Omg, I was just thinking about these boys tonight. This is so sad, but I am glad that the cold case unit that began working this case again recently has finally been able to find some long-awaited answers.
We have a link about these boys somewhere, Suzi. I remember reading about these boys when I first joined WS. I have done a search for their thread, but cannot find it.
This is just amazing that after nearly 32 years, we are finally going to get some answers. I have thought of those young boys often--earlier tonight, in fact. The (obviously untrue) stories that were told to their families (I recall one of the stories was that one of the boys had been seen in Washington, DC) were meant to be distractions with no basis in truth. All the stories did was to lend false hope to already traumatized and grieving family members.
I am anxious to hear more details about the arrests and the theories of what became of those 5 young boys. They were out playing basketball, enjoying their youth, and for their lives to all have been taken from them, for no apparent reason, is just heartbreaking.
From all that I read about the events surrounding their disappearances, they were good boys that would often take odd jobs with a carpenter/contractor in order to help their families financially. One of the theories that I recall reading about, was that they might have seen that contractor doing something(s) illegal, and they were killed in order to keep them silenced. It will be interesting to find out the motive behind these horrific murders.
Although this new development will finally bring answers to their families, it surely must be reopening old wounds. Some of those answers are going to be horrendously heartwrenching and sad. My heart goes out to all of them.
Rest in peace, Michael, Alvin, Randy, Melvin and Ernest. You deserved so much better.
ETA: Here is the link that I was referring to for the other thread for the boys.
http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68844&highlight=Melvin+Pittman
