Then Michelle left for college early, and the two girls lost touch. “Then, when I went on Facebook years later and I looked her up. I found out she had passed away, and I started to cry. And then I looked up Deb Knight, and Deb told me to talk to the Joneses, Bill and Mary Lou. They gave me the DVD with the “48 Hour” and it destroyed me. I did not go to work for four days,” stated the childhood friend, her voice cracking a bit. “Now I am very committed to the initiative, because it needs to be out there, and I am doing everything in my power to help get it out there.”
Mary Lou Jones mentioned the area of legislation as being the third area covered by the original initiative. “It’s legislation to provide these databases to the public, but that is the area that doesn’t take that much precedence now, because it is actually happening because of all the global information.” Michelle’s mother was referring to all the social media, as well as search engines and background searches, available for free.
But would Mary Lou have run a background check on Charlie when she found out he was marrying her sister Teri?
“I don’t know that I would have done a background check on Charlie in 1986, but today, knowing what I know, I would definitely do it. I have talked to people who have done this with others who have come into their families. Look at what happened in Newtown, Connecticut, and in some other places.”
The mother and nurse, who is still practicing, thinks there are a number of factors that contribute to violence in our world today. “And the horrific things that are occurring go beyond the evil that some do, not to minimize what Charlie did. As President Obama said when Newtown occurred, there are multiple forces in place that need attention. It is going to take a multifaceted approach. I subscribe to the President’s statement.”
There is still an unknown, even more terrifying factor, and Mary Lou is not afraid to name it.
“How do you discover that before they have committed a crime? How do you know? How do you discover that about a person? I don’t know that you can. That said, how do you protect people? That’s where I have trouble. How do I protect someone from a Charlie? How could I have protected Michelle and Teri from Charlie?”
In 2005, one year after Michelle’s death, her mother, her father, and her brother wrote her the following letter. It was published in The Orlando Sentinel.
Dearest Daughter and Sister—Michelle,
It is so hard to believe that a year has passed since you left this world! How shocked your Dad, Sean and I were then! We miss you terribly and each of our hearts has a hole that can never be filled. We do look forward to our reunion someday…oh what a joyful day that will be. We continue to feel so empty without your loving, vibrant life!!! You were so engaged, so centered on living life. Your Grandma Jones has been quite strong, turning ninety this year and often talks of the special love she has for you. Your kitties are growing! Gizzie Girl is bringing lots of love to Diana and her family. And Kole has become a special joy to us with his loving nature and joined Kodi and Chloe at home. Your aunts and uncles have all shared this loss as well. Along with them, your cousins and their families have been deeply saddened by your passing.
You introduced us to friends that we will remain in touch with throughout the rest of our lives, as you would have. There are so many of them…but we have been in contact with the Musketeers and their families often to provide support, share our painful journey, and begin to regain hope for the future:
Debbie, Pat, Tye, Brooke, and Chloe; Tammy, Terry, Starr, and Haven; Peg, Joe, Tanner, Luke, Ingrid, and Maddie; Diana and JD, Taylor, Ryan, and Connor; Lisa Emmons, Hanna and Troop; Dawn, Donnie, and Darbie; and Jimmy Finch has also been supportive. We’ve been especially blessed by the continued support from Chester and Carol Wheeler and their families. Sue Heard, from TGC family, has called often, to express ongoing support from this organization. And your special colleagues/friends developed in TGC work, Suzy and Cam, and Nicole and Mark, along with their staff, have contacted us often to offer support and encouragement.
While our hearts are so sad and many tears have been shed because of the pain of losing you, we are making every effort to add meaning to your life. Yes, for as long as we live, we will focus our time and energy to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families…to make the world a safer place.
You would want us to focus on these efforts as you valued the principles of trust so deeply and shared this conviction with us on many occasions.
We will not say goodbye to you, our special angel…as we believe you are with us in spirit always.
Sending our Love over spiritual pathways to You,
Mom, Dad, and Sean
Kodi, Kole, and Chloe
…and your Gizzie Girl
In Loving Memory of
Michelle Lynn Jones,
September 17, 1966—September 13, 2004
For her part, Mary Lou remembers, and probably will always remember, the card that Michelle, the daughter she would have wanted desperately to protect, made for her.
Mary Lou writes:
“This was a card, made of purple construction paper, that Michelle gave me when she was 12 (1978).…”
Someone’s important and that is plain to see.
Someone’s smile is magic and lights the world for me.
Someone always cheers me and things seem bright and new.
Can you guess that “someone”?
Mother it’s you!
Mother, I am happy where you are happy too.
I know you will help me to grow up strong and true.
Mother, I am trying to do and say and be
All the things that make you feel proud of me.
Michelle Jones was writing her autobiography for a school project when she was twelve years old.
She titled it, “One Life to Live.”
The timing of death, like the ending of a story, gives a changed meaning to what preceded it. — Mary Catherine Bateson
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Diana Montane is a journalist and best-selling author. She began her career at Miami’s first newspaper, The Miami News, and continued as Entertainment Editor of EXITO, a Spanish language weekly published by The Chicago Tribune.
Diana co-authored the autobiography of talk show host Cristina, My Life as a Blonde, published by Warner Books. She also co-authored the best-selling and impacting The Daughters of Juarez, with Univision anchor Teresa Rodriguez, published by Simon & Schuster. I Would Find a Girl Walking published by Penguin, with crime journalist Kathy Kelly was also a bestseller. Missing and Presumed Dead, about psychic Gale St. John and her searches for missing persons with her cadaver dogs, will be published by Llewellyn and released in 2014.
Invisible Killer is Sean Robbins’ inaugural entry into the world of true crime writers. A new talent, Robbins is a former recording artist with The Autumn Offering. With an insatiable drive to create, he has written numerous short stories, poems, and screenplays. Invisible Killer is his first book co-authorship, launching his unflinching style. He resides in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he writes full-time.
Invisible Killer Page 21
