Mr. Miller,
Recently, the Leon County Sheriff” s Office worked a missing persons case where a mother and her fourteen year old daughter were missing. The pair were reported missing on December 21, 2002. As the case progressed, evidence was found that indicated foul play might be involved. This case would eventually cause seven counties to be involved in one way or another. The husband of the adult missing person committed suicide on January 9, 2003 in Grand Prairie, Texas. The husband did not leave any information as to the whereabouts of the missing persons. Two barrels were found containing two bodies believed to be our missing persons ofl’ of Highway 287 in Midlothian, Texas. The bodies would later be positively identified as the missing persons from Leon County.
This case was a difficult one to work. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is a small law enforcement agency with only nine full time certified peace officers assigned to patrol duties. We have one investigator, myself and the sheriff working with the patrol deputies. Everyone in our agency had a part in the investigation of the two missing persons. The case took it’s toll on us physically and emotionally. When you and other members of the Equusearch Group came to Centerville to assist in the search for Samantha and Gay Clinton, it gave us our second wind and encouragement to keep searching. The bodies of Samantha and Gay were found shortly afier you became involved. However, I cannot tell you what it meant to the Leon County Sherist Ofl‘ice, the Centerville community, and the citizens of Leon County to know that you and your group were here helping. I want to thank you and the other Equusearch people for your assistance. The service that you provide is invaluable. I pray that you will always be successful in helping people to find their loved ones. If you ever need anything that the Leon County Sheriff’s Office can be of assistance with, please call on us.
Sincerely,
A.L. Osborne
Chief Deputy, Leon County Sheriff’s Office
