Family Searches For Missing Man; Officials Don't Care
I can't even count how many families of missing people I've talked to in the past year and yet, it still amazes me when they talk not of the help they get, but the frustrations they face from law enforcement. The very people they are supposed to turn to in times of need, don't even have the courtesy to return a call from the family.
Snowflake is a tiny town in northern Arizona located in the foothills of the White Mountains. It's population is about 5,000. One of their citizens has been missing for 6 months. And no one cares. Michael Tapley has been driving school children to and from school for about a year. It was his job to make sure the kids were safe. When he disappeared in February, no one--not the local sheriff, not the mayor, not one of the people whose kids' safety was entrusted to Michael did a thing. And it gets worse.
Michael left work on February 15 for the three day President's Day weekend telling co-workers he planned on relaxing, according to his sister Kim Palmer. He was supposed to return to work the following Tuesday. He never showed up. "His boss tried calling Michael but there was no answer," Kim said. "This was very much out of character of him so the boss called the sheriff's department the next day to report him missing. They wouldn't take a missing persons report from someone who wasn't a member of the family. He tried calling a few other times during the day because he felt something was wrong. Finally the sheriffs department sent a deputy to Michael's house and looked in the windows. No one was home. There was no sign of foul play so the deputy left."
Michael Tapley met Gina about 4 years ago and after a whirlwind romance, married her in Las Vegas. According to Kim, he was very happy. That didn't last long. After about 6 months, he told his mother during a phone call that he thought he made a mistake. Eventually they reconciled. It's not clear if he knew much about Gina's background. Here is what Kim found out. She was married at least once before. Her ex-husband asked for a protective order against her when she threatened his life. In fact, Michael at one point in his marriage also asked for a protective order against Gina. According to Kim, Michael's co-workers said he was talking about divorce shortly before he disappeared.
I'll have much more about this unusual case and you won't believe what the sheriff told Michael's daughter. In the meantime, take a look at the passionate plea Kim made to anyone who would listen (very few have).
To Whom It May Concern,
My brother, Michael Tapley, has been missing since Feb. 15, 2008. After countless attempts, my family has made to countless persons and agencies to plead for help in finding my brother, he is still missing and the authorities have long since stopped searching. It seems without a body and obvious signs of foul play, they have tabled the investigation. However, I have put together many documents that will cast much suspicion on my sister-in-law Gina. At the very least, the evidence in this case will show that my brother did not go missing by his own accord and that Gina knows much more than she is telling.
Gina is an attractive, petite and charming woman at first appearance. I have documents included that will prove that many people who know her well fear her. She is known to be quite accurate with a gun and has threatened many lives, including my brother's.
My family is desperate for answers, justice and closure. I ask you to review the enclosed documents. The elected officials and those hired to protect and serve have fallen short of their duties. My plea is that someone will step up and look into this department's investigation. Is it only an injustice if a woman goes missing by a man? My brother is an important person in many lives and I believe the clues to find him can be easily uncovered.
Any of us can be contacted at any time. Please help my family!
Sincerely,
Kimberly Palmer
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