Sunday - June 13: The CC Families of Homicide Victims is a support and liaison group for families of missing or homicide victims. It was founded in 2006 by Belinda Puchajda to keep the memory of her cousin Mike Williams alive. Williams was found in his car brutally beaten and murdered in August 2005. His case is just one more unsolved mystery in Columbiana County.
Puchajda alone with friend Kim Mitchell got CCFHV started and now represent over 30 county families with members that are missing or were murdered. Those cases date back to 1969. Many of them are still awaiting prosecution. In addition to support the group serves as a liaison with prosecutors and other law enforcement agencies following up on leads.
Wellsville's Gene Lysle is one of the missing people on the list. Lysle got a ride to the intersection of Rt. 7 & 213 on August 30, 2004. He was going to thumb a ride from there to attend a concert at Star Lake Amphitheater. Lysle has not been seen or heard from since.
Lysle's mother told those at the balloon launching that her son wasn't perfect but he was a loving son. The day he disappeared he gave her a peck on the cheek and told her he loved her. Since then his mother has put on countless miles travelling all over the area checking on leads and investigating his known haunts. After six years she feels Gene is no longer among the living. There hasn't been one solid tip or any word from him since then. Today she is seeking closure. She is one of the many being assisted by the CCFHV group.
Sunday's launch was dedicated to Gene Lysle. The bright yellow balloons were sent to the heavens with notes of prayers and hope for all the victims and missing people.
CCFHV will be appearing at EL's Pottery Festival. The annual balloon launch and vigil is scheduled for August 29 at 1 P.M. at Lisbon's Gazebo in the square. Anyone interested in joining or even making a donation can contact Puchajda at 330-424-5603 for more information.
ole nib
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2 comments:
Thanks again Ole Nib! I wouldn't say follow leads, though we do go out with family members, like Sherrill to help look. We also accompanied members of Shelby Miller's family out to the scene where he was found and walked through it with them. None of them had been there since his murder. We have went looking for Louise and Tracy on several occassions and I have went around and photographed as much detail on each victim as I can, including crime scenes. We also go to court when possible with the families for support. We make flyers and help distribute them. We also take their loved one's story all over the county and remind people that their murder is unsolved or they are still missing. Sorry this is so long. I appreciate that you mentioned us on your blog.
Kimberly Mitchell
Co-founder of CCFHV
Thanks so much for being there! We have 3 missing persons in our county and it's nice to see the public being so responsive!
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