Is anyone else disturbed by the the recent disappearances and subsequent murders that have been in the news this month?

At the beginning of October we learned that ten year old Jessica Ridgeway of Westminster, Colorado went missing and we all hoped and prayed that this sweet little girl would turn up okay and in one piece, but five days later we learned that this was not the case. I learned just this morning that a 17 year old was arrested for her murder.

Just last week in Oregon, Whitney Heichel, a beautiful 21 year old wife, never showed up for work on the 16th. Once again, the nation hoped and prayed that this young lady would turn up safe and sound, but she was found dead three days later,  shot four times and left on Larch Mountain. Her 24 year old neighbor was arrested for her sexual assault and subsequent murder.

Earlier this week I learned of 12 year old Autumn Pasquale, a sweet faced girl with a passion for BMX bikes. She disappeared on Saturday. They found her body Monday night in a recycle bin behind a house next door to the murder suspects. The boys accused of killing her are 15 and 17 years old. WTF, people!

I’m sorry. I know stuff like this happens, but three in less than a month’s time?

I just have to ask: Who are these monsters, and what drives them to take the lives of innocent girls?

I am really having a problem with these stories. In two of the cases above, the victims KNEW their murderers. Whitney and her husband went to the same church and were neighbors with her murderer. In Autumn’s case, the 15 year old was on her Facebook friends list, as well as her older brother’s.

And what’s the deal with the suspects’ names being withheld because they are juveniles? Really? I think, juvenile or not, you take a life, and your privacy needs to go away, too. I get the whole “innocent until proven guilty” bit, but what about Autumn? What about HER privacy? What about the privacy of HER family?

None of these three girls will ever have the opportunity to live a good life; they won’t have children, they won’t grow old with husbands who adore them, and why? Really…WHY???

I know you don’t have the answers, any more than I do, but OMG…These stories, each standing alone, break my heart, but all three in such a short time? I don’t know how to express my condolences to the families and friends of these young women.

To the parents of the three: I’m so sorry!  As a mom, I can only imagine what you are going through. We aren’t supposed to outlive our children, and the loss of a child is horrendous, I’m sure. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

To Clint Heichel: I’m so sorry for the loss of your lovely wife, and I know there are no words to express what you are going through.

I hope that all of these families will be able to begin healing soon. I send condolences to all of you, as well as to the families of the accused. They are victims of these crimes in their own way, and shouldn’t be forgotten.

Rant over.

Until Next Time….