Adam Walsh's 1981 murder solved!!!!

[Oreo Cookie]

It's so tragic what happened to Adam Walsh, but thinking of all that has been done over the past 27 years in tracking and capturing dangerous pedifiles there has to be hundreds of children's lives spared because of the work done in Adam's memory by John Walsh.

May his soul rest in peace. I can't ever imagine the pain of losing a child and having them killed in such a horriffic way, and how Reve, his mom, has lived with the guilt of "losing him" at Sears that fateful day he was snatched up by this monster.

I agree. The suffering of the Walsh family is unimaginable. They took this tragedy and make a difference, and in doing so they have helped many children's lives. John Walsh has helped get the scum of the earth arrested and prosecuted.

May they find peace and my thier dear son rest in peace.

 

[profdsny]

That is one of the sickest things I have ever read on these boards. John Walsh is a kind and caring man who has devoted his life to helping others and to putting terrible criminals behind bars. So frickin' what if he's made some money in the process. John Walsh is a great man who has never hurt anyone, just helped.

First off, I sense an insult here. Secondly, it is one thing to focus on missing children, but he has made a career out of 'most wanted' programs, most not having anything to do with missing children. He saw an opportunity for himself and used it. "So what if he made money?" That just exactly proves my point.
Sorry, I stick with what I say.

 

[Poohbear123]

John Walsh and his wife are true American heroes. Instead of letting tragedy destroy them, they have fought to make the world a safer place, not only for children, but for everyone. They were instrumental in passing federal laws that made it easier to share information on missing children and on suspects.

So true, and John cannot talk about Adam without tearing up, he relives this every day..... Peace be with him and the rest of his family.

 

[profdsny]

Maybe he has made a fortune, but I bet you anything he'd take his son back and give it all up in a heartbeat.

I agree with you on this.

 

[JenM]

First off, I sense an insult here. Secondly, it is one thing to focus on missing children, but he has made a career out of 'most wanted' programs, most not having anything to do with missing children. He saw an opportunity for himself and used it. "So what if he made money?" That just exactly proves my point.
Sorry, I stick with what I say.

That's nonsense. AMW is about finding those responsible for committing violent crimes - the very crime that Adam was a victim of - and has always profiled missing children. According to their website, that show has been responsible for the capture of 1049 fugitives and 60 missing children or adults. They show and its website continuously run Amber Alerts and updates on wanted fugitives.

In fact, when Adam's story was made into a TV movie in 1983 (and its sequel in 1986), John Walsh insisted that pictures of missing children be shown after every network showing of them. Many of those children were found thanks to those screenings of the movie.

Their biggest obstacle when Adam disappeared was an inability to get the word out about him - the FBI wouldn't help, and they had to rely on their own resources and a police department unequipped to deal a crime on the magnitude of Adam's disappearance. John and Reve only appeared on Good Morning America when Adam was missing because John's college roommate was a friend of the show's host and did him a favor.

Thanks to the work he's done, co-founding the National Center for Missing Children, expanding the FBI database with the Missing Children's Act in 1982, creating shows like America's Most Wanted (not to mention a slew of kid-oriented videos and TV specials) to create public awareness of dangerous fugitives and missing persons, endangered children have a better chance than Adam ever did, and their parents get the help John and Reve so desperately needed when it happened to them.

To say he's just in it to profit is completely ignorant of all of the work the Walsh family has done in the last 27 years.

 

[Cool-Beans]

And as kids we were really bothered by the TV movie, I remember my class being freaked out by it. To this day, whenever my sister sees a kid wandering unsupervised in a store, she says "Didn't they see Adam??"

LOL, I used to say that, too. But they didn't, because the TV guys never show it. They ought to.

There are probably many young mothers who never even heard of Adam Walsh.

I saw Adam as a kid and it stuck with me. Watched my kids like a hawk in public places. Not too hard if you only have one or two kids there, but it gets much harder with more. Especially in places like water parks. But I did it...and all because of Adam.

While I'm sure John Walsh enjoys having money (who doesn't?), I don't think that's why he went into all that.

The man obviously has some issues. He went a little nuts. Can't say as I blame him. I'd probably go a little nuts if they'd found my child's head, too. No doubt.

But I think these shows and the focusing of his life on crime all goes back to the loss of his son and has very little to do with money.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I am glad they finally get closure. It sucks though that it had to happen. I am so proud of the Walsh family for all that they accomplished as a result of all that they have been through.

 

[rparmfamily]

It's so tragic what happened to Adam Walsh, but thinking of all that has been done over the past 27 years in tracking and capturing dangerous pedifiles there has to be hundreds of children's lives spared because of the work done in Adam's memory by John Walsh.

May his soul rest in peace. I can't ever imagine the pain of losing a child and having them killed in such a horriffic way, and how Reve, his mom, has lived with the guilt of "losing him" at Sears that fateful day he was snatched up by this monster.

So true.

 

[chisnpeke]

Sorry, we agree on many things, bu I disagree on this. It seems to me that he has made a fortune for himself by capitalizing on his son's tragic murder.

What a pathetic and sad thing to say.

 

[JenM]

LOL, I used to say that, too. But they didn't, because the TV guys never show it. They ought to.

There are probably many young mothers who never even heard of Adam Walsh.

Probably not. But at the same time, if their child goes missing in a store and is saved by the Code Adam system (originally created by Walmart, but it was named after Adam and backed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children), they have the Walshes to thank for it, even if they don't know who Adam was.

I see that sticker at stores all the time, and saw it called in a Toys R Us once.

 

[LovinPooh]

I believe LovinPooh meant they never got it back from the police to bury.
Which I do believe is the case.

I remember watching a special a few yrs ago where a close family friend spoke about being the one to identify the remains. The Walshes were appearing on national TV (in NY on the Today Show I believe) when Adams head was found. It still haunted the man over 20 yrs later.

yep, I dont think they did get it back. I hope they do now. Does anyone know any different? Did they get it back already?
OMG, I couldnt imagine being the one to find that, or the one to identify.

 

[Mikelly1221]

I am glad that the family can finally have closure. I am grateful to the Walshes for what they have done to help locate missing children and other criminals.

Growing up in central FL, I heard all about Adam Walsh over the decades. I watched the movie and thought it was so sad. A couple of years ago, my son played baseball and when he had his individual picture taken, holding the bat like Adam was in his picture, with missing front teeth, well, it was a bit unnerving to say the least. I'd seen Adams gaptoothed smile for much of my life and it was just a bit too similar.

May the family continue to find peace and comfort.

 

[DarthKTrava]

I know what you mean. Looking at that sweet toothless face it's hard to think... but you could be right.

I'm pretty sure it'd be hard to think that way... especially if you're the family who's grieving the loss.... But just think of all the good John's done over the past 20 years.... He could've given up and been demoralized the rest of his life.... but he chose to fight back and help bring criminals to justice.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Seeing John and Reve Walsh on CNN yesterday really made me cry. What that couple has been through in the aftermath of a horror so unimagineable is just hard to see. I hope this brings them some semblance of closure. I thought the way he thanked the people who worked this case and never gave up showed what a class act he is. And the way she was clutching that picture of Adam, well it just spoke a thousand words.

 

[akhenaten]

Sorry, we agree on many things, bu I disagree on this. It seems to me that he has made a fortune for himself by capitalizing on his son's tragic murder.

are you kidding me???!!

there would be no center for missing/exploited children without john and reve

 

[akhenaten]

That's nonsense. AMW is about finding those responsible for committing violent crimes - the very crime that Adam was a victim of - and has always profiled missing children. According to their website, that show has been responsible for the capture of 1049 fugitives and 60 missing children or adults. They show and its website continuously run Amber Alerts and updates on wanted fugitives.

In fact, when Adam's story was made into a TV movie in 1983 (and its sequel in 1986), John Walsh insisted that pictures of missing children be shown after every network showing of them. Many of those children were found thanks to those screenings of the movie.

Their biggest obstacle when Adam disappeared was an inability to get the word out about him - the FBI wouldn't help, and they had to rely on their own resources and a police department unequipped to deal a crime on the magnitude of Adam's disappearance. John and Reve only appeared on Good Morning America when Adam was missing because John's college roommate was a friend of the show's host and did him a favor.

Thanks to the work he's done, co-founding the National Center for Missing Children, expanding the FBI database with the Missing Children's Act in 1982, creating shows like America's Most Wanted (not to mention a slew of kid-oriented videos and TV specials) to create public awareness of dangerous fugitives and missing persons, endangered children have a better chance than Adam ever did, and their parents get the help John and Reve so desperately needed when it happened to them.

To say he's just in it to profit is completely ignorant of all of the work the Walsh family has done in the last 27 years.

 

[sbpuckett]

this case has bothered me my entire life. i was a very little girl when his kidnapping happened and it scared me...a lot. to this day, as a mother of 2 young daughters, i remember the movie and don't take my eyes off of them. i'm glad the walsh family has closure now

Ditto... it's one of my first, most vivid memories from childhood. We all felt safe until this happened and it's definitely shaped how I raise my own boys. It's such a sad thing but like someone said, has had such a purpose. I'm glad they have closure now.

 

[sbpuckett]

Ummmm WOW...that's pretty harsh. This man (and his wife) were obviously DEVASTATED by their son's murder. They chose to DO SOMETHING to bring awareness to Missing Children. As a close friend of someone whose child was missing and later found murdered....I can only hope that a parent who has suffered this kind of tragedy can help others.... It is the way the Walsh's dealt with their grief. I find it very hard to judge people who have lost their child (including my husband)~people do what they need to do to cope. The Walsh's "did good"

Well said!

 

[NEM]

First off, I sense an insult here. Secondly, it is one thing to focus on missing children, but he has made a career out of 'most wanted' programs, most not having anything to do with missing children. He saw an opportunity for himself and used it. "So what if he made money?" That just exactly proves my point.
Sorry, I stick with what I say.

And I bet he would give every penny back if he could just have his son back and healthy. He did not seek this out, but he did make a promise to himself that his son would not die in vain. He has done more for capturing criminals and protecting children than any other individual I can think of. What a cynical view you have on something so tragic that you would think that profit was his motive....unbelievable.

 

[Stacerita]

I can't believe that some people are put out that John made money. One can not dismiss what he did for missing and exploited children. Before him, there was nothing. Adam's death was not in vain.