MA MA - Abbie Flynn, 60, went for walk before Super Bowl party, Gloucester, 2 Feb 2020

[SAMS]

“Early on, there were reports of a white van. They confirmed one to be a florist, one was a person picking someone up, and they think they've identified a third one but the chief says the probability of abduction is very, very low.”

 

[Mrsnancydrew]

There was a child that went missing in Gloucester, a few years back, from Long Beach. It’s reported she was chasing a ball while playing with her sister, and the parent had looked away at that time. Presumed the child got washed into the creek, drowned, and was taken by current with the out-going tide. The child, was found, at least a year later, near Nehant/Nehant beach. Or DNA matched human remains. The story of which I write was scary and disheartening for the community- first reports were of possible child abduction. Unfortunately, the child washed out with the tide. But this gives you another perspective as to how far a body can travel in the ocean currents.
I was equally surprised by the “Chatham Beach” report, but the ocean is its own force. Seasonal water temperature plays a part in ocean currents, along with marine topography, or whatever the correct word is for that, you get the idea?

Where are the reports this girl was found? I can’t find these reports anywhere. I own a house on Long Beach and grew up here..so I’m a little confused I can’t find anything from googling except a family in mourning in 2017 with still no body...the body was absolutely not found a year later. This story has always haunted me and continues to..the only thing they found were traces of clothing they “believed MAY have” belonged to her.

 

[Mrsnancydrew]

There was a child that went missing in Gloucester, a few years back, from Long Beach. It’s reported she was chasing a ball while playing with her sister, and the parent had looked away at that time. Presumed the child got washed into the creek, drowned, and was taken by current with the out-going tide. The child, was found, at least a year later, near Nehant/Nehant beach. Or DNA matched human remains. The story of which I write was scary and disheartening for the community- first reports were of possible child abduction. Unfortunately, the child washed out with the tide. But this gives you another perspective as to how far a body can travel in the ocean currents.
I was equally surprised by the “Chatham Beach” report, but the ocean is its own force. Seasonal water temperature plays a part in ocean currents, along with marine topography, or whatever the correct word is for that, you get the idea?

Where are the reports this girl was found? I can’t find these reports anywhere. I own a house on Long Beach and grew up here..so I’m a little confused I can’t find anything from googling except a family in mourning in 2017 with still no body...

 

[SAMS]

Have you heard of the Sandra Crispo case? eerily similar circumstances.

Oh my! I just read up on Sandra. If I’m a family member I’m on LE to start investigating this as an abduction. Something is very wrong in that area. IMO there is a perp targeting middle aged women. MOOOOO

 

[liveoak]

The little girl went missing on Long Beach in Rockport. A major story at the time with many rumors. TOS prevents me from repeating them.

 

[The Night Watchman]

Specialists say missing Caleigh Harrison was likely swept out to sea - The Boston Globe

The announcement at a Gloucester press conference dimmed the Harrison family's hopes that they will ever see Caleigh again. Their anguish began April 19 at Long Beach in Rockport, after her mother, Allison Hammond, took her to the beach along with her then-4-year-old sister Elizabeth, and the family dog.

Around noon, Hammond said, she went to retrieve a ball and lost sight of her children. When she returned, she noticed that Caleigh, who was wearing bright pink that day, was missing.

The fact that the 4 year old sister was with them makes this less suspicious IMO. I do remember the accusations though...

 

[momrids6]

Speaking of the house I hope that they’ve searched the entire house. By entire I mean every single space where a human body could fit. Every so often we read about some poor guy who has been caught behind bookcases, in walls, behind freezers, etc. a very long time ago we had a case where a house had been sold at least twice and the new owners found grandpa sitting in a rocking chair in the attic. He’d been there 50 years.

This ^^^ is the only thing I can think of besides she fell, etc. and they haven't found her. I wonder if she went looking for a special platter/dish/bowl for the party?

 

[momrids6]

FB Group about Brace Cove - some good photos of the area to give an idea of what walking in the area might have been like for AF.

Brace Cove - Gloucester, Massachusetts - Landmark & Historical Place, Beach | Facebook

It's Private- one has to live there, which is weird since it's a Historical Landmark. I see rocks and marsh, and plenty of flat beach. I don't see her falling, but I guess it's possible.

 

[liveoak]

Where are the reports this girl was found? I can’t find these reports anywhere. I own a house on Long Beach and grew up here..so I’m a little confused I can’t find anything from googling except a family in mourning in 2017 with still no body...the body was absolutely not found a year later. This story has always haunted me and continues to..the only thing they found were traces of clothing they “believed MAY have” belonged to her.

Not sure if I’m posting correctly, but the little girl went missing on Long Beach in Rockport, not Gloucester.
She and sister were playing on the beach. There was a ball involved and, iirc, a dog. Mother stopped watching and little girl disappeared.
Lots of speculation and blaming at the time.

 

[SaltyGirl]

Where are the reports this girl was found? I can’t find these reports anywhere. I own a house on Long Beach and grew up here..so I’m a little confused I can’t find anything from googling except a family in mourning in 2017 with still no body...

I beg your pardon... It may have been rumor, which is why it’s important to cite info. There were two reports that I can find, that may or may not be related to the missing child. I will post links below. My point, in my previous post, was that bodies in water move with ocean currents, and can travel miles.

I do think it is also important to note that the local public does not receive a lot of ‘follow up’ information, such as, the ID of bones, etc, after DNA testing. It seems that results are often released only to families. This is evident with North Shore cases of missing persons/women: often the public continues to think that the people are still missing, when in fact, many of the bodies have been recovered. (Here, I’m specifically referring to the mention of the missing women such as Theresa Coen, Susan Nilsson, Rita Hubbard, etc.)


www.bostonherald.com/2015/01/28/dabody-parts-washed-up-on-swampscott-beach/amp/




Potential human bone found on Revere Beach - Itemlive

 

[Mrsnancydrew]

I beg your pardon... It may have been rumor, which is why it’s important to cite info. There were two reports that I can find, that may or may not be related to the missing child. I will post links below. My point, in my previous post, was that bodies in water move with ocean currents, and can travel miles.

I do think it is also important to note that the local public does not receive a lot of ‘follow up’ information, such as, the ID of bones, etc, after DNA testing. It seems that results are often released only to families. This is evident with North Shore cases of missing persons/women: often the public continues to think that the people are still missing, when in fact, many of the bodies have been recovered. (Here, I’m specifically referring to the mention of the missing women such as Theresa Coen, Susan Nilsson, Rita Hubbard, etc.)




www.bostonherald.com/2015/01/28/dabody-parts-washed-up-on-swampscott-beach/amp/




Potential human bone found on Revere Beach - Itemlive

I personally know the family of Caleigh, I’m certain I would have heard if the body was found. It was not. I can say that with a 1000 percent certainty. Which is why providing links and supported evidence is so important. Caleigh’s body was never located and therefore the point about body’s traveling far is invalid in at least 2 of these cases. I also have a hard time believing Cohen’s body floated all the way from the north shore to the south shore....I have a feeling maybe she left for the cape? Visited or met up with someone there? I really feel like the sea would have eaten her up..so many creatures feed on human remains. Really bizarre story..

This article was updated in 2018 and the status has not changed: Caleigh Anne Harrison – The Charley Project

I’m currently visiting Florida and a man recently drown saving his 2 step children..found 2 days later washed up close to where he drown: Body recovered after search for man near Fort Pierce Inlet State Park


I just find it odd first, that a woman hosting a party would leave her house to take a walk? Usually if your expecting people you take your phone so they can contact you if you aren’t home when they get there. OR so you can check the time so you ARE home when they get there (maybe she had a watch though?). Also this woman walked these areas 100s of times she was familiar with the area and grew up there...you grow up in Gloucester you know the ocean well. You don’t go venturing near the ocean at dusk for no reason. Her reasons to be outside were found in her house..her dog and her camera. Its dark and cold during this time of year no one enjoys trucking around in 40 degree whether when the sun goes down. Especially with the wind chill near the ocean (it actually hurts when it pierces your skin). You don’t go out for fresh air (maybe pacing for 3 mins in a circle lol) but not a long walk to clear your head.

And lastly, if my mother went missing I’d be shouting from the rooftops looking like a loon on the news not caring what anyone thought or my public appearance. God himself would not be able to stop me from making a public cry for help and posting her picture day after day on every bus station wall, in a bar bathroom, China would know by now my mother was missing. I am not trying to be a jerk but the lack of outcry from the family makes 0 and I mean 0 sense. I’m trying to be sensitive but this a strange and high (sort of) profile case, people are going to speculate. I do not think she’s in the water and if by some reason she is, I don’t believe she’ll be found washed up anywhere if she hasn’t by now. The ocean is a force to be reckoned with. Lastly, I would go back and question the son, he’s the one who vaguely mentioned “oh wait, she said she might go for a walk” sounds like something I’d say if I knew a little bit more but wasn’t keen on sharing it. “Oh ya, I forgot, I think she said something about a walk”..
Saying she went for a walk lead police away from a family theory or self harm and into a million other possibilities. If you take away the son saying she went for a walk there are a lot of “more personal” aspects of Abbies story to explore.

 

[Mrsnancydrew]

Not sure if I’m posting correctly, but the little girl went missing on Long Beach in Rockport, not Gloucester.
She and sister were playing on the beach. There was a ball involved and, iirc, a dog. Mother stopped watching and little girl disappeared.
Lots of speculation and blaming at the time.

Long Beach is on the border of Rockport and Gloucester although the property of the houses on the beach are owned by the town of rockport. The road that leads to the beach is technically in Gloucester, therefore, my house is in Gloucester and I often refer to the beach as being in Gloucester because half of it practically is. Hope this clarifies things. Also, there is a fork in the road one leads to Rockport..the other leads to Long Beach (a dead end unless you want to drive into the ocean). I know the story well it affected a lot of loved ones around me.

 

[PommyMommy]

I beg your pardon... It may have been rumor, which is why it’s important to cite info. There were two reports that I can find, that may or may not be related to the missing child. I will post links below. My point, in my previous post, was that bodies in water move with ocean currents, and can travel miles.

I do think it is also important to note that the local public does not receive a lot of ‘follow up’ information, such as, the ID of bones, etc, after DNA testing. It seems that results are often released only to families. This is evident with North Shore cases of missing persons/women: often the public continues to think that the people are still missing, when in fact, many of the bodies have been recovered. (Here, I’m specifically referring to the mention of the missing women such as Theresa Coen, Susan Nilsson, Rita Hubbard, etc.)

www.bostonherald.com/2015/01/28/dabody-parts-washed-up-on-swampscott-beach/amp/

Potential human bone found on Revere Beach - Itemlive

This is really getting off-topic but please note:

1) The remains found on Swampscott Beach in Jan 2015 were identified as 25-year-old Jaimee Mendez. Cause of death probed after mom's remains found on beach

WS Thread: Found Deceased - MA - Jaimee Mendez, 25, Swampscott, 6 Nov 2014 - #2 *Arrest*

2) The bone found on Revere Beach (and subsequent bones) are those of an adult, pre-1990, estimated to be between 5'2" - 5'11" tall.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

According to the video at this link, they were definitely those of a male. More human remains found in Revere

 

[mysteryfan96]

I personally know the family of Caleigh, I’m certain I would have heard if the body was found. It was not. I can say that with a 1000 percent certainty. Which is why providing links and supported evidence is so important. Caleigh’s body was never located and therefore the point about body’s traveling far is invalid in at least 2 of these cases. I also have a hard time believing Cohen’s body floated all the way from the north shore to the south shore....I have a feeling maybe she left for the cape? Visited or met up with someone there? I really feel like the sea would have eaten her up..so many creatures feed on human remains. Really bizarre story..

This article was updated in 2018 and the status has not changed: Caleigh Anne Harrison – The Charley Project

I’m currently visiting Florida and a man recently drown saving his 2 step children..found 2 days later washed up close to where he drown: Body recovered after search for man near Fort Pierce Inlet State Park


I just find it odd first, that a woman hosting a party would leave her house to take a walk? Usually if your expecting people you take your phone so they can contact you if you aren’t home when they get there. OR so you can check the time so you ARE home when they get there (maybe she had a watch though?). Also this woman walked these areas 100s of times she was familiar with the area and grew up there...you grow up in Gloucester you know the ocean well. You don’t go venturing near the ocean at dusk for no reason. Her reasons to be outside were found in her house..her dog and her camera. without your dog or your camera. Its dark and cold during this time of year no one enjoys tracking in 40 degree whether when the sun goes down. Not for fresh air, not to clear your head.

And lastly, if my mother went missing I’d be shouting from the rooftops looking like a loon on the news not caring what anyone thought or my public appearance. God himself would not be able to stop me from making a public cry for help and posting her picture day after day on every bus station wall, in a bar bathroom, China would know my mother was missing. I am not trying to be a jerk but the lack of outcry from the family makes 0 and I mean 0 sense. I’m trying to be sensitive but this a strange and high (sort of) profile case, people are going to speculate. I do not think she’s in the water and if by some reason she is, I don’t believe she’ll be found washed up anywhere if she hasn’t by now. The ocean is a force to be reckoned with.

I agree with just about everything you said here. Nice post. My gut, though, with what little I do know about the case, still says she died by accident or medical issue. What you say makes perfect sense about how most people wouldn’t go for a long walk right before a bunch of people were expected at their house, and if they did, they would likely bring a phone with them just in case someone called. But two things could explain her walk without a phone- 1) if she left the house well over an hour before her guests were to arrive and she only planned for it to be a quick stroll around her immediate surroundings, and 2) she was known by everyone to frequently take walks. Maybe it was like 3:50 pm, not long after she talked to her son, when she left for her walk. And maybe she planned on taking a quick route she had taken dozens of times before that she knew would only take her 30 minutes round-trip. If that were the case and she wasn’t looking to take pictures but merely to get a little fresh air before the temperature dropped at sunset, then her walk before a party and without a phone would make sense.

The reasons I shy away from something criminal happening are: 1) her age (most women targeted by predators/perverts/killers are usually quite a bit younger), 2) the safe area in which she lives, 3) the time of day the crime would have had to occur (risky to pull off with people out and about at that time), 4) no signs of a struggle anywhere inside her home or outside along any paths, 4) the limited time frame which a crime could have occurred (son talked to her at 3:20 and she was gone by approximately 6 pm or so, and 5) how well she was liked by literally everyone (no grudges seemingly). Sure, people have been victims of crime under a few of those circumstances many times. But that’s a lot of conditions present for a crime to occur. The odds of a random lunatic or serial killer/predator wandering the streets at that very time of day and encountering her seem pretty low. Likewise, a situation where some stalker had been following her for days and then decided to strike that very day during that very window of opportunity seems pretty low on the probability scale. And if some nutjob did kidnap her... why? No ransom demand was reported. I can’t see a larger woman in her 60’s being a target of some kind of sick hostage for pleasure situation either. Just for the sake of stealing some jewelry she had on or just to kill her for fun? I guess maybe that’s a possibility.

Outside of those types of crime, I guess that leaves a contract killing ordered by someone she knew. But I’m not getting that vibe at all. It is a bit odd the lack of outcry coming from the family and friends, but not altogether unrealistic. There have been other missing persons cases discussed on here where people were wondering the same thing- why friends and family weren’t begging for help or answers in the media. And in many of those cases, the missing person ended up dead by accident or suicide, and the family had nothing to do with it at all. I’m like you, though. I’d be yelling from the rooftops every moment of every day until my loved one was found.

As you correctly stated, the ocean is a powerful and unforgiving force. And any time someone goes missing very close to a large body of water like an ocean, river, or lake, seemingly more times than not that is where they met their fate.

 

[Mrsnancydrew]

I agree with just about everything you said here. Nice post. My gut, though, with what little I do know about the case, still says she died by accident or medical issue. What you say makes perfect sense about how most people wouldn’t go for a long walk right before a bunch of people were expected at their house, and if they did, they would likely bring a phone with them just in case someone called. But two things could explain her walk without a phone- 1) if she left the house well over an hour before her guests were to arrive and she only planned for it to be a quick stroll around her immediate surroundings, and 2) she was known by everyone to frequently take walks. Maybe it was like 3:50 pm, not long after she talked to her son, when she left for her walk. And maybe she planned on taking a quick route she had taken dozens of times before that she knew would only take her 30 minutes round-trip. If that were the case and she wasn’t looking to take pictures but merely to get a little fresh air before the temperature dropped at sunset, then her walk before a party and without a phone would make sense.

The reasons I shy away from something criminal happening are: 1) her age (most women targeted by predators/perverts/killers are usually quite a bit younger), 2) the safe area in which she lives, 3) the time of day the crime would have had to occur (risky to pull off with people out and about at that time), 4) no signs of a struggle anywhere inside her home or outside along any paths, 4) the limited time frame which a crime could have occurred (son talked to her at 3:20 and she was gone by approximately 6 pm or so, and 5) how well she was liked by literally everyone (no grudges seemingly). Sure, people have been victims of crime under a few of those circumstances many times. But that’s a lot of conditions present for a crime to occur. The odds of a random lunatic or serial killer/predator wandering the streets at that very time of day and encountering her seem pretty low. Likewise, a situation where some stalker had been following her for days and then decided to strike that very day during that very window of opportunity seems pretty low on the probability scale. And if some nutjob did kidnap her... why? No ransom demand was reported. I can’t see a larger woman in her 60’s being a target of some kind of sick hostage for pleasure situation either. Just for the sake of stealing some jewelry she had on or just to kill her for fun? I guess maybe that’s a possibility.

Outside of those types of crime, I guess that leaves a contract killing ordered by someone she knew. But I’m not getting that vibe at all. It is a bit odd the lack of outcry coming from the family and friends, but not altogether unrealistic. There have been other missing persons cases discussed on here where people were wondering the same thing- why friends and family weren’t begging for help or answers in the media. And in many of those cases, the missing person ended up dead by accident or suicide, and the family had nothing to do with it at all. I’m like you, though. I’d be yelling from the rooftops every moment of every day until my loved one was found.

As you correctly stated, the ocean is a powerful and unforgiving force. And any time someone goes missing very close to a large body of water like an ocean, river, or lake, seemingly more times than not that is where they met their fate.

Extremely well written response! Thanks taking the time to articulate the thoughts. As I’m pondering further questions I might get back to you on this. I guess I would like to know the reasoning not 1 or 3 children would feel the need to scream from the rooftops for help on this disappearance but I have not read up on a ton of missing persons cases. I would love to know the thought process aligned with remaining quiet (mental health has less of a stigma now than it once did). But maybe they are embarrassed maybe the family knows more (like I’ve speculated). Also, strange request but can you share the cases you’ve read about with little family involvement (I’d like to understand a little more). Anyways! Again, thanks for sharing

 

[SAMS]

I was thinking about Abbie and I can’t help but imagine her walking out to take a walk and someone in let’s say, a white van, says they perhaps have a delivery for her and can she take a look before they bring it up to her house. Was she waiting on anything? Would she approach a strange vehicle if she thought it was something for the party? I can’t shake that van. MOO

 

[Spider92]

I was thinking about Abbie and I can’t help but imagine her walking out to take a walk and someone in let’s say, a white van, says they perhaps have a delivery for her and can she take a look before they bring it up to her house. Was she waiting on anything? Would she approach a strange vehicle if she thought it was something for the party? I can’t shake that van. MOO

I was starting to lean in that same direction until I read PipingPlover's post about the 2013 drowning of Evelyn Howe and David Machado at the same Gloucester location. Two adults, about 50 years old, drowned on a May afternoon on Brace Point while a third looked on, unable to help. Evelyn lived in Gloucester and was an experienced swimmer and paddle boarder. She looked fit and drowned trying to save her friend David.
I'm starting to think Abbie was the victim of a freak accident at the edge of the ocean. I do hope they find out what happened. It would be ironic if the residents of Gloucester were worried about a criminal at work when it might just be the pull of the ocean that's really responsible.

 

[Curiosity7]

I was starting to lean in that same direction until I read PipingPlover's post about the 2013 drowning of Evelyn Howe and David Machado at the same Gloucester location. Two adults, about 50 years old, drowned on a May afternoon on Brace Point while a third looked on, unable to help. Evelyn lived in Gloucester and was an experienced swimmer and paddle boarder. She looked fit and drowned trying to save her friend David.
I'm starting to think Abbie was the victim of a freak accident at the edge of the ocean. I do hope they find out what happened. It would be ironic if the residents of Gloucester were worried about a criminal at work when it might just be the pull of the ocean that's really responsible.

So tell me - would Abbie have had to have been on slippery rocks out by the lighthouse? An hour round trip from her home? I find that scenario odd because she still had pizza to make. Or are you saying she may have been at Brace Cove which which is closer to her home? Are there high points there from where she could have fallen?
I have been to Gloucester dozens of times but have no context for these locations, so would appreciate perspective.

 

[Spider92]

So tell me - would Abbie have had to have been on slippery rocks out by the lighthouse? An hour round trip from her home? I find that scenario odd because she still had pizza to make. Or are you saying she may have been at Brace Cove which which is closer to her home? Are there high points there from where she could have fallen?
I have been to Gloucester dozens of times but have no context for these locations, so would appreciate perspective.

I don't have an opinion on the precise location but wouldn't rule out an hour's walk. For years, our family tradition was to make homemade pizza for the "big game" and eat it during half time so the timing doesn't bother me. Though I take longer walks (and eat more pizza) than most.

 

[Curiosity7]

Still wondering though if there are high points from which she may have fallen out by the lighthouse or Brace Cove.
Would you know?