victoriarobinson642
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Photo added to NAMUS today (09/12/22)
MI Janis Kay Sanders 24 missing from Niles, Michigan 1976
- Thread starter Moonwalker9
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Photo added to NAMUS today (09/12/22)
imstilla.grandma
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There are major developments in a cold case that's almost 50 years old. The disappearance of Janis Sanders is now a homicide abduction case. She was last seen in 1975.
Investigators announced they were reopening two cold cases over the summer: Janeice Langs out of South Bend and Janis Sanders out of Niles.
While the main suspect in their disappearances died, Janis Sanders’ kids are more hopeful than ever to find their moms remains.
Janis Sanders was a young, single mom in 1975, her daughter Dena was 5 years old, and her son James, was 2 years old.
I’ve tried to stir the pot a few times in the past, but it’s such a complicated case. Call cases are unique animals, and it takes a while, and we are learning. It takes a team,” said James Sanders, Janis Sanders' son.
Multiple agencies are working her case: Michigan State Police, South Bend Police, the Western Michigan University Cold Case and Environmental Programs along with Notre Dame's Biochemistry and Engineering Departments.
“There's so much out there now compared to when mom came up missing, I mean it’s just amazing. What is out there now and there’s no reason why we can’t find her,” said Dena Sanders, Janis Sanders' Daughter.
Charges against a primary suspect in Janis’s death were dismissed many years ago. But, with the new case number and classification... the siblings say this is the farthest the case has gotten. And they're encouraged by all the progress being made and to find some sort of justice.
“The remains belong to us. Wherever they’re at, we’re gonna find them, bring her home and that’s what we want,” said James Sanders, Janis Sanders' Son.
Because Janeice and Janis’ cases are believed to be connected, the Michigan State Police and the South Bend Police Department have been in contact throughout this investigation.
wwmt.com
Investigators announced they were reopening two cold cases over the summer: Janeice Langs out of South Bend and Janis Sanders out of Niles.
While the main suspect in their disappearances died, Janis Sanders’ kids are more hopeful than ever to find their moms remains.
Janis Sanders was a young, single mom in 1975, her daughter Dena was 5 years old, and her son James, was 2 years old.
I’ve tried to stir the pot a few times in the past, but it’s such a complicated case. Call cases are unique animals, and it takes a while, and we are learning. It takes a team,” said James Sanders, Janis Sanders' son.
Multiple agencies are working her case: Michigan State Police, South Bend Police, the Western Michigan University Cold Case and Environmental Programs along with Notre Dame's Biochemistry and Engineering Departments.
“There's so much out there now compared to when mom came up missing, I mean it’s just amazing. What is out there now and there’s no reason why we can’t find her,” said Dena Sanders, Janis Sanders' Daughter.
Charges against a primary suspect in Janis’s death were dismissed many years ago. But, with the new case number and classification... the siblings say this is the farthest the case has gotten. And they're encouraged by all the progress being made and to find some sort of justice.
“The remains belong to us. Wherever they’re at, we’re gonna find them, bring her home and that’s what we want,” said James Sanders, Janis Sanders' Son.
Because Janeice and Janis’ cases are believed to be connected, the Michigan State Police and the South Bend Police Department have been in contact throughout this investigation.
Decades old Niles missing person cold case reclassified as homicide abduction
There are major developments in a cold case that's almost 50 years old. The disappearance of Janis Sanders is now a homicide abduction case. She was last seen i
wwmt.com
Janis Sanders
The disappearance of Janis Sanders is a haunting mystery that has remained unsolved for nearly five decades. On July 20, 1975, Janis was last seen leaving her job as a waitress in Niles, Michigan. Her estranged boyfriend, whom she had recently ended things with, followed her to the parking lot as she left work. The following day, Janis was reported missing by her family. Despite their efforts, the case remained cold for years while her two children dedicated decades to finding new leads and convincing authorities to reopen the investigation. In September 2022, Michigan State Police (MSP) reopened the case and enlisted the help of the WMU Cold Case team to help solve this chilling mystery. In November 2022, MSP updated Janis' classification from Missing Person to Homicide Abducted.LINK:
Cases
wmich.edu
imstilla.grandma
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Just a few months ago, authorities reopened the case of Janis Sanders, a Niles woman who was last seen in 1975.
If they find her, law enforcement believes there's a strong possibility they will also find a South Bend woman who disappeared in 1973.
But former Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Thomas Travis never let it go.
"I spent more time, more effort on that case than I can ever tell you. It was complete consternation on my part. I could not get it together. I couldn't put it together," said Travis.
After Janis disappeared and her car was found abandoned in Niles... Detectives on her case realized her ex-boyfriend, Gerald Libertowski, had also been involved with another woman who went missing a couple years before: Janeice Langs of South Bend.
"The two cases resembled each other so closely that it was pretty, pretty good information to us that he was probably the perpetrator and the killer of both girls," said Travis.
According to Travis, there was a pattern: Janeice moved in with Libertowski, there was alleged abuse, she moved out, and disappeared. He says the same happened with Janis, who moved in right after.
wsbt.com
According to police reports and Tribune archival material from the time, Janis Sanders was last seen around midnight on the night of July 20 into July 21, 1975. Janis was getting off her shift as a waitress at Pete’s Patio Restaurant in Niles, and witnesses say Gerald “Jerry” Libertowski followed her out into the parking lot.
The week before she disappeared, Janis had ended her relationship with Libertowski and had moved back in with her parents in Niles. Tribune archives say Libertowski told police he talked with Janis after her shift but “he did not accompany her from the parking lot.”
That night was the last time Janis was seen alive. Days later, police found Janis’ car — a 1974 Matador — outside the Niles Holiday Inn.
If they find her, law enforcement believes there's a strong possibility they will also find a South Bend woman who disappeared in 1973.
But former Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Thomas Travis never let it go.
"I spent more time, more effort on that case than I can ever tell you. It was complete consternation on my part. I could not get it together. I couldn't put it together," said Travis.
After Janis disappeared and her car was found abandoned in Niles... Detectives on her case realized her ex-boyfriend, Gerald Libertowski, had also been involved with another woman who went missing a couple years before: Janeice Langs of South Bend.
"The two cases resembled each other so closely that it was pretty, pretty good information to us that he was probably the perpetrator and the killer of both girls," said Travis.
According to Travis, there was a pattern: Janeice moved in with Libertowski, there was alleged abuse, she moved out, and disappeared. He says the same happened with Janis, who moved in right after.
Special Report: Former investigator back on the case of two women missing since the 1970s
Momentum might be building as investigators examine new developments in a 50-year-old cold case.Just a few months ago, authorities reopened the case of Janis Sa
wsbt.com
According to police reports and Tribune archival material from the time, Janis Sanders was last seen around midnight on the night of July 20 into July 21, 1975. Janis was getting off her shift as a waitress at Pete’s Patio Restaurant in Niles, and witnesses say Gerald “Jerry” Libertowski followed her out into the parking lot.
The week before she disappeared, Janis had ended her relationship with Libertowski and had moved back in with her parents in Niles. Tribune archives say Libertowski told police he talked with Janis after her shift but “he did not accompany her from the parking lot.”
That night was the last time Janis was seen alive. Days later, police found Janis’ car — a 1974 Matador — outside the Niles Holiday Inn.
Two Michiana women went missing 50 years ago. Now their families feel answers are close.
Families of Niles and South Bend women believe their 1970s disappearances were linked. Now those relatives hope they are zeroing in on answers.
www.southbendtribune.com
Last edited:
Gerald Casimir “Jerry” Libertowski
BIRTH 15 Feb 1942South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA
DEATH 31 Jan 2010 (aged 67)
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA
BURIAL Cremated
LINK:
Gerald Casimir “Jerry” Libertowski (1942-2010) -...
Gerald C. Libertowski Feb.15, 1942 – Jan.31, 2010 SOUTH BEND — Gerald C. Libertowski, 67, passed away at 4:07 a.m.Sunday in Memorial Hospital. Gerald was born on February 15, 1942, in South Bend, to the late Casimir and Marie (Brzezinski) Libertowski. Survivors include his wife, Winifred...
www.findagrave.com
imstilla.grandma
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He was the primary suspect in the disappearances of Janis Sanders and Janeice Langs.
Gerald Casimir “Jerry” Libertowski
BIRTH 15 Feb 1942
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA
DEATH 31 Jan 2010 (aged 67)
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA
BURIAL Cremated
LINK:
Gerald Casimir “Jerry” Libertowski (1942-2010) -...
Gerald C. Libertowski Feb.15, 1942 – Jan.31, 2010 SOUTH BEND — Gerald C. Libertowski, 67, passed away at 4:07 a.m.Sunday in Memorial Hospital. Gerald was born on February 15, 1942, in South Bend, to the late Casimir and Marie (Brzezinski) Libertowski. Survivors include his wife, Winifred...
The two women disappeared in the mid-1970s, and troopers hope the drones will help to locate their remains.
“Today's just kind of a collection day. So, all of the data is collected today and then there will be several days’ worth of processing the data to actually see what we are looking at and at that point in time that information would be given to the detectives and then the detectives would follow up,” said Sgt. Michael Darrow, Michigan State Police Aviation Unit.
Investigators tell WSBT 22 drones can help them map the area and tell if the ground has been disturbed.
That could indicate someone was buried or dug up, possibly leading to new evidence in the case.
Aerial Search in Michigan Cold Cases
Michigan State Police conducted a new search Friday in an effort to solve a pair of 50-year-old cold cases profiled by WSBT 22.RELATED:Efforts ramp up to find
wsbt.com
PommyMommy
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Janis Kay Sanders
Sanders, circa 1975; Jerry Libertowski
- Missing Since 07/20/1975
- Missing From Niles, Michigan
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Sex Female
- Race White
- Date of Birth 09/27/1950 (72)
- Age 24 years old
- Height and Weight 5'4, 115 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A black jumper-type dress, a long-sleeved collared rose-colored shirt, black pantyhose, white shoes, gold earrings and a gold watch with a black leather band.
- Associated Vehicle(s)1973 or 1974 AMC Matador (accounted for)
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Red hair, blue eyes. Sanders has freckles and her ears are pierced. Some agencies spell her name "Janice."
Details of Disappearance
Sanders was last seen leaving her waitress job at Pete's Patio Resturant in Niles, Michigan close to midnight on July 20, 1975. Her estranged boyfriend, Gerald Casimer "Jerry" Libertowski Jr., followed her out of the restaurant.Witnesses stated Libertowski was acting like a "mad man" at the time, and while he and Sanders were talking in the parking lot, she looked "scared." Sanders had ended their relationship the week before and moved back in with her parents in South Bend, Indiana. She has never been heard from again.
Sanders was reported missing by a family member on July 21. Police questioned Libertowski that same day, and noted he had had facial injuries which witnesses hadn't noticed the night before. On August 5, Sanders's 1973 or 1974 AMC Matador was found parked at the Holiday Inn in the 900 block of south Eleventh Street in Niles. There was no sign of her at the scene.
In 1976, Libertowski was charged with Sanders's murder as well as the murder of Janeice Langs, another girlfriend of his who disappeared in 1973 and was never found.
Sanders's wallet and a pill bottle belonging to Langs were discovered hidden in the crawl space of Libertowski's house after the women's disappearances. He also allegedly told his former business partner he'd killed the women. He was later acquitted of Langs's murder, and the charges in Sanders's presumed death were dropped for lack of evidence.
Authorities continue to believe Libertowski was involved in both women's disappearances. He died in 2010, at the age of 67.
Foul play is suspected in Sanders's disappearance due to the circumstances involved. She left behind two children, and both her parents and her ex-husband said she wouldn't have left them without making sure they would be cared for. Some agencies give her date of disappearance as August 5, the day her car was found.
Last updated April 27, 2023; three pictures added, details of disappearance updated.
June 5 2023
www.abc57.com
An extensive search through a Michigan property may soon mark the end of a 50-year-old cold case.
''Michigan State Police executed a search warrant on a Buchanan property, Thursday and Friday, looking for the remains of Janis Sanders; a Niles woman who went missing in 1976. MSP Would not confirm whether any sign of Sanders was found. ''
''Her children, James and Dena Sanders, believe they know who killed their mother. The MSP search is focused on the former property of Gerald Libertowski, Janis’ ex-boyfriend. Libertowski is the lone suspect in her disappearance, which is now being investigated as a homicide.
“Because she’s never been found, we deal with the loss of our mother. But then we deal with the unknown,” James said.
The question the siblings still need to answer is what to do with her remains.
“Shes been gone a long time. And not knowing where she's at has been probably the hardest thing,” Dena said. ''
''Michigan State Police (MSP) used ground penetrating radar in hopes of locating the remains of Janis Sanders and Janeice Langs.
The women disappeared in the mid-1970s from South Bend and Niles after dating a man named Gerald Libertowski.
Libertowski is considered the prime suspect, but died in 2010.
This is the third search in about two months on his Berrien County family farm.
This weekend's search is not believed to be the last.''
Decades-old cold case could be close to being closed
What’s led investigators to this point, in part, is a unique collaboration between police and a team of teenagers, teachers, and undergrads
www.abc57.com
''Michigan State Police executed a search warrant on a Buchanan property, Thursday and Friday, looking for the remains of Janis Sanders; a Niles woman who went missing in 1976. MSP Would not confirm whether any sign of Sanders was found. ''
''Her children, James and Dena Sanders, believe they know who killed their mother. The MSP search is focused on the former property of Gerald Libertowski, Janis’ ex-boyfriend. Libertowski is the lone suspect in her disappearance, which is now being investigated as a homicide.
“Because she’s never been found, we deal with the loss of our mother. But then we deal with the unknown,” James said.
The question the siblings still need to answer is what to do with her remains.
“Shes been gone a long time. And not knowing where she's at has been probably the hardest thing,” Dena said. ''
''Michigan State Police (MSP) used ground penetrating radar in hopes of locating the remains of Janis Sanders and Janeice Langs.
The women disappeared in the mid-1970s from South Bend and Niles after dating a man named Gerald Libertowski.
Libertowski is considered the prime suspect, but died in 2010.
This is the third search in about two months on his Berrien County family farm.
This weekend's search is not believed to be the last.''
Caring1
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July 6, 2023
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — We first introduced you to the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program back in May. Now, we’re getting a close look at one of the cold cases they’re actively working on, and the family hoping to finally get some answers.
“We may not have justice but in some terms we can find the truth,” said James Sanders, who was just 2 years old when his mother, Janis Sanders, was reported missing in July of 1975.
www.wzzm13.com
WMU cold case team helps search for remains of woman missing nearly 50 years
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — We first introduced you to the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program back in May. Now, we’re getting a close look at one of the cold cases they’re actively working on, and the family hoping to finally get some answers.
“We may not have justice but in some terms we can find the truth,” said James Sanders, who was just 2 years old when his mother, Janis Sanders, was reported missing in July of 1975.
WMU cold case team helps search for remains of woman missing nearly 50 years
We first introduced you to the WMU Cold Case Program back in May. Here's a look at one of the cold cases they’re actively working on, and the family needing closure.
www.wzzm13.com
Associated thread for the other missing woman..
www.websleuths.com
IN - IN - Janeice Langs, 21, homicide/abduction, Elkhart, 8 Nov 1973
Janeice L. Langs Case Classification: Endangered Missing / Suspected Homicide Missing Since: November 8, 1973 Location Last Seen: Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana Description: Date of Birth: circa 1952 Age: 21 years old Race: White/Caucasian Gender: Female Height: 5'8" (68 inches) Weight...
www.websleuths.com
imstilla.grandma
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Janis Sanders is one of two women who vanished without a trace in the 1970s. Both women are still missing. Two adult children of one of the victims are leading the efforts to find their mother. Read full story here: https://wsbt.com/news/local/police-se...
imstilla.grandma
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For James and Dena, all they want is for the truth to uncovered, and they are optimistic about today’s search. Sharing the emotional burden of growing up not knowing what happened to their mother.
“There is no guarantees after 49 years what we will find, but with all the research and case study. Of course, the FBI has stepped in. So there’s a high probability that we will get a good outcome so we are just patiently waiting,” James said.
“It’s just hard to comprehend a lot of stuff, like try to understand it. And as you grow up, you try to put all of that in perspective as far as okay, yeah, she’s out there somewhere,” Dena said.
The search wraps up tomorrow, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on what could be a long-awaited ending to this story.
www.wndu.com
“There is no guarantees after 49 years what we will find, but with all the research and case study. Of course, the FBI has stepped in. So there’s a high probability that we will get a good outcome so we are just patiently waiting,” James said.
“It’s just hard to comprehend a lot of stuff, like try to understand it. And as you grow up, you try to put all of that in perspective as far as okay, yeah, she’s out there somewhere,” Dena said.
The search wraps up tomorrow, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on what could be a long-awaited ending to this story.
Family of missing woman in 49-year-old cold case still searching for answers
The family of Janis Sanders, a Niles native, is hoping to get answers after nearly 50 years.
GuyfromCanada
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MAY 10, 2024
NILES, Mich. (WSBT) – Michigan State Police, Western Michigan University and the FBI executed a search warrant this week still looking for two missing women. The women have been missing since the 70s, and are believed to have been murdered.
The search was done on Gerald Libertowski’s farm. It spanned over two days this week. Libertowski is the main suspect in the 1975 alleged double-murder of Janis Sanders and Janeice Langs.
More at FBI works to solve 70s missing women case in Michigan
NILES, Mich. (WSBT) – Michigan State Police, Western Michigan University and the FBI executed a search warrant this week still looking for two missing women. The women have been missing since the 70s, and are believed to have been murdered.
The search was done on Gerald Libertowski’s farm. It spanned over two days this week. Libertowski is the main suspect in the 1975 alleged double-murder of Janis Sanders and Janeice Langs.
More at FBI works to solve 70s missing women case in Michigan