Event in Detroit Honors, Remembers the Missing in Michigan

Event in Detroit Honors, Remembers the 
Missing in Michigan

DETROIT - At a recent event in Detroit, the missing had a voice.

"It brings those who have lost loved ones together to exchange information, to give their DNA in hopes that their loved one would be found," Michael White, Michigan State Police Community Service Trooper said.

And a chance for the mothers of Chelsea Bruck, Eric Franks and Aundria Bowman to share their stories.

"Chelsea is my youngest of five. She disappeared from a halloween party in October," Leannda Bruck, mother of Chelsea Bruck said.

"My son left Ohio October 25th, 2010, because he had gotten in-touch with an old girlfriend on Facebook. He disappeared, along with his car," Jo Ann Franks, mother of Eric Franks said.

"I was 16 when she was born, 17 when my marriage collapsed, and I was talked into allowing her to go into a foster home, promised that she would get a better home," Cathy Terkanian, mother of Aundria Bowman said.

In 2010, Terkanian's DNA was requested because her daughter vanished 20 years before. Her adoptive father is the prime suspect. In the Franks case, an eyewitness report claims the husband of Franks' ex-girlfriend threatened him before he disappeared.

"He said 'If you don't stay away from my wife, I'm going to put a bullet in your head.' That's pretty much what he said," Franks said. "This was an eyewitness who has nothing to gain by telling this."

Chelsea Bruck's body was found in April of this year. Now, she wants to find out who knows what happened.

"We do know that Chelsea called her own cell phone about 2:15," Bruck said. "And reports, along with the sketch of the last-known person she was speaking with, were that she was walking with that person towards the parked cars at 3."

Friends and family had an opportunity to sign a banner in honor of their missing loved ones. Bruck says the most important advice she has is to never give up hope.

"That person depends on you," Bruck said.

Advice Officer White echoed.

"With modern-day science, DNA, we're finding people all the time," White said.

Franks also recommends registering the missing person with the National Missing and Unidentified Person System, or NAMUS.

"I had his baby tooth and a thumbprint, so make sure you get it registered with NAMUS," Franks said.

Family members also had an opportunity to bring DNA samples of their missing loved ones. This could possibly connect them to any unidentified bodies found in the state. More information on the cases of Chelsea Bruck, Eric Franks and Aundria Bowman will be available on homtv.net.

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