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Somer Thompson, 7, of Orange Park, Florida, was abducted during her walk home from school, on Oct. 19, 2009. Somer's body was recovered three days later from a regional landfill. Clay County police have received 3,300 leads to date, although no one has been implicated in the case that has shocked and angered northeast Florida, and beyond. (family photograph)
Though Orange Park, Florida police say they have acquired new leads for their investigation, Somer Thompson's killer remains at large.
Retaining his freedom, this child-murderer experiences privileges enjoyed by society--including, and especially--those who are searching unceasingly for him.
To close the case, one piece of information--a single tip--might deliver justice for Somer, and put away a monster that might otherwise strike again.
Although the agency has not named a suspect, after program host, John Walsh, recounted the murder during Saturday's "America's Most Wanted" TV show, new information may have come to light, says spokesperson Mary Justino, of the Clay County (FL) Sheriff's Office in Orange Park.
"We have now received 3,300 leads," says Justino: possible clues to a brutal abduction/murder confounding the quiet community near Jacksonville, adding " ... detective teams continue working to follow up on all remaining [plausible tips]."
Justino notes, "Over the weekend, there was a brief increase in the frequency of calls to the tip line as a result of the Somer Thompson case being featured on 'America's Most Wanted Saturday evening," during which, Justino relates, " ... some new information [was] provided by callers," prompting additional probes by detectives.
Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler directs an all-out, multi-agency search for the person who took 7-year-old Somer, during her Oct. 19 afternoon walk home from Grove Park Elementary School. Whoever killed Somer then disposed of her body in trash.
In the 7:06 PM police report, filed after the girl failed to arrive home at her usual time--around 3--her mother, Diena, 34, related that Somer had been involved in a tiff at school, that the girl had run ahead of her siblings after being teased.
Somer disappeared near a vacant house that soon fell under police scrutiny, but no evidence of her, or of any struggle, came to light.
On the third day after Somer's disappearance, her body was recovered from a regional landfill, some 55 miles away. Clay County police had targeted neighborhood-specific landfills, where after combing through 100 tons of refuse, the second grader's body was uncovered.
As a follow-up to "America's Most Wanted," on 11/07, police released via the media sketches of missing school bags Somer had been carrying at the time she vanished.
The bright pink bags--including a round lunch box and book tote, have distinctive designs, including a pink pig's face on the lunch box. The tote is styled with hearts, skull and stars.
Anyone having information possibly relating to Somer Thompson's murder can call or email Clay County police, whose contacts appear below.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Clay County (Florida) Sheriff's Office tips line: 1-877-227-6911
Email: cart@claysheriff.com
Comments
its sad to hear the stories of children missing. expecially when its near your neighborhood.but most importantly its sad when its your child missing.im 16 years old and i would like to help find the idiot who messed with this little girl.i know what the feeling is like when your about to be kidnapped...
What is so interested is that is a busy neighborhood. I can't believe know one saw anything.
well what i dont get is.....on nancy grace she mentioned there were atleast 3 crossing gurads from the school and around the corner.... maybe the crossing guard nos something!!!!!how the heck does a little girl go missing wehh there is crossing guards before the vaccant home and supposing guards after the vaccant house....im sick that there is monsters who take the lives of little innocent children innocent children.....why not let the kid go and flee out of the country......why take a life......just like somers mom says were coming for you...you got that right.....im just sickend .....7 years old....she was only 7 a innocent baby
Thats is so wrong that a humanbean can do this to an innocent child who cant defend her self so helpless its ashame what this world is coming to people killing kids just violence period what about her family her family and friends cries it's really sad it make me think twice about my kids going anywhere people of the world this is just another test in life dont fell again pay mor attention about our surroundings and our chirldren of the future there is alot of boogeymonsters out there we try to warn our kids about and the crazy individuals who are out there doing things to disrupt our future by messing with our kids and others your time is coming you stupid idiot
I pray for her mother every time I think about this little baby girl. When they are found (I feel it may be more than one person), I hope that they feel her pain everyday of their lives and that no matter what justice our govt offers to them... that God avenges her death. Her blood is on their hands... Let it be seen now so that the mothers that are still weeping for our children can rest. And for the demonic phedophile that killed Shaniya, the 5 year old girl in NC that her mother sold, I hope you get what it coming to you while they are holding you prior to trial..it is my belief.. a life for a life! The mother of Shaniya deserves the same fate. She has done worse than the monsters that enslaved Africans and robbed them of their history, culture and land.
At least Shaniya is in loving arms now. Where she can run, laugh and be overflown with love. These beautiful children can now play together. I send you both my love, let my love for you reach your spirits.
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