My sister is dead - UPDATE regarding THIS thread page 15..

[damo]

Do you know for sure if an autopsy was done?

 

[C.Ann]

Just got off the phone with the Battle Creek Enquirer.. After doing the "let-me-transfer-you" shuffle, I ended up in the news room and.......................................

An investigative reporter has jumped into the fray !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was quite interested in helping me get the answers I need and will be digging into everything (on the QT of course - due to my niece).. As info is uncovered it will be emailed to me directly..

How am I ever going to drag myself away from this computer to go to work tomorrow??????? No internet access there..

 

[MerryPoppins]

Wow. That should be helpful. Those investigative reporters can be like bulldogs! Hope you get some answers soon.

I'd check into the divorce records, too. It all sounds pretty fishy to me.

 

[PamOKW]

Sorry I somehow missed the Page 7 details. I'm glad to hear you are starting to get some answers today. However, I would not speak to the "husband" again. Something is very odd that he would contact you with this news at Christmastime. I would expect "another shoe to drop" at any time. He may be looking for money/inheritance for his daughter or some other scheme.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Glad to hear you're making progress C.Ann. Maybe a day at work will do you good, get your mind off of it all for a few hours.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by C.Ann

If my sister did in fact become mentally unstable, what part did "he" (and her life with him) play in that?

Was she in fact the "nameless" person in that newspaper article?

If not, then how did she die?

Why would he be willing to tell us that she was dead - but not where she was buried?

Why won't he let her daughter speak to us? In the minimal amount of contact we had with him over the years (including last night) we never indicated that we didn't believe his "stories" (sometimes you have to play along in hopes of tripping the other person up) so just what is it that she might say that he doesn't want us to hear?

C.Ann

C.Ann.

Having once been a victim of domestic abuse myself, I can almost guarantee you that something was going on. My ex husband who seemed like a decent guy when I met him, slowly began to isolate me from my family and friends, reached a point where I couldn't amke outgoing phone calls from the house and he hid the car keys. THEN, he blamed it on my "being psychotic" and wanted me to quit my job and commit myself to a hospital... It took alot of courage, since I left him 4 months after being married to him, and I almost killed myself because of it. I had one friend (now my live in boyfriend of quite some time) who refused to watch me go through that and a younger brother who teamed up and got me out. It actually came down to my brother, then 19, driving to our apartment, with a large group of his friends to physically pull me out because my psychotic ex would not let me leave.

Sounds like this guy is the same sort of sick person as my ex. I am so, SO, SO very sorry that your sister didn't get away from him in time.

Please don't stop looking into the circumstances surrounding her death. And try to get her daughter away from that man. He sounds like he's no good and probably treats her the way he treated your sister.

Keep your stregnth up and find out all you can.

 

[Planogirl]

What a mess! Keep us posted C.Ann.

{{{Hugs}}} EsmeraldaX. I'm so glad that you got away.

 

[Hagred]

CAnn - you sound so much better now than you did on Friday nite. I'm so happy for that and am thanking Our Lord that you're getting comfort. While you still have much ahead of you, I just wanted to tell you that Im sitting here smiling because you seem more yourself.

I'm still sending prayers your way that you'll find what you seek in regards to your sister.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Planogirl
What a mess! Keep us posted C.Ann.

{{{Hugs}}} EsmeraldaX. I'm so glad that you got away.

Thank you.

and , yes, C.Ann, you are in all our thoughts.

Sheri

 

[kaseyC]

C. Ann, You still might want to consider going to your own local Police Department. Some of those documents that you paid for and waiting to arrive by "snail mail" could possible be faxed or emailed to your local PD. Police departments request and share info all of the time. At least you could possibly obtain the info sooner than later. Also if she was buried by the VA, as next of kin you should be able request information on her. You will probably have to provide her military info.

Another thing, I believe your exBIL may be lying about the divorce, I do not think the VA would have buried her without contacting her next of kin and an ex husband would not be it. She had to have provided some family info to enlist in the military.

Good luck with your search for answers.

 

[bobcat]

I'm glad that you are getting a lead on some answers. Hang in there. Your exBIL is probably counting on the fact that you had very little contact with your sister and that he can stir things up but that you won't really get involved. I wouldn't tip him off that you have made inquiries.

I also second contacting your local police agency. While info needs to be sent snail mail most times to citizens the local PD can get this info fairly quickly.

 

[Mom2Em]

C. Ann... I just read your post... I don't have anything to offer but my condolences, prayers and *PD* that you will get the answers you need...

 

[C.Ann]

Well - I called the VA hospital in Battle Creek and while they were sympathetic (not to mention "intigued" that we didn't know of my sisters death until just the other night) they can't release any of her medical information unless I can prove they were divorced and he was no longer the next-of-kin..

Michigan vital statistics can't provide a copy of the divorce papers (if they even exist) without knowing the year they were divorced and the county they were divorced in.. Hmmmmm.. I'll have to think on that one a bit to try to figure out another source for that info..

Military records have the same requirement - so that's a dead-end for the moment as well..

----------------------------------------------

Been thinking about everyones advice - to go to our local PD and have the info faxed rather than waiting for the snail-mail - but - now that I'm closing in on some concrete information I'm not sure I'm prepared to have it thrust in my face on a minutes notice.. I've been so fired up trying to figure out what happened, where it happened, why it happened, etc., I don't think the reality of my sisters death - and the horrible way it occured - has really sunk in.. I'm sure the police report will not be pleasant - and the finality of actually looking at her death certificate will definitely not be a walk in the park - so.....I'm just going to wait it out.. Give myself some time to adjust to everything that has happened and try to prepare myself for that mail delivery the best I can..

Ironically, at this point in time, nothing would make me happier than to find out everything he told us was the truth.. Although the circumstances are still ugly, they're not near as ugly as what I've been thinking for the past few days..

Again, thanks to all of you - as well as those who have been working so hard "behind the scenes" (you know who you are)..

As additional info becomes available, I will let you know..

C.Ann

 

[kimber79]

Holy smokes C.Ann..........I have been off the boards since Wed. morning, and have just read this horror story. I am so so so sorry for what you and your family are dealing with right now, how very sad. My heart goes out to you and yours.

I only live 30 miles west of Battle Creek, and would be more than happy to do anything I can for you. If you ever need anything picked up or anything..........please feel free to PM me!

Hang in there sweetie...........it sounds as if you have a good run on some information coming your way. I firmly believe in "what goes around comes around", and if the creep had anything to do with what happened (well we know him just being with her had something to do with whatever happened) to your sis, he will get his back in return some day.

May you find peace in the coming days/weeks/months.

 

[doxdogy]

If they were divorced, check to see about having yourself appointed executor of her estate. I am assuming that she died without a will. Check with the probate courts in the county in which she lived. They will be able to tell you the steps that you need to take to have yourself appointed executor.

 

[Lanshark]

Glad you're on the right path and getting some information. I agree that these reports will be difficult to read. It may be best to have someone with you when you decide to 'face' them. Prayers are still with you...

 

[C.Ann]

Just received an email from the reporter.. He needed a few more "specifics" and is digging away as I type..

Keep your fingers crossed !!!!!!!!

 

[Serena]

 

[BCVOwner2002]

C.Ann,

Thanks for keeping us informed. I can understand your hesitation getting the information through your local police dept. You have been through a whirlwind of emotions over the past few days and will need some time to grieve. My thoughts and prayers continue.

Annmarie

 

[msdznyduck]

C.Ann ..........I am glad to hear you will finally be getting some answers, as difficult as it may be. At least you will know the truth. Prayers and {{Huggs}} to you and yours at this difficult time.

Take care, and be careful, both what you say and do in the coming days.