Deceased/Not Found IL - Denita Hedden, 37, Macoupin County, 25 Jan 2018 *Reward*

[Mbmcg]

783 Catalpa Ave.
Royal Lakes, IL 62685

Yes there is a person at same address with 3 pages of cases on macoupin county page.
https://www.judici.com/courts/cases...e=JACKSON, RUDOLPH H&sort=full_name&order=ASC

Hope it isn't her fiancé

Royal Lakes is not a good place at all. I wouldn't go thru the village at night alone.

Hi Aimee,

I am a former local. I grew up in Alton, which is of course Madison County. My Mom grew up in Staunton, so I spent some time in Macoupin County as well. My Dad was from Carrollton, so Greene County (I think), and so spent some time there as well. I moved cross country 30 years ago, so am familiar with the area 30 years ago......😀. I was SHOCKED to read of Denita’s disappearance from Macoupin County, as it was such a nice quiet area with way more open space than people....30 years ago...

I have seen a major decline in Alton during that time period; it used to be decent, with the exception of a few areas, and now (IMHO) is a little scary in general, with the exception of a few areas. 😢 (De-gentrification?)

IMHO, it all started in the late 1970’s when the steel mill, packaging plant, and finally, Olin closed, and good union jobs became quite scarce. The most lucrative jobs seem to be ones that are also quite illegal, and I suspect that is the underlying reason for Alton’s decline.

The scary seems to have spread to Godfrey as well, based on what I occasionally see in the Telegraph. Gillespie (which I believe is very near or adjoining Royal Lakes) was very chill and country, and I would not have expected that to change. So, I was very surprised to see you mention that Royal Lakes is a pretty rough area.

Can you please help me understand what has changed, from your perspective? As an aside, St. Clair County was also a nice area, and, with the exception of Edwardsville, seems to have slid quite a bit as well. (Belleville, for example) One factor could be the new Clark bridge, I255, and the improved access to/from STL, which may have made it easier for some not so reputable types to move from MO into IL; I just don’t know.

It will always be “home” to me in some ways, so am very curious to get any insight you may have. Thanks very much for any observations you can provide.

 

[*~Aimee~*]

Hi Aimee,

I am a former local. I grew up in Alton, which is of course Madison County. My Mom grew up in Staunton, so I spent some time in Macoupin County as well. My Dad was from Carrollton, so Greene County (I think), and so spent some time there as well. I moved cross country 30 years ago, so am familiar with the area 30 years ago......😀. I was SHOCKED to read of Denita’s disappearance from Macoupin County, as it was such a nice quiet area with way more open space than people....30 years ago...

I have seen a major decline in Alton during that time period; it used to be decent, with the exception of a few areas, and now (IMHO) is a little scary in general, with the exception of a few areas. 😢 (De-gentrification?)

IMHO, it all started in the late 1970’s when the steel mill, packaging plant, and finally, Olin closed, and good union jobs became quite scarce. The most lucrative jobs seem to be ones that are also quite illegal, and I suspect that is the underlying reason for Alton’s decline.

The scary seems to have spread to Godfrey as well, based on what I occasionally see in the Telegraph. Gillespie (which I believe is very near or adjoining Royal Lakes) was very chill and country, and I would not have expected that to change. So, I was very surprised to see you mention that Royal Lakes is a pretty rough area.

Can you please help me understand what has changed, from your perspective? As an aside, St. Clair County was also a nice area, and, with the exception of Edwardsville, seems to have slid quite a bit as well. (Belleville, for example) One factor could be the new Clark bridge, I255, and the improved access to/from STL, which may have made it easier for some not so reputable types to move from MO into IL; I just don’t know.

It will always be “home” to me in some ways, so am very curious to get any insight you may have. Thanks very much for any observations you can provide.

I think population growing and meth and heroin so bad. Seems like there is not a month you don't hear of an overdose. Seems like Alton has turned into a little St. Louis.

Jerseyville has just announced a new train facility coming in. This will in turn have more truckers coming through. This sounds like might be good for economy but not for the small hometown atmosphere we all love.
http://www.stltoday.com/business/lo...cle_5e5e711d-62c3-55b0-9964-c005eb2678de.html

Then last night it was announced that Alton won 500K for Small Business Revolution - Main Street.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...s-8216-Small-Business-Revolution-12714010.php

We are from Jerseyville but moved to Gillespie area in '95 to '10. Our kids graduated from GHS. Gillespie area was a lot smaller than Jerseyville. We moved to Kane in '14 to be close to my hubbies dad.

Not sure what your question was/is and if I answered it. If I didn't. Please clarify it.

 

[MissMalowe]

Where are you, Denita?

Haven't seen or heard any news of her case lately.

 

[Mbmcg]

Thank you, Aimee. You did answer my question.....heroin and meth. My brother was formerly a Madison County prosecutor, and he said 6 years ago that the heroin issue had become overwhelming. I guess I never thought about the downstream impact of the heroin crisis to the entire community and then its impact on neighborhoods, outside of the ones that have been always been a little borderline. Duh.

Yes, Jerseyville has always been a nice little community.

Two more questions, if you don’t mind.

Has Gillespie become a place you don’t want to be driving through after dark? Is Royal Lakes worse than Alton? It is surprising, because the area had previously been so rural; I would have expected the Wood River and Roxana to become crime magnets before a town adjoining Gillespie.

 

[*~Aimee~*]

Thank you, Aimee. You did answer my question.....heroin and meth. My brother was formerly a Madison County prosecutor, and he said 6 years ago that the heroin issue had become overwhelming. I guess I never thought about the downstream impact of the heroin crisis to the entire community and then its impact on neighborhoods, outside of the ones that have been always been a little borderline. Duh.

Yes, Jerseyville has always been a nice little community.

Two more questions, if you don’t mind.

Has Gillespie become a place you don’t want to be driving through after dark? Is Royal Lakes worse than Alton? It is surprising, because the area had previously been so rural; I would have expected the Wood River and Roxana to become crime magnets before a town adjoining Gillespie.

Gillespie doesn't scare me. I'd drive thru anytime night or day. But I know alot of people from there. We lived in area from '95 and '10. We go there alot still. My lil granddaughters live in Hillsboro so we go thru to get them every other week at least.
Royal Lakes is a lil Alton kind of. There isn't businesses per say to hang but I wouldn't drive into, be liery even daytime. Stay on 16 or 159. I wouldn't go into village unless I was with someone who knew more than I.
I am a retired pediatric home nurse. I wouldn't take on a case their without really researching it.

Wood River, Roxana, Hartford aren't too great either. You see drug stuff daily in papers from all. And at least 1 OD a week. It is bad. Here is this week Jerseyville page. And 1 from Wood River too.
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Jersey-County-police-news-March-5-12729517.php
Sad thing is I personally know 2 of these kids. Josh Kopp and Steph Meyers (she was almost 2yr clean)

https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Shipman-woman-charged-for-meth-possession-after-12729615.php

This one was busted in Wood River but lives in Shipman (like 5 min from Royal Lakes)

 

[Jethro4WS]

No new information but at least the media has not forgotten about Denita.
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/s...s-disappearance-being-investigated-03-08-2018

 

[JerseyGirl]

The investigation was initially led by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, but the case was relinquished back to local police on Feb. 12.

Hedden's estranged husband, Micheal Hedden, is not a suspect, police said. Hedden's brother Dyer said he was with Micheal Hedden the day Denita Hedden went missing and never considered that he had anything to do with Denita's disappearance.

On her birthday, Hedden had coffee with her friend Mary Elaine Huber and later went to a St. Louis casino. Going out was rare for the missing woman, Huber said, calling Hedden "a homebody." Dyer said his sister was a "really high-spirited person" who was always up for doing something with the kids, like going to the park.

There was no new information from the investigation that could be released to the public.


http://www.bnd.com/latest-news/article203528819.html

 

[Jethro4WS]

Also from the same article that JerseyGirl linked:
http://www.bnd.com/latest-news/article203528819.html

Hedden's brother Dyer said he was with Micheal Hedden the day Denita Hedden went missing and never considered that he had anything to do with Denita's disappearance.
"I was with Mike all that day, and the kids," Dyer said.

Dyer knew something was off on her birthday, when she didn't return his messages about meeting up with him and other family, including her children.

This indicates that there might have been some expectation of a small birthday celebration/get-together with the kids, her brother, husband that never materialized since she wasn't responding to the texts. Makes me wonder just when she went to the casino and when she returned to Royal Lakes.

 

[*~Aimee~*]

It is all so sad. Would never imagine things like this so close to home. I am so sorry her children and family are dealing with this. Think of her often. Like I said my son is friends with her stepson Mikey jr.

 

[*~Aimee~*]

The Resi in Bunker Hill. They are out today looking for Dee. They have a cadaver dog in the boat with them. Search and rescue was there too.







I know they have been draining it for awhile too.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Psychics tell family where they'll find missing Royal Lakes woman

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article204858904.html

 

[Jethro4WS]

Psychics tell family where they'll find missing Royal Lakes woman

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article204858904.html

That is a great article that goes way beyond the headline - I think they should have used an entirely different headline. People seeing the headline alone might not be tempted to read it. You get to hear from her children, her brothers, an ex sister-in-law and other information.

What stands out are two things:

First, is when and where last seen.

But there's a lot of water between where Denita Hedden lived and where she was last seen at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles.

Denita Hedden was last seen at the Ameristar Casino on her birthday, when unanswered texts and messages had family and friends concerned right away.

"I wished her a happy birthday, and she never responded," said one of her brother's, Raymond Dyer, of Staunton. Her other brother, Justin Dyer, has lived with Mike and the kids for some time.


On the day she disappeared, Raymond and Mike were out with all the kids, hoping Denita would join them for dinner at a Chinese restaurant.


"Us three pretty much always stuck together," Dyer said of him, Denita and Justin.

BBM. It could be the article writer that has something wrong or it could be that LE is discounting entirely the the last seen at 11pm at her home (with the "roommate") and LE is sticking with the last known time and place she was seen other than what they were told by the "roommate" and/or the person that went with her to the casino. It would be one thing if this occurred only once in the article, but it was mentioned twice.

The second has to do with the number of people LE think have some involvement.

"Now we're just hoping somebody comes forward with something ... my goal is to get something and get the Major Case reactivated. There's people out there that know this, and know what happened, and we need to keep pressure on them big-time. We just need something," the sheriff said.

BBM. Obviously, the Sheriff is speaking plural. It doesn't mean that more than one is responsible for Denita's death but very likely means that the person responsible was aided either before or after the fact or both.

I will also note that the article manages to not name this "roommate" despite also mentioning the February 2017 accident. Anybody that has looked into the guy knows he is "connected" in the county (at least to some faction). Previously he had been elected to office and was removed from that position by the Illinois Attorney General for lying when he ran for office since in Illinois you can't hold public office if you have been convicted of a felony.

 

[Kenlee's Grandma]

Still praying for some answers, I've known Dee and her family 20 years this is heartbreaking.

 

[ChicagoCrimeSearch]

Is it me or does it seem that Law Enforcement is being more protective of the Person of Interest than they are of sharing any information on this case whatsoever? Why wasn't the POI named? They've stated their belief that Denita is deceased, no charges, they aren't saying anything.

When does it get to the point that the community has a right to know?

They've been so secretive that they've lead us to believe several different stories. There is a cleared ex husband, she had a fiance which should make it clear they lived together... thus the roommate. How was she last seen in Royal Lakes if she was later proven to be at the Casino last? Which means she never made it home. Unless that's the "roommates" story.

Maybe stop protecting the person of interest and start protecting the rights given to the families and communities in their right to know basic information?

 

[Jethro4WS]

According to the Find Denita Marie Hedden Facebook Group page The Missing Persons Awareness Network NFP has set up a press conference and search for Saturday April 14th, 2018. The location for the press conference and search team assignments will be at the Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill, Il. You can read more about here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/346180849122714/permalink/349000095507456/

 

[JerseyGirl]

Volunteers are being asked to arrive at the Brittany Shooting Park at 11374 Prairie Dell Road in Bunker Hill at 10 a.m. April 14 to check in and be assigned a location. Organizers from the Missing Persons Awareness Network had contacted police and will be largely searching areas that law enforcement had already searched. The Brittany Shooting Park is near her last residence in Royal Lakes and her family in Gillespie.

Volunteers can sign up for the search ahead of time by calling MPAN at 312-620-0788. Anyone with information about Denita Hedden can call the Macoupin County Sheriff's Department at 217-854-3135.

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article207910714.html

 

[neverletgo]

Search continues for missing mother, last seen Jan. 25
Hedden has officially been missing for more than 70 days.
Author: Chris Davis
Published: 8:57 AM CDT April 6, 2018
Updated: 9:09 AM CDT April 6, 2018

Detectives have officially ruled they believe foul play was involved, and initially alluded to a person of interest, but nothing has come of it.

“She was always a happy person,” says Amanda Featherstone, Denita’s former sister-in-law. “ you just couldn't be in a bad mood around her.”

She remembers the woman, first her sister-in-law, turned best friend.

“She loved those kids with every fiber of her being,” she says.

http://www.ksdk.com/article/news/lo...-missing-mother-last-seen-jan-25/63-535875968

 

[*~Aimee~*]

The children of Denita Hedden

https://www..com/hedden-children

These children have lost their mother who is presumed murdered. This fund will help provide everyday expenses that their mother provided

 

[*~Aimee~*]

FIND DENITA HEDDEN
​1/25/18 - ROYAL LAKES, IL


http://www.campalert.org/find-denita-hedden.html

We have worked with a few members of Denita's family and we have launched a massive search effort to locate her and bring her home. We have spoken to Law Enforcement Sheriff Kahl of the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office and he has given us their blessing in our search efforts. Thankfully, the Brittany Shooting Range has opened their doors in allowing us to center our command post, meeting location and press conference at their location. We have been working with the media and the community in uniting everyone for Denita. Our Search and Rescue Teams are from across Illinois and they will be joining us on this day as well.

 

[*~Aimee~*]

Require Law Enforcement to Share Missing Persons Files with NonSuspect Immediate Family

https://www.change.org/p/missing-pe...m_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition




Leading Law Enforcement Agencies seem to be able to choose what information to disclose to non suspect immediate family members (such as spouses, parents, siblings and their children) what information to disclose in regard to reported missing persons cases, how much information, often this information is disclosed, and if they choose to disclose any information at all.