Jaclyn Dowaliby

[messiecake]

Just wondering what thoughts others have this case.

I am just now becoming more familar w/ it after hearing the name brought up in other threads.Do you think her Father did kill her and got off or is her killer still out there??

As far as I knew the case was closed despite her Fathers conviction having been overturned but Ive recently heard it was reopened.

[blueclouds]

Well in all my searches, I cannot find where they have reopened the case against David. In my understanding, the Judge adamantly stated that the case is overturned with prejudice, meaning the prosecution is forever forbidden to bring a case against the defendant ever.

I personally think there was a great deal of evidence pointing to the uncle who is a paranoid schizophrenic. He was never in the Dowaliby home yet he described Jaclyn's bedroom and location of it to a tee. He refuses a polygraph to this day.

[messiecake]

Well in all my searches, I cannot find where they have reopened the case against David. In my understanding, the Judge adamantly stated that the case is overturned with prejudice, meaning the prosecution is forever forbidden to bring a case against the defendant ever.

I personally think there was a great deal of evidence pointing to the uncle who is a paranoid schizophrenic. He was never in the Dowaliby home yet he described Jaclyn's bedroom and location of it to a tee. He refuses a polygraph to this day.


I meant "reopened" as in looking for other suspects(I know that David cannot ever be charged again).
I agree w/ you in regards to the Uncle and I think he was dismissed simply because he had never been in the Dowaliby hone TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE.

[vicktor]

I personally think there was a great deal of evidence pointing to the uncle who is a paranoid schizophrenic. He was never in the Dowaliby home yet he described Jaclyn's bedroom and location of it to a tee. He refuses a polygraph to this day.

There was a show on TV about the case about 6 mo. ago. Seemed pretty obvious that the father didn't do it, and the uncle was by far the best suspect. So many elements of this case were similar to the Ramsey case. One interesting point was that Dowaliby took 2 poly's yet the police wouldn't believe the results. Makes you wonder if the Ramseys would have faired any better if they took a poly from LE early on and cooperated more.

[smile22]

yah i saw that movie a bunch of times on lifetime and im convinced it was the uncle or he had someone do it for him, ok they dismissed him as a suspect because he was never in the house yet how did he describe her room to a t?

[findcarrie]

A&E does a show called Every Parent's Nightmare about Jacqueline. I read the book "Gone in the Night" about 10 years ago. Jacquline had a skitzo uncle who later was looked at because he gave a description of the inside of the Dowaliby home and he had never been there before. I suppose every family has its rights, but the family would not participate in the A&E special about Jacqueline.

To my knowledge there has never been another arrest in this case. This one is too weird.

[AuntieKaren]

Just wondering what thoughts others have this case.

I am just now becoming more familar w/ it after hearing the name brought up in other threads.Do you think her Father did kill her and got off or is her killer still out there??

As far as I knew the case was closed despite her Fathers conviction having been overturned but Ive recently heard it was reopened.

I don't think her step-father killed her.
AK

[smile22]

no her father didnt kille her, it was the uncle, he knew how the bedroom looked yet he never steped foot into the house, i remeber seeing the movie and crying so badly

[findcarrie]

I didnt think the dad and mom were responsible for the disapearance and murder. I just wonder how come they never prosecuted the weirdo uncle?

[NewMom2003]

I saw the movie last night depicting this story. It was just heartbreaking. Does anyone know why they never investigated the uncle any further? Are there any new updates on the case?

[messiecake]

The weird Uncle wasn't investigated the first go 'round but I read awhile ago the case is being reopened and the focus will persumably be on him.


I know the Dowaliby's changed their names and moved out of state.

[yawnyyawnson]

I first learned about this case from the A&E program about a year ago.....and I caught a rerun the other day....both times I caught a split second look at a woman who is a friend of the Dowalibys....A peggy Occonor.
....If anybody can track down a picture of this woman, I'd sure like to see it....
.....Call me crazy if you want....but each time I caught a glimpse of peggy on that program, I am struck by how much resemblance there is between her and Jaclyn.....find a photo of her and compare.......let me know

[kellypop]

First of all, you can not believe EVERYTHING you see on T.V. Remember folks, the movie starring Shannon Dougherty was a MOVIE. There was another suspect by the name of Hernandez that commited the same type of abduction in the area one year after Jaclyn was taken.
As for the "uncle", it is possible that he knew about Jaclyn's room because of pictures. The biological, paternal grandmother did have visitation with her. In the book "Gone In the Night", on page 477, 4th paragraph, it states "Most of Guess's knowledge of the crime might have come form other sources, such as his mother of the news media......" I also met "the uncle". Just as importantly, the biological father did ask his brother if he did it, and the father was satisfied that he did not. This information is first hand from the father. Sadly, he did believe that Jaclyn's stepfather did it. I do not agree that David did.
I do hope the detectives look at the evidence again & use today's technology to process the blanket.
Jaclyn's story has haunted me for the past 10 1/2 years. She was a beautiful girl with her father's eyes & smile. I spent several months researching every newspaper acticle I could find, plus watching the movie, and "Unsolved Mysteries" Someday, I hope that the truth is uncovered. Jaclyn will never be forgotten.

[judy424purple]

My family lived across the street from the Dowaliby's and shortly after Jaclyn was murdered I worked at the local police department. Many believe that it was Jacylyn's uncle - but he was in jail at the time of her disappearence. The officers at the station believed that it was Cindy. Cindy and Dave were having a (supposedly a pot) party that night - it was believed that Jaclyn kept getting up. They believe that Cindy tied her to her bed and that Jaclyn accidently choked to death.

I saw Cindy at Jaclyn's wake and a few days later at the video store. She did not look like a grieving mother to me, she was laughing and joking. If my child had just been murdered you would have had to lock me away!

[mocity]

I saw the movie called Gone in the Night which was based on the book. In that movie the uncle admits to it but keep saying it wsa the "spirit" that killed her not him. He had intimate details about the murder though. How would he know things if he didn't do it? I realize it was a movie but I thought it was based on facts.

[michelle]

I think it was the uncle, I dont think the stepdad did it at all.

[MrsMush99]

They believe that Cindy tied her to her bed and that Jaclyn accidently choked to death.

What do they say she chocked on?

By the way I don't think the parents are involved.

[michelle]

What do they say she chocked on?

By the way I don't think the parents are involved. Me either that sounds out there for a theory. But we all know stranger things have happened.

[Goody]

Me either that sounds out there for a theory. But we all know stranger things have happened.
If the uncle was in jail when the crime was committed, he has to be ruled out no matter how weird he is. I didn't realize that this case is still unsolved. I thought the weirdo in the cafe in the movie was the guy who did it.

[michelle]

If the uncle was in jail when the crime was committed, he has to be ruled out no matter how weird he is. I didn't realize that this case is still unsolved. I thought the weirdo in the cafe in the movie was the guy who did it. Well didnt the Uncle describe her bedroom perfectly and never had been in the house, I think I heard that he did it or had someone do it. I too have heard he was in jail at the time. So maybe he had somebody do it for him?

[MrsMush99]

I would like to know why we've never heard before that the uncle was in jail. I think we would have if the finger was being pointed at him. My money is still on the uncle.

ETA: And from what I remember is was Jaclyn's biological father that was in jail, not the uncle.

[welder 79]

if what i read so far is true about there "pot" party that night. cindy and dave is at least both guilty of being non-responsible parent's and court appointed guardian's..people has loss there kid's to the state pulling the same stupid trick's like that.. iam sorry but i been called to too many home's and mom and dad is stoned out of there mind and there kid has been laying in the floor serious injured for hour's..if they like it or not parent's are responsible for the welfare of there children...iam sorry but i see this happen too many times.

[mocity]

I never heard the uncle was in jail. I thought he admitted to it and new details.

[rayray]

This case was featured on a rerun of Unsolved Mysteries last night. I have really always had this case in my mind, as I was a child in the area at the time of her disappearance/murder. Has anything ever been found?

[Julessleuther]

I found this on google:

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/depts/clinic/wrongful/exonerations/Dowaliby.htm

[Taximom]

This story is just finishing up on Lifetime here (ends at 2 pm e.s.t.). ("Gone in the Night") I had heard of it before and forgot the details.

Reminds me of Jessica Lunsford, just being taken from her room in the middle of the night. Nobody ever finally convicted of the crime? How sad.

[michelle]

I was watching this today and thinking of jacklyn. Poor thing, bless her heart.

[White Rain]

The uncle was NOT in jail at the time Jacklyn was murdered. It was her biological father who was in jail according to the book "Gone in the night."

[brandon001223]

I found the video from Unsolved Mysteries on YouTube the other day.http://youtube.com/watch?v=OEwDMSSYmBM I personally think the uncle is involved in the crime. He had a coworker that lived in the apartment complex, where Jaclyn was found. A question that I have is how could no one have heard the person breaking the window? It also leads me to believe that Jaclyn knew her killer and didn't scream.

[amf2807]

well not really sure where to start. I just happened to look up Jaclyn's name on google lastnight after watching phychic detectives on court tv. I was amazed and honestly freaked out on how many pages there were about her. I am a member of the family, and I guess I can try to answer some of the questions you all have had during the last couple years. She was from a small town called midlothian IL. She was 7 years old, and absolutely stunning. She was always so happy and full of life. We were only a couple years apart and grew up together. Jaclyn and I were very close I was an only child, she was all I had, we were cousins, but acted like sisters. The moments from the time we found out she was missing to the day we buried her will be burned into my memory forever. The years that followed werent much better, between media coverage and court issues, it was a very trying time for the whole family. Espically her parents, brother and infant sister. I will never forget the moment I answered the phone that morning and my aunt wanted to talk to my mom. I remember the sound of her voice and how terrified she sounded, I remember knowing something was wrong and sitting by my mom as she was told that she was missing. The next few moments I will regret probably for the rest of my life. My mom hung up the phone told me that Jaclyn was missing and I had to get ready quick we were going over there. I was only 9 years old and I remember laughing while I was looking for my shoes thinking to myself she was probably playing hide and seek. I still feel guilty for laughing to this day. I remember arriving there and there were cops all over, and walking in the house. It was the weirdest silence I have ever heard. It was at that moment that I realized there was no game of hide and seek, and that something was really wrong. There were so many people there yet you could have heard a pin drop. Every so often you could hear my aunt crying. I remember walking out of the house to the side where the broken basement window was and looking at the broken glass. There was a cop there picking up the pieces and stacking them to the side with his fingers. I remember thinking to myself "I wonder why he is touching that, wont he get cut?" Much of the next few days felt like an eternity, I passed out flyers we tied yellow ribbons around the trees, and my mom arranged that I stay with my father so I could get away from all of the media and stress. You couldnt turn on the tv without seeing her picture or hearing her story. Then that day came, I will never forget sitting in my grandmothers kitchen with my dad and his family. I remember the phone rang and my dad talked and hung up. He said we need to go to your aunts house, I remember feeling so briefly relieved and excited I couldnt wait to see Jaclyn. I of course asked all the obvious questions I remember his saying that he wasnt sure and that we would find out when we got there. I remember pulling up and my mom meeting us outside, I saw her face and I just knew something was wrong. She told me that shd had been found but that she was in heaven. I remember standing outside my aunts house on that lawn with my mom and dad hugging me while I wept. Later that night, I was in Jaclyns room hugging one of her dolls, and being told that I wasnt to go outside for anything, because it wasnt safe, and because there were news cameras all over. Over the next couple days I remember being so angry at the news people because I couldnt even go outside. The media was so bad that we were being literally shoved by the camera and media mob when we were leaving the church the day of the funeral. It was awful. Then of course was all the allegations about my aunt and uncle, and court trials. My family really was put through the ringer.

So I guess I should try to give answers to some of the posted questions.
As far as the "pot party theory" her parents passed the drug tests, which should say something. Also, I know it wasnt happening because I was supposed to spend the night at her house that night, but my mom had worked late and decided that she didnt feel like driving me at the last minute. I mean my bags were packed and I had just talked to Jaclyns mom.

Jaclyns biological father was in jail in florida at the time of the kidnapping. He was ruled out immediately because of that. His brother, the one with the mental disorder, was not in jail at the time. He had an alibi, but most of his witnesses later admitted to lying about it. He was documented stating very exact details of her room, and her body when it was found. Things that he would have had no way of knowing. However because of his mental illness, and the fact that the police were too distracted trying to cruicify my auny and uncle not much was looked into about him. He passed away a few years ago due to some form of cancer, prostate I think. At this point, even if he was the actual killer, it would be too late to do anything about it.

My aunt was accused of the murder but was aquitted, my uncle had to face trial and was convicted because there was the "nose witness" It was a dark parking lot, there was no moon that night, the man was quite some distance away, and had a record of mental illness. This man said he could see my uncles nose structure. To this day that still floors me, how could you possibly see anyones nose structure under those conditions. In addition, what kind of moron, would consider that credible evidence? I have a theory and this is a theory only, it was said that Jaclyns Uncle had a friend that lived in those apartments, who is to say the friend didnt put this guy(the nose witness) up to saying he saw something just to distract the police? Again this is just a theory...something to think about...but still a theory. My uncle's sentence was overturned and he was finally released once the state removed their heads from their rears and their noses from Daley's rear as well.

While I cant imagine how difficult it is to be an police officer, espically faced with something so horrible, these officers, states attorneys, people in office ect did my family and Jaclyn absolutely no justice. At the end of the day it was their lack of know how, lack of evidence and pressure to solve a case that failed Jaclyn and us all.

There is no closure or feeling of being at peace. How could there be a senseless tradjedy happened, and there will forever be a void in our lives. For so long I thought about her everyday, dwelled on it, blamed myself as time has went on those feelings have started to fade. I think about her all the time and I miss her like hell. It makes me sad that my husband never met her, that my children will never know her. That her own brother and sister have to be without the wisdom of an older sibling. I guess we are fortunate in some ways though, there are families out there that never find their loved ones, never know what happpened. Eventhough it surely wasnt the outcome any of us wanted, I thank God everyday that at least we know something. I do feel blessed for the time we did have together though short, it was better than nothing at all.

My truest and deepest feelings of sorrow go out to those families of a missing person, or that have lost a loved one. I pray that your questions be answered quickly and gently, that your loved ones return to you unharmed, that your sorrows are eased and finally that whoever is handling your investigations has at least half a brain and knows what they are doing!

I think my message is long enough, if there are any more questions I will be checking back often. I will answer what I can, I will not disclose any current personal information about my aunt uncle or Jaclyns siblings so please do not ask. Thank you all very much for not letting her memory die. The judicial system surely did.

[amf2807]

well not really sure where to start. I just happened to look up Jaclyn's name on google lastnight after watching phychic detectives on court tv. I was amazed and honestly freaked out on how many pages there were about her. I am a member of the family, and I guess I can try to answer some of the questions you all have had during the last couple years. She was from a small town called midlothian IL. She was 7 years old, and absolutely stunning. She was always so happy and full of life. We were only a couple years apart and grew up together. Jaclyn and I were very close I was an only child, she was all I had, we were cousins, but acted like sisters. The moments from the time we found out she was missing to the day we buried her will be burned into my memory forever. The years that followed werent much better, between media coverage and court issues, it was a very trying time for the whole family. Espically her parents, brother and infant sister. I will never forget the moment I answered the phone that morning and my aunt wanted to talk to my mom. I remember the sound of her voice and how terrified she sounded, I remember knowing something was wrong and sitting by my mom as she was told that she was missing. The next few moments I will regret probably for the rest of my life. My mom hung up the phone told me that Jaclyn was missing and I had to get ready quick we were going over there. I was only 9 years old and I remember laughing while I was looking for my shoes thinking to myself she was probably playing hide and seek. I still feel guilty for laughing to this day. I remember arriving there and there were cops all over, and walking in the house. It was the weirdest silence I have ever heard. It was at that moment that I realized there was no game of hide and seek, and that something was really wrong. There were so many people there yet you could have heard a pin drop. Every so often you could hear my aunt crying. I remember walking out of the house to the side where the broken basement window was and looking at the broken glass. There was a cop there picking up the pieces and stacking them to the side with his fingers. I remember thinking to myself "I wonder why he is touching that, wont he get cut?" Much of the next few days felt like an eternity, I passed out flyers we tied yellow ribbons around the trees, and my mom arranged that I stay with my father so I could get away from all of the media and stress. You couldnt turn on the tv without seeing her picture or hearing her story. Then that day came, I will never forget sitting in my grandmothers kitchen with my dad and his family. I remember the phone rang and my dad talked and hung up. He said we need to go to your aunts house, I remember feeling so briefly relieved and excited I couldnt wait to see Jaclyn. I of course asked all the obvious questions I remember his saying that he wasnt sure and that we would find out when we got there. I remember pulling up and my mom meeting us outside, I saw her face and I just knew something was wrong. She told me that shd had been found but that she was in heaven. I remember standing outside my aunts house on that lawn with my mom and dad hugging me while I wept. Later that night, I was in Jaclyns room hugging one of her dolls, and being told that I wasnt to go outside for anything, because it wasnt safe, and because there were news cameras all over. Over the next couple days I remember being so angry at the news people because I couldnt even go outside. The media was so bad that we were being literally shoved by the camera and media mob when we were leaving the church the day of the funeral. It was awful. Then of course was all the allegations about my aunt and uncle, and court trials. My family really was put through the ringer.

So I guess I should try to give answers to some of the posted questions.
As far as the "pot party theory" her parents passed the drug tests, which should say something. Also, I know it wasnt happening because I was supposed to spend the night at her house that night, but my mom had worked late and decided that she didnt feel like driving me at the last minute. I mean my bags were packed and I had just talked to Jaclyns mom.

Jaclyns biological father was in jail in florida at the time of the kidnapping. He was ruled out immediately because of that. His brother, the one with the mental disorder, was not in jail at the time. He had an alibi, but most of his witnesses later admitted to lying about it. He was documented stating very exact details of her room, and her body when it was found. Things that he would have had no way of knowing. However because of his mental illness, and the fact that the police were too distracted trying to cruicify my auny and uncle not much was looked into about him. He passed away a few years ago due to some form of cancer, prostate I think. At this point, even if he was the actual killer, it would be too late to do anything about it.

My aunt was accused of the murder but was aquitted, my uncle had to face trial and was convicted because there was the "nose witness" It was a dark parking lot, there was no moon that night, the man was quite some distance away, and had a record of mental illness. This man said he could see my uncles nose structure. To this day that still floors me, how could you possibly see anyones nose structure under those conditions. In addition, what kind of moron, would consider that credible evidence? I have a theory and this is a theory only, it was said that Jaclyns Uncle had a friend that lived in those apartments, who is to say the friend didnt put this guy(the nose witness) up to saying he saw something just to distract the police? Again this is just a theory...something to think about...but still a theory. My uncle's sentence was overturned and he was finally released once the state removed their heads from their rears and their noses from Daley's rear as well.

While I cant imagine how difficult it is to be an police officer, espically faced with something so horrible, these officers, states attorneys, people in office ect did my family and Jaclyn absolutely no justice. At the end of the day it was their lack of know how, lack of evidence and pressure to solve a case that failed Jaclyn and us all.

There is no closure or feeling of being at peace. How could there be a senseless tradjedy happened, and there will forever be a void in our lives. For so long I thought about her everyday, dwelled on it, blamed myself as time has went on those feelings have started to fade. I think about her all the time and I miss her like hell. It makes me sad that my husband never met her, that my children will never know her. That her own brother and sister have to be without the wisdom of an older sibling. I guess we are fortunate in some ways though, there are families out there that never find their loved ones, never know what happpened. Eventhough it surely wasnt the outcome any of us wanted, I thank God everyday that at least we know something. I do feel blessed for the time we did have together though short, it was better than nothing at all.

My truest and deepest feelings of sorrow go out to those families of a missing person, or that have lost a loved one. I pray that your questions be answered quickly and gently, that your loved ones return to you unharmed, that your sorrows are eased and finally that whoever is handling your investigations has at least half a brain and knows what they are doing!

I think my message is long enough, if there are any more questions I will be checking back often. I will answer what I can, I will not disclose any current personal information about my aunt uncle or Jaclyns siblings so please do not ask. Thank you all very much for not letting her memory die. The judicial system surely did.