Thank you for starting this thread.
As a long time follower of true crime, I am so greatful for the internet. I remember the day when we only had newspapers to follow these cases, maybe some local news reports and then maybe a book or two about the case. My interest started in true crime when a family from my area was killed in their summer cottage in northern Michigan. I was in 7th grade and it was 42 years ago. All the information that was available came via the newspapers. The crime was wrapped in mystery and the perplexities of the case never left my mind. The case has never been officially solved, and I do check on it once in a while. There is a slight similarity between that case and Caylee, in the respect that decomp played a prominent role. The family was locked in their cottage for a week before anyone discovered them. A passerby noticed an awful smell and contacted authorities. When LE walked onto the scene and approached the back door they were met with a horror that they weren't prepared for: swarms of flies and an awful odor that could be smelled all the way to the road. Of course, there was a flurry of info in the newspapers, but that eventually subsided and the case would only get attention on its anniversary and then it waned to a point that it was only brought up when someone thought about it and asked a question. Oddly enough, this year 2 books have been released about it and it is being remembered as Michigan folklore.
In between that case and now, I have followed many cases, and a few have stayed with me in that I still look for updates. OJ, Danielle Van Dam, Laci Peterson.
I came to WS the day Laci Peterson was first reported missing on TV. That was a very emotional case. The big difference for me is that in the Laci Peteson case there were
actually people you cared about beyond the victims. Sharon, Ron, Brent, Laci's g/f's, even Amber Frey were all people you felt sympathy for. In this case, the only person I care about is Caylee. Never in my life did I expect to see the path this case has taken.
It really baffles me how Casey and the Anthonys are allowed to lie and are willing to lie at the expense of this child. Their sense of entitlement irks me. The fact that they are unwilling to listen to people with experience, and follow their suggestions is repulsive.
Yes, this case is very emotional for me. I do not and cannot understand how this precious little girl was so disposible.
It is a comfort to have sites like this to help work thru thoughts and theories. I am either on here or on chat and some days it is very difficult to pull myself away, but I do, just to keep my emotions in check. Lucky for me I have a husband that is reminded of my hobby/interest when he passes by our bookshelves, so he doesn't complain too much.
To the newbies - if you find yourself getting too wrapped up, take a few hours off. Walk away, light a candle, say a prayer, hug your family and count your blessings. Also, if posting gets too daunting, come join us in chat - being able to discuss the case in real time is helpful at times and fun.
