Missing
There have been several missing person cases in my local area of late. Three recent cases are within an hour and a half drive of my home. People are spending so much time on the ground, in the air and on the water searching for these folks. I think the least I can do is make sure the faces are being seen as much as possible .
So this weeks Missing Person section will have three local cases. Let us all do what we can to bring answers to these families.
Shawn Beery
Shawn Beery, age 53 went missing from Clarksville, Tennessee on or around March 8th, 2024. He was last seen at his home on N Henderson Way on March 4th. He spoke to his boss at Goodwill on March 8th, informing them he would be at work on the 9th. He never showed.
Shawn stands 6 foot tall and weights about 185 lbs. He has brown hair and blue eyes.
If you have any information about Shawn or his disappearance please contact Detective Neagos at 931-648-0656 ext 5537.
Riley Strain
*****UPDATE: Riley’s body was found in the Cumberland river****.
Riley Strain is a 22 years old University of Missouri student who went missing on March 8th, 2024 in Nashville , Tennessee after being kicked out of 32 Bridge Bar, a local bar owned by country singer Luke Bryan.
Riley was in Nashville with his fraternity for their spring formal trip. He was with his friends at the bar on the night of March 8th when he was asked to leave the bar due to allegations he was over served . These allegations are being investigated by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
One of his friends walked him to the door, but did not leave with him. Riley said he was going back to the hotel, however he headed in the opposite direction. He was seen on cameras running into polls and walking into walls. I think it is important to point out that Riley was only served one alcoholic drink and 2 waters at the bar. No one has reported if he had been drinking before arriving at the bar. He was last seen on video footage at 9:52pm walking north between James Robertson Parkway and Woodland Street Bridge.
Last reports say the investigators are waiting on records from his cell phone as well as an Apple Watch he was wearing . Today’s reports indicate his bank card was found near the Cumberland river. Boats have been out looking and a body was actually found in the river, but it was not Riley or Sebastian Roger’s, another missing teen from the area.
Riley is 6’6”and 155-160 lbs. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. If you see Riley or know anything that can help in this case please reach out by calling 615-742-7463.
Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers
Sebastian is a 15 year old boy with autism who was reported missing on February 26, 2024. An Amber Alert was issued. He was reported to have gone to bed at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee the night before, but was no where to be found when his mother went into his room the next morning. Hendersonville lies on the outskirts of Nashville for anyone not familiar with the area.
State and local forces have deployed helicopters, boats, horses and search and rescue dogs to no avail. Drones were also used, not only to search but they were also rigged with a speaker that blasted the song “Eye of the Tiger” on a loop. It is the boys favorite song and the hope was he might seek out the source of the music.
A Kentucky landfill was searched in the case as a precautionary measure, according to authorities . It was the landfill where the local trash would have been taken.
If anyone has any information that might assist in this investigation please call 615-451-3838 of call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Marion Alley John Doe
Defending Jacob
By: William Landay
Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney for two decades. He is respected. Admired in the courtroom. Happy at home with the loves of his life: his wife, Laurie, and their teenage son, Jacob. Then Andy’s quiet suburb is stunned by a shocking crime: a young boy stabbed to death in a leafy park. And an even greater shock: The accused is Andy’s own son—shy, awkward, mysterious Jacob.
Andy believes in Jacob’s innocence. Any parent would. But the pressure mounts. Damning evidence. Doubt. A faltering marriage. The neighbors’ contempt. A murder trial that threatens to obliterate Andy’s family. It is the ultimate test for any parent: How far would you go to protect your child? It is a test of devotion. A test of how well a parent can know a child. For Andy Barber, a man with an iron will and a dark secret, it is a test of guilt and innocence in the deepest sense.
How far would you go?
Review:
I simply cannot adequately explain how much I enjoyed this novel.
I had been really excited to read this story after reading the back of the book.
I did not, however realize it would be one of those books I simply couldn’t put down. I’m sure you know the type I’m talking about. The ones you devour. They keep you up at night because you can’t stop reading. This was one of “those”.
It not only kept me guessing on Jacob’s guilt or innocence, but I really enjoyed the in depth look at how the family dealt with the situation. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride that leaves you wondering, “what would I do”?.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a novel that keeps you guessing. Fast pasted and full of grit.
Martha “Marty” D. Erickson
Martha Erickson, age 47 was born on February 18th, 1948.
On November 21st, 1995 , the day before Thanksgiving, Martha was murdered on her way to a dance in Polk County, Iowa. Her body was discovered the next day in Avon Lake.
Due to her time in the lake, there were no clues on the body to help investigators. The medical examiner reported she had been beaten and stabbed. It was impossible to tell if she had been sexually assaulted.
If you have any information that could be useful in solving this crime please contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at 515-725-6010 or The Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 515-286-3800.
Andrea “Angie” Mia Acton
Angie was last seen in July of 2018 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Angie is known to be homeless but has always kept in contact with family. She struggles with mental illness. The last time her family heard from her she was to contact them the next day with an address to wire money to a western union for her. She was never heard from again. She sometimes goes by the last name of Shultz or Noone. If you have seen Angie or have any information about her whereabouts please contact the authorities at 304-624-1610. Please keep a lookout at shelters. You never know who might be the one to bring this family some peace.
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
Released in 1975, Salem’s Lot was Stephen King’s second published novel and remains my favorite to this day. I can recall the first time I read it. Being from a small town, it was easy for me to imagine the story unfolding around me. It’s creepy but not over the top. Come on, who doesn’t love a good vampire story?
The story takes place in Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine. When a writer comes back to town to write a novel about an old abandoned house in the town he discovers the house has been purchased by an antiques dealer. A creepy, mysterious antiques dealer. See where we’re headed here?
The man will bring darkness to the the small town and the residents within.
If you love a good horror story, Salem’s Lot is a classic scare in my opinion. It simply never gets old.
There are two films based on the book, with the original being released in 1979.
It starred David Soul and was directed by Tobe Hooper and continues to haunt me even now. The second was a remake released in 2004 starring Rob Lowe. I’m usually not a fan of remakes but this one didn’t disappoint. But I will continue to love the original. I think the creep factor comes through better. With Halloween quickly approaching you can never have too many horror tales. Drop me a line about your favorite creepy classic…
Happy Fall!
Autumn is here. Time for some reading curled up by the fire. Any suggestions on your favorite fall reads? Drop me a line, I’m all ears.
Bring Me Back brought me real joy…
Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
Published in 2018, this is my first B.A. Paris novel and it was a wonderful read. I devoured this book in one day.
It’s a mystery about a missing person, something that always gets my attention. But the way the story unfolds keeps you sucked in, just wanting more.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla stop at a rest stop one day and while he is away from the car she vanishes. Fast forward ten years and Finn is now engaged to Layla’s sister. But hints keep appearing that lead Finn to believe Layla may still be alive. Is she? Or is it simply Finn looking for a way out of his upcoming wedding? Or is someone playing mind games with him? It’s a true mystery at it’s best.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good mystery. Let me know what you think…