2010.04.20 - Funeral plans?

[jessigirl]

What about the family being given options on how to declare a person legally dead? Is that true or not?

Ill have to go see if I can find a link to be for sure, but just in the last hour or so saw something discussing Ron Cummings And Crystal Sheffield would have to go before a judge to get little Haleigh granted by the courts as deceased, but THATS ONLY IF LE is not able to recover any remains of Haleigh whatsoever.

 

[Kimster]

In light of the statement from PCSO tonight and that there is NO evidence that Crystal is planning a funeral or even a memorial, let's close this thread.

ETA: Never mind, I see y'all are discussing something else. I'll change the title.

 

[Maven2379]

[Maven2379]
I honestly have no idea, but the statement didn't say exactly what the two met for. We can only speculate, sure we have AH and NG telling us what they talked about, but ...........

We have some media sources saying one thing and other media sources stating another. As far as Shoemaker STILL saying this, I haven't seen any (more)recent reports regarding the matter, last I saw he was "unavailable for comment".

~jmo
Reply With Quote


TERRY SHOEMAKER, ATTORNEY FOR RONALD CUMMINGS: "Last Tuesday they brought the family members into the sheriff`s office, not only Ronald but Ronald`s mother. And also, Crystal Sheffield was brought into the same location. They all discussed what turns had taken place in the investigation. They told them that it was now a homicide investigation and no longer a missing persons, and that they would have enough to go forward if they wanted to make funeral arrangements."
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/shoemaker

TY! I get page not found, but after searching, I saw that quote on an article dated before the latest information has come out.

 

[Karen Anne RN]

Just a thought. Sometimes you have to read between the lines. Nowhere in this press release does it say Crystal was NOT told to prepare for a funeral. All she is doing is denying there is a plan for the funeral.

That being said who knows what is the truth and what is being floated out there for ratings, reactions, confessions, anymore.

I think the funeral rumor is just that. Rumor. Not true. How it got started for sure who knows?

There is one thing I know for sure, Haleigh is dead and Misty knows more. That's it. Other than those two things I can't keep track of all the "facts" that are not facts at all. In fact my 2 "facts" have not been proven yet but common sense says they are true.

BBM
Last night I read a news article that quoted the Justice Coalition as saying that several funeral homes have been looked into, but a choice has not been made yet. I find it hard to believe that they would be comparing options for funeral arrangements, if they were not planning one.

" News 4 reports that Ann Dugger with the Justice Coalition said the family has looked into different funeral homes, however, no definite arrangements have been made." :sheesh:

 

[azwriter]

Can I add this: If I recall correctly, it was Ron's attorney, Shoemaker who originally announced that Ron was told by LE to begin funeral arrangement.
LE was not the direct source of this information.
So, where did Shoemaker get this information? From his client, Ron?
Perhaps what he heard from Ron was that Ron believes his child is dead so it would appropriate to begin funeral arrangements. From there Shoemaker put it out that funeral arrangements were recommend by LE. That's how easily rumors can come to life.
jmo

 

[tragco]

So, let's review:

Many rumors flying finally quashed by LE. It appears nobody in the community is being asked to help. A man came forward to advise he saw someone (Misty?) dumping a garbage bag 14 months later. Does this mean that LE did not ask the public for help or ask them to come forward with what they saw way back when?

I don't know, I don't live in that area. I am just getting really frustrated with LE silence and refusing to give information. This sometimes must be done in an investigation to protect people and also to keep some things secret that only the perp would know so they may get information as to who the perpetrator was.

I REALLY don't think it's because I want information just so I can sleuth and form opinions, but maybe I do. I want to trust that LE knows what they are doing. It just gets harder every day to think of little Haleigh and wonder if the right thing was done by her.

The media, yes, is spewing wrong information. But is it their fault? They could actually help if they were given something concrete to put out there. Some of them are feeling just as frustrated, helpless, and useless as any of us. I know some of them are personally invested in the case and really want justice for Haleigh.

So they put out what they have and wait for LE to agree or disagree.

I don't know if anything about what I have written makes sense. This is a vent post of sorts and I hope I have put it in the right thread, since it deals with false media reports. I searched forums for venting about the case and couldn't find one; goodness knows I do not have enough posts under my belt to actually START a thread. I would be terrified.:iamashamed0005:

 

[Zoe Bogart]

I found this earlier. They made the family aware of the legalities of not finding a body and how to declare someone legally dead if need be. Perfectly understandable under the circumstances.

Funeral Rumor Explained, begins at 1:47:

http://www.news4jax.com/video/23225552/index.html

 

[Pensfan]

On April 15, 2010, Sheriff Hardy announced that this case was now a homicide, but no funeral service has been planned. Why?

 

[debs]

On April 15, 2010, Sheriff Hardy announced that this case was now a homicide, but no funeral service has been planned. Why?

I would imagine it's a difficult process to receive a death certificate with no proof of death, like clear-cut evidence or a body, or some manner of remains.

 

[Emeralgem]

My understanding is John Merchant met with Crystal and Ronald Cummings and were told they could either declare her deceased or wait seven years and the state of Florida would declare her deceased..
I suspect Ronald Cummings persuaded Crystal to wait....JMO

 

[Dr.Fessel]

My understanding is John Merchant met with Crystal and Ronald Cummings and were told they could either declare her deceased or wait seven years and the state of Florida would declare her deceased..
I suspect Ronald Cummings persuaded Crystal to wait....JMO

I agree, the last thing Ron will do is swear under oath that he believes Haleigh is dead.

 

[KSH352]

My understanding is John Merchant met with Crystal and Ronald Cummings and were told they could either declare her deceased or wait seven years and the state of Florida would declare her deceased..
I suspect Ronald Cummings persuaded Crystal to wait....JMO

John Merchant did not meet with Ronald and Crystal or tell them anything.

The claim that PCSO told the family to make funeral arrangements is totally false. This was stated by the PCSO not too long ago.

The funeral "thing" was just a total untruth.

 

[KSH352]

I would imagine it's a difficult process to receive a death certificate with no proof of death, like clear-cut evidence or a body, or some manner of remains.

They don't have any proof, at this time, as to weather HaLeigh Cummings is dead or alive. Oh, they do have these crazy stories about "he did it" but the people that are talking are probably the most unreliable as far as the word "truth" goes.

 

[mck16]

John Merchant did not meet with Ronald and Crystal or tell them anything.

The claim that PCSO told the family to make funeral arrangements is totally false. This was stated by the PCSO not too long ago.

The funeral "thing" was just a total untruth.

Why did he meet with the family the day they searched the river? Just to give them a heads up? Wonder how that story got started if it isn't true? :waitasec:

 

[yeknomaras]

If I was a mother and my child went missing.. I would certainly not take the words of a few druggies and have a funeral for my baby who might still be out there. No way no how. I'd wait forever before believing those people.

 

[Emeralgem]

John Merchant did not meet with Ronald and Crystal or tell them anything.

The claim that PCSO told the family to make funeral arrangements is totally false. This was stated by the PCSO not too long ago.

The funeral "thing" was just a total untruth.

KSH I read an article it was posted here at WS that stated Merchant did meet withRon and Crystal.. I am not saying he discussed a funeral with them.. Only that it was stated he told them they had two options...They could either declare her deceased or wait seven years. Are you saying Ron and Crystal did not meet to discuss whether or not to declare Haleigh deceased...
I'm certain you would know, but as I stated it was revealed in an article I read...

 

[Emeralgem]

They don't have any proof, at this time, as to weather HaLeigh Cummings is dead or alive. Oh, they do have these crazy stories about "he did it" but the people that are talking are probably the most unreliable as far as the word "truth" goes.

One question... If they don't have any proof WHY did Hardy announce this case is a homicide....JMO

 

[PoppyH]

One question... If they don't have any proof WHY did Hardy announce this case is a homicide....JMO

Last time I looked Haleighs name is still running across my Amber Alert Ticker also, FWIW, Just checked again, Its still up as a CANS alert, guess they didn't get the message that this is now a homicide?? Or is it a homicide??:waitasec: How can they have a funeral with that up and running yet??

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I would imagine it's a difficult process to receive a death certificate with no proof of death, like clear-cut evidence or a body, or some manner of remains.

I agree. And, unless there is some financial benefit expected from HaLeigh's death, i.e. collecting on a life insurance policy, there is no reason to have the child declared deceased without proof or after the seven-year waiting period. jmo

 

[tehcloser]

Here is where the Merchant info came from............

LE presented two options to parents Ronald Cummings and Crystal Sheffield about a funeral for Haleigh.
April 21, 2010
Haleigh's family told to make funeral arrangements, did cops find a body?

"Snip" http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/2010...s-find-a-body/


According to Merchant he presented two options to parents Ronald Cummings and Crystal Sheffield about a funeral for Haleigh:

The couple could wait seven years for Haleigh to be declared dead by the state of Florida and then be issued a death certificate or they can go before a judge before the seven years lapses to request a death certificate.

The talk of funerals and death certificates all comes while Law Enforcement officials continue to deny that a body or any form of remains belonging to Haleigh Cummings were located during their three day search of the St. Johns River.

There are persons of interest still to be named. Sheriff's Office is not releasing names we were told "I think ya'll know who they are."