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

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!

 

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

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

The Morgan Ingram Memorial Theatre Scholarship – 2 more students have been selected…congratulations!

On January 6th I received a manila envelope in the mail and opened it. It was from the  Colorado Mountain College Foundation…I started to read the first letter, and I cried, and cried like a little baby. They were tears of happiness and gratitude. It was a letter to inform me about the 2 students that have been selected as the recipients of the Morgan Ingram Memorial Theatre Scholarship for CMC Theatre Degree students for this current academic year.

They were thanking Steve and I for being instrumental in providing financial assistance to these students as they pursue their academic and career goals. All I could think of was how happy and grateful I was that the Memorial Theatre Scholarship that we set up in Morgan’s name is still helping students to achieve their goals.  Morgan would be so very happy. Her heart was bigger than life, she was an amazing person who touched everyone she came in contact with. She truly enjoyed her involvement at Colorado Mountain College and constantly emphasized her appreciation of education by encouraging others to continue their education, and pursue their own passions.So I want to congratulate Bella Barnum and Shelby Lathrop for being the selected recipients of the scholarship for the current academic year. I know Morgan is so very proud of you both – you will both go far I know.Bella thank you for letting me know that the beauty of Morgan’s smile greets you every morning (Morgan’s picture is in the case) in the New Theatre space and inspires you to do your best. That is so beautiful, and it fills my heart to hear.

And Shelby you have many dreams, but I can tell that you will work hard to achieve them…working hard you will realize those dreams, and I am so happy for you!

I hope that the Morgan Ingram Memorial Theatre Scholarship for CMC Theatre Degree Students keeps receiving support from around the world in Morgan’s name and many others can be assisted as they pursue their dreams.

If you are interesting in donating to this scholarship (and thank you so much to those who have already donated to the scholarship fund) please contact Carol J. Efting she is the Scholarship and Records Coordinator, Colorado Mountain College Foundation, P.O. Box 1763, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602, Phone 970-947-8378, Fax 970-047-8385 www.cmcfoundation.org and please let her know you would like your tax-deductible contribution to be directed towards the Morgan Ingram Memorial Theatre Scholarship for CMC Theatre Degree students. Thank you all so much – I know Morgan blesses you for it.

Colorado Mountain College Foundation | Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
www.cmcfoundation.org
Creating Better Futures

Breaking News! Why do people assume the wrong thing, and run with it?

Morganspeacesign

Today I just need to get this out. I don’t know what the heck is going on in this valley, but it’s just not right! There seems to be a handful of people who always come up with the wrong conclusion to something they know nothing about or someone that don’t even know, and then spread it around as if it were the gospel truth. What is up with this? I have lived in this valley since the 70’s and I have never seen this happen as much as it is now.

Example: Jeff Walker an Aspenite has been missing for 20 days as of yesterday. I did not know him, but from everything I have heard about him he was very much-loved, just like Morgan. He skied Aspen Highlands almost on a daily basis. He went on the Exhibition chairlift at 12:04 p.m. on Thursday, March 7. By Saturday his friends were really concerned, as they had not seen him since Thursday, so they contacted the authorities. That Sunday, and Monday dozens of personnel, dogs and even a helicopter were unsuccessful in their search for Jeff. The authorities decided to stop looking for a while and Jeff’s friends and family were not about to give up. They kept looking and then his family contacted Jennifer Shaffer – remember Jennifer? She is the Psychic Medium Investigator that has not only helped police, fireman, and therapists just to name a few, but has also been involved with Morgan’s case. She has always been 100% right on everything she sees, and she helps solve crimes, and helps in the location of missing loved ones.

Yesterday Jennifer was on the phone for hours in the afternoon with the search party looking for Jeff’s body. She had told his family he was dead and buried under 3 feet of snow, and that our Tuesday’s melt off helped part of his body to become exposed, and she was guiding them to where he was. She said his body would be found yesterday and it was. A snowboarder – not part of the search party, found the body and reported it yesterday afternoon. Jeff’s body was found in the same back bowl area that Jennifer had the search team looking as well…it was very steep with deep snow so Mountain Rescue could not get his body out until today.

The point I am trying to make with this blog is that there was a rumor circulating Aspen while Jeff was missing – it said that Jeff had just run off…this is the craziest accusation that anyone could make in this situation, but that’s what the rumor mill was stating. This really infuriates me because of how this affects his family and friends. I feel like if you really don’t know about a situation, don’t make up lies – because that’s what they are – lies! No benefit to them, just hurt for people who are already hurt as much as they can be. Just like some people have done with Morgan’s case.

Jennifer very gently told Jeff’s family that he was dead, and that his body would be found yesterday, and it was – people want to know the TRUTH not LIES. There are a few more bodies around this valley that have not been found yet, and yes there are plenty of lies spread about those missing people too – like they just ran off, but they didn’t, and it should not have to be that until their bodies are found they are fair game for rumors. And then what happens to all these people spreading the lies when the TRUTH appears? Probably nothing, but the damage the lies do in the meantime is immeasurable.

So I guess I am at the end of my rant now.

I hope the best for Jeff’s family and friends because I know this is hard, very hard. I hope the community comes together to give them the support they will need. And I hope that people in this valley that heard the lies can turn around to the person that was spreading the lies and tell them they don’t appreciate lies being spread. Truth and only the truth should be spoken, and if you don’t know the facts keep quiet or do the research, ask questions, don’t try to act like you know someone when you don’t, and don’t act like you have some inside information – which you don’t. This world is hard enough on all of us who have lost a loved one, and we don’t need naysayers with nothing better to do that to bump us off course.

Oh what a tangled web they weave…are stalkers/murderers getting help?

spirit

The Dr. Phil episode of Morgan’s Stalking aired this week in Australia.  No Forensic Psychologists wrote in to us this time, so those who did share their thoughts can’t testify in court about their opinion, but they can certainly have one. And once again everyone thought that B.H. either was – not being truthful, had something to hide, was involved, or some combination of all three.

Steve was always amazed that we went on the show and really presented no evidence at all.  Yet the overwhelming conclusion of viewers not related to K. J. VanG. Who wrote into the blog or submitted a tip over the tip line was that – that girl on the show, B.H. was guilty of something, it was obvious to all.

A real trial with witnesses and evidence is of course a bit more complex, but I’d have to say I too was surprised that just the demeanor of B.H. on stage was enough for most everyone to make their decision.  I wonder what will happen when they watch her being cross-examined before a judge and then they have to decide.  Steve and I have to think actual confrontation on the false statements will tip the scales quite a bit more for Morgan.

This very possibility of “looking bad”I would think drove the decision of K. J. VanG.’s lawyer to not let him appear on the show.  Wasn’t that great by the way?  The 20 second clip of their statement that they regretted not being on the show.  Well wait, wouldn’t the truth for not being on the show be that you feared the potential criminal exposure of your client(s).  Wouldn’t that be the truth?  And if you haven’t done anything wrong, why do you fear potential criminal exposure, still have not figured that part out.  Really, how does that happen?

Back in the states the favorite statement B.H. made was “where’s the proof”, wow did that set everyone off.  She was completely slammed in making, repeatedly, I guess, what was a clear indicator of guilt.  I guess if you had thought you committed a crime and it was a perfect crime, no proof, no chance of ever being caught, a statement like that would make sense.

But then maybe there is no such thing as the perfect crime.  I don’t think the detectives were fooled, they were told to stand down by superiors and they obeyed.  Victims we were long before Morgan’s death, but after she was killed the word victim took on a horrible new meaning.  Our Sheriff Lou Vallario conceded that we were the real victims, and I really hope he meant Morgan too, because she was the biggest victim of us all. Horrific stalking, a horrible death, life snatched from her at age 20, and then to be labeled a suicide, when everything she believed in, and everything she stood for was quite the opposite of someone who would commit suicide. Evidently an entire story is all right there in the lab results.  There just has not been anyone in Garfield County willing or able to read it yet.

Meanwhile, I calmly as I can wait and agree with a group of doctors from many related specialties who say my daughter’s death was anything but natural causes, and certainly not a suicide.  They say it and I just could not agree more. The most revealing thing about this, and I say it with all the sarcasm I can muster, is that the doctors who have these opinions actually have reasons, they explain why in detail as to what they based their opinion on.  And then they are in agreement with one another’s opinions – all agree that is, except for Dr. Kurtzman, some have tried to talk with him about his opinions, he just won’t answer, and now if you are not a forensic pathologist he won’t talk to you at all, because, well lets just leave it at that.  It’s really quite sad, the corner he paints his profession into.  Aren’t forensic pathologists supposed to figure out the cause of death, and then if it is suspicious at all then put the manner down as undetermined until it can be investigated?

Things are not as complex as he is making them, they seem very simple taken one at a time, once they are really explained, for instance the amount of Amitriptyline in Morgan’s blood was a huge, overkill, lethal amount, but the Amitriptyline in her gastric fluid is not even enough to be lethal, and in Dr Kurtzman’s opinion, when he changed her manner of death to suicide he stated that the Amitriptyline in her gastric fluid was the lethal amount that killed her – this is not what killed Morgan.

Dr. Kurtzman (8 + months after Morgan was murdered) changed her manner of death from natural causes to suicide based on a new test with Morgan’s gastric fluid.  He stated the Amitriptyline in her blood was insignificant on the first PER, but then changed her to suicide after the gastric fluid was tested, but get this, the Amitriptyline that was in her gastric fluid wasn’t enough to kill her.  Morgan supposedly killed herself by intentionally taking 18 – 25mg. pills. First, we now know you can never tell how many pills someone took.  Nobody can calculate that number.  So why do we have a guess as to how many pills she took?  What was the reason?  Then is gets better, 18 – 25mg pills is 450 mg., simple math 18 X 25 = 450.  And it is not a lethal dose, yes you read that right, 450 mg. is not a lethal dose.  Once again I welcome you to find a qualified expert who will testify that 450 mg. of Amitriptyline is a lethal dose.  You’ll have better luck trying to find a qualified expert that believes, and will testify that you can’t take 18 pills and not regurgitate at least part of them back up.  Yes, that is just another issue in Morgan’s death.  So he says she took 18 pills when no one can say how many pills anyone took, did not regurgitate any of them back up, as is most common with Amitriptyline, and she had the full 450 mg., which is not a lethal dose, and that is how she supposedly committed suicide, according to Dr Kurtzman.

Ever hear of the body of evidence?  Morgan’s body was cremated, but guess what?  They have all the samples that were taken at autopsy and tested, and we have the results of those tests.  Doesn’t matter if the test results were read incorrectly at the time – there are experts that can and have made sense out of them, and they are part of Morgan’s body and they are evidence, and they do tell a story…a story of murder.