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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

I drove down to Dallas Night Club during lunch today. It was nice to be able to see the layout of the club. I now have an idea of how to set up everything for the Music for the Missing Concert.

Everything seems to be on schedule for the concert. I'm actually starting to look forward to it. I received an e-mail today from a family who was on THE MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW with me, and they will be attending the concert.

Wednesday, April 2

I interviewed with KLBJ/AM today during lunch. They will be broadcasting parts of the interview over the next few days. KLBJ will also announce the Music for the Missing Concert a few times.

I also created the silent auction forms for the concert. We currently have around 50 items for the auction, and a few more are expected to arrive in the next few days.

I have a briefing scheduled with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office on Friday. They will update me on what they can about any leads they are working involving Rachel's Case.

Thursday, April 3

I picked up several donations for the Music for the Missing silent auction today from our P.O. box. The items include an autographed baseball from Houston Astro Pitcher Wade Miller, an autographed picture and CD from Asleep at the Wheel, several dinner for two certificates, and many other items.

I began labeling the auction items today. At this point it looks like we will have between 70 and 100 auction items. Hopefully we will be able to make several thousand dollars for the search organizations.

Friday, April 4

My wife Janet and I were briefed by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office today. Actually, they said they couldn't tell us anything about what they are currently working on. I guess we will just have to wait a few weeks to find out more information.

KXAN News interviewed me today about the Texas DNA database. I asked them to also include an announcement about the concert, and the reporter said she would. When the story aired on their 6:00 p.m. news, nothing was included about the concert.

Some days are better than others. I guess this is one of the bad days. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Saturday, April 5

Several of my family members, my friend JR, and I met and tagged all 151 items for the Music for the Missing silent auction tomorrow. We now an have autographed football from the UT football team and an autographed basketball from the UT Lady Longhorn basketball team. We finished just in time to head to the banquet we planned for out of town concert guests.

Among the guests at the banquet were Erin Bruno from the Nation's Missing Children and Center for Missing Adults, Al White and the Chaparral Band, Greg Allen, the father of missing Sabrina Allen, and Craig and Pam Akers, the parents of missing 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck.

After we ate dinner, Texas EquuSearch director Tim Miller told me he had several more auction items in his truck. I thought we were through! Now all we need are people to bid.

Sunday, April 6

I picked up my friend JR this morning and we drove to the Dallas Night Club, arriving there a little after 10:00 a.m. My dad was already there putting tablecloths down for the silent auction. After a few minutes, my two sisters arrived and we unloaded and set up the silent auction items for the Music for the Missing Concert.

My wife Janet and I welcomed the audience and introduced Texas Deputy Attorney General Jay Kimbrough. Mr. Kimbrough explained Attorney General Greg Abbott was unable to attend the fundraiser but wrote a nice letter for Janet and me. Then Mr. Kimbrough read the letter. General Abbott also sent a special gift for the auction. The gift was a flag, complete with certificate of authenticity, that flew over the Texas capital.

Next Texas EquuSearch Director Tim Miller and Travis County Search and Rescue President Chris Lehman spoke. Each man described what his organization does.

Al White and the Chaparral opened the concert and played for about an hour. When Mr. White sang RACHEL'SONG, the audience lit candles in honor of Rachel and the other missing children and adults. Mr. White had trouble making it through the song, so Janet and I stood by him to help him through it.

After Al White finished, we invited several of the other family members of the missing to speak. April 6 happens to be the 6-month anniversary of when 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck disappeared while riding his bike in his Missouri hometown. His parents, Craig and Pam, did a fantastic job describing what they have done to find him. More about Shawn may be found on his web site: shawnhornbeck.com

After the families finished, our master of ceremonies, Jennie Blankenship from KEYE News, spoke. Ms. Blankenship gave an account of several missing person cases she has reported on.

Al White played a little more, and then I introduced some of the organizations who attended the concert. Bikers Against Child Abuse is one of our newest supporters. BACA has agreed to take the lead in posting new missing person flyers when a person becomes missing.

Erin Bruno, case manager for the Nation's Missing Children and Center for Missing Adults, described what her organization does. Verna Lee Carr, executive advisor for People Against Violent Crime, told the audience what PAVC does.

The Dave Wiantt Band then took the stage. They played for around forty minutes, and then we closed the silent auction.

Next Dave Jorgenson and the Real Deal performed for over an hour. Allie Danielle sang a few songs with Dave's band, and then she sang acappella. Allie closed the concert with one of the best performances of THE STAR BANGELED BANNER I have ever heard.

It will be several days before a final total of money raised at the concert can be finalized. People who won auction items and were not present at the end of the concert still need to be contacted. The concert was a big success, and I want to thank everyone who donated items and volunteered to help.

Monday, April 7

I replaced the rachelcookesearch.org/concert page with a new page which shows pictures from the Music for the Missing Concert. Several pictures of family members of missing persons and the bands are displayed there.

When I got home from work, I began going through the leftover unclaimed auction items. I will contact auction winners who have not picked up their items. The few remaining items will either be sold on ebay, given away at the Run/Walk, or donated to another non-profit auction.

Tuesday, April 8

I left a message at RunTex today. The on-line registration for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel was e-mailed to them two weeks ago. It's time to put it on-line. I added the Run/Walk information page on rachelcookesearch.org/run.

My friend Debra videotaped the entire Music for the Missing Concert. She will be putting together a documentary on the concert.

Wednesday, April 9

Today was so busy, I had to take vacation in the morning to fit everything in. Last week I received a call from the owner of the billboard company who hosted Rachel's billboard last year. He asked me if I would mind speaking to a Texas Senate committee telling them how it helped us. I agreed to do so.

This morning I spoke to a five-member senate committee and told the story of how Rachel disappeared and how posting a billboard was a positive step in trying to bring her home. The vote on the bill was postponed until a later date.

During lunch I attended a victims' rights ceremony in Austin. The Austin Police Department, Travis County Sheriff's Office, and People Against Violent Crime hosted the event. This week is National Victims' Rights Week. I was able to meet many victims' services representatives in those three organizations as well as some representatives from the State of Texas. I met Cherri, who is in charge of the State of Texas Victims' Rights Conference next month. Last month Cherri invited my wife Janet and me to light a candle at the conference during a victims' ceremony on May 6.

Thursday, April 10

Today it has been 15 months since Rachel disappeared. The time passes by, but our love for her is still there. I can't understand why we can't find her.

I worked with RunTex today to get the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel information and registration web pages on-line. Both the on-line and mail-in registrations are ready for people to use. The cost for registering is $20 again this year. All of the proceeds will go to our new Rachel Alert Network. Working on the Run/Walk today helped get my mind off what day it is.

Friday, April 11

We completed several of the open bids left over from the Music for the Missing silent auction. Some people left early and did not pick up their items. My friend JR and I opened a business checking account for Rachel Alert Network and deposited all of the money we have collected so far.

I starting working on the flyer for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. I will put it on-line this weekend. We also plan to create a registration flyer for the Run/Walk to have available at all of the RunTex stores. Those flyers will be ready in a week. People can register on-line or print out a registration form from rachelcookesearch.org. There is still plenty of time for people to register before the event on May 17.

Saturday, April 12

My sister Elaine was able to obtain a water donation from another race. The water will be used at the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. Everything we can get through donations raises the amount of money Rachel Alert Network earns from the race. The RAN Board of Directors documented several activities to undertake the next two years. Unfortunately, many of the activities which help missing persons take money.

We only have three items left for which to collect money for from the Music for the Missing Concert. After completing the sale of those items, RAN will present a check to both Travis County Search and Rescue and Texas EquuSearch. I know both organizations need the money as soon as we can give it to them.

Sunday, April 13

I had to take the time to do my taxes today. Later, I attended an academic awards ceremony at Georgetown High School. Our daughter JoAnn and around 50 other seniors were recognized for their excellent grades. JoAnn has been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin and will begin classes there this summer.

The flyer for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel is complete. I am e-mailing the flyer to my sister Elaine to proofread. After corrections are made, people will post the flyers around Central Texas.

Monday, April 14

We have been trying to find a good insurance provider for the Run/Walk, but the companies we contacted last year are not handling event insurance anymore. The cost of the insurance may be a little higher this year. This won't affect the entry fee for the Run/Walk. The insurance is part of the normal expenses.

My sister Elaine proofread the Run/Walk flyer, and it is ready for distribution. I will be passing it out to volunteers later this week and will also post a downloadable version on Rachel's web site.

A female torso and infant boy's body were found washed up on a California beach late Sunday. They are suspected to be those of missing Laci Peterson and her unborn son Connor, but it may take DNA testing to tell for sure. The bodies were badly decomposed. I will keep Laci's family in my prayers.

Tuesday, April 15

I finally decided which insurance company to use for the Run/Walk for Rachel. It's amazing what you have to learn to keep your missing loved one in the news and to help other missing persons.

Texas EquuSearch is holding a benefit concert of their own. It's called Mission for the Missing and will be held on May 4, 2003, from 1:00-7:00 p.m. in Santa Fe, Texas. They will be holding a raffle to raise additional funds for their organization. More information may be found on www.cowboysnightmare.com by clicking on "Show Dates".

Kent Jacobs' family will be on the DR. PHIL SHOW Wednesday, April 16. In Austin the program is shown on KEYE at 3:00 p.m. Check your town's listings here.

Wednesday, April 16

I e-mailed the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel flyer to Bikers Against Child Abuse and Travis County Search and Rescue. Both organizations have agreed to help with the Run/Walk.

I'm hoping the Sheriff's Office finishes enough of the investigation involving current leads to give me an update soon. The last time my wife Janet and I met with them, they couldn't tell us much.

Thursday, April 17

I finally finished the registration flyer for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. Tomorrow I will start distributing them to all of the RunTex stores. Next week we will try and make them available at other athletic stores.

This next Monday, April 21, 2003, marks the one year anniversary of Sabrina Allen's abduction. There will be a dedication ceremony for Sabrina's Hope Garden at 7:00 p.m. at her home church, Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, 9508 Great Hills Trail in Austin. More information about the ceremony may be found on Sabrina's web site.

Friday, April 18

I delivered Run/Walk for Rachel registration forms to all four RunTex stores today. People can pick them up from the upcoming races display and fill them out. The forms may either be mailed to the included address or brought to the race on May 17.

Today authorities determined the bodies found on a California beach are those of missing Laci Peterson and her son Connor. An arrest warrant has been issued for her husband Scott. I haven't said much about what I think about Scott, but I do not think he acted like a man who really cared about his missing wife. He did not seem to do much at all to help with the case. A court of law will now decide if he's guilty.

Saturday, April 19

Human remains were found near the Georgetown airport today. Authorities aren't sure if the remains are of a male or female yet. We just have to wait until they are examined. I probably won't sleep tonight.

Sunday, April 20

I spent this afternoon at my parents' house at an Easter dinner. I didn't hear any new updates on the human remains found yesterday.

Monday, April 21

I didn't sleep very well again last night. It's hard to get the human remains off my mind. If it is Rachel, the search for her is over. If it's not her, we will continue to look.

NEWS 8 AUSTIN and KEYE News both contacted me this morning. They requested an interview. I decided it's too early to take Rachel out of the public eye. If the remains are not hers, we need to keep her story and picture out there. Both interviews were done at my parents' house during lunch.

After lunch, a reporter from the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN called. She did a telephone interview with me. I'm not sure when the story will be in the newspaper.

I spoke with the sergeant from the Georgetown Police Department who is in charge of the investigation of the human remains. He told me the analysis of the remains is a priority for his office. I am glad to hear that.

At 7:00 p.m. I attended the dedication of Sabrina Allen's Hope Garden. The ceremony took place at the Triumphant Love Lutheran Church. It was a very simple but moving event.

Tuesday, April 22

A copy of Rachel's dental records was taken today to the Bexar County Medical Examiner. Rachel's records will be compared to the human remains found here last Saturday. Possibly tomorrow the medical examiner will be able to release some information.

The last few days have been very stressful. If the remains are not Rachel's, they still are another man or woman. Some family will be mourning its loss of a loved one.

Wednesday, April 23

There was no word from law enforcement today. I'm hoping the Bexar County medical examiner will make some kind of announcement tomorrow about the remains found here last Saturday.

My brother David stopped by on his way home this afternoon. David passed on the names of two Baptist ministers who are praying for Rachel and us.

Whenever I get down and out, someone sends me an e-mail or calls me with words of support. I've heard from members of Valany Gonzales' family and many others. Tonight my friend Lori called me. She knows exactly what my wife Janet and I are going through. Her sister Colleen was missing years before her body was brought home.

These last fifteen months have been horrible. If it were not for my friends and family, I would have packed it in months ago.

Thursday, April 24

I left a message with the Georgetown Police Department this morning. I'm hoping the medical examiner has made some progress with the examination of the human remains found here last Saturday.

A little after 4:00 p.m. the sergeant called me back and told me the body was that of a man. It's not Rachel. I am relieved, but now another family will be grieving the loss of a son or brother. The examiner has not yet fully identified the man.

Friday, April 25

Things were a little less tense today with the remains being identified as those of a male. Even though the remains are not those of Rachel, I have sorrow for the deceased man and his family.

KVUE interviewed me today. The interview was about how we felt yesterday after hearing the news the body was not Rachel's. I had and still have mixed emotions about it. Of course, I'm relieved it is not Rachel, but this puts us back at "square one". Where is Rachel, and who took her?

Saturday, April 26

I finally am caught up with my e-mails. People wrote us from all over the world. They expressed concern and prayers for us during the difficult time we went through with the human remains found in Georgetown. I appreciate every e-mail and phone call.

We didn't issue the press release last week for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel because of the human remains found. My sister Elaine and I will send those out on Monday. My wife Janet and I will try to appear on some of the television morning shows to talk about the Run/Walk.

Sunday, April 27

I worked a little more on the non-profit documentation for Rachel Alert Network last night and this morning. I want to mail the application in this week.

I attended my nephew Adam's Boy Scout Court of Honor today. He and three other young men received the rank of Eagle Scout. In this day and age when some people say youths do not have good values, these four scouts prove them wrong. To obtain the rank of Eagle is a very difficult task and takes real commitment.

Monday, April 28

I have not heard any news about the human remains found in Georgetown two weeks ago. It may be difficult to identify the person if no missing person report was turned in for the man.

Today we sent out the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel press release to all of the local media. I've already received invitations from two television stations to appear on their morning shows. My wife Janet and I appeared on the shows last year and found it was a good way to advertise the run/walk.

The bib numbers for the Run/Walk have been shipped. It will be good to receive them earlier this year. Last year we had to rush to create the packets for the Run/Walk participants.

Tuesday, April 29

I had a quick interview with Fred Cantu from KEYE News today. Mr. Cantu is making a Stranger Danger feature, and he wanted me to answer a few questions about the Rachel Alert Network. The segment should air this Thursday night.

On the way home from work, I dropped off a few more Run/Walk for Rachel registration forms at the Round Rock RunTex store. All of the RunTex stores have copies of the form.

This year copies of Sabrina Allen's and Shawn Hornbeck's missing flyers will be included in the Run/Walk for Rachel packets. The packets will also contain Rachel's flyer, an information sheet, and the bib number.

Wednesday, April 30

The bib numbers for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel arrived today. The logo is in color this year. They look really good.

Next week I will attend the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Crime Victim Clearinghouse Conference. My wife Janet and I will light a candle on Tuesday for missing persons at the victims' remembrance. The conference will be attended by victims' services people, victims, and victims' families from all across the state.