Dave,
| can’t thank you enough for your work in coordinating and managing the search for missing woman Monica Sykes. With only phone conversations in the beginning, it was quickly evident to me you could be trusted with the information | had to share in order to make the search for Monica Sykes effective.
Upon meeting you and Linda Bommer in person, | found you both to be very approachable, dedicated, and professional. Your dedication to the success of the search was clearly noticed through your attention to detail, interviews with the media, and ease of planning such a large event. | was greatly impressed by your expertise in your field as well as your preparations in familiarizing yourself with the intended search area.
On the day of the search, 02/04/2017, it was very organized and the volunteer searchers were provided with clear directions as to how to conduct the search. Your words of, “We’re either going to find her, or we’ll | where she’s not,” couldn’t have been any clearer to me when we began that search. During the search, human remains were found and later identified as Monica Sykes. ©
The day after the search, 02/05/2017, you and your team responded to the scene and offered your services in locating additional bones and evidence, however, you had to wait approximately four hours as the area was searched by cadaver dogs. Some people would have just left, but your team was so driven to assist and consequently, waited patiently until the cadaver dogs were finished. While your team was searching, additional information was relayed to you regarding the suspected area the remains were originally. Learning this new information, you completely changed the area you were searching, wherein you and your team exhibited a methodical approach in identifying the likely area of the missing lower mandible. The lower mandible was located by your team in the exact area you had identified.
| feel blessed to have met you and the members of your team who selflessly donated their time with the sole purpose of finding Monica Sykes to bring some form of closure to her family. This search would not have been successful had it not been for you and your team. I’ve never met kinder hearted individuals and am eternally grateful for your assistance, as well as what you have taught me. | certainly hope | never need your services again, however, if the need arises, you will be the first person | call.
Respectfully,
Detective Allison Ste
Bureau of Crimina
Berkeley Police Department 1
Berkeley Police Department 2