IDENTIFIED-Tawni Lee Mazzone

[christine2448]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/Tawni_2.jpg


Here is our angel. Rest in peace Tawni.

[kaylenbabysims]

she's beautiful!


Rip Tawni

[Teresa Larson]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/Tawni_2.jpg


Here is our angel. Rest in peace Tawni.


OMG she is beautiful I am sick that her life ended this way. :no:

[Lucy's mom]

Oh my gosh! She's gorgeous. RIP Tawni! You are loved!

[concernedperson]

She is beautiful!

[rccook555]

she's beautiful!


Rip Tawni


She is beautiful. A true angel. Rest in Peace Tawni.

[eleven]

Wow. I've been overjoyed until seeing her picture, and seeing it now makes me quite emotional! It instantly brought tears to my eyes....tears of sadness, tears of happiness.......she was so pretty.

[dee10134]

OH my. She is so beautiful. I am so sorry for this family and for their loss. It brought tears to my eyes too. R.I.P. Tawni!!! God bless you and your family!

[Cubby]

She's a knockout! Absolutely beautiful.

Rest in the Lords arms sweet Tawni.

[Lucy's mom]

I can't stop staring at her picture! She looks older than the pictures we've been seeing but just as beautiful. I'm so sad!

[tinytown]

Thank you for sharing the photograph. It reminds me to remember Tawni as she truly was. God bless Tawni's family.

[eleven]

Thank you for sharing the photograph. It reminds me to remember Tawni as she truly was. God bless Tawni's family.

I echo the thank you and appreciation for posting her picture. She deserves it. :blowkiss:

[christine2448]

i stared at her picture, the ME picture and the hospital picture today for HOURS. Believe09, who is normally a rock for me (don't kill me for posting this believe ;) ) Called me once we rec'd this picture (have had since last night and couldn't post because of needin' pos. ID) just cryed......she said over and over, in between SOBS, "she is so beautiful".


Thank you Jesus.

[lymom3]

She was suck a pretty girl and I know she is a pretty angel in heaven now. I have followed this for so long and am so surprised to see the case have a resolution so quickly. My prayers are with the entire family and way to go for everyone who never gave up on this beautiful child.

[christine2448]

From my roomate, she has watched us do this the last hours and wanted to post:

Countee Cullen (1903-1946)

This lovely flower fell to seed;
Work gently sun and rain;
She held it as her dying creed:
That she would grow again.

MARICOPA JANE DOE ---- IDENTIFIED.

Tawni you are not and never will be forgotten.

[Anita Richman]

God bless beautiful Tawni's family and friends. But most of all, God bless all the Websleuthers who have loved our little "Maricopa Jane Doe", prayed for her and helped her to come home.

[christine2448]

Thank you Tybee.....I have no doubt your hand was in this. :blowkiss::blowkiss::blowkiss:

[MagicRose99]

Rest in peace Tawni Lee Mazzone. You're finally going home where you belong. God bless your family and keep all of you safe during this final journey. My condolences to the family and my pride in my fellow WS'ers is great. Good job all... you did it! You brought her home!

[STEADFAST]

I want to thank all of you who have worked so hard and long on identifying this beautiful young woman and giving her back to her family. You inspire me to put aside the discouragement I sometimes feel when a case goes on for years. Bless the Maricopa Jane Doe posters for refusing to give up on her!:blowkiss:

[ShouldBWorking]

RIP Beautiful young lady!!

[BeavisMom62]

To Tawni's family: I am so, so sorry for your loss. I hope you know that you have a virtual family here with us, and not a day has gone by in the past few months when I and countless others have not thought about this case, and the beautiful girl behind it.

Dirge Without Music

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely.
Crowned With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.
Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew, A formula, a phrase remains,--but the best is lost.
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, -- They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses.
Elegant and curled Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know.
But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave,
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

--Edna St. Vincent Millay

I had to bring over Aphras post because it was so touching and appropriate. I wish I had the right words. Oh, I wish I did. Does anyone really at a time like this? Although many of you certainly can put your feelings to words much better than I. Rest in peace beautiful Tawni. Our hearts and souls are joined with yours until we truly meet some day.

[Teresa Larson]

I was never ever going to give up I knew this young girl had to have a family some where that loved her. I have cried all day and after seeing her picture it even breaks my heart more.

[christine2448]

I was never ever going to give up I knew this young girl had to have a family some where that loved her. I have cried all day and after seeing her picture it even breaks my heart more.

Thank you Teresa...you have been here through a lot...many tips, many ideas...you rock! We finally have a name for this beautiful girl. Thanks for NOT givin' up!

[VASHLEY88]

Rest in Peace, Tawni Lee Mazzone. You will, and have been be truly missed!

What a gorgeous, gorgeous young lady. She is just a shining star. I have been crying all day.. and everytime I see her picture I sob even more.

I knew there was hope yet! Thank you everyone for your hard work and dedication!

[shadowangel]

Like I have it written under my hat, I really believe that they speak to us, if we'll just open our hearts and listen. Christine, Believe, bless your hearts for listening to Tawni.
I can't help but smile despite the tear in the corner of my eye, looking at that picture...The whimsical little grin on that beautiful face, its just how I see her now, watching all of us.

Welcome home, Tawni.

[hipmamajen]

Tawni's family is in my prayers.

[christine2448]

talk about this case real time.

to join java chat click below

http://www.serenity-irc.net/java/index.php

put nickname in

put websleuths in for the channel name


for Mirc Users:

open MIRC window

go to file

select server

go to Serenity IRC (hilight)

select random

then hit select on the right side

If you have chat saved to favorites delete them or they will go to old server

type in # websleuths for channel name then hit join

[becca]

What a beautiful girl.... I am praying for the family. She is finally going home. Where all the missing belong -home.

On the other hand good job all of you that worked so hard to bring her home. I am in awe of the good that was done . You never gave up and that is something to be proud of. You brought a beautiful child home. God Bless you all.

[texasgirl]

WOW! Wow! Wow.....wow!!!! That's about all I can say....I am so happy that she has been identified. She was absolutely beautiful!

RIP Tawni. Prayers and thoughts for Tawni's family.

[Patience]

Rest in Peace, Tawni Lee Mazzone, my thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends.

Websleuthers, you are such a caring bunch, I am sure you feel a big load off your shoulders now that Tawni has been identified. And so you should.:blowkiss:

[VASHLEY88]

http://www.ivamay.com/longstem_red_rose_graphic.jpg

[Soulmagent]

I am in shock and cant find words to express my feelings , they are like a whirlwind.
I feel a since of relief for the girl known as MJD. My sympathies are with Tawni's family.

[christine2448]

fromHeisner, Jodie <JLHEISNER@abc15.com>
toChristine <christine2448@websleuths.com>
dateThu, Aug 21, 2008 at 8:12 PM
subjectRE: [Fwd: MJD police report from FMW63]
hide details 8:12 PM (35 minutes ago) Reply

Christine-

Thanks to you and all of the websluths for all of your hard work on this case. How amazing that MJD finally has a name... beautiful Tawni.
Here at ABC15 we are working hard to get the rest of the details together to tell this story the way it needs to be told. By giving it time and really showcasing it. We now have some more interviews to get in order to tell the rest of this story.
I will be sure to send you all a link as soon as it airs. You will be able to watch the story online.
My heart goes out to the family.

Jodie Heisner
Special Projects Producer
ABC 15 KNXV-TV

[SeriouslySearching]

To Tawni's family~

Our hearts are with you as you grieve the loss of your beautiful girl. There are no words that can ease your pain and sadness, but know that so many are praying for you to find peace and comfort. To know Tawni now has her family, her name, and her history back is one prayer answered. She was a beautiful young woman and she touched so many people even after she was gone. This is a testament to her spirit.

Bless you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Rest In Peace, Tawni Lee Mazzone. You are home.

[southcitymom]

Rest in peace, Tawni. You were never forgotten.

[OneLostGrl]

O my Gosh! The work you Sleuthers do is amazzzing!!

to Tawney's family I offer my sympathy..

[chaddylex]

Christine and Believe, great job on this case as to the rest of the websleuthers, may this beautiful girl finally rest in peace. I have been following this case for about a year, but never posted on this thread. I am just glad her family can also quit wondering what happened to her

[SweetDreamOfYou]

omg poor little tawnis face was in more dreams than i can count and eventually brought me to this site. you guys have worked so hard for her. i can't tell you how much lighter my heart is knowing she has finally gone home in a sense. and that she only suffered on the streets for a short time.
i can not imagine how horrible it would be to not know where my daughter was. having a child pass on hurts so much but at least you know where ur child is, not knowfing has to be even worse.
any way u guys are amazing.
terri

[believe09]

I was a conduit only-there are too many to name that contributed but I would like to mention some of the white hats that stepped up-
Suzi Dodt, Maricopa County ME. With the thousands of poor souls she has touched in her lifetime, she never let this one go cold.

Det. Lankaster- he snatched the cold case from the files of a neighboring county and continues to pursue justice in this complicated, heartbreaking case.

Michael- Tawni's brother who set in motion these events as they have unfolded in the last 24 hours by googling and finding a lovely UID who clearly needed her name back.

Tammi- the aunt who took a leap of faith first emailing and then calling strangers to find information regarding her long lost niece.

Deborah- who had the strength to call a complete stranger and share a private moment of grief and pain when her heart told her head that her daughter was before her on the internet as a deceased child.

Angie and Vashley88- whose compostites of the UID created with such sensitivity from her morgue photos generated the recognition that ID'd Tawni.

Phenol- whose posting on City Data led the family to WS and the positive ID.

FMW- The contribution of the police report, the ME report and finally the pictures energized this case and caused Tawni to be found.

Fairy, Cubby, SS, Teresa, Reb (who started this whole thing, lol) Dee, absinthe, Marstan (both former members) and all who searched, guided, dissected, ranted, laughed and cried with us!

And of course, Christine2448 who kept us on task and facilitated, guided and freaked out with me the last 24 hours....

Thank you Tricia for giving us the bandwith to work together for this kind of an outcome.

Peace.

[SieSie]

Wow. I've been overjoyed until seeing her picture, and seeing it now makes me quite emotional! It instantly brought tears to my eyes....tears of sadness, tears of happiness.......she was so pretty.
Ditto that, eleven!! When I saw the notice that MJD had been identified, I was so happy!! Now I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face at the tragic loss of this beautiful young woman. I can't imagine how her family and friends must be feeling, my prayers go out to them to find some comfort that Tawni can now rest in peace.

[ArizonaGiGi]

She is so pretty. But then we all already knew that didn't we. Beautiful Tawni.



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/Tawni_2.jpg


Here is our angel. Rest in peace Tawni.

[englishleigh]

What a beautiful angel.

[believe09]

Mike is in the process of being set up with a hat at WS. He asked me to send the following to all of you who have loved and worked for his precious sister:

To all who have worked so hard, I truly respect and oblige you for your dedication and devoted love for my little sister Tawni. I will be sure to put some pictures together/or slide show of some past memories.

Thank you all for your love and support.
Michael Thomas Mazzone DOB 01/27/19XX

Mike has sent a picture of a dedication he had done a while ago to honor his missing sister.
(this of Tawni's name on his back...)

[fmw63]

To the Mazzone Family & Friends:

May God's peace surround you in this difficult time.
:rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose:

[VASHLEY88]

Mike is in the process of being set up with a hat at WS. He asked me to send the following to all of you who have loved and worked for his precious sister:

To all who have worked so hard, I truly respect and oblige you for your dedication and devoted love for my little sister Tawni. I will be sure to put some pictures together/or slide show of some past memories.

Thank you all for your love and support.
Michael Thomas Mazzone DOB 01/27/19XX

Mike has sent a picture of a dedication he had done a while ago to honor his missing sister.
(this of Tawni's name on his back...)



That is so sweet.. aww. It has been a pleasure, Michael. What a wonderful family.

[Bree0372]

Rest in peace Tawni Lee Mazzone. You're finally going home where you belong. God bless your family and keep all of you safe during this final journey. My condolences to the family and my pride in my fellow WS'ers is great. Good job all... you did it! You brought her home!

My sentiments exactly, MagicRose! When I saw the name of this thread, I broke down and cried and that was before I saw her picture. What an absolutely beautiful young girl.

May her family finally have the closure they need. My prayers are with Tawni's family.

Thank you to the WS's who worked endlessly on this girl's case. You gave her a name...that was the goal.

RIP Tawni :rose:

[christine2448]

To: christine2448@websleuths.com

Got this via email, wanted to share:


Hi we are wondering who you were when we came upon this websleuths. Thank God for the people there.
I have pictures of Tawni as well. The Mazzone-Madden-Ross family are so very thankful for all the work that has been done in Tawni's name.


Kelly

[gracefuljf1505]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/Tawni_2.jpg


Here is our angel. Rest in peace Tawni.

Very beautiful! May her family be at ease and may she rest in peace with our lord!

[Truthful Lies]

I e-mailed the forensic artist we spoke with about a year ago and included a picture of Tawni. Happy to see her have her identity back. Prayers for her family and friends. Will let you know if she replies.

[jyram]

I'm saying a prayer for beautiful Tawni's family at the same time I thank God for putting into motion all the people here and her brother finding websleuths and ending this mystery.
I did nothing but watch this case unfold and sit here with tears streaming down my face now. I'm just in awe of everything.

[fmw63]

Mike is in the process of being set up with a hat at WS.

What's a hat?

[VASHLEY88]

Just a quick note to say I've been thinking and praying for Tawni and her family tonight.

Welcome home again, sweet angel. I don't think I can say it enough..

[christine2448]

Just a quick note to say I've been thinking and praying for Tawni and her family tonight.

Welcome home again, sweet angel. I don't think I can say it enough..

omg, i didn't call u......puleeeze forgive me.:blowkiss:

[Cubby]

Mike is in the process of being set up with a hat at WS. He asked me to send the following to all of you who have loved and worked for his precious sister:

To all who have worked so hard, I truly respect and oblige you for your dedication and devoted love for my little sister Tawni. I will be sure to put some pictures together/or slide show of some past memories.

Thank you all for your love and support.
Michael Thomas Mazzone DOB 01/27/19XX

Mike has sent a picture of a dedication he had done a while ago to honor his missing sister.
(this of Tawni's name on his back...)



What a beautiful tat. thank you!

Michael, Your little sister has become family to us as well. While many of us never had the pleasure or honor of meeting her, we'll be eagerly waiting for you to share your stories and memories of this special girl that we all came to love.

Our continued thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

[Cubby]

I e-mailed the forensic artist we spoke with about a year ago and included a picture of Tawni. Happy to see her have her identity back. Prayers for her family and friends. Will let you know if she replies.


Thank you! What a great idea... I hadn't even thought of that... :blowkiss:

[Cubby]

What's a hat?


membership and a screen name (sn). :blowkiss:

thanks again FMW63 for all of your help. If it weren't for your persistance with the photo's, reports, questions from other members and your contact with LE who knows where we might be today. You were as much a part of this as Christine and believe.

[cali_mommy]

Finally this beautiful young lady has her name back, and her family can begin to heal. You members are truly amazing, all of your hard work has finally payed off. She was a beautiful girl, may she finally rest in peace, and may the person/s who took her away finally be brought to justice.

[Kathee]

Kudos to you all for not giving up. Precious Tawni can go in peace!

[christine2448]

I was a conduit only-there are too many to name that contributed but I would like to mention some of the white hats that stepped up-
Suzi Dodt, Maricopa County ME. With the thousands of poor souls she has touched in her lifetime, she never let this one go cold.

Det. Lankaster- he snatched the cold case from the files of a neighboring county and continues to pursue justice in this complicated, heartbreaking case.

Michael- Tawni's brother who set in motion these events as they have unfolded in the last 24 hours by googling and finding a lovely UID who clearly needed her name back.

Tammi- the aunt who took a leap of faith first emailing and then calling strangers to find information regarding her long lost niece.

Deborah- who had the strength to call a complete stranger and share a private moment of grief and pain when her heart told her head that her daughter was before her on the internet as a deceased child.

Vashley88- whose compostites of the UID created with such sensitivity from her morgue photos generated the recognition that ID'd Tawni.

Phenol- whose posting on City Data led the family to WS and the positive ID.

FMW- The contribution of the police report, the ME report and finally the pictures energized this case and caused Tawni to be found.

Fairy, Cubby, SS, Teresa, Reb (who started this whole thing, lol) Dee, absinthe, Marstan (both former members) and all who searched, guided, dissected, ranted, laughed and cried with us!

And of course, Christine2448 who kept us on task and facilitated, guided and freaked out with me the last 24 hours....

Thank you Tricia for giving us the bandwith to work together for this kind of an outcome.

Peace.

ahh hem, believe09 who at 9pm rec'd my email and a 'please help'....she has not stopped...worked tirelessly w/family, LE, ME.....thank you....for pulling together all the work put forth...in 24 hours YOU pulled it all together and guided family,ME..dentist (lol)....believe09...YOU ROCK! TY TY TY TY TY TY TY!

[christine2448]

Off to bed......I can't believe we know her name. Tawni Lee.....Tawni Lee....I am in awe.

[christine2448]

Checkin' email before signin' off...had this:

Heisner, Jodie JLHEISNER@abc15.com
Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 8:49 PM
To: Christine <christine2448@websleuths.com>

Christine-


Thanks to you and all of the websluths for all of your hard work on this case. How amazing that MJD finally has a name... beautiful Tawni.

Here at ABC15 we are working hard to get the rest of the details together to tell this story the way it needs to be told. By giving it time and really showcasing it. We now have some more interviews to get in order to tell the rest of this story.

I will be sure to send you all a link as soon as it airs. You will be able to watch the story online.
My heart goes out to the family.


Jodie Heisner

Special Projects Producer

ABC 15 KNXV-TV

[NighTillDawn]

ahh hem, believe09 who at 9pm rec'd my email and a 'please help'....she has not stopped...worked tirelessly w/family, LE, ME.....thank you....for pulling together all the work put forth...in 24 hours YOU pulled it all together and guided family,ME..dentist (lol)....believe09...YOU ROCK! TY TY TY TY TY TY TY!

To all involved in finding the identification of Tawni, God Bless you all. It's through your hard work and dedication that makes me proud to be a member here.

[CASuzk]

Lovely child,

May those who love you find peace and know that you truly safe now.

[The Green Hornet]

God Bless you Tawni and may you Rest in Peace.

To her family, please know one thing.. It is my mission now to make sure her name NEVER is forgotten and I will do whatever I can in order to make sure that spirit lives forever. Your daughter was a beautiful girl and from what I was informed, was such a bright star that had her light dimmed tragically far, far too soon. May those two pay in karma tenfold and please know that my mission is to make sure Tawni's memory lives on.

[Julessleuther]

I am so overwhelmed right now...

...sadness for Tawni's family, for finding their sister, daughter and niece this way.

...relief that she can be laid to rest by her loving family, with her name and honor.

...pride in the hard work all you websleuthers did to find out who MJD is. You all worked so hard, and I am proud to call you fellow websleuthers!

[Fairy1]

:angel2: Rest in peace, sweet Tawni Lee.

[Tricia]

To Christine2448, Believe 09, and all the other members who worked so hard on this case,

Your dedication and hard work on this case is beyond anything I have ever seen on a forum before. To say I am proud of you all doesn't even come close to the feeling I have in my heart.

You must be having all kinds of mixed emotions. I pray that you will soon be able to think of Tawni and her family with joy in your heart that you directly are responsible for Tawni going home and her loved ones finally getting the answers they prayed for.

I wish I could hold each and every one of you and tell you how much I appreciate and how amazing you are.

This is what Websleuths is about. This is what is important.

Thank you again. May you find peace in the knowledge that although it is so tragic that Tawni is no longer with us you brought such relief to a loving family.

Love,
Tricia

[Elphaba]

Christine, Believe and the rest: thank you for making a difference... for helping in giving this family their loved one back to them. Yalls hard work and compassion to help keep attention on this young girls face and case, is beyond admirable.

Tawni's family: I wish you much peace and healing, as you move forward and bring her home. Blessings to all...

[MommaD]

Tawni you are just beautiful. So glad the great ws ppl who helped you get home to your family never gave up.. rest in peace beautiful young lady..

Great job everyone who worked to bring this angel home..

[LaLaw2000]

I am in awe of all of you that worked so hard to find the identity of this young lady! GB all of you!
This will bring fresh grief to the family but will enable them to FINALLY know what happened to their loved one. I do hope it gives them some closure and peace. Tawni has been flying with the angels for some time now and it is finally known.
May God Bless and keep the Mazzone family.

[Simplicity]

Rest in peace precious Angel.

[Liz]

Blessings to all of you who helped in identifying Tawni. What a self-less gift you all gave, in helping to bring Tawni home to her loved ones. I hope and pray that Tawni will now be able to rest in peace. My heart goes out to all who know and love Tawni, for the loss they have suffered. And, to you dear websleuthers, who are undoubtedly experiencing a bittersweet victory!


To all who aided in Tawni being identified --- You ROCK! :blowkiss:

[Reannan]

What wonderful news! Websleuths is truly a wonderful place with some of the most wonderful people I have ever had the honor to be associated with. Great job everyone!!! Now, we have to keep working for Princess Blue and Jock and Jane Doe, among so many others. Tawni's family is in my prayers. :blowkiss:

[dee10134]

"Do Not Stand and Weep" by Anonymous
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that swiftly blow.
I am the diamond glint on newly fallen snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the soft and gentle autumn rain.
When you wake from sleep in the early morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I will ALWAYS remember Tawni. R.I.P.

[Truthful Lies]

I e-mailed the forensic artist we spoke with about a year ago and included a picture of Tawni. Happy to see her have her identity back. Prayers for her family and friends. Will let you know if she replies.
Forensic artist had just received the information from authorities, but thanked us for thinking of her. =)

[KOOL LOOK]

You guys are making emotions swirl inside of me like a mighty strong wind. I can't begin to express the love and adoration I feel for you. This is what makes WS different and sets us apart. The people. May we continue to grow in unity, be prosperous and bear much fruit with our labors of love.
http://s179.photobucket.com/albums/w285/kimmychilds/fl/f1204.gif (http://www.satisfaction.com/codes/flowers-roses-comments-1.php)

This beautiful girl takes my breath away. She will be forever adopted by this site, her name shall never pass away. Greatness will follow her throughout times as a beloved child and daughter of so many, especially her loving family at home.

Tricia your words mean so much to others here. Thank you for giving a place to have accomplished this together, and safety for all it's members to dwell in peace. In my eyes, you have done a great thing for many.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn108/LadyFisher_2008/bettybeep20244.gif?t=1218069062

[Parker]

This is what it is all about....you are all amazing people for seeing this through to the end. I'm sure many of you made sacrifices with your time and resources to make this happen - the world needs more people like all of you!

Not enough is being done to identify the hundreds of thousands of remains currently in the ME's offices across the country...although this is probably not the ending Tawni's family wished for, at least they do have some answers.

Her picture speaks a thousand words...beautiful...strong...sweet....it's a tragedy that she never got the chance to live her life.

[WantingToHelp]

Was Tawni ever reported as a missing or runaway child? Was she ever on any website that had info on her?

[eleven]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/Tawni_2.jpg
Tawni Lee Mazzone


Just wanted to show her picture (again) with her name on this page.

[Lola]

My hat is off to all of you WS'ers who carried this to conclusion. Amazing yet it's the kind of determination and devotion we see so often here on this forum. I'm proud to be a member here.

Sincerest condolences to Tawni's family and friends.

[christine2448]

Was Tawni ever reported as a missing or runaway child? Was she ever on any website that had info on her?

No. Police refused report because she had runaway in the past IIUC.

[WantingToHelp]

What does IIUC mean?

Too bad she wasn't reported missing. Because I bet we would have found a match a lot sooner.

[Lucy's mom]

ahh hem, believe09 who at 9pm rec'd my email and a 'please help'....she has not stopped...worked tirelessly w/family, LE, ME.....thank you....for pulling together all the work put forth...in 24 hours YOU pulled it all together and guided family,ME..dentist (lol)....believe09...YOU ROCK! TY TY TY TY TY TY TY!

I second that! You all rock! Thanks to all of you! I hope that if anything ever happens to me or one of my loved ones, my story ends up here and is sleuthed by all of you wonderful and devoted people! God bless you all! :blowkiss:

[rccook555]

What does IIUC mean?

Too bad she wasn't reported missing. Because I bet we would have found a match a lot sooner.


IIUC= If i understand correctly.

I cant begin to say how frustrated i am over them not taking a police report. She was missing no matter the circumstances, A report should have been made. This poor child had to go 9 years unidentified because of a lack in police department.

[WantingToHelp]

IIUC= If i understand correctly.

Thanks! I've seen that a lot but I could never figure out what it meant.

[shadowangel]

Maybe it's time our state politicians got the message that law enforcement must take missing persons reports in all cases where the subject is 18 or under. I believe Florida has legislation similar to this pending or enacted. A federal statute would be even better, in my humble opinion.

"Tawni's Law". I like that.

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it ok
There's always some reason to feel “not good enough”
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction, oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
They may be empty and weightless, and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the Angels, fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here....
(Sarah McLachlan, "Angel")

[texasgirl]

You know, I'm still in absolute AWE of the posters here.....last time I was on this thread you didn't have half of the information you do now. You guys are certainly amazing! This story of Tawni was one where everyone that read about her, wanted to help. You guys have truly made a difference and I only wish I had stayed around longer to watch this unfold with you! :) You guys ROCK!!

Another thing, Tawni's story makes me feel like I CAN make a difference! It makes me want to get more involved in helping find names for the unidentified! Thank you for making me feel like I personally can do something to help!!

WOW! I am really in the presence of greatness here at WS and feel so unworthy!! :)

[StillHoping]

Tawni is absolutely beautiful.

My sincere thanks to all WS members who followed this case for days on end, trying to find a name for this poor girl.

My sincere prayers to her family and loved ones. I am so grateful that they know where Tawni is now and what happened to her. But I know that this is a very hard time for them, and most likely not the outcome they had prayed for.

Perhaps, Tawni herself was leading some of those working this case. That's what I like to think, anyway. But by no means, should that downplay the hard work so many people took upon themselves.

I am in tears right now and I am just absolutely amazed at the selflessness that some people have, in a time when I feel like the world is falling apart. I can only hope that if myself, or a loved one was in a situation like Tawni's, that people like you would help me find my way home too.

While I don't believe I ever posted on this case. I have followed it for a couple years now. And I know that I am not only grateful this person now has a name, but I am also grateful for the extra faith this has given me in the work that people do here at websleuths. This is proof, it can be done, these people can get their names back, they can come home, their families can have closure.

:blowkiss::clap::bow:

[JDB]

Kudos to all of you wh have spent to many hours to give MJD a name.Like others have said I am honored to be a member of this great placed.

[NighTillDawn]

I spent the better part of last night researching this case. Until last night, I had no clue who Tawni was. I had the pleasure of hearing first hand from Christine in chat the great news that Tawni had an identity and she wasn't MJD any longer.

I was searching yahoo last night and came up with a website from WS that had all the pictures involved with this case. I had no idea what I would find once I clicked the link. I had already seen my uncle 4 yrs ago when he passed away suddenly while vacationing in San Francisco. He was walking and passed out on the sidewalk and the fall killed him. They sent the family morgue photo's and we had to identify him. But something about seeing this young girl, sent me into tears. I have a question if someone out there don't mind me asking. I saw the comparison photo's. Is the girl in the hospital the same girl as in the morgue? I was under the impression that Tawni's body was found already deceased. Did they find her alive, but she was in coma? Did she pass away in the hospital? Sorry for all the morbid questions, but after leaving chat, I went researching on this case, just so I could have more knowledge about Tawni. I think you all are terrific for giving up so much of yourselves throughout the years and for giving MJD back her name. You guys are simply an amazing bunch of people. God Bless you all!

[christine2448]

Maybe it's time our state politicians got the message that law enforcement must take missing persons reports in all cases where the subject is 18 or under. I believe Florida has legislation similar to this pending or enacted. A federal statute would be even better, in my humble opinion.

"Tawni's Law". I like that.

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it ok
There's always some reason to feel “not good enough”
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction, oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
They may be empty and weightless, and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the Angels, fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here....
(Sarah McLachlan, "Angel")

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61206

CAMPAIGN FOR THE MISSING!

I encourage everyone to look into this.

[fmw63]

membership and a screen name (sn). :blowkiss:

thanks again FMW63 for all of your help. If it weren't for your persistance with the photo's, reports, questions from other members and your contact with LE who knows where we might be today. You were as much a part of this as Christine and believe.


:blushing: :blushing: :blushing:

[Blondieskatz]

I'm so glad this dear girl will finally make it home. I wish it could've been a better homecoming, but at least the family can now have piece of mind.

WS sleuth's are great!

[PaperDoll]

You guys are wonderful.. :blowkiss:

[catsmeow]

I was a conduit only-there are too many to name that contributed but I would like to mention some of the white hats that stepped up-
Suzi Dodt, Maricopa County ME. With the thousands of poor souls she has touched in her lifetime, she never let this one go cold.

Det. Lankaster- he snatched the cold case from the files of a neighboring county and continues to pursue justice in this complicated, heartbreaking case.

Michael- Tawni's brother who set in motion these events as they have unfolded in the last 24 hours by googling and finding a lovely UID who clearly needed her name back.

Tammi- the aunt who took a leap of faith first emailing and then calling strangers to find information regarding her long lost niece.

Deborah- who had the strength to call a complete stranger and share a private moment of grief and pain when her heart told her head that her daughter was before her on the internet as a deceased child.

Vashley88- whose compostites of the UID created with such sensitivity from her morgue photos generated the recognition that ID'd Tawni.

Phenol- whose posting on City Data led the family to WS and the positive ID.

FMW- The contribution of the police report, the ME report and finally the pictures energized this case and caused Tawni to be found.

Fairy, Cubby, SS, Teresa, Reb (who started this whole thing, lol) Dee, absinthe, Marstan (both former members) and all who searched, guided, dissected, ranted, laughed and cried with us!

And of course, Christine2448 who kept us on task and facilitated, guided and freaked out with me the last 24 hours....

Thank you Tricia for giving us the bandwith to work together for this kind of an outcome.

Peace.

Oh my...how my heart truly goes out to these people. My prayers soooo much to Tawni's family, what a beautiful young girl she was. My heart is just breaking for those who have come to the realization that their loved one has passed on. What a painful time this has to be and I just ask God to be with Deborah, Tammi, Michael and family as they pull together and finally give Tawni a proper resting place.

Believe, Christine, Phenol and everyone else, you guys are just AMAZING, simply amazing. May God bless you each and every day. Thank you so much for helping give this beautiful young angel her name back. :blowkiss:

[KOOL LOOK]

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61206

CAMPAIGN FOR THE MISSING!

I encourage everyone to look into this.

Christine I just read whre you reported here that Tawnee was never reported missing, on any missing national sites, etc... due to the lack of participation and assistance from LE. Something must be done about this. Never in another day, should this ever happen again. Totally un-acceptable. Running away, habit, occassional, or never having done so, is no excuse to not look into someone's disappearance given we have injured, dead bodies being found when we can't even identify them?
I'm not gonna get outraged, yet! For now is a time of healing and celebration for this family and child.

But when we get over this Glory for this child, we need to move in a direction to never ever not yell from the roof tops that it is LE job to get involved when contacted. Their authority to make such judgement calls needs to be stripped. And given to a panel of each community a group of local citizens to read and go over the immediate pressing details concerning missing persons of their community, and let them decide. For we know any citizen would place themselves in the seat of that Family and want some assistance.
LE should have authority in most areas, but making the calls on when to investigate a missing person or not, I think our country needs to move to investigate immediately each and every report or inquiry concerning someone that can't be found no matter what their habits are or how long their gone.

I am so shocked to learn a report or investigation was not done on behalf of her local LE at the request of her caring Family. I'm through venting.

[Fairy1]

I spent the better part of last night researching this case. Until last night, I had no clue who Tawni was. I had the pleasure of hearing first hand from Christine in chat the great news that Tawni had an identity and she wasn't MJD any longer.

I was searching yahoo last night and came up with a website from WS that had all the pictures involved with this case. I had no idea what I would find once I clicked the link. I had already seen my uncle 4 yrs ago when he passed away suddenly while vacationing in San Francisco. He was walking and passed out on the sidewalk and the fall killed him. They sent the family morgue photo's and we had to identify him. But something about seeing this young girl, sent me into tears. I have a question if someone out there don't mind me asking. I saw the comparison photo's. Is the girl in the hospital the same girl as in the morgue? I was under the impression that Tawni's body was found already deceased. Did they find her alive, but she was in coma? Did she pass away in the hospital? Sorry for all the morbid questions, but after leaving chat, I went researching on this case, just so I could have more knowledge about Tawni. I think you all are terrific for giving up so much of yourselves throughout the years and for giving MJD back her name. You guys are simply an amazing bunch of people. God Bless you all!


Hello NTD. Tawni was alive and flown by helicopter to the hospital. She passed away the next day, having never regained consciousness.

[phenolred]

Oh my...how my heart truly goes out to these people. My prayers soooo much to Tawni's family, what a beautiful young girl she was. My heart is just breaking for those who have come to the realization that their loved one has passed on. What a painful time this has to be and I just ask God to be with Deborah, Tammi, Michael and family as they pull together and finally give Tawni a proper resting place.

Believe, Christine, Phenol and everyone else, you guys are just AMAZING, simply amazing. May God bless you each and every day. Thank you so much for helping give this beautiful young angel her name back. :blowkiss:

Thank you so much Cat...

Im really interested in learning more about TAWNI, did she like sports ? Music? Hobbies????

I was reminded of my "highway test" when my dad was driving 75 mph and I opended the door to see if she could have opended it without to much wind resistance. This was done before we knew she exited the window. ANd I can tell you that pavement was going by so fast it was scary. Since then I have been going along in the passenger seat with the window down at 75 mph and I KNOW that Tawni would NOT have jumped unless she had immeadiate fear for her life.

I think she felt she was serious danger for her life and felt she HAD to jump to try and save her life. Because it is very scary seeing that road moving by like that.

[fran]

I just want to say what a wonderful group of people you Websleuthers are who worked so tirelessly to bring identity to this beautiful young soul. You deserve all the kudos you are receiving.

Bless you all and prayers go to Tawani's family as well.

This is truly an incredible Websleuth' story.

Sincerely,
fran

:blowkiss:

PS.......and once again without Tricia's forum, NONE of this would be possible. Tricia, you're the best! fran

[dee10134]

Thank you so much Cat...

Im really interested in learning more about TAWNI, did she like sports ? Music? Hobbies????

I was reminded of my "highway test" when my dad was driving 75 mph and I opended the door to see if she could have opended it without to much wind resistance. This was done before we knew she exited the window. ANd I can tell you that pavement was going by so fast it was scary. Since then I have been going along in the passenger seat with the window down at 75 mph and I KNOW that Tawni would NOT have jumped unless she had immeadiate fear for her life.

I think she felt she was serious danger for her life and felt she HAD to jump to try and save her life. Because it is very scary seeing that road moving by like that.

Hi Phenol! :blowkiss:

In chat last night, Tawni's stepsister was chatting with us. She said Tawni liked R&B and some classic rock but mostly liked "slow jams" like from Boys II Men. She said she liked NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) and we laughed about it because she mentioned something about how Tawni would kill her for saying that. She also said Tawni was a firecracker and did things her own way, a very spirited girl, very beautiful, a "knockout" she said. She mentioned that Tawni liked to write and did so as an outlet. I think she also mentioned that Tawni never really had a steady boyfriend and liked the "bad boys" and that she knew for a fact that Tawni really wanted to be a mom someday.

As far as your highway test goes, I ride a motorcycle (and ride on the back with my husband too) and I know exacty what it feels like to be going 75 MPH on a highway with the road passing under your feet. I couldn't see ANYONE jumping out of a car for any reason other than to try and save her life. The idea of hitting the pavement at 75 MPH, even with full protective gear and a helmet on doesn't sound like fun, let alone to do it jumping out of a car with nothing on but a spaghetti strap tank and a skirt... AF and LDJ definitely have some ESSPLAININ' to do!

[dee10134]

Speaking of AF and LDJ, I wonder if THEY know that Tawni has been identified and I wonder how that makes THEM feel??? Maybe they're scared the TRUTH will finally come out, whatever it may be. I hope like hell they're shaking in their boots because I have a feeling this isn't the end for this case...

[Fairy1]

Speaking of AF and LDJ, I wonder if THEY know that Tawni has been identified and I wonder how that makes THEM feel??? Maybe they're scared the TRUTH will finally come out, whatever it may be. I hope like hell they're shaking in their boots because I have a feeling this isn't the end for this case...

I agree, dee. There is more to this story that has yet to be resolved. Now that Tawni has her name back, I hope she can have justice as well.

[pjop]

I've not read through all of these posts yet but this is incredible that WS members helped to identify her. God bless you. What a beautiful girl she was.

Does someone mind tell me what police department would not take a report of a missing child?

Thanks so much and thank you for your hard work in finding her and getting her back home.

[believe09]

I've not read through all of these posts yet but this is incredible that WS members helped to identify her. God bless you. What a beautiful girl she was.

Does someone mind tell me what police department would not take a report of a missing child?

Thanks so much and thank you for your hard work in finding her and getting her back home.


Phoenix PD-they considered her a voluntary runaway I believe.

[phenolred]

This is from one of the articles


On February 4, 1999, a Pinal County grand jury indicted Alonzo Fernandez on charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of marijuana.


Fernandez spent almost four months in the Pinal County Jail before he was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, a felony.

Would double jepordy come into play if they went back and tried to charge him now?

Also, it is criminal to me that they wouldnt take a missing persons report. Oh I guesss if you have ever run away in your life then your incapable of being abducted.....etc

It would be interesting to know if Tawni ever KNEW Lyndsey or Alonzo or any of the names we have brought up. Maybe she didnt just runaway based on all my reasearch about how theses scumbag pimps work, they like to go to malls etc and lure these young pretty girls into prostitution and the girls dont know what they are getting into until they are there.

Or sometimes they start out as the girls boyfriend and then they slowly turn them out.

I think they need to go back and questions Tawnis friends maybe these people were friends of HER friends

[shadowangel]

Phoenix PD-they considered her a voluntary runaway I believe.

There goes my blood pressure again...Someone who is not old enough to legally consume alcohol, vote, or serve in the military is NOT old enough to "voluntarily" disappear.

All lives have value. From the children of the rich to the homeless, the Honor students to the prostitutes.

[nicknjessesmom]

Phoenix PD-they considered her a voluntary runaway I believe.

I'm very bothered by that. Do you know how much sooner she would have been identified if she had been in the database! There is NOTHING about her on the net. If her family hadn't run across her on here we could have looked FOREVER and not found her. She should have been listed as a missing child...runaway or not. When did our vanishing children become nothing more than "paperwork" for a police department? If she'd run away fifty times, there should have been FIFTY reports.....she was someones child. It wouldn't have taken nine years to figure out who she is if phoenix pd had done their job to begin with, and I'm really annoyed that her mom was probably patted on the head and told "don't worry. She'll come back". Obviously it doesn't always end that way. Sorry guys, but the more I think about it...and lindsey and alonzo....and that piece of garbage KTL...the madder I get. These people make an enterprise out of our childrens innocence and when a parent reports her kid missing they can't even be bothered with taking a report. grrr.

[christine2448]

I am POSITIVE there are missing listed on posters by NCMEC as 'RUNAWAY', 'ENDANGERED RUNAWAY'....anyone here work w/us on Amber Harris case?? Remember fighting to have her classification changed from Runaway to Endangered Missing?? We KNEW she had not run away.

[believe09]

I am POSITIVE there are missing listed on posters by NCMEC as 'RUNAWAY', 'ENDANGERED RUNAWAY'....anyone here work w/us on Amber Harris case?? Remember fighting to have her classification changed from Runaway to Endangered Missing?? We KNEW she had not run away.

Yes-a missing person can be classified as a runaway, and yes a report needs to be taken, and oh yes, I agree that she would have been ID'd immediately if the report had been taken....How often do we see this, Christine???

In times like this, just like with your health-YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. There are no other options-you cannot take no for an answer until legislation like Campaign For The Missing is nation wide and LE is TRAINED with better practices.

[Fairy1]

I am POSITIVE there are missing listed on posters by NCMEC as 'RUNAWAY', 'ENDANGERED RUNAWAY'....anyone here work w/us on Amber Harris case?? Remember fighting to have her classification changed from Runaway to Endangered Missing?? We KNEW she had not run away.

Absolutely no doubt in my mind. Even at that, a CHILD under the age of 18 is still a child. I would venture to say a huge percentage of runaways are running for a reason. At the very least, LE should be obligated to look into each and every case of a juvenile missing person. How many of these kids are falling through the cracks? :furious::furious::furious:

[christine2448]

Media since Identification made 8/21/08 (http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69409)

Check it out peeps.

[Fairy1]

Yes-a missing person can be classified as a runaway, and yes a report needs to be taken, and oh yes, I agree that she would have been ID'd immediately if the report had been taken....How often do we see this, Christine???

In times like this, just like with your health-YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. There are no other options-you cannot take no for an answer until legislation like Campaign For The Missing is nation wide and LE is TRAINED with better practices.

You are so right, believe. And part of that training should include walking the families through the process of placing their loved ones on the missing persons sites. If Tawni's family had been able to file a missing person report and had been educated on how to follow it through, our little angel would have been identified long, long ago. I really never dreamed this all happened so close to her own home. It's been a string of unlikely circumstances that resulted in this case dragging on for so long. All of which could have been avoided from the very beginning - including Tawni's death! It's infuriating.

[dee10134]

This is from one of the articles


On February 4, 1999, a Pinal County grand jury indicted Alonzo Fernandez on charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of marijuana.


Fernandez spent almost four months in the Pinal County Jail before he was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, a felony.

Would double jepordy come into play if they went back and tried to charge him now?

Also, it is criminal to me that they wouldnt take a missing persons report. Oh I guesss if you have ever run away in your life then your incapable of being abducted.....etc

It would be interesting to know if Tawni ever KNEW Lyndsey or Alonzo or any of the names we have brought up. Maybe she didnt just runaway based on all my reasearch about how theses scumbag pimps work, they like to go to malls etc and lure these young pretty girls into prostitution and the girls dont know what they are getting into until they are there.

Or sometimes they start out as the girls boyfriend and then they slowly turn them out.

I think they need to go back and questions Tawnis friends maybe these people were friends of HER friends

I remember talking to Tawni's step sister in chat last night and she was very wary about talking about possible connections. She said she wanted to talk to Mike (Tawni's father) first... That struck me as odd, as if Tawni (and the family) possibly knew or knew of AF and/or LDJ...

I could be very wrong, but as far as double jeopardy goes, AF cannot be tried for the SAME THING twice. He has not been charged with her murder, therefore I think they can still bring murder charges IF IF IF there is sufficient evidence and the prosecution decides to go that route. Like I said, I could be wrong...

[phenolred]

What I dont understand there is another girl from Phoenix AZ she is listed as an endangered runaway, she left 3 months after Tawni she was the same age as Tawni.

It is listed that she was in the company of an adult male. I wonder if this male was her boyfriend and he had plans of making her "worK" for him?

She was also blonde and beautiful.

I wonder why Phoenix felt she should be listed as a missing person and Tawni wasnt////

I believe this girl Elise Baugh was one of the girls that was ruled out as being MJD....
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=1066864&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US

[christine2448]

Moved to separate thread.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2539967#post2539967

[Txlurker]

May she rest in peace

[marysawol]

It might be because there may be several police precincts in Phoenix. The mothers may have gone to different prencints to file a report. Unforntuantely, what one precinct does, the other doesn't. I've seen it often here in Michigan.

What I dont understand there is another girl from Phoenix AZ she is listed as an endangered runaway, she left 3 months after Tawni she was the same age as Tawni.

It is listed that she was in the company of an adult male. I wonder if this male was her boyfriend and he had plans of making her "worK" for him?

She was also blonde and beautiful.

I wonder why Phoenix felt she should be listed as a missing person and Tawni wasnt////

I believe this girl Elise Baugh was one of the girls that was ruled out as being MJD....
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=1066864&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US

[pjop]

Phoenix PD-they considered her a voluntary runaway I believe.


Thank you. I want to write something to them. Shameful!

[StillHoping]

It is my opinion, that ANY Missing person, reguardless of age, race, past history of running away, drug abuse, etc. EVERY SINGLE PERSON who goes missing should have a LEGITIMATE police report filed.
If LE determines that the person is a runaway and an investigation should not ensue, or if the info is not released to the public, well, that's a different story (whether I agree, or not).

But I see absolutely NO REASON, for ANY missing person, EVER, ANYWHERE, to NOT be listed as missing with LE. There are far TOO MANY UID's out there waiting for someone to give them a name. Tawni should have been linked to a missing persons report right away after she was found. Almost no time or money would have been lost in filing an official report when Tawni went missing. But A LOT of time and money would have been saved in identifying her. Filing a report for every missing person, reguardless of details and circumstance would be beneficial to Law Enforcement, government funds, the missing, families of the missing, and our communities as a whole. The only people I could see this not benefiting, is criminals.

[MvD]

Rest in Peace, beautiful Angel..

[believe09]

Thank you so much Cat...

Im really interested in learning more about TAWNI, did she like sports ? Music? Hobbies????

I was reminded of my "highway test" when my dad was driving 75 mph and I opended the door to see if she could have opended it without to much wind resistance. This was done before we knew she exited the window. ANd I can tell you that pavement was going by so fast it was scary. Since then I have been going along in the passenger seat with the window down at 75 mph and I KNOW that Tawni would NOT have jumped unless she had immeadiate fear for her life.

I think she felt she was serious danger for her life and felt she HAD to jump to try and save her life. Because it is very scary seeing that road moving by like that.

If you knew how close I was to telling the Det and the ME about this, you would have collapsed-it STILL makes me laugh to this day...you are CRAZY.

[believe09]

It is my opinion, that ANY Missing person, reguardless of age, race, past history of running away, drug abuse, etc. EVERY SINGLE PERSON who goes missing should have a LEGITIMATE police report filed.
If LE determines that the person is a runaway and an investigation should not ensue, or if the info is not released to the public, well, that's a different story (whether I agree, or not).

But I see absolutely NO REASON, for ANY missing person, EVER, ANYWHERE, to NOT be listed as missing with LE. There are far TOO MANY UID's out there waiting for someone to give them a name. Tawni should have been linked to a missing persons report right away after she was found. Almost no time or money would have been lost in filing an official report when Tawni went missing. But A LOT of time and money would have been saved in identifying her. Filing a report for every missing person, reguardless of details and circumstance would be beneficial to Law Enforcement, government funds, the missing, families of the missing, and our communities as a whole. The only people I could see this not benefiting, is criminals.

FWIW-(for what it is worth) I try and keep this in perspective. Missing persons cases are the most frustrating, expensive, resource draining investigations that LE has to pursue. Budgets are being cut left and right, and if you are a Phoenix PD desk sergeant who is being overrun with child prostitution, gang activity, drug dealing, murder and mayhem you are seriously tempted to give short shrift to the families who are trying to report these cases....especially if they are a troubled teen.

Do I think that it was reasonable to refuse to take the report? Absolutely not, but with Campaign For The Missing (for example) the intake forms are standardized, the databases are standardized and the cost of processing and collections is free to the state government-this frees up the resources needed to get more well trained officers on the streets-how about starting Missing Persons departments in stead of making them a function of Homicide or Cold Case Squads? People like you and I could man them and search records available on the internet to turn up likely matches.

If there had been a report on file, it is likely Tawni would have been ID'd 9 years ago. We need to encourage that to be our future expectation of LE. JMO.

[Vask]

Holy crap a lot happened while I was away. Thank God she has finally been given a name.

*off to read everything to find out how*

[Fairy1]

FWIW-(for what it is worth) I try and keep this in perspective. Missing persons cases are the most frustrating, expensive, resource draining investigations that LE has to pursue. Budgets are being cut left and right, and if you are a Phoenix PD desk sergeant who is being overrun with child prostitution, gang activity, drug dealing, murder and mayhem you are seriously tempted to give short shrift to the families who are trying to report these cases....especially if they are a troubled teen.

Do I think that it was reasonable to refuse to take the report? Absolutely not, but with Campaign For The Missing (for example) the intake forms are standardized, the databases are standardized and the cost of processing and collections is free to the state government-this frees up the resources needed to get more well trained officers on the streets-how about starting Missing Persons departments in stead of making them a function of Homicide or Cold Case Squads? People like you and I could man them and search records available on the internet to turn up likely matches.

If there had been a report on file, it is likely Tawni would have been ID'd 9 years ago. We need to encourage that to be our future expectation of LE. JMO.

You're right believe. I suppose if LE spent too much time on these cases, people would be screaming about it, asking why they're not out on the streets pursuing violent criminals. BUT, the Internet is a very powerful resource - as evidenced by Tawni's very own case. And we are here, ready, willing and able to help! If the tools were all in place, we could easily take what we do here to a higher level. It must begin with LE - everywhere - realizing that every life has value.

[Vask]

I have no idea if it's because I've already looked at her photo numerous times, but man she just seems eerily familiar.

[Angie4b1g]

It absolutely breaks my heart that her brother had to learn what happened to her by seeing her picture on the ME's site. I promise you we tried everything in our power to find you and send your sister home to you. I wish the news you received was better than this.

It's been an honor to work alongside of you all on this case, and I'm very happy that our girl finally has her name back. Rest in peace, Tawni. We've all come to love you.

[christine2448]

It absolutely breaks my heart that her brother had to learn what happened to her by seeing her picture on the ME's site. I promise you we tried everything in our power to find you and send your sister home to you. I wish the news you received was better than this.

It's been an honor to work alongside of you all on this case, and I'm very happy that our girl finally has her name back. Rest in peace, Tawni. We've all come to love you.


Oh Angie....I remember working with you side by side....you emailed me so we could email ME. Have you seen the list of who they had compared her to??? I think all submitted from y'all. Unbelievable.

Thank you Ang. I called on you a few times to help organize, you were right there with us.

Tawni Lee....can ya believe it.....she is so beautiful, so loved, as we had hoped and prayed for, for so long. Thanks angie!

[Angie4b1g]

If I could take every single one of you out for a drink tonight, I would.

[christine2448]

If I could take every single one of you out for a drink tonight, I would.


*salute*

[marysawol]

If I could take every single one of you out for a drink tonight, I would.

pepsi on the rocks does sound good!

[Fairy1]

If I could take every single one of you out for a drink tonight, I would.


You too, Angie!!! You have done some awesome work on this case and I thank you sincerely. It's a bittersweet ending for us here, but our little MJD has her name back and that's what we were working for! Cheers!

[marmar]

Can I just say? I am fairly new to these forums and have started to work my around to some of these other threads. I am in awe of what you all do here!!!

[Auburnmommyof2]

My prayers tonight will be for Tawni's family as they process this tragic news. Thank you to all the WS community for your hard work on this, and many other cases!

[Pugmomma]

I have learned that there is nothing "appropriate" to say in such instances. Lots of things that are polite to say, but nothing truly appropriate.

When my best friend passed 3 years ago someone looked at me in midst of the misery and said "she's getting the tour right now" (meaning she's getting the tour of heaven). Nothing brought me more joy than that thought. So I will leave you with that as we think of this beautiful girl tonight. Nice job WS'ers...nice job.

[LionRun]

Tawni, beautiful princess, may you rest in peace. Prayers and the warmest of thoughts for her family and for all who loved her so very much.

[Teresa Larson]

I have no idea if it's because I've already looked at her photo numerous times, but man she just seems eerily familiar.

OMG funny that you say that I have thought the same thing ever since I first saw her picture. I have went over this in my mind a million times Thinking where have I seen this girl before?? I think it was probably in my dreams since I was so obsessed with finding out who she was for so long.

[Zanko]

Rest in Peace Tawni.

I feel a mix of emotions. I'm sad for the family. I'm happy she has her name. I'm also a bit lost. I've spent at least a few minutes to a few hours everyday trying to help identify her. She brought me to websleuths. Now I want to know more about her. I love the picture of her and her cousin. I knew someone out there loved her.

[capoly]

It absolutely breaks my heart that her brother had to learn what happened to her by seeing her picture on the ME's site. I promise you we tried everything in our power to find you and send your sister home to you. I wish the news you received was better than this.

It's been an honor to work alongside of you all on this case, and I'm very happy that our girl finally has her name back. Rest in peace, Tawni. We've all come to love you.

Angie4b1g,

You did the reconstruction photos of Tawni that looked so incredibly like her? Amazing, absolutely amazing!


God bless you all for the work done to bring Tawni home.

[SassyAnne]

To Tawni's family - I have shared this site with my mother prior to actually joining WS and have kept her updated. We are both overwhelmed, and grateful, that Tawni has her name back and her family will now have some resolution. I have a younger sister and a younger brother and I don't honestly know what I would do if anything happened to either one of them....but not knowing what happened would be the hardest. I joined WS because of Tawni. I'm relieved for you as a family that you no longer have to wait and wonder. You, as well as Tawni, will remain in my heart for a long time to come.

My mom wants to say something real quick if you'll bear with us:
To Tawni's family: You all have my deepest sympathies and will be in my thoughts and prayers. As I think about what you have gone through the thing that keeps coming into my mind over and over that I feel I need to share with you is this: Though none of us may ever know what happened those final hours or days, you can all rest in peace now that your beautiful daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend is coming home!!! She can finally come home and be where she belongs. Celebrate her life for her on September 3rd, celebrate as you've never celebrated before. Let that celebration comfort you through the rough days ahead...and bless you all!

[SassyAnne]

To Everyone here on WS:
Vashley, Faerie1, Phenol, FMW, Christine...and anyone else I may have missed. Thanks for helping me through and helping me understand more about WS. I am so glad that you have the resources you have, and the knowledge, to do the things you do. As well as the fortitude!! I still have much to learn but hope in the future I can be more of a help. Though finding Tawni's name and knowing her family will now have some resolution brought me to tears and happiness combined, I know that I will not be able to rest as long as there are others out there that need help finding their way home, or families who are hurting because they don't know what has happened to their loved ones. I hope you'll all be patient and continue to work with me. Thanks you all!

[JerseyGirl]

She can finally go home. Thanks to all of you that have worked so hard for so long to help get her to her loved ones. You truly inspire me.

Tawni and her family are in my prayers.

[christine2448]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/LargeMJD_InMemoryOfTawniLee.jpg

thank you siesie

[SassyAnne]

Beautiful tribute Christine

[christine2448]

from twinkiesmom

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/tawni.jpg

[believe09]

Oh SieSie-how beautiful!

Twinkiesmom-perfect.

[christine2448]

from twinkiesmom

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/tawni.jpg

we are still working on this one, but thought you'd like to see it, the light over her took my breath.

[Tawni'sKelly]

As the hours go by and as the roll on all of you just blow my mind and touch our hearts with all of your love, care, concern, comments. The picture that you made of her as a tribute is unreal. Thank you so much for your creative heart.

[Cubby]

Those pics are incredible! WOW!

Tawni reminds me a little of Lisa Marie Presley, in her eyes, though imo Tawni was far more beautiful.

thanks to those who made the memorial pics. Awesome job!

[EmilyE]

Hi Ws's and Tawni's family.

I'm here to speak for all the people who worked on Tawni's case that you don't see on WS or other places. We can probably not imagine the sheer number of people who sat in their homes on the computer searching, touched by her and her story. She was the first case I started working on. I followed WS threads but hadn't become a member.

Thinking about the easily thousands of people who have worked on Tawni's case brings me to wonder-
It is as if all of our thoughts, all of our prayers, all of our energy somehow came to a critical mass and lead Tawni's brother to wake up one day and think hey I have to go find her. And maybe she herself has watched us all this time and helped sow the idea that echoed around her brother to search the internet.

I believe group energy is very powerful and the momentum for Tawni never stopped building. I have to hand it to Suzi Dodt for her work and putting up with grace all of us sending the same matches in. I have to hand it to Phenol and the person who did her composite here. It was the best one.

Good job everyone, each and everyone of you, your prayers, your thoughts, your efforts were for something. They called at Tawni's family to come looking.

May Tawni rest in peace and justice be done.

[believe09]

Hi Ws's and Tawni's family.

I'm here to speak for all the people who worked on Tawni's case that you don't see on WS or other places. We can probably not imagine the sheer number of people who sat in their homes on the computer searching, touched by her and her story. She was the first case I started working on. I followed WS threads but hadn't become a member.

Thinking about the easily thousands of people who have worked on Tawni's case brings me to wonder-
It is as if all of our thoughts, all of our prayers, all of our energy somehow came to a critical mass and lead Tawni's brother to wake up one day and think hey I have to go find her. And maybe she herself has watched us all this time and helped sow the idea that echoed around her brother to search the internet.

I believe group energy is very powerful and the momentum for Tawni never stopped building. I have to hand it to Suzi Dodt for her work and putting up with grace all of us sending the same matches in. I have to hand it to Phenol and the person who did her composite here. It was the best one.

Good job everyone, each and everyone of you, your prayers, your thoughts, your efforts were for something. They called at Tawni's family to come looking.

May Tawni rest in peace and justice be done.

Dear Emily- thank you, thank you for your energy, time and attention. Welcome as well.

[EmilyE]

Thank you Believe09 :)

[Beyond Belief]

Words are difficult to find to say how very proud I am of all of you for bringing closure for this lovely young ladies family.
God bless each of you and may you find the strength to continue your awesome work.:blowkiss:

[Cubby]

Hi Ws's and Tawni's family.

I'm here to speak for all the people who worked on Tawni's case that you don't see on WS or other places. We can probably not imagine the sheer number of people who sat in their homes on the computer searching, touched by her and her story. She was the first case I started working on. I followed WS threads but hadn't become a member.

Thinking about the easily thousands of people who have worked on Tawni's case brings me to wonder-
It is as if all of our thoughts, all of our prayers, all of our energy somehow came to a critical mass and lead Tawni's brother to wake up one day and think hey I have to go find her. And maybe she herself has watched us all this time and helped sow the idea that echoed around her brother to search the internet.

I believe group energy is very powerful and the momentum for Tawni never stopped building. I have to hand it to Suzi Dodt for her work and putting up with grace all of us sending the same matches in. I have to hand it to Phenol and the person who did her composite here. It was the best one.

Good job everyone, each and everyone of you, your prayers, your thoughts, your efforts were for something. They called at Tawni's family to come looking.

May Tawni rest in peace and justice be done.

Emily,
Thank you. I believe the above bolded too. Many hours of not only searching, but many hours of collective prayers. It wasn't a few days before we received word about Tawni, that I had looked at her picture and prayed, "Honey, we know you have a name. We know you want to speak and tell us who you are but are unable to. Please give us a sign."
She sent out that sign almost immediately, if not immediately. We just didn't know on this end yet.

Welcome Emily and thank you for your work as well.

[SassyAnne]

Welcome Emily

[christine2448]

please watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5dSwVLPCXQ



Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light

[Yaya]

To all the Websleuthers who worked so hard trying to identify Tawni… I'm so proud of you. I want to say more… if I can type through the tears!

I get asked often by friends why I spend so much time on my computer looking at the sad stories of missing and unidentified people. "Doesn't it depress you?" they ask. Yes, it does, some more than others." "Do you like looking at those awful photos?" "No, I hate looking at morgue photos… "Yes, they do give me bad dreams sometimes" and "No I don’t have a strange fascination with death." I have tried so many times to explain why I do it… it seems it’s just hard for some people to understand.

That’s why I love it here… without explanations… I know you guys understand why I do it.

I do it for a day like you guys are having... a one in a million chance that something I might see, find, or post could help bring answers to a worried and heartbroken family.

[VASHLEY88]

To all the Websleuthers who worked so hard trying to identify Tawni… I'm so proud of you. I want to say more… if I can type through the tears!

I get asked often by friends why I spend so much time on my computer looking at the sad stories of missing and unidentified people. "Doesn't it depress you?" they ask. Yes, it does, some more than others." "Do you like looking at those awful photos?" "No, I hate looking at morgue photos… "Yes, they do give me bad dreams sometimes" and "No I don’t have a strange fascination with death." I have tried so many times to explain why I do it… it seems it’s just hard for some people to understand.

That’s why I love it here… without explanations… I know you guys understand why I do it.

I do it for a day like you guys are having... a one in a million chance that something I might see, find, or post could help bring answers to a worried and heartbroken family.


We more than understand, yaya. :)

I talked to a friend of mine about that the other day, and I liked her response to me: "You've gotta be a little morbid to get things done, just look at what Dr. G has accomplished!"

And there are many, many more cases to be cracked, and they will be, just as our sweet Tawni got to go back home.. and let me tell you, there is nothing more rewarding than that.

[EmilyE]

Thanks sassy and cubby, nice to meet you :).

Yaya we know how you feel and now that we must turn and begin to work on others hoping for the same result, I think the momentum of Tawni being found will do further good.

I hope so much that her family is doing ok, not blaming themselves, and know that Tawni loved them and would want them happy. It was a bad hand dealt to a teenager going through teenage things, thats all. The more I do this the more I realize how lucky I was in all the bad positions I put myself in when I was a very young teenager. It is part of why I continue to do this work merely because I am one who made it through. And I am telling you, nothing my parents could have done or said would have stopped me. As teenagers we are fearless and have little common sense. It is very much about the hand we get dealt I feel, which is no ones doing but our own for having sat at the table.

[Indigo]

please watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5dSwVLPCXQ



Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light


Christine, that song just makes my heart break...( I'm sure glad nobody can see me right now) a beautiful choice for such a beautiful girl. Thank you to all of the Websleuths here who worked so hard to bring a measure of peace to this family.

[Truthful Lies]

Thank you! What a great idea... I hadn't even thought of that... :blowkiss:

No need to thank me, Cubby! =) I wish I could have done more for Tawni.

Read back through some of the threads again...please let me apologize to everyone when I went AWOL for a while.

PM me if there is ever a question on a thread that I'm following up on (like the forensic artist). I had originally posted the correspondence, but she wasn't comfortable with that.

::hugs to everyone, especially Tawni's family:::

[christine2448]

I was looking back and reading through some things...amazed at how many missing where compared to Tawni's stats...we had just been going through all them again in the beginning of August, someone had brough up that Coral Hall was not on the ruled out list:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61834


Nope...I didn't see her there....you all can double check me but.....I just went through possible matches thread and marked ruled out on everyone you FREAKIN' ROCKIN' SLEUTHERS discussed....


I suggest that if they don't have RULED OUT in their thread we should bring them up again, do side by side pic, side by side stats, and decide if we should submit.

Yes?


If only she had been listed...if only they had took a report.

[Fairy1]

I was looking back and reading through some things...amazed at how many missing where compared to Tawni's stats...we had just been going through all them again in the beginning of August, someone had brough up that Coral Hall was not on the ruled out list:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61834



If only she had been listed...if only they had took a report.


Well, this just goes to show how much more work we have to do! All the babies we found while looking for Tawni still need our help!

[QuickAttack]

Fantabulous work, Sleuthers.

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

[coltsgal]

Was Tawni buried or cremated? If she was buried, does the family get to exhume her and bury her where they choose? So they can visit her forever, and shower her with flowers on her birthday and christmas?

[christine2448]

Was Tawni buried or cremated? If she was buried, does the family get to exhume her and bury her where they choose? So they can visit her forever, and shower her with flowers on her birthday and christmas?
IIUC she is in an unmarked crypt. She will be removed from crypt (IIUC) and family is still to decide. I believe the concensus is cremation.

We are in close contact with family and promise to update you with all of this...they are all just arriving and much to be discussed. Please keep them in your prayers.

[MsRyber]

After all of the amazing developments....wow.

How can you all be considered "amateur" sleuths?
More like masters.

Well done, and welcome home, Tawni.

[barb0301]

I am so proud of all of you for working so hard on Tawni's case. You never gave up, and you worked so hard to identify this precious young girl. You amaze me, and I am proud to be a member here.

My prayers to Tawni's family. I hope you find answers, and most of all, I pray that you find peace ! :blowkiss:

[EmilyE]

"If only she had been listed...if only they had took a report."

I think we all feel 100 percent we would have found her. Heck, Suzi would have found her. I can only imagine how many times the same matches were sent in. Not every unidentified person gets a list of who has been ruled out posted on their case, let alone a very long one! And WS folks did an excellent job on working on her case. I am excited to help here.

I was thinking about an unidentified girl in Washington, old case, 1977 I think. Recently the detectives tried to make a new push, got a composite sketch. It made the news for all of 10 seconds. Now, I am having visions of me standing on the freeway with a huge board showing her pic and a bit of info. Theres a way to find who they belong too, we need to make the effort. New ideas, creativity. I think I will make a post of her on here. Since Tawni's case is solved, I need a new case to search for.

I would also like to ask Tawni's family, how could we have found you? Is there anything in retrospect we could have done? Maybe one day, when the days are not so difficult, they can help us answer that.

Aw you guys look how many unidentified women are in Arizona alone and this is just who is listed on UDRS
https://identifyus.org/?p=search&s=results&n=1&sb=DateFound_DESC
Lets find them!

[Fairy1]

"If only she had been listed...if only they had took a report."

I think we all feel 100 percent we would have found her. Heck, Suzi would have found her. I can only imagine how many times the same matches were sent in. Not every unidentified person gets a list of who has been ruled out posted on their case, let alone a very long one! And WS folks did an excellent job on working on her case. I am excited to help here.

I was thinking about an unidentified girl in Washington, old case, 1977 I think. Recently the detectives tried to make a new push, got a composite sketch. It made the news for all of 10 seconds. Now, I am having visions of me standing on the freeway with a huge board showing her pic and a bit of info. Theres a way to find who they belong too, we need to make the effort. New ideas, creativity. I think I will make a post of her on here. Since Tawni's case is solved, I need a new case to search for.

I would also like to ask Tawni's family, how could we have found you? Is there anything in retrospect we could have done? Maybe one day, when the days are not so difficult, they can help us answer that.

Aw you guys look how many unidentified women are in Arizona alone and this is just who is listed on UDRS
https://identifyus.org/?p=search&s=results&n=1&sb=DateFound_DESC
Lets find them!

Hi EmilyE - great to have you here with us!!! What a wonderful idea to ask Tawni's family for their input. It's hard to believe any stone was left unturned on this case, but 9 1/2 years is a long time and there are so many others out there who have remained UID's for much longer.:)

[EmilyE]

Hi Fairy :) Nice to meet ya.

Well we know at times we had people on the ground in Arizona searching from ATI. Also all the posting on internet sites and things. But, we just managed to miss this family. We do know now that if we had kept pounding in Arizona eventually we should have ran into them or someone who knew them.

This leads me to believe, more of us on the streets with flyers, more of us writing to newspapers for letters to the editor, more of us posting on sites, will make the difference. But I will take my thoughts to the new case :) Doesn't really belong here. This case has shown me though, it is lack of media attention and people on the ground that can lose a persons name forever. The family's can't possibly do it all on their own for various reasons.

[RhondaIL]

Tawni Mazzone Fly, fly precious one. May you find peace.

[VASHLEY88]

Hi Fairy :) Nice to meet ya.

Well we know at times we had people on the ground in Arizona searching from ATI. Also all the posting on internet sites and things. But, we just managed to miss this family. We do know now that if we had kept pounding in Arizona eventually we should have ran into them or someone who knew them.

This leads me to believe, more of us on the streets with flyers, more of us writing to newspapers for letters to the editor, more of us posting on sites, will make the difference. But I will take my thoughts to the new case :) Doesn't really belong here. This case has shown me though, it is lack of media attention and people on the ground that can lose a persons name forever. The family's can't possibly do it all on their own for various reasons.

You know, you're right. Now that this case is solved, and Tawni has her name back, we can't really go back in time to make any changes in the sequence of events to have gotten her name back to her sooner. But the lack of media attention on Tawni's case really frustrated me for a long time. There are always a ton of "high profile" cases widespread throughout CNN and Fox News, and many people become interested in them and it clues the citizens in and gives them ideas, thus more of those cases become solved. That's a very good question to Tawni's family.. what could have helped ID Tawni quicker had the media taken more interest in her case? What could have helped ID Tawni quicker that we, as concerned "sleuthers" could have done? I think that would give us very good insight on what action should be taken with other cases. Welcome Emily, btw.

[J. Brannagh]

I'm very proud to be a member of this amazing community.

Thank you so much to all the hard working sleuthers who made this end result a possiblity. I have followed your work diligently as a lurker and constantly admired you all.

Thank you and Bless You All.

To Tawni's Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you, I'm so glad you have Tawni Back.

[believe09]

You know, you're right. Now that this case is solved, and Tawni has her name back, we can't really go back in time to make any changes in the sequence of events to have gotten her name back to her sooner. But the lack of media attention on Tawni's case really frustrated me for a long time. There are always a ton of "high profile" cases widespread throughout CNN and Fox News, and many people become interested in them and it clues the citizens in and gives them ideas, thus more of those cases become solved. That's a very good question to Tawni's family.. what could have helped ID Tawni quicker had the media taken more interest in her case? What could have helped ID Tawni quicker that we, as concerned "sleuthers" could have done? I think that would give us very good insight on what action should be taken with other cases. Welcome Emily, btw.


Actually, it think there was an amazing amount of media done on this case at the time of the incident. I had a discussion with an ME in WA state regarding UID's and she said that the biggest roadblock to ID is the family in a way-this does not mean the family should be blamed, so hear me out. She said the family's inability to consider that their loved one might be dead even at the outset of searching lengthens the window of time that passes to ID.

In this case, it took one brave sibling to decide that he would check the UNIDEN information out there-and he saw his sister immediately. What a heartbreak.

[coltsgal]

I looked through all the possible matches you guys posted, and I had my doubts about all of them. If Tawni was shown, I (along with many many of you) would have picked her out right away.

I'm so angry that LE refused a report! She was 17! NOT an adult!