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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Saturday, June 1

My wife Janet and I attended a Search and Rescue class presented by the Austin Police Department. They are in the process of creating trained volunteer teams to help with missing person searches, disasters, etc. Each team will be trained in a classroom and then participate in a mock disaster of some type. The Search and Rescue or S.A.R. idea was prompted by Rachel's case and the Sept. 11th disaster. At least some good will come from these horrible events.

A.P.D. wanted Janet and me to talk about our experiences with Rachel's disappearance. We talked about things that law enforcement, volunteers, search leaders, and the media did, both right and wrong.

It was good for the volunteers and law enforcement personnel there to hear firsthand from crime victims. We discussed the delays in response from law enforcement, the encountering of overzealous people, rumors, psychics, creating Rachel's missing person flyer, working with volunteer search and rescue teams, missing person organizations, and the lack of information provided to us at the beginning.

Other presenters included a member of the StarFlight crew, a paramedic, an FBI agent discussing evidence handling, the APD homeland security director demonstrating how to read and measure distances on maps, and many others. We think it was a very informative day for everyone.

Our friend, APD Officer Jim Minton, is the creator and head of the S.A.R. program. We discussed with him bringing the classes to Williamson County and creating a version of the team here. Officer Minton and his dog Austin have been involved with the search for Rachel from the very beginning.

Sunday, June 2

After church, I started on the task of organizing all of the maps and search reports. I want to have them set up so I can go right to any particular map or report.

We are again trying to get Rachel's story in the national media. One of my searchers contacted Dan Rather, and someone else is contacting AMERICA'S MOST WANTED again.

My sister Elaine wants to organize a formal media team like we have set up for searches. Staying in the media is not an easy task. They need new things to report on every time. That will be the media team's job as well as trying to get national media coverage.

I heard that Rachel will have a short story on UNSOLVED MYSTERIES on July 20. I haven't confirmed that, but I have sent them video and pictures and they have been in touch with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.

Monday, June 3

I received an e-mail from Greg Allen today. He said that the fundraiser event they held on Saturday for his missing daughter Sabrina was a big success. I'm very happy about that. My sister Diane was able to attend it, but I was in the Search and Rescue class all day.

Greg had to face the same thing as I did on May 10. Sabrina's 5th birthday was May 30, and he had to go through that day without her just as I did on Rachel's 20th birthday. I cannot describe how hard May 10th was for me.

Our search team met tonight to go over the search and interview records. We have now reviewed all of the information, and I will compile it into a usable form.

Tuesday, June 4

Janet received a short briefing this morning from the Sheriff's Office. They are still responding to leads involving the new sketch and car. Some other things are being investigated, but they said it was too early to tell us about them.

This weekend's search will be on Saturday morning. We will meet at Faith Lutheran Church in Georgetown at 8:30 a.m., brief the team, and leave for the search site around 8:30 a.m. The searchers should be back at the church between 12:30-1:00 p.m.

My friend JR gave me a CD with over 100 search and event pictures. I will be adding some of these to www.rachelcookesearch.org in the Tributes and Searches sections.

Some people have written and asked how they can help. People can either come to the searches or print out Rachel's reward poster from the web site and post it around town.

Wednesday, June 5

I added several images to the Search section of Rachel's web site today. Most of the pictures came from March searches. I will continue to add more as I have time.

I talked to UNSOLVED MYSTERIES on the phone today. They needed a new videotape of Rachel sent to them. I sent it out on overnight mail. Rachel's segment will probably be only a minute or two long.

My friend JR wrote an e-mail to Bill Bickel asking him to give some coverage on Rachel's story. He wrote back and said that he would. His site is: http://crime.about.com/mbody.htm.

Thursday, June 6

I finally updated the Spanish pages on www.rachelcookesearch.org. That has been on my mind for a while but I had not gotten around to it. The printable Acrobat pdf file is updated also.

Bill Bickel did not waste any time getting Rachel on his web page http://crime.about.com/library/blfiles/blrachelcooke-search.htm He also references several articles about age discrimination in missing persons' cases. It seems that college-aged males and females are the most ignored by the national media. I added some of those links to Rachel's link page

Mr. Bickel is supposed to call me for an interview. Hopefully, after that he will have a pointer to Rachel's page on his publication's home page. National news coverage is so hard to get for missing persons over the age of 14.

Friday, June 7

I spoke with the Sheriff's Office about a dog search we will be doing on Monday. They have several dogs lined up. I also traded e-mails with A.P.D. Officer Minton, who will also be there for the search.

Co-worker Kelly has not heard back from the bumper sticker company. Hopefully they will send us the final layout next week, and we can get them ordered.

Saturday, June 8

We searched a creek area and a vacant acre in a subdivision in the county. Only seven searchers came, but it was enough to do the job.

Bill Bickel from Crime/Punishment put up another page on Rachel. The address is: http://crime.about.com/library/blfiles/blrachelcooke-search.htm

It has some of today's search pictures that my friend JR took. Mr. Bickel is going to do a phone interview with me on Monday.

Sunday, June 9

I copied the search tracking map onto another map. A.P.D. Officer Minton asked for a map so they can tell where we have searched. A special search is scheduled tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. Both A.P.D. and Williamson County Sheriff's dogs will be used.

We have been following the case of Elizabeth Smart in Utah. It is a very sad situation there, but a lot of good people are working very hard to find her. I sent a message through a third party offering to talk to the parents if they wanted.

It just makes me sick to think that someone took her right out of her own bedroom. We need to find Elizabeth and Rachel and bring these animals that took them to justice!

Monday, June 10

I got up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready for the search. The search team started showing up around 5:45 a.m. We left for the search site around 6:15 a.m. The two police dogs searched around a large man-made tank while the walking team of 8 did a grid search of an adjoining field.

When that area was complete, the walking team moved to a wooded area and started another search. The two dog teams searched a third area. We finished around 11:00 a.m. and ate lunch at our house. After lunch we started a grid search of another property that my cousin Lanny didn't think was searched well enough. The temperature was above 90 degrees, so we only searched one-half of the site. We will return and finish that search area at a later date.

Later in the day, Bill Bickel called, and we did a phone interview. He specifically wanted to talk about the age discrimination in missing persons cases. He wrote an article two years ago about the subject and wants to write a new one. He said that he will interview families of other older missing persons.

My friend JR took some pictures of the searches today. I posted them on http://www.rachelcookesearch.org . I also added the new composite picture of the man authorities are looking for.

I stayed very busy today because it marked five months since Rachel was abducted. We are still trying, Rachel. I still feel so helpless. God, please help us find her.

Tuesday, June 11

Today was quiet compared to yesterday. I exchanged e-mails with two people working on the Elizabeth Smart search. I have even considered flying there to talk to the parents and to help with the search. They are still in a state of shock and are surrounded by media, so I'm waiting until things slow down a little.

That is when the depression really sets in - after the huge crowds and the media leave. When you only have a handful of dedicated supporters is when you need help. But I don't want to just show up unless I'm wanted. After three months of trying to get Rachel on the site and five months after she disappeared, we had a success today. Rachel is finally listed on the FBI Missing Persons Page: http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/kidnap/cooke.htm .

Wednesday, June 12

I have been working some more with Rachel's web site today. It needed some enhancements.

Elizabeth Smart's parents were given my offer to come and talk and/or help. They replied that they are so busy that it would be best to wait. They probably have enough with Marc Klaas out there now.

My cousin Lanny called today. He has been in touch with People Against Violent Crime here in Austin. My wife Janet and I have a meeting scheduled with them tomorrow. They have done some good work with victims' rights in the past. I am hoping that the special guest they invited can come.

Thursday, June 13

My wife Janet and I attended a briefing with the sheriff's office this morning. UNSOLVED MYSTERIES had called them, asking to get some local news footage on Rachel's disappearance. They asked me to try and help. I agreed. We also talked about the status of the case.

After work, Janet, my cousin Lanny, and I met with People Against Violent Crime for almost 5 hours. Executive Advisor Verna Lee Carr offered their assistance with the media and other areas. We accepted her offer.

Lori Bible, Colleen Reed's sister, was also there. She went through the same kind of problems with law enforcement and other areas that we have. Lori is also joining our team.

Lori is going to help with the attempt to get national media coverage. Janet and I are very excited to have Verna Lee and Lori join us in the search for Rachel.

Friday, June 14

I received two calls from my new friends, Lori and Verna Lee. They have done an incredible job lining up people to help with Rachel's case.

Verna Lee contacted the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. The newspaper admitted it has been a long time since they ran a full article on Rachel and agreed to do an updated article. Lori contacted some friends who work with AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, and they agreed to help. I am typing a letter to John Walsh of AMW, and Lori believes that we can get the letter routed directly into John Walsh's hands.

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES called me and said that KVUE had asked for a large sum of money for use of their film footage on Rachel. The segment is going to be short, and the news coverage will be only around 15-20 seconds. Both U.M. and I feel the price is too steep, especially since I write this daily journal for KVUE.

Tonight I visited with my family at my parents' house. I told them about my new friends and how they will be helping with the search for Rachel. My sister Elaine helped proofread the letter that I wrote to John Walsh.

Saturday, June 15

My wife Janet and I attended a Search and Rescue training session at the old Austin airport put on by the Austin Police Department. A plane crash scenario was the situation.

The assignment was to search for any missing people, the plane's black box, and any other evidence that would help determine the cause of the crash. The search force consisted of several dog teams, one horseback team, and two walking teams. I was the team leader of walking team 2.

The team lead of team 1 and I divided up the search area where the walkers were assigned. Our team then began a grid search of our area. We found some airplane parts and a few other things.

Over the radio, I received a message from an FBI agent that a passenger was missing. The passenger was not confirmed as actually being on the flight previously. Our team then moved to a new area, and team 1 and my team combined.

At the beginning of the sweep, my team discovered the black box. The box is actually red/orange in color. Most of the box was buried. Team 1 checked inside a structure and found the missing survivor. The woman was incoherent, but it seemed that she was not seriously injured. The team 1 leader radioed for a paramedic.

We completed our grid search, and the exercise was over. We found almost all of the evidence that was in the search area. Everyone received a certificate for the training. Janet and I will attend a full day civil defense class, and then we will be prepared to work on disasters when called to do so.

Sunday, June 16

Today is Father's Day. I don't really feel like celebrating. After all, half of my children are missing. How can I celebrate that?

In the morning, I updated Rachel's web site. I also checked e-mails.

My wife Janet and daughter JoAnn took me to eat lunch at a local restaurant. For a few minutes I could forget what had happened. That is, until I looked over at the empty chair at our table.

After lunch, my friend JR came over and we worked on creating an updated clue log. The clue log contains leads turned into the Sheriff's Office from January, which were submitted by Texas EquuSearch, to the present, which are now submitted by me. Hopefully someday, the right clue will be added to that book. The clue that brings Rachel home to us.

KVUE came to our house to do an interview with Janet and me. They wanted us to discuss our offer to go to Utah and talk to Elizabeth Smart's parents and help out in any way that we can. The Smarts are entering the hardest part of the ordeal. The news media coverage and searches are slowing down. If the case becomes stale, the national media will leave completely.

In the evening, KEYE sent a team out to interview us on the same subject. It seems that a lot of people want us to go to Utah, but we don't want to go unless we are requested. We do not want to be a burden to the Smarts. They have enough to deal with now.

I had Rachel's flyer added to yet another missing persons' site. The Child Cybersearch site covers both the U.S. and Canada. Their site is: http://www.childcybersearch.com

Monday, June 17

The general manager of KVUE called me today. She wanted to explain the station's policy on providing video clips. They have had many people abuse the process in the past, so they set a hard rule with a minimum amount required before they will provide video clips. Although I believe most rules can have exceptions, I will respect their decision. After all, they have really done a lot to tell Rachel's story.

I talked to my friend Lori for quite a while today. She is lining up many people to help with Rachel's case. We both agreed that we are not just doing this for Rachel; we are doing it for every female in Central Texas.

If there is another Kenneth McDuff out there, we want him brought to justice. We don't want another girl or woman to go through what Rachel and Lori's sister Colleen Reed did. We have to find the animal!

My friend JR and I discussed the forming of a nonprofit organization. Something has to be done to place the reward fund into one of these. That is Rachel's money, and I want it kept in place for the reward and other expenses involved in the case. The forming of a nonprofit organization is another task that is on the long list of things to do. It seems like that list will never end.

Tuesday, June 18

Today was a pretty slow day. During lunch I found an Internet site that produces custom made bumper stickers for a reasonable price. I designed two versions and ordered a sample of each. Within an hour I received an e-mail that the stickers were made and in the mail. I can't believe how fast and easy it was. If they turn out well, I will order 250 of the best one.

I received a call from UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. They requested a videotape of Rachel's jogging route, a Georgetown city limits sign, and one of Rachel's flyers. I made the tape after work, and I will FEDEX the tape to them tomorrow.

When I was making the tape, I noticed that a lot of Rachel's flyers have been taken down. That really hurts. It's like people want to forget about her. Her disappearance is as painful to me now as it was in January.

Yesterday I sent an e-mail to Greg Allen, the father of Sabrina Allen. We both had a rough Father's Day with our daughters missing. He and I will probably met for lunch soon.

There will be a benefit on June 29 for Sabrina. You can read about Shop for Sabrina on her site.

Wednesday, June 19

I mailed the videotape of Rachel's jogging path and other clips to UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. They should receive it tomorrow. I don't know the exact date the segment will air yet.

My friend Lori called today. We discussed resources and actions that we think need to take place. I have the letter to John Walsh written and ready to go. Lori gave me an e-mail address to send it to. Hopefully it will get into Mr. Walsh's hands.

Janet and I met with the private investigator that we have enlisted. The investigator is interviewing our neighbors and Rachel's friends. I believe an active investigation is needed. The Sheriff's Office says they don't have very many leads to work on. I feel that the leads need to be sought out. Just waiting for people to call in and report things is not working.

Bill Bickel sent me an e-mail and said that his web page on Rachel received almost 4,000 hits last week. He is trying to get a magazine to publish his story on older missing persons and the lack of national media coverage for them. I appreciate all of his help in getting the word out.

My sister Elaine is hard at work forming our "Media and Special Events Team". The team will be responsible for keeping Rachel in the news. Five to eight people will make up the team. Four people have already signed up.

Thursday, June 20

I scheduled a search for this Saturday and sent the notification e-mails out yesterday. My friend JR called the people without e-mails. I have one area that we did not complete last search and another area that I want to re-search.

Janet and I scheduled another meeting with Lori Bible and People Against Violent Crime for Monday. We are going to refine our plans for the future.

I still want a task force assigned to Rachel's case, with FBI, Texas Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies included. The case needs to be escalated, and new leads need to be sought out. We cannot afford to wait until the next girl disappears.

The sample bumper stickers arrived in the mail today. On the sticker I designed with a yellow background, the picture of Rachel had a yellow tint on it. I decided to order all of the stickers with a white background so the picture quality is best. The order is submitted, and hopefully the stickers will arrive next week.

Friday, June 21

Greg Allen and I are scheduled to meet for lunch next Wednesday. I don't think that he has any news on his missing daughter Sabrina, but it will be good to talk with him again. My wife Janet may go to eat with us also.

Tomorrow's search is documented and ready to go. We will only have walking searchers this time.

There was some good news regarding the bumper stickers. The company upgraded the shipping to FEDEX ground, so we should receive them by Tuesday. A lot of people have already requested one of the stickers.

Saturday, June 22

The search this morning went well. Nine searchers attended, and we finished the two search areas before 11:00 a.m. That was good because the temperature was up to 90 degrees by then.

My sister Elaine has a meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon with our new Media and Special Events Team. We would like to do something to put Rachel back in the news. I think that it is important to keep her there and in the public eye.

I heard that over 100 investigators are assigned to the Elizabeth Smart case. Over 40 of those are from the FBI. I keep asking myself why Rachel is not as important as Elizabeth? They were both taken from their loving families, and they both need to be returned home. What is the difference? I don't see anything but 5 years difference in their ages. I can understand the national media favoring a younger person but not law enforcement. It is not right!

Sunday, June 23

I completed the organization of all of the search, interview, and other types of records. It will now be easier to find any particular item that we are looking for.

Members of the Internet forum, forumsforjustice.org, are flying in this Friday. My friend JR and I will have dinner with them Saturday night. Some of the members are from Utah and helped with the Elizabeth Smart search. Those members will also help with next Saturday's search for Rachel.

Monday, June 24

The first order of 250 bumper stickers arrived today. They look great! We will start giving them away to people immediately. The only thing that we ask is that if people take one of the stickers, they place it on their vehicle.

My wife Janet, cousin Lanny and I met with Lori and Verna Lee for over four hours tonight. We also met Thomas Ann Hines, who is the Director of Victim Services at People Against Violent Crime. While we were there, Ms. Hines contacted AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, and she FAXed AMW a letter from PAVC, Janet, and me requesting that they please run a story on Rachel.

We all agreed that a task force needs to be formed to find Rachel. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office does not agree because they say that there are not enough leads to keep a task force busy.

I stated that the task force should be out trying to dig up leads, not waiting for the leads to come to them. Our team is very concerned that another girl or young woman will suffer the same fate as Rachel. We must find the person or persons who took Rachel. We must find them before they strike again!

Both Lori and Verna Lee will attend Saturday night's dinner with members of forumsforjustice.org. The room should be filled with victims rights activists, victims, and others who volunteer to help out people like Janet and me. People who have been involved in some way with three different abduction cases will be there. Family and friends of Rachel Cooke, Colleen Reed, and Elizabeth Smart will be present.

My sister Elaine met with her Media and Special Events team for the first time tonight. They came up with three event ideas. Her team will meet again this week to refine the ideas.

Tuesday, June 25

I received an e-mail from another father this last weekend. The e-mail explained how his 15-year-old daughter was almost abducted from a friend's front yard in Taylor. His daughter was able to escape, and she got a description of the two men and the late model black pickup that they left in. I was relieved that his daughter got away from the two men.

For two days I have tried to confirm this e-mail. Today I found out that the e-mail was real, and that a composite sketch of each man has been released. We don't know if this attempted abduction is related to Rachel's abduction yet. It could be the same two guys, a copycat attempt, or totally unrelated.

What it does show is that there is a growing problem in Williamson County and in Central Texas, a problem which is just going to get worse if the perpetrators are not actively pursued. Young men and women in Texas need to have the same rights as those in Utah, California, Oregon and other states. Every available agency should be brought in to stop these perverts cold. They need to be brought to justice. We need the FBI, the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and anyone else available to do this.

It's time for the good people to take the community back. It's time for justice. It's time for normal law abiding citizens to prevail.

I met with our search and investigation team tonight. We have decided that the searches have covered most of what we needed to cover. The Rachel Cooke Search Organization is about to change its concentration from searches to getting a law enforcement cross agency task force formed. We are committed to that goal, and we will be enlisting over 100 other Williamson County residents from across the county to help with the task. Details about this movement will be announced soon.

Wednesday, June 26

Greg Allen and I met for lunch today. He is at a loss as to what to do next to find his daughter Sabrina. We talked about different ways that we could help each other, but unfortunately our two missing daughters' cases are so different. His daughter Sabrina was taken by her non-custodial mother, and my daughter Rachel was abducted by person(s) unknown.

Several of forumsforjustice.org members exchanged e-mails regarding the dinner that we are attending this Saturday night. The time and location have been set. I have invited members of People Against Violent Crime and my friend Lori to attend.

Verna Lee from People Against Violent Crime called me tonight. She will not be able to attend the dinner on Saturday night but her boss, Thomas Ann Hines, will attend in her place. One of the officers from Justice For All will probably also attend the dinner.

The Media and Special Events Team has recommended that a moment of silence be observed at 11:30 a.m. on July 10, 2002. That date and time will mark the six month anniversary of when Rachel was abducted. Janet and I have agreed that it is a good idea to recognize that date. My sister Elaine will notify the media.

I hate this. I hate having to have a moment of silence for my daughter who should be enjoying her life with her friends and family. It's not right!

Thursday, June 27

I took the afternoon off from work and attended the opening of a local shopping center. The organizer of the event wanted me to tell people that Rachel is still missing and how they can help. I handed out a few bumper stickers to people. I really appreciate their help.

People Against Violent Crime has offered the use of their office to hold a press conference at the Victims' Rights Dinner Saturday night. The conference will be held at 5:15 p.m. That location will be better than having the media at the restaurant.

Today we received a letter from the Child Protection Agency of America. They provided a list of over 40 businesses, newspapers, and organizations that they have sent Rachel's flyer to. They also included a copy of an Indiana newspaper that published Rachel's flyer.

Friday, June 28

My wife Janet and I met with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office. They have started to consider the idea of a task force to solve Rachel's case. Janet and I will give them our full support and will help in any way that we can with the task force.

We also talked with Lt. Cutler about the attempted abduction in Taylor. There are several similarities with Rachel's case. The biggest similarity is that the abduction attempt was in broad daylight. That is very unusual. The Sheriff's Office has been looking into the incident.

My friend JR and I met tonight with members of forumsforjustice.org. I showed them the INSIDE EDITION segment on Rachel and told them about the possible new task force. They were very pleased with the idea.

Saturday, June 29

A very large group of volunteer searchers attended the search today. There were 22 of us in all. I divided the people into three search teams. Several of the forumsforjustice.org members were present. We searched a street near our house and then moved on to another area.

Near the end of the search of the other area, Bobc, from Forums For Justice, found what appeared to be a large hole that been filled in with dirt and covered with rocks. It could have been something as simple as a perk drainage test or a grave.

I called the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and they sent out an investigator to look at the site. The investigator thought that the site merited looking into. He called Lt. Cutler, and they sent out a team. A few hours later they called me to let Janet and me know that it was not a grave. Their team had to work in the rain, and Janet and I felt for them.

Janet, my friend JR, and I met two television reporters at 4:30 p.m. They wanted to interview us before the victims' rights press conference.

The press conference began at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were members from People Against Violent Crime, Forums for Justice, Justice for All, Lori, Janet, and myself. All five Austin television stations were present. As usual, a member of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN did not attend.

Each organization gave a short description of what they do. Forums for Justice presented a $500 check to Janet and me for the continuing effort to find Rachel. They also reserved and paid for all of the Internet domain names for the Rachel Alert Network. The site will be www.RachelAlert.org.

Janet and I want to create a web site with information for families and friends of missing persons. Our goal is to make a single source place that contains information to view and download, as well as links to all of the organizations available to help with developing missing person flyers, performing searches, providing victims' rights, etc.

Many organizations have helped us, including Laura Recovery Center, Texas EquuSearch, People Against Violent Crime, Gabriel's Gifts, the Child Education Agency of America, forumsforjustice.org, and many other agencies. Janet and I want people to know that they exist and how to contact them.

The television media coverage of the press conference was fantastic. A mother who attempted to poison her children was the top story, but our story came soon afterwords. It is ironic how Janet and I are working so hard to get our daughter back, and this woman tried to kill her children.

Sunday, June 30

Today was a quiet day compared to the last several ones. I spent the day putting together some things to pass along to the Sheriff.

Bob, a member of forumsforjustice.org, said that he saw my wife Janet and me on CNN. No one else saw it, and Bob only saw the tail end of the report. I couldn't find anything about it in the cnn.com web site.

My friend Thad came over, and I gave him some of the bumper stickers. I ordered an additional 500 stickers because they are going pretty fast. I made a new design for 250 of them and used the original design on the rest of the 500 stickers.