The photo above shows what your dining room looks like when America’s Most Wanted comes to visit. And I am posting this picture because I got an e-mail from America’s Most Wanted today, saying that they want to do an update on Michaela’s case. I know you will all be excited to hear that, and I am as well. Oddly, part of what excites me is the unexpectedness of it … just the fact that unexpected things happen, and that sometimes really good things happen with no warning, when you are least expecting them. I’m sure you get what I’m getting at here. And the last visit from America’s Most Wanted was actually really exciting. They had contacted me and had arranged to do another show on Michaela in 2009, and shortly before the time they were supposed to come film, Jaycee was found … so rather than the nice update on a long-missing child they had planned, they ended up walking into a firestorm of media attention on Michaela. And yes, you get where I’m going with that again.
Hope springs eternal, right?
In other news, I have had some breakthroughs with my book. There was a bit of it that had gone astray, and I have now found where it’s gone. I have also completely revised the point of view. Revise, revise, revise, right? But it is feeling good.
I am also meeting within the next week or so with our detective to catch up on what’s going on with Michaela’s case.
And today my husband saved the neighborhood by jumping the fence and putting out a fire in the neighbor’s back yard.
That’s the news, folks.
Seeker's Road 
How would they even find out if it was her buried there? It's been so long 😦
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In this case they would be able to use dental records, since they found a skull with fillings. But they can use DNA as well.
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I am so happy that she is not in the list.I am so sorry that these things make you very stressful. you need to have relaxed your mind .I cant imagine the way children and people are killed by another people .I feel that your country should start a special program to avoid happening these things like promotion of psychological development and behavioral development from the kinder garden upwards and all efforts for preventing drugs .I feel that this is a serious problem and It associates with problems of personality development and drugs .
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Chandanee, do you live in a country where these things don't happen?
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Sharon,On some level I can feel your pain, I'm not claiming I feel anything close to the agony you are experiencing but I want you to know there are lots of folks out here channeling their positive energies towards you and praying for you.SR Mom
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Things like this happen in all countries.Glad that this is not Michaela.
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They dont know yet
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The family of Cyndi Vanderheisen believes it is her that they have found. I believe it is not Michaela. In this case, I think you can trust to the instincts of the families, which happen to be in line with the facts of the case.
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My thoughts and prayers goes to Cyndi's family. Me to am glad that this is not Michaela. I still think she is out there. I've read your blog for a long time…And, like someone said, murders do happen in all countries, but I have to say, I live in a country in Europe and stranger obduction of a child in this country is extremely rare. (and also as rare in the countries near by) It seems not so rare in USA, also protecting the kids from getting obducted from strangers is not something we even discuss (maybe due to the seldomness) I have no idea though why I keep reading about stranger kidnappings in USA. Is it just because the population is so much bigger, or has it got to do with other things… Or am I just imagine this? Praying for all missing children everyday. May you soon find your way back….. We will never forget you.Louise
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Actually, Louise, stranger abductions are rare in the United States. Most missing children you see from the U.S. are family abductions, or runaways. More sadly, many that are said to be abductions are actually cases like Caylee Anthony's. Particularly when you consider the vast size of the United States compared to most other countries, I don't think it happens any more often here than elsewhere. I do think we have a pretty good and rapid response to these cases, though, so if happens you will hear about it.
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Praying for you and your family, Sharon.
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Did they actually say this was not MIchaela?
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The bodies that were found were unearthed at the spot where Shermantine said they would find Cyndi Vanderheisen and Chevy Wheeler. Here's a link to a story from the UK on this:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099654/Wesley-Shermantine-Bodies-murder-victims-killer-draws-maps-death-row-cell.htmlBodies of murder victims found after 'Speed Freak Killer' draws maps for bounty hunter from his death row cellBy DAILY MAIL REPORTERLast updated at 1:17 PM on 11th February 2012Comments (0)Share The bodies of two murder victims have been found decades after their deaths following a tip-off from the man believed to have killed them….Victims: The bodies of Chevelle Wheeler, left, and Cyndi Vanderheiden, right, were found buried in CaliforniaThe parents of Chevelle 'Chevy' Wheeler said authorities notified them that the remains were discovered where Shermantine – one of the 'Speed Freak Killers' – said they would find their daughter, who disappeared while skipping school in 1985 aged 16.Shermantine was convicted of her murder, which authorities say was part of a methamphetamine-fueled killing spree committed by him and his childhood friend, Loren Herzog, from the 1980s until their arrest in 1999. 'They said they found her wrapped in a blanket,' Paula Wheeler said. 'This is a happy day. We can finally have some closure.'The Wheelers say they plan to cremate their daughter and bring her home with them to Tennessee, where they moved after her disappearance.On Thursday, the same dogs led the same searchers to a site containing another skull and bones thought to belong to Cyndi Vanderheiden, a 25-year-old last seen in front of her Linden home in 1998.The searchers found all the remains in an area near property once owned by the family of Shermantine.There is still no sign of Michaela Garecht, a nine-year-old girl abducted in 1988 whom Shermantine says was taken by Herzog.'My hope is my daughter is still alive somewhere out there and one day will come home,' her mother said last week.Prompted by a Sacramento bounty hunter's promise to pay him money, Shermantine has been hand-drawing maps from his cell that authorities are using to search three sites.Along with the two nearby sites in Calaveras County, about 60 miles south of Sacramento, that yielded the finds on Thursday and Friday, authorities have also been digging up an old cattle ranch well in San Joaquin County. Shermantine claims Herzog buried as many as 10 bodies in the well.Missing: Michaela Garecht, nine, has still not been found since her abduction in November 1988Herzog committed suicide last month after bounty hunter Leonard Padilla told him Shermantine was disclosing the location of the well along with the two locations near his family's former property.Mr Padilla has promised to pay Shermantine as much as $33,000 to disclose the locations of the bodies. He said he hopes to collect on rewards being offered by the state of California for information about several missing persons suspected of being victims of Herzog and Shermantine.Shermantine was convicted of four murders and sentenced to death. Herzog was convicted of three murders and sentenced to 77 years to life in prison. Herzog's sentence was reduced to 14 years after an appeals court tossed out his first-degree murder convictions because his confession had been illegally obtained.Herzog was paroled in 2010 to a trailer outside the High Desert State Prison in Susanville. He killed himself in January outside that trailer.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099654/Wesley-Shermantine-Bodies-murder-victims-killer-draws-maps-death-row-cell.html#ixzz1m5I1bNNY
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michaela where areyou?
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We might not know where Michaela is Anonymous but we do now one thing…..she's in our hearts everyday.
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Thankfully continuing to pray for Michaela to come home. I also have to say, as bitter sweet as it is to find these remains, at least some families will have closure. Not the closure they want, but they can bring their own babies home and give them a proper goodbye. As always, I will keep Michaela in my prayers. PJ in Peoria IL
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It is just so strange a 9 year old kidnapped and nothing at all. No trace no evidence of her alive or not. Where did she go. What happened to her. What did she live through if she is alive. Does she even know she is Michaela??? It is just strange that nothing has become of it really lots of leads but still. Where is she how does a 9 year old blonde blue eyed cutie just vanish basically?
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Sharon, I'm praying for you and Michaela with all my heart during this terrible search. Sending love from EnglandAlison
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Sharon, God love you and your family…I hope and pray you will find Michaela soon, and also some answers to this unspeakable tragedy you have had to bear all these years. Your grace, strength, and stamina are an example to us all, and my heart goes out to you.Mary
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“Back in Linden, Herzog's father, Jerry Herzog, also doesn't believe his son was responsible for Michaela's death.” From Article in the SF Chronicle today. The statement from Herzogs dad struck me as a little odd. Jerry Herzog should only know that Michaela was abducted and is missing. Why is he referring to Michaela's death? Don't mean to upset or offend. It just leaped off the page at me when I read the article. I may just be over analyzing but something about it seems off.
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Asa thanks for sending me that link! As bad as I look now, it's hard to believe I actually looked worse then!
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You look far from bad, I think you are beautiful!
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Sharon,I have been watching the news and reading all of the updates I can find. I have posted before. I was there that morning shortly before Michaela was abducted. I now have a granddaughter nearly Michaela's age at that time. I am praying that she is not amongst the remains that have been found. There is hope. The connection seems very slim and not definitive. I pray for peace for you as you are going through yet another ordeal with an excavation( garridos place was the last) As a mom, I cannot even comprehend how you can even function at this time. You are amazing. I want you to know that you are in my thoughts as is Michaela. God Bless. j
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Jewel?
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Happy Valentines Day sweet Michaela and Sharon. Lots of love and prayers going out your way.
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Any new updates on the digging?
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Praying that this news and good unexpected turn of events will bring good news and answers!
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Awesome!!! Someday she will be found!!! No body no nothing she's out there alright! Can't wait to watch the show please let us know when it will be on!
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This is wonderful! It's a shame there is no channel on television dedicated only to showcasing missing people. Any idea when this will air?
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continued prayers!!!
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Wonderful news indeed!!! When will this air? Must watch!! Praying for positive things for you!!
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this is great news! i will also be praying for positive things for you, sharon. – becca. btw, the person above who used the name becca wasn't me, i'm the one who emailed you.
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Did you ever look in Hawaii? I just wondered… Thinking about Hawaii today so I figured I'd ask ❤
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You are so strong Sharon! I Can't wait till your new book comes out.I would love to read it. Oh yeah i watch America's Most Wanted and i was wondering if you knew when this new episode about Michaela will air? I know Michaela will be found soon! This is wonderful news! You will always be in my prayers! :)~Stay Strong!<3~-Anna
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I hope this is the big break in the case. you really deserve it, Sharon 🙂
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Sharon, what's day is this update airing on TV ?
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What's the point of publishing a comment then not answering the question? Wow….
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There is no answer to give right now, Anonymous. It's pretty self-evident that if I get a date that Michaela will be on America's Most Wanted I will publish it here. And if somebody says something, i generally just publish it, unless there is a good reason not to.As for your “wow,” I actually think I go out of my way to answer and converse with those who read and comment on my blogs, so to not have answered a question which might not be expected to have an answer doesn't, I don't think, deserve a “wow.” I would also appreciate it if you would use a name, Anonymous.
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anonymous, Sharon has a lot to do instead of be on her blog answering questions she doesn't know the answer to yet. I hope you realize how rude that was, sharon, just ignore him/her
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Hi Sharon do u ever think at time michaela looks at this blog and sometimes post comments?
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Yes, I do wonder about that. Shawn Hornbeck posted comments on his parents' website.
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Thanks Thomas. 🙂
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That is true 🙂
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your welcome 😉
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it's probably a small chance though, not many kidnappers would let their victims go on the Internet, not to let you down just to be honest
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I love looking at your blog, and reading your posts. It breaks my heart knowing that she's still missing all these years later. I wasn't yet even a thought in my parents mind all those years ago on November 19, 1988, but I stumbled across Michaela's case via your facebook page. The poem she wrote before she became missing, as well as many other things just intrigue me. I hope and I pray that this new updated episode will bring more answers your way. I always read the comments that people write, and always question whether some “anonymous” person is really Michaela trying to speak to you. It shows in all that you write, and all that you do, that your daughter meant the world to you. Incredible!
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Sharon,Have you ever heard a song called “A little good news?” It's an older song. I think its been out for 5 or 10 years maybe longer. I heard it on the radio late one night driving home from work last night and for some reason it made me think of you, your family and Michaela. Then I logged in today and saw your updates. I am so glad AMW is doing an update into Michaela's case. It might be naive thinking on my part. Sometimes I think with missing or unsolved cases somebody, somewhere might actually know something and might not even be aware of what they saw or heard. All it might take is that one person seeing Michaela's case on the news for the first time to realize what they saw or heard. Hoping something positive comes out of this for you.Hugs,Megan 🙂
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Megan, I don't think I know the song. Who does it? But you are right, any moment a phone could ring, and we would get the news we need.Hugs to you too. Sharon
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It's sung by Anne Murray. I've heard her perform it a couple different tempos/verions over the years. I found it on youtube. Below is the link to it. This is the orginal version she did of it and the same way I heard it on the radio the other night. It's sad that our daily news is typically the way it is described in this song. Might be one of the reason I hardly watch the daily news or get the paper. It's usually to depressing for me. I want to subcribe to a happy daily paper. :)Not quite sure why the song made me think of Michaela. I guess I keep hoping one of these days, I'll tune into the news and hear the good news you found her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqUUQElQ8kM&feature=relatedHave a good week,Megan
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