Shine 4 Lauren Concert

3 months later, Charlene Spierer "You are guilty of a heinous crime."

September 3, 2011

To whom this may concern:

Let me begin by introducing myself, although, I am sure you know who I am.  I am Charlene Spierer, Lauren’s mother.  Perhaps we have met.  You are responsible for Lauren’s disappearance.  You know where she is.  You are guilty of a heinous crime.  That, you know.

Now for what you don’t know….you don’t know what it’s like to call your wife knowing you will deliver news which will crush her.  I cannot speak for my husband.  I cannot imagine the resolve it took for him to make that call.  I can only tell you what it was like to receive it.   

Initially, you feel physically sick.  Your heart races, your breathing all but stops.  You feel as if you cannot stand.  The heat rises and your head pounds.  You are speechless.  You are incredulous.  After the initial shock, the adrenalin takes over.  You call the police department, you call the airlines, and you wait…each passing moment agony.  You desperately want someone to call you, to tell you Lauren is OK.  You miss an incoming “blocked” call.  Your heart sinks. You think you’ve missed the one call that can lead you to the discovery of your daughter.    I frantically look up the names and numbers of every hospital in and surrounding Bloomington.  I make the calls. No Lauren Spierer, no Jane Doe has been admitted to any emergency room.  All of this in the first hours of having heard about Lauren’s disappearance. 

I count the hours, minutes, seconds until my father can drive me to the airport to make the trip to Bloomington, Indiana.  Imagine a grandfather, driving his daughter to the airport, on her way to discover what has happened to his granddaughter.  Imagine that.  There were few words exchanged.  There are no words. 

Robbie and I meet in the Indianapolis airport.  He arrives from New York, I arrive from Alabama after visiting my family.  The energy between us is tangible.  It guides us through the steps and keeps us focused.  Get the car, drive to Bloomington, get to the Bloomington Police Department.  Hoping against hope the news of Lauren’s disappearance has changed and that she has been found.  Of course, you know, that was not meant to be.  After our meeting, we create the first poster for our missing daughter.  We get the posters printed.  I begin hanging posters; Robbie begins searching the area where Lauren was supposedly last seen.   

Much has happened over the past three months.  I won’t bore you with the details, if you’ve even gotten this far in reading this letter.  I will say we have had the support and guidance of a multitude of people which has helped keep us going.  For that generosity, we will be forever grateful. 

Robbie and I recently returned to New York for Rebecca’s birthday.  Maybe you knew that already (after all you know more about Lauren’s case than anyone.  You know what happened.  You know where she is.)  While there we were surrounded by family.  My young nephew asked me if we would celebrate Lauren’s birthday even if she wasn’t there.  A question asked so innocently and coming from one who knows the joy of celebrating a birthday.  I didn’t really know what to say.  Now I do.  Of course we will celebrate Lauren’s birthday.

 Before we left Bloomington you could begin to feel the influx of activity, the students coming back to begin their fall semesters.  You could feel the excitement and anticipation of reuniting with friends and beginning another year which will set you on the road to a life with a promising future.  This time last year, Robbie, Rebecca, Lauren and I were all sharing those same experiences.  Here’s something you probably don’t know.  This year is considerably different.  We packed and shipped all of Lauren’s things home.  19 boxes.  Can you imagine that so much promise would fit into 19 boxes?  I won’t go into the details of what it was like to pack Lauren’s things.  I will just tell you it was excruciating.  Every moment was excruciating.

Lauren and I share many things.  Today I can add to that list.  Today marks three months since Lauren’s disappearance.  It is also my birthday.  If you think for a minute, her father and I are going to disappear, think again.  We are just as determined today as we were day one.  You should know that Lauren is precious to us.  Do you think this is a game?  This is no game.  We are in this for the long haul.   Do you think we are going to walk away without finding out the answers?  Do you think we are going to rest until we find Lauren?  We will not.  YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM US.  We will NEVER give up.  What are you thinking?  I would really like to know. I am waiting to hear from you.

Charlene Spierer

Dearest Lauren,

We are loving you.   Missing you. 

Always,

Mom

Supporters organize event to continue to raise awareness at 3 month mark

A group of supporters in Bloomington plan to gather to raise awareness at the 3 month mark. More information can be found here:

Light the Way for the Truth

New PSA by Charlene and Robert Spierer

As we approach the 3 month mark tomorrow, Charlene and Robert would like to share this PSA recently recorded to continue to raise awareness about Lauren's disappearance. 

Spierer PSA 

We are also asking supporters to change their default photo to Lauren's poster as we approach the 3 month mark. Please, consider doing so. 

Find Lauren Poster 

Tomorrow, we will share with you a letter Lauren's mother, Charlene, has written to the person(s) responsible with information about Lauren's whereabouts. 

New IDS News insert by the Spierer's.

The Spierer's have taken out an insert ad in the Indiana Daily Student Newspaper that will be published today, August. 29.  Here is a copy of the ad they would like to share with you all.

The poster is printed in the insert along with the following text: 

A couple of years ago Lauren told me about a contact I should add to my cell phone. The contact is ICE. For those of you who don’t know, ICE stands for “in case of emergency.” I am Lauren’s ICE contact. My husband is my ICE contact and so it goes. Unfortunately, Lauren did not have her cell phone with her when she needed it the most–June 3, 2011. There has been much speculation in the media about Lauren’s disappearance. However, this is a fact…Lauren last used her cell phone at 12:16 a.m., just after midnight as June 2 became June 3 when she was still safely in the confines of Smallwood. Consider that fact when you read about Lauren’s case or hear her story. Let me repeat it: Lauren last used her cell phone at 12:16 a.m., just after midnight as June 2 became June 3 when she was still safely in the confines of Smallwood.

The purpose of what I am sharing with you is not to speculate about what happened. The purpose of this is to encourage people to take precautions to be safe.

Recently, we decided to explore the environs of Bloomington at 3:00 a.m. It was shocking to see a lone girl walking home with no shoes shortly thereafter. We are living with Lauren’s disappearance every minute of every day and thought, quite naively, that everyone else is doing the same. I said to someone recently that I hope what happened to Lauren will never happen to another person. That people will learn from this horrific episode in our lives. Alas, he didn’t think that would be the case. Clearly, he was correct.

If one person reads these words and benefits from them, we will be thankful. You are not invincible. Bad things happen to good people. You owe it to yourself to be safe. You owe it to yourself to choose your friends wisely and know that they will do the right thing if you need their help. You owe it to yourself to be the person who does the right thing for a friend. 911–think about it. Three numbers could make all the difference in the world to you, to a friend, to an acquaintance. Be safe. Choose your friends carefully. Take care of each other when the situation presents itself.

Lauren is a daughter, a sister, a best friend. She could be you. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared on June 3, 2011.

Rob, Charlene & Rebecca Spierer

••••••••••••••••

SAFE is a simple word, just four letters, simply stated…
1. Affording security or protection from harm– a safe place
2. Free from danger– you’ll be safe here
3. Secure from risk; certain; sound–a safe investment; a safe bet
4. Worthy of trust; prudent– a safe companion


I emphasize the fourth phrase:
We are each ultimately responsible for our own actions. The reality is, you may find yourself in a less than safe situation at some point during your college career. I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect that the person you are with will have the decency to call 911 if necessary. Three numbers that could alter the outcome of your future.

What do you know about the disappearance of Lauren Spierer?
Anything Small Could Be Big. Speak Up. Your call could make the difference.
www.findlauren.com
Bloomington Police Department 812.339.4477
helpfindlauren@gmail.com
FIND LAUREN • PO Box 1226 • BLOOMINGTON, IN 47402
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Another successful #FindLauren Day!

Over 180 volunteers came out in Bloomington today to repost new posters for the search to #FindLauren. "Thanks to all the volunteers who made today a success to help #FindLauren," said Charlene Spierer. Volunteer Mary Ann Ryan (pictured here with Joe Bailey) sent these words to us today after she returned from volunteering in Bloomington.

"Today was #FindLauren poster distribution day. Hugs were plentiful and hope renewed as #FindLauren posters were hung with love and faith. Every step we took seemed to be another step closer to bringing Lauren home. The sweetness and love in Mrs. Spierer's eyes and the strength and love in Mr. Spierer's voice are so very defining; without a thought or so much as a doubt we are drawn into their determination to bring Lauren home. When some of us came across a wall with a shadow looking up and the words: "There Is Always Hope", we put Lauren's poster on the wall and just felt that HOPE. FAITH and LOVE just as real and concrete as the wall itself."

A group of volunteers from the Facebook group Voices for Lauren continue to remain active in their advocacy work to support the Spierer's and #FindLauren.

Lauren's childhood friend, Blair Wallach, has returned to campus and remains committed to bring home her best friend. She has been busy helping since she arrived back in Bloomington. 

Grateful to all the businesses that continue to allow signs and posters to be hung to raise awareness. 

Recent coverage on the volunteer effort today to #FindLauren:  Search for missing student intensifies as classes resume

Cardinal Fitness Health Club Supports Efforts to #FindLauren

Cardinal Fitness is offering one month free membership to anyone who makes a donation to the Find Lauren Fund.  Here are the details:

  

Cardinal Fitness Health Club of Bloomington, has generously offered one month free membership to anyone who makes a donation to the FindLauren Fund, now through September 30, 2011. You can make your donation on-line here via credit card or in person with your check payable to Hillel Foundation at Indiana University, with "Find Lauren" in the memo section of the check. Please present your receipt for credit card donations.

Call or stop by for additional information.

Cardinal Fitness Health Club
475 N College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404-3828
(812) 339-7865