Truemors
Digg
del.icio.us
AddToAny
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Brooke Bennett: "Remembering Brooke"
by Rhonda J Mangus | June 27, 2008 at 11:30 pm | 5109 views | 48 comments
UPDATE: 7/10/08 2:15 am EST
A community gathered yesterday to remember 12 year old, Brooke Marie Bennett.
See Burlington Free Press audio slideshow "Remembering Brooke", here: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/legacy/slideshows/070908funeral/index.html
UPDATE: 7/09/08 10:21 am EST
At 11:00 am (today) family, friends, and community will say goodbye to Brooke Marie Bennett at an outside funeral service being held at Randolph Union High School.
Read the story here: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/NEWS /80709003/0/NEWS02
Media were not allowed inside Randolph Union High School Auditorium earlier this evening where family, friends, classmates, and police officers gathered to mourn Brooke Bennett's death.
Funeral Director, Randy Garner, is quoted as saying that "...it was decorated with pictures, flowers, Brooke's lacrosse stick and jersey."
The funeral will be held outdoors at Randolph Union High School tomorrow at 11:00 am.
Read the full story here: http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=8644272
UPDATE: 7/08/08 3:35 am EST
In Federal court yesterday, Vermont's Chief Medical Examiner announced Brooke's death a homicide. The actual cause of death will require more investigation and autopsy results may not be available for another 8 weeks.
Prosecutor Craig Nolan outlined the Federal case against Jacques. Gagnon, Brooke's former step-father also appeared in court, where more charges were announced against him, including child pornography.
Both Jacques and Gagnon are considered flight-risks and will remain in custody. Jacques is also considered a danger to the community.
Read the full story here: http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8628727
UPDATE: 7/05/08 10:44 pm EST
Funeral arrangments have been made for Brooke Marie Bennett. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9th, at the Randolph Union High School in Randolph, Vermont. The viewing will also be held at Randolph Union High School on Tuesday evening.
Read the full story here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,376724,00.html
An Obituary for Brooke, published in the Times Argus, can be read here: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080705/OBITUARIES/807050324/1005/OBITUARIES
UPDATE: 7/05/08 9:04 pm EST
Daniel Barlow, Vermont Press via Times Argus reports a "chilling" time-line of events and "devious plan" alleged to have occurred prior to the disappearance of Brooke Bennett that begins with the earliest known e-mails sent on May 8th, and concludes with the discovery of Brooke's body and press conference held in Burlington on July 3rd.
Read the full story here: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080705/NEWS01/807050339/1002/NEWS01
UPDATE: 7/05/08 12:53 am EST
The investigation into the death of Brooke Bennett is ongoing. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed yesterday to determine the cause of Brooke's death. Although the specifics of the autopsy will not be made available to the public at this time (pending further court proceedings), the public will be informed if Brooke's death was due to homicide.
Press Conference video via Boston Globe, here: http://multimedia.boston.com/pub/m/20323624/autopsy_to_be_performed_on_body_of_brooke_bennett.htm
UPDATE: 7/04/08 4:17 am EST
Federal prosecutors filed kidnapping charges yesterday against 42 year old Michael Jacques, Brooke Bennett's uncle. Jacques is accused of "...carefully orchestrating events and e-mails to make it appear that Brooke Bennett had gone on June 25 to see someone she met online...". Jacques has a prior history of aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping charges in unrelated incidents. He is a registered sex offender in the State of Vermont.
Follow Breaking News at MSNBC here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25499005/
UPDATE: 7/03/08 6:15 am EST
Associated Press writer, Lisa Rathke, via the Boston Globe reports that last night, in the tiny town of Randolph Center, the death of Brooke Bennett was mourned by a crowd of 300 people.
The candlelight vigil was planned long before the discovery of Brooke's body yesterday, and with the hope that she would be found safe.
Gary Finch, Brooke's former 7th grade homeroom and math teacher, spoke at the vigil. He described how Brooke had overcome her fear of transferring from elementary school to high school last Fall. Finch said, "She conquered that,...". "She didn't conquer this."
Read full story here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/07/03/about_300_people_gather_to_mourn_death_of_vt_girl/
UPDATE: 7/02/08 7:57 pm EST
Brooke's death is called "clearly suspicious" by police and no further details will be released before a Press Conference scheduled for Thursday morning.
Follow Breaking News at MSNBC here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25499005/
See related updates by NowPublic contributor, politisite, here: http://www.nowpublic.com/world/brooke-bennett-found-dead-uncle-main-suspect-obstructed-justice
UPDATE: 7/02/08 7:46 pm EST
Brooke's body was found in Randolph at 4:45 pm today. Brooke's parents have been notified, and Michael Jacques has been charged with kidnapping Brooke Bennett.
Follow MSNBC Breaking News here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25499005/
UPDATE: 7/02/08 6:55 pm EST
Earlier today police discovered what they believe to be the body of 12 year old Brooke Bennett. There appears to be no further details at this writing.
Read Breaking News at MSNBC here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25499005/
UPDATE: 7/02/08 8:10 am EST
Vermont Press Bureau's Peter Hirschfield reports that charges of sexual assault against Ray Gagnon, step-father to Brooke Bennett, have been dropped (for the moment) as federal obstruction of justice charges are filed instead against Gagnon for allegedly destroying evidence related to the case. Gagnon is scheduled to be arraigned today in US District Court.
Gagnon is the second person arrested in the investigation surrounding the disappearance of Brooke Bennett, who remains missing. State of Vermont State Police Commander, James W. Baker, offers some encouragement however into the disappearance of Brooke saying, "I believe we are making great progress,..."
Read the full story here http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS/901729179/1002/NEWS01
See related NowPublic coverage here http://www.nowpublic.com/world/missing-12-y-o-stepfather-arrested-sex-charges-program-sex#comment-115188
UPDATE: 7/01/08 6:35 pm EST
40 year-old Ray Gagnon, stepfather to Brooke Bennett, is arrested today. Gagnon is charged with sexually assaulting a minor in 2007. The arrest is in connection with the aggravated sexual assault arrest of Michael Jacques, Brooke's uncle. Neither Jacques or Gagnon have been charged in Brooke's disappearance. Brooke, who was last seen on Wednesday, June 25th, remains missing.
Read full story, contributed by NowPublic member, politisite here: http://www.nowpublic.com/world/missing-12-y-o-stepfather-arrested-sex-charges-program-sex#comment-115188
UPDATE: 7/01/08 8:13 am EST
In a press conference held yesterday, State of Vermont, State Police Commander James W. Baker urges people to "remain cautious, but not fearful" as the investigation into the disappearance of Brooke Bennett continues and Michael Jacques, Brooke's uncle, remains "a person of interest".
The investigation into Brooke's disappearance has led to the discovery of an Internet sex ring that involves Jacques. Jacques, a registered sex offender in the State of Vermont, has prior convictions for sexual assault and kidnapping unrelated to Brooke.
The story and video of the press conference is reported by Peter Hirschfield, Vermont Press Bureau via Times Argus here: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/NEWS01/807010374
UPDATE: 6/30/08 8:52 pm EST
Associated Press Writer, Dave Gram, reports that the investigation into Brooke's disappearance has shifted dramatically due to information developed late Saturday and early Sunday. Col. James Baker, Commander of the State Police of Vermont, has indicated that a computer forensics probe "eliminated the whole world out there and narrowed our focus." Michael Jacques, Brooke's uncle, now appears to be the focus of the investigation into Brooke's disappearance.
Col. Baker is also quoted as reconfirming his statement that "...this case is about social networking on the Internet,..." However, Col. Baker states that he used MySpace only as an example of the type of web-site Brooke was using before her disappearance.
Read the full story here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/06/30/search_for_missing_girl_turns_to_uncles_property/
UPDATE: 6/30/08 7:50 am EST
CNN reports that the investigation into the disappearance of Brooke Bennett has led to a charge against Brooke's uncle, Michael Jacques, for sexually assaulting a minor. The charge is not related to Brooke, who was dropped off by her uncle at a convenience store in Randolf on Wednesday, and is still missing.
Police believe that Brooke was communicating with someone on the social networking website MySpace and they continue to analyze correspondence believed to have encouraged Brooke to meet with a stranger.
Read the full story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/30/vermont.missing.girl/
UPDATE: 6/28/08 7:24 pm EST
According to a WPTZ-TV report, more than 150 leads have been received since Wednesday in the case of the disappearance of Brooke Bennett, and James Bennett, Brooke's father, is pleading for her return.
A search of Sunset Lake by authorities was called off. A sneaker, believed to belong to Brooke, was discovered near there. Forensic investigators and Vermont State Police however continue to review evidence.
Vermont State Police also continue to request that anyone who may have information about Brooke's disappearance contact them at (802) 234-9933.
The full story can be read here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25431743/
Original Story Posted June 27 2008, below:
According to a FoxNews Report, 12 year old Brooke Bennett was last seen on Wednesday morning at a convenience store in Randolph, Vermont.
It is believed that Brooke was going to meet someone she met over the internet.
Police haven't identified any suspects in the child's disappearance, which prompted Vermont's first-ever Amber Alert.
Col. James Baker, director of Vermont State Police, said Friday that investigators aren't ruling out the possibility that Brooke may now be out of state.
Vermont state troopers told reporters that there had been sightings of Brooke and numerous phone tips had come in. They urged anyone who might have seen the girl to call state police.
Investigators from the Vermont State Police, FBI and other agencies were trying to track Brooke's movements after she was dropped off by her uncle and cousin.
The FBI, which had assigned two agents to the case Thursday, plans to send a five-person team made up of agents who specialize in child abduction cases, police said.
A major focus of the investigation was centered on her online activities.
"As we all know, warnings have gone out countless times, in this world that we live in today, there are folks that visit places, social networking spaces such as MySpace, whose intentions are not good. And they come from far away," said Baker.
Police want to hear from anyone who was in Randolph on Wednesday between 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., even if they don't think they saw anything, Baker said.
The girl was reported missing around 9 p.m. Wednesday after her uncle dropped her off at a convenience store about 12 hours earlier in Randolph, where she'd said she was going to meet a girlfriend to visit the friend's sick relative in the hospital.
But police believe that Brooke fibbed and may have been bound for a meeting with an unknown person whom she'd been communicating with on the social networking site MySpace.com.
Anyone with any information about Brooke's whereabouts is urged to call the State Police at (802) 234-9933.
News Tools
June 27, 2008 at 11:30 pm by Rhonda J Mangus, 5109 views, 48 comments
Author
Crowd Power
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Add a comment
Comments (48)
at 23:56 on June 27th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thanks for adding this
at 00:27 on June 28th, 2008
politisite, thank you. I have asked that this story be flagged as "Need More News". Let us hope for a good outcome.
at 11:32 on June 28th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I wish she will be found ok, my gosh, what a crazy world.
at 11:53 on June 28th, 2008
Ifcastro, it can be a crazy world! I hope Brooke is found to be okay too. No updates appear to be available at this writing. I will continue to check throughout the day (keeping in mind that I will be gone for a period of it). Thanks for the Flag and your concern!
at 16:20 on June 28th, 2008
I think this is an important story and would benefit from other NowPublic contributors working on it. I've flagged it as News Wanted and invite others in relevant locations to look for more evidence.
at 16:20 on June 28th, 2008
Such a sad story - thank you for posting this.
at 17:14 on June 28th, 2008
You are very welcome, Amy. Thank you!
at 18:41 on June 28th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 19:04 on June 28th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 20:22 on June 28th, 2008
Thank you for the Flag, Barry!
at 22:06 on June 28th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, thanks for updating the story for us.
at 22:38 on June 28th, 2008
You are very welcome, Amy. I will continue to check for updates -- thank you for the Flags.
at 17:26 on June 30th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, thanks for this post and for continuing to update it for NowPublic readers. Good stuff.
at 17:55 on June 30th, 2008
You are very welcome, Jarrett. Thank you for your comments and the Flag. At this writing, and unfortunately, it appears that Brooke is still missing -- we can only hope for a positive outcome. Thanks again.
at 19:14 on July 1st, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 19:20 on July 1st, 2008
Thanks for the Link.
at 19:40 on July 1st, 2008
Thanks for the flag, Caoimhin1!
at 05:25 on July 12th, 2008
Thank you Rhonda for all the updates!
at 05:33 on July 12th, 2008
You are very welcome, Caoimhin 1. Thank you for following this story!
at 19:42 on July 1st, 2008
You are very welcome, politisite! Thanks for picking up the story!
at 20:02 on July 1st, 2008
this story gets more twisted by the day, oops i meant arrest
at 20:26 on July 1st, 2008
Thank you for the update Rhonda.
at 20:34 on July 1st, 2008
You are very welcome, Ifcastro! Certainly leaves me wondering what is going to happen next.
at 20:40 on July 1st, 2008
me too
at 22:26 on July 1st, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 22:29 on July 1st, 2008
Hi nukemdomis, thanks for stopping by and the Flag.
at 05:11 on July 2nd, 2008
Poor girl - I hope we can find her safe and sound - but it doesn't sound like it's headed that way....
On the bright side, if we do find her, at least two more potential molesters are off the streets.
at 08:27 on July 2nd, 2008
phoenixerose, thanks for your comments. Let's hope for the best!
at 18:05 on July 2nd, 2008
Affidavit: Uncle wanted girl, 12, for sex ring
BURLINGTON, Vermont (AP) -- A 14-year-old witness told investigators a missing Vermont girl's uncle brought the girl to his home to initiate her into a child sex ring, federal officials said in an affidavit released Wednesday.
The 14-year-old told authorities she helped Michael Jacques, the missing girl's uncle, take the 12-year-old to Jacques' Randolph home on June 25 to be initiated into the ring.
The 12-year-old has not been seen since then.
The 14-year-old girl, a relative of Jacques, said she understood that as part of the initiation, the 12-year-old "would have sex with adult males," according to the affidavit in U.S. District Court.
The girl said she and the 12-year-old watched television for a while before Jacques told her to leave and took the girl upstairs. The witness said she left the house with her boyfriend and did not see the girl again.
The 14-year-old said she herself had been sexually assaulted by Jacques, 42, since she was 9.
at 19:49 on July 2nd, 2008
Thank you for sharing this article. It would be helpful if you would provide a link to your story. Thanks again.