Police release confession video in Shunick case

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Lavergne, 33, of the Lawtell area in St. Landry Parish, has been held without bail at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center in the disappearance of Shunick, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette student, since his July 5 arrest on counts of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Little information was available Wednesday evening concerning Pate’s killing. Prosecutors declined to comment after the grand jury proceedings, and 15th Judicial District Attorney Michael Harson did not return a call to his cellphone.

https://battleofourtimes.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/

Mickey Shunick case answers may lie with Morgan Harrington case and FBI

It may be one month since Mickey Shunick first disappeared in Louisiana, but on Sunday the Daily Advertiser reported that Cpl. Kyle Soriez of the Lafayette Police insists it is “way too early to call this a cold case.”

The FBI agents in Charlottesville, Virginia would concur with that assumption, since they didn’t call the Morgan Harrington case cold even when they struggled to locate her remains for three months.

Eventually they found the missing woman’s skeletal body. And this month they even announced that they have DNA evidence that links the Virginia Tech student’s death with a foiled assault that occurred against another woman four years earlier.

That assault, which occurred 30 miles away from where the Virginia Tech student was abducted, is information that could help with the Mickey Shunick case, even if indirectly.

Mickey Shunick and Morgan Harrington were both blond-haired college students in their 20s who went missing on a Saturday night following a concert with their friends.Shunick’s disappearance was tracked somewhat by video cameras that caught her 1:30 a.m. ride home.

So far, despite having a sketch composite from the first assault victim, Harrington’s killer has eluded the FBI,prompting them to start an intensive social media campaign recently to bring his sketch composite image to the attention of the public.

And that image might prove helpful in the Shunick case, especially if someone in the Lafayette area recognizes the suspect who appears to favor certain types of women.

mickey-shunick-case-answers-may-lie-with-morgan-harrington-case-and-fbi

Mickey Shunick’s family releases pictures of Mickey with different colored hair in hopes that someone might recognize her if for some reason she no longer has blonde hair.

Dive Teams Again Searching Whiskey Bay For Clues In Mickey Shunick Case

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) — Dive teams are back at the Whiskey Bay, possibly searching for clues in the disappearance of Mickey Shunick, but Lafayette Police say there is no new information in the case.

Cpl. Kyle Soriez, a Lafayette Police Department spokesperson, said sonar has been used in the past, and dive teams would be sent to confirm whether something picked up on the sonar is simply a piece of debris.

“Thankfully, that’s what it’s been in the past,” Soriez said. “There’s nothing new. There’s nothing breaking.”

Soriez could not confirm why teams were sent out to the area again today.

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http://www.katc.com/videoplayer/

TIP LINE: 337-291-8633

Interactive Timeline

Latest Update HQ for Mickey Shunick Search Moves

01:27 PM by Letitia Walker

The new headquarters for those looking to help find Mickey Shunick is at 2811 Johnston Street. It’s located in the same shopping mall as Lafayette Bowling Lanes and Twins Bakery. You can go by there if you want to pick up fliers to distribute, donate funds, or just be a positive energy for friends and family.

The volunteer foot searches have been temporarily halted until new leads are developed.

Owner of McGee’s Landing Sets the Record Straight

At McGee’s Landing in Henderson, owner David Allemond chats it up with customers and visits with family. Allemond is also dispelling rumors that his son is in some way involved in the Mickey Shunick case.

“We haven’t been questioned, and I have no son of age to be driving or doing any crimes of that nature.”

McGee’s landing, a tourist destination shares it’s name with a man who police interviewed in the Mickey Shunick case. If that’s not enough, a psychic in Washington posted on an online forum a picture of McGee’s Landing….an unknown place to Shellee Hale, but she felt a connection to a lighthouse near the building. Her inkling has since caused some people to assume the Allemond’s are linked to Mickey’s disappearance, and for that Hale is apologetic.

Psychics’ visions in missing coed’s case focus on St. Martin Parish landmarks

Shunick search: ‘We just wanted to give back’

Breakthrough in search for missing student Mickey as investigator says he has identified suspect in disappearance

Video: Mickey Shunick Disappearance: Investigator Has Suspect

P.I. has “credible information” about Shunick case

LAFAYETTE- A private investigator says he has credible information about two people who may be involved in the disappearance of Mickey Shunick.

Shunick went missing on May 19th, riding her bicycle home from a friend’s house. The bike was found about a week later in Whiskey Bay, under the I-10 Basin Bridge.

KATC TV, the ABC affiliated station in Lafayette, reports the PI says two people who don’t know each other called him with “almost identical descriptions.”

“The calls were made days apart, and he believes something good will come out of this” the station reported on its website.

The investigator refuses to release specifics about the tips and says he’ll notify police.

Police have said they are looking for a white truck that may have something to do with the woman’s disappearance.

Dogs added to Shunick search effort

Special K-9s Recovery Specialists, a Texas-based forensic canine company, joined the search for Michaela “Mickey” Shunick Wednesday.

Even with the extra search effort, however, police report no new information in the University of Louisiana college student’s mysterious May 19 disappearance, despite the national interest it has piqued.

“There’s no new updates,” said Cpl. Kyle Soriez, spokesman for the Lafayette Police Department. “We’re not following any more or any new leads than what we had previous. Tips are coming in, but there’s nothing new the investigators are working on.”

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/206070306/Dogs-added-Shunick-search-effort?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Latest Update Body in Bay St. Louis not Mickey Shunick – June 8, 2012
10:56 AM by Tonya LaCoste

According to Mickey Shunick’s family, law enforcement confirms the body found in Bay St. Louis is not Mickey Shunick. The torso has three piercings – one in each nipple and the navel. Mickey does not have piercings, according to her sister, Charlie.

Private Investigator: Strong Lead on Suspects in Mickey Shunick Case
06/07/2012 10:44 PM by Maddie Garrett

It’s now 19 days since Mickey Shunick disappeared while riding her bike home. In the week that followed, surveillance video of Mickey and her bike both surfaced. But those were the only two leads in the case, until now.

The private investigator, hired by an anonymous donor, said that there may be two credible suspects in the case. John Abdella said he received two separate tips that seem to describe the same person.

Abdella said the first tip came in four or five days ago, describing possible suspects. Then a few days later, another tip. Both were from separate sources who don’t know each other.

“And their description was almost identical,” said Abdella.

Abdella believes the sources are solid and this could lead the investigation in the right direction.

“They appear to be very credible and they appear to be very knowledgeable,” explained Abdella. “And I thought it was more than coincidental that both of their descriptions were the same.”

For Mickey’s family, solid information is welcome news as they try and stay focused on finding their loved one.

“Everything we are doing, everything that’s going on here, everything people are doing is to find Mickey, it has nothing to do with anything else. Our goal is to find my sister. And all these rumors that are going around, all this stuff, we found her body, these people admitted to doing this here, it’s just not doing any good at all,” said Charlie Shunick.

For the Shunicks and investigators the case is far from cold.

“Oh not by a long shot. it’s a very active investigation,” said Abdella. “And I think the police are very, very active, they are putting in a lot of man power, they’re spending a lot of overtime.”

“So hopefully it takes us somewhere in the next couple of days,” said Charlie about the lead.

Charlie said they remain positive and still in need of volunteers to help search for signs of Mickey.

Abdella said he’s meeting with law enforcement about the possible lead and that he isn’t releasing any more details about the suspects’ descriptions to avoid hindering the investigation.

Private investigator says new developments in Mickey Shunick disappearance

06/07/2012 05:43 PM by Tonya LaCoste

The private investigator tracking Mickey Shunick’s disappearance says he has credible information about two people who could be involved in her disappearance. John Abdella says two people who don’t know each other called him with almost identical descriptions. The calls were made days apart, and he believes something good will come out of this. Abdella is not releasing the descriptions. He’ll notify police first.

Latest Update Two Search Teams Looking for Shunick

Notice how their new – Timeline looks an awful lot like this page?

06/05/2012 06:34 PM by Steven Albritton

EquuSearch only left for a short time but they will be returning Wednesday to continue the search for Mickey Shunick.

There is also a new company in town that will also be aiding in the investigation. Special K-9s Recovery Specialist are in town and will be getting to work tomorrow morning. They specialize in evidence recovery and forensics. Their dogs can actually distinguish the difference between an animals body or a humans; and are also trained to search water, land, ash, and also vehicles.

This team volunteered their services to help find Mickey Schunick.

Latest Update ARCA’s Buster Graham Racing for Mickey this Saturday

06/05/2012 07:17 AM by Cecilia Stevenson

Buster Graham stops by GMA to explain his connection with the Search for Mickey.

Latest Update Acadiana Nascar driver posts Mickey’s picture on car

12:32 PM by KATC

Acadiana’s own Buster Graham, is planning to have Mickey Shunick’s picture on the hood of his car during the ARCA Racing Series next week at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

“When my 18 year old daughter mentioned supporting the rescue efforts for Mickey, I knew it was the right thing to do”, says Graham. “My family and I want to do anything we can to help, and we hope this exposure will share Mickey’s story on a national media outlet during the race.”

Next weeks race at Pocono Raceway will be broadcasted on the Speed Network with 4.8 million viewers expected to tune in to the race.

Shunick family hires private investigator

Latest Update Mickey Shunick: What you need to know today june 1, 2012

Latest Update EquuSearch Suspends Search Efforts

06:28 PM by Alex Labat

For eight days Texas EquuSearch helped the Shunick Family try to find answers as to where Mickey could be.

But Tim Miller and his team are now leaving, since there have been no new leads since Mickey’s bike was discovered.

Miller can’t stay in one place for too long, because his work is never done.

“We’ve got one in Meridian Mississippi that we’re going to be going up on…it never ends.”

EquuSearch searched both the land and water, using sonar equipment from both in and out of state. Even though Texas EquuSearch is leaving, they’re leaving behind the hope that Mickey Shunick could be found.”

Tim Miller knows the dangers of giving up on a case.

“I gave up on Elizabeth Smart, and guess what Elizabeth was certainly found alive. And so we’ll hold on to that small, little sliver of hope.”

Charlie Shunick hopes that volunteer efforts will ramp up now that EquuSearch is saying goodbye.

“We need footsoldiers, we need volunteers coming here doing things for us, we still need lots of food donations and everything so anything people can do like that would be awesome.”

Latest Update LPD scales back manned hours on Mickey Shunick tips line

12:53 PM by Tonya LaCoste

Starting tonight at 7:00, an answering machine will record all tips called into the Lafayette Police Dept. in the Mickey Shunick case, however detectives will continue to answer phones during normal business hours Monday through Friday. “The number of tips received by the Lafayette Police Department has decreased and it is no longer feasible to answer the tips line 24 hours a day,” said Cpl. Paul Mouton. During weekends and after hours, investigators will periodically check messages.

Latest Update Day 12 in Search for Mickey, Family’s Spirits Lifted by Youngest Volunteers

05/31/2012 10:39 PM by Maddie Garrett

With volunteer searches for Mickey Shunick back up Thursday, after a day off, there seemed to be a renewed sense of hope at the volunteer headquarters at Blackham Coliseum. Even though no new evidence surfaced Thursday, Mickey’s sister, Charlie Shunick, said she is confident her sister is out there and that they will find her soon. Charlie said her spirits are high, thanks in part to the continued community support.

A few search parties came and went Thursday, picking right back up where they left off.

12:21 PM by Tonya LaCoste

Volunteers are needed to help search for Mickey Shunick. A few crews went out this morning, but more are needed, said family spokesperson Christina Silvetti. Since volunteer searches were suspended yesterday only, there’s some confusion as to whether volunteers are still needed. They are, and searches resumed this morning at 8:00. Volunteers are needed daily. Searches start at 8:00, and the last search party leaves Blackham Coliseum at 4:00 in the afternoon. Anyone who wants to volunteer should go to Blackham between 8:00 and 4:00. Searches will run daily.

Lafayette police detectives are regrouping after last night’s search of Whiskey Bay turned up nothing. Investigators searched the area with sonar, and an image “sparked the operator’s interest,” said Cpl. Paul Mouton. Divers searched beneath the water and found a wooden item, perhaps a log. Investigators continue to look at evidence and check on tips and are hopeful Mickey’s bike will turn up additional evidence. Her bike was found, Sunday, in water under the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge at the Whiskey Bay exit in Iberville Parish. The bike is being examined at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.

Police need help identifying the driver of a Chevrolet Z71 truck. The truck, a white 4 door, was seen on surveillance video traveling in the same direction of Mickey on St. Landry Street. Anyone with information that could help police in the search for Mickey should call the Tipline at 337-291-8633.

Another fundraiser, “Bike for Mickey” will be held on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ‎The Body Factory is hosting the event to raise money, as well as to meditate for Mickey’s return. The minimum donation is $5. Anyone who wants to ride should go to The Body Factory on Thursday.

12:29 AM by Nichole Guillory

A secondary search was being done at Whiskey Bay today when a sonar image, in the area where Mickey Shunick’s bike was found, showed something that could have had relevance to Shunick case. A dive team was then called out to search the waters. It turns out that the image seen was actually some sort of wooden item, possibly a log of some sort. No evidence was found relating to the Mickey Shunick Case tonight.

01:17 PM by Tonya LaCoste

Lafayette Police have ruled out two vehicles of interest, but still need help finding the driver of one of the vehicles, a Z71 pickup truck. The Z-71 truck is the first picture of a vehicle Lafayette police released on Friday, May 25. The picture shows a white 4 door Chevrolet Z71 that traveled in the same direction of Mickey on St. Landry Street. A picture of the truck is the featured picture of this story. If you have information that could help police, call 337-291-8633.

Volunteer searches were suspended today and will resume tomorrow morning. Texas Equusearch Mounted Search and Recovery and law enforcement are searching previously searched areas trying to determine if they can retrace those areas using ATVs and horses. Volunteer searches will continue in the morning. Anyone who wants to help should report to Blackham Coliseum at 8:00 on Thursday, May 31. Searches start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

Walk-Ons at 2336 Kaliste Saloom is having a fundraiser until midnight. Bands start playing at 6:00 p.m., and the restaurant is donating 10% of the proceeds from meals to help Mickey’s family with any incidentals they may need. Organizers say you must show up with a Mickey Shunick flyer for a donation to count. Another fundraiser, “Bike for Mickey” will be held on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ‎The Body Factory is hosting the event to raise money, as well as to meditate for Mickey’s return. The minimum donation is $5. Anyone who wants to ride should go to The Body Factory on Thursday.

If anyone has information that could help investigators, call the tipline at 337-291-8633.

New details released in Shunick investigation

LAFAYETTE, LA (WAFB) –

Lafayette Police will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon to release new details into their investigation of a missing woman.

Michaela “Mickey” Shunick, 21, a student at the University of Louisiana was last seen around 1:45 a.m. on May 19 when she left a friend’s house to go home.

On Sunday, police found the missing woman’s bicycle near the Whiskey Bay exit of Interstate 10, about 25 miles from the spot where she was last seen eight days earlier.

Police released new details Tuesday about an analysis by the Louisiana State Police crime lab into the bicycle that was found.

Lafayette police announced Tuesday there was damage to the rear of the bike but they did not elaborate about how the bike might have been damaged. Police said they believe the bike was dumped in that area the same morning that Shunick disappeared. They do not believe the bike was thrown from the overpass into the water below. Instead, they believe whomever dumped the bike brought it to the swampy area and tossed the bike in the water.

Police said they are currently following up on “thousands” of leads and encouraged members of the public to be as specific as possible when calling in tips regarding the case.

Anyone with information on Mickey’s whereabouts is urged to call the Lafayette Police Department at 337-291-8600.

http://www.wafb.com/story/18647928/new-details-in-shunick-investigation

Shunick Search at Whiskey Bay Called Off

05/28/2012 02:57 PM by Ian Auzenne

Lafayette police have confirmed to KATC that the search efforts at Whiskey Bay have been canceled. Cpl. Paul Mouton says the search was called off around noon today. He says no further evidence was found at the site. He would not say where these crews will be sent to search.

1. Investigators, including the Lafayette Police Mounted Patrol Unit are searching again today for clues and evidence near the I-10 Whiskey Bay exit. Yesterday, fishermen found Mickey Shunick’s bike beneath the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge at the Whiskey Bay exit 127 in Iberville Parish. The public should stay away from the area to allow investigators to their jobs.

2. Lafayette police are interested in talking to the drivers of three vehicles. The vehicles were seen around the same time Mickey was captured on her bicycle on surveillance video. Investigators hope whoever was in those vehicles can provide valuable information about Mickey. Two trucks and a car were captured. Pictures are included in this story. The first truck (Picture1) drove from the area that Mickey had traveled. It is evident from the new photo that the vehicle has a bed cover and tinted windows. The second truck (Picture2) is a white 4 door Chevrolet Z71 that traveled in the same direction of Mickey on St. Landry Street. The third vehicle (Pictures 3 &4) is an 80’s or 90’s 4 door vehicle with body work on the rear right quarter panel.

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3. Over the weekend, volunteer headquarters moved to Blackham Coliseum. Search parties are at it again today hoping to find Mickey or at least clues that could lead authorities to Mickey.

4. If you have information, call the tipline at 337-291-8633. A $25,000 is offered. Volunteers who want to help in the search should go to Blackham Coliseum, 2330 Johnston St. in Lafayette. Search parties leave throughout the day. You must be 18 years or older and bring your ID with you. Wear long pants and boots or closed toed shoes. ATV/fourwheeler vehicles are needed. If you have a machete bring it. Search areas are densely wooded.

5. Another benefit concert has been scheduled. Walk-On’s will host the concert on Wednesday, May 30 at its Lafayette location at 2336 Kaliste Saloom Rd, from 11 a.m. until midnight. Bands will perform and proceeds will go to the continued search for Mickey as well as any incidentals or needs that the Shunick family has during this time. In order for the fund to receive the proceeds, guests must present a flyer.

6.You can donate at any Midsouth Bank location and make a deposit into the Charlene Shunick Fund or go to the Community Foundation of Acadiaan website www.cfacadiana.org.

For more information on the search for Mickey Shunick and to print a copy of the flyer, go to http://findmickeynow.com/

Louisiana college student Michaela Shunick, who disappeared May 19, is thought to be the bicyclist seen on this surveillance video.

: This undated photo shows a pickup truck of interest to Lafayette, La., investigators in the search for Michaela Shunick.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/05/28/bicycle-missing-louisiana-college-student-found/

: The bicycle owned by a Lafayette woman missing since May 19 was found Sunday under the overpass at the Whiskey Bay on Interstate 10, according to the Lafayette Police Department.

The bicycle was found after fishermen called the Police Department’s tips line.

Police confirmed it is the bicycle that Michaela “Mickey” Shunick, 22, was riding when she was last seen.

“The entire area and the river are being searched for clues and evidence,” Cpl. Paul Mouton in an email Sunday afternoon. “Police are asking the public to remain out of the area so that law enforcement officials can search.”

Mouton said Shunick’s family has confirmed the found bicycle belongs to their daughter.

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120527/NEWS01/120527009/Missing-Lafayette-woman-s-bike-found-under-10-overpass?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Shunick bicycle found

The bicycle belonging to missing college student Michaela “Mickey” Shunick was found Sunday by a fisherman near Whiskey Bay, police spokesman Cpl. Paul Mouton said.

The fisherman found the black Schwinn bike beneath Interstate 10 at Whiskey Bay exit No. 127 and called the Lafayette Police tip line sometime Sunday morning, Mouton said.

http://theadvocate.com/news/2944447-123/shunick-bicycle-found

11:41 AM by AP News

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – Police in Bloomington say they have contacted authorities in Louisiana about their search for a college student whose disappearance has similarities to that of an Indiana University student who has been missing for nearly a year.

Twenty-one-year-old University of Louisiana student Michaela “Mickey” Shunick was last seen early May 19, when she left a friend’s house in Lafayette, La., to go home.

Twenty-year-old Lauren Spierer of Greenburgh, N.Y., disappeared early June 3, 2010 after a night out with friends in downtown Bloomington.

Both women are blonde and petite, and The Herald Times reports (http://bit.ly/MT3JdG ) that security videos both show white pickup trucks in the areas where the women were last seen about the time they disappeared.

However, investigators later said the Indiana truck wasn’t linked to Spierer’s disappearance.