Cards Could Hold Clues to Cold Cases

Cards Could Hold Clues to Cold Cases

Feb 23, 2009

Cards could bring new clues to two area cold cases.

Playing cards with pictures of missing persons and murder victims are being given to Missouri's prison inmates.

It's part of a new program by the highway patrol to get new leads on cold cases.

The disappearance of Branson Perry and unsolved murder of Therese Campen will be featured.

"Hopefully someone who is being incarcerated may have information about some of these crimes," said Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Sheldon Lyon. "There are many crimes of these types in the state and we're hoping by inmates using these cards that information will come forward."

Similar programs have helped solve old cases throughout the country.

5,000 decks will begin going out to Missouri's prisons.

Still searching- David Lohr Article-Investigation Discovery

Still searching

By KARA MURPHY
kara.murphy@timesnews.com

David Lohr of Albion is involved in investigative research and missing persons. Lohr volunteers with EquuSearch, a group of volunteers to look for missing persons, and also works for the Discovery Channel in a show called Investigation Discovery. Photo taken Dec. 26,2008


ALBION -- In the photos, one woman is wearing a floral blouse. Another has blue eyes that sparkle. A third, his red hair cut short, is wearing a suit and tie for his class photo.

They're all smiling.
They're all missing.

"They've all got a heartbreaking story," said David Lohr, 34, who is surrounded by posters of missing people at his office in Albion.
Lohr writes from his office about the missing and the dead on a blog called "Criminal Report Daily" for ID: Investigation Discovery, a 1-year-old digital cable channel that features true crime programs.

He spends his day researching and investigating unsolved cases.
Many of the stories catch at his heart. Which is why he's taken his interest in writing and researching crime a step further to involvement with the group Texas EquuSearch, a team that has aided in high-profile searches for missing teen Natalee Holloway and, more recently, for toddler Caylee Anthony, whose remains were recovered this month in Florida.

Lohr traveled with Texas EquuSearch to Florida to aid in the search for Caylee.

He was among the searchers who came close to the little girl's body, only to be turned away by knee-high water that had covered the wooded region.
"She was just 300 feet to the left of us," he said.
His interest in crime dates back to childhood.
"When other friends were buying GI Joe magazines, I was buying True Detective," he said.

After graduating from Northwestern High School, Lohr joined the Army. When he was discharged three years later, he returned to Albion and began his own Web site featuring serial killers.

In 1999, the Web site caught the eye of Marilyn Bardsley, then the executive director for Court TV's Crime Library. She asked him to write for Court TV's Web site. He worked for the Web site until 2007.
"He's a very good researcher," Bardsley said. "He's smart, he's determined, and he's clever. Plus he's good at writing. It's a good combination."

On some days, Bardsley said Lohr could ante up 300,000 hits on his blog.
"He's just good at getting people engaged," she said.
Lohr said some of his favorite subjects are the missing people that don't garner the attention of the likes of Nancy Grace and the morning news shows.
"A lot of them don't get the ongoing attention, the publicity that keeps their cases alive," he said.

That's why he keeps the pictures of Corrie Anderson, Jesse Ross, Linda Little, Ahren Barnard, Carlos Diaz, Brandy Hanna and Branson Perry posted in his office.

They remind him of who is still out there.

"GOOD NEWS! BRANSON IS ON ONE OF THE CARDS IN THESE PLAYING CARD DECKS!!!!"

Missouri Missing Persons/Unsolved Homicides Playing Card Decks
Current mood: hopeful
Category: loved News and Politics

"GOOD NEWS! BRANSON IS ON ONE OF THE CARDS IN THESE PLAYING CARD DECKS!!!!"

http://www. bransonperry. com

___________________

Patrol Announces Playing Card Initiative

News Release

For further information please contact: Sgt.
Jason Clark
(573) 522-0980
DDCC01072009
January 07, 2009

EMPHASIS: Playing Card Initiative

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces a playing card initiative will begin February 1, 2009. This initiative targets inmates that are currently incarcerated in county jails and the Missouri Department of Corrections facilities. These customized playing cards will be distributed featuring unsolved homicides, missing persons, wanted fugitive photos, and case profiles with the hope they generate new tips related to the cases indicated on each card.


The Missouri State Highway Patrol has partnered with the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Bass Pro Shops, and One Missing Link Inc., to provide these cards to inmates who may have crucial information that will assist law enforcement with many cold cases throughout the state. The Missing Persons Unit and Violent Crime Support Unit, within the Division of Drug and Crime Control, developed these cards, which feature cold cases from more than 30 law enforcement agencies and communities from around the state of Missouri.


Initially, 5,000 decks will be distributed to key areas of the state. It is our hope this project will develop new leads and intelligence regarding these crimes, which have affected families, communities, and law enforcement agencies throughout Missouri for many years.


Other agencies from around the country have distributed customized playing cards with effective results. We encourage any agency that would like to have a case featured on possible future decks, or would like to become involved with this endeavor, to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Violent Crime Support Unit.

Benefit Helps Solve Murder & Missing Person Cases

10/04/08

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - If you know something, say something. That's the message from local parents at a fundraiser for murdered and missing children.

Dozens joined together in Kansas City Saturday afternoon for the 65-mile benefit ride and poker run.

Organizers say the third annual ride drew the biggest crowd yet.

Parents welcomed the support but say nothing can take away their pain.

"In a way every day is a bad day because you just want to make up one day and not miss them so much and that's never going to happen," said Misty Kirwan.

Misty's son, 21-year-old Chris Bartholomew, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Westport last spring. But he wasn't the target.

"His killers are still walking the streets and nobody's talking," she said.

Becky Klino hasn't seen her son for seven and a half years. Branson Perry was last seen outside his father's home in Skidmore, Missouri.

"Branson had a heart of gold," said Becky.

Knowing Branson could be alive keeps Becky going.

"Chances are real slim and that's the hardest thing, but you have to keep believing."

Branson's stepfather drives a special van everyday. It has a picture of his son on one side and Chris Bartholomew on the other.




It keeps their faces fresh in the public eye. It's also a reminder that a senseless crime can happen to anyone.

"You don't know what's behind somebody's face. You don't know what's going to happen when you drive down the street. And it's scary," said Becky.

Branson Perry reward recently doubled to $20,000. Chris Bartholomew's reward is $30,000.

Billboards publicize Branson Perry case in St. Joe

Perry is a young man who disappeared several years ago from Skidmore, Mo. Lamar Advertising has donated a couple of billboards in St. Joseph to help publicize his story.


*ONE IS ON GENE FIELD ROAD AND ONE ON SHERMAN.

Up To $20,000.00 , for information leading
to the whereabouts of Branson Perry
and/or the arrest and conviction of the person and/or persons responsible for his disappearance.