Missing Angels

After a somewhat short, if slightly passionate, discussion with my commenter Holly, I think we came to an understanding…at the very least, I understand her point-of-view. Latoyia Figueroa isn’t the only woman missing in South Philly. Heck, Natalee isn’t the only other teenage girl missing either. Certainly it’s not all about race, weath, gender, or age. Who’s to say who the media picks to focus on or why? (Though there are those of us who have our opinions.)

The truth is that people — men, women, and children — go missing everyday and so many of their stories are never told or end up in the back pages of a local paper. If they’re lucky, they have loved ones who are willing to make noise and push the press. If they’re lucky, people listen.

Another Philly woman, Taneka Daniels, 26, has been missing since May 12th. She disappeared just eleven days before her boyfriend was to appear in court for alleged domestic abuse. She too is a single mother (3 boys). (By the way, Holly pointed out that a search for information on Taneka would bring limited results and she was quite correct.)

Then there’s Jason Anthony Jolkowski, 19, missing since June 13, 2001, last seen bringing garbage cans up to the house. (Omaha, Nebraska)

And what about Pamela Thompson, of Springboro, PA, “who was last heard from last Wednesday afternoon when she called her mother and they had a brief conversation. Officials found Thompson’s car last Wednesday on a dirt path leading to a gas well in Summerhill Township. Family members later found her shoes and socks in the woods, about 500 feet from her car.”

Where is the national news coverage for these and all the people I found listed at Angels Missing? Where are their reward funds? (While I’m sure there has been coverage for some and probably there’s rewards for some, but not for all…) Where’s the outrage?

I’m glad I found Angels Missing. I think there needs to be more sites like it. They need more publicity. Maybe then we can start finding some of these missing angels.

Outrage over the media hypocricy regarding Latoyia is a good beginning, but we need to do more.

As a side note, the PhillyFuture.org, the group that began the blogswarm of awareness about Latoyia, is now working to form a missing persons network, perhaps the modern-day milk carton. Perhaps there’s hope for all of us yet if we can work together.

tags: missing persons, Latoyia Figueroa, Taneka Daniels, Jason Anthony Jokowski, Pamela Thompson

3 comments

1. on August 3, 2005 at 8:11 pm

   Holly said:

   Hey — I am glad that you do understand what I meant by my commentery. Thank you and I know I will and I hope all readers will keep every “missing angel” in their prayers. Thanks N. — Holly

2. on August 4, 2005 at 3:47 pm

   Mel said:

   I’ve been following both cases very closely for the last two months. It’s interesting that the Holloway’s have used tried and true media relations tactics to keep their daughter’s name in the press. They have found a way - every single day their daughter has been missing - to provide one additional piece of information. Just yesterday Beth Holloway’s return to Aruba was all over the news because she spent five days at home looking at all of the facts and is now ready to FIGHT! (How this was news I really don’t know…)

   They’ve made it their business to contact reporters directly; know all of the media reps by name; and very judicously offer up tiny bits of information every day.If they don’t have info they provide new images of Natalee.

   It’s a brilliant approach to an all too familiar tragic story.

3. on January 16, 2006 at 5:44 pm

   Maggie said:

   Thank you for mentioning the site “Angels Missing” in your entry. I work at the site, covering stories. I want to say that I agree with you completely.My sister has been missing for more than a year. There should be more people like you, willing to stand for the people that get no media attention, like my sister.

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