VT - Melissa Walbridge, 12, raped & murdered, Essex Junction, 15 May 1981

[dark_shadows]

Dearest DianeB,:blowkiss:
Thank-you for your post.

Post #12 here from Dec 20,2007 has the link to the story about Melissa's brother being arrested.

Love and Respect,
dark_shadows

 

[DianeB]

What does it mean to be released "on conditions"?

What kind of conditions would be imposed, other than maybe the obvious one of staying away from the victim?

The fact that Walbridge is a school counselor is a little disturbing, particularly as his defense was that he was playing out some kind of personal "fantasy".

 

[lilacwine]

I find this very interesting,

http://www.fivechapters.com/still_life_amongst_partial_outlines/index_print.php

it's not by megan o'rourke but a poet who shares the same name yet spelled meghan o'rourke

 

[BeavisMom62]

I find this very interesting,

http://www.fivechapters.com/still_life_amongst_partial_outlines/index_print.php

it's not by megan o'rourke but a poet who shares the same name yet spelled meghan o'rourke

How odd! Are you sure it's not the same Meghan, even with the changed spelling? Why would she mention the rape/murder of Meghan and Melissa in her poem? Just because they share the same name? Gave me goosebumps.

 

[jane4VT]

I found this link which basically says,

"Jamie Savage was 15, which meant that at the time he was considered a juvenile and could be held by the state for less than three years and released when he was 18. His accomplice, Louis Hamlin, who was 16, was tried as an adult and sentenced to 45 years to life for aggravated sexual assault and murder. Hamlin remains in prison in Colorado under an interstate prisons agreement and will not complete his minimum sentence until 2012."

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs...EWS01/808030412/1002/NEWS01&template=printart

I remember this case well, it was in my hometown & I used to take the same shortcut through the woods to school that these girls took. The entire state was frustrated that Savage went free when he turned 18.

 

[cars1962]

Jamie Savage, about a year after being released, was involved in a arson for insurance and the person who hired him killed him and buried him with lye in a shaloww grave I do believe the name change was part of the book/movie script and not the fact. I grew up with and went to school with both families. I will do more research to conferm this, but it seems all the info sites you must pay for.

 

[Amy Noel]

Hi all, hope everyone is well! Its been awhile since I have been on here...my father passed and then I gave birth to my son... so its been a sad and a joyous time? But I was reading some of the old posts and noticed a few mentions about a movie? Wondering if anyone has anymore information about that... If one was already made or in the works maybe? If so please let me or all of us know! I for one would be very interested in seeing it!

 

[Gozgals]

Interesting case. I have never heard of it and would love to read more. Thanks for all the posts and time you all took. Any more information gathered would be great and the name of the movie or the book.

Thanks again.

Gozgals

 

[jamespaul]

To all who remember this case,
I am a friend of Megan O'Rourke. She is alive and wants to thank you for your kind thoughts and to let you know she is trying to still put this immense trajedy behind her. She has struggled immensely but wishes to remain anonymous at this time. She did not want me to let people know where she is, as strangers used to come to visit her at a local photo shop she worked (one of those drive ups) where she ended up losing her job b/c of strangers finding her. She has since changed her name and lives like all the rest of us, kinda anonymously. She is brave, and I am privileged to call her my friend.

 

[jamespaul]

To all who remember this case,
I am a friend of Megan O'Rourke. She is alive and wants to thank you for your kind thoughts and to let you know she is trying to still put this immense trajedy behind her. She has struggled immensely but wishes to remain anonymous at this time. She did not want me to let people know where she is, as strangers used to come to visit her at a local photo shop she worked (one of those drive ups) where she ended up losing her job b/c of strangers finding her. She has since changed her name and lives like all the rest of us, kinda anonymously. She is brave, and I am privileged to call her my friend.

 

[maryis]

I was watching a program last evening about the murder of several young boys and Johnny Depp's involvement in trying to learn whether those convicted were truly guilty.

It brought to mind this case and what I know about it. I don't believe this information has been posted from what I have read here.

After Jamie Savage reached the age where the Vermont court system had to release him, he was sent to the Phoenix Arizona metropolitan area. When he arrived a social service agency took over his 'reintegration' into society -- far from Vermont.

At the time, because he committed the crime as a fifteen year old, Arizona statutes did not prevent him from changing his name legally. That name change was taken care of by his "monitor." He was set up in an apartment and supposed to work with the agency guy to start his life.

This was all taking place in 1984.

In May of 1984 a young girl went missing at an apartment complex. Ultimately, the complex's handy man, Donald Beaty, was arrested and condemned to death for the murder and sexual assault. He is still on death row in Arizona.

But at the time, someone who knew of Jamie Savage's background, "underground" name change, etc. etc. alerted the Phoenix New Times newspaper. Told them the entire story. Jamie's photo appeared on the cover of the issue and the entire story of what he did, how he was shipped off to Arizona, and how the law allowed him to disappear via name change was investigated and outlined. The reporter for the New Times was also given the address of the apartment where Savage was living. Someone apparently tipped off the Arizona social service agency that the Phoenix New Times was poking around the official records; so by the time the reporter went to the apartment, it was empty and Savage was moved to parts unknown.

Unfortunately this big story is not archived on the www.phoenixnewtimes.com website but if someone is interested in contacting them to check it out, I'm sure the newspaper could help. Their archives do not go back to 1985 online.

This expose', IIRC, led to a change in Arizona's law regarding name changes for violent criminals etc. regardless of age.

Hope this helps to shed some more light on this story. I remember the Vermont murder very well after reading about it. I could not get the picture of that poor girl bleeding out and stuffed under an old mattress.

I too would like to know whatever happened to Savage. I've tried doing a name change search on the Arizona Court's website but apparently it was removed as the records do go back that far online.

 

[Nenzina]

Is anyone still reading this thread? I just read the book Death of Innocence and have been googling around trying to find updates on everyone involved. I read thru what's here, so I realize Meghan wishes to remain anonymous, and that Jamie changed his name to John Barber, but I'd love to know more. The links to the Vermont newspaper require a subscription, which I don't have. I wonder if anyone has other links to pictures, updates, etc.

 

[KindlyHelping]

I am but I'd just like to talk to Louis Hamlin - a serious downside of identity change for safety reasons. I'd like to write his book or something.

 

[bovey70]

I was 12 years old at the time of this horrible, unthinkable crime, living in nearby Burlington. I didn't read about all of it because to this day, it makes me sick to my stomach thinking about what those monsters did to the girls. Why?!?

I took a babysitting class with Meghan shortly after the attacks (I think it was a year or two later) and let me tell you - she's a remarkable person! She put on a brave face and was a full participant in the class; knowing that people knew what happened to her, she continued to live her life the best way she could. I know people who know her and while I'm sure she's struggled in ways that I can't even imagine, she's become a strong woman and should be proud of herself.

It was a terrible crime that shocked the entire community (and state). I have no idea what happened to the monsters - hopefully they're rotting somewhere....hell maybe?

 

[The Farm]

I thought it was Jaime that was murdered but if you all read above it was his brother Rene. Last I had read yes Louis was in a Colorado prison. Intersting to know where Jaime might be.

 

[SyraKelly]

I remember this case-its been so long,but I did read the book and I never forgot the 2 girls and what they went through.I am glad to hear Meghan is doing well and wish her blessings.

 

[lalacovey]

This Thursday ABC is playing a where are they now on this story, in fact I live in VT but was only a baby when this happened. I googled when i saw the commercial involving the names and found this thread. It is scheduled for this upcoming Thursday at 11pm on ABC, eastern standard time. Maybe this will answer some unanswered questions.

 

[CanManEh]

Hey ..What do you think about the too killers as far as thier sentences . One get's 3 years and the other get's 45 all because of the difference between 365 days .I have not read the details just the posts so far but from just reading these posts I have to say i don't think thats right 15 / 16 one is considerd an adult one is a youth like i said maybe the 16 year old is the one that carried out every detail in this again I have not read every detail buhats gonna be a law youth untill 18 It bothers me that just because one may be 200 days older then the other one he is considered an adult and will spend 45 years in prison while the other one will spend 3 ...Let me be 100 Percent clear in my mind guilty is guilty im not trying to gather any sympathy at all what so ever for these 2 just bringing up the way the judicial system works in situations such as this ..Plus why even have a youth offender act of 18 when it seems like they are allways trying kids of a younger age anyways i just don't see the point .thier either younger then 18 or thier not ...

 

[Amy Noel]

Here is a link to "Where are they now?" update on this case http://www.fox44abc22yourvoice.com/...-remembering-essex-murder-case-31-years-later

 

[Daisy1975]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe this story was recently featured on a program on the Biography Channel called "Killer Kids" or something similar. I have been trying to locate a copy.

I had never heard of this case before. Truly horrifying.