The latest on Coralrose

Posted by Tammy on May 31, 2007 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Coralrose Eve Fullwood

Today was the long awaited press conference on the murder and sexual assault of 6-year old Coralrose Fullwood. It’s been 8 1/2 months since Coralrose was abducted from her house in the night and brutally killed, one would hope that there would be some progress in this case. Sadly, the press conference offered little new information.

Actually, not only was there not alot of new information, but I was saddened by the media’s coverage of the story. I, of course, was at work, but I do have internet access there. I was sure that NBC-2 would cover the press conference, live,online, as they did the last one (which, sadly, was several months ago). So, as I knew it was at 10:30, I had my browser on NBC-2, ready to listen as I worked. But 10:30 came and went. So did 11. Finally, at around 11:15 or so, they put a short blurb up. Several hours later, the story had been buried, and I had to search for it to use as a reference for this post. The Charlotte Sun, at least, has at least kept the story where I could find it, so I think I’ll quote their story.

Police still seeking clues in Coralrose murder, children going home

(Last updated: 11:59 AM)

CrimeStoppers has offered a reward to help the North Port Police Department arrest someone for the homicide of 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood, the police department announced at a press conference today.

Coralrose’s mother, Ellen-Beth, was at the press conference this morning, and seemed relieved that she was scheduled to get her four other children back to live with her again, she said. Ellen-Beth now lives in Fort Myers to be near her children. She had lived in North Port until a judge ruled in circuit court that her children had to live with her parents.

One reason, Southwest Florida CrimeStoppers is working so diligently with the North Port Police Department is because a call ABC news got locally. The caller said he had information about the case but didn’t stay long enough to relay that information.

Now police want that person to call them or another media outlet back to reveal any information that could be helpful. That person does not have to identify himself or herself, North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis said he just wants the information.

Though Lewis said he didn’t have any exact suspects, he said police have DNA evidence. However, that DNA has not been linked to a person, he said.

”This is not a cold case,” Lewis said, adding 340 leads have been acted upon. He said between the fund and CrimeStoppers there is about $8,000 in reward money available, but he believes that could get much larger.

To donate money to the fund, people can get information at www.goldstarclub.com. To help CrimeStoppers, call 1-800-366-TIPS.

Coralrose Fullwood was found dead near her house in North Port last September. Her father, Dale, was the last one to see her alive the night before when he checked on her while she was sleeping, he said.

Lewis also said the police want to increase the amount of money

CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for any real, valid information leading to solve Coralrose’s murder.

So, as you see, not much new. Still no suspects, still no officially clearing the family. My feelings, of course, are that if the family was involved, they’d have probably managed to prove that by now. My fear is that the case has gone cold. I’m not at all sure that they have a clue.

I guess we can hope that the offer of a reward might bring forward some information. It’s sad that some people will only talk when they’re getting something for it.

The one really great piece of news that has come lately is that the other 4 children are being returned to the custody of their mother. How happy she must be, and how happy the kids must be as well.

And may we one day soon get the news that the person who committed this horrible crime against this beautiful child be brought to justice.

~~thanks to Ellen-Beth Fullwood for the beautiful picture of Coralrose~~

Previous posts on Coralrose:

Coralrose Fullwood, Quality of Life and the NOPOPO
Coralrose~Poem from a Sister
No news is bad news~Coralrose
A break in the Coralrose case?
Having a bad day?
Coralrose

Technorati tag Coralrose Fullwood
Technorati tag Sex Offenders
Technorati tag Crimes Against Children