Where were you Melanie? We searched for you--in the water and on the land. Why didn't we find you.
Melanie , 33 years old, disappeared after an altercation with her boyfriend, Joe Lopez, in the early morning hours of March 2, 2007--allegedly at the Las Vegas Wash--off Pabco Road. Joe did not report her missing for many hours--and after allegedly spending some time looking for her--he went on with his day, business as usual--coffee from Circle K, getting Melanie's daughter ready for school--finally he reported her missing to Melanie's mother, Cindy Sutton.--about 5 hours later.
Many people helped search for Melanie--mostly friends and family--day after day--people with their own dogs, stangers on kayaks and ATVs. I requested that search dogs and scuba divers be brought in--but was refused. HPD did two helicopter fly-overs and one foot search. When posting flyers--I was appalled to find out that the Las Vegas Lake Fire Dept. didn't know anything about Melanie, neither did some of the Las Vegas Wash Park Police. Communication was bismal.
Being a Registered Nurse--trained as a patient's advocate-- to err on the side of safety for the patient--and to never assume--I was taken aback at the attitude of the HPD. Many assumptions were made--initially that she ran away (When she comes back on the next bus, we're going to bill her the quarter of a million dollars that she's costing the city.)--and then later that she drowned. (We may never find her body...until it decomposes.).
Eleven days after Melanie disappeared; Justin Sutton, Melanie's brother, was hit and killed accidently by a motorist. A double tragedy for the Sutton family.
Approximately 2 months later, Joe Lopez, passed a polygraph test. He was believed because, "...he hasn't changed his story and he's dumb as dirt."
About a year later, Melanie's partial remains (skull) was found very close to where she disappeared. Her nose had been broken and was partially healed--when did she break her nose? When did she actually die? She was found by the Nevada Center for Missing Loved Ones (thank you).
On 6/21/08 we had a memorial service for Melanie. She leaves behind 3 beautiful daughters. Please see www.youtube.com/bjbbjb08 and www.myspace.com/melanie_sutton. It looks like we may never know what happened to Melanie.
Missing,Endangered or, Lost, A dult, N otify!,I nvestigate!, E mergency!
Melanie's Message: Please treat all missing adults like they are your missing loved one. Communicate quickly--far and wide. Investigate thoroughly--leave no stone unturned. Don't judge, don't assume and choose to err on the side of safety and compassion--if you are going to err...
