In thinking of Baby Beth, who would now be around 36 years old, where online would someone go who always wondered if they were "adopted?" I'm just imagining Beth as a grown woman who has always felt some nagging thought in her mind about being adopted, and attempts to figure that out. I think the Angels whisper in our ears sometimes. Does anyone know a resource like that? This might be a lead in finding her.
If we find Beth, we will find Diane's murderer, or certainly the link. Who known to the Funchess's moved quickly during that timeframe? I feel strongly this was someone known to them through the Locatelli connection (he worked for the Locatelli Ranch at one point, and Diane's body was found in a shallow grave close to the Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains.) I never heard much about the investigators vigorously investigating, or ruling out this theory, but I do remember it discussed at the time of her dissapearance. A known assailant makes sense. Someone who had a grudge with them for some reason, knew she was pregnant, and plotted this for some time? Of course I could be completely wrong, but these are my thoughts. Who had a grudge with Ken Funchess?
I'm going to continue to think of ways that Beth could be found. I would just think that she might have an instinct that she is "adopted", and seek to figure that out.
Update. Now I understand why the Locatelli connection was never vigorously investigated, or at least discussed more. The Locatelli family is very prominent, with very high level political connections. I always wondered why more wasn't made of the fact that Diane's body was found near their ranch, where Ken Funchess used to work. Perhaps the Locatelli's (as horrified as all of us), pulled in some favors to quickly supress the unfavorable connection. Of course, who could blame them. None the less, I still think that whoever worked with Ken Funchess at that ranch, would be interesting to talk to. Just my thoughts....
BBM 1: I agree 100% and can just about guarantee Beth would have some kind of "hmmm, something isn't adding up here" kind of feeling for probably quite some time now. If alive, she has likely searched but has no idea what, where, who to search for.
I say this, as I'm also adopted. My 2 yr younger sister (rip) was also an adopted child. She had an unbelievably intense drive to find her birthparents, even when she was about 7 years old. If she had to scale Mt Everest to do it, she would have done that. I believe it nags at girls FAR more than boys.
I do "think" there is a national adoption registry, whereby if both parties (adoptee & birth parent) register, then connection is possible. The problem here is... would it be possible for her to have registered? Her name is unknown naturally (no biggie there) however her place of birth would be likely be listed as "unknown" (if possible to list that way) and her DOB could likely be +/- a few years.
Personally, I think this would be the best (possibly only) chance at locating 36 yr old "baby" Beth. Also the best chance of solving Diane's murder, if Beth is alive & located.
Here are some links I've found on national adoption registries:
Jennifer's Adoption Registry
Adopted.com
Adoption.org
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(US Dept of Health & Human Services)
BBM 2: I also feel a strong connection exists between persons at the Locatelli ranch and the abduction/murder of Diane. The fact that Diane's husband had worked there, combined with the vicinity where her body was located is very suspicious. I would not rule out this murder serving a dual purpose for the perpetrator(s). One being personal revenge as a motive. And two, being the possible sale of the infant as a monetary gains motive.
Could it also be possible that someone very influential/wealthy and related/connected to those at Locatelli ranch had a situation where they could not bear children, and since normal adoption processes are difficult & lengthy at best, saw a unique opportunity to gain a child by paying off someone to get that child, at any cost (Diane's murder)? Just a thought.
BBM 3: 100% agree!
BBM 4: This relates to my response in BBM 2 listed above.
BBM 5: 100% agree, and I surely hope detectives would have pressed hard in this direction upon discovering Diane's body, tho I feel the "stature" of those that owned & operated Locatelli ranch may have had enough influence to cut this part of the investigation to a bare minimum. Sadly, after this long, will LE ever revitalize this case for active review & investigation. Odds are it will never happen without some new breaking info.
