While most of America enjoyed the holidays and the New Year of 2007 the Marshall family continues to ask, Where is Mary? And, When will we have justice for Mary? The investigation goes on and we all will never give up until the person/s responsible for Mary’s disappearance and murder is held accountable. Mary Denise Lands- Video We could never have come this far in our search for Mary without all the support of so many good people. We will bring Mary home in 2007 and justice will be served.
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One of the great tools of law enforcement and civil and criminal investigators are dumpster or trash dives. Once a person places their trash or garbage at the curb for disposal they lose any expectation of their right to privacy. It can be retrieved by anyone and often the police can utilize the contents of trash in their investigation of any criminal activity. People should be extremely careful of what they discard in the trash because criminals can use the information in fraud and identity theft. Use a shredder to protect yourself and family so that documents and papers you don't want to be found by others, will not be found.I have done hundreds of these trash dives in my career and they are often wet, messy and odorous, but they do yield valuable results. On the left is a note and just one piece of information that was retrieved from trash placed on the street by Mary’s former boy-friend, Christopher L. Pratt. He now resides in a rural residence at 9018 15 1/2 Mile Road, Fredonia Township, in Marshall, Michigan with his new girl-friend. One has to wonder if there might be domestic violence now occurring within the Pratt home, and if his girl-friend and her children are safe?
Here is an interesting observation that may be accurate in this case…
People who engage in sociopathic behavior want to be in control and manipulate others. They often resent pets and animals that might be receiving attention and affection that they believe is only meant for them. I have ascertained that many pets and animals in the households of the women involved with Mr. Pratt have mysteriously disappeared or been injured over the years. This is well documented and can be proven. I find it strange that this same unusual occurrence might have happened in his girl-friend's life as she moved in with Mr. Pratt. The story goes that she had two lovable cats as pets, "Banjo" and "Nipper". One of the cats was poisoned, and the other disappeared, however neighbors reported that Nipper eventually returned to a previous residence occupied by his girl-friend. That would appear to be great news, but Nipper never was relocated to their new house on F Drive & 15 1/2 Mile Road. Mr. Pratt reportedly did not want her pets in their home. I don’t know how true this is, but it doesn't say much for the way someone should act in a relationship? Is it that Chris Pratt doesn't like cats, women, or people in general?
In my opinion, his girl-friend should not only be worried about pets, but concerned for her own safety and that of her children. After this remark, please note the following:
April 13, 2007- Chris Pratt is telling friends and relatives that his girl-friend had to go into the hospital because she lost feeling in her hands and feet. It sure is a strange coincidence that this makes the 3rd woman with whom he has had a relationship to experience this type of unusual medical anomaly. What could it be? Oh, what could it be?
Chris, you don’t seem to be working much anymore, and your girl-friend is the one employed, with a viable income and taking care of the house. It must be rough on her having to do so many things and take care of you and her own children? I plan to return to rural areas of Calhoun County and continue the search for Mary as soon as the weather clears next week. We will have more cadaver dogs and since you have all this idle time on your hands I wondered if you could meet with me and help in the search? As an experienced hunter who claims to know every piece of land in Calhoun County you would know where we could look.I hope you will consider my request and I look forward to talking with you again. Give it some thought?
Jim Carlin
If Mary was here today she would want to promote public awareness on the national tragedy of domestic violence, and speak to people on this issue. Take a few minutes and think about Mary Denise Lands as you read a few facts about physical and emotional abuse and domestic violence.
Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, or psychological. Physical and sexual violence by an intimate partner are common problems, affecting 20-50% of women at some stage in life in most populations surveyed globally. Between 3% and 50% of women have experienced it in the past year. Domestic violence has a profound impact on the physical and mental health of those who experience it. As well as injuries, it is associated with an increased risk of a range of physical and mental health problems and is an important cause of mortality from injuries and suicide.
Review of international literature on risk of domestic violence shows that although it is greatest in relationships and communities where the use of violence in many situations is normative, notably when witnessed in childhood, it is substantially a product of gender inequality and the lesser status of women compared with men in society. Except for poverty, few social and demographic characteristics define risk groups. Poverty increases vulnerability through increasing relationship conflict, reducing women's economic and educational power, and reducing the ability of men to live in a manner that they regard as successful. Violence is used frequently to resolve a crisis of male identity. Domestic violence is often associated with heavy alcohol drinking. Research suggests that the different factors have an additive effect.
COMMON MYTHS AND WHY THEY ARE WRONG
Domestic violence is not a problem in my community.
Michigan State Police records from 1997 show that a woman is killed by a partner or former partner about once a week in Michigan.
In 1998, the Michigan State Police reported more than 5,000 victims of domestic violence in Oakland County.
Domestic violence only happens to poor women and women of color.
Domestic violence happens in all kinds of families and relationships. Persons of any class, culture, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, age, and sex can be victims or perpetrators of domestic violence.
Some people deserve to be hit.
No one deserves to be abused. Period. The only person responsible for the abuse is the abuser.
Physical violence, even among family members, is wrong and against the law.
Alcohol, drug abuse, stress, and mental illness cause domestic violence.
Alcohol use, drug use, and stress do not cause domestic violence; they may go along with domestic violence, but they do not cause the violence. Abusers often say they use these excuses for their violence. (Michigan Judicial Institute, Domestic Violence Benchbook, 1998, p. 1.6 - 1.7)
Generally, domestic violence happens when an abuser has learned and chooses to abuse. (Michigan Judicial Institute, Domestic Violence Benchbook, 1998, p. 1 - 5)
Domestic violence is rarely caused by mental illness, but it is often used as an excuse for domestic violence. (Michigan Judicial Institute, Domestic Violence Benchbook, 1998, p. 1 - 8)
Domestic violence is a personal problem between a husband and a wife.
Domestic violence affects everyone.
About 1 in 3 American women have been physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. (Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman's Lifespan: the Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women's Health, 1999)
In 1996, 30% of all female murder victims were killed by their husbands or boyfriends. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1997)
40% to 60% of men who abuse women also abuse children. (American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family, 1996)
If it were that bad, she would just leave.
There are many reasons why women may not leave. Not leaving does not mean that the situation is okay or that the victim want to be abused.
Leaving can be dangerous. The most dangerous time for a woman who is being abused is when she tries to leave. (United States Department of Justice, National Crime Victim Survey, 1995)
MANY VICTIMS DO LEAVE AND LEAD SUCCESSFUL, VIOLENCE FREE LIVES.
Excerpt from Oakland County Coordinating Council Against Domestic Violence
