Remembering Imette - who she was

[indigomood]

I thought this thread could remember Imette in a positive way. No character judgements or focusing on choices she made or didn't make. I like learning of the things she enjoyed in life, who she was as a person, not just a victim.

to that end, here is a link of interest describing Imette's last visit with her mother...

Recalling last day together

*snip* Less than two nights before Imette was brutally murdered after vanishing near the heart of SoHo, her family and a group of friends gathered in Florida to celebrate her upcoming birthday with a lavish dinner on a St. Petersburg pier.

Everyone brought gifts - and one of the graduate student's friends gave her a tiny metal box containing a miniature clock and a photo of Maureen St. Guillen standing on a beach.
*snip* Alejandra, 29, rubbed her mom's back and tried to smile as she recalled her raven-haired sister, who loved to play chess, swim and craft pottery.

Sorting through her sister's belongings last week, Alejandra said she found three Post-it notes that were the first draft of a heartfelt birthday card Imette had sent her two years ago.

*snip* Her father, Seimundo St. Guillen, a Venezuelan immigrant who died when she was 8, had two degrees in criminology.

*snip* Her family intends to combine her cremated remains with her father's ashes. "One of the only solaces we have right now is knowing they're together," Alejandra said

More At Link (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/397765p-337101c.html)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/phatwirephreddie/129-youngimette.jpg Imette with her father

[michelle]

awwwww......:( Bless her heart, I am sure she was a sweetie......

[dragonfly]

Thanks indigomood for starting this thread.
At this link the article discuss her friends as they remember her and set up a special website

http://news.bostonherald.com/stGuillenMurder/view.bg?articleid=129499&format=

What Rob Ruffler remembers most about slain college student Imette St. Guillen was her genius for living in the moment.
“She wanted to make the most of the time that she had and that’s hopefully something that I can take from this,” the 27-year-old New York software developer reflected yesterday. “It sounds like the time that she had, she used the most of it.” “We decided that (the Web site) could be something to do to make sure people didn’t forget and also get people to help any way they might be able to,” said Ruffler.
Part memorial, part news archive and part fund-raiser for Imette’s family, the newly conceived Web page provides an outlet for those grief-stricken by her death, Ruffler said.

[englishleigh]

I pray that the moment Imette passed from this life, her daddy was waiting there for her with his arms wide open....

[michelle]

I pray that the moment Imette passed from this life, her daddy was waiting there for her with his arms wide open.... I know its heartbreaking, I cannot believe the way she was tormented, what in the world is wrong with people!!!!! Its pure Evil!!!!!!! :furious: :furious: :furious: Does New York have the DP?

[indigomood]

Thanks indigomood for starting this thread.
At this link the article discuss her friends as they remember her and set up a special website

http://news.bostonherald.com/stGuillenMurder/view.bg?articleid=129499&format=

What Rob Ruffler remembers most about slain college student Imette St. Guillen was her genius for living in the moment.
“She wanted to make the most of the time that she had and that’s hopefully something that I can take from this,” the 27-year-old New York software developer reflected yesterday. “It sounds like the time that she had, she used the most of it.” “We decided that (the Web site) could be something to do to make sure people didn’t forget and also get people to help any way they might be able to,” said Ruffler.
Part memorial, part news archive and part fund-raiser for Imette’s family, the newly conceived Web page provides an outlet for those grief-stricken by her death, Ruffler said.
:) You're welcome! Thanks for your link as well, I was unaware of it...

[indigomood]

I know its heartbreaking, I cannot believe the way she was tormented, what in the world is wrong with people!!!!! Its pure Evil!!!!!!! :furious: :furious: :furious: Does New York have the DP?
No, I believe they do not :banghead:

In New York, the Democrat-controlled state Assembly defeated an attempt to reinstate the death penalty on April 12, 2005, making New York the first state to abandon the death penalty since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976. This action, which came just 10 years after the state legalized capital punishment, put New York at the forefront of a list of states where politicians have stepped away from supporting capital punishment.

Death Penalty Timeline ...
2004 - New York's death penalty statute declared unconstitutional by state's highest court in June.


http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=25995

[michelle]

No, I believe they do not :banghead:

In New York, the Democrat-controlled state Assembly defeated an attempt to reinstate the death penalty on April 12, 2005, making New York the first state to abandon the death penalty since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976. This action, which came just 10 years after the state legalized capital punishment, put New York at the forefront of a list of states where politicians have stepped away from supporting capital punishment.

Death Penalty Timeline ...
2004 - New York's death penalty statute declared unconstitutional by state's highest court in June.


http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=25995:banghead: :furious: :banghead: Its not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[indigomood]

:banghead: :furious: :banghead: Its not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
did he commit any crimes in Texas - they'll kill him!

[michelle]

did he commit any crimes in Texas - they'll kill him! Oh I know thats right!!!!!!!!!!!!

[strach304]

I immediately felt a connection to Imette from a Mom's perspective, didn't know her but she's the kind of daughter any mother would be proud of. I have two wonderful daughters both still young enough to be college students I'm am exceptionally proud of and am very close to. I raised mine as a single parent and it wasn't easy getting them to where they are today but I did it. Imette meant everything to her mother just as my daughters do to me and I'm the mama tiger when it comes to my daughters. My youngest will be pursuing a similar career path just like Imette and no matter how old they get I never feel at ease about their safety. It's a really bad scarey world out there where at anytime anyone can become a victim.

Imette was out having a few drinks with a friend just doing a normal type thing like any young woman does. What I try to do with my daughters and they listen because they know I'm right is not to shelter them and hide our heads in the sand, we keep each other updated about the latest dangers and date rape drugs etc. I started out trying to keep them away from crime and the bad guys when they were young and soon discovered there's trouble everywhere. Best thing we can do to help our daughters is to educate them in the ways of staying safe. Live life to the fullest by all means, being a girl is fun but be safe and I'm always on it 24/7 because sometimes they will forget.

[michelle]

I immediately felt a connection to Imette from a Mom's perspective, didn't know her but she's the kind of daughter any mother would be proud of. I have two wonderful daughters both still young enough to be college students I'm am exceptionally proud of and am very close to. I raised mine as a single parent and it wasn't easy getting them to where they are today but I did it. Imette meant everything to her mother just as my daughters do to me and I'm the mama tiger when it comes to my daughters. My youngest will be pursuing a similar career path just like Imette and no matter how old they get I never feel at ease about their safety. It's a really bad scarey world out there where at anytime anyone can become a victim.

Imette was out having a few drinks with a friend just doing a normal type thing like any young woman does. What I try to do with my daughters and they listen because they know I'm right is not to shelter them and hide our heads in the sand, we keep each other updated about the latest dangers and date rape drugs etc. I started out trying to keep them away from crime and the bad guys when they were young and soon discovered there's trouble everywhere. Best thing we can do to help our daughters is to educate them in the ways of staying safe. Live life to the fullest by all means, being a girl is fun but be safe and I'm always on it 24/7 because sometimes they will forget. I can still remember when I was going out the the clubs and all that good stuff when I turned 21, my dad would always say "be aware of your surroundings". It is such a scary world out there, I have a son and I know boys have things happen to them just as much but for me it seems having daughters is really scary. You want to keep them locked in the house. Of course I would love to keep my son home forever too.:D My SIL has 4 daughters and she is always like " Oh my Gosh I am so afraid to let them date, or go out", I tell her I will say a prayer for safety for them, thats about all we can do these days. I head somebody on TV talking about blaming Imette, and they even said Natalie as well, thats BullCrap!!!!!! It is not the victims fault EVER. I just wanted to throw that in too, sorry to rant.:D

[strach304]

I think it is very fitting that NYCPD are the ones who finally got him after reading about his LE hit-man days back in the 80's, very fitting for Imette's murder to be his undoing when even the FEDS tried to get him on Death Qualified charges in 2002 and failed to get the evidence for the charges for the hits he committed on NYC Police Officers.

[dragonfly]

Put camera at each bar, sez ex-beau

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/398144p-337373c.html



Imette St. Guillen's slaying has inspired a proposed "Imette's Law" that could deter similar crimes by requiring bars to put video cameras at their entrances.

"It would help make a difference in situations like this," said Ryan Kocher, 22, a graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former boyfriend of St. Guillen.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn) said he would sponsor Imette's Law.

[dragonfly]

This is the link to the website created and maintain by Friends of Imette.

http://www.justiceforimette.com/

[cammy-g]

This is the link to the website created and maintain by Friends of Imette.

http://www.justiceforimette.com/
My hinky meter is going off. We all want justice for Imette, but I am a little suspicious of this web site. The only photos are ones widely available from any newspaper. It is registered with Go Daddy and domains by proxy out of Scottsdale Arizona and has the contact info has the same area code 480 as Arizona. It claims all money goes to Imette's family. I would like to be sure before I donate, sadly but with tragedies such as Katrina it has taught me to be cautious. I have not heard the family mention this URL. Can anyone confirm if this is actually sponsored by her family?

[i.b.nora]

Can anyone confirm if this is actually sponsored by her family?
No, but here is what it says:

"About the site

JusticeForImette.com was created and maintained by friends of Imette St. Guillen in New York City. It is our hope that this site will act as a clearinghouse for information relevant to the search for the person or persons who took Imette's life. All donations received through the PayPal account associated with this site will be at the disposal of the St. Guillen family. To contact the site and donation administrators, please email JusticeForImette@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest, your compassion, and your help in bringing the person or persons responsible for this unspeakable act to justice.
For Imette,
Rob, Ken, Joe, and amy"

The woman, Amy, was on with Rita Cosby the other night and talked about starting the website. If I recall, she is an old friend of Imette's.

[cammy-g]

Thanks I.B. Nora, I did not catch Rita, and I have heard of a web site starting up and so maybe this is it.

BTW, I did read the "about us" and the simple use of first names also attracted my hinky meter.

It is just when anyone can register a domain so easily that I want to know it is the right one and not someone that saw Rita and used the name Amy.

A domain can propagate in 24 hours.

[Masterj]

Did you guys see on that site that her friends are organizing a protest of the Falls tonight at 8pm in front of the bar?

[MrsMush99]

I heard about that on Rita last night Masterj. I'm sure the Falls will be closed tonight if they know about it, which I'm sure they do by now.

[concernedperson]

My hinky meter is going off. We all want justice for Imette, but I am a little suspicious of this web site. The only photos are ones widely available from any newspaper. It is registered with Go Daddy and domains by proxy out of Scottsdale Arizona and has the contact info has the same area code 480 as Arizona. It claims all money goes to Imette's family. I would like to be sure before I donate, sadly but with tragedies such as Katrina it has taught me to be cautious. I have not heard the family mention this URL. Can anyone confirm if this is actually sponsored by her family?

Be careful with these odd websites I have been dealing with one out of Arizona for two days. They got my name off an official Atlanta board. In conversation when I wanted references all they would give me is someone out of my area. Telemarketers typically live in desirable climates i.e. Florida and there business lifespan is short. Take the money and run sort of thing. Scruples never really play a part in this kind of thing.

BTW, I saw Imette's mom on CC's show and there is no way she is ready to look for funds....she is grieving to the inth.

[MrsMush99]

One of Imette's friends was on Rita and she mentioned the website. I'm sure it's fine.

[concernedperson]

One of Imette's friends was on Rita and she mentioned the website. I'm sure it's fine.

Thanks, I am always cynical with these sites unless the family comes aboard and expresses their wishes.

[michelle]

Thanks, I am always cynical with these sites unless the family comes aboard and expresses their wishes. You have to be Now days.

[cammy-g]

Thanks, I am always cynical with these sites unless the family comes aboard and expresses their wishes.
Amen!

[txsvicki]

Was this set up before the news of littlejohn and the serial rapes in the area? I don't see why any money would be needed since the murderer is in jail and LE is working on getting him charged for his crimes.

[indigomood]

Was this set up before the news of littlejohn and the serial rapes in the area? I don't see why any money would be needed since the murderer is in jail and LE is working on getting him charged for his crimes.
Hello, txsvicki,
you make a good point, while the suspect has not been charged as yet, it remains to be seen.

The website appears to have been created on 3-02-06 if that helps...

Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: JUSTICEFORIMETTE.COM
Created on: 02-Mar-06

[cammy-g]

Seeing how they called for the protest at the Falls, my hinky meter is really going off now.

Only 12 people showed up for the protest. There are 4 names from that web site and if they each brought two friends that would make twelve.

Not a very well orchestrated protest IMO.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=3982307

Thanks for publishing the domain info, Indigomood, I was not sure that was allowed so I referred to them IMOP.

[indigomood]

Seeing how they called for the protest at the Falls, my hinky meter is really going off now.

Only 12 people showed up for the protest. There are 4 names from that web site and if they each brought two friends that would make twelve.

Not a very well orchestrated protest IMO.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=3982307

Thanks for publishing the domain info, Indigomood, I was not sure that was allowed so I referred to them IMOP.
:confused: Gosh, I don't want to be in violation of TOS, so without going back and reading them, I feel I should edit my post to be safe

[docwho3]

:confused: Gosh, I don't want to be in violation of TOS, so without going back and reading them, I feel I should edit my post to be safeI just read the TOS posted in our section .

Domain info is publicly available info so I don't see how it would violate any legal expectations of privacy. It isn't as if you had promoted a website or had found my real name and then had posted it. However, if you have doubts you could always PM a mod and ask about it before posting. The mods generally seem to be pretty helpful to politely worded questions.

[cammy-g]

Sorry for the confusion http://www.websleuths.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif, I did not mean to imply that domain info was against TOS, I just referred to it to be on the safe side. Plus I did not want to make this site look bad if it is really set up for Imette's family but I just am skeptical when a site asks for donations in such a bold manner and says they are giving the money to the family.

Like concernedperson said, if a family member comes on board and endorses the site, then it is ok but I just had reservations with domains by proxy, Godaddy, and contact info listed in Scottsdale AZ.

[indigomood]

I just read the TOS posted in our section .

Domain info is publicly available info so I don't see how it would violate any legal expectations of privacy. It isn't as if you had promoted a website or had found my real name and then had posted it. However, if you have doubts you could always PM a mod and ask about it before posting. The mods generally seem to be pretty helpful to politely worded questions.
Thank you :)

[indigomood]

Sorry for the confusion http://www.websleuths.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif, I did not mean to imply that domain info was against TOS, I just referred to it to be on the safe side. Plus I did not want to make this site look bad if it is really set up for Imette's family but I just am skeptical when a site asks for donations in such a bold manner and says they are giving the money to the family.

Like concernedperson said, if a family member comes on board and endorses the site, then it is ok but I just had reservations with domains by proxy, Godaddy, and contact info listed in Scottsdale AZ.
no worries, confusion is my middle name :)

I do understand your concerns, I'm skeptic by nature

[i.b.nora]

Regarding the website justiceforimette.com, the Boston Herald had an article about it last Wednesday.

Pals set up website in Imette’s memory (http://news.bostonherald.com/stGuillenMurder/view.bg?articleid=129499)

"What Rob Ruffler remembers most about slain college student Imette St. Guillen was her genius for living in the moment.
“She wanted to make the most of the time that she had and that’s hopefully something that I can take from this,” the 27-year-old New York software developer reflected yesterday. “It sounds like the time that she had, she used the most of it.”

Ruffler and other friends who knew Imette through “The New York City Social Sports Club” dodgeball league started www.JusticeforImette.com after gathering last Wednesday in her honor at a local bar where the group used to hang every week after practice.
“We decided that (the Web site) could be something to do to make sure people didn’t forget and also get people to help any way they might be able to,” said Ruffler.
Part memorial, part news archive and part fund-raiser for Imette’s family, the newly conceived Web page provides an outlet for those grief-stricken by her death, Ruffler said."

more . . .