What would you do?

Cindy Denning

Cindy Denning

Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
3,419
This is pretty serious and it haunts me sometime to think of this but this is the scenario and what would you do now? About 3 years ago there was a broadcast on the local newschannels about a young lady from a prominent family who was attending the University in Columbia, she was also a heroin addict. The story was that she was using her cell phone to call her parents about where she planned to be, and so on. She was never seen again and her car was found burned out by fire. Months later after a friend and I had attended church services on a Wenesday night we stopped by a resturant and was approached by a young lady that asked us if we had any money to spare...it was so cold outside and she had no coat, looked sick, and I said yes, no problem. She kept looking far off like someone was watching her. She hugged me to thank me and I kept asking her if she was ok and really, I was worried about her. This young lady matched the discription of the one that was missing and I just was not really sure if was she or wasn't she. 3 years have gone by and I still see her missing picture. What, if any, could you possibly do now?
 
Cindy,
About the only thing I can think of is to contact the detectives in charge of the case and tell them your story. I know it was a long time ago but maybe something about your story would relate to the initial investigation somehow. I know its a long shot but if nothing else you might find some peace for yourself knowing you did something.
 
You can't be sure whether or not the woman you saw was the missing woman, and it's not your job to find out whether she was or not. All you can do is report what you saw.
 
Thanks for the replys, I have been on SC Sled website, missing persons website and see nothing. I live in one county, she was reported missing in the next county so I guess I'd go into Columbia. My neighbor that was with me that night can attest to this since the young lady approached us both.
 
Definitely let them know. Just the possibility that she's alive could start them looking again, and given her circumstances, she might not be hard to find.
 
I went to the police department this morning and talked to a policewoman who said to come back next Monday to talk to investigators, she said that there was so much of a shift change in the department...she knew nothing of the case herself. I said well won't they be here sooner than that and I told her I would be back this Thursday. Wish me luck.
 
Good luck. That's a very strange story. I hope things work out for the best.

~ashes
 
That's the result of a terrible personal experience I had many years ago. I was working in my first job in a law office in W.P.B., FL. We had a client we represented on a petty drug charge. Every day he came in with a list of tags off of motor vehicles telling us that he was being followed. He wanted to know the names of the confidential informant as well. We filed motions, and I turned the tags over to our investigator. Privately, no one took the man too seriously. He was always disheveled and came across as a bit paranoid. Hearings came and went with no appearance from our client. His bondsman called me to find out what was happening. He told me he was sending people out to find him. I sent letters that went unanswered. A month or two later, I was watching the news with my roommates when I hear our client's name. His body was found under a pile of refuse on his Loxahatchee property. In hindsight, I don't see how I could've helped him. But, I learned to take people and situations more seriously. I'd rather say something, try to help and be wrong, than ignore it, keep my mouth shut and be right. Maybe they'll think you're crazy. Then again, maybe you're right. Good luck. Let us know what happens.
 
Cindy,
if these things haunt you for years, your're a very good person, but there's no reason why you should limit yourself to regrets and wondering.... you could make use of your time to go beyond this one personal case and take this as the starting point of community/social work on such cases, be it via the Church, be it via help groups etc....
best,
t.
 
Thank you Tritstam, that was very nice of you and yes I do get involved with homeless missions very much, contribute clothing, food, money too when I can afford to. You wouldn't believe, out where we live way down in between acres of cotton fields there is a homeless shelter I spend at least 2 days there called There Is Hope and at times sit with them in the church on Sunday mornings...this place is growing and I hope to be more as involved as possible.
 
Never doubted you would do these things, Cindy,
and isn't it good to know there's this hands-on way to channel a bit of the sadness...
keep up the good work,
t.
 
lostcaveman said:
If she wanted to go back to her home see would on her own, so you should not feel bad.
Click to expand...
I wish I could really answer that, the police think it was an abduction and wish I could put 2 plus 2 together but if this girl was the same one, she kept looking far off as if someone was watching her. Did talk to the police in the county she was reported missing from and don't know if there's any hope or not. Thank you lostcaveman, and hey...are we related? :) Cavelady
 
as sad as it may sound..many of these people do not want help. I have helped many people. Take for instance the homeless. Most do not want to be homeless some want to find work and improve thier situation. However many are homeless because they feel that the world owes them something and they look for a handout these people are harder to help because you have to change thier thought process. And a fewer yet..prefer to be homeless those are the type of people you cant help.

The girl who asked you for money wasnt looking away at someone down the street stalking her. She was stoned on Heroin. The rolling stones sung a song about it.."the girl with far away eyes" Maybe she wanted help..maybe not..but dont do good deeds out of a sense of guilt Cindy. Do it out of a sense of joy. and always know..some you can help. Others you cannot.

Ren
 
Agree with all of the above and if you can get someone at the reporting Agency to pull up a photograph of that person, maybe that will help with the mystery.

The missing person may look very different now than they did at the time they disappeared, but one thing to look at is............the nose. The nose and eyes will often tell the tale.

Also, don't give them money or rides! Experienced street folks can get food or shelter if they want it. Money will go straight to an addiction and you don't want anyone in your car who might be suffering from either a physical or drug-induced mental illness. Although many homeless people are harmless, things could get very dicey in your car and you don't want that! Don't become a missing person yourself....................
 
Ren, what you said about the far off look just absolutly jiltted me to the bone. I bet you are right. I don't know the drug or it's tendancies. I'm freaking that I bet that was the case. Mudflap, no I don't let anybody ride with me. Thanks.
 
You're a good soul, Cindy. I'm going to vote for: Contact the authorities and let your conscience rest. I've been volunteering for the bulk of my life, and Ren speaks the truth. It's damn near impossible to help people who don't want to be helped.

I know it sucks when people are obviously in need, but believe me when I say that there are just as many people in need who will meet you halfway.
 
Word back Cindy! Any news? It's good to have folks like you (and Ren, I guess ;) ) with a moral conscience on the Forum. A lot of folks would have dismissed it long ago. Carry on and let us know how it's going.

j
 
http://www.angelfire.com/mi3/mpccn/pmerchant.html You all are very kind and please take a look and see this child, she is half my age so I can say that, the last picture to the right is what I can only remember of a young lady who was very sick and very much in trouble. I just wish I would have thought to ask "what is your name?" Take it from me, the wondering is not pleasant.
 
One more comment and I'm out of here, I would like to thank Cougar Allen for instilling the courage in me to go ahead and report this. Without the words you all stated about doing the right thing...I carried with me. I think highly of all of the forum members and do believe you all have a heart of gold. Truly grateful for all of you. Thank you.
 
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