Bradley Olsen

What were you doing when you were 26? Some readers may be in that age bracket, but I've been living twice that long, yet I can remember the days of being 26, drinking with my friends and closing the bar. What if it was January 19, cold and frigid, 8 degrees, your friends left earlier, and you were pretty well intoxicated? Wouldn't you call your friends, ask them to come for you, maybe call a cab? They say the first thing to go when you're drinking is your judgement, and being numb to the cold, maybe you would catch a ride with a stranger.

All speculating aside, this is precisely what happened on a cold January 19 night in DeKalb, Illinois. Bradley Olsen vanished into the night, intoxicated, last seen in the parking lot looking for a ride home. No one knows if he got that ride or where he ended up that night. It's safe to say he didn't walk away from his family, his daughter, and his life.

According to reports, Brad's family was on vacation, returned home on January 24, and when they had no contact with him, filed a missing persons report and started searches of the area around Bar One, the last place Brad was seen. The family had never been out of touch with Brad for more than a couple days, so it was totally out of character, and they feel he has been harmed.

Something has definitely happened to him because he lived here with us," his mother, Sue Olsen said. "There was never a 48-hour period where we didn't know where Brad was. Even whenever we would go out of town, he'd always call."

Sue Olsen, Brad's mother, describes him as always smiling, living life to the fullest. Brad's little girl sees his billboard and waves, telling her daddy "hi".

Over the last two years, extensive searches have been made, over land, under water, air searches and scent dogs. Nothing has turned up as a clue to what happened to Brad. Hope is very powerful, but when it fades, families seek closure, they need to come out of limbo.

"I would have never thought that when this all started we would be talking about a two-year anniversary," Maple Park resident Sue Olsen said Tuesday, her voice quivering.

They will never give up the search for Brad, never stop looking for the answers to pass along to his daughter, never will they give up hope that he is found. There is a close knit family that is waiting, 2 years and 6 days as of this writing, and they need to know that Brad Olsen is resting in peace.

The man with the infectious smile, the love of life, his family, and his daughter is out there somewhere. If you hold the key to finding him, please come forward and give this family the answers they need.





Find more videos like this on Peace4 the Missing





Please join us at Peace4 the Missing

Mary Badaracco

Find more videos like this on Peace4 the Missing

written by Mary Badaracco's daughter, Beth Profeta

My life was shattered 24 years ago. My mom,Mary Badaracco, vanished from her home. Yes I did say 24 YEARS! The last person that saw my mom alive, her husband of 14 years, STILL HAS NO COMMENT! This man, our ex stepfather, TOLD US TO "TELL NO-ONE and DO NOT GO TO THE COPS". He told us his lawyer would handle it, however...the only thing his lawyer did was slither into court and enter a motion for divorce on the grounds of desertion, only 9 days after mom supposedly disappeared, without reporting her missing. Meanwhile, he already had his mistress moved into my mom's house.

About 10 days had already passed by the time I was finally told that my mom had supposedly "taken off" on August 20, 1984. I knew right away something was terribly wrong, I knew our mom would have never "taken off", not after all we'd been through together! I was also told her car remained at her home, a smashed windshield was evident, I suppose only to me, that foul play should be suspected as it was in the driveway, damaged.

So I, (as usual) defied his orders and convinced my sister, who was still in a state of shock from being told the previous week by this ex family that our mom was missing, my only sister,who was told to especially not tell me that our mom was gone. Why would she comply? I feel she was scared to death that our worst nightmare
had come true! The day had come that they went too far and really hurt our mom! Once I knew I told my sister that we must run, not walk, to the police!

Throughout our moms 14year marriage to this man, she also raised all 4 of his kids. We were subjected to much domestic abuse from these sickos. By the time mom realized this, she didn't have a clue how to get away from him! Several times after he'd beat our mom severely we'd flee the home and stay with friends only for him to eventually find us and bring us back to that house, usually by threats and force, or as in one instance, having our Grandma by knife point, while my sis and I could only run and hide under the bed and cry.

Back in the 60's and 70's she never reported this to police. Why would she? He is friends with the cops, he still is friends with people in high places, that's why this case is not solved!

One crucial error the state police made is regarding our moms damaged car. The CSP investigator 1st on scene was "D B's" buddy. They believed him when he told them "the bitch took off and stole my money, too". He told one cop that mom broke the windshield of her car that was left at her house, but he was overheard telling another trooper that he did it! Although I kept asking about the car for over 20 years, I was like a frikken broken record. I insisted the police find this car, I knew it was a key piece of evidence! The police told me to find the VIN number and they would run a search, even though I later found out they, of course, had mom's license plate number the entire time. " D B" got rid of her car and was never even questioned about the whereabouts of this car!

We have had our 1st arrest in all these years. A new state trooper has uncovered much information that has been concealed from us. (a relative of "D B" ) It's only a misdemeanor charge. I thought it was a start. This man is accused of interfering with a homicide investigation.

We believe he buried moms car according to what police learned while interviewing this suspect. A huge excavation took place, 3 cars were recovered, unearthed from this mans backyard, but mom's car was not found. The suspect was scheduled to be in court Dec 5th to possibly accept a guilty plea and a $250 fine and
wow- that's it! Why are we sending the message that it's ok to lie to state police investigators, you will basically just walk away!

As mom's belongings were completely removed, not even a link ball remained of her. In her house, the day she "WENT MISSING" in1984, her belongings, as well as her remains, could be in that car! A few weeks back when the prosecutor told me they were just going to plea him out with that fine, I let him know how unhappy I was. I told him "D B" carries that in his left pocket daily, who is that going to hurt?

I then decided I'd go to the court to see this for myself. However, his lawyer felt the need to pull something shady. On the morning of court last month, supposedly the day of this final continuance, after I drove almost an hour, his lawyer called in (after 9:30 am) and said they needed a new date as she has another murder case somewhere else and can not be there to represent him. I was so furious because this attorney had almost 2 months to get her calendar straight! I immediately asked to speak with the judge and my wish was granted, in her open court with the accused to my right!

I suppose I watch too much TV because I thought my request would be a discussion, privately, in chambers! This was one of the hardest things I'd ever done, trying to be mom's voice in a court of law for the very first time in 24 years, I pleaded with the court to impose the maximum sentence!

I keep hoping and praying that one day, someone with ovaries/testicles will truly hear my story, realizing something must be done, stand up beside me and help me fight this evil.

Believe me, if I had ANY money, I would certainly have been paying for justice for my mom. I can only use every fiber of my being to right this wrong. I've tried to make this broken justice system work for my mother, my family! Something is seriously wrong when killers are allowed to get away with murder.

In my case, not only do we know in our hearts who killed our mom, but they hid our moms remains somewhere. What kind of a monster does that! He also made my mother quit claim her home to him for $1 about 6 weeks prior to her disappearance, and he still resides in mom's house with his mistress, now wife. He took the home out of OUR moms name and gave it to his 3rd wife.

I only want this case solved! The tragedy that happened to my family so long ago threw my sister and I into a state of shock we still feel to this day!

We have been left shattered, still trying to put the pieces of ourselves back together. We thought this was supposed to be moms time for working so hard raising 6 kids and putting up with all the abuse all those years! 6 kids were grown and out of the house, this was supposed to be her time to enjoy life! But mom found out about the affair, and we believe she finally wanted out,like this was the last straw.

This family took everything from us, our childhoods, our mother and even now he takes from my life!

He (and those that keep his secret) also killed a part of me that day too. I have never been the same since my world was shattered in August 1984! My mother was the most beautiful spirit, she was always there helping anyone that needed anything! To further my pain and suffering,authorities made so many mistakes. I've pushed and screamed to be my mothers voice all these 24 years and now I'm being told that even this old state police trooper buddy has lawyered up!

We know that there are people within the community, as well as several persons of interest that do have the missing puzzle piece that we need to solve this case.

I struggle every day to get out of bed to fight for what's right ! Until I know exactly what happened to my mom and I know we've done everything possible to locate her remains, I will be tortured by this ongoing tragic event that occurred in 1984. I can only best describe this daymare as...my mom cries out to my spirit for help!

I have been a wife and mom of 4 for 27 years. I am busy, but the disappearance and
unsolved homicide of my mother, well, it is just there with me every single day, I feel the loss of her beautiful presence.

I ask why have I been tortured by this for so long? Because my state has allowed this crime to go unsolved all these years. I continue to fight for my mom and those that I didn't even know, others that are missing. On behalf of my children, my goal is to show my kids, my nephew and my family that justice really does exist,decent people really do care!

Please join me in a prayer that all of our missing loved ones will be returned to us. Pray that our lawmakers will assist us in making tougher laws. If society no longer knows the difference between right and wrong, then it is our obligation to remind them with a few more laws !

Thank you Peace4 the Missing....4 being here 4 us!

Please feel free to visit this daughter's promise to her mother...to NOT let people forget! www.marybadaracco.com

Angel Hugz and Blessings!
Beth

 Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Network and Support

--
http://peace4missing.ning.com
http://monday4themissing.blogspot.com
http://mothersarevanishing.blogspot.com

William "Billy" Smolinski

In two days, January 14, William "Billy" Smolinski will be 36 years old.

On August 24, 2004 Billy vanished.

The most comprehensive series of articles about the disappearance of Billy Smolinski is written by Holliston of ZeroGossipand I urge everyone to read all of the entries to get the details of the story from the beginning to the present. This is a missing person's case that has been convoluted from the very beginning when Waterbury, CT police made the family wait three days before they would take a missing persons report. That was only the start of an uncooperative relationship ultimately leading to the arrest of Billy's mother, Jan, lost DNA samples, and Jan's relentless pursuit of the States Attorney and Governor of CT and contacting the FBI herself to get action.

I just want to let you know if you ask anyone who knew me my life prior to Billy's disappearance, I was quiet, minded my own business and would not challenge. I was forced to either sink or swim and of course I chose the latter.

Had Jan Smolinski not been the consummate mother, never, ever giving it a second thought to do everything in her power to search for her son, this case may have never even been opened. She has tirelessly, day after day, worked this case with tenacity in an effort to get answers about her son. Media outlets, bloggers, and writers have tried to get this story told, but officials and Waterbury in general, for some reason, don't want that.

The media, with the exception of Billy's hometown newspaper, The Waterbury-Republican, has been excellent, Jan said. "I don't know why, but they (the newspaper) washed their hands of Billy. We went to see the state's attorney in Waterbury and asked him for help and his answer to us was 'you care about your son, but no one else does.' I never thought people in authority would ignore situations like this."

Not only has Jan worked daily for Billy, but has given so much of herself to helping others in the same situation with nowhere to get answers. She has not only been instrumental in setting up vigils, making contact with organizations, making a quilt for the missing and speaking engagements, but she has reached out to our congressional leaders to change legislation nationally to benefit how missing persons cases are handled in the future.

This entry has not turned into a spotlight for Billy Smolinski's mother, Jan, but a spotlight on what a family of a missing person often endures.We all want to change that. Every family of a missing son or daughter, mother or father, sister or brother wants to know that the tragedy they are experiencing is not in vain.

Billy Smolinski will be 36 years old, he is a much loved son, brother and friend. The day he is found and brought home to his family will be the day they will rest their hearts, rest their minds and soothe their souls.

Jan ends her correspondence, "Always Hope". We will always keep the hope alive, and the candle burning .

William "Billy" Smolinski

Missing: August 24, 2004

Missing Age: 31 Years Old

Sex: Male

Race: White

Hair: Light Brown

Eyes: Blue

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 200 lbs.

DOB: 01/14/73

Missing From: Waterbury, CT USA

TATTOO'S: A tattoo of a blue cross with the name Pruitt in the cross on left forearm, a tattoo of a blue cross with an orange outline on right shoulder. His left ear is pierced with a small diamond.

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing

--
http://peace4missing.ning.com

Roxanne Paltauf

An 18 year old, Roxanne was staying at a Budget motel with her boyfriend on July 7, 2006, they had an argument, she walked out and has never been seen again. According to Louis Walls, who was 30 at the time, he went back to the motel room to cool off, and later went out to look for her to no avail. The motel was in a rather run down area of Austin, Texas frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers, not an area for a young lady to feel safe. Roxanne is said to have left that motel room with nothing, no cell phone, no purse, no money, only in a pair of shorts, tank top and flip flops.

The area is one where protests were held to take back the neighborhood and make it safe. At the rally was Roxanne's mother, Liz Harris, doing everything to get her daughter's information out to the people in the area. A billboard company donated their services so that Roxanne's picture is out in the public at all times in hopes of someone coming forward with information.

What the public doesn't realize is the lengths a family has to go to gain exposure for a missing loved one. At 18, Roxanne is an adult and there is no law against just walking away from your family, but many times that's not the case and authorities don't always listen to the pleas of the family who know differently. The area from where she disappeard was searched extensively a few days after she was reported missing, but no evidence of Roxanne was found.

Roxanne has three sisters and a brother who she was close to and they miss her greatly. It's highly unusual that she would be gone for so long without contact with her family. The family has so many questions that have gone unanswered since July 7, 2006 and pray that someone will come forward with information.

January 3 was Roxanne's birthday. The family will celebrate yet another birthday without the guest of honor present. But Roxanne is always present in the hopes and dreams of her family until the day she returns to them.

Happy Birthday, Roxanne.


Name: Roxanne Elizabeth Paultauf
AKA: Roxanne Paltauf
Case Number: M0607006
Case Type: Endangered
Last Seen in: Austin (Travis County)
Last Seen on: 7/8/2006
Height: 5' 4 "
Weight: 115 lbs.
Age Missing: 18
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Blonde
Date of Birth: 1/3/1988
Race: White
Sex: Female
State Missing From: Texas
Country Missing From: USA
Circumstances: Ms. Paultauf was last seen wearing a pink tank top , light blue short and sandals.


Please join us at Peace4 the Missing



--