Author Archive | yogini

New Tool to Locate US Missing Persons Online

By yogini on August 31, 2009 in coroner, identities, Lily Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, medical examiners, missing persons, NamUs, remains, tools, unidentified

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

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

Washington Post article, The NamUs System

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filming for AMW “My Story” on Lily Aramburo

By yogini on July 29, 2009 in America’s Most Wanted, Ana Lanuza, awareness, Coconut Grove, disappearance, Joe Carrillo, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, media attention, Miami, Miami Florida, missing mother, missing person

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

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

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

Private Investigator Joe Carrillo and his partner Ana Lanuza.

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

Help NCMA Support Missing Adults

By yogini on June 27, 2009 in activism, HR632, Kristen’s Act, missing adults, National Center for Missing Adults, NCMA, Reauthorization, state advocates, Twitter, United States, volunteers, Washington DC

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

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

The NCMA needs state advocates in the following states:

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

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

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

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

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

2 Years Ago Lilly’s Life Changed Forever

By yogini on June 20, 2009 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, City of Miami Police, disappearance, Joe Carrillo, justice march, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami Florida, missing mother, missing person, murder, Twitter

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

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

Lucely, Lilly’s mother

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

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

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

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

Thank You Miami Herald Crime Scene Blog!

By yogini on May 30, 2009 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, Crime Scene Blog, disappearance, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, murder, Silent March

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

From Lily

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

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

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

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

Thank You Coconut Grove Grapevine!

By yogini on May 30, 2009 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove Grapevine, Francisco Alvarado, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami-Dade, missing mother, Silent March

Vigil and March planned for missing Lucely Aramburo

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

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

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

Thank You Frank Alvarado and Miami New Times!

By yogini on May 30, 2009 in candlelight vigil, disappearance, Francisco Alvarado, investigation, Joe Carrillo, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami New Times, murder, social media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Justice March and Vigil for Lily Sunday in Miami

By yogini on May 29, 2009 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove, disappearance, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, Miami New Times, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade County Florida, missing mother, Silent March, vigil

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

MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 29 May 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://justiceinmiami.blogspot.com

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

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

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

By yogini on May 6, 2009 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, facebook, Florida, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, media, MIami Dade Police, missing mother, missing person, Silent March, South Florida, Twitter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Media is encouraged to attend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

By yogini on May 2, 2009 in awareness, Carlos Alvarez, Florida, Mayor, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, missing children, National Missing Children Day, safety awareness event, South Florida, Take 25

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

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

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

Get directions

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

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

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

Florida Police: Get With The Times!

By yogini on May 2, 2009 in Amber Alert, Broward County Florida, Crimestoppers, Florida, law enforcement, missing persons, social media, unidentified, unidentified persons, victims

I’ve spent ridiculous amounts of time researching missing persons, especially in Florida. I’ve probably visited most police department websites in the state. I leave feeling terribly disappointed most of the time. It’s frustrating to visit a police website for info on their missing person cases only to realize they are nowhere to be found. In the digital age, there’s no excuse for police departments NOT to keep their current Amber Alerts, missing person cases and unsolved homicides posted on their websites. You would think something so important would not get overlooked! On that note, I’d like to share a few examples of what I consider good and bad.

The Bad:

City of Miami Police Department: their website has a link to their missing person cases. However, they don’t keep in updated. They’ve been displaying the same 2 missing person cases since 2007!
Miami Dade Police: they update their site from time to time but…(and this is a big one) on their missing persons page, they have NO information about their open/unsolved cases! Instead, they have a handful of links to sites that are not part of MDPD and a search engine below that.

If police departments want to close more cases they’re going to have to be more effective than the examples above.

The Good:

This agency is doing an excellent job integrating news, videos, open missing person cases and their unidentified victims. I’m referring to the one and only Broward Sherriff’s Office. The BSO website is user-friendly and includes news, videos, sexual offender search, missing persons, victim services, safety tips, and more. I appreciate that it’s updated frequently with their current missing person cases and “Operation Found and Forgotten“. This effort by Broward Sherriff’s Office to identify their Jane and John Does can be very effective. They have a much better chance of identifing their victims. Follow this link and look at the photos. (You can report your tips to Crime Stoppers of Broward County anonymously at by calling (954)493-TIPS, toll free at (866)493-TIPS or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org/webtips.html)

Police should embrace social media wholeheartedly. Using online social networks have many advantages. It’s the most effective way to disseminate information expediently at no cost. You can use the sites to distribute Amber Alerts, missing person alerts, press releases, breaking news, events, crime prevention etc. These social sites allow for people to share information, videos, and photos easily, disseminating information faster than traditional ways. Police departments should be using YouTube as well.

Take a look at BSO’s site. Follow their lead. Get with times and learn to use social networking sites to communicate and engage!

Missing Children Cold Cases

By yogini on April 27, 2009 in cold case, investigation, Lost or Missing, missing child, missing children, missing person, Scott Davis, The Missing TV

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

Thank You Enrique and Joe!

By yogini on April 24, 2009 in Case Alert, disappearance, El Show de Enrique y Joe, Florida, Joe Carrillo, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, Miami, missing person, morning show, murder, news, Private investigator, radio

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

Pictures Courtesy of Joe Carrillo

Enrique and Joe ~

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

Sincerely,

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

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

By yogini on April 19, 2009 in 98.3, crime, El Show de Enrique y Joe, Enrique Santos, Florida, Imagine Miami, Joe Carrillo, La Kalle, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, missing mother, missing person, morning show, murder, radio

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

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

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

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

El Show de Enrique y Joe on Myspace

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

Missing Denver Child found thanks in part to the internet!

By yogini on April 17, 2009 in found, Jennifer Frisina, missing child, news, Online Communities, social media, Social network, Twitter

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

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

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

To read the full story, go to:

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

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

By yogini on April 16, 2009 in Case Alert, crime, disappearance, Jennifer Frisina, Lost or Missing, missing child, missing person, social networking, Twitter

URGENT Alert! Missing 14yr Old Girl

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

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

Frank wrote the following in his blog:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s all I have for right now…

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

– Frank Frisina

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

Missing Child Alert Cancellation for Derrick Herlong

By yogini on April 16, 2009 in Derrick Herlong Jr, Florida, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, found, Kissimmee Florida, missing child, missing person

Missing Child Alert CANCELLATION
Derrick Herlong Jr.

Missing From: Kissimmee

County: OSCEOLA

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

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

Missing Child Alert Cancellation for Tatiana Jordan

By yogini on April 16, 2009 in Amber Alert, Florida, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, found, missing child, missing person, Tatiana Jordan

Missing Child Alert CANCELLATION

Tatiana Jordan

Missing From: Melbourne,FL

County: BREVARD

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

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

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

Missing Child Alert for 8 Year Old Florida Girl Tatiana Jordan

By yogini on April 14, 2009 in Amber Alert, Brevard County Florida, call to action, Case Alert, disappearance, FDLE, Florida, Melbourn, missing child, missing person, SYLVIA HERNANDEZ, Tatiana Jordan

MISSING CHILD ALERT

TATIANA JORDAN ENDANGERED

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

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

Companion Adult: SYLVIA HERNANDEZ

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

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

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

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