Monthly Archives: December 2018

Cold Case Quest

Cold Case Quest: Amanda and Carolyn Adams

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Carolyn Adams

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Law-Enforcement/Investigator/Cold-Case/Homicides/Adams-(1)

This post started out as something completely different. The real story is possibly more interesting than I originally imagined.

In July 1986, Amanda Adams was kidnapped in Columbus, Ohio. Her body was found near her house 9 days later. She was approximately four years old.

On July 16, 1986, Amanda’s mother, Carolyn Adams, was found under a bridge about 3-4 miles from where she was last seen alive.

There was a suspect. He also committed suicide in July 1986. It seems that the investigation came to a standstill after his death. Why couldn’t they find anything to clear his name or officially name him as the culprit?

There was a newspaper article that said the police could not afford to follow him around. Why wouldn’t they follow someone that was suspected of two murders? I bet that they could have found someone to follow the guy around for free if it meant that they could have arrested a murderer. Was the guys family influential or wealthy?

Unfortunately, the police hit a wall after the suspect’s suicide and now the case is cold. Why didn’t they follow up? Amanda and Carolyn’s cases are on the Ohio Attorney General’s list of open homicides.

The homicides also happened before DNA was used to solve criminal investigations.

This case needs a fresh set of eyes. Someone could look at whatever trace evidence is available. If there was any DNA, then the police could finally solve this mystery after 32 years.

The family of a little girl and her mother deserve whatever closure that solving the investigation can bring.

Music, music review

Sleep Deprived Music Review: Angelo De Augustine

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My mom and I do not have similar taste in music. However, I think I have found an album that we both could agree on – Tomb by Angelo De Augustine. So now there are maybe three acts that we like: Peter, Paul and Mary, Queen and Angelo De Augustine.

Unfortunately, singer/songwriters are underrated. There’s a formula for making a popular song but I don’t think it necessarily makes it a good song. I still enjoy listening to musicians that write their own music more than just about anyone.

De Augustine’s sound is pretty pared down. It’s his voice, a guitar or maybe a piano and that’s it. Personally, I like how he sounds without all of the extras. My favorite songs on the album are “You Needed Love I Needed You” and “Time.”

If you get a chance, listen to the Tomb album when it comes out on January 11. Until then you can listen to De Augustine on YouTube or bandcamp. Maybe you could listen to it with your maternal figure over the holidays.

https://angelodeaugustine.bandcamp.com/

Book review, Books

Josephine Baker’s Last Dance: #bookreview

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Ever since I first heard Josephine Baker’s name, her story has captured my attention. So when Josephine Baker’s Last Dance by Sherry Jones became available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. 

The book is historical fiction but there is some truth to the story. It’s told from Baker’s point of view based on interviews and other documents. 

Some people didn’t think she was anything special. Those people were wrong. Not only was Josephine Baker was a talented dancer and singer, but she was also a pilot and human rights activist. Did you know that Baker had a pet cheetah, Chiquita? 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/j/josephine-baker/

Even if nothing in the book was true, it was enjoyable to read. Of course, most of the details were true so it was fascinating to learn about Josephine Baker. It makes me wish I had been alive during the 1920s in Paris to see her perform. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. 

If you are interested in Josephine Baker’s Last Dance, you can find it at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501102443/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1501102443&linkCode=as2&tag=netg01-20

Cold Case Quest

Cold Case Quest: Carin Q. White

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The picture of Carin White on the Ohio Attorney General website doesn’t really represent her very well. It looks like a mugshot. I’m not sure when criminalizing the victim started but it’s way past time for it to stop. 

Luckily, there’s a better picture of Carin White to show you. She was a human being and should be shown in that way. 

I didn’t know her or her friend, DeWayne Johnson. She has many, many friends and family members that want this case to be solved. 

I’ve been reading through some case files. The police seemed so close to solving this case but it’s still listed as unsolved. 

Carin “Woo Woo” White and DeWayne Johnson were shot while at White’s home on January 6, 2010. At first, the Dayton Police suspected that it could be a murder/suicide. The coroner’s office said that it was, in fact, a double homicide. 

The police had a possible suspect and a gun but then nothing else happened. The last thing that was reported was that the gun was being sent off to the lab for testing.

It’s coming up on the 9th anniversary of the murders. What happened to the test results? What else is keeping this case from being solved? 

If anyone has any information, please contact https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Law-Enforcement/Investigator/Cold-Case/Homicides/White-(7). 

Any detail- big or small- could solve this case. It would be a shame to leave White and Johnson’s case as a cold case file. 

Links:

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime–law/two-found-shot-dead-home-identified/6zv6DBxHhfFAGzUuRuvv6N/

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime–law/new-efforts-dayton-police-getting-results-unsolved-homicide-cases/eoUvf8qm9T3xEuDDIESiFK/

https://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/dayton/carin-white-condolences/138480770?cid=full

Blog, interview, Music, music blog

Interview with . . . The Cryptkeeper 5

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Occasionally, a band will have a description in their “About Me” section that is accurate – even if it’s just one line. The Cryptkeeper 5’s about section says: We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. 

You probably recognize the quote from Willy Wonka. It’s also the first line of a poem – “Ode” by Arthur O’Shaughnessy. 

So what does all of this say about The Cryptkeeper 5? Besides being music makers and dreamers, at least one of them has a good sense of humor. Johnny, vocalist and guitarist, took a short break from music making to answer a few questions. 

Where was your first show?

You know what? I honestly can’t remember! It was most likely a firehouse hall, VFW hall or an Elks lodge. We, when we first started, would rent out halls and threw a lot of shows. Unfortunately, kids don’t do that any more.

What gives you the creeps?

Hmmm??? When you’re using a public restroom and someone starts heavy hot breathing on the back of your neck.

Do you know the words to the “Who’s the Boss?” theme song?

Haha. No. BUT it’s never too late to learn it.

What would you do if you had Tony Danza’s phone number? Do you have it already?

Haha. I do actually have his number. I have a friend, who has a friend, who sat next to him at a bar. He was less than nice, so… when Tony got up to use the bathroom, leaving his phone at the bar, he called himself with Tony’s phone. Now we have Tony Danza number. I call it sometimes when I’ve drank too much. Haha

What do you love about New Jersey?

It’s home.

Where can people buy Johnny’s artwork? Someone needs that Bride of Frankenstein painting.


Hah. Just private message me on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=537272725

What do you want people to know about The Cryptkeeper 5?


We’re releasing The Stronghold (our last album) on Say-10 Records. We’re really proud of it.You can find it everywhere. Please go give it a listen.

Watch their video for “1,000 Keys” on YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsbFaCYMTHU

https://cryptkeeperfive.com/home

Cool dudes that send me cool music: http://www.earshotmedia.com/

Blog, Book review, Books

The Poisoned City: #bookreview

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Humans need five basic things to survive: air, shelter, food, sleep and water. If any of these things are not up to standards, we will become ill at the very least.  

Air pollution, spoiled food, insufficient sleep, houses with mold and toxic water are just a few examples of things that can seriously affect our health. 

In The Poisoned City, Anna Clark tells the story of Flint’s water crisis. The crisis began in 2014 when the water source switched from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River. 

Clark also discusses the background of Flint and why the city was susceptible to this and other injustices.  I had forgotten that there was an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease during the water crisis. 

 The amount of lies that different levels of government told the people of Flint about the water is remarkable and horrifying. Several agencies fixed the numbers regarding levels of lead. No amount of lead is safe. The citizens of Flint knew that something was wrong with the water but the powers that be said: “Everything is fine. Don’t worry.” 

Thank goodness that they didn’t listen. The people of Flint are still dealing with the fallout from the crisis. What if the issue was unresolved?

Clark does a great job of introducing all of the numbers, percentages, statistics, etc. without making it boring or overwhelming. The book is a good mix of history, human interest stories and facts. 

  • I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for doing a review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075JN1J32/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Blog

Cold Case Quest: Cassandra Cole

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November 25, 2002 was the last time that Cassandra Cole was seen by her family. She was reported missing to the Tiffin police and also the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

Cole’s body was found on March 20, 2003 along the bank of the Sandusky River. The location was less than half a mile from my childhood home. So I’ve always wondered what happened to her.

How did she end up in that place? She didn’t have a license so someone drove her there. The banks are relatively steep so she probably walked to the river bank from the parking lot. The coroner stated that Cole drowned. The police suspect foul play but so far they haven’t made any arrests. 

She lived in Tiffin, Ohio, which was a 20-minute drive. It was a popular fishing spot but not in November. There was not much traffic in the area. 

It’s been about 11 years since anything was written about her case. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2007/01/24/Reward-at-50-000-in-teen-s-03-killing/stories/200701240039

The case isn’t even on the Ohio Unsolved Homicide database. Why? Why isn’t anyone talking about this case? Is someone trying to cover up the real story? There have been rumors about a suspect but no one has been arrested. 

I sent an email to the Sheriff’s office but haven’t received a response yet. It’s somewhat unlikely that they will respond. The Seneca County Sheriff’s office can be contacted at 419-443-7904 or on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Seneca-County-Sheriffs-Office-465631780138577/.

If it was your daughter, sister, friend, you would want answers. So I’m hoping that someone comes forward with information that could help Cassandra Cole’s family find out why this happened. 

Dateline Story about Cassie Cole