ID ID - Michael “Monkey” Vaughan, 5, last seen near home, Fruitland, 27 Jul 2021 #2

[Knox]

What would four thirty-something year old adults. Three who were males, want with a young male child?

My mind goes to SA. But could there be a trafficking element to this as well?

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

IMO, crime of opportunity, sadly. Little Michael was wandering the neighborhood and came in contact with pure evil.

That's what I suspect too, that M was out playing alone or door knocking looking for a playmate and somehow encountered one of these people or their associates, or was maybe unintentionally hit by one of their vehicles, and something awful unfolded that several of them are aware of.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

Re Sarah W, if she has been medically evaluated as not well enough for judicial proceedings and yet also hasn't been convicted, on what basis is she being held in a prison? Should she not be on a psychiatric hold in a hospital? I live in the UK and am not familiar with USA due process but to me this doesn't sound quite right.

 

[NuttMegg]

That's what I suspect too, that M was out playing alone or door knocking looking for a playmate and somehow encountered one of these people or their associates, or was maybe unintentionally hit by one of their vehicles, and something awful unfolded that several of them are aware of.

I wonder to what extent the word abducted" applies. Ie if someone caused harm to the boy in the street and moved him while he was alive, I can see that would be abducting, imo. But what if he were dead, then moved....is that "abducting"? LE seems persistent in using the word "abducted".

 

[Alethea]

Re Sarah W, if she has been medically evaluated as not well enough for judicial proceedings and yet also hasn't been convicted, on what basis is she being held in a prison? Should she not be on a psychiatric hold in a hospital? I live in the UK and am not familiar with USA due process but to me this doesn't sound quite right.

She's basically in a secure hospital. She was arrested and charged with a crime so she can be held by the state. But then she was deemed not mentally fit to be able to participate in her defense so she is being held and treated until she can be deemed competent to stand trial. In the US you have to be able to understand the proceedings in order to go through a trial.

 

[PriorTheCreator]

So Sarah said god did this, when actually she knew who did?

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

I wonder to what extent the word abducted" applies. Ie if someone caused harm to the boy in the street and moved him while he was alive, I can see that would be abducting, imo. But what if he were dead, then moved....is that "abducting"? LE seems persistent in using the word "abducted".

I am wondering same - I guess 'abducted' would not include a fatal accident? However, maybe LE are leaving it wide open to include all scenarios where possibly M was maybe lured to a place, or invited into a vehicle or a building or into the house, maybe someone walked alongside with him to a location or perhaps it was far worse and they picked him up or outright kidnapped using force. I guess 'abducted' is a cover-all word?

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

So Sarah said god did this, when actually she knew who did?

I seem to recall it was reported she said god had 'told her' that M had been put in first one place at their home (the rear garden) and then another place (near the door) and that this was connected to an Adrian. It seems she has made this claim after the first person had revealed some information. I may be wrong.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

She's basically in a secure hospital. She was arrested and charged with a crime so she can be held by the state. But then she was deemed not mentally fit to be able to participate in her defense so she is being held and treated until she can be deemed competent to stand trial. In the US you have to be able to understand the proceedings in order to go through a trial.

Thanks for the info, that makes sense, I think it's pretty much the same in UK.

 

[PriorTheCreator]

I seem to recall it was reported she said god had 'told her' that M had been put in first one place at their home (the rear garden) and then another place (near the door) and that this was connected to an Adrian. It seems she has made this claim after the first person had revealed some information. I may be wrong.

thanks for the clarification

 

[katydid23]

Wow, that was pretty thorough, thank you for posting it. So all four individuals "have first-hand knowledge" of the abduction of Michael. So someone in that house kidnapped and killed Michael and the others either 1) knew, 2) were also involved, or 3) learned after the fact and failed to report it.

It is interesting that they are not singling out any one person. Would they release the names of the other two "involved" people without first locating and arresting them if they thought one of them was the actual murderer?

Stacey has been incarcerated for awhile. And I believe that his wife's version of events, was that God told her that someone killed this poor child, and Lucien helped him do the burial. But she was all over the place so it was not 100% believable.

The story she told has been printed in various msm articles, and is upthread somewhere. I'll try to find it again.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Stacey has been incarcerated for awhile. And I believe that his wife's version of events, was that God told her that someone killed this poor child, and Lucien helped him do the burial. But she was all over the place so it was not 100% believable.

The story she told has been printed in various msm articles, and is upthread somewhere. I'll try to find it again.

Here's one of the articles.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article268740487.html

Officials said Sarah Wondra maintained that she “definitely did not kill that boy” and said “the most high God already told me who did it.” She reportedly told police, “oh wow wow the most high God just told me that Stacey was the one who killed him and buried him in the yard of” the neighbor’s house.

<modsnip - 10% copyright violation>

Stacey just told me.” She then corrected herself and said that’s what God told her, according to the affidavit.

She allegedly reiterated to police that she “had nothing to do with” Michael’s disappearance. She said her husband buried Michael in the backyard by the shed but wasn’t the one who actually harmed the boy. She said instead that a man identified only as Adrian “had been the one that had done it, and he was scared to tell anybody.”

 

[Alethea]

Here's one of the articles.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article268740487.html

Officials said Sarah Wondra maintained that she “definitely did not kill that boy” and said “the most high God already told me who did it.” She reportedly told police, “oh wow wow the most high God just told me that Stacey was the one who killed him and buried him in the yard of” the neighbor’s house.

<modsnip - 10% copyright violation>

She allegedly reiterated to police that she “had nothing to do with” Michael’s disappearance. She said her husband buried Michael in the backyard by the shed but wasn’t the one who actually harmed the boy. She said instead that a man identified only as Adrian “had been the one that had done it, and he was scared to tell anybody.”

I read about Sarah’s story but here it sounds like Stacey in prison gave them information about it. Was he in prison at the time of the abduction?

 

[iamnotagolem]

I read about Sarah’s story but here it sounds like Stacey in prison gave them information about it. Was he in prison at the time of the abduction?

I don't think he was in prison when Michael went missing. I'll look for a link and add it, but it seems like he was arrested in May 2022.

eta: link

Wondra’s husband, Stacey James Wondra, 30, was arrested in May 2022 for unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and is currently being held at the Washington County jail, according to information publicly available on the Washington County website.

Fruitland woman charged in Vaughan disappearance | Signal American

signalamerican.com

 

[Allabouttrial]

Apologies only just got around to doing the press conference.

Press Conference

1st December 2022.

Chief - Good afternoon everybody. I just wanted to start out by saying thank you to our media partners. Thanks for being here and thank you for the continued coverage of the Michael Vaughan case. I also wanted to begin by just giving my sincere thanks to all the law enforcement agencies, local businesses and members of the public who helped us over the course of the last year and a half of this intense investigation. More recently, during the last three weeks, we could not have completed the work necessary without the selfless help of others. The community support has been absolutely incredible. As you know, from the time Michael went missing, this has been an all hands on deck investigation and it remains very active and an ongoing investigation. You can't take one of our most precious citizens from us and ever expect us to stop.

During the course of this investigation, to date, we received credible information that the remains of Michael Vaughan could be found in the backyard at 1102 Redwing St., Fruitland. As a result, the Fruitland Police Department obtained a search warrant for the residence, along with the front and backyards. That search warrant was served on November, 11th., it was a Friday. We served that late in the evening. Upon entry, officers encountered Sarah Wondra, one of the known occupants of the home, and Sarah was subsequently arrested, based on probable cause that she had knowledge of Michael's death and failed to report that death to law enforcement. The following day, the Fruitland Police Department joined by the Idaho State Police, the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, the Fruitland Fire Department, and the Fruitland Public Works Department, began a very methodical excavation of the backyard of the Wondra's home. During that excavation process, the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Mountain State's detection dogs, deployed multiple certified human remains detection dogs on the property. All of them alerting to the presence of human remains. Ground penetrating radar was also used and deployed, detecting anomalies in the backyard. We completed the excavation of the entire backyard and removed over 250 yards of dirt. Prior to backfilling the yard, the dirt was meticulously sifted for any potential human remains.

We did not find Michael's remains. Although the remains of Michael Vaughan were not recovered, we strongly believe, based on evidence, that Michael was abducted and is deceased and that his remains were buried and later moved from the property. As of today, the whereabouts of his remains are unknown. However, the investigation is active, fluid and ongoing. Once the excavation was complete, we conducted a thorough search of the Wondra's residence. The search was productive and additional investigative evidence was recovered and is currently being processed.

Evidence suggests that the following individuals, who are currently in custody, are involved in the abduction of Michael Vaughan. This is Sarah Wondra, 35 years old.



Sarah lives at 1102 Redwing St., Fruitland and was living there at the time of Michael's disappearance. We believe that Sarah has first hand knowledge and is involved in Michael's abduction. Sarah Wondra is currently being held at the Payette County Jail for failing to report a death to law enforcement.

This is Sarah's husband, Stacey Wondra, 30 years old, a male.



Stacey was also living at 1102 Redwing St., Fruitland and was living there at the time of Michael's disappearance. We believe that Stacey has first hand knowledge and is involved in the abduction of Michael Vaughan. Stacey is currently being held in the Washington County Jail on unrelated charges.

Now, the next individuals I'm going to introduce you to - This is Brandon Shurtliff, 30 years old, of Kuna Idaho.



Brandon was living with Sarah and Stacey Wondra at 1102 Redwing Street, at the time of Michael's disappearance and we believe Brandon has first hand knowledge of Michael's abduction. Brandon is currently believed to be in North Dakota.

Adrien Lucienne, 32 year old male out of Toledo, Ohio.



Adrien was staying with Sarah and Stacey Wondra at 1102 Redwing Street, at the time of Michael's disappearance and we believe that Adrien has first hand knowledge of Michael's abduction. Adrien's currently believed to be in Toledo, but floats between Ohio and California. I strongly encourage Shurtliff and Lucienne to contact the Fruitland Police Department detectives, as the window of time for talking and cooperation is coming to a close.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation, with conversations taking place with the Payette County Prosecutor's Office about Michael's case, and those individuals involved. We also believe that there are others associated with the Wondra's, Shurtliff and Lucienne, who may have knowledge of Michael's abduction and I would strongly encourage them to come forward and speak with my detectives.

When we finally reach the conclusion of this investigation, and I can assure you, that we will, all of those who have knowledge of Michael's disappearance and have failed to report or hindered our investigation, will be pursued. There's a moment in time to do the right thing and bring your information forward and cooperate. And that moment in time is now.

To date, the Fruitland Police Department has received over 1500 tips and leads, and we received many new leads since this phase of the investigation has began. We continue to ask our community for support and patience, as we continue to aggressively work this case. We also ask that the Vaughan family privacy continue to be respected and we'll continue to post updates as information can be shared. Tips can be sent to: findmichael@fruitland.org or to Crime Stoppers at 208-343-COPS.com, or the Fruitland Police Department at 208-452-3110. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

So, before I open it up for questions, I just want to make it clear that this is a very active and ongoing investigation. It is super important that we maintain the integrity of this investigation. So, I'd ask you, that you please tailor your questions accordingly. With that I'll stand for a few questions.

Reporter - So, if Michael's remains are not found will Sarah have to be released, or do you think she will remain in jail (inaudible) locate the other people involved?.

Chief - It is my belief that she will remain in custody, but again, we're in talks with the Payette County Prosecutor and those talks are ongoing as far as charging.

Reporter - You can't speak to any additional evidence that was found at the house?.

Chief - I cannot, again, I just don't want to jeopardise the integrity of this investigation.

Reporter - Stacey Wondra is listed as an inmate in Washington County Jail, but he's not on the Idaho court records because it's currently federal (inaudible). Are there any other charges aside from (inaudible) that have been filed in relation to this?.

Chief - Not that I'm aware of, not at this point.

Reporter - What was different about the tip you received in this case, after 1500 tips over the last year and a half?. What led to the arrest and the search?. Can you share anymore about what lead you to that home?.

Chief - You know, I don't wanna get into the details on that, but I can assure you that the tip that we received was credible. I also released that in an earlier statement, that it came from one of the occupants of the home, which led to that.

Reporter - I'm sure that you guys in the investigation are following social media pages, which a lot of us have looked at and one of them indicates a trip out of state, taken within the timeframe. Without hampering the investigation are you guys, at least, aware of that trip?.

Chief - We are currently aware of a lot and so I would tell you that you just need to trust us and trust in this investigation. We're making tremendous progress. We're comfortable with where we're at. I appreciate that question.

Reporter - Sarah Wondra didn't pass her mental evaluation when they were in the hearing. Do you think this affects the investigation, at all, considering that to be the case?.

Chief - I do not, not at this point.

Reporter - There's been mention of a neighbours yard. Has that been searched in any way?, Or taken into consideration in this investigation?.

Chief - Yes, as a matter of fact, we'll be deploying ground penetrating radar in the neighbours yard tomorrow. We haven't done that yet, but we will. That's on the agenda for tomorrow, so thank you.

Reporter - Aside from just living with the Wondra's - Do we know what the relationship of the two men you named.. How are they connected with the Wondra's?.

Chief - You know, this is ongoing. I'm not going to get into the semantics and dynamics of the relationship there.

Reporter - One of the neighbours spoke to us about a scooter that you guys were looking for. Can you speak to anything about a scooter and if that was related?, Or is that something you were possibly looking for at the Wondra's residence, at all?.

Chief - Again, that's evidentiary in nature and I'm not going to speak to that, at this point.

Reporter - You mentioned the other property that is going to be starting to be searched tomorrow. Are there warrants for any other properties besides that?.

Chief - Not at this point, but through the course of this investigation, I believe, that there are other locations that we will definitely be searching. There is no warrant for the search that we're going to do tomorrow. It's all consensual, so, I appreciate that.

Reporter - Was the warrant that was executed in Kuna, in recent weeks, related to Branden Shurtliff?.

Chief - We did not have a warrant for any home in Kuna.

Reporter - But was there a search related to his home?.

Chief - Yes, there was.

Reporter - You said that you believe that one of them is in North Dakota you haven't located yet. Is that what you're saying?.

Chief - That's what I'm saying.

Reporter - If neither of these individuals do come forward with information, could they face any charges albeit hindering an investigation or anything like that?.

Chief - You know, I would tell you that I'm not going to discuss our investigative strategies, at this point, but it is my belief that charges are forthcoming.

Reporter - I know you're very proud of your team, that's really done an amazing job so far. Can you talk more about that and how they're doing?. It's gotta be tough.

Chief - It is tough. We've lived this case from the time that it began, but I'm telling you, I've got a very strong, committed group of people here and they come in here everyday and we're in this grind and they are committed to finding Michael and we're just not going to stop. Everybody should know that. We're not going to stop until we uncover the truth, in its entirity, I would say. So, Thank you.

Alright, thank you everybody.

 

[Allabouttrial]

What would four thirty-something year old adults. Three who were males, want with a young male child?

My mind goes to SA. But could there be a trafficking element to this as well?

I was shocked when they started reading names out, then they went on to say they believe others also knew.

I just can't even go there, at the minute.

 

[LovesPeace2]

I was shocked when they started reading names out, then they went on to say they believe others also knew.

I just can't even go there, at the minute.

I'm wondering if any of them had any SA charges in the past , LE have to have a idea why and what happened before they arrested her ,there's so many unanswered questions I just pray they find the little guy so he can be laid to rest properly jmoo

 

[Allabouttrial]

I'm wondering if any of them had any SA charges in the past , LE have to have a idea why and what happened before they arrested her ,there's so many unanswered questions I just pray they find the little guy so he can be laid to rest properly jmoo

What worries me is that they say that evidence leads them to believe that others may also know of Michael's abduction. What evidence - pics. videos..??

 

[WingsOverTX]

From Fruitland PDs Facebook
Press Release

Update: The investigation of the Disappearance of Michael Joseph Vaughan

To date, Fruitland Police investigators believe that there are four individuals involved in the abduction of Michael Vaughan. Two of the individuals are in custody, Sarah and Stacey Wondra. The following two individuals are needed for questioning:

Brandon Shurtliff, 30, of Kuna, Idaho. He is currently believed to be in North Dakota. Adrien Lucienne, 32, a male, of Toledo, Ohio. He is currently believed to be in Toeldo, but floats between California and Ohio. We believe that both Shurtliff and Lucienne have first-hand knowledge of Michael’s abduction.

Fruitland police strongly encourage Shurtliff and Lucienne to contact detectives at (208) 452-3000 as the window of time for talking is closing. This remains an ongoing investigation with conversations taking place with the Payette County Prosecutor’s Office about the individuals involved.

Currently Sarah Wondra, 35, is being held in the Payette County Jail for failing to report a death to law enforcement. Stacey Wondra, 30, is currently being held in the Washington County Jail on unrelated charges.

The Wondras live at 1102 Redwing St. in Fruitland and were living there at the time of Michael’s disappearance. We believe that Sarah and Stacey have first-hand knowledge of Michael’s abduction.

Others associated with the Wondra’s, Shurtliff, and Lucienne, may also have knowledge of the abduction of Michael. They are highly encouraged to come forward to speak with detectives.
During the course of the investigation, we received credible information that the remains of Michael Vaughan could be found in the backyard of 1102 Redwing Street in Fruitland.

The Fruitland Police Department obtained a search warrant for the residence along with the front and back yards. The search warrant was served on Nov. 11. Upon entry, officers encountered Sarah Wondra. She was subsequently arrested based on probable cause that she had knowledge of Michael’s death and failed to report the death to law enforcement. The following day, the Fruitland Police Department joined by the Idaho State Police, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, Fruitland Fire Department, and the Fruitland Public Works Department, began a methodical excavation of the back yard of Wondra’s home.

During that excavation process, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue and Mountain States Detection Dogs deployed multiple Certified Human Remains Detection K9’s on the property, all alerting to the presence of human remains. Ground penetrating radar was also deployed, detecting anomalies in the yard. We completed the excavation to a depth of four feet of the entire back yard and removed over 250 yards of dirt. Prior to backfilling the yard, the dirt was meticulously sifted for any potential human remains. We did not find Michael’s remains.

Investigators strongly believe that, based on the evidence, Michael was abducted and is deceased, and that his remains were buried and later moved from the property. As of today, the whereabouts of his remains are unknown. However, the investigation is active, fluid and ongoing.

A search of the Wondra residence was productive and additional investigative evidence was recovered and is being processed.

To date, the Fruitland Police Department has received over 1,500 tips and leads. We continue to ask our community for support and patience as we continue to aggressively work this case. We also ask that the Vaughan family’s privacy continue to be respected.
Tips can be sent to the Fruitland Police Department (208) 452-3110, Tipsters may remain anonymous, findmichael@fruitland.org or to Crime Stoppers, 343COPS.com.

The Fruitland Police Department extends its sincere thanks to all of the agencies, businesses, and the public who helped over the course of this ongoing. The agencies involved included: the Idaho State Police, FBI, Payette Police Department, Payette County Prosecutor’s Office, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise Police Department, the Cold Case Foundation, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, Mountain State Detection K9’s, Fruitland Fire Department, Fruitland Public Works Department, Boise State University, Western States Rental, Clay Peak Landfill, IRVCO Sand and Gravel, the Black Cow Café and Mercantile, Idaho Pizza Company, and Jack Henry Coffee, and all others who donated time and resources during this phase of our investigation.

I find this amazingly transparent & informative for a public LE statement.

Curious about the implication of this: "Fruitland police strongly encourage Shurtliff and Lucienne to contact detectives at (208) 452-3000 as the window of time for talking is closing."

Appears to be a threat? Unusual but in this case quite apropos.
JMO

 

[ReadySet]

What could the "anomolies" be that they found with the ground penetrating radar?