GUILTY CA - Michelle Hoang Thi Le, 26, Hayward, 27 May 2011

[Paulette]

Sharp intake of breath re who found Michelle.

 

[Tink56]

Sharp intake of breath re who found Michelle.

According to the San Diego Union Tribune it was Carrie McGongile who found her.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/20/mother-amber-dubois-found-michelle-les-remains/

 

[slowpoke]

From what I read on another case (was reading about missing hiker Joe Le, and the group that since formed as a result who call themselves GI Joe Search and Rescue) once the effort is reclassified from being a "rescue" to a "recovery" operation, police resources are scaled back.

So in Michelle's case, When the PD made the determination (on June 6) that they believed she was murdered, they also announced that their "effort to find Michelle is officially an effort of recovery."

So probably this is when Hayward PD scaled back their aggressive efforts, and around the time Michelle's family took up a greater role in the search efforts.

The article in the link states that Hayward police Lt. Roger Keener thought that perhaps a search and rescue dog (one who is trained in searching for a live person, as opposed to a cadaver dog) may have been used, as an explanation for why the body was not discovered previously.

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_18940229

 

[LinasK]

Unless it's in terms of who gets any reward money, why are we fighting on this board as to who found Michelle??? The important thing is that she was recovered and her family can now have closure.
I feel terrible to know that for months, since she disappeared, I've been driving less than a mile from where she was and had no idea...
(It does make me happy that a Lab puppy found her. They are great dogs!)

 

[cocomod]

In the grand scheme of things, at least Michelle is home.

<modsnip>

Whoever it ends up being who truly spotted the grave, then good eye. Whoever saw the remains, I hope they heal and aren't traumatized.

As stated in this article : http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_18940229 it is LE that confirms that Carrie found the body. <modsnip>

"Basically, she went to change from the collar to a harness, and the dog knows that's when we're going to go to work," Hayward police Lt. Roger Keener said.

Amber suddenly raced off on her own, going a long distance before returning and jumping on McGonigle, Keener said.

"It hasn't been trained to do this," Keener said. "Then it takes off again, and leads her right to Michelle's remains."

BBM

He added that while Amber has had about six months of rescue-dog training, she had no lessons in searching for bodies.

"Carrie said that after this, she's going to train Amber to do both," Keener said.

There initially was some confusion over who found the body, possibly because McGonigle quickly backed away from the scene and allowed a Hayward police officer in the same search party to take over, Keener said.

 

[Loyalty]

Was Keener there? He didn't even know what police did in previous searches. He was probably told the story and relayed it back to media.

"While the general area had been scoured before by Le family search parties and police, Keener did not know whether cadaver dogs had been used. "

They should ask Brad Dennis, who was in charge of the team that found Michelle. He knows who was where and when.

If Carrie found Michelle, that's something special indeed. But did somebody find the grave site first? Then the dog came a bit after? Because if there was this much confusion at first, something isn't adding up. And just because a spokesman retells a story doesn't make it fact.

Like I said, it doesn't really matter who found Michelle! But if somebody is getting glory over something so tragic, it's just not right IMO.

All of the articles should be 100% focused on Michelle and her family, and how people can help in this phase of justice.

 

[Wadsworth]

So now the COMPLETE focus is on WHO found Michelle Le's remains.

The family or Michelle is barely mentioned.

While I am not saying that "Amber's" mom doesn't deserve credit - it takes away from everyone's contributions, the investigation, and impending court case.

Now the media is saturated with who found her.

I'm disgusted. It's almost as if they are going to star her and the dog in a new Lifetime drama movie.

 

[cluciano63]

Perhaps Carrie and her group can go search for Hailey Dunn. JMO

 

[slowpoke]

I guess I do think learning it was Carrie McGonigle and her dog who helped discover the remains is a noteworthy aspect in the story of the search for Michelle, and was very touched by it, and glad to read about it.

Of course, the media is always looking for an angle that "sells". But I believe Carrie McGonigle has the focus right in her heart and mind.

This article says that "McGonigle said she has not spoken to the any members of the Le family but began the news conference expressing her condolences to them. She also made it clear that all the volunteers who had searched for Le over the past few months, and especially her dog, were the heroes, not her."

It is a special story, to me.

JMHO

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/21/amber-dubois-mother-explains-how-she-and-her-dog-f/

 

[panthera]

Slain Daugher's Mom Finds Missing Girl's Body
&#8206;6 minutes ago&#8206;

When the body of a bay area nursing student was found near an Alameda County park Saturday, it was none other than the mother of murdered Escondido Teenager Amber Dubois who located the remains. Carrie McGonigle was among a couple dozen volunteers searching for 26 year-old Michelle Le in a remote canyon when she came upon the body.

Leading her to the body was McGonigle's dog, a labrador named Amber, in memory of her murdered daughter.

http://www.kmjnow.com/pages/landing...s-Missing-Girls-B=1&blockID=550310&feedID=806

This may already have been posted. I just saw it. Sorry if re-post.

BBM

Even if it was posted before it is worth a re-posting! This is a very endearing account of how valuable canines are when searching.........as evidenced by the fact that Amber isn't completely trained, yet still found Michelle's remains.

:heartluv:

 

[panthera]

Amazing story of how Amber's mom found Michelle Le&#8217;s body

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - It's been two and a half years since 14-year-old Amber Dubois was killed and Wednesday her mother shared the story of how she helped locate the body of another murder victim.

Carrie McGonigle was helping in the search for nursing student Michelle Le in Northern California, when her dog came across the remains.

When asked what her late daughter would have said about her mother's search efforts to find Michelle Le, Mcgonigle replied "you go mom." And that's exactly what she did with a help from a furry friend.

more, including video of Carrie's search team and Amber at

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15519582/amazing-story-of-how-ambers-mom-found-michelle-les-body

 

[LinasK]

So now the COMPLETE focus is on WHO found Michelle Le's remains.

The family or Michelle is barely mentioned.

While I am not saying that "Amber's" mom doesn't deserve credit - it takes away from everyone's contributions, the investigation, and impending court case.

Now the media is saturated with who found her.

I'm disgusted. It's almost as if they are going to star her and the dog in a new Lifetime drama movie.

That's because the family requested their privacy. They are grieving the confirmation of their loss. Up until now, they were holding out hope she was alive. They are also planning a funeral. It is not the right time for the focus to be on them. I really don't care who found the body, only that Michelle was found!
P.S. I also think it's a great thing that a murder victim's parent can contribute to other families of the missing as Amber's mother has, complete opposite of the Anthony's! And I am glad a Lab puppy found her.

 

[cocomod]

I applaud Carrie's volunteer efforts and her dog. She is not seeking the media attention, the media is seeking her attention.

The perp is behind bars, there seems to be a bucket of evidence against this perp, and the final missing piece of the puzzle has been put together. Michelle has been found. She can now R.I.P. in dignity. Her family has a funeral to plan; and having just buried my dear M-I-L, I know how many hours it takes to plan and put together a funeral - even one that is expected. Let alone, a funeral of a beautiful young girl that has captured the hearts of thousands.

My heart goes out the Michelle's family at this time. I am very thankful that the media is giving them their privacy during this very difficult time. Their hopes were dashed this week. They will not be bringing Michelle home alive.

 

[LinasK]

Posted: 4:04 pm PDT September 20, 2011Updated: 8:24 pm PDT September 20, 2011
HAYWARD, Calif. -- Family members of Michelle Le say they are planning a memorial service for her now that the missing nursing student's body has been found and identified. In a statement issued late Monday after the Alameda County coroner's bureau confirmed that the body found in Niles Canyon near Fremont on Saturday morning is Le's, her family members said, "We are grieving and preparing a memorial service for her -- a proper goodbye." Le's family thanked the public "for your support prayers and thoughts" during the search for Le, 26, who disappeared on May 27 from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward. "Our family has greatly appreciated, and would be at a loss, without the help of so many people and volunteers," they said.

http://www.ktvu.com/news/29248158/detail.html

 

[RR0004]

I guess I do think learning it was Carrie McGonigle and her dog who helped discover the remains is a noteworthy aspect in the story of the search for Michelle, and was very touched by it, and glad to read about it.

Of course, the media is always looking for an angle that "sells". But I believe Carrie McGonigle has the focus right in her heart and mind.

This article says that "McGonigle said she has not spoken to the any members of the Le family but began the news conference expressing her condolences to them. She also made it clear that all the volunteers who had searched for Le over the past few months, and especially her dog, were the heroes, not her."

It is a special story, to me.

JMHO

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/21/amber-dubois-mother-explains-how-she-and-her-dog-f/

ITA...G-d bless Michelle and prayers for her family.

 

[obody]

To be honest, I doubt Michelle's family cares what the media is saturated with, at this point in time.

For all we know they might appreciate that Michelle was found by someone who understands what they are going through.

 

[infamous]

I have respect for all those who have searched for Michelle and also helped the family in any way (prayer, food, etc), but in regards to who deserves credit for finding her. It doesn't matter! She's found and now the family can have a bit of closure, but I'm sure they want justice to be served.

 

[Loyalty]

To be honest, I doubt Michelle's family cares what the media is saturated with, at this point in time.

For all we know they might appreciate that Michelle was found by someone who understands what they are going through.

Exactly. Wait until the family and the other volunteers that were in the same area that day and Brad Dennis (Search Director) give their side of the story about this. Has anybody interviewed them about who found the remains?

Again, it SHOULD not matter who found the remains. BUT, now the media makes it seem like it does.

In that video interview, Carrie even mentions there was a search group ahead of them. Needs to be verified though. (See I don't just take a single person's word and call it fact). Do not get me wrong, I think Team Amber and Carrie are superb people and bless her heart that she was in the area. That's very special in itself. But to make stories and headlines about who found the remains/grave first without being verified by other volunteers in the same area and group nor the family nor the search director, that just irritates me. And people of course believe it because it's on the news and retold by a police spokesman who didn't even know if dogs were in the area previously or not.

 

[Oriah]

Perhaps Carrie and her group can go search for Hailey Dunn. JMO

They did.
They did not have the puppy yet.

 

[BeanE]

Perhaps Carrie and her group can go search for Hailey Dunn. JMO

From your mouth to God's ears.

They did.
They did not have the puppy yet.

With this puppy.