Please keep this family in your prayers. I have no words. Just prayers, feeble and as humble as they are.
This family needs justice. They need it ASAP. And Alex? He needs to be able to rest in peace.
Family hopeful arrest will be made soon in death of Alex Teehee
By ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER
Staff Writer
NORTH PORT -- This week marked the year anniversary of Alex Teehee's death, and his family has been told that people of interest have been identified and an arrest will be made in the near future.
On July 13, Alex, 20, was struck by a van while walking on the edge of Sibley Bay Street around 11 p.m. in Port Charlotte, where he had just moved from North Port.
He was flown to Lee Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next day.
Alex would have celebrated his 21st birthday June 16. He is survived by his two sons, who also celebrated birthdays in June -- Kaden turned 4 on June 23, and Eli turned 3 on June 2.
Alex's sister, Jana Thompson, said the family is doing all right.
"The boys are doing great," she said Tuesday. "My parents are doing OK. My dad is probably doing better than my mom.
"We want justice, and we're not ever going to be able to fully recover. And we can't grieve properly either, because we're distracted by the no arrests."
The family continues to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect. Hand-written signs advertising it have been posted around North Port and Charlotte County.
Thompson said the Teehees have been apprised of the ongoing investigation being conducted jointly by the Florida Highway Patrol -- which is in charge of the investigation into Alex's death -- the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and State Attorney's Office. She said the investigation is at a critical stage and so they have been asked not to make public comments about the investigation at this time.
In March, FHP Lt. Chris Miller said he understood the family is frustrated.
"We have not treated this as a cold case," Miller said at the time. "In fact, we have had new leads and have spent time investigating. What has made things hard is some of the witnesses have left the area."
FHP could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
"We believe that the individuals who are responsible for Alex's death have been identified, and we are hopeful charges will be forthcoming in the near future," Thompson said.
Thompson said there is also some survivor's guilt that comes into play "because you're enjoying life." She said there have also been a lot of misconceptions about Alex's death.
"He didn't take his own life, he wasn't involved in an accident, or suffer from a medical condition. Someone chose to take his life, and I think people don't understand that," she said. "People think we want attention, when we really don't. People don't think about the difference, and I think the grieving process differs in each instance."
Thompson said some of his friends still post messages on Alex's MySpace page, saying they can't get over his death.
"It affects everyone completely different. Hopefully everyone will learn from this, and learn that life isn't peaches and cream," she said.
On June 13, friends of the Teehee family held a fundraiser at Charlotte County Motorsports Park in Alex's memory. Children of the Milthaler family, also of North Port -- who Thompson called "rabid race fans" -- asked their parents if they could do something to honor Alex. The two families didn't really know each other well before Alex's death.
"I think, one of their older sisters knew Alex, and he had been over to their house. He was like a big kid, he always played with the little kids, so they really liked him," Thompson said. "And the parents, they were struck by him. They've been good to the boys, bringing them presents at Christmas and Easter. We're blessed to have them in our lives."
Thompson said her family just wants to make the community aware that there hasn't been an arrest.
"And we're confident that the people responsible are from North Port," she said. "We just don't want this to happen to someone else."
Anonymous tips about the Teehee case may be left at the Crime Stoppers tip line at 941-366-8477.
E-mail: annek@sun-herald.com
Showing posts with label Alex Teehee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex Teehee. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
My 100th post dedicated to Alex Teehee
The article below was in today's paper. I can't imagine what this family is going through. They are certainly getting the run around. I'll say this I'm happy for them that they are meeting with Bill Cameron. I can only hope and pray that he gives him straight answers as opposed to his political spin and the lies he gave Nathan.
I don't trust in an inch. But maybe he'll bring them some peace. For their sake I hope so. But I doubt it. And will never trust him.
I have a special place in my heart for Alex Teehee. Like Denise, he left behind two small children. And like us and the Goffs the grandparents have had to step up and do what they can in helping raise the children. And as Carol Teehee and I have both said "thank God for the children".
Last night in my post over on the homicide blog I mentioned a family where the children were killed too. That couple lost their daughter and grandchildren. I can't imagine. I simply can't imagine.
Well I better get packing. We're to be out of the house today but I wanted to let the Teehees know they are in my heart and prayers. I hope they keep fighting and not take no for an answer.
Alex deserves the fight and so do his children. God bless them all.
from the Sun Herald:
Family Looking for answers
Almost nine months after Alex Teehee's death, relatives say investigation is slow
A chilling call explaining his son was hit by a van was placed to Alex's Teehee's father, Tab, from a friend who took Alex's cell phone from the scene of the hit-and-run last July.
Now Tab wants to know why investigators allowed the cell phone to be removed by one of Alex's friends and why "no real follow-up" was done regarding the threatening messages left on Alex's phone.
Tab and his wife, Carol, of North Port, have a multitude of questions about the events leading up to Alex's death.
On July 13, Alex, 20, was struck by a van while walking on the edge of Sibley Bay Street around 11 p.m. in Port Charlotte, where he had just moved from North Port.
He was flown to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, but died the next day. A North Port High School graduate, Alex also was the father of two young boys. His sons, Kaden, 3, and Eli, 2, are in the custody of his parents.
"Alex's friend gave us back the cell phone," Tab said on Friday. "We played his voice-mail messages and learned someone threatened to kill him several times. We played it for investigators. They didn't ask us to take the phone as evidence. We still have it."
The Florida Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. The Teehees said from the beginning, the FHP and other law enforcement agencies have had limited communication with them.
"We just want to know if investigators have the same information as we do," Tab said. "We know they have possible suspects and know who the van is registered to. So much time has gone by, and there is still no arrest."
FHP Lt. Chris Miller said he understands the family is frustrated.
"We have not treated this as a cold case," Miller said. "In fact, we have had new leads and have spent time investigating. What has made things hard is some of the witnesses have left the area."
Tab says his family cooperated with law enforcement early on to assist in making a possible arrest. But after repeated unanswered phone calls to FHP, the State Attorney's Office in Punta Gorda, and the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, the family is fed up.
"Alex's murder was one of four in Charlotte County last year, and we have yet to be granted a face-to-face talk with the sheriff," Tab said.
However, on Friday afternoon, the CCSO called the Teehees to meet this week with Sheriff Bill Cameron.
The family likely will be told the CCSO is "not the lead agency" investigating.
"We are assisting FHP and the State Attorney's Office in their investigation," said David Bonsall, corporal in charge of operations for the CCSO. "We were asked to help follow up and assist them. We understand the family's concern."
Bonsall said he met with the family several weeks ago and passed along their concerns to the lead investigating agencies.
Tab says he has done a little investigating on his own and is disappointed law enforcement officials haven't questioned enough people in his son's neighborhood.
"I asked the hotel owner, who has seasonal residents living there, if he or anyone there was questioned by officers about the night Alex was killed," Tab said. "I was told, 'No.'"
Tab said he had to "throw a fit" when he learned the person investigating Alex's death was scheduled for vacation shortly after receiving the case.
He said Alex's clothing and jewelry went missing from Lee Memorial, and he still can't get answers about what happened to his son's belongings.
Miller said the FHP is collecting solid evidence, but it's time-consuming.
"We want to do this case right," he said. "We are gathering all of the facts."
Anonymous tips in the Alex Teehee hit-and-run case may be left at the Crime Stoppers tip line at 941-366-8477.
The family is offering a a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
I don't trust in an inch. But maybe he'll bring them some peace. For their sake I hope so. But I doubt it. And will never trust him.
I have a special place in my heart for Alex Teehee. Like Denise, he left behind two small children. And like us and the Goffs the grandparents have had to step up and do what they can in helping raise the children. And as Carol Teehee and I have both said "thank God for the children".
Last night in my post over on the homicide blog I mentioned a family where the children were killed too. That couple lost their daughter and grandchildren. I can't imagine. I simply can't imagine.
Well I better get packing. We're to be out of the house today but I wanted to let the Teehees know they are in my heart and prayers. I hope they keep fighting and not take no for an answer.
Alex deserves the fight and so do his children. God bless them all.
from the Sun Herald:
Family Looking for answers
Almost nine months after Alex Teehee's death, relatives say investigation is slow
A chilling call explaining his son was hit by a van was placed to Alex's Teehee's father, Tab, from a friend who took Alex's cell phone from the scene of the hit-and-run last July.
Now Tab wants to know why investigators allowed the cell phone to be removed by one of Alex's friends and why "no real follow-up" was done regarding the threatening messages left on Alex's phone.
Tab and his wife, Carol, of North Port, have a multitude of questions about the events leading up to Alex's death.
On July 13, Alex, 20, was struck by a van while walking on the edge of Sibley Bay Street around 11 p.m. in Port Charlotte, where he had just moved from North Port.
He was flown to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, but died the next day. A North Port High School graduate, Alex also was the father of two young boys. His sons, Kaden, 3, and Eli, 2, are in the custody of his parents.
"Alex's friend gave us back the cell phone," Tab said on Friday. "We played his voice-mail messages and learned someone threatened to kill him several times. We played it for investigators. They didn't ask us to take the phone as evidence. We still have it."
The Florida Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. The Teehees said from the beginning, the FHP and other law enforcement agencies have had limited communication with them.
"We just want to know if investigators have the same information as we do," Tab said. "We know they have possible suspects and know who the van is registered to. So much time has gone by, and there is still no arrest."
FHP Lt. Chris Miller said he understands the family is frustrated.
"We have not treated this as a cold case," Miller said. "In fact, we have had new leads and have spent time investigating. What has made things hard is some of the witnesses have left the area."
Tab says his family cooperated with law enforcement early on to assist in making a possible arrest. But after repeated unanswered phone calls to FHP, the State Attorney's Office in Punta Gorda, and the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, the family is fed up.
"Alex's murder was one of four in Charlotte County last year, and we have yet to be granted a face-to-face talk with the sheriff," Tab said.
However, on Friday afternoon, the CCSO called the Teehees to meet this week with Sheriff Bill Cameron.
The family likely will be told the CCSO is "not the lead agency" investigating.
"We are assisting FHP and the State Attorney's Office in their investigation," said David Bonsall, corporal in charge of operations for the CCSO. "We were asked to help follow up and assist them. We understand the family's concern."
Bonsall said he met with the family several weeks ago and passed along their concerns to the lead investigating agencies.
Tab says he has done a little investigating on his own and is disappointed law enforcement officials haven't questioned enough people in his son's neighborhood.
"I asked the hotel owner, who has seasonal residents living there, if he or anyone there was questioned by officers about the night Alex was killed," Tab said. "I was told, 'No.'"
Tab said he had to "throw a fit" when he learned the person investigating Alex's death was scheduled for vacation shortly after receiving the case.
He said Alex's clothing and jewelry went missing from Lee Memorial, and he still can't get answers about what happened to his son's belongings.
Miller said the FHP is collecting solid evidence, but it's time-consuming.
"We want to do this case right," he said. "We are gathering all of the facts."
Anonymous tips in the Alex Teehee hit-and-run case may be left at the Crime Stoppers tip line at 941-366-8477.
The family is offering a a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
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