The Ally Foundation

There are times in life when you meet the most amazing people. That's how I felt when I had the pleasure of meeting with Andrea Casanova (holding picture of Ally in left photo) and Steve Stiles (behind picture of Ally in left photo) last week. While in Boston for work I was able to meet with this extraordinary couple who's daughter Alexandra (Ally) Nicole Zapp was murdered just over 3 years ago. Like the murder of my sister Sheryl Gardner, this murder was senseless and preventable. Neither Paul Leahy, Ally's killer or Ralph Power, Sheryl's killer, should have been roaming the streets. Both should have been behind bars.

Andrea and Steve are so similar to myself in that they are determined to make changes in the name of public safety. Within months of Ally's murder they started The ALLY Foundation. The ALLY Foundation is a national, citizen-based non-profit focused on awareness, research and reform initiatives that target the prevention of sexual violence. Read more about their story, their accomplishments to date, and their hopes for the future by visiting The Ally Foundation Web Site.

Ardeth Wood Murder Suspect Linked to Unsolved Sudbury Murder

After returning from the gym today, I had a call from The A-Channel - a local TV station in Ottawa. As a follow-up to the DNA/Bill C-13 stories they covered this past spring, they asked if I had heard the latest re Chris Myers (the alleged killer of Ardeth Wood) and his link to an unsolved murder in Sudbury. Apparently the similarities between the suspect in this crime and Myers are something worth investigating. And there's even DNA evidence in the Sudbury crime. But what's sad is the wait that must now happen since Myers is not in Canada's DNA Databank...

It's a manual call made by Sudbury police to Ottawa police. The wait to confirm a connection could take days, possibly weeks...

Once again, time will tell. But it's not a leap to think that Myers could be connected to this unsolved crime and many others. DNA holds the key...

Anyhow this news clip will be aired on tonight's 11 pm news.

Watching the wheels of justice turn

Back from Toronto now and finally getting caught up on my blog etc....

So getting back to Friday, I was a little caught off guard to read Friday's Sun featuring the column by Michael Harris. In light of the break in the Ardeth Wood murder investigation, this column focused on Canada's weak sexual predator laws. Needless to say Harris brought up our case with Ralph Power, our involvement in the passing of Bill C-13 ("our" being myself and Steve Sullivan to name but a few involved), and the potential significance of DNA in the case of Chris Myers - accused killer of Ardeth Wood. It will be interesting to see if DNA can play in role in this case - it's hard to see how it won't.

I also have to comment on how frighteningly similar Chris Myers seems to Ralph Power. His "hunting" of women in particular. As Harris says, we really have to do something about these types of criminals. They are typically not treatable yet they are constantly being released after they serve their sentences. I'm determined to help figure out a way to change this. And I truly help that our fight to keep Power locked up is a step in the right direction. Time will tell...

Arrest in Ardeth Murder

Finally the hunt for the killer of Ardeth Wood is over! No time to get into details now as I have to head off to Toronto for business. But this is absolutely amazing news! These are headlines we need to see for Jennifer Teague soon too.

Jennifer Teague Murder Investigation - Still Nothing

Every morning when I wake up, I head to my front door and grab our two city papers - the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Sun. I'm not so much interested in sports or entertainment but rather I'm hoping to see a headline reading something to the effect of: Arrest Made in Teague Murder. Yet still nothing. My thoughts about Jennifer live on and being someone who lives in the west end of Ottawa, barely a day passes when I don't drive by the site of where they found her body. But still no news. Despite this reality, I keep the faith that the police are on to something. Perhaps this is why they've yet to reveal her cause of death. Let's all hope the police have a suspect or suspects that they are zero-ing in on...and that releasing the cause of death will compromise their investigation...

Tick, Tock...

As the days go, I have to wonder what's going on with regards to the closure of Jennifer Teague's murder case. Surely they police know more than they're saying...and I understand their rationale for being quiet. But at the same time I worry. Have they got enough evidence to solve the murder? Do they have a motive etc? It's very troubling since the days passing indicate no progress...let's hope it's all part of the "process"...

Jennifer Teague Funeral Today

Not sure why, but for some reason I woke up early today. Perhaps it's because I ache for the family of Jennifer Teague who today will put Jennifer to rest. I googled hoping to see a headline reading "Arrest Made in Jennifer Teague Murder" but instead I read how Jennifer's funeral is expected to draw over 800 mourners. All I can think about is how so many people will sit in disbelief and confusion at her tragic and unanswered loss. The police need to solve this case so badly. And on that note, I think about the police who will likely be watching everyone who attends - some being undercover cops I'm certain. That's exactly what happened at my sister's funeral almost 25 years ago. Like Jennifer's case, we had a funeral before justice was served. It's a horrible feeling. Actually so much of how I felt at that time is a blur now. You just go through the motions. I just remember thinking - why are we here? This has to be a mistake.

But at today's funeral the police will be watching everyone because believe it or not the killer will likely be at the funeral. It's sick but very typical. It's like they go there as a final chapter in what they did - some probably feel proud while some may feel remorse. I know Ralph Power - the man who murdered my sister Sheryl Gardner - totally wanted to be at the funeral but it was 2.5 hours outside Toronto so getting there was a problem.

While I won't be able to attend the funeral in person, my heart goes out to Jennifer's family and friends...I can truly say I understand what they're going through...