Jacob Wetterling's remains have been found! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

crystaldawn · 09-03-2016, 01:03 PM

How unbelievable and sad! This wasn't featured on UM (which always surprised me) but a very highly publicized case so I thought I would post.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2776931

WishfulDreamer · 09-03-2016, 01:32 PM

Wow. I'm glad he's been found and they have the perpetrator in custody. But what a senseless tragedy

dynoguy88 · 09-03-2016, 01:52 PM

This breaks my heart for the Wetterling family. I hope they can finally get some kind of closure.

I always wondered why the other boys who were assaulted in that area and time were eventually let go but Jacob never was.

Thoughts and prayers for the Wetterlings.

nohwheregirl · 09-03-2016, 04:28 PM

OMG...this is just heartbreaking and terrifying. I'm so thankful that the investigators didn't give up and got him to confess.

I've always been hopeful that Jacob's case would be solved, but never really thought it would happen.

Zoneboy · 09-03-2016, 04:32 PM

Link

Things to know about 1989 abduction of Minnesota boy
Jeff Baenen, Associated Press Updated 2:58 pm, Saturday, September 3, 2016

This Nov. 3, 2015 photo shows the area where 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was abducted in Oct. 1989 in St. Joseph, Minn. Patty Wetterling, the mother of Jacob Wetterling said Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 that his remains have been found. Danny Heinrich, who authorities have called a person of interest in the 1989 kidnapping, denied any involvement and was not charged with that crime. But he has pleaded not guilty to several federal child pornography charges. Photo: Jeff Baenen, AP / ap
Photo: Jeff Baenen, AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The 1989 abduction of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling from a deserted road has intrigued Minnesota residents and others around the country for more than two decades. Despite extensive searches, tens of thousands of leads and a reward offer, Jacob was never found. Now, his mother said in a text message to KARE-TV on Saturday that Jacob "has been found and our hearts are broken."
Here are things to know about the case:
___
WHAT HAPPENED
Jacob was riding his bicycle with his 10-year-old brother, Trevor, and a friend on Oct. 22, 1989, when a masked gunman abducted him near his home in St. Joseph, about 80 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The gunman was on foot, and no car was in sight. Authorities said the man held onto Jacob and threatened to shoot the other two unless they ran into the woods.

Sheriff's deputies, National Guard troops and hundreds of volunteers scoured the area but found no clues. The FBI released a personality profile of the type of person who may have kidnapped the boy — probably a previous sex offender, a white man 25 to 35 years old and likely someone who worked at an unskilled job.
___
A FRUSTRATING SEARCH

Jacob's disappearance generated more than 50,000 leads. Despite extensive publicity, repeated aerial and ground surveys and an initial reward of more than $100,000 after the kidnapping, state, local and federal authorities were frustrated by the lack of evidence. The seemingly unsolvable case remained open.
In 2010, authorities spent two days searching and digging at a farm near where Jacob was last seen, but forensic tests on the items showed no link to the crime.
___
ATTENTION ON CHILDREN
In 1990, Jacob's parents, Patty and Jerry Wetterling, founded what is now known as the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, which works to help communities and families prevent child exploitation. She later would chair the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Patty Wetterling would continue to speak passionately about making the world a safe place for children. And in 1994, Congress passed the Jacob Wetterling Act, legislation for a sex offender registry.
___
'PERSON OF INTEREST'
Last year, authorities re-examined the case and said Danny Heinrich, of Annandale, was a "person of interest" in Jacob's disappearance. He faces federal child pornography charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty, but has denied any involvement in Jacob's abduction, and has not been charged with that crime.

atomicfizz · 09-03-2016, 08:00 PM

I never thought I'd see this day! I remember when he was kidnapped so well. I can't believe Heinrich actually broke down and led them to remains! I feel so bad for the family but at the same time I'm glad they don't have to have that nagging little "what if" in the back of their minds forever. It's a shame it took this long, but I'm just glad they have some answers, with hopefully more coming.

MissFit29 · 09-03-2016, 08:07 PM

Apparently the guy worked out some kind of plea deal with his child porn charges - sounds like he may not even be charged with Jacob's kidnapping and murder.

atomicfizz · 09-03-2016, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissFit29

Apparently the guy worked out some kind of plea deal with his child porn charges - sounds like he may not even be charged with Jacob's kidnapping and murder.

What?!?! That's crazy! A deal on the porn and the kidnapping/murder? I wonder if authorities ever talked about this with the Wetterlings... like what was more important to them, etc... or if they just decided they wanted the answers. I guess it makes sense they did give him some kind of deal. He was probably going to be in jail the rest of his life on the CP charges, he didn't really have any incentive to give up any information and I highly doubt he just grew a conscience overnight.

dynoguy88 · 09-03-2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomicfizz

I never thought I'd see this day! I remember when he was kidnapped so well. I can't believe Heinrich actually broke down and led them to remains! I feel so bad for the family but at the same time I'm glad they don't have to have that nagging little "what if" in the back of their minds forever. It's a shame it took this long, but I'm just glad they have some answers, with hopefully more coming.

That's the only bright side in all of this. They have answers and they no longer have to live in the dark about where he is and what really happened to him.

I'm kind of interested in hearing statements from Jacob's brother Trevor and his friend Aaron. Think of the hell those two have been through, living every day being relieved they weren't "chosen" but having survivor's guilt and knowing you had no choice but to leave Jacob with that monster.

Corkys-Place · 09-03-2016, 08:50 PM

This made news in Australia as well. When I saw the photo I thought for a split second it was Jeremy Bright!

http://www.news.com.au/world/north-a...1ed0723169dd60

Tragic as this is at least the Wetterling family can give their son a proper burial.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 09-03-2016, 09:22 PM

Tragic but also a great relief to Jacob's brother and friend. When this happened my dad found the whole story of a masked man jumping out of nowhere in a remote area so incredible he believed probably the boys didn't want to admit they had been in an accident which proved fatal to Jacob so concocted a kidnapping story. They never wavered from their account no matter who tried to sway them. They have now been vindicated as telling the truth. I believed them all along, especially after seeing the brother on TV years later break down in tears recounting the event.

ScaryFog · 09-04-2016, 12:55 AM

It wasn't on UM, but it was on The Hunt with John Walsh recently.

Sad ending, but now at least the parents no longer have to torture themselves with the slim hope that he might come back. Now they know his fate.

A side-by-side comparison of he sketch of the suspect and on the right is Daniel Heinrich.

atomicfizz · 09-04-2016, 04:45 AM

They do look similar, but Heinrich would have been 28 when Jacob was kidnapped and the first picture based on that age. I guess he just looked old before his time. I mean there doesn't seem to be any doubt it was him, and he was wearing a nylon over his head which probably distorted his features, so it's probably actually a pretty good likeness. He just didn't age well. He's what, 55 now? He looks older than my mom who is 66. probably just always looked old.

dynoguy88 · 09-04-2016, 11:33 AM

This is more accurate. The picture is of him just a couple months after Jacob's abduction.

Todd Mueller · 09-04-2016, 02:16 PM

This case hits me especially hard. I grew up in Minnesota and I am only a few years older than Jacob. I have a lot of relatives in the St. Cloud and St. Joseph areas. I dated a girl who grew up with Jacob and he was her "first kiss".

When this happened, it sucked the innocence out of Minnesota. This was not the first kid to be abducted, but the nature and location made it especially weird and scary. Most of us assumed he would be returned. I remember all the yellow ribbons and signs that said "Jacob's Hope." For many nights people all over Minnesota left their porch lights on for Jacob, as a sign of unity and a way to say "Come home, Jacob." For a long time after this, parents kept a much tighter watch over their kids, and probably still do here. I know I was never the same after this.

Jacob's mom, Patty, became a well-known advocate for missing kids in Minnesota and across the nation. I have always felt very sorry for her, and yesterday my heart broke for her and her family all over again. While I am very happy they have closure, I am devastated that they now have to plan the funeral for their 11-year-old little boy 30 some years later.

I am very interested to hear the final resolution of this and how they got the suspect to give up his location. If you read up on this, they have him pegged for other abductions and attempted abductions in the same area over the years. What makes me want to rage is that they have physical evidence against him in another abduction but couldn't prosecute due to "statute of limitations." WTF?!? How can there be a statute of limitations for kidnapping and sexual molestation???

It was a sad day yesterday and we will continue to mourn Jacob, but at least we know where he was all these years. And last night, with tears in my eyes, I turned on our porch light (along with many others) one final time, to show our support and love for a little boy who never got to come home...

RIP, Jacob.

09-03-2016, 01:03 PM	#1
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Jacob Wetterling's remains have been found! How unbelievable and sad! This wasn't featured on UM (which always surprised me) but a very highly publicized case so I thought I would post. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2776931

09-03-2016, 01:32 PM	#2
WishfulDreamer Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 01, 2009 Location: L.A. Posts: 3,865	Wow. I'm glad he's been found and they have the perpetrator in custody. But what a senseless tragedy
	Last edited by WishfulDreamer; 09-03-2016 at 02:21 PM.

09-03-2016, 04:32 PM	#5
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: 34,338	Things to know about 1989 abduction of Minnesota boy Link Things to know about 1989 abduction of Minnesota boy Jeff Baenen, Associated Press Updated 2:58 pm, Saturday, September 3, 2016 This Nov. 3, 2015 photo shows the area where 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was abducted in Oct. 1989 in St. Joseph, Minn. Patty Wetterling, the mother of Jacob Wetterling said Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 that his remains have been found. Danny Heinrich, who authorities have called a person of interest in the 1989 kidnapping, denied any involvement and was not charged with that crime. But he has pleaded not guilty to several federal child pornography charges. Photo: Jeff Baenen, AP / ap Photo: Jeff Baenen, AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The 1989 abduction of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling from a deserted road has intrigued Minnesota residents and others around the country for more than two decades. Despite extensive searches, tens of thousands of leads and a reward offer, Jacob was never found. Now, his mother said in a text message to KARE-TV on Saturday that Jacob "has been found and our hearts are broken." Here are things to know about the case: ___ WHAT HAPPENED Jacob was riding his bicycle with his 10-year-old brother, Trevor, and a friend on Oct. 22, 1989, when a masked gunman abducted him near his home in St. Joseph, about 80 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The gunman was on foot, and no car was in sight. Authorities said the man held onto Jacob and threatened to shoot the other two unless they ran into the woods. Sheriff's deputies, National Guard troops and hundreds of volunteers scoured the area but found no clues. The FBI released a personality profile of the type of person who may have kidnapped the boy — probably a previous sex offender, a white man 25 to 35 years old and likely someone who worked at an unskilled job. ___ A FRUSTRATING SEARCH Jacob's disappearance generated more than 50,000 leads. Despite extensive publicity, repeated aerial and ground surveys and an initial reward of more than $100,000 after the kidnapping, state, local and federal authorities were frustrated by the lack of evidence. The seemingly unsolvable case remained open. In 2010, authorities spent two days searching and digging at a farm near where Jacob was last seen, but forensic tests on the items showed no link to the crime. ___ ATTENTION ON CHILDREN In 1990, Jacob's parents, Patty and Jerry Wetterling, founded what is now known as the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, which works to help communities and families prevent child exploitation. She later would chair the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Patty Wetterling would continue to speak passionately about making the world a safe place for children. And in 1994, Congress passed the Jacob Wetterling Act, legislation for a sex offender registry. ___ 'PERSON OF INTEREST' Last year, authorities re-examined the case and said Danny Heinrich, of Annandale, was a "person of interest" in Jacob's disappearance. He faces federal child pornography charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty, but has denied any involvement in Jacob's abduction, and has not been charged with that crime.
	__________________ '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.

09-03-2016, 01:52 PM	#3
dynoguy88 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,672	This breaks my heart for the Wetterling family. I hope they can finally get some kind of closure. I always wondered why the other boys who were assaulted in that area and time were eventually let go but Jacob never was. Thoughts and prayers for the Wetterlings.

09-03-2016, 04:28 PM	#4
nohwheregirl THE Mystery Machine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 1,057	OMG...this is just heartbreaking and terrifying. I'm so thankful that the investigators didn't give up and got him to confess. I've always been hopeful that Jacob's case would be solved, but never really thought it would happen.

09-03-2016, 08:00 PM	#6
atomicfizz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 310	I never thought I'd see this day! I remember when he was kidnapped so well. I can't believe Heinrich actually broke down and led them to remains! I feel so bad for the family but at the same time I'm glad they don't have to have that nagging little "what if" in the back of their minds forever. It's a shame it took this long, but I'm just glad they have some answers, with hopefully more coming.

09-03-2016, 08:07 PM	#7
MissFit29 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 09, 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 526	Apparently the guy worked out some kind of plea deal with his child porn charges - sounds like he may not even be charged with Jacob's kidnapping and murder.

09-03-2016, 08:50 PM	#10
Corkys-Place Unsolved Mysteries Fan Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 23, 2010 Posts: 790	This made news in Australia as well. When I saw the photo I thought for a split second it was Jeremy Bright! http://www.news.com.au/world/north-a...1ed0723169dd60 Tragic as this is at least the Wetterling family can give their son a proper burial.

09-03-2016, 09:22 PM	#11
Cori aka ChrisSCrush Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: USA and still trying to be proud of it! Posts: 2,068	Tragic but also a great relief to Jacob's brother and friend. When this happened my dad found the whole story of a masked man jumping out of nowhere in a remote area so incredible he believed probably the boys didn't want to admit they had been in an accident which proved fatal to Jacob so concocted a kidnapping story. They never wavered from their account no matter who tried to sway them. They have now been vindicated as telling the truth. I believed them all along, especially after seeing the brother on TV years later break down in tears recounting the event.

09-04-2016, 12:55 AM	#12
ScaryFog Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 25, 2009 Posts: 222	It wasn't on UM, but it was on The Hunt with John Walsh recently. Sad ending, but now at least the parents no longer have to torture themselves with the slim hope that he might come back. Now they know his fate. A side-by-side comparison of he sketch of the suspect and on the right is Daniel Heinrich.

09-04-2016, 04:45 AM	#13
atomicfizz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 310	They do look similar, but Heinrich would have been 28 when Jacob was kidnapped and the first picture based on that age. I guess he just looked old before his time. I mean there doesn't seem to be any doubt it was him, and he was wearing a nylon over his head which probably distorted his features, so it's probably actually a pretty good likeness. He just didn't age well. He's what, 55 now? He looks older than my mom who is 66. probably just always looked old.

09-04-2016, 11:33 AM	#14
dynoguy88 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,672	This is more accurate. The picture is of him just a couple months after Jacob's abduction.

09-04-2016, 02:16 PM	#15
Todd Mueller Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,626	This case hits me especially hard. I grew up in Minnesota and I am only a few years older than Jacob. I have a lot of relatives in the St. Cloud and St. Joseph areas. I dated a girl who grew up with Jacob and he was her "first kiss". When this happened, it sucked the innocence out of Minnesota. This was not the first kid to be abducted, but the nature and location made it especially weird and scary. Most of us assumed he would be returned. I remember all the yellow ribbons and signs that said "Jacob's Hope." For many nights people all over Minnesota left their porch lights on for Jacob, as a sign of unity and a way to say "Come home, Jacob." For a long time after this, parents kept a much tighter watch over their kids, and probably still do here. I know I was never the same after this. Jacob's mom, Patty, became a well-known advocate for missing kids in Minnesota and across the nation. I have always felt very sorry for her, and yesterday my heart broke for her and her family all over again. While I am very happy they have closure, I am devastated that they now have to plan the funeral for their 11-year-old little boy 30 some years later. I am very interested to hear the final resolution of this and how they got the suspect to give up his location. If you read up on this, they have him pegged for other abductions and attempted abductions in the same area over the years. What makes me want to rage is that they have physical evidence against him in another abduction but couldn't prosecute due to "statute of limitations." WTF?!? How can there be a statute of limitations for kidnapping and sexual molestation??? It was a sad day yesterday and we will continue to mourn Jacob, but at least we know where he was all these years. And last night, with tears in my eyes, I turned on our porch light (along with many others) one final time, to show our support and love for a little boy who never got to come home... RIP, Jacob.