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

 

[GrandmaBear]

It bites when that is all you have as a family is a murdered child and WAITING for justice and in this case for decades now. FIND the murderer! The remembrances and keeping it in the news yearly and all is great but bittersweet and isn't news although I'm sure appreciated. Do they have a CLUE at ALL and if SO maybe it is time to put some heat on and even name a suspect.

Nowadays a handful rarely will name a POI or a suspect and will go there but many will not out of an abundance of what? Fear of being wrong, being sued, etc in this backwards world?

I know this is very close to a few of you and covers some east coast states. Believe it or not I can recall most of it without looking back.

Like that they finally found partial remains but it took months to let mom know or ID them I would hope was the only reason.

If you have something or have a pretty solid suspect then CHANGE IT UP and do something.

I would never diss the vigils, the only way to get such in the news again with any case or talking on the anniversary about the only time SOME news bothers to even try to cover it, but that is NOT justice and I'm sure families appreciate it but it's just another yearly show of nothing has come from the investigation and there has been no justice.

I have stopped remarking to these and to the recent blanket Amber Alert posts. I used to to all just to try to show activity if it helped generate even one person's interest but it doesn't an pretty no one else bothers.

And I think instead LE needs a spur and a kick in the butt. NOT saying there is anything new or they don't look at it or stay on it but get some damned thinking outside the box and try something NEW.

Some may NEVER be solved, many may never, but just because homicide has no statute of limitations at what point does it matter any longer if the loved ones die before ever getting an answer. KICK IT. ACROSS the FIELD and see what results, and look at new things or get new eyes and see what results.

If this was how many years later, vid cams would have probably resulted in an arrest and conviction... Even in a small area. I think and I think some have told me before of some suspicions, that people probably know... No? I'd hope.

At what point is it that you risk all and tell all you have and see what comes of it?

I do know and recall @Kimster without even looking that this was a pet case and close case and one you still seriously care about to you and knew some right?

Would you suggest pushing some things or no?

 

[Tresir]

It bites when that is all you have as a family is a murdered child and WAITING for justice and in this case for decades now. FIND the murderer! The remembrances and keeping it in the news yearly and all is great but bittersweet and isn't news although I'm sure appreciated. Do they have a CLUE at ALL and if SO maybe it is time to put some heat on and even name a suspect.

Nowadays a handful rarely will name a POI or a suspect and will go there but many will not out of an abundance of what? Fear of being wrong, being sued, etc in this backwards world?

I know this is very close to a few of you and covers some east coast states. Believe it or not I can recall most of it without looking back.

Like that they finally found partial remains but it took months to let mom know or ID them I would hope was the only reason.

If you have something or have a pretty solid suspect then CHANGE IT UP and do something.

I would never diss the vigils, the only way to get such in the news again with any case or talking on the anniversary about the only time SOME news bothers to even try to cover it, but that is NOT justice and I'm sure families appreciate it but it's just another yearly show of nothing has come from the investigation and there has been no justice.

I have stopped remarking to these and to the recent blanket Amber Alert posts. I used to to all just to try to show activity if it helped generate even one person's interest but it doesn't an pretty no one else bothers.

And I think instead LE needs a spur and a kick in the butt. NOT saying there is anything new or they don't look at it or stay on it but get some damned thinking outside the box and try something NEW.

Some may NEVER be solved, many may never, but just because homicide has no statute of limitations at what point does it matter any longer if the loved ones die before ever getting an answer. KICK IT. ACROSS the FIELD and see what results, and look at new things or get new eyes and see what results.

If this was how many years later, vid cams would have probably resulted in an arrest and conviction... Even in a small area. I think and I think some have told me before of some suspicions, that people probably know... No? I'd hope.

At what point is it that you risk all and tell all you have and see what comes of it?

I do know and recall @Kimster without even looking that this was a pet case and close case and one you still seriously care about to you and knew some right?

Would you suggest pushing some things or no?

It seems to me it may not be too late for LE to look at cell phone info in the area maybe. This was only 2009 after all.

This article is from last August.

Tips sought in unsolved kidnapping, murder of Washington girl

Authorities are seeking tips in the unsolved kidnapping and homicide of a McCleary, Wash. girl after she failed to return home from a friend’s house in 2009.

www.koin.com

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities are seeking tips in the unsolved kidnapping and homicide of a McCleary, Washington girl after she failed to return home from a friend’s house in 2009.

The night of June 26, 2009, 10-year-old Lindsey Baum spent most of the day with a friend and was planning on going home that evening, according to “Murder in the Rain” Podcast Co-Host Emily Rowney.

Baum’s brother accompanied her to her friend’s house, but after a disagreement about borrowing his bike without permission, he sped off ahead and Lindsey was left to walk a 10-minute stretch by herself between her house and her friend’s, Rowney said.

Officials said Baum was last seen around 9:15 p.m. when a neighbor saw her walking along Maple Street between 5th and 6th Street. Baum’s mother called police after she didn’t return home that night.

Over 10 days, authorities searched for Baum on foot, by helicopter and with search dog however crews couldn’t find her.

• True Crime Tuesdays: Lindsey Baum​

“Over the years, several suspects drew police attention including locals from the McCleary area, but some of the more intriguing suspects were added to the list in 2017. Three elderly brothers living together in a Seattle home drew media attention after a female family member discovered evidence of child sex abuse in their home,” Rowney said.
When police went to the home to investigate, a copy of Baum’s missing flyer was found among dozens of photos and articles of other missing children, Rowney said. The Emery brothers were arrested on charges based on the findings in the home, but no evidence linked them to Baum’s disappearance.

About a month after the brothers were arrested in 2017, a bone fragment was found by hunters in a remote part of Washington, which was later matched with Baum’s DNA.

In 2022, a man named Paul Bieker was arrested for the kidnapping and rape of a 17-year-old girl from McCleary. Due to similarities in the case, authorities were looking for a link between him and Baum’s case. According to Rowney, Bieker passed a polygraph test when questioned about Baum.

In April 2023, the case was in the spotlight after a new tip led to a search for evidence in Mason County; however, no evidence was found.

The case remains unsolved and there is a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

[Tresir]

This is Murder in the Rain podcast about Lindsay, from 2020.

Episode 34: Five Decades of Secrets

Ten year old Lindsey Baum disappeared on a summer evening while walking home from her friend’s house in 2009. For nearly a decade her family and law enforcement searched for answers, chased every lead, and dissected the whereabouts of forty different suspects. In 2017 a horrific discovery inside...

www.murderintherain.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

It seems to me it may not be too late for LE to look at cell phone info in the area maybe. This was only 2009 after all.

This article is from last August.

Tips sought in unsolved kidnapping, murder of Washington girl

Authorities are seeking tips in the unsolved kidnapping and homicide of a McCleary, Wash. girl after she failed to return home from a friend’s house in 2009.

www.koin.com

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities are seeking tips in the unsolved kidnapping and homicide of a McCleary, Washington girl after she failed to return home from a friend’s house in 2009.

The night of June 26, 2009, 10-year-old Lindsey Baum spent most of the day with a friend and was planning on going home that evening, according to “Murder in the Rain” Podcast Co-Host Emily Rowney.

Baum’s brother accompanied her to her friend’s house, but after a disagreement about borrowing his bike without permission, he sped off ahead and Lindsey was left to walk a 10-minute stretch by herself between her house and her friend’s, Rowney said.

Officials said Baum was last seen around 9:15 p.m. when a neighbor saw her walking along Maple Street between 5th and 6th Street. Baum’s mother called police after she didn’t return home that night.

Over 10 days, authorities searched for Baum on foot, by helicopter and with search dog however crews couldn’t find her.

• True Crime Tuesdays: Lindsey Baum​

“Over the years, several suspects drew police attention including locals from the McCleary area, but some of the more intriguing suspects were added to the list in 2017. Three elderly brothers living together in a Seattle home drew media attention after a female family member discovered evidence of child sex abuse in their home,” Rowney said.
When police went to the home to investigate, a copy of Baum’s missing flyer was found among dozens of photos and articles of other missing children, Rowney said. The Emery brothers were arrested on charges based on the findings in the home, but no evidence linked them to Baum’s disappearance.

About a month after the brothers were arrested in 2017, a bone fragment was found by hunters in a remote part of Washington, which was later matched with Baum’s DNA.

In 2022, a man named Paul Bieker was arrested for the kidnapping and rape of a 17-year-old girl from McCleary. Due to similarities in the case, authorities were looking for a link between him and Baum’s case. According to Rowney, Bieker passed a polygraph test when questioned about Baum.

In April 2023, the case was in the spotlight after a new tip led to a search for evidence in Mason County; however, no evidence was found.

The case remains unsolved and there is a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

You know, while I recall all the basics of the case, I don't recall all or all dates and in reading this, is it odd at all these brothers came to attention eight years later in 2017 and a month after that and their arrest, a bone fragment was found...? It would seem coincidental since found by hunters in a "remote" area of WA but eight years later, two things that kind of stand out...

I didn't watch anything but did read what you posted. It reminded me that this was the height of summer and just at that longest day, mid point and her last seen at 9:15 it would be dark imo. I work a lot of 8 and 9 closings and at 8 this time of year I still go home in daylight but by after 9 it is dark... Last seen by a neighbor...

Reading it made me think of Delphi in that plenty of suspects have been looked at through the years and in that one they truly apparently did not have a clue who did it until years later in reviewing things they come across the thing about RA misfiled, etc. and bam. In some cases we wonder as we never know, ARE they clueless or do they think they KNOW but just don't have enough evidence... In that one, they apparently WERE clueless year after year, suspect after suspect after suspect.

It does go to show though new eyes, a fresh look, a TOTAL reorganization of the case records and look through or whatever, can bring results. And I agree with you on cell phone data too. I was thinking about advances in DNA and all but then realized they probably don't have anything to test that way...

Seeing the age progression photo made me sad as the bone fragment pretty much seals the fact she is dead and not alive somewhere although considering who likely took her that may be a blessing in disguise. Or what type of person...

This could be anyone, known or unknown. I'd go with known and that they beckoned her into their home or more likely offered her a ride and yet she was close to home at that point no? I'd have to refresh on that but last sighting was by a neighbor...

You surprised me here responding to this one, is this one you followed back when or came up on in more recent years? If I looked back at the thread I'd know I guess but as always, no time to indulge in that.

I know it is a case Kimster cares a lot about and as I mentioned, I recall most of it but when it gets down to dates and finer details, I have to refresh. Is the investigation here trustworthy and the local LE trustworthy? I do find it odd like I said that eight years later these brothers come to major attention and a month later for the first time ever a part of her is found as well in a remote area...

Three brothers into child porn or SA. How can they know all were? That is unusual in and of itself AND I'd say never think older men or elderly men are done for and would have no interest or urge still. How old were they, I didn't go in like I said, news may make 60 somethings elderly... It makes me think of how they profile serial killers and how it needs to be no more than a tool because look at LISK/CB, he apparently was ready to strike again and was about 60 or nearing it. The generalization would have him done by then and @Mel70 can comment to this as to the likelihood and other SKs and when they quit or wane, etc. but again that's going by others and profilers, etc.

Not saying whoever here was an SK but am saying these "elderly" brothers could certainly be the perp/s as could others they have had in their sights. I am 60 something though and I'm not elderly and again I didn't go in, how old were they all...

It's also downright scary how many warped people when something like this happens LE and these days even internet sleuths find in one town, or how many sex offenders, etc... Most people live in this feeling of security and have no clue until such happens... False security. Naivete maybe...And this was 15 years ago to the very month...

I know they likely have but they need to give this one a huge review and push and I mean review of all down to every last tip filed, where it was put, everyone interviewed, fresh eyes OR if they have or are pretty sure they know a WHO, a telling or push there as well. ANYTHING. She'd be what, 25 today? FIFTEEN YEARS.

DO they have anything? DO they know or think they do or are they as clueless as it seems it was with Delphi...?

Yep do what they can with phones. Doesn't mean it will pan out but it MAY. In 2009 most had them... I'm guessing Lindsey didn't? Perp may well have...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[Kimster]

If they can come to an arrest in this case, and ultimately finding out what happened, I will be shocked and thrilled all at the same time.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

If they can come to an arrest in this case, and ultimately finding out what happened, I will be shocked and thrilled all at the same time.

This is as hopeful as they've sounded in a long time. Cautiously Optimistic

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Remembering Lindsey Jo Baum: A Community’s Fight for Justice

On June 26, 2009, Lindsey Jo Baum, a bright and energetic 10-year-old from McCleary, Washington, was last seen walking home from a friend’s house just a short distance away from her home. She vanished without a trace. The quiet town was thrown into a whirlwind of search parties, desperate pleas for information, and the aching hope that Lindsey would come home safely. Yet, despite extensive searches, tireless investigations, and the efforts of law enforcement, no trace of Lindsey could be found.

The years that followed were filled with heartache and uncertainty for Lindsey’s Mother and Brother. Time moved forward, but Lindsey’s absence weighed heavily on the hearts of all who knew her. Each year brought renewed hope that new leads would bring answers, but the mystery of her disappearance remained unresolved.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

We need you

Sharing Lindsey flyer is a crucial step toward justice. Her disappearance and tragic death have left her family and community devastated, but her case remains unsolved. Every share spreads awareness, helping reach someone who may hold a piece of information that can break the case wide open.
By sharing her flyer, you’re keeping Lindsey’s story alive and putting pressure on those who know something to come forward. Awareness is key in cases like this, and each post has the potential to reach the right person who can finally bring justice for Lindsey.
Please help us find answers and hold her killer accountable. Your share could make all the difference.

Unsolved: Lindsey Jo Baum

On June 26, 2009, 10-year-old Lindsey Baum disappeared while walking home in McCleary, Washington. Despite exhaustive searches, her partial remains were not discovered until 2017 in rural eastern Washington. Her abduction and murder remained unsolved.

Lindsey’s story is a call for justice and a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect children. Her memory urges us to keep fighting for answers and to ensure her voice is never forgotten.

If you have any information about her case, contact:

• Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office: 360-964-1799
• Winquist Investigations: 206-229-5055 | rose@winquistinvestigations.com
• CrimeStoppers (Anonymous): 1-800-748-6422

A $40,000 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

#JusticeForLindseyBaum #SeeSomethingSaySomething #SpreadAwareness

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]