MI MI - Eric Franks, 40, Buena Vista Twp, 21 March 2011 - #1

[Eric's mom]

I was told recently by Tamara Thompson, host of the tv talk show, "Real Talk With Tamara" in Memphis, TN., that the tribute video she put together to honor Eric has been viewed in TN, OH, NC, MS, MI, KY, CA, TX, IL, SC, OK, IN, AR, FL, GA and an unknown state. Also, it was viewed in CANADA AND SWEDEN. Our hope and prayer is that someone will come forward with some information that will give Eric's family the answers we so desperately seek. Someone, somewhere knows what happened in Saginaw, Michigan in March or April of 2011.

 

[WithEyesWideOpen]

Find Eric Lee Franks added 2 new photos.

Posted by Jo Ann Adams Franks · 39 mins · Edited ·
.

Thoughts from Eric's mom: My son, Eric Lee Franks, has been missing now for over 3 years. I have his voice on my answering machine talking to me from Michigan and saying, "Call me." He was laughing in that little snickering kind of way he laughed. I may never hear his voice again or see his face again. These pictures are of happier times when Eric was just a little boy enjoying life. A former girlfriend lured him to Michigan. He went there to do the right thing and claim a child he was told was his. He wanted to be a part of his daughter's life. The woman who convinced Eric that he had a child in Saginaw and led him to believe she still cared for him , told me and one of my sisters that she had an argument with him in front of their daughter. The last person that we know of to see Eric in Saginaw, Michigan told two of Eric's family members that she argued with him in April of 2011 before he vanished. She told the OH police that she last saw Eric in April . Why hasn't her name been released to the public as the last person who says she saw Eric in Saginaw and that he was leaving town in April to go maybe to California? Oh, that's right. She changed her story to say that Eric actually left in March. That was after an eye witness said she told him Eric was in Saginaw and was getting an apt and a job....not leaving at all. Then there was that tip from one of Eric's buddies who told the MI police that this same woman told him that Eric was still there in Saginaw with her in June. Then there was the story to MI police that she had heard from him on facebook in May. She had told Eric's family that maybe she had heard from him "a few days ago". She told the MI police that her neighbor possible saw Eric's car in the area long after he vanished. The neighbor told Eric's family that she would not have known Eric's car or what he looked like. She had only lived there a short time and had never seen him or his car. I guess anyone can see why I am so frustrated with this situation.....something is wrong with someone telling so many different stories. These stories place Eric in two different counties as to the last time this woman was with Eric and saw him leave town. These stories were detailed. These stories place Eric as leaving in different months. The tip about June says he was still in Saginaw with her after he left in April and then in March. Of course, that isn't possible. My head is spinning ! If anyone has any information that would make sense, PLEASE CALL DET/SGT GARY THOMAS with the MICHIGAN STATE POLICE at (989) 495-5560 or call the anonymous tip line at (989) 495-5557.

 

[WithEyesWideOpen]

Everybody is somebody's baby.
Eric as a child

 

[zwiebel]

What a wonderful video about Eric. He seems to have had that same, distinctive wry little smile since he was tiny.

It's good news about the Monica Caison October event too. If a flyer is produced for that, can it be shared or linked here please?

In some ways, Eric's case seems to be warming up, not growing colder. That's heartening news for most of us. For certain people, it could be real chilling though, I guess.

 

[zwiebel]

Thanks to Tamara Thompson for the video tribute to Eric that she posted on YouTube. It has been shared on several facebook pages. She told me today that another tribute video is being put together by another person and will be posted when it is completed. She is dedicated to trying to help families of the missing find answers and the murdered have justice. She is a sweet person with a caring heart. If you watch her tribute to Eric, I'm sure she would appreciate a comment if you chose to leave one. She works with the Memphis Police as a full time job and helps with families of the missing and murdered by doing interviews and tributes after that job. The video made me cry, but I have done a lot of that lately anyway. Maybe soon we will get some answers about Eric. Maybe.

Not sure how to thank on videos, so saying a BIG thanks to Tamara Thompson here!

 

[Roselvr]

What a wonderful video about Eric. He seems to have had that same, distinctive wry little smile since he was tiny.

It's good news about the Monica Caison October event too. If a flyer is produced for that, can it be shared or linked here please?

In some ways, Eric's case seems to be warming up, not growing colder. That's heartening news for most of us. For certain people, it could be real chilling though, I guess.

I uploaded one in Eric's flier thread; they can also be found on his FB page in the flier album

 

[sweetcherries]

SF,


You may have answered this before too, but is it a possibility that whomever is investigating this case, has any connection to either the egf or her husband?

I agree, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Your family has been patient and tried to play by the rules, but you have been given no choice but to go above and beyond heads...How about contacting the Govenor of Michigan as well. Someone has to step up to the plate. A person is missing for god's sake!

I think this is a good idea, to contact the Govenor.

 

[sweetcherries]

We were VERY disappointed that the person who has been investigating - currently Acting Chief from Buena Vista Twp. PD - wouldn't take the time to talk with the family. We tried multiple different dates and even worked around his vacation. Still, in the end, the family was there three+ days there and he couldn't find a second of time to meet. The Chief sent a subordinate who didn't seem to know much about the case to meet with the family and a prosecutor who is helping us. AND - BVPD also called the reporter while taping the segment in the parking lot and expressed that they didn't like them taping outside!

I am sorry, I am coming in on this really late, but this statement right here gives a reason to believe a possible cover up. The Acting Chief seems to be avoiding you at all costs.

 

[sweetcherries]

During the first year when the Buena Vista police had Eric's case, the family was told not to put up missing posters or get on tv. We listened to their advice even though we knew that didn't sound right. We didn't want to hurt Eric's case. The lead detective advised us that it could hurt the case. A private investigator recently told us he had never heard of such a thing! I can't tell you how may times we've been told that the police are busy with other cases. I was told that there were "local" cases they would come up when the original detective was trying to work on Eric's case. Eric was not from MI, but he disappeared there and I believe his case was local. I appreciated what was done to find Eric, but some tips have still not been researched as they should be.

Oh wow! I have never heard of a police agency telling a family 'not to put up posters or get the media involved. I think this police agency needs to be investigated by higher authority in the state. That has jeopardized this case in the worst way.

 

[Momoffourboys]

Oh wow! I have never heard of a police agency telling a family 'not to put up posters or get the media involved. I think this police agency needs to be investigated by higher authority in the state. That has jeopardized this case in the worst way.

Hi Sweetcherries!
Welcome to Eric's thread.
:welcome3:

Please be sure to stop by his FB page, if you can.

https://www.facebook.com/FindEricFranks?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark

 

[Eric's mom]

Welcome, sweetcherries. to this discussion to help find answers as to what happened to Eric in 2011. I hope you will be able to find some information we haven't found or to look at it from a different angle and maybe help solve this case. I appreciate everyone who has been kind with their posts and genuinely wants to help. This is a most difficult situation for Eric's family and friends. Due to the situation, we have answered personal questions that normally would not have even been asked by strangers about someone's family member , but life happens and we have shared many personal things in Eric's life in the hopes it would help find him. There are many things that the police and our family know that point to certain people knowing answers we desperately need. I wish the compassion was there with those people. They have repeatedly asked for compassion from others, but do not seem willing to extend any compassion to those who care about Eric. Two persons were responsible for convincing Eric that he had a child in Saginaw, Michigan . Those persons moved to Florida and will not even talk about what they know. If I was suspected of a crime or if I was thought to have knowledge that would help solve a crime, but I truly didn't do anything wrong or truly didn't have any information that would help a hurting family, I do believe I would step up and let it be known on the news, to the police, to the family .......try to clear my name......try to clear up questions. If I did have some information and I didn't commit a crime, I believe I would again step up and do the right thing. There is at least one person, if not two or three or more, who have answers that would help us find Eric. We are waiting for her and them to do the right thing.

 

[sweetcherries]

Hi Sweetcherries!
Welcome to Eric's thread.
:welcome3:

Please be sure to stop by his FB page, if you can.

https://www.facebook.com/FindEricFranks?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark

Thank you, Momoffourboys.

 

[sweetcherries]

Welcome, sweetcherries. to this discussion to help find answers as to what happened to Eric in 2011. I hope you will be able to find some information we haven't found or to look at it from a different angle and maybe help solve this case. I appreciate everyone who has been kind with their posts and genuinely wants to help. This is a most difficult situation for Eric's family and friends..

Thank you, Eric's mom. Going thru the thread from the beginning, I see most questions I have/had- have already been asked. Great minds think alike. I have to continue reading where I left off in this thread. But there needs to be a way to get the police more involved.

 

[sweetcherries]

I don't see Eric listed on the Michigan State Police Missing Persons page, can he be added?

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1589_31786_32000---,00.html

I noticed that today when I was on their page.

 

[sweetcherries]

I must again praise Terry Camp of WJRT ABC Channel 12 in Saginaw. He and Liz Geraldi of Channel 5 were more than kind to our family when we spent 4 days in Saginaw. Liz had a change of work position, but she took time to talk to us later. Terry has continued to keep in touch (even today) and do whatever he can to help us. I find it hard to understand why national news runs segments on how to BBQ, what clothes to buy, what celebrity is marrying or divorcing who, etc and etc, but there is no network that runs a daily airing of who is missing in America ! My son's photo (as well as all who are missing) should be shown for all of America to see just in case someone has seen him or knows something.

I see what you are saying with what the media chooses to air- There was a story on someone with a rare form of breast cancer and her battle with it, this has made headlines in quite a few states. Just an observation!

 

[sweetcherries]

I see it has been on the news there in Michigan. One of the local stations but has it ever been on one of the national networks? Cnn NBC any of those national news programs? Just wonder if it hasn't if it might help to try to push for that. Even Dateline if it is still on air. They do things like missing persons cases etc...

Also you can try Nancy Grace, she has a missing person show.

 

[sweetcherries]

Well - don't forget she had an ever growing list of "legal" issues here in Saginaw County to run from as well.

She/they can run but they can't hide.

 

[sweetcherries]

Mom - I agree but...as a person she does not appear to be overly worried or involved in the health and safety of anyone else around her. Those of you who have seen the FB group that was started in regards to someone else close to hers health will understand.

Ask yourself - Why is someone else so involved with supporting the cause - and there's only ONE post from her. How many pics did you see HER in?

I found that odd too. Seems no family [ MI] are on the page, just mostly from her school and surrounding area.

 

[Eric's mom]

Tamara Thompson (Real Talk With Tamara) informed me today that Eric's tribute video has aired in some additional areas : NJ, NY, VA, PA, MD, WA, CT, NEW MEXICO, DIST OF COLUMBIA, GERMANY and THE UK. She said the most views have been in TN, MS, MI and FL.

 

[WithEyesWideOpen]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/158635567524997/

may prove to be good reading.........