TOP's Tuesday: What is the goal Twenty years later?

Earlier in the year we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of my sister's kidnapping. Rather than hiding in our homes or leaving town, our family spent the afternoon and evening together surrounded by friends and our community. It was a powerful time of hope, encouragement, inspiration, and love. Heidi is NEVER forgotten, this was a common statement. We are so thankful for all of you and how you remember Heidi.

One family placed an orange ribbon on their tree in April 1994. Each Easter/April third and September/Heidi's birthday, they take down the weather-tattered symbol of Hope for Heidi and freshen it up with a new one.

A reminder to all traveling Route 1, Heidi is always in our hearts and this community will NEVER give up.

Hope displayed...
(click on photo to read more about ribbon)

An aspect of the 20th Anniversary of Heidi's kidnapping I didn't share about was the amount of information shared with me, my family, and law enforcement in the weeks leading up to April 3, 2014. There were even those that attended the anniversary celebration who came to offer their memories and tips directly to the family. 

A fact that still gives me creeps, there may have even been someone involved with her disappearance and death in attendance at the gathering too. I try not to dwell on this yet it is a fact, most criminals revisit the crime scene or immerse themselves in the heart of the grief after the crime. Sadly, this is a proven statistic, one that required much prayer in April. The best thing I did, was plan this gathering of hope for Heidi yet it also opened myself up to many comments, private messages, notes, and moments of doubt and fear. 

The only thing to get me through this time, God. He is the only One who could see and know all. My prayer, if someone attended the gathering and was involved in her disappearance and murder ~ I prayed they would be so moved by the love and hope, they would reveal a truth they had to bring Heidi home. 

We, the family, are thankful for those who come forward to share any and all information they have from April 3, 1994. Twenty years later, people still remember important times, details, and truths.

More importantly, there are individuals who know where Heidi is and have the control to bring Heidi home ~ returning her to the family, friends, and community still grieving her loss twenty years later.

Are you one holding the missing piece?

There are others who have information they might not share because the don't think it's important yet in truth, your piece of information might be the missing puzzle piece law enforcement needs to break the case and find Heidi. Not everything is public knowledge for a reason, Heidi is still missing, so this case is open and active, not cold and closed.

There are some who don't trust the Oswego County Sheriff's Department. I will continue to advocate and support them and we, my parents, Ed, Mary, and I and the rest of our family are grateful for their dedication to Heidi's case and keeping her cold case from growing cold, buried, and forgotten. 

As much as we trust them, we also know there are many who do not and there isn't anything I can say to change your mind BUT if you know something, and don't trust them, contact the FBI or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Did you now the FBI was involved from day one? Our local law enforcement welcomed help from others to maintain integrity in the case and to find Heidi as quick as possible while building a case to convict the guilty and restore safety and comfort to our community. 

Be sure to list Heidi's NCMEC case number, 1157260, when contacting the FBI, NCMEC, the State Police, or whoever you choose to give your important and life changing tip.

In addition to contacting law enforcement, you can also contact the family directly. I've received private messages via Facebook and even emails, lbuskewriter@aol.com. 

Each tip and tidbit of information given to me is passed along and followed up on by law enforcement. 

We never disvalue any information given to us, because you might be the one God uses to bring Heidi home and start the next part of our journey, life after discovery.

Do you have information about Heidi M Allen's disappearance? Share it. Some give their information to the media if this is the only way you feel confident your tip will be heard. My caution to you, be careful what and who you trust your information with. 

Not all journalists, investigative reporters, and media are driven by the hope of returning a missing girl to her family...some are simply striving for the front page and leave the family and law enforcement out of the investigation. As the sister to one of America's missing, this breaks my heart, what if this information, added to the facts within case files breaks the case but because it's not shared...the case remains open and Heidi remains missing?

The family's goal will never change, we want to find Heidi. In order to do this, we need a team mentality. There is no "I" in team. To the individual upsetting friends and family in hopes of breaking the case by himself, I hope you do. We would reap the greatest reward, to know where my sweet sister, Heidi M Allen, is. You might receive a prize for writing 

Sheriff Todd vows to find Heidi and do everything in his power to return her for a proper burial before he retires, he can't do this without your help. You can trust him, call him directly if this makes you more comfortable, he will listen and investigate. It's personal, not a case.

For those providing tips, information, and statements to law enforcement, thank you for helping to bring Heidi home...she is more than a missing person poster, Heidi M Allen, was a brilliant, energetic, and devoted daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, friend, and would have been and even better aunt. 

What do you remember about April 3, 1994 or possibly the days to follow? 
Did you see something? 
Hear something?
Have you confided in a friend? 
Did they encourage you to tell law enforcement? 
What's holding you back?

What if...

What if Heidi was your sister? 
Would you want someone to keep the missing piece or add it to the puzzle?

"The goal was, is, and ALWAYS will be...TO FIND HEIDI"
and you can quote the family on this one...