina Survivors http://www.hurricanekatrinasurvivors.com/main/
• GCN Survivor-Connector DataBase (alt1) (alt2)http://216.25.101.57/katrina/status.aspx
• Hurricane Katrina Connection http://survivedkatrina.proboards54.com/index.cgi
• Pensacola News Journal forums http://community.pensacolanewsjourn...n/yabb/YaBB.cgi

To see Robert Cooke's organization, RAN, and read the story of his missing daughter, Rachel, please see http://rachelalert.org/

2005-08-31T07:10:00.000-07:00

Pay It Forward

As I continue to keep "My Brennie's" face and name out there for all to see, I realize that I must continue to be a voice for others who have loved ones out there in the "land of the missing". In an effort to put as many names and faces out there as possible......I bring you today's spotlighted Missing Persons.

Marilyn Lanier, 45, was last seen on 3/20/2003 in the 7500 Blk of North Broad Street in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. She has not been heard from since. Ms. Lanier is described as 5'11" with black hair and brown eyes. She weighs 110 and has a missing tooth or large space between her front teeth. If you have any information or have seen Marilyn, please contact the Philadelphia Police at 215-685-3258.

37 year old Robin Ellis, a pizza delivery person, was last seen leaving her employer, Woodland Village Pizza shop in the area of 63rd St. & Woodland Avenue in West Philadelphia on 12/7/2003. She had just picked up an order for delivery but never arrived at the residence to which the food was to be delivered. Her vehicle, a 1995 Hyundai Elantra (tag #FDY-7311) was found days later on the Northbound shoulder of I-95. Robin was known to have acted as a hack (illegal taxi driver) from time to time. She is described as 5'4" in height, her weight is 115. She has black hair, brown eyes and wears eyeglasses. Again, if you have any information as to her disapperance or if you know of her whereabouts, please contact the Philadelphia Police Dept. at 215-685-3258.

LET'S BRING THEM HOME!!!!!!!!

2005-08-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

MISSING MOM!!!!!

Because I was ill and missed posting yesterday, I posted twice today.
This story upsets me because of the child involved. Granted - many of the women I post about have children but, this child was abducted (although he was recovered) along with the mother and possibly witnessed what happened to her. The specifics of her case is listed below.

Date Of Birth: October 11, 1977
Age: 23 years old
Height and Weight: 5'8-5'9, 135-140 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Black hair, brown eyes. She has a gap between her upper from teeth.
Details of Disappearance Muhammed was last seen at her residence in the vicinity of the 1600 block of north 56th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 30, 2000. Her two-and-a-half year-old son disappeared with her but turned up several weeks later when he was dropped off at a church in New Jersey by an unknown individual. Muhammed has never been heard from again. Foul play is suspected in her case.
If you have any information about Aesha or know of her wherabouts contact the Philadelphia Police Department @ 215.685-3257.

2005-08-30T07:15:00.000-07:00

FOUND SAFE

NBC-10 News Covers Local Missing Woman

Latoya Byrd left her residence on 3/27/2005 headed to a local mosque. Her father said she was never heard from again. Last night NBC-10 investigators ran a story called "Who decides what missing person gains attention?" They spoke with local law enforcement inquiring about how a missing persons investigation is run.

During this story that spotlighted Latoya, they showed her father and other family members wearing t-shirts bearing Latoya's image and handing out flyers with information on who to contact if you know anything about her case.

Slowly but surely we are getting somewhere! We need everyone's help to get the word out that there needs to be bettter laws and instant media awareness when adults go missing!

2005-08-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

MISSING NEW YORK WOMAN

Shameeka M. Dixon-Gordon was last seen in Staten Island, NY on April 21, 2004. She has not been heard from since and like Latoyia, Lacy, and now Audrey - Shameeka was pregnant at the time she disappeared.

I e-mailed Shameeka's heart-broken mother and expressed my compassion for her. She explained her distress at trying to get her daughter's case noticed and the lack of media coverage for her daughter. She said that the only time the media contacted her was to get her reaction when the remains of a woman thought to be Shameeka was found in a local landfill. Fortunately, the DNA was not a match and it turned out to be someone other than Shameeka. I asked her to send me a photo of her daughter so that I may post her on my blog. I will ask my fellow bloggers to do the same. If you have seen Shameeka or have any information regarding her disapperance, Please call the New York authorities at 718-981-2583.

2005-08-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

Fortunately for us, we have been contacted alot recently to do stories on Brennie. Until the day we find her we will never give up hope. I plan to do as much as I can to assist other families in the meantime. I am so inspired by Kelly Jolkowski mother of missing son Jason Jolkowski. I have been in contact with her alot lately and she is a great example of "what to do while we wait." Cheers to you Kelly!!!! You are a wealth of resources and information. Thanks for your assistance and advice in the Search for Brennie.

Anyone can find out about her story and her organization 'Project Jason' by checking out their site which is listed on my links.

This site is part of the Philly Future community. Check out other Philadelphia weblogs in my region.

2005-08-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

FOUND DECEASED

Updated with photo!!!!! More sad news to report 27-year-old Ta-neke Daniels of South Philadelphia, whose May 12 disappearance has gone virtually undetected still remains missing. Unfortunately, police don't believe that Taneke Daniels, of 26th Street near Moore, simply ran off.

"She hasn't called me because she can't" said Gail Daniels, Ta-neke's mother. Daniels, the mother of three children, was last seen leaving her boyfriend's house, just days before he was to appear in court on charges of abusing her. Police say the boyfriend has been cooperative, and is not a suspect. But they fear that something bad has happened to her.

A photo of Ta-neke as promised.

2005-08-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

A Devastating End to A Valiant Search Effort for two Missing Women

I'm sure everyone knows that Latoyia has been found in Chester, PA. Unfortunately, the similarites between Latoyia Figueroa (right photo)and Laci Peterson's case are even more visible in that they met the same end. They both lost their life and the life of their unborn child to the father of the child they carried.

Also in Spartanburg, NC the year plus search for Tamika A Huston (above left) has ended after her boyfriend confessed to killing her over a year ago and disposing of her remains in a field outside of town. He was also charged with abusing her last March. A bitterweet ending for both families. Now there's closure....A closure we still don't have with Brennie!!!

Our prayers go out to the Figueroa and Huston families. Rest in peace Tamika, Latoyia and Nyla(baby).

www.natalee-holloway.com

This site is part of the Philly Future community. Check out other Philadelphia weblogs in my region.

2005-08-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

Aaron Green

Allen Briscoe, Jr

Nicole Gabriel

Today I am featuring 3 new faces of beautiful black Philadelphians who disappeared without a trace. 1st Aaron Green, he was last seen on 3/20/94, his vehicle was recovered in South Philadephia, he hasn't been heard from since. Next, young Allen Briscoe, Jr. was last seen boarding a bus on Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philly on 12/13/85. Briscoe a Bartram High School Student at the time was never seen again. Third Nicole Shavonne Gabriel a suspected runaway was last seen on 2/23/03. If you have any information on any of the featured missing persons, please contact Philadelphia Police.

2005-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I want to SCREAM everytime I read a new story about Brennie and this Covington guy. Why is it that you guys (the press) want to continue to torture her family and friends with talk that this guy could have possibly "murdered" her or that he is in some way responsible for her disapperance????

I suggest you all stop writing about things of which you know nothing about or do more investigation instead of going "full speed ahead" on hearsay!!!!

Here's the latest.....

http://www.macon.com/mld/dailynews/12328860.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

2005-08-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Discover more about missing adults in Philadelphia and nationwide at the following link:

http://www.theyaremissed.org

LET'S BRING THEM HOME!!!!

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

2005-08-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

Latoya Byrd Missing since 3/27/05
Eulace "Bam" King missing since 5/3/03
Khalif Thorpe Missing since 7/7/05
Aesha Muhammad 11/30/2000
Latoyia Figueroa missing since 7/18/05

The public is now becoming more aware of missing African Americans. It breaks my heart to read about any grieving family however it exists in our community yet it goes unreported. Above I have included some other missing Philly people.

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

2005-08-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

This is the "Beautiful Brennie!

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

2005-08-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

To the blogger of The Disenchanted Forrest who quote " found nothing on Brenwanda Brennie Smith" except that she was being linked to the Juan Covington case....

Brennie was 24 at the time of her disapperance, she is one of the most beautiful human beings one could come to know. She is a loyal and dedicated daughter, sister and friend, with a voice that could melt your heart. I've never known her to be unfriendly or unkind to a soul. She would hug me everytime we met and departed and I always felt her sincerity. She loves her parents and her brother more than life itself and never would have left them or any one of us (her friends) voluntarily.

Many may wonder why I speak of her in the present tense - that is because I hold fast to the hope that one day she will return to us.

2005-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Due to recent events concerning Juan Covington alleged murderer (and suspected serial killer), Brennie's name has resurfaced on in the news. Let me just say publically that I have been involved with the search for Brennie since the day she went missing. I organized all rallies, prayer vigils and leafletting on behalf of her parents.

We went to her place of employment (SEPTA depot) and questioned many of her co-workers. Never once was there a mention of an argument with Covington or any alleged pursuit by him. It amazes me that two days after her disapperance, no one could recall anything unusual happening at work but somehow, now that it is eight years and five months later, police claim that someone informed them this so-called argument between the two of them.

From the start we received no help from the Philadelphia Police Dept. We were referred to the Cheltenham Police due to the fact that Brennie had moved into her new apartment in Chelten ham Township two weeks before. Why could they not handle it if she went missing in their jurisdiction? Now that they have this guy in custody, they have an opportunity to clear their books of a few unsolved crimes.

Media attention is another area that has me crazy!!! An article in the Philadelphia Inquire yesterday 8/4/05 written by staff writer Natalie Pompilio brings new light to police procedure and media attention when it comes to missing adults. I spoke with Natalie with regard to
Brennie's disapperance and expressed my dismay at the fact that there has yet to be national attention for a missing "black" person. I have followed many cases of missing women who have disappered under similiar circimstances as Brennie yet they make headline news in 23 -48 hours. I had to literally call in favors to get local news coverage, needless to say, Brennie's story never went nationwide.

Over the years, I have e-mailed Oprah, Montell, John Walsh and television's Unsolved Mysteries. I have received responses from none. I welcome all comments from everyone especially family and friends of THE MISSING!