Somer Thompson update: armed with new leads, detectives hunt child-killer

November 10, 12:53 AMTrue Crime ExaminerIvy Bigbee

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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