My Stolen Son

by Susan Markowitz

  Mom and Dad (Sam and Barbara Markowitz), from Nick’s birth I always felt he had two sets of parents; he was “our boy” together in heart and soul. I am so grateful for the two of you. It is because of you that this family has stayed together. Your love and support in many areas of our ups and downs has seen us through the roughest times in our lives. I love you with all my heart.

  Robyn, you are unbelievable! I don’t recall a day when you were not there either holding a seat or my hand. I have been blessed to get to know my husband’s cousin and her family. You and Kirk have touched my heart with your tender support. I am proud to know you. I know you are reminded daily of Nicholas, seeing your sons grow and pass the age that he was taken. You know you are blessed and don’t waste a moment, and it shows.

  Mom and Dad (Buster and Arleen Benner): Mom, I knew from the beginning you would have attended every single trial and their lingering motions and hearings if you hadn’t had a heart attack during the very first trial, in Colorado. Thank you for taking care of yourself while I was busy all these past years. It means everything to still have you now that this is behind us. I am sure Dad is looking down on all of us with a “Whew!” Thank you both for giving me an upbringing with morals, love, and stability.

  My sister Brenda, thank you for being there for me in more ways than I can count. But one I will mention is thanks for literally helping me get out of my closet. My brother Buster and his wife, Bobbie, thank you for the endless hours it took to start the website NicholasMarkowitz .com. It has brought such comfort in seeing the worldwide responses, knowing Nick will never be forgotten. My baby brother Ed, without a doubt I knew if I needed to smile and disconnect (and the times were numerous), you were there.

  I had no idea how vital making new friends would be to eventually let me see and feel again. Sheri, thank you for making that call that led to me finally leaving my house again. Nadine, I thank you for “Helping Me Dance.” Our connection is sad, each of us victims of crime. But together, we will make a positive impact in our lifetime. You’re the best!

  Marlene, everyone’s favorite mom, with our creative minds we connected immediately, and I love it. Thank you for taking on the task of making Nick’s clothes into a quilt. Thank you for your smile, friendship, and support.

  Victoria, Vivian, and Gwen, thank you for the countless hours spent on the phone listening to my rambling and for the unconditional friendship. It’s wonderful that we can pick up where we left off, knowing I wouldn’t hear “Why haven’t you called me?” I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you.

  Susan Chapman and Barry Browne, thank you for the inspiration and time spent in the beginning trying to make little sticky notes turn into a readable page.

  I have also had three therapists who saved my life time and again and made it easier for me to cope. Thank you to Dr. Schulte, Dr. Rutland, and Dr. Fulton for all you’ve done to help me through.

  One person who started out as a stranger ended up with a big piece of my heart. The sincerity in her support never wavered. I will always treasure the flowers, cards, and personal gifts she gave. I began to look for her, knowing she was there, and there were times I didn’t have time to say hello or good-bye. She was always, always there with a smile in her eyes. Thank you, Jennifer Stafford, for your compassion. You will never be forgotten.

  Wachsman Stanley Photography graciously allowed us to use a photo they took at Nick’s bar mitzvah on this book’s cover, and I appreciate that very much.

  My wonderful agent, Sharlene Martin, you believed in me and in this story from the start, and you have the energy and dedication of twelve other agents combined. Thank you for all your help through this process.

  My equally wonderful editor, Shannon Jamieson Vazquez, thank you for caring and for giving this book a great home. You listened to our input and you kept us involved in the process, and that has been a blessing. I hope we will make you very proud with the end result.

  My biggest thanks go to Jenna Glatzer. You are the one responsible for throwing me a lifeline. For years I struggled to find something worth hanging on to besides another court procedure. Honoring my son by telling this story in the hopes of helping others is the connection to life for me. Without your dedication and believing in it as I do, this story would just become old news. I thank you with all my heart for the countless hours on the phone or computer conversing with the many people needed to make this book memorable for generations. It is because of you that Nick will live in the hearts of others. I imagine him at the age of fifteen telling you that “You’re the bomb.”

  For almost a decade, our family traveled back and forth to Santa Barbara, where my son was murdered and where his kidnappers and killers stood trial. We were at the mercy of the system.

  There were times when law enforcement and the district attorney’s office were perceived as unfeeling. We feel it is important to express the complete opposite. Throughout the years of fighting for justice for Nick, we have come to understand with gratitude the intensity of meticulous work by everyone involved.

  Nick spoke at his bar mitzvah about the importance of fairness in the justice system, reading from the Torah about biblical laws that are to be handed down through the generations. He stated that fair trials must include testimony from both sides and no bribery. He said he knew right from wrong and would live by those laws. We are proud that those who worked for justice for Nick understood these principles, too.

  It is with praise and love that we acknowledge:

  SANTA BARBARA OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

  Ron Zonen, Senior Deputy District Attorney: You are a highly educated attorney who always spoke to us in terms that we could understand. Your dedication was clear, as you selflessly fought for justice for Nick every step of the way. We knew you would not leave us hanging; you knew the facts of this case like the back of your hand, and possessed the perfect balance of energy and determination. Thank you for always doing what was right, being mindful, and showing us compassion. You have the biggest heart, and helped us make it through this.

  Joshua Lynn, Senior Deputy District Attorney: We didn’t know what to expect when we were introduced to a new attorney for the final trial, but you eased our fears right away. We felt confident and knew that you would fight hard for Nick. Thank you for caring so much about our son, and for your calm, professional demeanor.

  Joan Fairfield, Victim/Witness Assistant: You are the most amazing woman we have met. You are first class and professional, with compassion that is untouchable. You held my hand every step of the way. It was not by accident that we were connected.

  Our deepest thanks also to Paul Kimes, Christie Stanley, Greg Wilkins, and Jane Grand.

  SANTA BARBARA SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

  To Commander Bruce Correll, Sergeant Ken Reinstadler, Detective Steve Johnson, Detective Mike West, Detective Jerry Cornell, Detective Lorrinda Lepore, Gang Unit Detective Steven Gonzales, Narcotics Detective Mark Valencia, Probation Officer Maria Bongiovanni, Lieutenant Sonny LeGault, Lieutenant Andrew Standley, Lieutenant Jeff Klapakis, Undersheriff Kenneth Shemwell, Sheriff Jim Anderson, and the numerous others who worked on this case:

  We would be lost without you. Thank you for the untold hours you put in, even when it looked grim. None of you did it for the glory. Thank you for showing up, years later, to hold our hands at the final trial. Thank you for “getting personal” even when you’re trained not to get personal. It meant everything to us to know you were all there, being strong in this quest for justice when we felt our weakest.

  THE FBI

  To Special Agent Louis Perez, Special Agent Kevin Kelly, Special Agent Dave Cloney, and Assistant Special Agent Patrick A. Patterson: thank you for all you did to ensure that we’d have the ending we so desperately needed. Your dedication was outstanding.

  Our endless thanks, also, to the Santa Barbara Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team (SBRNET); the FBI offices in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and especially the FBI Legal Attaché in Brazil; the
Brazilian Interpol agency; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the Chicago Police Department; the Seattle Police Department; the Colorado Police Department; the Cook County district attorney’s office, in Chicago; court reporters Sharon Reinhold and Sandra Flynn; and deputy probation officer Judith Parker.

  We would like to express our gratitude to the community of Santa Barbara for “adopting” us during the roughest days of our lives, and to everyone who wrote us letters, added memorials to Nick, visited Nick’s grave, kept up with Nick’s story through newspapers and our website, and offered us support through the years. Knowing there were so many people around the world who cared and who hadn’t forgotten Nick kept us going. I’m sorry I have not been able to write back individually to everyone who’s written to us, but please know that your words have meant a great deal to me.

  FROM JENNA GLATZER:

  I thank Jeff Markowitz, Ryan Orenstein, Ben Markowitz, Leah Markowitz-Goyanes, and the many people who made suggestions and offered feedback. Big thanks to our agent, Sharlene Martin; and our editor, Shannon Jamieson Vazquez, for caring about this story and for being so good at your jobs. It’s a pleasure to work with people who are as dedicated as both of you are.

  I thank my family for their support and love, and my daughter, Sarina, for being the most loving and fun little girl in the universe. You’re everything to me. I also thank my friends Keith Potter, Dave and Debbie Sobel, Paul and Faye Catanzarite, Kristin Paye Baker, Stefanie Smith, Samantha Ozarin, Frank Baron, and Charlie Stuart for their general awesomeness. Finally, I thank Susan Markowitz for her wonderful friendship. I love you, and you’re one of my heroes.