Corrections to the Lacey Gaines Story

Getting things right is what we strive to do but from time to time, some misinformation gets through. Usually it’s not done intentionally, it’s the way memories work or stories passed down getting a little tweak here or there. In any case, Lacey’s mom Gilda Gaines, who reads here, let me know what the discrepancies are. And here they are for you.

Lacey Gaines Murder “Still Active; Investigation Continues”–Police

Lacey and her son Conor the year she died.

Lacey Gaines was murdered in her apartment on December 7, 2009 in Justice, Illinois. More than 2 years later, her killer has not been publicly identified nor have police indicated they are any closer to solving her case. That doesn’t mean nothing is being done. Lacey’s led a complicated life and either put herself into, or had no choice but to surround herself with people who think murder is just another way to settle a debt. Not all of her friends were like that. In fact she had quite a few allies including Cherry Simpson, Lacey’s aunt, who has tirelessly tried to find out who killed her niece. And she’s not alone. Several friends have spoken out on Lacey’s behalf. A social worker said Lacey had been physically abused by her boyfriend who also happens to be the father of their son Conor. Many friends said the same thing…she’d come to work upset and bruised. She said it was Daniel Rogelio Alvarado Sanchez who she desperately feared. Police say he is not a suspect. Then there’s her boyfriend at the time of her death, Juan Valadez who found her body in their apartment. He was with a woman at the time and had her call 911 because Juan spoke no English. And just like that, he disappeared.

Did Domestic Violence Play a Role in Lacey Gaines’ Murder

Lacey Gaines

Lacey Gaines was murdered on December 7, 2009 in her rundown apartment in Justice, Illinois. While speculation has run rampant about who did it, there are still no suspects. She did have a child with a boyfriend who she later told people physically beat her. Daniel Rogelio Sanchez, Lacey told friends, co-workers, family and social workers beat her frequently leaving her bruised and battered. Would someone already predisposed of violence take it up to the next level–to murder? Prisons are filled with men who’ve done just that. Does that mean Daniel was involved? Not necessarily. Let’s assume he wasn’t. Had there been no violence and they stayed together, it’s possible Lacey could be alive today. But that wasn’t the case. Far from it. As a result, she was constantly on the run, forced to make bad decisions and could have put her in contact with people of questionable character and possibly even her killer.

What Does Juan Know? Lacey Gaines Boyfriend Still Quiet After 2 Years

Lacey Gaines and Juan Valadez. Juan found Lacey dead in their apartment.

It was December 7, 2009 when Juan Valadez entered his and his girlfriend Lacey Gaines apartment. There, he found the woman he supposedly loved dead…murdered in cold blood. He couldn’t speak English so he had a female companion call 911 and asked the Justice, Illinois Police Department for help. It was too late. Lacey was dead, killed in a seedy apartment complex well-known for crime and even reports of illicit activity in the management and maintainance areas. Yet it’s been 2 years. And still Juan Valadez won’t come forward and talk about what he knows of that day. More importantly, what activities may have led up to that day.

Juan, if you are a man, it’s been too long. Step up and tell the world what you know.

Juan, si usted es un hombre, que ha pasado mucho tiempo. Un paso adelante y decirle al mundo lo que sabes.

 

Mystery Letter: Justice Police will Never Find Lacey Gaines Killer

Lacey Gaines

Lacey Gaines was brutally murdered by someone police say she probably knew. Her death in December 2009 took place in her apartment. No signs of forced entry or even a struggle were found.

Two days later, a letter was sent to victim advocates Robin Sax and Susan Murphy Milano. Lacey had reached out to both women while she was being abused by her former boyfriend Daniel Sanchez.  The letter was unsigned and begged police to keep his/her name out of this out of fear from the people mentioned in it. There are some very serious allegations made in this letter which was sent to police by Lacey’s Aunt Cherry Simpson. I am only including some of the parts of the letter. Other parts, the writer wrote, would identify them to people potentially involved with Lacey’s murder. Here are some excerpts. Sunset Lakes Apartments is where Lacey lived and where she was murdered. She worked for the management company of the apartments at one point.

What Did Lacey Gaines’ Former Boss Know?

Lacey and her son Conor the year she died.

Lacey Gaines was murdered December 7, 2009 in Justice, Illinois. That much we know. What else is there? She was abused by her ex-boyfriend and the father of her son Conor, Daniel Sanchez. She said he smashed her head through a wall at least once. We know she worked at the Kingsberry Waffle House in Flossmor, Ill. where she made friends and confided in some about not only her abuse, but her relationship with restaurant manager Jimmy Mantas. From the Desplaines Valley News in December 2009, written by James Pluta (who I owe a phone call too! I promise to get to that this week)

The 13th Amendment and How it Relates to Lacey Gaines

I wasn’t quite sure where this was going until I got to the very end. Then I got it. This is courtesy of Myra Spearman, Founder/Executive Director of the National Domestic Violence Registry, Inc.

www.dometicviolencedatabase.org

www.nationaldomesticviolenceregistry.org

www.thendvr.org

 

“The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery however; the mental attitudes of slavery still exist in some people today. In so many cases we still refuse to hold an offender accountable, which shows that we through ignorance; tolerate domestic and family violence.  Until we realize that we are all individuals, holding the same rights, we will continue to be choked, stymied and further victimized by domestic abuse…

 

Don’t count me as a number; realize that I’m a person who has made a bad decision. I need your empathy and assistance to help me through this. I don’t need another pamphlet, brochure or hotline number to call. I need real help. I’m not a number so don’t count me in your month-end or year -end quota. Don’t use me or my circumstances to assist you in getting more grants. I am a real person, who needs real help, my name is Lacey Gaines!”

National Domestic Violence Registry Executive Director: Lacey Reached Out To Me

From time to time, I “promote” a comment to a post. Today, Myra Spearman wrote in about her contact with Lacey Gaines. Lacey was the victim of domestic violence as told to me by many friends. She was murdered December 7, 2009.

Lacey Gaines

My name is Myra Spearman; I am a Survivor of Domestic Violence, Founder and Executive Director of the National Domestic Violence Registry and fierce advocate. In May, we were invited to the White House where we provided overviews of our very popular registry program which serves as a preventative tool in the fight against domestic violence. I am also a recent Magna Cum Laude College Graduate with plans on attending law school.

Lacey asked for and wanted help! She realized that her situation was beyond her control and she reached out to me.

Lacey Gaine’s Friend Speaks Out: Everyone Loved Her

Sunset Lakes Apartment

9070. That’s the number of hits you’d get if you Googled “Lacey Gaines”.  Almost all are from various blogs and websites. Almost none are from news stories about her murder. A 20-year old mother is savagely murdered, her throat cut, in her own apartment and the news isn’t all over it? She left behind a 2-year old son Conor. When this happened back in December 2009, police told residents not to fear. This was an isolated incident and she likely knew her killer. In other words, yes there is a murderer walking amongst you, but we’re pretty sure cutting Lacey’s throat is all he had in mind. Not too reassuring.

Learning to Know Lacey: The Tragic Life of Lacey Gaines

Let me start off by saying I’m sorry for those who are offended that I am covering Lacey Gaines’ story. By many accounts Lacey was a beautiful woman who loved her son and was trying to make a better life for herself. Unfortunately, she chose to fall in love with a man who would later abuse her, many times viciously. 10 years her senior, Daniel Sanchez and Lacey had a relationship that led to the birth of their son Conor when Lacey was 16. I’ve seen documents showing that she was trying to get away from Daniel, looking for shelters and help. Sadly Lacey lived in fear in the years leading to her vicious murder. So far, no one has been arrested. I’m not saying Daniel had anything to do with this. Because I don’t know. But friends are starting to speak out. Those that were close to her at the end of her short life loved her very much. And they have a lot to say. These blogs are not an indictment on how Lacey was raised or what her relationship was with her parents when she died. Frankly, that’s irrelevant. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, Lacey’s parents did quite a bit for their daughter and their sons. But the fact remains, Lacey is gone and no one knows who committed this crime.