Friday, July 22, 2011

Human bones found in tree's roots

An anonymous person sent me this WOODTV8 story last night. As you may all know, the finding of skeletal bones in Comstock Township were not those of Mary Denise Lands, or any other known local missing women. We will keep you tracked in this latest recovery near a Van Buren County cornfield. WOODTV8- July 21, 2011 Bones found in Van Buren County

NEAR HARTFORD, Mich. (WOOD) - Human bones were found in the root system of a tree near a Van Buren County cornfield Thursday by crews harvesting fallen trees from a recent storm. The remains were discovered in an area of 65 1/2 Mile Road near Red Arrow Highway, Van Buren sheriff's officials told 24 Hour News 8.

At this time, there is no information about the person, or how and when this person died. Investigators said, though, the bones were buried more than five years ago. Authorities remain on the scene, and will continue on Friday morning with help from the Michigan State Police. 24 Hour News 8 will have more information as events develop.

 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Skeletal Remains Recovered in Comstock Township

May 7, 2011- Today marks 7 years, one month, and 25 days since Mary allegedly walked off from her Walden Pond apartment in Marshall, Michigan, as reported by her fiancé, Christopher Luke Pratt. He is now serving a 5-15 year sentence for felony crimes against a more recent girl-friend, Norrene Parker. Inmate Pratt could be released as early as February 2012.
We are aware of the skeletal remains that were recently found approximately three miles west of the Target Distribution Center in Comstock Township.
WWMT Channel 3 News Link-

WOODTV8 News link-

Numerous bodies, both male and female, have been recovered over these last seven years in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, but none have come close to fitting the description of Mary Denise Lands. These remains, and the proximity of their location do give us hope that it may be her, and she might soon be able to rest in peace.

Battle Creek Enquirer News Link-

Chief Jim Schwartz of the Marshall Police Department has always said that forensics would be the key in solving Mary's case. Whether these remains are of our Mary, or that of another missing female, the identity of this person will be soon discovered through thorough forensic examination. It may not give comfort to the Marshall family, but it will give come comfort to another family who have endured a similar tragedy of their missing daughter, granddaughter, or relative. Someone's loved one will be coming home.

May 3, 2011- WOODTV8 News Link-

May 6, 2011- Battle Creek Enquirer News Link-

We should all pray that the recovery and identity of the female in Comstock Township will bring some peace to a family in turmoil searching for their lost relative over the years.

To remind the public of the fear that this felon perpetrated against Ms. Parker we are re-publishing her letter to Judge Stephen Miller at sentencing. I am sure that the words may be similar for other women leaving in fear in an environment of domestic violence.

January 1, 2008
Re: Sentencing of Christopher Luke Pratt
Dear Honorable Judge Miller:

We see it every day on the news, "women battered, women killed, and women missing"….Looking back on June 24th, 2007 I realize I was one of the few women that walked away from the enraged hands of a controlling individual, such as Christopher Pratt. It’s true, loving Christopher Pratt does hurt; it hurts a lot and it is a hurt that does not go away once the relationship is through. People tell me how lucky I was to get away and how proud they are of me standing up and facing him. Although I did walk away physically that day I do not know if I will ever escape him mentally; myself and my children included. The humiliation of what I have gone through during this trial has been an embarrassment I will never forget, nor will my friends, family and co-workers.
Christopher’s doing caused me to move out of the home we shared, moving myself and my children three times in six months before we finally settled. I have incurred medical bills, as well as counseling costs as well. In addition my employer hired extra guards to make sure I came and went from their facility in a safe manner while his bond was active.
He has destroyed my trust, my solitude of feeling "safe" as well as my children’s sense of safety. "If he comes home will he find us?" is a common question from the mouth of my nine year-old son. My nightmares of Christopher and that day wake me in the night, as does the little one standing beside my bed. "Can I sleep with you…are you sure Chris is still in jail?" His shadow will forever lurk in our minds.
Christopher recently made a comment from his jail cell, which entailed, "Make sure she doesn’t make it to the witness stand or I am fucked". What exactly was his evil intent behind this? Although he is locked up now, I am constantly looking over my shoulder and seldom go out at night, especially if no one is with me. I am fearful of anyone I don’t know that approaches me..fearful it’s someone that is doing Chris’ dirty work for him. Christopher is a man of trophies, of possessions, and I, in his eyes, am his forever. He has made the comment, "If I can’t have you, No one will"….and to my father, "If your daughter leaves me I will hunt her down and get her back". This behavior is not normal and for the most part, unsettling. His intents and his so-called empty threats…are too real for me..real because I know he is fully capable of fulfilling each and every threat he made to me…capable because he is one that cares not what he does, but that in his eyes, he wins at doing it.
Christopher is, in my opinion, a narcissistic evil and one of the world’s best liars. But the problem for him and a blessing for us is, he forgets what he has lied about and walks into his own net eventually. Although Christopher will tell you he is never wrong, all his problems are caused by other individuals. Christopher is fully aware of his own evil. He has told me in a fit of tears on more than one occasion that he has done things to make himself sick, that I should not be with him, however he added, "I am too selfish to let you go". Christopher also noted to a letter to his son,…"It’s because of Norrene I am here, if she hadn’t provoked me I wouldn’t have lost my temper, however Son, the good thing is that God has a place for men like me and its called prison." He knows he is a danger to me.
Christopher promised me a long and happy life with him, stating we will be sitting in our rocking chairs side by side one day…if that was the case, why was he throwing chairs at me? Simple in my mind today, he was trying to make sure I never left him…even if he had to attempt to break my ankles doing so, he would never allow me to leave him.
Your Honor, I am asking you to consider maximum sentencing possible. Letting him go on anything less, will most certainly bring dread to my family and our community. Even if he is let out with a "no contact condition", I can guarantee within an hour of his release, he will be at my doorstep. He has no authority for the guidelines for which you set, as he proved by attempting to contact me within minutes of being released from your courtroom the same day you issued a "no contact" guideline between him and me. Christopher taunts authority and does not like to be told what to do, more so, he resents the word "No".
Christopher harms children, women and animals without considering the repercussions of his actions. Do you think they forget as easily as you do? Well, they don’t. Christopher I never will and I know my children will not forget the wake you have left behind in our lives. Christopher is a man that will not learn his lesson with a slap on the hands, he is someone who has the potential to harm others for the sake of his own well-being. He is habitual. I honestly believe Christopher is lacking a human conscience, and because of this I pray for him. I pray that he finds it in himself to consider every evil thing he has done and come clean with it. Christopher can’t take back the tears he placed in my sons eyes the day he put us through this, nor can he take away the emptiness he placed in their hearts with the betrayal he brought out after promising to be so good to them and to their Mom. In my eyes, no sentencing handed to him is justifiable enough, but I know God will sentence him one day and when that day comes…God have mercy on your soul Christopher Pratt.
Again, Your Honor, please consider the maximum sentencing that is reasonable and prudent to this manner, and do so with the thought of myself and children in mind, of every soul he has waltzed upon without hesitation to their lives, their feelings, their well being. Anything less will result in a profound nightmare.
Respectfully,
Norrene Parker


Jim Carlin
Justinian Investigative Services
269.753.1181
JustinianLaw@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

April 13, 2011- Mary Denise Lands declared officially deceased

WWMT-Channel 3 News Link- http://www.wwmt.com/video/c/1137706675/local-news/902042773001/wwmt-local Wednesday, April 13, 2011 was another sad and somber day for Mary's family in the courtroom of Judge Michael Jaconette as they were present asking that their beloved daughter be officially declared deceased. The hearing started at 2:00 P.M. and lasted about thirty minutes in the Justice Complex in Battle Creek. It was indeed a very difficult day for all of us, but hopefully the family will be able to achieve some small form of closure through this legal process. After testimony Judge Jaconette made an immediate decision from the bench that Mary Lands is deceased. He set her date of death as March 12, 2009, which would have been 5 years after she was last seen alive. Although Mary has now been missing for seven years, one month, and one day we still believe that the law enforcement community is actively working to close this case. We have no doubt that the person/s responsible for the disappearance and murder of Mary Denise Lands will be held responsible. Together, we will bring Mary home! Jim Carlin (Photo credit; Corinne Kellogg, Marshall Chronicle/Advisor) April 13, 2011- Battle Creek Enquirer News Link- http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110413/NEWS01/304130016/Judge-declares-Mary-Lands-legally-dead April 13, 20111 WOODTV8 News link- http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/Lands-declared-dead-homicide-case-open

Do you recognize any of these names? "Help return family photographs to a relative who may wish to have them back"

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011 nearly two dozen family albums of about 700 photographs weighing 150 pounds were recovered from a secluded dumpster near the west pavilion of Willard Beach at Goguac Lake in Battle Creek, Michigan.
They include a chronological family lifespan of at least 64 years, and the reason these materials were placed in the dumpster are unknown? At least 30 calls have been made across the country trying to locate a family member that would like these photographs returned. Numerous inquiries were made to churches, veteran organizations, community groups, and to BPOE 131. Michigan obituaries have also been checked in an attempt to identify family members, but to no avail. If you have any information on these individuals, please contact me as soon as possible so that the photographs may be returned to a relative or friend that might like them. The albums contain letters and cards that were very well preserved for many decades. This family seemed to be very close and enjoyed outings with friends and other relatives. It appeared that they traveled often and may have visited Florida, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, South America, the Michigan UP and probably were well known in their respective communities. The family may have had a religious connection to the Congregational Church in Battle Creek.

The top left photo is from 1976- Radewald Farms- 1976, the family black/white photo is from 1947-June and Howard Pomeroy of Toledo, Ohio with family; Carol, Mary, Kay, Dick Ford, Dorothy, Kate and Don Donaldson, and the other is an obituary of a Robert Arthur Parrish, who previously lived in Battle Creek and died in Palm Harbor, Florida in 1989. Battle Creek Enquirer- May 28, 2011





Some of the names noted include;

Vicki L. Sneller, Holland, Michigan 1986
Kim Sneller, Holland- 1986
Richard Makela- Post card- Kalamazoo- date Unk
Robert Parrish, Palm Harbor, Fl. Obit notice 1989
June and Howard Pomeroy- Toledo, Ohio- 1946
Red Bud Foster Care, Location unknown- 1985
Ken and Alice Saathoff- 1984
Virginia and Ralph Rounds- May 1947
Wintergreen Lake, Gull Lake Bird Sanctuary- 1947
Jean Rowe- Seminole, Florida- 1985 (Business card for Prudential Realty) She is unknown there now, and Prudential has no record of this name.
Ralph Rounds- 1963
Ralph Rounds- School photo 1951/1952
Doris & Bob Johnson- Location unknown- April 1997
Change of Watch Dance- Location unknown- January 1996
Janet, Kay, Keith and Dick, Vermont Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 1945
John Doyle- Location unknown- 1949
Timmie Doyle- Capital Avenue, NE- 1946
Libby Ann Doyle- Photo taken from apartment house on Capital Avenue NE and Elm in Battle Creek
Mr./Mrs. Ed Shimm- Photo taken from across the street, 847 E. Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek, Worked and retired from General Foods in 1947
Mike Biebrich- August 1956
Tarrant County College, Class of 1999- name of Erin Lucinda Gavin checked.
Frances Quirk, Niles, Michigan- 1986
Radewald Farms, Niles, Michigan
Rev. Richard Kuhn- 1986 Morris Chapel Church, Niles, Michigan
Helen and Don Foster- Enquirer article- 1986 50th anniversary, couple living in Orlando
Poly & John Taylor, Enquirer article- September 1986
Thom & Lynne Taylor- Enquirer article- January 1987
Diane Radewald- H-P article, Appointed to Berrien County Clerk- July 1986
Adolph Knott- 1980
Bud Miller, Bud's Service Center, Seminole, Texas 1986
Francis Norris- wedding announcement for daughter Nancy to Mahlon Lee Lowery
1988 Commencement program from Lakeview High School

Jim Carlin
Justinian Investigative Services
269.753.1181
JustinianLaw@sbcglobal.net

"A very happy ending to the photo album mystery" Photographs returned to family in Fort Wayne, Indiana

A very callous and compassionless relative here in Battle Creek discarded 64 years of family photographs last week in a dumpster at Willard Park. He claims to work there and had permission from his boss to dump the photos. 150 pounds of photographs in 25 family albums meticulously compiled by Carol M. White-Taylor, Battle Creek Enquirer Obituary over her lifetime were left in a watery and dirty trash bin. A city employee working nearby, Mike Hess, helped me recover the property. Three days later the identity of the owner was ascertained. Ms. Taylor passed away on April 26, 2011, at the age of 91 while residing at the Heritage Assisted Living Community.
After the Battle Creek Enquirer ran the story numerous calls and emails were received from throughout the country. Ms. Taylor's sister, Alice, in Maryland was especially pleased that the photos were recovered. Many of the photos were of her taken in the 1940's with other family members.
This morning, all the materials were delivered to some very happy family members in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I was told that Carol loved life, family, friends, choir, church, and teaching those around her. There is no doubt that today she is smiling down from heaven knowing that her family has come into the possession of the lifetime of photographs she put together. Thank you to Sarah Lambert of the the Battle Creek Enquirer, and to the many great friends and relatives of Carol who contacted me.
(Shenoah, Nancy & Ken White)                             of Fort Wayne, Indiana

Friday, March 18, 2011

Mary Lands Memorial- "Thank you for your support"

Clifford & Anita Marshall would like to express their deepest appreciation to the wonderful people who turned out today for Mary's Memorial Tribute. The event was highlighted by dignitaries of the law enforcement community that included Marshall Police Chief Jim Schwartz, Calhoun County Sheriff Al Byam, Calhoun County Prosecutor Susan Mladendoff, D/Lt. Scott McDonald, and Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Mike Salman. In attendance and speaking on the issue of domestic violence were Michigan House Rep. Kate Segal, Jennifer Fopma, Executive Director of S.A.F.E. Place, and Karren Kraemer of the Broken Wings Foundation in Wisconsin. Also discussing Mary's life was Sheryl Tuck, office manager of Day One Family HealthCare, which was Mary's employer in Battle Creek. All the people were quite moved with the slide presentation of Mary's life from infancy to the last known photograph of her that was taken with Cliff & Anita on December 31, 2003. Three months and twelve days later she reportedly walked away from her Waldon Pond apartment, and was never seen or heard from again. Her fiance, Christopher Luke Pratt, at the time waited 44 hours to call Mary's parent's in California and ask if they had seen her? He is now serving a prison sentence of 5-15 years for a domestic assault on a more recent girl-friend. He is eligible for release in February 2012.
A letter was read to the audience from Mary's older sister, Gina, who resides in California about the loss of Mary to her family.
After the tribute, Cliff & Anita released one gold "star" balloon with a card attached bearing Mary's picture and the date she disappeared, March 12, 2004. It blew over the church and disappeared to the north.
A special thanks must be given to Bishop Jeremy Hyde, and his staff, of the Dexter Lake Church of God in Battle Creek. These are the individuals responsible for making this ceremony a success.
The police officials made it clear that solving Mary's case was a priority, as well as continued public awareness on the national tragedy of domestic violence. If you are willing, please make a donation to S.A.F.E. Place in Battle Creek in Mary's name. By doing so, you will honor her memory and help them with needed funds for the shelter. As reported, in 2010 they provided 11,000 nights of shelter to 1,600 persons, of which 54% were children.
Battle Creek Enquirer, News Link- March 13, 2011
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110313/NEWS01/110313001/Saying-goodbye-not-forgetting-Mary-Lands?odyssey=tabtopnewstextFrontpage
On April 13, 2011 the parent's of Mary Denise Lands will be present in the probate courtroom of Calhoun County Judge Michael Jaconette and ask that their daughter be officially declared deceased. Although this may be the last time that the public will hear from Mary's parents, rest assured that we will never give up in seeking to bring to justice the person/s responsible for the disappearance and murder of Mary Denise Lands.
We will bring Mary home!
Jim Carlin

Update- March 18, 2011-The Marshall's and I met with Emmett Township Public Safety Director Mike Olson this morning, and again like all our meetings with law enforcement it was very positive and productive. As much as Mike wanted to attend last week's event he was absent because of illness. He is however, like all of us committed to solving this case and bringing Mary home.
Thank you Chief.

(Photo-The Marshall's, by Trace Chrinstenson, Battle Creek Enquirer)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Farewell to Mary Denise Lands- "Memorial Tribute"- March 12, 2011

Today, Saturday, March 12th, it has been seven long years since Mary disappeared.....
The Marshall family wish to announce a final farewell memorial that will honor the memory of Mary Denise Lands. The tribute is planned for Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. This date will mark the 7th anniversary of Mary's disappearance from Marshall, Michigan, in which she allegedly walked off from her Waldon Pond apartment after a disagreement with her fiancé.

We have the unique and wonderful privilege of this event being hosted by the kind and gracious Bishop Jeremy Hyde, and his staff of pastors, at the Dexter Lake Church of God, 1555 East Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek (1 mile west of the casino). We are utilizing this solemn occasion to not only say good-bye to Mary, but as a forum to promote public awareness in our community against domestic violence. The 90 minute tribute will include remarks by Jennifer Fopma, Executive Director of S.A.F.E. Place, http://www.facebook.com/safeplaceshelter.org
Rep. Kate Segal of the Michigan 62nd House District, Calhoun County Prosecutor Susan Mladenoff, Sheriff Allen Byam, Chief Jim Schwartz of the Marshall Police Department, Emmett Towsnhip Public Safety Director Mike Olson, Karren Kraemer of Broken Wings Foundation, and other members of law enforcement, and state and county government.

Update- March 10, 2011- Battle Creek Enquirer News Link-
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110310/NEWS01/103100312/Memorial-event-Saturday-Mary-Lands-missing-since-04?odyssey=tabtopnewstextFrontpage

WOODTV8 News Story Link- March 3, 2011- Mary Lands Memorial, & 7 other stories-
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/After-7-years-Mary-Lands-still-missing


Cliff & Anita were never aware that their beloved daughter, Mary was a victim of domestic violence until after her disappearance. They hope that this event will bring light to the subject and perhaps save other victims who may be enduring this problem in their daily lives. There will be a slide presentation and video of Mary's life as well as comments by the family. If one person can avoid the national tragedy of domestic violence, Mary will not have died in vain.

Please come out and say hello to Cliff & Anita, and support them in their time of need. Please plan to attend the memorial. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email: JustinianLaw@sbcglobal.net

(the above 2 photographs are of a quilt that was hand-made by Mary's sister from various medical scrubs she wore while employed at Day One Family HealthCare in Battle Creek)
Jim Carlin
269.753.1181
Update- March 10, 2011- Battle Creek Enquirer News Link-
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110310/NEWS01/103100312/Memorial-event-Saturday-Mary-Lands-missing-since-04?odyssey=tabtopnewstextFrontpage






Monday, February 28, 2011

"Pratt could soon be released and coming to a neighborhood in your community"

Must be nice? Another violent perpetrator returning to a neighborhood near you. Maybe he can get his job back at Target Distribution?

As we prepare for Mary's Memorial on the 7th anniversary of her disappearance, Inmate #673261-Christopher Luke Pratt smiles and chuckles for the camera. He doesn't even have to wear his MDOC prison blues any longer, as he shows off his new sport shirt, jeans and goatee.
Although Mary's fiancé was sentenced to nearly 5-15 years for several felonies related to assault, domestic violence, and false imprisonment on a more recent girl friend, Noreen Parker, he clearly appears at ease as he awaits his release from Level I confinement at Central Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis, Michigan. MDOC OTIS Link; http://www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2profile.asp?mdocNumber=673261
Although a suspect in the disappearance and murder of Mary Denise Lands, he has not yet been charged.
The public need to continue to write to the Parole Board and express their concern about this deviant evil predator being returned to society. The form is noted on the link's to the right.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New GQ look for alleged rehabilitated Inmate Christopher Luke Pratt #673261

Check out the new look of Inmate # 673261-Christopher Luke Pratt as he awaits his parole from the Central Michigan Correctional Facility, Level I, in St. Louis, Michigan.
Yes, this perpetrator may soon be walking the streets again near you not yet charged with any crimes against Mary Denise Lands. He has conned many victims in the past and inflicted severe emotional and physical injury. Now he is trying to con the MDOC that he is rehabilitated and should be set free. This felon must remain in prison until the expiration of his current sentence in 2022. In the interim, we hope and pray that he soon will be charged in Mary's disappearance and murder.

A sociopath is defined as a person with a "pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood". Sociopathic characteristics begin at an early age, however they go unnoticed for a long period of time, under the assumption that the child will grow up and learn a lesson. The characteristics include manipulation, incapacity for feelings or emotions, compulsive liars, shallow emotions, impulsive nature, parasitic living, radiating charm, egocentric, and no guilt. These type of individuals engage in promiscuous behavior and infidelity, entrepreneurial crime mindset, and are authoritarian and secret. They desire to kill animals, and strive for cheap goal setting, like the enslavement of victims. Many of these characteristics fit Inmate Pratt perfectly, and a person like this can never be rehabilitated.

His victims and our community need to stand up and demand that this violent offender is not released. Send in the Crime Victims Notification Form noted on the left link to the MDOC Parole Board to keep Inmate Pratt in prison.
Christopher Luke Pratt, Inmate # 673261-MDOC OTIS Link:
http://www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2profile.asp?mdocNumber=673261