Tag Archives: justice for morgan

Getting Away With #Murder in Colorado – maybe not for long

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FOHVAMPCREST  I would like everyone to know that there is hope out there. For example FOHVAMP, a non profit out of Denver, CO has made a huge difference in the fight for justice for many families over the years http://unresolvedhomicides.org/

Getting Away With Murder in Colorado

Colorado has a backlog of 1,600 unsolved murders dating back to 1970. The killers of these victims have never been prosecuted for these murders. They walk among us. They live in our neighborhoods. These murderers, who have escaped justice, pose a serious threat to the safety of every Colorado citizen.

Murder is a crime against the state. FOHVAMP maintains that when a case cannot be solved by local law enforcement in a reasonable period of time, the state has an obligation to step in.

For the past five years FOHVAMP has advocated a state-level cold case team to help investigate these unsolved homicides. The state bureaucracy has been unresponsive. In 2007, the legislature created a cold case team at Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with only enough funding for a single analyst to collect data from law enforcement agencies.

FOHVAMP and the CBI make periodic comparisons to insure the accuracy of that data.

Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons Executive Director Rob Wells, President Mark Reichert, Vice President Tina Terry, and board member Diane Riechert recently spoke at The National Press Club in Washington D.C. to express the need for a National Cold Case Database. To their knowledge, FOHVAMP’s Colorado Cold Case Database is the first cold case database in the nation to have been compiled. Since 1970, in Colorado, there have been approximately 1,600 unsolved murders, which is 38% of all of Colorado’s murders during this time period. The number is lower than the national average, which the FBI estimates to be 42%.  And still 1,600 unsolved murders in Colorado is 1,600 too many.

The FOHVAMP members visiting Washington met with Florida Victim’s Advocate Ryan Backmann, of Compassionate Families, Inc. Ryan’s father was murdered in a robbery. His father’s murder is unsolved. Ryan is in the process of putting together a Florida Cold Case Database. With only one-third of the Florida jurisdictions reporting, there are 4,400 unsolved murders. Jacksonville alone has 1,400, nearly the amount for the entire state of Colorado.

FOHVAMP will keep you posted on the progress of The National Cold Case Database through their website and on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/FOHVAMP.

Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons, Inc. (FOHVAMP) is a nonprofit organization working in Colorado to find, support and empower families suffering from a loved one’s unresolved murder or long-time suspicious disappearance. They provide peer support, assistance with victim compensation, referrals and coordination with other organizations for services and assistance. They serve as a liaison with law enforcement agencies, provide criminal justice support and advocacy. They work with Universities on special studies, many of which have been published. They seek out victim’s families (co-victims) to assist. Every October, they host an Annual Meeting with guest speakers to bring together victim’s families and law enforcement.

This year‘s Annual Meeting is going to be held at the Brittany Hill Event Center in Thornton, Colorado on October 4th, 2014. Please go to their website to register for this event.  The price to attend is only $45 per person.  I would suggest getting your tickets now before they sell out.  The purpose of this meeting is to bring co-victims into a neutral area where they will be able to brush up on their knowledge of the current techniques being used in the investigation process as well as meeting with their detectives on a neutral platform. Their hope is that the Annual Meeting will be able to educate their co-victims and promote the proper tools and coping mechanisms to assist them in their daily lives, as well as with the progress in their cases. Often, it is only at this meeting that the co-victims have the opportunity to touch base with their Detectives annually. Through the Colorado Cold Case Task Force, FOHVAMP is trying to assist in making it a mandate that all coroners in the state need to attend a base line training and certification on how to successfully deal with a cold case as well as the basics of their role in that position. The hope is that this would need to be completed within one year of the coroner taking office.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION TIME! 
Here’s FOHVAMP’s registration form for the Saturday October 4 annual conference at the Brittany Hill events center, Thornton, CO.
More info to follow, but speakers will include Silvia Pettem, Jerry Brown, Paul Meshanko, Kathy Sasak, and Ron Sloan — at Brittany Hill.
FOHVAMPANNUALMTG8.29.2014

If you know anyone that has had an unresolved homicide in their family or have a missing loved one please refer them to FOHVAMP – they will listen, and they do help…please take my word on this, I know because they have helped us with Morgan’s homicide.

If you can help connect them with a family of a victim of an unresolved homicide or long-time missing person that has a Colorado connection, please call Rob Wells at 202-497-4580, Kelly Fernandez-Kroyer at 720-937-8905, or send an email to[email protected].

These families need to know about FOHVAMP. They can help them.  They need and want your help. Their priority is to encourage law enforcement to effectively address old, unsolved murders.

Thanks so much!

 

Is there something very wrong in #Garfield County, or is it just me?

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garfieldcountyLong ago, right after the blog of Morgan’s stalking was just getting going I was contacted by a local author writing a piece about the great disparity between suicides, and homicides in Garfield County.  What was shared with me was fascinating, and troubling all at the same time.  But back then we were being told by Garfield County that Morgan’s death was from natural causes, while at the same time Morgan’s doctor believed her death was a homicide, and another forensic pathologist was telling me she did not die from natural causes, it was a suspicious death and should have been listed at the very least as undetermined until a full investigation had been done.  Along with all of this I was being threatened by the contracted forensic pathologist for Garfield County.  He said that Morgan’s manner of death could be revisited, and could possibly be changed from natural causes to an accidental overdose or suicide if I didn’t back off…I believe the grief, shock and stress I was feeling at the time was paralyzing me in so many ways, and I heard what I was being told by all these different parties, but at the same time my mind couldn’t properly grasp it all.  Writing on this blog about the things that happened to Morgan during her stalking helped keep me going, but looking back on it now I only thought I was pushing hard, truth be told I was only a fraction of myself.  Oh the things you learn as you come out of your grief bubble…
 I  honestly do not think Morgan’s case is the only one like this in Garfield County.  I have talked to other families and friends of missing, and dead loved ones, and I hear the same run-around that we received given to others, along with all the same non answers that we got.  These other families speak of the same unanswered phone calls, emails and letters.  They speak of evidence that the Sheriffs department or Coroner’s office had that has now gone “missing” or was “accidentally destroyed”, I even received a call from a mom that had spent her whole retirement account hiring a ballistic expert, private investigator, etc. and had solid evidence that her son did not shoot himself, but was shot with a completely different gun then the gun the police took into evidence (the gun that had been collected from the scene had never been shot and it was a different caliber than the gun that shot the bullet into her son’s body), and they still would not open that case or change his manner of death from suicide.  
In an article written by John Colson for the Post Independent newspaper about Morgan’s manner of death being changed from natural causes to suicide (and yes, this was after I was threatened by the pathologist to back off in trying to facilitate other doctors, and experts into explaining to him how his first conclusion was incorrect, that Morgan did not die from natural causes, and yes again, the Sheriff and Coroner had been notified about the threats, but would never respond) on August 31, 2012 Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario is quoted as saying that he would stick by the contracted forensic pathologist Dr. Kurtzman’s conclusion of suicide.  Sheriff Vallario wrote in an email to the reporter, “The results of the autopsy and pathology reports were that the manner of death was suicide.”  The sheriffs knew that her death was considered a suspicious death because of her stalking (that is why an autopsy was done, that was why crime scene tape was put up all around our house and we were asked to leave the scene), but they decided on the exact morning her body was found that it had nothing to do with her stalking.  Then right after the Post Independent article came out, Jeff Todd a reporter for CBS in Denver filmed Sheriff Lou Vallario right in the front of the courthouse in Glenwood Springs, CO stating that he would never open Morgan’s case.  Never?  I thought if evidence is brought forward in a capital crime that there is no statue of limitations, and a case can be opened at any time?  Am I mistaken here, or was Morgan’s case, like so many other suspicious cases in Garfield County closed, shut down, and buried for some sinister reason?  I really need to know the answer to that question – I feel that I deserve an answer to that question, wouldn’t you?  Please look at the following report from Garfield County and tell me what you think.  Is it just me or does something look wrong with these numbers?
 garco.suicide.homicide
garco.suicide.homicide2
Maybe it is just me, but when I look at this stat sheet for Garfield County it suggests to me a story about a county that does not want any murders on its books…natural causes, accidental, or suicide those are all okay, along with run aways, but not foul play, murder, kidnapping, or rape…they don’t want any of those on their stats. As you can see on the Garfield County stats that listed results of Colorado Death Dataset Query for suicides, and homicides- I have circled the 5 years ending in 2011 (the year Morgan was murdered) it shows 53 deaths (due to suicide or homicide), 50 were determined to be suicide and the other 3 are not listed under homicide, so they are either not accounted for, or undetermined…in my opinion this is why Garfield County has been said to have one of the highest suicide rates in the country, but I don’t believe they are all suicides, I think they have listed other types of deaths like Morgan’s as suicides that were really not suicides.  Anything to not have a homicide on their stats.  This type of protocol only causes to re-victimize the already traumatized families.  Not only re-victimizing families, but allowing a murder to never be investigated would seem to me to be dangerous to others in the community, unless of course Garfield County feels confident that a murderer will never murder again.  How confident do you feel about that?
Does anyone know when this type of thing started?  When did Garfield County start to go down this slippery road?  Is there any turning back?  I have to hope they can turn this all around, and start to uphold the law, protect their citizens, make the truth their number one priority.  It may take the citizens of the county to join their voices in protest and show the elected officials what they expect, and in an election year such as this one, it seems like a good time to make your vote count.  Speak out – write in to the local newspaper (like the Aspen Times, or the Post Independent).  Take a stand, make your voice heard.  No one wants this to ever happen to their family, so please make sure it can never happen to another family in Garfield County, or anywhere else.  Change is needed and change will come – hopefully sooner rather than later.  Thank you so much – each and every one of you have the power to move mountains!

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” 

 

Morgan’s friend and soulmate speaks out…

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wirefigures

As you all know our youngest daughter Morgan was stalked for 4 months while in college and living at home with her dad and I.  We lived through the stalking with her, so I know it was horrific. I was frightened the whole time for Morgan’s safety, as her stalker kept escalating no matter what deterrents we produced. The Garfield County Sheriffs had a suspect, and told me they were 100% sure this person was her stalker.  Morgan had identified him multiple times, our cameras caught pictures, they had interviewed him, and were planning on picking up his work hours to overlay them on my timeline of the stalking incidents, but she was murdered 4 days before that was to happen.

The morning I found our youngest daughter’s body I knew deep in my soul that she had been murdered.  My mind didn’t want to believe it, but the way her body looked, the position it was in, and the condition of her room, there was no denying to me that something had gone on involving a struggle and foul play.  Garfield County Detective Robert Glassmire told us that very morning that her death had “no connection” with her felony stalking case, and immediately “red flags” went up for me.  This was just 3 days after he told me to my face that he believed the stalking was going to “escalate.”  He could not have known at that time if her death had nothing to do with her stalking, I had been so trusting of the sheriff’s department (I have always respected law enforcement), and didn’t want to believe they weren’t on our side.  I was in shock at the time, but I “felt” something was terribly wrong, and now almost 3 years later with all the evidence and facts that we have accumulated (and tried to share with the sheriffs) the only question I have remaining is why has Morgan’s manner of death has never been changed to reflect the truth, and why is there no investigation into her murder?

Over the months, and years of pursuing the truth about our daughter’s death I now know for a fact that she was murdered, and she did not die a fast, or easy death – she was frightened, and tortured.  Morgan was gentle, loving and kind, she did not deserve to die like this. Families should be treated with dignity and respect, which we were not. Families need to know the truth, and not have their loved ones forgotten under a veil of threats and lies – this is outright re-victimization of the family.  Other victims of stalking need to see that law enforcement will take them seriously so they don’t end up dead like Morgan and then swept under the rug.

I live with the pain of the loss of my youngest daughter every day, and night. The pain is indescribable, and made worse by the fact that my husband and I have to relive her stalking, and murder every single day that we work on getting her case opened all by ourselves.  It is something no family should have to endure, but we had no choice because someone had to do an investigation, someone had to find the answers, and assemble the evidence, and law enforcement refused to do so.  When you love someone so deeply you can not just step aside and let their memory disappear into a morass of lies and untruths.

As my husband said, “The truth will always be vigorously disputed by some, the criminals and their accomplices. The erectors and maintainers of the great big blue wall behind which such truth now hides.  Her bravery and suffering must be respected at some point, her honor restored.  To date I have watched as lies pile upon lies and egos rule the day.  It is no wonder that murders go on within Colorado where such obvious lies can go on unabated, and it so deeply saddens my heart to have watched this happen.”

What I really want people to know besides my own feelings is that Morgan had many family members, as well as friends that loved her deeply and have been profoundly affected by her murder and non-investigation by the sheriffs.  All of these people have suffered and are still suffering and are co-victims in my opinion – they deserve answers.  Now that I have gotten that off my chest I would like to give you this link so you can read the interview that Joe Valo did with Rainer Jundt about Morgan.  Rainer is included in the ever growing list of co-victims – read for yourself just one person’s reality of how Morgan’s passing has affected him.   http://josephvalo.us/2014/07/exclusive-interview-with-rainer-junt-by.html?spref=tw

A Spirit’s Birthday Wish To Her Mother Today

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A beautiful birthday wish for me today from beyond the veil – I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I feel blessed!
A Spirit’s Birthday Wish To Her Mother Today from Jennifer ShafferI was running on the beach here in Ocean City, NJ this morning when I saw these beautiful three red roses and had to stop. I sat down in the warm sand next to them and put them in an upright position. Then as I sat there contemplating why they were there, I received an alert from “Facebook” via text that it was Toni’s birthday today.Toni is the mother of Morgan who passed away at the age of 20. She should still be with us right now in physical form even though she is in spirit.In the midst of heart ache thinking about Toni, her husband Steve and their daughter Morgan, I actually smiled because it couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time finding those 3 roses.

I wrote happy birthday to Toni and then Morgans name “popped” in my head and then my name Jennifer. My name happens to be Morgan’s middle name.

I then asked Morgan who I felt was giving me “spirit hugs” as I was covered in chills, if I could sign her name and of course I was given a yes.

Everything transpired in seconds but the thank you from Morgan and Toni are still happening, hours later. What a gift of love coming over from the other side.

I am humbled and honored to be doing this work. I am also grateful to work with such a beautiful spirit who is helping us solve her very own case.

Jennifer Shaffer's photo.
Jennifer Shaffer's photo.
Information about Jennifer can be found at http://www.jennifershaffer.com  She is a friend, she is family, and most of all she is someone that unselfishly gives of herself to help others.  We love Jennifer!

Morgan’s #murder discussed on the show Calling Out with Susan Pinsky

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Today was the airing of the first episode of the new season of Calling Out with Susan Pinsky.  CALLING OUT, CRIMES: Sideshow Network Premiere Show: Co-Hosted by Podcast Pioneer Lynette Carolla

Please listen to the show, and share with others if you can.  Morgan’s case is discussed in the 3rd segment.  Her part starts at around the 32.30 mark.  My good friend Jennifer Shaffer is on the show, along with Rebecca Fearing who I had never spoken to before this show.  I am very grateful to Rebecca for her insight about Morgan, and Morgan’s case as well as much gratitude to Susan Pinsky for having Morgan’s case discussed on her first episode of this new season.
Announcing the airing of this show gives me the perfect opportunity to say something I don’t think I have mentioned up until now.  If law enforcement is investigating a crime and they interview someone off the street in order to get information to see if there is anything they “saw” or “heard” or anything out of the ordinary that may have happened this is known to be good police work.  Many times the things they hear or the people that call in with a “tip” don’t amount to anything,  but sometimes the “tip” about where to look for evidence or a description of someone actually leads to solving the crime.  A lead is a lead no matter where it comes from.  If that lead actually produces the physical evidence needed, or helps to locate a missing person then I am all for law enforcement using this method as a tool in their investigations.  Getting rid of the uneducated “stigma” about psychics is very important if the end goal is to solve a crime.  I feel that information that comes from a “credible proven” psychic should be looked into just as they would look into a regular citizen giving information.  There are psychics that work with the FBI and law enforcement throughout this country, and have for years, but there is still much resistance and prejudice against these types of “tips”.  It is very unfortunate that potential tips are dismissed like  that – a “tip” or information that comes from a psychic cannot be used in court, but it can be used to look for evidence, find missing persons, used as a guide for law enforcement as it has been throughout the years.  Just like with someone off the street that law enforcement might interview – it is all about following the leads…some leads are very good while others may not even be close, but law enforcement should use all methods available to them when trying to solve a crime, especially a heinous crime like Morgan’s…unless there is a reason that they do not want that crime to be a crime, and if that is the case then that in itself is a crime.
I just listened to the show for the first time from the link below on sound cloud – I just signed up with my email address and clicked through – it brought me right to the recording of the show.  As you can probably tell I was unable to hear some of what was being said during the recording so I sound a little hesitant when I answer, but I truly felt comfortable with the show and I think Susan’s show Calling Out is a wonderful program to listen to.  It is fun at times, and also very enlightening.
Here are the posted links for the newest episode of Calling Out with Susan Pinsky and the show’s debut on the Sideshow Network. Please promote any of the links below on social media as a means for listeners to check out the show and share amongst themselves. The Soundcloud link is preferred as it creates an embedded player in Twitter and FB posts but feel free to use any of the links:
Here is a link to Susan’s website about the podcast http://wp.me/p4aH1k-nD please click on to the site to read what Susan has written about Morgan’s case.
I will continue to pursue the opening of Morgan’s investigation with law enforcement as well as continue to do blog casts and radio shows until her case does get opened.  I want to raise awareness in all areas of stalking, and murder as well as criminal justice.  Please help me make a difference for victims of stalking… share with as many people as you can. Together we will be able to make a difference in many lives. I continue to believe there is so much light from the goodness in this world that even with the darkness that exists, justice for Morgan, and all others will come through love & perseverance…never give up!
Thank you so very much.
Toni