In doing my research on Rachel's case, this is what I found. While there are many news reports I reviewed there are two that stand out the most with critical information that I will share. To keep a case alive you must review all of the known information - Facts... Facts without the suspects words (that always throws off a case).
The mother was married to the stepfather - not the father. They both lived on the 600 block of Melissa Drive in Bolingbrook. January 1996 was when she was last seen right out of her home. Her coat, shoes and purse were at home. Missing was her blanket and TWO pillows. The stepfather VINCE was the only one in the home during her disappearance. He has a previous violent record with the police and has previously attacked the mother and Rachel. The mother only rehearses the stories that are on police record publicly. They moved away from the home after her disappearance. They are still married. Neither one comply with police at all any longer.
There WAS DNA taken from the stepfather immediately following Rachel's disappearance. He reportedly failed the polygraph. The mother passed the polygraph.
The father lived in Texas at the time of Rachel's disappearance and moved back to Illinois approximately a week after she went missing. He still lives here in Illinois, and he runs Rachel's missing Facebook page and is very active on the page for Rachel and other missing persons.
The stepfather declares he was home with Rachel that day. He says he took the dog out under 20 degrees freezing temps for approximately 1/2 hour, loses the dog and comes home alone, never checking on Rachel or seeing her ever again.
Rachel made one last call that day to her grandmother at about 1045AM and hangs up once she confirms to the grandmother that the stepfather was there and she had to go.
The stepfather reported the call was 12pm-1230pm which was incorrect time according to the private investigator.
Rachel's sister gets home about 330pm and notices that Rachel is gone. No one reports anything at this time.
Rachel's mother gets home approximately 5pm and is told Rachel disappeared. No one reports anything at this time.
The report isn't made until 6pm.
The stepfather is alone with Rachel from 1045AM - 330PM. That is the true time gap here.
Why the family waited to report it till 6pm is beyond understanding.
Questions:
Why did the stepfather go out to walk a dog in freezing temps, nonetheless for 1/2 hour?
Why did he care so much to take the dog out yet LEAVE THE DOG OUT lost and comes back alone?
The neighbor found the dog and brought the dog home.
Were there any confirmations by neighbors of the stepfather and the dog being outside at all that day?
Did the daughter get questioned? Did she know anything?
Police did search the area on foot, by water and air. Nothing was found.
They did a door to door search. No report of anything the neighbors may have seen or heard.
Did they go back after the weather broke?
Police removed items from the house. What were they?
At first the mother assisted in the investigation but then ceased to assist permanently to date.
She still is married and lives with the stepfather.
Did she say anything about the diary that states she was being molested?
Why would she stay with this man knowing her missing daughters written claims of molestation?
She may not have known what happened then... but she has to know more now.
During the time of the grand jury in 2000 Amy the mother reportedly defended the stepfather.
Where the neighbors questioned? Did any of them appear at the grand jury? Did any of them see anything?
Why did it take 4 years for Rachel's diary to be reported?
Could the stepfather had taken the dog out earlier to avoid the dog from interfering with his plans to hurt Rachel?
If the stepfather said he hadn't seen her after they played video games why did he say to the police she was sleeping in her room?
To put it on record, there are two half siblings not one.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1102/21/ng.01.html
http://www.findmissingkids.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=243