LINDSEY BAUM: 10-year-old abducted and murdered in McCleary, WA - June 2009 / Remains found 2017

After a decade, knowing didn’t bring relief

Melissa Baum wears a silver necklace holding a small silver pendant with a ruby. Contained within the pendant are half the remains of her daughter, Lindsey.

It’s been 10 years since Lindsey disappeared during a 10-minute walk to her home in McCleary on a hot summer evening June 26, 2009. It’s been a little more than a year since Melissa Baum was told her daughter’s partial remains had been found hundreds of miles away in the middle of the state and she knew for sure her daughter had been murdered.

During the decade that followed her daughter’s disappearance, Melissa has seen her daughter’s friends grow up, graduate from high school, go to college, marry, have children of their own. Melissa has only the memories of the talkative, intelligent, strong-willed girl, frozen in time at the age of 10.

“I’m finally to a point where I’m able to reminisce about her,” said Baum. “I have lots of memories that I’m grateful for.” For example, “She had so much energy. She talked constantly, a mile a minute.”


Closure?

Melissa got a call in early May 2018 from Grays Harbor County Sheriff Rick Scott. He needed to see her, and right away.

“It felt a little odd, he sounded urgent, I didn’t understand,” she said, saying it normally took months to set up a meeting with investigators, and it had been more than eight years without much news to be shared.

The next day Scott and an FBI victim’s advocate showed up at her door.

“I knew there was more to it,” said Melissa, when she saw the raw emotion on Scott’s face. DNA testing from the FBI confirmed a portion of Lindsey’s remains had been found more than six months earlier in Eastern Washington.

“Over the years, when I heard of children’s remains being recovered, I remember feeling twinges of jealousy,” said Melissa. “I felt knowing would bring some relief. It’s been the exact opposite.” Anger, rage and frustration were the result for her.

Days later, at a press conference in McCleary, she spoke to the press and the community about the discovery of her daughter’s remains. She admits it is still difficult for her to visit the town; she moved some time after Lindsey’s disappearance but returned, not to McCleary, but to the area. She continues to grant interviews like this one and make television appearances. As difficult as they are for her, she knows there’s always a chance the right person will see them.

“It’s not over because she’s been found, not even close,” said Baum.

After a decade, knowing didn’t bring relief | The Daily World

Melissa Baum wears a silver necklace holding a small silver pendant with a ruby. Contained within the pendant are half the remains of her daughter, Lindsey.

www.thedailyworld.com

Who killed LINDSEY BAUM and why haven't they been brought to justice? There is now a $40,000 reward for info! McCleary, #WASHINGTON June 26, 2009

On June 26, 2009, 10 year old Lindsey Baum was walking home from her friend’s house around 9:15 pm. She never made it home. Her remains were found 8 years later, miles from where she went missing!

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Just came across this recently done podcast about Lindsey's case. You can listen to it on your favorite podcast app or at the link below. "Truth in the Shadow"
The first episode reviews her case. The second talks about POI Dale Golder, and actually talks TO Golder.
I'm on the third episode right now, which talks about this most recent suspect Paul Bieker. I haven't been fully on board with him as a suspect, even though he's an obvious predator in the area. But then I listed to the scent dog information toward the end of this episode. Holy crap.

Truth in the Shadow

What's done in the dark will be revealed in the Light

truthintheshadow.org

 

[Kimster]

Just came across this recently done podcast about Lindsey's case. You can listen to it on your favorite podcast app or at the link below. "Truth in the Shadow"
The first episode reviews her case. The second talks about POI Dale Golder, and actually talks TO Golder.
I'm on the third episode right now, which talks about this most recent suspect Paul Bieker. I haven't been fully on board with him as a suspect, even though he's an obvious predator in the area. But then I listed to the scent dog information toward the end of this episode. Holy crap.

Truth in the Shadow

What's done in the dark will be revealed in the Light

truthintheshadow.org

I saw this post and then forgot! Saving it now to listen to at home.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I saw this post and then forgot! Saving it now to listen to at home.

Let me know when you do! Or anyone else. There's some really good info in this podcast. Just finished the most recent episode that focused on the area her remains were found in.

 

[Mel70]

I'm on episode 2 now.

 

[Kimster]

I just listened to the first two episodes and they were really good! I can see why Dale was a suspect for so long, but when they were interviewing him, he sounds like he was just in the middle of a lot of circumstances. I can’t completely rule him out, but I’m not feeling as strong about his involvement at this time.

The “volunteer” has always been my main suspect. She often went into his store, He lied about his whereabouts, he inserted himself in the case, his white car, etc.

They say that one of the future episodes is going to talk more about Paul Beeker, the rapist. I’m really interested in hearing more about him. I especially want to know if he has ties in Ellensburg.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Wish I had the time to watch them. I never even got to finish the other one after watching many of them. Can't think of name offhand but the one where the woman "drowned" and hub is the suspect. He made it of course to shore, according to him.

 

[Kimster]

Wish I had the time to watch them. I never even got to finish the other one after watching many of them. Can't think of name offhand but the one where the woman "drowned" and hub is the suspect. He made it of course to shore, according to him.

They are podcasts. I listened while taking pictures of stuff I’m selling.

 

[Kimster]

Finished the four episodes. Melissa will be on the Next one. She is Lindsey’s mom.

When I was listening about the dogs and where they were hitting , it reminded me of the Amber Dubois case. I remember they had hit in a strange place and nobody would believe them and it was way far away from where she went missing. Come to find out, that’s where Amber was - in that area.

@SheWhoMustNotBeNamed have you ever been to Ellensburg? I haven’t been in the town proper, but I’ve been around it on the way to the gorge. From what I remember, there weren’t a lot of trees around there. I would think that people would notice a car going out there, but she said that it was a Friday and it’s busier on the weekends.

 

[Kimster]

Also, I remember at first them only finding one remain, but I had thought they found more after that! So that probably wasn’t even the area where she had been left. I sure wish they could find the rest of her remains and see if there’s another clue nearby.

 

[GrandmaBear]

They are podcasts. I listened while taking pictures of stuff I’m selling.

I try to do that and usually find I can't. I end up having to go and pause and listen again... Maybe when life is calmer, I could do one thing and focus on listening to another. I used to, like have the TV on for background on a show and work on the computer...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Finished the four episodes. Melissa will be on the Next one. She is Lindsey’s mom.

When I was listening about the dogs and where they were hitting , it reminded me of the Amber Dubois case. I remember they had hit in a strange place and nobody would believe them and it was way far away from where she went missing. Come to find out, that’s where Amber was - in that area.

@SheWhoMustNotBeNamed have you ever been to Ellensburg? I haven’t been in the town proper, but I’ve been around it on the way to the gorge. From what I remember, there weren’t a lot of trees around there. I would think that people would notice a car going out there, but she said that it was a Friday and it’s busier on the weekends.

I have been to Ellensburg several times. When they say "Ellensburg", she wasn't really found around Ellensburg, that's just the nearest "city". She was found about an hour up the mountain to the west. You're right that Ellensburg itself isn't super wooded, and it's pretty flat. BUT, there are mountains in the area. The Manastash Ridge area is very popular for hiking, hunting, camping, etc. Cars going up there wouldn't be uncommon at all, on any day. (Lindsey disappeared on a Friday, but she wasn't necessarily taken there on a Friday. They were speculating based on the journal entry found that it could have been the following Monday.)

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Also, I remember at first them only finding one remain, but I had thought they found more after that! So that probably wasn’t even the area where she had been left. I sure wish they could find the rest of her remains and see if there’s another clue nearby.

Only one small piece of her skull.
Based on the search dog information, it sounds like she was initially left just outside of McCleary, then moved to Manastash area. Then one piece of her remains was moved by an animal, OR she may have been moved again.

 

[Kimster]

Only one small piece of her skull.
Based on the search dog information, it sounds like she was initially left just outside of McCleary, then moved to Manastash area. Then one piece of her remains was moved by an animal, OR she may have been moved again.

The podcast brought up the fact that when you’re on a search that long after a persons been missing, you’re looking for a skull. When I went on the search for Kyron, that’s what we were instructed to look for and what it might look like.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The podcast brought up the fact that when you’re on a search that long after a persons been missing, you’re looking for a skull. When I went on the search for Kyron, that’s what we were instructed to look for and what it might look like.

No chance right now to watch or refresh on this case but are they pretty sure that her body was in the area where they found the bone or is it possible, someone, I really don't want to say it, but distributed parts of her in different places? I avoid those kinds of thoughts or statements but it has been done before... I also know that it is just as likely to be time and animals though, probably more likely in fact. Just a thought.

 

[Kimster]

No chance right now to watch or refresh on this case but are they pretty sure that her body was in the area where they found the bone or is it possible, someone, I really don't want to say it, but distributed parts of her in different places? I avoid those kinds of thoughts or statements but it has been done before... I also know that it is just as likely to be time and animals though, probably more likely in fact. Just a thought.

It sounded like they believe an animal probably transported the remain that was found.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It sounded like they believe an animal probably transported the remain that was found.

So it could have come from any area or a wide radius... Makes it hard. Sad.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Yeah. They did a thorough search of a 2-square-mile radius from where the bone fragment was found. But found absolutely nothing else. They were literally sifting through dirt at some points.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Update from Facebook. Bold by me.

Justice For Lindsey Baum

Justice For Lindsey Baum. 14,309 likes · 275 talking about this. Have a tip? Call (206) 229-5055 or email tips: rose@winquistinvestigations.com remain anonymous CrimeStoppers 1-800-748-6422

www.facebook.com

UPDATE

I’m often asked for updates regarding Lindsey’s case. As far as the investigation itself goes, there is none. No changes, no updates, no progress that I’ve been informed of.
However as many of you know, I’ve started a petition to have Lindsey’s case removed from GHCSO jurisdiction. I am asking for the Attorney General’s Office to take over her case and use their cold case investigators to restart the investigation from the beginning. It has been in the hands of Rick Scott for almost 13 years with zero progress. They have little to no time or investigators to spend on Lindsey’s case. As the years have passed crime continues to increase in our county and country with no additional resources or training to keep up. So Lindsey’s case continues to be pushed aside.
Now, there is a 2nd missing child in the county, that had been missing for months before anyone reported it. An epic failure of Grays Harbor County Division of children and youth services. Because of their failure to protect Oakley Carlson, whom they were charged with protecting.
Please PRAY for

Oakley

This county is not up for these tasks. Not because of the officers and investigators as individuals but as a department, they are under staffed, under trained, and ill equipped financially and technology to handle cases such as Lindsey’s.
This June 26, will mark 13 years since her abduction and her murderer still walks free amongst your children. No suspects, and even the “persons of interest” have dwindled through the years.
I will be making Weekly contact with GHCSO, even though they continue to avoid and ignore me. I will also be maintaining weekly contact with Kittitas County Sheriff Office, who as Co Investigators on Lindsey’s case, have yet to gain access to Lindsey’s case file, even specific requests they’ve made to GHCSO for case info to assist them with leads they receive and follow up on have gone ignored as well.
I will continue contacting FBI and Wa State Attorney General Bob Ferguson office. They will be hearing from me every single week if not more. I won’t be letting more years pass without making them accountable for finding Lindsey’s murderer and saving future victims.

Lindsey existed and her life mattered. I’m done sitting back and trusting that the people supposed to be solving it are actually working it. I’m not going to be patient anymore, there isn’t an ounce of patience left in my soul!
For those who feel I’m being too hard on investigators I ask you one question:
If your child was missing for 9 years then only partially found and 4 more years pass with no answers no accountability no convictions; what would you do? Would you sit quietly and patient for the rest of your life praying law enforcement will solve if but if they don’t oh well?!
No you wouldn’t! I had a beautiful vibrant little girl one day, then in a moment she was gone forever with no explanation. Lindsey’s Life matters! I will making sure her death makes a difference.

MB

If anybody has any suggestions or ideas on other avenues that may be helpful to Lindsey’s case, please let me know.
#JusticeForLindseyBaum
#JusticeForOakleyCarlson

 

[GrandmaBear]

It looks to me like a few recent old cases could use some support from any of us willing to write a letter, make a post on a county website, email, etc. and put some attention and pressure on! Two that the parents can't even seem to get meetings, files, information or even the courtesy of a return call!!

The public has made some big differences in a few other cases in the recent past so keeping that up wouldn't hurt...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Copied the text of the post below for those who don't or can't access Facebook.


My name is Lindsey Baum. I was 10 years old on June 26,2009 when a MONSTER STOLE stole me off the street from in McCleary Washington. I was MISSING for nearly 9 years when my partial remains (1 piece) were found outside Ellensburg, Washington 180 miles from home September 15,2017. I was identified via DNA May 9, 2018. Here we are after 13 years and my Murderer STILL WALKS FREE!
NO ARRESTS HAVE EVER BEEN MADE IN MY CASE!
My Mom can’t breath or rest until she has justice for me not being with her!
She can’t let go of the life I should have had. The dances, my first kiss, my first heartbreak, my high school and college graduation, wedding all the life that I didn’t get to do. The books I would have given to the world. The animals I could have helped.
The family I would have had. Now I’m in Heaven with my Mommy’s Mom and she’s stuck in life fighting the never ending battle of evil all by herself.
This Monster stole many more lives than just mine!
Don’t forget Me. Remember me every time your child walks out your door! Remember me every evening when you tuck them in and kiss them goodnight!
Remember that My life Mattered and what happened to our family is unacceptable! I’m not OLD NEWS!
I’m NOT Urban Myth. I was a very REAL Very LOVED child with a bright exciting future ahead of me.
My Mom will continue to fight for me no matter what it takes! She WON’T EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE!