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| 2006 News Articles: October 8-14 (32 articles) |
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IndexBurlington's Night Scene Adjusts to Tragedy
Burlington, Vermont - October 13, 2006
Kate Duffy, Channel 3 News
Burlington is well-known for its restaurants and lively bar scene. But since Michelle Gardner Quinn disappeared a week ago, downtown Burlington has been associated with a horrible crime.
It's after midnight in downtown Burlington. While much of the city is sleeping, Church Street is very much awake. "I see a pretty active nightlife," said Alex Flamina, a bouncer at the club, Red Square
The nightlife, now tempered with the murder of Michelle Gardner-Quinn. "It's terrifying. It's actually really terrifying. I think about it all the time," said Odele Peter of Burlington.
The story is on everyone's mind. "Safety typically has not been a huge concern in Burlington, but after this specific incident it really is becoming something that's on the forefront right now," said Martti Matheson, the owner of Red Square.
From bartenders and bouncers, to college students walking home. Many in groups -- knowing there's safety in numbers. "We've always used the buddy system," said Ashley Keane, a UVM senior.
Bouncers at hot spot, Red Square, are in charge of keeping people safe in the bar. But they say that responsibility extends outside, too and doesn't end with last call. "With the waitresses that work here, I'm pretty adamant that they have an escort to their vehicles," said Flamina.
"With any other female patrons we feel are unsafe walking alone, we generally try to hail a cab or walk them down, we've actually given rides personally to people who need rides on their own," said Matheson.
Women we talked to said they know the lessons we've all heard before. "I usually cut through Battery Park during the day, but at night I definitely don't go through the park," said Odele Park.
"Oh yeah, we've been doing the buddy system all night," said UVM senior, Jenny Hogan. Hogan says she's always felt safer here than in her big-city hometown in California. "It's still Burlington, Vermont and that might be why people feel so comfortable.
Still, it's a city that this case shows is not immune from danger. "It's generally a pretty peaceful and safe town in my experience. Crime can happen anywhere," said Flamina
UVM Mourns the Loss of Student
Burlington, Vermont - October 13, 2006
Channel 3 WCAX-TV
The University of Vermont was devastated by Fridays tragic turn of events in the case of Michelle Gardner-Quinn.
The community gathered on the campus green Friday night for a vigil -- lighting candles and sitting in groups around bonfires. The chapel was open, and counselors were available to help students with their grief.
UVM's president says the community is heartbroken. "I think we're all caught up in a moment of intense anguish and sorrow. It's a terrible tragedy. our thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle Gardner-Quinn's family, to her parents and brother and sister above all and to her friends," said UVM President, Dan Fogel.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn was a transfer student who had only been at UVM for about six weeks. Fogel says the number of friends she made in that short time are an indication of the tremendous impact she had here.
Friends speak of Gardner-Quinn's life
Lynne McCrea
Vermont Public Radio
Listen to the full segment (MP3
/ 1.0 mb / 2:33)BURLINGTON, VT (2006-10-13)
(Host) 21-year-old Michelle Gardner-Quinn was from Arlington Virginia. She transferred this fall to the University of Vermont for her senior year of college. She was pursuing a specially-designed major in environmental studies.
Friends say Gardner-Quinn was an avid snowboarder, and was thrilled to be in Vermont.
Earlier today, VPR's Lynne McCrea spoke with friends of Michelle Gardner-Quinn, before the announcement that her body had been tentatively identified
(McCrea) For the past three days, Julia Martin has helped search the UVM campus, in an effort to trace the last steps of her friend, Michelle Gardner-Quinn.
(Martin) "And we're looking for jewelry clothing."
(McCrea) Julia first met Michelle in August, on a hiking trip for UVM transfer students. She says the two became close on that trip. Julia described Michelle as easy-going, but passionate when it came to her favorite cause.
(Martin) "She's really the kind of person who has big ideas, is always calling saying we should go to this energy conservation rally, etc... and she's really passionate about the environment and the things she does "
(McCrea) UVM student Tommy Lang has known Michelle since the 8th grade. He says it's ironic that his friend has lived in places considered far more dangerous than Burlington Vermont.
(Lang) "She's been in Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, in rural areas working with farmers on sustainable development, so yeah, she's been in supposedly much more dangerous places, and Burlington is supposedly so safe and it's just so shocking that this can happen."
(McCrea) Tommy Lang has been involved in the search since his friend Michelle first disappeared
(Lang) "We put up 400-500 flyers all over campus all over Burlington. And since then I've been involved in many search efforts, and just trying to keep everybody thinking about her.
(McCrea) That spirit has been reflected throughout the University of Vermont community. At a forum, UVM President Dan Fogel spoke about Michelle Gardner Quinn, and the intense and genuine anguish' felt by friends, family, and the entire community.
(Fogel) "We are a community that often gathers in times of celebration, and sometimes gather in times of crisis and uncertainty. This is such a time. And what we do is reflect, learn, etc. and support one another in this difficult time."
(McCrea) There will be a campus gathering tonight at 6:30 on the main green at UVM, and the Ira Allen Chapel will be open all evening for meditation and sharing support.
For Vermont Public Radio, I'm Lynne McCrea
© Copyright 2006, VPR
This is the online edition of VPR News. Text versions of VPR news stories may be updated and they may vary slightly from the broadcast version.
Prayer vigil held for Michelle Gardner-Quinn
Vermont Public Radio
ARLINGTON, VA (AP) (2006-10-13)
Friends of missing University of Vermont student Michelle Gardner-Quinn held a prayer vigil at the church her family has attended since she was a little girl Thursday night.
Gardner-Quinn has not been seen since just after 2:30 am Saturday as she walked back toward the Burlington, Vermont campus after a night of bar-hopping with friends.
Vermont authorities have publicized images taken from a video surveillance camera at a jewelry store which show the 21-year-old woman walking with an unidentified man.
Authorities say the man has become a significant focus of their investigation. Members of Arlington's Church of the Covenant say they'll continue to pray that Gardner-Quinn will be found safely.
Her parents remain in Vermont where the search is continuing.
© Copyright 2006, Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Missing Vermont Student Found Dead
21-Year-Old Woman Was Missing For 6 Days; Police Have Suspect In Custody
BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 13, 2006
CBS NEWS
(CBS/AP) The body of a University of Vermont student was found along a rural road Friday, and police said they were questioning a man who lent her his cell phone on the night she vanished nearly a week ago.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn's body was discovered east of downtown near a popular swimming spot in the town of Richmond, Burlington Police Chief Thomas Tremblay said.
The 21-year-old senior had become separated from her friends when she borrowed Brian Rooney's phone to call them as she walked up heavily traveled Main Street, which runs between downtown and the campus.
Rooney, 36, of Richmond, has been the focus of the investigation since he was recorded on a jewelry store surveillance camera with her at about 2:30 a.m., Tremblay said.
Rooney has not been charged in connection with Gardner-Quinn's case, Tremblay said. He was arrested to face charges of sexual assault and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child in Caledonia County, about 80 miles east of Burlington, Tremblay said.
The police chief described the investigation as a kidnapping probe and he repeated authorities' plea for help. He said an autopsy was scheduled.
Gardner-Quinn was reported missing Saturday after she failed to show up for a planned meeting with her parents, who had been in town for parents' weekend.
Tommy Lang, 21, a University of Vermont senior who grew up with Gardner-Quinn in Virginia, said Friday that nothing seemed amiss when she called him from the man's cell phone just before her disappearance.
"She sounded completely fine and normal and exactly the way she did when she left us," Lang said. "There wasn't anything that made me worry or made me suspicious that anything was going on."
Lang said he called the number Gardner-Quinn had used and spoke to a man.
"He really didn't tell me a whole lot. He basically said he saw her walking up the hill toward the dorms and that's about it," Lang said.
As Vermont State Police searched the Huntington Gorge swimming hole, authorities had cordoned off at least half a block in a residential Burlington neighborhood several blocks south of where Gardner-Quinn was last seen. They were concentrating on a stately, three-story, red brick home, where there has been construction on an addition.
On Wednesday, police located, interviewed and ruled out as a suspect an unidentified man who had reportedly tried to lure a woman into his white "Subaru-style" hatchback on North Winooski Avenue, about three-quarters of a mile from where Gardner-Quinn was last seen, at approximately the same time.
©MMVI CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Release Date: 10-13-2006
Urgent News in the Case of Michelle Gardner-Quinn
Contact: University Communications Staff
Email: newserv@uvm.edu
Phone: (802) 656-2005 FAX: (802) 656-3203
University of Vermont President Daniel Mark Fogel released the following statement to the campus community Friday afternoon:
It is with the deepest regret and sadness that I share with you the terrible news that a body believed to be Michelle Gardner-Quinn has been found in Huntington, Vermont. She was the victim of an apparent homicide. On behalf of a heartbroken University of Vermont community, I wish to express our most profound sorrow and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Michelle.
I know that every member of our community shares in the overwhelming sense of loss we feel tonight, and that all of our thoughts and prayers are with Michelle's family.
Body of Missing UVM Student Found
Burlington, Vermont - October 13, 2006
The mystery of a missing UVM student has been solved. Twenty-one year-old Michelle Gardner Quinn was found dead near the Huntington Gorge in Richmond -- an apparent murder victim. Police also arrested 36 year-old Brian Rooney. He has not been charged with killing Michelle Quinn, but he is the prime suspect.
"She has tentatively been identified as Michelle Gardner-Quinn. The manner of Michelle's death appears to be a homicide," said Burlington Police Chief Tom Tremblay, at a Friday afternoon news conference.
While Chief Tom Tremblay was announcing the tragic news in Burlington, investigators were still at the Huntington Gorge, where Michelle Gardner-Quinn's body was discovered four hours earlier. Police say hikers spotted the body near the edge of the gorge. The grim discovery ended the search that started seven days ago when storefront security cameras photographed her walking up Main Street with a man whose cell phone she had borrowed to call friends. From the beginning he was the focus of the investigation. It included intensive searches in and around his mother's home in Richmond. Police said they knew his name, but they were unwilling to identify him or call him a suspect -- until today.
"We are now prepared to identify Brian Rooney age 36 of Richmond as a suspect in Michelle's disappearance," said Tremblay. "A short time ago Mr. Rooney was arrested and is currently in custody on charges unrelated to Michelle's disappearance."
Rooney was arrested for alleged sex crimes in Caledonia County that came to light during the Gardner-Quinn investigation. Court records show he has a lengthy record in four counties for relatively minor alcohol-related offenses with no prior sex crime convictions.
On Friday police searched a home under renovation in Burlington about two blocks from where Gardner-Quinn was last seen. The contractor says Rooney had been a construction worker at the site. Police released a photo of the car he was driving when Gardner-Quinn disappeared, requesting that anyone who saw the car between last Saturday and Monday, to call them.
Rooney is scheduled to be arraigned on the unrelated sex charges in St. Johnsbury on Monday. Charges related to the apparent murder of Michelle Gardner-Quinn will have to await the autopsy findings.
A Survivor's Class
South Burlington, Vermont - October 12, 2006
Beth Parent -- Channel 3 News
Michelle Gardner Quinn's disappearance has many women wondering what they can do to protect themselves in the event of an attack.
"All that I wanted to do was get him away from me and get out," said Niki Kenney, of Burlington.
A few years ago, 21-year-old Niki Kenney was walking in Boston at night when she was attacked.
"I was pushed to the ground and picked back up by my hair, my hand was pulled behind my back and somehow I don't know what possessed me, but I was able to turn around and kick him," said Kenney
Thanks to her knowledge of self-defense from classes like this, Niki managed to get away safely with only cuts and bruises.
Laurie Shover, an instructor at Vilari's Self-Defense Center, trains women to protect themselves in unsafe situations.
Shover plans to hold free self defense clinics at area colleges in the upcoming weeks.
"There is no such thing as doing it wrong. the only thing is not to do it at all," said Laurie Shover, of Vilari's Self-Defense Center.
Shover recommends if you are being attacked -- fight back by hitting the vital spots.
"When you hit somebody in the nose or the eyes or the throat or the soloplex, the groin, the knees all these areas are going to be enough hopefully again to be able to get away," said Shover.
Classes at most centers vary in cost, but folks stress that you don't need to be a martial arts expert to make a safe getaway.
"It's life insurance, we feel that the predators and the pedophiles are the disease, we are the defense. self defense," said Shover.
"I didn't do any great self defense techniques, all I did is kick him and get out," said Kenney.
A simple move that possibly saved her life.
Students Gather in Wake of Disappearance
Burlington, Vermont - October 12, 2006
Kate Duffy - Channel 3 News
Burlington police made another plea Thursday night to UVM students for any information that may be helpful to their investigation into the disappearance of Michelle Gardner Quinn. About 50 students gathered for an information session on campus.
Police, university officials and victims advocacy groups met to talk with students about protecting themselves from becoming a target for crime.
UVM President Dan Fogel said the entire community is feeling anguish and what he described as a "complex churn of emotions."
Certainly it seemed that the mood on campus Thursday night had darkened. Students are tired of seeing police and media around-- they just want to see their missing classmate.
The residence hall association is passing out green ribbons as a show of solidarity and hope for finding Michelle.
"We found out that green is one of Michelle's favorite colors, it's also a UVM color, and she was a member of the greenhouse residential learning community," says Christina Davis of UVM Residential Life. "It's just a message of hope for Michelle and her family. We just want to make sure they know they're in our thoughts and prayers, really hoping that this symbol will show her folks that and bring the students together as a community."
"We're certainly maintaining that optimism and I think our community is continuing to worry and hope for the best that we'll get Michelle back safe and healthy," says UVM Police Chief Gary Margolis.
Burlington Police Chief Tom Tremblay told the crowd investigators are pursuing this as a criminal investigation even though no one knows the circumstances around Michelle Gardner Quinn's disappearance. They have to think of the worst case scenario -- even though they're hoping for the best possible outcome.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn's Sister Tries to Remain Optimistic
WTOP | October 12, 2006 | Neal Augenstein, WTOP Radio
Posted on 10/13/2006 5:35:49 AM PDT by smartin
BURLINGTON, Vt. - Michelle Gardner-Quinn's half sister is trying to remain hopeful that the 21-year-old from Arlington, Va., woman will be found alive.
Yasmine Rassam of Arlington is in Burlington helping with the search for Gardner-Quinn, which is now in its sixth day.
Rassam admits that by nature she's a pessimist, but she says she's trying to look at things as Gardner-Quinn would -- optimistically.
"We're being optimistic," a clearly exhausted Rassam tells WTOP. "I say to myself when I start crying or breaking down or something, I just say, 'It's all good. It's all positive. We don't know anything yet.'"
Rassam, who is 18 years older than Gardner-Quinn, says her sister is a "survivor" who "had just come into her own," taking up yoga and finding friends at the University of Vermont.
"She was at the happiest place she's been. She was 21. She wanted to do environmental studies," Rassam said, during an interview over breakfast. "She was starting her life. Everything was coming together."
Back at home in Arlington County, Gardner-Quinn's church, The Church of The Covenant. will hold a 7 p.m. vigil Thursday.
Gardner Quinn's Sister Speaks Out
Burlington, Vermont - October 12, 2006
Channel 3 Burlington
Michelle Gardner Quinn's sister spoke with Channel 3's Brian Joyce about Michelle and how her family is holding up.
"Well, it's obviously very difficult and it's, each day, it's progressively getting a little more difficult obviously. But we're still optimistic that she's alive and we have to remain optimistic and as far as we know tomorrow we can find her. So we're coping as a family in helping each other out," said Yasmine Rassam.
"I just want the community to know that my sister just got here, and she was absolutely so happy to be here. She loves the environment and she wanted to study the environment. She loves skiing, snowboarding, she loves the outdoors. She loves photography and everything she wanted was here at the University of Vermont."
Gardner Quinn has traveled extensively to some dangerous cities. Rassam calls her disappearance from Vermont ironic.
"When she went out in the world, I would give her cautionary tales especially when she went to Brazil which can be unsafe. She's street-smart. You know, she's a good kid, but she's got a good head on her shoulders. And you know you would expect maybe a call from the police in Brazil, but you know, I never thought to caution her to come here."
Rick's Rambles
Minimizing Your Risk
by Rick Leventhal, FOX NEWS
October 12, 2006
Editor's note: On Friday, October 13, the body of Michelle Gardner-Quinn was discovered by police near Huntington Gorge in Richmond. For the latest information on this sad story, please read the news article on FOXNews.com.
Because of the disappearance and suspected abduction of 21-year-old college student Michelle Gardner-Quinn at the University of Vermont, Burlington police hosted a couple of safety forums on and off campus — reminding students, especially women, how to minimize their risk of becoming victims of violent crimes.
Some of the suggestions are common sense, others may seem unnecessary, but all bear repeating.
Here is the Burlington PD's checklist of ways to better protect yourself:
1. Don’t get complacent, no matter how safe you think your town is.
2. Travel in groups or pairs, not alone.
3. Walk with confidence.
4. Always be aware of your surroundings.
5. If a situation gives you a funny feeling, trust your gut. Get away, or be loud to call attention to yourself.
6. Stick to well-lit, well-traveled streets or parking areas.
7. Walk with your keys in hand, and look into, around, and under your vehicle before you get in.
8. Walk toward the middle of the sidewalk, not too close to shrubs, walls, or potential hiding places.
9. If you think someone is following you, cross the street, move to the nearest group of people, or ask for help.
10. Keep purses and bags close to your body and don't carry too much stuff.
11. If someone tries to rob you, give up your valuables immediately.
12. If someone is following you in your car, drive to a police station or busy store or restaurant. Take down a plate number if you can. Call police if it won't compromise your safety.
13. Report suspicious behavior to police.
14. Minimize places around your home where people can hide, such as large plants or shrubs.
15. Keep windows and doors locked.
If all this seems too much to remember, stick with the first five, it won't hurt you, and it just might help.
October 11, 2006
Burlington, VT
I flew here on Tuesday afternoon to cover the search for missing college student Michelle Gardner-Quinn. When my producer and I landed, we hustled to our rental car, and headed straight for the University of Vermont.
A candlelight vigil was underway, surrounding a fountain in the center of a grassy quad. The stone ledge around the water was covered with candles and posters. One read, "I am scared." Another, "Why should you be concerned? It could happen to you."
The head of campus security was there, speaking to some of Michelle's closest friends. One was in tears, begging to be allowed to help with the search. The man was sympathetic, but told her untrained hands could spoil potential evidence. Still, he said he'd look for ways to get her and others more involved, and today volunteers are joining a search of the Hill area where Michelle was last seen.
A young man also pleaded passionately for access, and answers. "School doesn't matter, jobs don't matter; this is all that matters right now. This is all we care about."
I waited until the gathering broke up, and then talked to the student. He said his name was Tommy Lang, Michelle's ex-boyfriend, and he didn't want to go on camera. Tommy told me he had been interviewed by police and was speaking with them regularly, but he didn't want to jeopardize the investigation by going on camera, and didn't want to lose access to the detectives. Today, one of our producers caught up with Tommy again on campus, where he has joined others in searching for clues on the ground.
Police aren't saying much about the case, even in private conversations. Clearly, concern grows with each passing hour, but while many here fear the worst, no one is ready to give up on Michelle.
Rick Leventhal has been a New York-based correspondent with FOX News Channel (FNC) since June 1997.
Search Continues for College Student
Richmond, Vermont - October 11, 2006
Brian Joyce - Channel 3 News
"We have executed other search warrants today, other court orders but I am not prepared to talk about where they were or what we were looking for," says Chief Tom Tremblay of Burlington Police.
Police would not discuss the warrants they executed today in the search for Michelle Gardner-Quinn.
The 21-year-old UVM student disappeared four-and-half days ago while walking back alone to her dorm after a night of socializing in bars and restaurants with friends.
Some of those student friends and her brother today conducted a search in the area where she was last seen looking for clues, holding out hope that she is still alive.
Tuesday more than a dozen police executed search warrants in and around the Richmond home of Patricia and Donald Skinner. They searched a one-mile area surrounding the house with helicopters and K-9s. Police would not say why they targeted the Skinner house, but they say no one residing in the home is a suspect.
Wednesday the national media descended on the normally quiet neighborhood alarming local residents.
"Just a lot of people are unnerved. We live in a rural area. We live in a town. We used to leave our doors unlocked. We are not leaving it unlocked any more," says Sheron Delude.
The police remain hopeful. They are following many leads, but they have no suspects and time is not on their side.
"We don't know what we have. We are going to assume something has happened that there is foul play until one way or another. That's the theory we are working on right now," says Chief Tremblay.
Police are also asking for help searching for some of Michelle's personal belongings including a UVM credit card known as a Cat Scratch Card and the earrings and bracelet she was wearing when she disappeared. You can see close-up pictures of the jewelry on the Burlington Police web site.
Police, Friends Search City's Hill Section
Burlington, Vermont - October 11, 2006
Channel 3 Burlington
Wednesday morning UVM police chief Gary Margolis held a briefing for 25 students who are helping with the search.
They broke down into five groups of five each and conducted a pattern search through the neighborhood. The students are looking for any sign of the missing student, including clothing, jewelry, shoes and a purse she was last seen with. This area is a bit south of the route that Michelle Gardner-Quinn would normally have taken from Main Street to her dorm at University heights.
Also Wednesday, Burlington police held another press conference.
They remained tight lipped about their search Wednesday at a home at 30 Browns Court in Richmond. More than a dozen investigators, a police dog, and the state police forensic truck spent hours at the location.
Police said they went to the home because somebody with connections to the home had contact with Michelle the night she disappeared.
"This search was done in conjunction with this investigation. It should be stressed that this is one avenue of this investigation that is being pursued along with many others. We remain open to all other possibilities, and continue to ask for the public's help in generating leads. No one associated with the Richmond address should be considered a suspect at this time," said Burlington police chief Tom Tremblay.
UVM and Burlington Police are holding two public safety forums this week-- Wednesday night at Burlington High School at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday night at the Ira Allen Chapel on the UVM campus at 7:00 p.m.
And police say they are still interested in finding a man seen driving a white Subaru-style hatchback early Saturday morning in Burlington. He reportedly offered a woman a ride home around 2:30 a.m.-- just minutes after Michelle Gardner Quinn was last seen. It's not known if that's connected, but police are still pursuing that lead. A composite sketch of the man may be made public on Wednesday.
For more details about the community safety forums and the latest on the investigation into Michelle Gardner Quinn's disappearance, visit the Burlington Police Department web site.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn Still Missing
By Jack Kramer
Oct 11, 2006
Public Missing Person Readings
Michelle Gardner-Quinn, a 21-year-old senior attending the University of Vermont, vanished in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 7. Volunteers from the University of Vermont are searching hills surrounding the campus today for Gardner-Quinn as Michelle is still missing.
"We still remain hopeful Michelle will be located, "said Police Chief Thomas Tremblay.
Michelle was last seen at around 2:15 AM on Main Street in Burlington, walking back to her dorm room alone. She was on her way back to campus after celebrating a friend's 21st birthday, reports AMW.Com. According to officials, there is no indication that Michelle left on her own free will.
Police are still seeking more information on a man in his 20s driving a white Subaru-type hatchback who was seen trying to lure another woman into his car near where Gardner-Quinn was last seen 20 minutes earlier. A composite sketch of that man is in the works, Tremblay said.
Michelle is 5 feet 8 inches tall, and approximately 135 pounds. She has a stud piercing in her nose and was last seen wearing a gray peacoat, green button-up cardigan sweater, a light blue t-shirt, and a black Puma purse with white straps.
Chief Tremblay also confirmed that police on Tuesday searched a house in nearby Richmond that is home to the man last seen with Gardner-Quinn in downtown Burlington around 2:15 a.m. Saturday.
"It should be stressed that this is one avenue of investigation that is being pursued at this time and we remain open to all possibilities and continue to ask for the public's help in generating leads," police said in a statement. "No one associated with the Richmond address should be a considered a suspect in a crime at this time. At this stage in a complex case of this nature we are focused primarily on finding Michelle and bringing her home safely. Secondary to that, if a crime was committed it is important for us to identify anyone that may be involved in Michelle's disappearance but also to eliminate innocent persons from suspicion."
Her parents, who were visiting for Parents Weekend from Arlington, Va., reported her missing after she failed to meet them Saturday.
FBI Involved In Search For Missing Student
Arlington Woman's Disappearance Considered Suspicious
NBC 4 Washington
POSTED: 9:32 am EDT October 9, 2006
UPDATED: 10:55 am EDT October 11, 2006
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The FBI and Vermont National Guard are joining the search for a missing University of Vermont senior from Arlington, Va., who disappeared early Saturday morning.
Federal agents and National Guard pilots met Tuesday at Burlington police headquarters with local police, state police detectives and sex crimes investigators in the search for 21-year-old Michelle Gardner-Quinn of Arlington.
Burlington Police Chief Thomas Tremblay said all available resources are being focused on the search.
"Over the past 24 hours, we have received a number of helpful leads that have sent the investigation in a specific direction, though we all are still requesting information from the public to ensure that all investigative avenues are appropriately pursued," Tremblay said in a news conference on Tuesday. "We remain hopeful that Michelle will be found safe as soon as possible."
Gardner-Quinn went out Friday with a group of friends to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday at several downtown Burlington bars, police said. She apparently decided to walk back to her dorm at about 2 a.m. Saturday. No one has seen her since, police said.
"She's out of place with no logical explanation for being out of place," Detective Kim Edwards of Burlington police said Monday. "At this point, we do not believe she left on her own free will."
Gardner-Quinn's parents became suspicious when she did not call them Saturday morning as she had promised. Her mother, Diann Quinn, went to her dorm and knocked on the door, but no one was there.
On Tuesday, Gardner-Quinn's father made a tearful plea for his daughter's safe return.
"I beg of everyone that hears this broadcast that if they know anything at all about where my daughter Michelle is today or where she might have been on Saturday morning -- Friday night, Saturday morning -- that they tell us instantly," John Quinn said.
"We have many detectives working on the case 'round the clock," Edwards said. "We've been here all night and today. We're following a bunch of leads, following up to include or exclude people or vehicles."
Police previously said that one lead they were pursuing involved a man in a white, Subaru-style hatchback who reportedly tried to offer a woman a ride home around 20 minutes after Gardner-Quinn was last seen. Officials don't know whether that man was involved in the disappearance of the senior.
Police said they have spoken with a man people saw Gardner-Quinn leaving with early Saturday and he is not a suspect in her disappearance.
Friends described Gardner-Quinn as kind, caring and responsible. They said they were very worried.
"She's not the type of person who would just disappear," friend Tammy Lang said.
"This is highly out of character," Tremblay said. "And given the nature of the information we have at this point and time -- the time of the evening with the fact that she hasn't been in contact with family and friends during this school visit by her family -- is why we've characterized this as highly suspicious."
The worry was shared by UVM officials.
"We're obviously very concerned. We have a student that nobody has seen or heard from going on 48 hours now," university spokesman Enrique Corredera said on Sunday. "We're hoping by some chance it's some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding that will allow the possibility that she's fine."
University of Vermont President Daniel Fogel said in a campus-wide e-mail that police and security patrols had been increased on campus and in dormitories and all "campus life safety systems" had been tested and found to be operating.
"As this very serious situation continues to unfold, I write to express both the University's distress about an apparent threat to one of our own, and our firm resolve to do all we can to assist the ongoing investigation, support the family, and keep our community fully informed," Fogel wrote.
Gardner-Quinn is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 135 pounds. She has shoulder-length brown hair and a piercing in her nose, Burlington police said in a news release. She was last seen wearing a gray coat, a green cardigan sweater and a light blue T-shirt.
Gardner-Quinn attended Woodlawn High School in Arlington, where she excelled in soccer and earned a scholarship to Maryland's Goucher College. She later transferred to American University and then the University of Vermont.
About 150 people turned out for a candlelight vigil at the university Tuesday. One sign read, "I Am Scared," and another one read, "Somebody saw something. Spread the word. We want Michelle Back."
"It's sad," said friend Abby Carpenter, 20, of Greenwich, Conn., crying as she held a lighted white candle. "I wish they could find her."
Copyright 2006 by nbc4.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Search For Missing Vermont Student Goes On
21-Year-Old Michelle Gardner-Quinn Has Been Missing Since Saturday
Oct 11, 2006 1:47 pm US/Central CBS NEWS
(CBS News) BURLINGTON, Vt. Baffled despite three days of intensive searching and interviews, investigators probing the disappearance of a University of Vermont senior dispatched volunteers Wednesday to look for clues in the area where she was last seen.
About two dozen people combed the hill section of the city in search of the gray pea coat, green cardigan sweater and black purse that 21-year-old Michelle Gardner-Quinn was wearing when she vanished early Saturday on her way home from a night out with friends.
"We still remain hopeful Michelle will be located," said Police Chief Thomas Tremblay.
Gardner-Quinn, of Arlington, Va., was reported missing after failing to show up for a dinner date with her parents, who were in Burlington for parents' weekend at the university.
Search warrants were executed Tuesday at a home in nearby Richmond, but no one who lives there is considered a suspect in Gardner-Quinn's disappearance, Tremblay said.
"This search was done in conjunction with this investigation. It should be stressed this is one avenue of investigation being pursued, in addition to many others," he said.
"They're always very nice, very friendly. They play with my dog. They play with the kids. They have grandchildren of their own all over the place and they are nice neighbors," a neighbor told CBS affiliate WCAX-TV.
Investigators were still appealing for help from the public and seeking to rule out as suspects any people who had seen the woman Friday night or early Saturday, when she headed back to her dormitory room after celebrating a friend's birthday at downtown bars.
There is no indication she was drunk when she was last seen, Tremblay said Wednesday.
A "random guy" who was last seen with Gardner-Quinn by friends has not been ruled out as a suspect, Tremblay said. He would not identify the man or say whether he had any links to the Richmond house.
Attempting to reunite with the friends she had been with, Gardner-Quinn borrowed a cellular telephone from the man to make a call and walked with him up Main Street, towards campus, friends told the Burlington Free Press.
"Until we're satisfied we have eliminated folks who had contact with her, we're not going to be down that avenue of the investigation," Tremblay said.
The investigation also included a white Subaru-style hatchback seen in the vicinity of where Gardner-Quinn was last seen. Police have said a man in a car meeting that description attempted to lure a woman into the car less than an hour after Gardner-Quinn was last seen.
A composite sketch of that man is in the works, Tremblay said.
University of Vermont President Daniel Fogel said in a campuswide e-mail that police and security patrols had been increased on campus and in dormitories and all "campus life safety systems" had been tested and found to be operating.
"As this very serious situation continues to unfold, I write to express both the university's distress about an apparent threat to one of our own, and our firm resolve to do all we can to assist the ongoing investigation, support the family, and keep our community fully informed," Fogel wrote.
About 150 people turned out for a candlelight vigil at the university on Tuesday. One sign read, "I Am Scared," and another one read, "Somebody saw something. Spread the word. We want Michelle back."
"It's sad," said friend Abby Carpenter, 20, of Greenwich, Conn., crying as she held a lighted white candle. "I wish they could find her."
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Authorities Search Residences Looking For Missing Student
NBC 4 Washington
POSTED: 5:43 pm EDT October 11, 2006
UPDATED: 6:05 pm EDT October 11, 2006
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Police in Burlington are holding out hope that they will still find a missing Vermont University student from Arlington, Va.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn was last seen on Saturday when she left downtown Burlington to walk to her dorm room.
Police said they've located a car that was spotted near where Gardner-Quinn disappeared, and they've questioned the driver. Authorities said they do not consider him a suspect at this time.
Investigators also searched several residences looking for clues.
Police said Garnder-Quinn was carrying her university card when she disappeared, and that card has not turned up.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Parents in Internet video plea for help to find missing daughter who vanished from Vt. college
WHDH NEWS 7 BOSTON
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The parents of a missing University of Vermont student made an impassioned plea for help in finding their daughter in a video posted on the Internet Tuesday, as the search intensified for her.
"I beg of everyone that hears this broadcast, if they know anything at all about where my daughter, Michelle, is today, or where she might have been Friday night, Saturday morning, they tell us instantly," John-Charles Quinn said in the video posted on the Burlington Police Department Web site.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn, 21, of Arlington, Va., disappeared Saturday as she walked from downtown to her campus dormitory. She has not been heard from since. She was reported missing Saturday when she failed to meet her parents, who were in town visiting for the weekend.
"I think she's a fighter. I think she's resourceful," her mother, Diane, said in the video. "We pray that she's alive."
Federal agents and National Guard pilots met with local police, state police detectives and sex crimes investigators about the search.
"Over the past 24 hours we have received a number of helpful leads that have sent the investigation in a specific direction," police said, but did not elaborate.
Police previously said that one lead they were pursuing involved a man in a white, Subaru-style hatchback who reportedly tried to offer a woman a ride home around 20 minutes after Gardner-Quinn was last seen. Officials don't know whether that man was involved in the disappearance of the senior.
University of Vermont President Daniel Fogel said in a campus-wide e-mail that police and security patrols had been increased on campus and in dormitories and all "campus life safety systems" had been tested and found to be operating.
"As this very serious situation continues to unfold, I write to express both the University's distress about an apparent threat to one of our own, and our firm resolve to do all we can to assist the ongoing investigation, support the family, and keep our community fully informed," Fogel wrote.
About 150 people turned out for a candlelight vigil at the university Tuesday. One sign read, "I Am Scared," and another one read, "Somebody saw something. Spread the word. We want Michelle Back."
"It's sad," said friend Abby Carpenter, 20, of Greenwich, Conn., crying as she held a lighted white candle. "I wish they could find her."
Community on Edge After Disappearance
Burlington, Vermont - October 11, 2006
Kate Duffy - Channel 3 News
"If each one of us practice crime awareness, crime prevention, we can all be that much safer," says Burlington Police Chief Tom Tremblay.
Burlington police held a forum Wednesday night to detail ways people can avoid becoming a target of crime.
"Folks responsible for criminal behavior are oftentimes looking, and they've told me, we're looking for the easiest opportunity," explains Tremblay.
The message-- don't be an easy opportunity. Police advised people to walk in groups and in well traveled areas, to lock their doors and carry a cell phone or even a whistle to call for help.
"Crime can occur even in Burlington, Vermont. It can still be a great city, a safe city, but we all have to be aware that crime can occur," says Tremblay.
Police and victims' advocates say crimes by strangers are rare. Victims of violence usually know their attackers. But people we talked to in downtown Burlington agreed personal safety should never be taken for granted.
"Strength in numbers is usually your best bet," says Burlington resident Tracy Garen.
"I just keep my guard up, be watchful of everything, try to stay away from people that look suspicious, maybe distance myself and maybe walk a little faster," says Sierra Centerbar of Shelburne.
Wednesday night's public safety forum drew just a small crowd-- largely law enforcement, advocacy groups, and the media. Staff from UVM were looking for new strategies to get the message of safety to students.
"I feel like they want to feel empowered to do something about this and some of these strategies for bringing awareness and keeping yourself safe, channeling that energy," says Alicia Turner of the UVM Office of Student and Community Relations.
"I think the people who need to hear this message unfortunately weren't here tonight," says Cathleen Wilson of the Women's Rape Crisis Center.
But victims advocates say the message needs to get out to more people-- a simple message, but an important one.
"I think the most important tip people need to know is to trust their instincts," advises Wilson. "That's the biggest safety tip we put out there. If something doesn't feel right, you're probably right and act on that instinct."
UVM and Burlington police will hold another public safety forum Thursday night. This one is geared largely toward a college audience. It's at the Ira Allen Chapel on the UVM campus at 7:00 p.m.
As for the investigation into Gardner Quinn's disappearance, a few new developments Wednesday... UVM students conducted a search in the area of Burlington where she was last seen, but turned up no new evidence. Police are asking the public to keep an eye out for earrings and a bracelet she was wearing when she disappeared.
Police also executed more search warrants Wednesday, but would not say where.
And as for the white car police were looking for-- they have located the car and the driver and they say he is not considered a suspect.
For all the latest on the investigation into Michelle Gardner Quinn's disappearance-- visit the Burlington Police Department's website.
Candlelight Vigil on Campus for Missing Student
Burlington, Vermont - October 10, 2006
Kate Duffy - Channel 3 News
Students gathered on the green at the University of Vermont campus Tuesday night to support Michelle Gardner Quinn.
They met at a water fountain, lighted candles and stood silently in support of their friend.
University President Dan Fogel released a statement today about Quinn's disappearance:
"I write to express both the University's distress about an apparent threat to one of our own, and our firm resolve to do all we can to assist the ongoing investigation, support the family, and keep our community fully informed."
Fogel says the circumstances of her disappearance are still unknown and that everyone is hoping for the best.
Police have also announced two community safety forums. The first is Wednesday night at 6:00 at Burlington High School. The second is Thursday at 7:00 at the Ira Allen Chapel on the UVM campus.
Police will answer questions about the investigation and offer advice for staying safe on the streets of Burlington.
SUSPICIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
N. Va. Woman Reported Missing in Vermont
Burlington Police Fear Student Was Abducted
By Jamie Stockwell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 10, 2006; Page B03
A University of Vermont senior from Arlington County was reported missing over the weekend, and police in Burlington, Vt., yesterday called her disappearance suspicious.
Police said they suspect that Michelle Gardner-Quinn, 21, might have been abducted. Gardner-Quinn was last seen about 2:15 a.m. Saturday in downtown Burlington, near campus, moments after she borrowed a man's cellphone to call friends who were waiting at a nearby bar, Deputy Police Chief Michael Schirling said.
"At this point, this case is very suspicious, and we're treating it as a criminal investigation," Schirling said in a telephone interview. "We're actively pursuing anybody who might have had contact with her."
Gardner-Quinn, a senior majoring in Latin American studies and environmental science, graduated in 2003 from H.B. Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington, according to the school's principal, Frank Haltiwanger. Students from across Arlington apply to Woodlawn, a small, academically rigorous school at which students have a large say in the curriculum.
"Michelle is a wonderful, wonderful girl, and her disappearance is consuming us," Haltiwanger said. "All our thoughts are with her family right now. We are in the process of offering them our quiet support."
Gardner-Quinn spent Friday night in downtown Burlington celebrating a friend's 21st birthday, Schirling said. She left a bar with people she knew, he said, and was on her way back to campus when a different group of friends called and invited her to another bar.
Gardner-Quinn agreed to meet them, Schirling said, and began walking toward the bar. She needed to call them minutes later, but her cellphone battery died, so she borrowed a phone from someone, police said. The owner of that phone has been interviewed, Schirling said, but he would not say whether the man is considered a suspect in Gardner-Quinn's disappearance.
Yesterday, university students and police detectives posted fliers about Gardner-Quinn's disappearance around the small campus and throughout Burlington, home to about 40,000 people. The university, with about 10,000 students, is about five blocks from the downtown area where Gardner-Quinn was last seen.
"The fact that police are characterizing this as a highly suspicious disappearance makes us very concerned," said Enrique Corredera, a university spokesman. He said officials sent e-mails and posted messages about Gardner-Quinn's case to all students, reminding them to be cautious when they are out on their own.
Gardner-Quinn's parents, who had traveled from North Arlington to the university for parents' weekend, reported her missing Saturday night when she failed to show up for a planned dinner with them that evening.
A telephone message left at the Gardner-Quinn residence was not returned yesterday. The couple plans to remain in Burlington while the search continues, Schirling said.
Schirling said investigators have followed numerous leads in the case. He said police are most interested in talking to anyone who might have seen a white hatchback with gold trim and pinstripes. He said the license plate was probably a green Vermont tag, slightly bent at the bottom. The driver, he said, was described by witnesses as a white man in his twenties with short blond hair and a day's growth of facial hair.
The man, Schirling said, was last seen about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when he asked a woman to get into his car.
Friends of Gardner-Quinn's began doing all they could yesterday to help find her. Kevin Lloyd, 21, created a discussion group on Facebook.com, a social networking site popular among college students, to alert people to the disappearance.
He said in a telephone interview that he worked with Gardner-Quinn at Prince William Forest Park, part of the National Park Service, this summer.
Lloyd, a junior majoring in environmental technology at North Carolina State University, said Gardner-Quinn has studied abroad in Brazil, Costa Rica and South Africa and had returned to the University of Vermont this semester.
"I'm just in shock," he said. "We're all just really, really scared at the possibilities, and I don't know what to think."
Student Disappears On Parents Weekend
Vermont Senior Failed To Show For Dinner With Parents From Virginia
Oct 10, 2006 8:25 am US/Central CBS NEWS
(CBS News) BURLINGTON, Vt. Fliers went up, police fanned out and students at the University of Vermont hoped against hope Monday as the search for a missing student from Virginia continued into a second day.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn, a 21-year-old senior from Arlington, Va., was reported missing Saturday after failing to show up for dinner with her parents. She was last seen heading home from a night on the town, and college officials and fellow students alike worried she may have been a victim of foul play.
"She's out of place with no logical explanation for being out of place," police Detective Kim Edwards said. "At this point we do not believe she left on her own free will."
Police called the disappearance "highly suspicious" and said there was concern Gardner-Quinn may have fallen prey to a man who tried to lure a woman into his car at about the same time she was last seen, about three-quarters of a mile away.
That woman told police the man — in his 20s, driving a white "Subaru-type" hatchback vehicle and wearing a baseball cap and gray hooded sweat shirt — asked her to get into the car and she refused, according to Police Chief Thomas Tremblay.
According to Tremblay, that happened about 20 minutes after Gardner-Quinn was last seen, but he said it was unclear if that was related and he conceded that investigators were struggling for leads.
"We consider Michelle's disappearance to be highly suspicious and time is essential as this investigation enters its third day," the chief said at an afternoon news conference.
"We're going to remain hopeful until there's a reason not to," said Deputy Police Chief Michael Schirling.
Gardner-Quinn, a senior majoring in Latin American studies and environmental science, went out Friday with a group of friends to celebrate one's 21st birthday at several downtown bars. She parted with the group about 2:15 a.m. to walk back up the hill toward campus, accompanied by a person her friends described as "a random guy."
She hasn't been seen since.
The timing of the disappearance — during parents' weekend, with her parents at the university to visit her — fueled fears that something bad happened to her.
"Just based on what we know about her from her friends and family, it's not like her not to at least call, and especially if your parents are here from a whole other state hours and hours away, here just for the weekend," Det. Ray Nails told CBS affiliate WCAX. "To do something like that is completely out of her character."
Her parents reported her missing Saturday night after Gardner-Quinn failed to show up for a planned visit with them, Edwards said. They weren't immediately available to comment Monday; they asked police not to release their names.
"We have many detectives working on the case round the clock," Edwards said. "We've been here all night and today. We're following a bunch of leads, following up to include or exclude people or vehicles."
Police say the man Gardner-Quinn's friends saw her leaving with is not a suspect in her disappearance.
"No specific suspects have been identified at this time," said Tremblay.
Fliers with her likeness, name and police contact information were posted on utility poles and in campus buildings Monday and police widened their search beyond the city limits, where officers had canvassed neighborhoods looking for clues or information.
University of Vermont officials sent a campus-wide e-mail alert describing Gardner-Quinn and appealing for help finding her, according to spokesman Enrique Corredera.
Friends said they were very worried about Gardner-Quinn, who has gone on exchange programs to Brazil, Costa Rica and South Africa during her time at the university.
"She's not the type of person who would just disappear," friend Tommy Lang told The Burlington Free Press.
Gardner-Quinn was described as 5-foot-8 inches tall, 135 pounds, with shoulder-length brown hair and a pierced nose. When last seen, she was wearing a gray coat, a green cardigan sweater and a light blue T-shirt.
Fellow students were shaken by her disappearance.
"It's definitely nerve-racking," said Kaitlyn Dillon, 21, of Winchester, Mass. "So many things could've happened."
Jason Walker, a 20-year-old senior from Highgate, said people were being more cautious about strangers since Gardner-Quinn's disappearance.
"It's a little bit scary. No one really knows, and that's the scary part. It kind of makes you wonder how safe things really are."
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Student Disappears On Parents Weekend
Parents Of Vermont Senior Who Failed To Show For Dinner Make Internet Plea
BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 10, 2006
CBS News / AP
(CBS/AP) The parents of a missing University of Vermont student made an impassioned plea for help in finding their daughter in a video posted on the Internet Tuesday, as the search intensified for her.
"I beg of everyone that hears this broadcast, if they know anything at all about where my daughter, Michelle, is today, or where she might have been Friday night, Saturday morning, they tell us instantly," John-Charles Quinn said in the video posted on the Burlington Police Department Web site.
Meanwhile, fliers went up, police fanned out and students at school hoped against hope as the search continued into a second day.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn, a 21-year-old senior from Arlington, Va., was reported missing Saturday after failing to show up for dinner with her parents. She was last seen heading home from a night on the town, and college officials and fellow students alike worried she may have been a victim of foul play.
"She's out of place with no logical explanation for being out of place," Det. Kim Edwards said. "At this point we do not believe she left on her own free will."
Police called the disappearance "highly suspicious" and said there was concern Gardner-Quinn may have fallen prey to a man who tried to lure a woman into his car at about the same time she was last seen, about three-quarters of a mile away.
That woman told police the man — in his 20s, driving a white "Subaru-type" hatchback vehicle and wearing a baseball cap and gray hooded sweat shirt — asked her to get into the car and she refused, according to Police Chief Thomas Tremblay.
According to Tremblay, the incident happened about 20 minutes after Gardner-Quinn was last seen, but he said it was unclear if that was related and he conceded that investigators were struggling for leads.
"We consider Michelle's disappearance to be highly suspicious and time is essential as this investigation enters its third day," the chief said at an afternoon news conference.
"We're going to remain hopeful until there's a reason not to," said Deputy Police Chief Michael Schirling.
Gardner-Quinn, a senior majoring in Latin American studies and environmental science, went out Friday with a group of friends to celebrate one's 21st birthday at several downtown bars. She parted with the group about 2:15 a.m. to walk back up the hill toward campus, accompanied by a person her friends described as "a random guy."
She hasn't been seen since.
The timing of the disappearance — during parents' weekend, with her parents at the university to visit her — fueled fears that something bad happened to her.
"Just based on what we know about her from her friends and family, it's not like her not to at least call, and especially if your parents are here from a whole other state hours and hours away, here just for the weekend," Det. Ray Nails told CBS affiliate WCAX. "To do something like that is completely out of her character."
Her parents reported her missing Saturday night after Gardner-Quinn failed to show up for a planned visit with them, Edwards said.
"We have many detectives working on the case round the clock," Edwards said. "We've been here all night and today. We're following a bunch of leads, following up to include or exclude people or vehicles."
Police say the man Gardner-Quinn's friends saw her leaving with is not a suspect in her disappearance.
"No specific suspects have been identified at this time," said Tremblay.
Fliers with her likeness, name and police contact information were posted on utility poles and in campus buildings Monday, and police widened their search beyond the city limits, where officers had canvassed neighborhoods looking for clues or information.
University of Vermont officials sent a campuswide e-mail alert describing Gardner-Quinn and appealing for help finding her, according to spokesman Enrique Corredera.
Friends said they were very worried about Gardner-Quinn, who has gone on exchange programs to Brazil, Costa Rica and South Africa during her time at the university.
"She's not the type of person who would just disappear," friend Tommy Lang told The Burlington Free Press.
Gardner-Quinn was described as 5-foot-8, 135 pounds, with shoulder-length brown hair and a pierced nose. When last seen, she was wearing a gray coat, a green cardigan sweater and a light blue T-shirt.
Fellow students were shaken by her disappearance.
"It's definitely nerve-racking," said Kaitlyn Dillon, 21, of Winchester, Mass. "So many things could've happened."
Jason Walker, a 20-year-old senior from Highgate, Vt., said people were being more cautious about strangers since Gardner-Quinn's disappearance.
"It's a little bit scary," he said. "No one really knows, and that's the scary part. It kind of makes you wonder how safe things really are."
©MMVI CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Missing Vermont Student May Have Been Abducted
Oct 10, 2006 11:34 pm US/Eastern CBS NEWS
(AP) BURLINGTON, VT. The parents of a missing University of Vermont student made an impassioned plea for help finding her Tuesday, as the Vermont National Guard and FBI joined the search and police said they were pursuing "helpful leads."
WCAX in Vermont is reporting that police have spent a good part of the day searching a home in Richmond, a town about ten miles away from Burlington and the UVM campus.
"I beg of everyone that hears this broadcast, if they know anything at all about where my daughter, Michelle, is today, or where she might have been Friday night, Saturday morning, they tell us instantly," said John-Charles Quinn, the father of Michelle Gardner-Quinn.
Gardner-Quinn, 21, of Arlington, Va., disappeared Saturday as she walked from downtown to her campus dormitory. She has not been heard from since.
"We remain hopeful we'll find her and she will return to us safe and sound," her father said in a video statement posted on the Burlington Police Department Web site. His wife, Diane Gardner Quinn, sat alongside him as he read the statement.
Federal agents and National Guard pilots met with local police, state police detectives and sex crimes investigators as authorities expanded their search for the senior.
Police Chief Thomas Tremblay said all available resources were being focused on the search for Gardner-Quinn.
"We have well over 50 personnel involved, local, state and federal officers. (The) investigation is progressing. We are going to be expanding some of our search grids. Throughout the day and into the evening we will be using some search capabilities by air," Tremblay said.
Police previously said that one lead they were pursuing involved a man in a white, Subaru-style hatchback who reportedly tried to offer a woman a ride home around 20 minutes after Gardner-Quinn was last seen. Officials don't know if that man is involved in the disappearance of Gardner-Quinn.
In a late afternoon statement, police said they were focusing their investigation even as they were sifting through various leads.
"Over the past 24 hours we have received a number of helpful leads that have sent the investigation in a specific direction," police said in a statement. Authorities did not elaborate on what the direction was.
University of Vermont President Daniel Fogel said in a campus-wide e-mail that police and security patrols had been increased on campus and in dormitories and all "campus life safety systems" had been tested and found to be operating.
"Our profound concern for the welfare of Michelle Gardner-Quinn continues to deepen by the hour, and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and friends," Fogel wrote. "As this very serious situation continues to unfold, I write to express both the University's distress about an apparent threat to one of our own, and our firm resolve to do all we can to assist the ongoing investigation, support the family, and keep our community fully informed."
Gardner-Quinn disappeared as she was walking back to her dormitory after spending part of Friday evening downtown with a number of friends. She was reported missing Saturday when she failed to meet her parents, who were in town visiting for the weekend.
Gardner-Quinn's parents said they had dinner with her Friday evening and planned to talk to her Saturday morning. They never got the call.
"I think she's a fighter. I think she's resourceful," Diane Gardner Quinn said. "We pray that she's alive."
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Senior Missing
Michelle Gardner-Quinn was last seen walking up Main Street Friday night
Kennsington R Moore, Vermont Cynic
Issue date: 10/9/06 Section: News
Some time between late Friday night and early Saturday morning Michelle Gardner-Quinn, a UVM senior, went missing. Last seen while walking up Main Street past South Union Street toward her dorm in University Heights, Michelle failed to meet with her parents on Saturday morning.
Friday night found Michelle meeting up with friends: Tommy Lang, Dorsey Kilbourn, Mike Means and Julie Martin to celebrate Dorsey's 21st birthday at The OP according to Michelle's friends Tommy and Julie.
Later, Julie left early and Dorsey moved on to meet up with friends at Miguel's. Tommy, Mike and Michelle left to meet up with other friends at JP's.
Michelle eventually left JP's to meet up again with Dorsey in front of The Ski Rack on Main Street. At 2:15 a.m. Tommy got a call from Michelle on what he described as a "random guy's" cell phone. Dorsey, due to missing a call on her cell phone, which was on vibrate, never met up with Michelle.
Brian Rooney, the man whose cell phone Michelle used to call Tommy walked Michelle up Main Street to the corner of Main and South Union where he departed and Michelle continued up Main Street to her dorm in U-Heights according to Tommy.
This was the last time anyone has seen or heard from Michelle.
On Saturday morning Michelle was supposed to meet up with her parents. When Michelle didn't show up and was unreachable they contacted University Police Services. UVM police then turned the case over to the Burlington police, according to the Burlington police.
The Burlington Police Department is now heading up the investigation and is "working very closely with UVM police," Lieutenant Rich Long said.
Michelle's friends describe her as a hard worker who is passionate about her studies. "We went to high school together?I've known her since the 8th grade," explained Michelle's friend Tommy who went on to paint a saint's portrait of Michelle.
Tommy explained that Michelle loves the outdoors and "spends the summer working at a national park in Virginia."
Michelle is an outgoing, friendly young woman, Julie stated. "I met her on the Wilderness Trek program and we've been hanging out non-stop ever since," Julie said.
Michelle, who self-designed a major under environmental studies and Latin American studies has spent much of her college career abroad, studying in Costa Rica and South Africa. Her love for her studies and the environment was obvious in her friends' portrayal of her.
Any information about Michelle's whereabouts should be directed to the Burlington Police Department.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn:
- 21 years of age
- 5'8" 135 lbs
- Stud piercing in nose
Last seen wearing:
- Gray peacoat
- Green sweater
- Long dark blue t-shirt
- Black Puma purse with white stripes
Call Burlington Police with information (802) 658-2700
Police Urge Caution
Burlington, Vermont - October 9, 2006
Alex Martin - Channel 3 News
"Situations like this, though we are unsure of the circumstances surrounding this disappearance bring a number of safety concerns to our community, and to the University of Vermont campus," says Chief Tremblay of the Burlington Police.
Students on campus today were talking about the disappearance of Michele Gardner-Quinn and evaluating the precautions they take when walking around the city.
"Usually we try really hard to always stay together. We were just talking about how we have to make sure we always do that," says Chrissie Bronder, a UVM student.
"But I think a lot of kids walk around town by themselves late at night and don't really think about it until it happens," says Lauren Demaso, a UVM student.
Police say that there are some common sense tips to help keep you from being at risk.
"Specifically, it's certainly helpful whenever you can to walk in at least pairs or groups of folks, stay in well lit areas. When walking on the sidewalk, stay away from the shrub side of the sidewalk and closer to the street side," says Chief Tremblay.
"One of the things that we talk to our faculty, staff, students about and visitors to the campus, is that this day and age, with cell phones and the ability for us to communicate, that people should know where you are," says Chief Gary Margolis, UVM Police.
And that staying safe is about staying vigilant about keeping track of where you are and the people around you.
"I think the biggest thing is to be aware of your personal surroundings. Make sure that you have an awareness of the things that are going on around you, and to trust your instincts," says Chief Tremblay.
Burlington Police and other community groups will be holding a forum on public safety this Wednesday at 6 PM. The location of the forum has not been finalized yet.
Search continues for missing U. Vermont student
October 9, 2006
Boston Globe
BURLINGTON, Vt. --A 21-year-old University of Vermont student went missing during parents' weekend in a disappearance police are calling "suspicious."
Michele Gardner-Quinn, of Arlington, Va. went out Friday with a group of friends to celebrate the 21st birthday of one of them at several downtown bars. She left the group at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday to walk back up the hill toward campus with a person her friends described as "a random guy."
No one has seen her since, police said.
"She's out of place with no logical explanation for being out of place," Detective Kim Edwards of the Burlington Police said Monday. "At this point we do not believe she left on her own free will."
Gardner-Quinn's parents reported her missing Saturday night after their daughter failed to show up for a planned dinner with them, Edwards said.
"We have many detectives working on the case round the clock," she said. "We've been here all night and today. We're following a bunch of leads, following up to include or exclude people or vehicles."
Police had said earlier they had spoken with the man Gardner-Quinn's friends saw her leaving with early Saturday and he is not a suspect in her disappearance.
Edwards said the missing student's parents remained in Burlington on Monday while the search for their daughter continued. She would not identify them or say where they were staying, saying they had not decided whether they wanted to talk to the media.
Gardner-Quinn's friends said they were very worried.
"She's not the type of person who would just disappear," friend Tammy Lang said.
The worry was shared by UVM officials.
"We're obviously very concerned. We have a student that nobody has seen or heard from going on 48 hours now," university spokesman Enrique Corredera said Sunday. "We're hoping by some chance it's some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding that will allow the possibility that she's fine."
Gardner-Quinn is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds. She has shoulder-length brown hair and a piercing in her nose, Burlington police said in a news release. She was last seen, she was wearing a gray coat, a green cardigan sweater and a light blue T-shirt.
Anyone with information was asked to call Burlington police at 658-2700.
© Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
UVM Student Still Missing
Brian Joyce - Channel 3 News
October 9, 2006
Burlington, Vermont - October 9, 2006 - "No specific suspects have been identified at this time. We consider Michelle's disappearance to be highly suspicious," says Chief Tom Tremblay of Burlington Police.
Police held a press conference to underscore their concern about the disappearance of 21-year-old Michelle Gardner Quinn. She was last seen on Main Street near the Edmonds school at 2:15 Saturday morning after a night of socializing with college friends. The Virginia resident was scheduled to meet with her parents Saturday for dinner. When she didn't show they called police.
"They're obviously very clearly concerned about the situation. They're focused in family issues and concerns right now. And they have asked that they not be identified at this time," says Tremblay.
Police have put up posters around the city asking the public for any information and the posters were getting a lot of attention.
Police were seen picking up potential evidence like a light-blue tee-shirt that generally matched one she was reportedly wearing.
On campus, UVM students were clearly shocked especially students like Colin Quinn. He is not related to the missing woman but he is a dorm mate.
"We just want her to come home safely," says Quinn. "She is a nice person and she during our meetings at greenhouse she gave great suggestions. She seemed like a happy caring person and we just want to see her back."
"You just never really seem to think that it'll happen to you or somebody you know. So I think it's gonna hit pretty close to home for a lot of people here," says Katie Rich, a UVM student.
"And time is essential as this investigation enters its third day," says Chief Tremblay.
Police say they have no solid leads but they would like to hear from anyone who saw a white Subaru-like car in the Old North End 20 minutes after Quinn was last seen.
"The operator of this vehicle spoke to a female on North Winooski Avenue near the Salvation Army at approximately 2:35 A.M.," says Chief Temblay. The operator allegedly asked the female to get into the vehicle.
Quinn is 5'8". She weighs 135 pounds and has a pierced nose. She was last seen wearing a grey pea-coat, a green cardigan sweater and a blue t-shirt.
Release Date: 10-09-2006
Oct. 9 Burlington Police Update on Missing UVM Student
Author: UVM Communications
Campus Emergency Resources:
Get the latest information on missing student Michelle Gardner-Quinn
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Read the transportation and safety update
To the University of Vermont community:
The Burlington Police Department, the lead agency investigating the suspicious disappearance of UVM student Michelle Gardner-Quinn, today issued the following news release:
-
Initial News Release Issued by the Burlington Police Department Monday, October 9, 2006:
Michelle Gardner Quinn was last seen during the early morning hours of Saturday, October 7, in the downtown area of Burlington. A more specific location is currently unavailable.
Michelle is 21 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and approximately 135 pounds. She has a stud piercing in her nose and was last seen wearing a gray peacoat, green button-up cardigan sweater, light blue T-shirt, and a black Puma purse with white straps.
Investigators have been working around the clock following leads. No specific suspects have been identified.
We consider Michelle’s disappearance to be highly suspicious, and time is essential as this investigation enters its third day.
Burlington Police have sought and are receiving the assistance of Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure that all available resources are brought to bear in this case. UVM Police Services has assigned two detectives to the investigation team.
We are seeking the public’s assistance in a number of ways. Burlington Police would like to hear from you if:
1. If you had contact with Michelle during the evening or early morning hours of Saturday October 8 to Sunday October 9.
2. You have information about the following vehicle — considered a vehicle of interest/a preliminary lead that may or may not be related to this case —
A white Subaru-type hatchback (WE WANT TO STRESS this may not be a Subaru model but a Subaru-type vehicle) with gold trim / a gold pinstripe. The license plate of this vehicle was likely a green Vermont tag and was bent up at the bottom
The male driver of this vehicle — who is described as a white male, in his 20’s, with short cropped light blonde hair, no facial hair but a days growth (5 o’clock shadow). He may be about 6 feet tall with a muscular build and one nostril may be slightly larger than the other. He was wearing a gray hoodie type sweatshirt and light colored baseball cap.
The operator of this vehicle spoke to a female on North Winooski Avenue near the Salvation Army at approximately 2:35 a.m. on Sunday morning and asked her to get into the vehicle.
The vehicle was last seen turning toward Intervale Avenue from North Winooski Avenue.
3. On our website (www.bpdvt.org) there is a link to a missing person flyer, which contains a photograph of Michelle. Anyone interested in printing and distributing those flyers in your neighborhoods is encouraged to do so.
4. Anyone interested in searching the vicinity of their home or their neighborhood for items of interest, such as personal belongings or clothing described above should report findings to the Burlington Police at (802) 658-2700. Please do not manipulate the items before calling police.
5. If you have ANY other information about this case.
Contact information for Burlington Police is (802) 658-2700.
More information will be released via the media and our website, www.bpdvt.org, as soon as it becomes available.
Police search for missing UVM student
Published: Monday, October 9, 2006
By Adam Silverman
Burlington Free Press Staff Writer
A University of Vermont senior disappeared in downtown Burlington early Saturday morning, and city and university police, calling the situation "suspicious," launched a search for the woman Sunday.
Michelle Gardner-Quinn, 21, of Arlington, Va., was last seen at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday walking east on Main Street, toward UVM, according to Burlington police.
Gardner-Quinn's roommate, Erin Degraw, said Sunday that people were worried and upset.
"No one's heard from her since Friday night," said Degraw, an 18-year-old freshman from Honeoye, N.Y., who has shared a residence-hall room with Gardner-Quinn since the start of the academic year about six weeks ago.
Five of Gardner-Quinn's friends walked through Burlington on Sunday with missing-person fliers, which they distributed and hung up wherever they could. The group had been out together Friday to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday by visiting several Burlington bars.
Gardner-Quinn left before the others to walk up the hill to her room at University Heights, said Tommy Lang, 21, who has known Gardner-Quinn since they attended the same high school in Virginia. She walked partway up Main Street with a "random guy" whose cell phone she had borrowed when her own phone ran out of batteries, Lang said. The friends and police have talked with that person, Lang said, and he was not suspected of wrongdoing.
"She never made it back to the dorms," Lang said.
Gardner-Quinn was planning to spend Saturday with her parents, who are in town for UVM's Family Weekend. They reported her missing when she didn't show up for dinner, sometime around 6 p.m. Saturday, said friend Julia Martin, 19, of Hopewell, N.J.
Her friends are "really worried," Martin said.
"She's not the type of person who would just disappear," Lang said.
Burlington police did not return repeated phone messages Sunday afternoon and night seeking an update on the investigation. UVM Police Chief Gary Margolis, whose department is assisting Burlington, said he had heard nothing new as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
Earlier in the day, university spokesman Enrique Corredera called Gardner-Quinn's disappearance "disconcerting."
"We're obviously very concerned. We have a student that nobody has seen or heard from going on 48 hours now," he said. "We're hoping by some chance it's some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding that will allow the possibility that she's fine."
A campus-wide e-mail circulated Sunday asking students, faculty and staff for their help in finding Gardner-Quinn, Corredera said.
Gardner-Quinn is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs 135 pounds, has shoulder-length brown hair and has a piercing in her nose, Burlington police said in an early afternoon news release. When she was last seen, she was wearing a gray peacoat, a green button-up cardigan sweater and a light blue T-shirt, and she was carrying a black Puma purse with white straps, according to police.
Investigators asked that anyone with information call Burlington police at 658-2700.
Degraw said her roommate is easy to get along with, and though she and Gardner-Quinn didn't spend much time together outside of their living arrangement, they enjoyed hanging out and talking in their room.
Lang said Gardner-Quinn was majoring in Latin American studies and environmental sciences and had studied abroad in Brazil, Costa Rica and South Africa. She had transferred to UVM this year from Goucher College in Baltimore, Lang said.
UVM officials were trying to remain upbeat Sunday while recognizing the situation's gravity, Corredera said.
"We're hopeful that this could still turn out for the best," he said, "but as time passes the level of concern increases."
UVM Student's Disappearance called "Highly Suspicious"
Burlington, Vermont - October 8, 2006
Channel 3 Burlington
A UVM student vanished this weekend, and police call the disappearance "highly suspicious."
No one has seen 21 year-old Michelle Gardner Quinn since about 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning. She left downtown to look for a friend's apartment and never found it. Police say Quinn then decided to walk home. She was last seen on Main Street in Burlington, near Edmunds Elementary School.
This is UVM's Parents Weekend, so her parents were visiting from Virginia. Quinn was supposed to meet them for lunch Saturday, but she never showed up - that's when she was reported missing. "Based on what we know about her from friends and family, it's not like her not to at least call, especially when your parents are here from another state - hours and hours away - just for the weekend. To do something like this, that is completely out of her character," said Burlington Police Detective, Ray Nails.
Quinn is 5-foot-8. She weighs 135 pounds and has a pierced nose. She was last seen wearing a grey pea-coat, a green cardigan sweater and a blue tee-shirt.
Burlington Police have called for an afternoon press conference to discuss the suspicious disappearance of a UVM student.
Call the Burlington police if you have any information: 802-658-2700
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