Identified! AZ - Tempe, 'Little Jane Doe', Mar'79 - Surette Clark

[Judith]

First let me say, I am glad they have finally found and identified Surette Clark. This has been a sad and difficult story for many.

In answer to the questions and comments about Surette's mother, I'd like to say that the newspapers do not have or report everything. Surette's mother loved her daughter and was in shock, fear and grief at the time she learned of her daughter's death (while in a car with Wayne on the way to find her daughter). She pulled into a police station, but Wayne did not follow. He had been threatening to tell the police that she had been involved in the death, if she said anything. The first and only officer she saw (a white male officer), looked at her and she immediately was overcome by fear. Who do you think they would have believed? I, for one, am not sure, but I can understand her fear.

Wayne quickly packed up the car and drove to Canada. I believe he did this very quickly to isolate Margie. Who could she go to now...in a strange country, living with strangers, Wayne's family. She was also about 7 months pregnant with her second child, her first with Wayne. It took quite some time before she could get up enough courage to plan and execute her escape from him. From that time on, she has been a single parent and done her best to raise 3 wonderful children. These children have grown into responsible, law abiding adults who contribute good things to society. Without their mother.. their lives would have been uncertain. She taught them to have good values and she is a devoted Christian.

You have to remember these events happened in 1970. Things were different then. Access to woman's shelters and understanding of abusive families was not acknowledged or handled well at this time. Some comments about Surette's mother have been very harsh. I just ask that you consider this new information. She is a wonderful person who was in an unthinkable situation. In the end, I think she is glad this all came out, but I know it has been difficult for her and her children.

Judy (Wayne Robert's sister)

 

[Angel4u2Whisper2]

First let me say, I am glad they have finally found and identified Surette Clark. This has been a sad and difficult story for many.

In answer to the questions and comments about Surette's mother, I'd like to say that the newspapers do not have or report everything. Surette's mother loved her daughter and was in shock, fear and grief at the time she learned of her daughter's death (while in a car with Wayne on the way to find her daughter). She pulled into a police station, but Wayne did not follow. He had been threatening to tell the police that she had been involved in the death, if she said anything. The first and only officer she saw (a white male officer), looked at her and she immediately was overcome by fear. Who do you think they would have believed? I, for one, am not sure, but I can understand her fear.

Wayne quickly packed up the car and drove to Canada. I believe he did this very quickly to isolate Margie. Who could she go to now...in a strange country, living with strangers, Wayne's family. She was also about 7 months pregnant with her second child, her first with Wayne. It took quite some time before she could get up enough courage to plan and execute her escape from him. From that time on, she has been a single parent and done her best to raise 3 wonderful children. These children have grown into responsible, law abiding adults who contribute good things to society. Without their mother.. their lives would have been uncertain. She taught them to have good values and she is a devoted Christian.

You have to remember these events happened in 1970. Things were different then. Access to woman's shelters and understanding of abusive families was not acknowledged or handled well at this time. Some comments about Surette's mother have been very harsh. I just ask that you consider this new information. She is a wonderful person who was in an unthinkable situation. In the end, I think she is glad this all came out, but I know it has been difficult for her and her children.

Judy (Wayne Robert's sister)

Thank you for sharing. Welcome to Websleuths.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

Oh this is so special to me.I made a myspace for this pretty little girl.Rest in peace Little Jane Doe.Fly little Surette Fly.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

She was Identified as little Surette Clark.Oh this is so special to me.I made a myspace for this pretty little girl.Rest in peace Little Jane Doe.Fly little Surette Fly.

 

[newone]

I was involved in the 1970's with providing women with their children with safe shelter from abuse and it was a major uphill battle. There was little or no support from LE at that time. To say it was intimidating would be a gross understatement. I am so grateful that you responded with some powerful insight into this situation. It is too easy to tar someone with a brush they do not deserve.

My concern was that Wayne's wife found refuge in Canada far from the long arm of the AZ law as well as her own peers. I have found in dealing with 'victims' there are some who wear the badge of 'victim' far too long -- the ones I truly admire move from victim to victor.

It sounds to me from the tone of your post that Margie did in fact redeem herself and became a good mom to three.

Was Wayne extradited and is he on parole in Canada now?

 

[RR0004]

First let me say, I am glad they have finally found and identified Surette Clark. This has been a sad and difficult story for many.

In answer to the questions and comments about Surette's mother, I'd like to say that the newspapers do not have or report everything. Surette's mother loved her daughter and was in shock, fear and grief at the time she learned of her daughter's death (while in a car with Wayne on the way to find her daughter). She pulled into a police station, but Wayne did not follow. He had been threatening to tell the police that she had been involved in the death, if she said anything. The first and only officer she saw (a white male officer), looked at her and she immediately was overcome by fear. Who do you think they would have believed? I, for one, am not sure, but I can understand her fear.

Wayne quickly packed up the car and drove to Canada. I believe he did this very quickly to isolate Margie. Who could she go to now...in a strange country, living with strangers, Wayne's family. She was also about 7 months pregnant with her second child, her first with Wayne. It took quite some time before she could get up enough courage to plan and execute her escape from him. From that time on, she has been a single parent and done her best to raise 3 wonderful children. These children have grown into responsible, law abiding adults who contribute good things to society. Without their mother.. their lives would have been uncertain. She taught them to have good values and she is a devoted Christian.

You have to remember these events happened in 1970. Things were different then. Access to woman's shelters and understanding of abusive families was not acknowledged or handled well at this time. Some comments about Surette's mother have been very harsh. I just ask that you consider this new information. She is a wonderful person who was in an unthinkable situation. In the end, I think she is glad this all came out, but I know it has been difficult for her and her children.

Judy (Wayne Robert's sister)

Thank you for your post.

I am glad that the other children had the opportunity to grow up and become responsible citizens. Sadly, Surette never did. She deserved to be found. Twenty-four years is a long time to remain silent...too long IMO. There are no explanations that can answer for that. She was just a little girl. It should have been about her.
Again, this is jmho.
G-d bless you, Surette.

 

[Judith]

To Newone's question.. yes Wayne was paroled last year. He was picked up by Immigration and put on a plane back to Canada. As for him being 'ON' parole, I can't really say. There could be some agreement with Canadian authorities to monitor him, but I think more likely not. He's out of the jurisdiction of Arizona and will never be allowed back in the U.S. again.

All I can say to RR004 is that she had no idea where Surette was and even if she had reported, it as was done in 1994, the police still didn't make the connection to the remains found in 1979. The police say now that there were enough similarities to make a connection, but I never ever heard anything about this during my brother's trial. The detective put out that he had found aerial photograph's where Wayne and Margie's trailer home was in Phoenix indicating there could be a body under what is now a parking lot, but couldn't dig it up. That appears to be totally incorrect now.

Given how close Phoenix is to Tempe, I would have thought this would have been ruled out, but I don't think they ever investigated this link. I saw stories about Little Jane Doe a number of years ago, but the reports were saying they thought she was a white female. I assumed the police ruled this out. They claim now only because of DNA were they able to make a connection. I'd like to know what the recent development in DNA made this possible that wasn't available in 1996 at the time of my brother's trial or even in the last 10 yrs. As is often the case, it is a fresh pair of eyes that sees a connection.

At least now we have a real conclusion because without finding Surette, it was not ended...there is nothing Margie could have offered that would have identified Surette any sooner. Only my brother could have done that and he refused to admit anything.

Judy

 

[RR0004]

Respectfully, 24 years is too long to remain silent about the loss of a child. Was her life not worth acknowledging even in death?
G-d bless everyone here who work tirelessly to give the missing a voice. The nameless are not abandoned. They are loved.

 

[Snackcakes66]

RR, you put into words what I could not, the nameless are loved, not abandoned. It is a small comfort that in death Surette was cared for and was in the thoughts and prayers of people at WS. I am less torn about mom. I know first hand that in the 70's and 80's victims of domestic violence were pretty much on thier own. However, more people than mom knew this child was missing and murdered, even if they did not know where she was. The article says Wayne confessed to his brothers and father in 1971. An ex-wife of Wayne's brother made a "suspicious disappearance" report to Canadian authorities in 1977. Then it appears no one else came forward until sister Judy in 1994. Thus killing a four year old, accidentally or otherwise, appears to have been known by his family for 24 years, which IMHO is a level of complicity beyond the pale. May God bless you and keep you forever loved Surette.

 

[Stephani]

OMG, I just watched the Cold Case Files episode on Surette the other day. Such a sad story. I'm glad she's been identified.

 

[PFF]

Still not updated on DOE NETWORK :banghead:

 

[amber1]

I am so happy that Surette Clark has finally been found. This gives me so much hope for many older cases, that they can be solved with our DNA and new technology now.
Actually, I have heard of Little Jane Doe, but never of Surette Clark. I think if her case was more publicized, she could've been matched faster....but this case makes me sick, a parent who is supposed to love thier child more than anyone in the world did this...it's horrifying.
Still, very glad many very old cases have been solved with DNA latley-Deanna Patnode aka Wabasha County Jane Doe, Jeanne Melville, Boulder Jane Doe aka Dorothy Howards, Bambi Dick aka Amarillo Jane Doe, Castro Valley Jane Doe whom was Yesenia Nungaray. I can only hope so many more are solved, these families deserve answers!
Rest In Peace, Surette. I know for a fact you're in heaven in an angels arms.

 

[punklove]

I have been unable to find anything on the trial and sentencing of this man. He's only served 11 out of 40 year sentence and is currently on parole. His wife, Margie, was never charged as she cooperated during with police. (I still think she should be charged).He was extradited to USA for trial. Did he serve his sentence here?
The mother also divorced Clark prior to his sentencing. I want to know where she is today - hopefully not in Canada.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/...y-40-years-ago-close-cold-case-100038924.html

"Carbajal said that Surette's mother, who cooperated in Roberts' prosecution and helped bring about his conviction, probably will not face any charges." "Roberts was paroled last year. Because he was already tried and convicted of Surette's murder, he will not face additional charges."

 

[punklove]

Judy,

Thanks for posting, Im sure it was a difficult thing to do and I have a lot of respect for you doing so. I also understand that hes your brother and I can 100% understand that you and your family members not directly involved in the murder of this child are very much victims. I removed my original post as it was more personal opinion on my part and wouldnt be helpful, I do have a couple things Id like to say as I feel that it directly relates to what every single person here tries to do..

Every person here has seen more children deaths than we would ever want to.. my problem with the mother is that all those years that she decided to be silent about this murder gave that man ample opportunity to harm another child, hopefully that didnt happen, but I have to be honest, it scares me. If this were truly were an accident the natural reaction certainly wouldnt be to hide the child. About the newspaper thing, newspapers print the wrong thing all the time but again, I have to be honest and say that the most horrifying information about this case that actually hasnt even been talked about on here (nor will I post about it) was in the police report.

I can practically feel the pain in your posts, My heart goes out to you and Im glad that you are finally getting a bit of closure as I know this must be almost unbearable for you. I have six brothers and I cant imagine how Id feel if I were in your shoes, my hope is that you and your family can now begin to heal and move forward.

 

[Judith]

Thank you punklove. Yes it has been difficult, but I don`t really want to distract the attention from Surette, I just felt there was so much information either incorrect or not known that changes the picture particularly as it relates to Surette`s mother. That seems to have been the issue that has really got people asking tough questions or calling for more justice.

I only hoped to let people know that poor Surette did have a loving mother. People don`t have to believe this, but I have known her for 40 years and have only ever seen her as a loving, caring mother and person. I wonder, and I think she did too, what would become of her unborn child and later the other children if she had arrested based on accusations from Wayne.

I have a copy of the police report of which you speak so I am aware of the information you referred to and I feel the same way about it. It`s just too hard to speak about. When I first started trying to confirm the ``rumors`` I had heard about a dead child in 1994, it was my third brother I approached that made this allegation. I don`t believe this was ever known by Margie at the time of the incident. She likely learned of this for the first time in 1994 when the investigation was being done.

When I first tried to report this, it was the Children`s Aid Society that I contacted. I didn`t know where my brother was, but I had this feeling that he might be around children. I dìdn`t know I had a 4 yr. old niece and a 1 yr. old nephew in another part of the country. I wanted them to check on my brother, but unbelieveably, they would not do anything without having the name of a child at risk. I almost gave up because I didn`t feel I had enough information. I thought this incident had occurred in Flagstaff and I did not know Surette`s name so this almost derailed the investigation from the start.

Well, I wanted to thank everyone on this site for caring about Surette. She really was a beautiful child wasn`t she. I wish I had known her. May she Rest In Peace.

Judy

 

[punklove]

Judy,

She was a very beautiful little girl and I cant tell you how happy I am that shes finally gotten her name back. The very idea that 40 years later a seemingly unsolvable case could be solved gives me a massive amount of hope for other 'unsolvable' cases.

In regards to the tough questions asked of Surette's mother - People have to ask those questions. There are so many horrible questions that must be asked in any case like this, you have to ask these questions to attempt to put the 'puzzle' together in an attempt to restore dignity to the person was left with none. I couldnt imagine coming here and reading about someone I loved (or even someone that I knew) because even the smallest of comments could be devastating. You have a group group of strangers sorting through every tiny little detail and making assumptions about what must be one of the biggest tragedies your family is likely to ever suffer. Anytime you have a case like this, certainly more so with children sometimes comments may seem cruel because people get so attached to them, any case where someone unidentified is extrememly emotional because it hurts - You think about that person's family and wonder if someones spending every waking moment wondering where their loved one is, if they are ok or hungry or being hurt and all you think is that you want thats persons family to be able to know because not knowing is shattering and that makes a situation like this hard not to be angry. Please forgive me, but I find it so strange that you, as someone that lived so far away, felt compelled to do something to protect children you didnt even know existed when someone that was meant to love her more than anything didnt seem to do so. But thats no longer important, its not about justice anymore.

You did something a lot of people wouldnt do, instead of ignoring how you feel you made a very painful choice. So many people choose to ingore things or let them go but you didnt, the results of your actions not only gave many people hope about the numerous other 'cold' cases but gave Surette the last thing that anyone could ever do for her, her name back. I hope that you know how special that makes you.

 

[Judith]

Thanks for the kind comments. I think everyone here has been very understanding and fair. Hopefully, we've all gained some insight in sharing opinions, ideas, thoughts and our feelings and expressions of concern for what happened to an innocent little girl. I know I have.

 

[PFF]

Update-this case has been updated on Doe Network

However-two possible solutions to Doe Cases {presented here on this forum}-still not been added to Doe Network:
http://doenetwork.org/cases/1377umwi.html
Solution?
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110751&highlight=Lord+Fauntleroy


http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/845dmid.html
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/425umor.html
Connected?
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41011&highlight=Fred+Miller

 

[MorenoI]

RIP Surette, I am glad they were able to give little jane doe her name.