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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Thursday, May 1, 2003

Greg Allen, the father of missing Sabrina Allen, and I had lunch together today. Greg is about to take a huge step in the search for Sabrina. I will give more details about this step in a few weeks. Some things cannot be announced to the public until they happen.

My sister Elaine and I filled 400 of the packets for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. Greg gave me 500 of Sabrina's missing flyers, which we included in the packets.

KEYE NEWS changed the story they ran tonight to really focus on Rachel Alert Network. It was a very good report and was shown on their 10:00 p.m. news.

I will be on the KXAN First Cast show tomorrow morning to talk about the run/walk. The live segment will probably be between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m.

Friday, May 2

We have several agencies who have committed to setting up a booth at the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. So far Travis County Search and Rescue, Texas EquuSearch, People Against Violent Crime, SafePlace, Gabriel's Gifts, Forums for Justice, and BACA have all signed up.

I prepared another 100 packets for the Run/Walk for Rachel. Half of the 1,000 packets are ready to go. Now we just need people!

Saturday, May 3

I got up early this morning to drive down to the KXAN studio. I was a guest on their morning First Cast show. It is a good way to promote the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel.

We still need a lot of people to register for the race. People wishing to pay by credit card need to do so before Wednesday, May 14. We will not be accepting credit cards at the RunTex pre-registration on May 15 and 16, or at the race on May 17.

Sunday, May 4

My friend Marie and I drove to Santa Fe, Texas, today. Texas EquuSearch had their annual auction and concert in Santa Fe. The headliner band was Cowboy's Nightmare. They were excellent.

The bidders were very generous at the auction. A lot of the items went for over their value. TES also received several cash donations.

I also presented Tim Miller, the director of Texas EquuSearch, with the check from the Music for the Missing Concert. I will present Travis County Search and Rescue's check later this week. I know both organizations will put the money to good use.

Monday, May 5

I attended a morning session on the Victims' Compensation Fund at the TDCJ Crime Victims' Clearing House Conference. The fund is in place to help crime victims and their families when expenses are not covered by other sources, such as insurance.

I will be attending more of the conference this week. There are some good seminars available to help with Rachel's case as well as those of other missing persons.

KEYE NEWS called tonight. They want to interview my wife Janet and me tomorrow about the State of Texas DNA Database. We will probably do the interview in the afternoon at the Victims' Rights Conference before the victims' remembrance ceremony.

Some jerk called my house tonight and asked for Rachel. When I asked for his name and phone number, he started giving me a hard time. I figured it was one of Rachel's creditors, and so I told him Rachel has been missing for 16 months. His reply was "Oh, good one". I was so mad, I was shaking. I will not be answering any more phone calls when the caller ID is blocked or unknown.Those calls can be picked up by voicemail.

Tuesday, May 6

I attended the afternoon sessions of the TDCJ Crime Victims' Conference. At 3:30 my wife Janet and I took part in the Victims' Remembrance. Candles were lit for homicide victims, DWI victims, and others. Janet and I lit a candle for Rachel and the rest of the missing.

KEYE NEWS interviewed Janet and me at the conference about the State of Texas DNA Database. The segment will air next Monday.

We need more people to register for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. People are always asking me how they can help. Well, here it is. For $20 you get a T-shirt, a nice meal from Outback Steakhouse, and a chance to exercise and visit a lot of helpful organizations' booths. Come out and walk a half mile or the full 3.2 miles. It doesn't matter.

We will only accept credit cards until Wednesday, May 14. Please visit rachelcookesearch.org/run and register today.

On May 15 and 16, Run/Walk representatives will be at the Riverside and Round Rock RunTex stores to register new participants and hand out packets to those who mailed in registrations or registered on-line. We will accept cash and checks on those two days as well as on May 17 at OLD SETTLERS PARK.

Wednesday, May 7

Today I attended the TDCJ Crime Victims' Conference all day. The first session was very rewarding. Dr. Marilyn Peterson Armour from the University of Texas at Austin presented "Families of Homicide Victims: Understanding the Post Homicide Experience".

Dr. Peterson interviewed several families of homicide victims and documented what they said. She grouped the answers into several categories, such as living in a nightmare and having friends and family who don't approach you anymore. These are several of the things I've documented in my journal that happen to families of missing persons. Having a missing family member is very similar to having a loved one murdered.

In the afternoon I attended a seminar on the new Victim Identification Notification Everyday System the State of Texas is activating. VINE allows victims of criminal attacks to check on the status of the offender who is in prison for attacking them. The system even allows victims to register to be automatically notified when an inmate's status is changed. If a violent criminal is released or escapes, the victim may be in danger. VINE notifies the victim in case he or she wants to take any protective measures.

Thursday, May 8

I spent the day again at the TDCJ Crime Victims' Conference. I attended a session on the Texas Missing Persons' Clearinghouse and a session called "Raking Leaves in the Wind" with Herbert and Emma Jo Snyder. The Snyders' son was murdered by his brother-in-law several years ago. The Snyders told the story of how they each handled his death differently.

An awards banquet was held at noon. My friend Verna Lee Carr from People Against Violent Crime won an award for her ten-plus years of service helping victims. It is a much deserved award for her.

In the afternoon I attended a session held by Ellen Halbert and Linda White. Ms. White's daughter Linda was abducted, raped, and murdered by two 15-year-old boys. After 15 years Ms. White and her granddaughter, Linda's daughter, decided they wanted to meet with one of the murderers of Linda. Ms. Halbert is a State of Texas mediator for the victim/ offender meetings. Court TV documented a full year's preparations, which involved Linda White, her granddaughter, one of the offenders, and Ellen Halbert. The 45-minute program showed the whole process, including parts of the actual 8 hour meeting.

My friend Greg Allen sent me an e-mail and said his missing daughter Sabrina's story will be on AMERICA'S MOST WANTED this Saturday night. I believe it will be the same one they showed before, but it is worth watching.

Friday, May 9

This morning was the last of the TDCJ Crime Victims' Conference. I attended two sessions. The first session, "Stalkers and Their Victims", was presented by Dr Eric Hickey. Dr. Hickey discussed the different types of stalkers and gave some "real life" examples. Dr. Hickey has also participated in a new television pilot called "PREDATORS". The pilot is complete, and the producer is marketing it to networks such as Court TV and Lifetime.

The second session I attended was on the State of Texas medical treatment program for certain sexual predators after their release from prison. The "worst of the worst" sexual predators are placed in an out patient program where they are counseled and monitored. The program is very good, but it is only funded to add 15 new participants per year. I think there are many more of these offenders who should be monitored.

Tonight my friends JR and Marie and I drove to Taylor to visit with Valany Gonzales' children. This is the first time we've met since her son Gabriel confessed to her murder. I think it helped all of us to talk about it. Her other son and two daughters have to live with the loss of two family members.

We are still about 100 registrations behind on the Run/Walk for Rachel compared to last year. The race is next weekend on May 17. Please register. If you pay and can't attend, notify us and we will send you a T-shirt and bib number. The money is going to a good cause, and this is a simple way readers of my journal can help.

Saturday, May 10

Today is Rachel's 21st birthday. A small group of friends and family met at Rachel's Tree for a short ceremony. Happy birthday, Rachel. We love you!

Sunday, May 11

The 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel T-shirts are here. They were designed by my wife Janet and are beautiful. People can pick up packets and T-shirts this Thursday and Friday, May 15 and 16, at the Riverside and Round Rock RunTex stores between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The packets and T-shirts will also be available at the Run/Walk on May 17.

I visited with my mother and grandmother today for Mother's Day. We were able to spend some quiet time together.

Monday, May 12

I started entering the Run/Walk for Rachel entries into a spreadsheet today. Doing this makes it easier during packet pickup.

All of the packets are ready to go for this Thursday and Friday when we will have representatives at the Riverside and Round Rock RunTex stores. This year's packets include an information sheet, one of Rachel's missing person flyers, and one or more flyers of missing Kent Jacobs, Sabrina Allen, and/or Shawn Hornbeck.

KEYE NEWS aired the segment they filmed last week on the State of Texas DNA Database. The story was three minutes long and included a lot of the video of Rachel I gave them. It also showed the DNA lab in Fort Worth.

Tuesday, May 13

I did a taped interview with KVUE today about the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. The interview will be shown on KVUE's Daybreak Show this Friday.

My sister Elaine and I started the final "to do" list for the Run/Walk. We have several items left to do before Saturday, but we are in pretty good shape.

One final reminder-tomorrow will be the last day to pre-register on the web. Registrations will still be accepted at the Riverside and Round Rock RunTex stores this Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday at OLD SETTLERS PARK.

Wednesday, May 14

I did a quick taped interview with NEWS 8 AUSTIN today. They will show the interview about the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel throughout the day tomorrow.

I talked with both RunTex and Round Rock Park and Recreation today. We discussed the final steps that need to completed before the Run/Walk starts.

Packet pick-up for the Run/Walk begins tomorrow and continues Friday at the Riverside and Round Rock La Frontera RunTex stores. Representatives will be distributing packets and registering new participants between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 15

I had to be at the FOX 7 studio early this morning to be a guest on their morning show. Around 6:00 a.m. I told their viewing audience about the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel.

At 8:30 a.m., I met a KXAN News team at the Gazebo on Auditorium Shores. They recorded a news segment about the Run/Walk which will be shown on their FirstCast Morning Show tomorrow.

At 10:00 a.m., I met our helper at the Riverside RunTex and briefed her on Run/Walk packet pick-up and how to sell new registrations. My parents and sister Elaine were staffing the Round Rock RunTex store, and I stopped in there after I left South Austin.

We have not had a lot of competitive runners register for the race. The odds for winning a medal are really good. For more information on the Run/Walk go to rachelcookesearch.org/run.

Friday, May 16

This morning's interview with KEYE fell through, so Rachel's boyfriend Greg and I drove to the Round Rock RunTex store and delivered some large Run/Walk for Rachel T-shirts. Later we delivered some large T-shirts to the Riverside RunTex store. The large sizes were in big demand this year.

Tonight we had some last minute complications with the catering and course markings. We checked with everyone several times throughout the past few weeks and there should have been no complications, but I guess there are always a few.

Saturday, May 17

Rachel's boyfriend Greg and I got up at 4:00 a.m. to start our long day. It was 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel day. We drove to Old Settlers Park in Round Rock and started setting up everything for the race.

My brother-in-law Bob was the first to arrive to help and then other friends and family, Travis County Search and Rescue, and Bikers Against Violent Crime came. The registration tables were up and running by 7:00 a.m. and people began to arrive. The RunTex crew set up the start and finish line.

Air Visuals placed several large balloon bouquets around the area, and we hung Run/Walk for Rachel signs. Krispy Kream donated several dozen donuts.

The race began at 8:05 a.m. after a prayer by my brother David and the singing of the STAR SPANGLED BANNER by my cousin Charlotte. The first runner, Chris Vidrine, crossed the finish line in under 17 minutes. Our first female runner, Sarah Ross, finished in under 20 minutes. My wife Janet and I were so proud to have Sarah finish first because she ran cross-country with Rachel for years and she has always been a good friend.

We made some mistakes in calculating the female 15-19 and 40-49 age groups, but I have corrected them and the results are posted on rachelcookesearch.org/run.

Sunday, May 18

One of the best memories from yesterday's Run/Walk was when a Biker Against Child Abuse member took my wife Janet for a ride on his motorcycle. "Scat" told me they leathered her up before she got on. This included a vest, gloves, and other items. I will post a picture on rachelcookesearch.org soon.

A quick count shows we had 402 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel registrations. My goal was 500. We came very close to 500. Around 350 participated in the race. The other 50 or so who registererd were people who volunteered to work at the race or couldn't attend.

Rachel's boyfriend Greg and I visited with Kent Jacobs' sister Jackie and friends Marie and JR. Both Greg and Jackie fly home tomorrow. I will miss both of them.

Monday, May 19

I took Rachel's boyfriend Greg to see Rachel's Tree last night. We were both pretty emotional over it. I get the same feeling there as I do when I look at the Rachel Board. It's almost like I can feel Rachel's presence.

Greg flew back to San Diego this afternoon. He was a big help with the Run/Walk and I will miss him.

I took the unclaimed medals from the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel to the Round Rock RunTex store. Winners may pick up their medals there any day this week between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 20

Things have calmed down a little today. Doing benefits always take a lot of time and effort, but they're worth it. There are just a few things left to finish up the Run/Walk for Rachel benefit. The benefits raise both money and awareness for Rachel and other missing persons.

Our daughter JoAnn graduates from high school this next weekend. She has already been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin and has registered for three summer classes. We are so proud of her.

Wednesday, May 21

I added a few more pictures of the Run/Walk for Rachel on Rachel's web site. There are a total of 15 pictures of the Run/Walk on the site now. To view the pictures, go to rachelcookesearch.org/run.

I spoke with Round Rock Parks and Recreation this afternoon. We are reserving Old Settlers Park for Saturday, May 15, next year for the 2004 Run/Walk for Rachel. This should give us plenty of time to get sponsors. I've already talked to RunTex, and they are going to consider sponsoring us again.

An eight-year-old boy was missing in Williamson County.He disappeared after getting off a school bus this afternoon. I spoke with several individuals and there were search teams standing by. The boy was found shortly after 10 p.m. There is not much more information on him available yet.

Thursday, May 22

It looks like May 15, 2003, is the best day to reserve Old Settlers Park for next year's Run/Walk for Rachel. We will start working on sponsors now.

I added another web page of pictures of the Run/Walk. This time I remembered to add the one of my wife Janet on the back of a BACA member's bike.

The 8-year-old boy who disappeared yesterday was found by a search volunteer. The boy seems to have gotten disoriented after he got off of the school bus. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office issued a Rachel Alert. An Amber Alert could not be issued because there was no evidence of an abduction, which is a requirement of the Amber Alert.

Friday, May 23

Today was a pretty slow day. I entered some of the Run/Walk records into the spreadsheet we keep. Next year I think I will request some data entry volunteers to enter people into the spreadsheet as they register on race day. This will make posting the results faster.

I received a couple of nice e-mails from Darrell LaMoure. Mr. LaMoure is the NASCAR driver who puts pictures of missing persons on the hood of his race car. Rachel was featured on his car on November 7, 2002. He is such a nice man and is helping a lot with missing person awareness. I told Darrell his race car picture with Rachel is still featured on the home page of rachelcookesearch.org.

Saturday, May 24

Our daughter JoAnn graduated from high school today. Our family attended the ceremony at Eagle Field in Georgetown. JoAnn is already registered for summer classes at the University of Texas at Austin.

Sunday, May 25

We already have our first sponsor for the 2004 Run/Walk for Rachel. Air Visuals of Round Rock will be providing balloons again next year. I will post a web page with requests for the other types of sponsors and volunteers we will need.

An Amber Alert was issued for a 5-year-old Deer Park, Texas, boy yesterday. He was later found in a neighbor's swimming pool. It looks now like he left his house on his own through an unlocked window and drowned by accident. My heart goes out to his family.

I reviewed some of the television news stories on Rachel last night. Probably the best story this year was one done by KEYE NEWS on the Texas DNA database. KVUE's story on Rachel's Tree is a close second.

Keeping Rachel in the news is so important. I know at least one person knows something. I want that person to know we are not going away. I am not going away.

Monday, May 26

I caught up with my journal entries today. Now that the Run/Walk is over, I need to finish the non-profit forms and mail them to the IRS. I put that on hold during the Music for the Missing Concert and the Run/Walk for Rachel.

I bought some more of Rachel's buttons to distribute to people. The buttons seem to work better than the bumper stickers. I don't see a lot of Rachel's bumper stickers on cars even though we've given out over 1,000 of them.

Tuesday, May 27

Several of us have decided to do a small search this weekend. There is an area of concern which I want to check out. Even though we have stopped the formal searches, sometimes we still check out areas.

We are still selling the Friends of Kristen Modaferri cookbooks with Rachel on the front. They are $15 (plus $2 shipping). The money goes to help the families of missing adults. People can e-mail rachelalert@yahoo.com for more details.

Wednesday, May 28

An arrest was made in the Baton Rouge serial killings today. The suspect's DNA was found at at least one of the crime scenes. I can't help wondering if that man could have been in Central Texas in January, 2002, when Rachel disappeared. I'm going to request that the Williamson County Sheriff's Office look into the suspect.

I received an e-mail from Verna Lee Carr with People Against Violent Crime. She informed me that Texas House Bill 1895 passed. The bill provides additional funding for the State of Texas Victims' Compensation Fund for funeral expenses of murder victims. This is great news for the victims' families.

Thursday, May 29

We are working on a big project at the office this week. I have been concentrating on it all week and haven't been able to do much with Rachel's case.

We are still set up to do a search this Saturday morning. This time we are just using a handful of people. It's mostly driving and checking areas.

Friday, May 30

I made some last minute checks with volunteers who are coming to tomorrow's search. We will begin the search at 9:00 a.m. Hopefully it won't get hot until the afternoon.

Saturday, May 31

Our search began today at 9:00 a.m. My friend JR and I took one search area and Charlie and John took the other. John is our best "tunnel rat". He is sent into the worst tunnels and culverts.

JR and I finished up around 11:00 a.m., but Charlie and John wanted to continue with some other areas they were concerned with. John called me around 4:00 p.m. with a report of where they searched.