Police And FBI Chase New Lead In Michaela Garecht Kidnapping Case - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-12-2009, 12:07 AM

Link + Video

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The FBI is hoping that a strong new lead and an increased reward might finally end the mystery of nine-year-old Hayward resident Michaela Garecht's kidnapping over two decades ago.

She won't reveal much about it, but FBI Special Agent Marty Parker says that the Bureau and Hayward Police have a solid new lead in Garecht's disappearance.

"This case has gone on way too long and the parents just want to know what's happened to their little girl," explained Agent Parker, a cold-case specialist.

Garecht's mother, Sharon Murch, is hoping for closure, no matter what the outcome. "Even though there's a possibility that I might find out things I don't want to know, I really need to know," said Murch.

The kidnapping took place on the Saturday afternoon before Thanksgiving in late November of 1988.

"[It happened in] broad daylight in front of so many people with Michaela kicking and screaming the whole time," said Agent Parker.

Just two weeks later, a television crew recreated the kidnapping for the show 'Unsolved Mysteries.' Michaela and her friend had taken their scooters to the Rainbow Market to buy candy.

Witnesses say a man moved one of the scooters while the girls were inside. Police assume he was luring his victim.

He moved the scooter close to him so that Michaela would walk over to recover the scooter, which of course is when he grabbed her and threw her in the car, said Murch.

The cashier at the Rainbow Market called 911, a tape the FBI is releasing for the first time.

"My daughter's friend was very upset, she was crying and, rather than talk to her, the police talked to a checker from the grocery store," remembered Murch. "And the checker says that she thinks she saw him drive by earlier and she gave a description. And I think that was probably the biggest mistake."

The clerk described the vehicle as "an old … kinda dirty, burgundy 4-door." When police eventually talked to Michaela's eight-year-old friend, she said the car was a different color altogether.

"It was actually a butterscotch-colored car. So in those initial few minutes, they were looking for the wrong colored car," said Murch.

Police did recover evidence from the scooter according to Agent Parker: "There was a partial palm print on the scooter that was moved."

That palm print could be matched if police routinely took palm prints along with fingerprints from suspects. Unfortunately, they do not.

"In the past, even the FBI and most local agencies would only do what's called a ten-print; just the fingers," said Agent Parker. "So we're going back and even old suspects that we have ten-prints on we'll be asking for palm prints."

Witnesses described the kidnapper as a white man, age 18 to early twenties, thin with pimples or a pock-marked face and dirty blonde hair.

Hayward Police got 5,000 tips in the first year of the investigation. The department is now revisiting those leads armed -- says the FBI -- with some new information.

"I think this case is solvable. We have good witnesses," said Agent Parker

The reward in the case has also recently been increased to $60,000.

For Michaela's mother, the recent developments hold the possible promise of an end to over twenty years of wondering and waiting.

"It's like God is shining a light on Michaela," said Murch. "All of these things have come up. The interest by the investigators, the police, the FBI, this is new."

Mystery Lover · 05-12-2009, 10:13 AM

Well I hope whatever the new clues are that they bring this case to a close.

After 20 years, the Baskin case was just solved due to new evidence and I hope the same goes with this one.

Mastermind · 05-12-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

After 20 years, the Baskin case was just solved due to new evidence and I hope the same goes with this one.

I hope it gets solved as well.

But keep in mind that there was more of a high probablity that the Baskin children were alive. Also it was 2 children involved.

Sadly, there is more of a possibility that Michaela may be dead.

MegtheEgg86 · 05-14-2009, 09:24 AM

I think it's great that the case is getting publicity again and that everything's being reexamined. I've always felt that the Michaela Garecht abduction is extremely solveable.

What's always bugged me about this case, however, is the suspect and vehicle description. As far as the Bay Area abductions are concerned, I've always thought most of them were Tim Bindner's work (that man IS going to go to jail one day, no doubt in my mind)--but I've never known what to think about this one. Bindner wasn't in his late teens or early twenties at the time, didn't have long, dirty blonde hair, nor a scarred complexion. Nor did he drive an older beige American car. I've always wondered if this case is really isolated from the others.

TracyLynnS · 05-14-2009, 11:37 AM

Regarding Bindner, have a look at this. Apparently, he concealed his background during jury selection, and served on a jury that convicted a man of killing his 16 year old son. The man now wants a new trial because of that.

>>>>"This case is a murder case with a child victim, and Mr. Bindner's prior history shows he has a very intense and personal interest in cases involving child victims," Brackman wrote in her motion to the court.

"Mr. Binder wanted to be on this jury and withheld or minimized information that may have lead to his removal from the jury or even any further inquiry from the court, the prosecutor or defense counsel."<<<<

http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_12326138

UMfan77 · 05-14-2009, 01:32 PM

It was interesting seeing the actual filming of the segment. I never realized how many people show up to watch the filming. Anyone here ever been to an actual filming of a UM segment?

crystaldawn · 05-14-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMfan77

Anyone here ever been to an actual filming of a UM segment?

Don't I wish....

MegtheEgg86 · 05-15-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyLynnS

Regarding Bindner, have a look at this. Apparently, he concealed his background during jury selection, and served on a jury that convicted a man of killing his 16 year old son. The man now wants a new trial because of that.

>>>>"This case is a murder case with a child victim, and Mr. Bindner's prior history shows he has a very intense and personal interest in cases involving child victims," Brackman wrote in her motion to the court.

"Mr. Binder wanted to be on this jury and withheld or minimized information that may have lead to his removal from the jury or even any further inquiry from the court, the prosecutor or defense counsel."<<<<

http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_12326138

Oh yeah, talk about the most complete of the complete nutbags. I would never put anything past Bindner. He's responsible for most of the Bay Area abductions, no doubt in my mind. It's just a matter of time before he slips up royally and eventually gets himself a one-way ticket to the prison he's needed to be in for over twenty years.

MegtheEgg86 · 05-15-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMfan77

It was interesting seeing the actual filming of the segment. I never realized how many people show up to watch the filming. Anyone here ever been to an actual filming of a UM segment?

Philip Ginsburg's Shadow of Death describes the filming of the "NH Serial Killer" segment in the last few pages, and it's still hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea that while I'm watching a psycho chase down a pregnant woman with a knife, there's actually a whole mass of people sitting just outside the scene under blankets and folding chairs, drinking their cokes and eating their snacks.

ms_bates · 05-21-2009, 10:15 PM

I really hope there is something to this. I remember when Michaela was kidnapped (I was four years old at the time) and I have never forgotten about her.

Lightners322 · 05-22-2009, 12:14 PM

That is great and I hope they find the kidnapper. I never heard that jury story about Tim Bindner. What a nutcase.

TracyLynnS · 05-22-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightners322

That is great and I hope they find the kidnapper. I never heard that jury story about Tim Bindner. What a nutcase.

Lightners, That jury event with Bindner just happened a couple weeks ago. The guy can't seem to keep himself out of trouble.

kirbivore · 05-24-2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMfan77

It was interesting seeing the actual filming of the segment. I never realized how many people show up to watch the filming. Anyone here ever been to an actual filming of a UM segment?

When I was a kid I went to Maine one summer and we drove by the infamous Howard Johnson's from the case where the lady was thought to be missing but ended up killing herself in Alabama. They were filming that day and I remember commenting on the cameras.

05-12-2009, 12:07 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,471	Police And FBI Chase New Lead In Michaela Garecht Kidnapping Case Link + Video HAYWARD, Calif. -- The FBI is hoping that a strong new lead and an increased reward might finally end the mystery of nine-year-old Hayward resident Michaela Garecht's kidnapping over two decades ago. She won't reveal much about it, but FBI Special Agent Marty Parker says that the Bureau and Hayward Police have a solid new lead in Garecht's disappearance. "This case has gone on way too long and the parents just want to know what's happened to their little girl," explained Agent Parker, a cold-case specialist. Garecht's mother, Sharon Murch, is hoping for closure, no matter what the outcome. "Even though there's a possibility that I might find out things I don't want to know, I really need to know," said Murch. The kidnapping took place on the Saturday afternoon before Thanksgiving in late November of 1988. "[It happened in] broad daylight in front of so many people with Michaela kicking and screaming the whole time," said Agent Parker. Just two weeks later, a television crew recreated the kidnapping for the show 'Unsolved Mysteries.' Michaela and her friend had taken their scooters to the Rainbow Market to buy candy. Witnesses say a man moved one of the scooters while the girls were inside. Police assume he was luring his victim. He moved the scooter close to him so that Michaela would walk over to recover the scooter, which of course is when he grabbed her and threw her in the car, said Murch. The cashier at the Rainbow Market called 911, a tape the FBI is releasing for the first time. "My daughter's friend was very upset, she was crying and, rather than talk to her, the police talked to a checker from the grocery store," remembered Murch. "And the checker says that she thinks she saw him drive by earlier and she gave a description. And I think that was probably the biggest mistake." The clerk described the vehicle as "an old … kinda dirty, burgundy 4-door." When police eventually talked to Michaela's eight-year-old friend, she said the car was a different color altogether. "It was actually a butterscotch-colored car. So in those initial few minutes, they were looking for the wrong colored car," said Murch. Police did recover evidence from the scooter according to Agent Parker: "There was a partial palm print on the scooter that was moved." That palm print could be matched if police routinely took palm prints along with fingerprints from suspects. Unfortunately, they do not. "In the past, even the FBI and most local agencies would only do what's called a ten-print; just the fingers," said Agent Parker. "So we're going back and even old suspects that we have ten-prints on we'll be asking for palm prints." Witnesses described the kidnapper as a white man, age 18 to early twenties, thin with pimples or a pock-marked face and dirty blonde hair. Hayward Police got 5,000 tips in the first year of the investigation. The department is now revisiting those leads armed -- says the FBI -- with some new information. "I think this case is solvable. We have good witnesses," said Agent Parker The reward in the case has also recently been increased to $60,000. For Michaela's mother, the recent developments hold the possible promise of an end to over twenty years of wondering and waiting. "It's like God is shining a light on Michaela," said Murch. "All of these things have come up. The interest by the investigators, the police, the FBI, this is new."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

05-14-2009, 09:24 AM	#4
MegtheEgg86 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 19, 2008 Location: The Volunteer State Posts: 5,156	I think it's great that the case is getting publicity again and that everything's being reexamined. I've always felt that the Michaela Garecht abduction is extremely solveable. What's always bugged me about this case, however, is the suspect and vehicle description. As far as the Bay Area abductions are concerned, I've always thought most of them were Tim Bindner's work (that man IS going to go to jail one day, no doubt in my mind)--but I've never known what to think about this one. Bindner wasn't in his late teens or early twenties at the time, didn't have long, dirty blonde hair, nor a scarred complexion. Nor did he drive an older beige American car. I've always wondered if this case is really isolated from the others.
	__________________ "Why is she lying?, it makes me wonder. What is she hiding?, it makes me wonder." Go Vols!

05-12-2009, 10:13 AM	#2
Mystery Lover Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 13, 2005 Posts: 175	Well I hope whatever the new clues are that they bring this case to a close. After 20 years, the Baskin case was just solved due to new evidence and I hope the same goes with this one.

05-14-2009, 11:37 AM	#5
TracyLynnS Don't Look Up Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 3,107	Regarding Bindner, have a look at this. Apparently, he concealed his background during jury selection, and served on a jury that convicted a man of killing his 16 year old son. The man now wants a new trial because of that. >>>>"This case is a murder case with a child victim, and Mr. Bindner's prior history shows he has a very intense and personal interest in cases involving child victims," Brackman wrote in her motion to the court. "Mr. Binder wanted to be on this jury and withheld or minimized information that may have lead to his removal from the jury or even any further inquiry from the court, the prosecutor or defense counsel."<<<< http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_12326138

05-14-2009, 01:32 PM	#6
UMfan77 Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 28, 2003 Posts: 1,064	It was interesting seeing the actual filming of the segment. I never realized how many people show up to watch the filming. Anyone here ever been to an actual filming of a UM segment?

05-21-2009, 10:15 PM	#10
ms_bates Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 134	I really hope there is something to this. I remember when Michaela was kidnapped (I was four years old at the time) and I have never forgotten about her.

05-22-2009, 12:14 PM	#11
Lightners322 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 11, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 6	That is great and I hope they find the kidnapper. I never heard that jury story about Tim Bindner. What a nutcase.