Judi Chase's Amber Alert
"What Then Must We Do"? (Part 2)
By Charlene Fassa
Memo From: Ted Gunderson, Special Agent
in Charge, LA FBI, Ret.
Date: May 15, 2006
Subject: Investigative Journalist Charlene Fassa article “Judi Chase's
Amber Alert”
I would like to bring to your attention a two-part article, written by Investigative
Journalist Charlene Fassa. Part One, was entitled, “What then must we
do?” Part Two is entitled “Judi Chase's Amber Alert.”
These two articles uncover a system of child trafficking within our own U.S. foster care system.
I have personally made two written requests to
numerous Colorado and Federal Authorities to have a thorough investigation of
this case, however, I have yet to receive a single response.
In my letter to Colorado Lt. Governor Jane Norton dated May 24th, 2005, I wrote:.
. . “It is easy to rule out allegations such as these by conducting the
evaluations recommended by Dr. Linda Steele.
It is quickly approaching 10 years since the twin’s adoptive father, David Chase, who dearly loved his adoptive twins, disappeared, and according to new leads provided to a team of private investigators was kidnapped, held hostage, sexually abused, tortured, and finally murdered, and later dumped into Bear Creek, where his body was found 47 days later.
Private investigators have uncovered extensive evidence documenting the fact that David Chase was murdered to make it easier for this trafficking network to procure legal custody of the twins, and to silence him to prevent him from revealing what he knew about their operations concerning a large child-trafficking/child-pornography network, as stated in the 'Andre' Affidavit.
There is a vital, crucial question raised by this attorney, who stated in the affidavit, “This is of grave concern and indicates the need to investigate whether or not the judicial court process was corrupted in order to insure that foster children could be procured for illicit activities, etc.”
It appears that Public Officials including the FBI are refusing to look at the facts and the evidence.
I have been investigating satanic cults, kiddie-porn,
child-prostitution, child-kidnappings, snuff-film operations for more than 2
decades. On numerous occasions, I have seen instance after instance, when a
satanic, covert, illegal government rogue criminal enterprise has been involved
in these activities and numerous cover-ups. Ms. Chase’s case appears to
be a classic example. . ."
However, not only
have my two seperate written requests been ignored, but additionally written
requests made by other professionals and concerned citizens have likewise been
ignored. These requests were to: 1)conduct a thorough investigation of the unsolved
David Chase homicide case and 2)conduct medical and psychological evaluations
of these twins to determine whether or not they have been trafficked or exploited
in child pornography and ritual abuse.
I continue to urge all Colorado authorities to
provide the results of these critical evaluations so that the safety of not
only these twins, but countless other foster children can be ensured.
These two articles document this alarming situation, and I strongly recommend
that you take time to read them.
Ted Gunderson
As you read the article below written by Investigative Journalist Charlene Fassa....
Every child is everyone’s child
Every child is the child of us all
Shine the light all around the world
So we can protect them all,
Every child . . Every child . . .
Judi Chase's Amber Alert
"What Then Must We Do"? (Part 2)
By Charlene Fassa
A synopsis of the Judi Chase story, a
chilling expose that uncovers: a Satanic pedophile ring known as "The Fat
Cats," pass-through nannies, staged adoptions, illicit baby brokering,
murder, "legal" kidnapping, drug dealing, institutional stonewalling
and a massive cover-up.
(Editor's note: Where deemed necessary the author has used pseudonyms in order to preserve confidentiality, and in other cases to adhere to the legal principal that all people must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law.
With the exception of a day care and a foster/adoption
agency (only the names were changed), all of the places, facts, times, and events
that unfold in this story are real, and have been carefully documented with
the use of emails, faxes, taped interview transcripts, and correspondence, excerpts
of which are included in The Portals Memoirs.)
"I believe that my Colorado adoptive twins were victims of a more subtle and deceptive kidnapping plot, when someone came into my home posed as a nanny, and then gained legal custody of my adoptive children, Darius and Patricia, with the active complicity of Denver Social Services, and that this was part of a large child trafficking network, which I further believe was responsible for the murders of both my husband David Chase, and my private investigator Retired Ohio Police Detective, Phil Harris, in order to prevent them from revealing what they knew about this same child trafficking/child pornography ring." -Judi Chase
"What Then Must We Do" (Part 1), is an overview of organized child trafficking, based on credible documentation culled mostly from mainstream sources. It confirms the sad reality of a burgeoning global human trafficking market based on the heartless, rudimentary economic principles of supply and demand. Based on the revelations of "What Then Must We Do" (Part 1), it is not surprising that the market for children is especially strong. Recall that organized pedophile rings are primarily sponsored by an interlocking, international network of elite institutional and monetary power brokers centered in political, judicial, military, corporate, and intelligence fronts. One of the ways these rings ensure a steady supply of fresh children is via state and or religious sanctioned child care facilities and custodial arrangements such as orphanages, daycare centers, adoption and foster agencies approved by Child Protective Services (CPS), as well as fake adoptions and "straw" nannies. Of course, even outright kidnapping is sometimes resorted to, as in the Johnny Gosch case that was discussed in "What Then Must We Do?" (Part 1). (www.rense.com/general68/whatthen.htm)
Judi and David Chase on their honeymoon in Maui
Judi Chase is no stranger to tragedy."What Then Must We Do?" (Part
2) is a synopsis of Judi Chase's heart wrenching, true life story based on email
and telephone conversations with Judi and from her recently published autobiography,
written in three volumes, entitled "The Portals Memoirs."
At first glance, Judi's story appears to be an isolated, personal tragedy centered
around the untimely death of her husband, followed by Judi's failed child custody
battle with an ostensibly impartial state sponsored bureaucracy and court enforcement
system, who's primary concern was supposed to have been the welfare of the toddlers
under Judi's guardianship, the Tanner twins. That was the cover story, which
frays and unravels into the real story... the one you're about to read.
The Judi Chase story is a close-up, text book example of how too many of 'our' children are being used and abused for perverted sexual pleasure and obscene profits. Right now, thousands upon thousands of hapless children are being tortured, experimented on with drugs, used as drug mules, sexually abused, brutally beaten, and routinely caged like animals in kennels. They have become the private property of those who would "do what they will" to them. This sad and reprehensible scenario reminds me of the British satanic magician, Aleister Crowley, who was an infamous practitioner of "sex magick" also known as "the wickedest man in the world"... and his infamous motto, "Do as thou wilt is the whole of the law." This procurement was taken from the book of the Law which: " ... announced a new age, the Aeon of Horus, with Crowley as its prophet and priest. Crowley believed this new religion would eventually overthrow all other Gods! (http://splinister.com/?section=articles&piece=Aleister+Crowley+-+Sept+2003) It's has been rumored that Crowleys "sex magick" included young children even babies.
Aleister Crowley "The Great Beast" 1875-1947
Evidently the CIA is operating deep in Crowley territory. According to a February
26, 2006 article by Greg Szymanski entitled, "More Than 50,000 Children
Used In CIA-Connected Experimentation Programs; Investigative Journalist Has
Story Suppressed And Experiences Threats Before Its Eventual Release In Alternative
Publication", Christine Hahn won't back down from threats and suppression,
as she vows to get out the truth about the Duplessis Orphans." (http://www.arcticbeacon.com/26-Feb-2006.html)
A DISTURBING PATTERN EMERGES...
In her book, "Remember Cynthia Rose," author-investigator Jeanne Sinclair
Krause reveals, "The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA),
promoted in 1974 by former presidential candidate, Walter Mondale, and the 1997
Adoptions and Safe Families Act {ASFA), have systemically promoted massively
increased abuses within the child ‘care’ system. Mondale’s
legislation offers financial incentives for placing children in permanent homes,
and bonuses are awarded to States that exceed the previous year’s adoption
totals. Out of this cash bonanza came the Child Protective Services as we know
it today. Mondale himself expressed concerns that his Act could be misused and
lead States to create a ‘business’ in dealing with children. Well,
Mr. Mondale, it has.
According to Nev Moore, co-founder of Justice for Families in Massachusetts,
some 3000 children are seized from their parents every day in the United States,
and only 400 are taken for substantiated acts of abuse or neglect. She claims
that the Child Protective Services industry in America is worth $12 billion
a year. In Massachusetts, 20 to 25 children are seized every day to uphold the
$500 million annual budget, she says. I discovered that adoptions in several
states have soared, some by as much as 2,000 per cent, since the 1997 Adoptions
and Safe Families Act was signed into law. For example, Louisiana’s Department
of Social Services published a report called Adrift in the System that said:
“The Office of Community Services submitted its Adoption 2000 Plan to
the federal government in May, 1998. This plan calls for an increase in the
number of adoptions from 30 per year in 1997, to 616 per year in 2000.”
Jean Sinclair-Krause queries, “ '… Was this a coincidence? Where
did all these suddenly adoptable children come from? And how were they being
brought into the system? Perhaps there is truth in what some are saying about
a tax-supported baby racketeering business going on in local government agencies
that exists to destroy families (...) {to enrich} county coffers.' ”
Similar charges have surfaced in England.
ORGANIZED vs UNORGANIZED PEDOPHILES
The Judi Chase story isn't recommended for the faint of heart. It is a stirring
and cautionary tale that will take you on a dark journey down the rabbit hole
to unimaginable worlds where wealthy, well-connected, but depraved, and mentally
twisted people wield their power ruthlessly. Where unimaginable sexual depravity
is encouraged, ritualized demonic cruelty for a profit is a speciality, and
where crimes against humanity, especially children, are commonplace. it's a
bottomless pit of demonic craving coupled with immense greed and shrouded with
a veil of narcissistic impunity. It's the realm where ruthless, power hungry
souls rule, and where lost souls are reconfigured as soul-less commodities by
those higher up on the demonic food chain. I can't help but wonder if children
have become just another consumable trophy, a delicacy on the banquet table
of the rich and powerful, like Beluga caviar, Dom Perignon, or Godiva chocolates.
That's not to say that poor people are not involved in exploiting children.
But when it comes to organized pedophilia, the rich rule. When Noreen Gosch,
whose young son Johnny Gosch was kidnapped and forced into an elite/government
sponsored MK-ULTRA pedophile ring, was recently asked on a popular internet
radio program to explain the difference between organized and unorganized pedophilia,
she explained, as I paraphrase... that the lone pedophile is forced by necessity
to personally procure their victim, while organized pedophile rings can and
do hire others to procure their victims for them.
An example of an organized pedophile ring:
Amazingly, Judi Chase has transformed her tragic experience of darkness and emotional turmoil into an altruistic, global mission dedicated to exposing and eradicating the hidden pandemic of organized, child trafficking, in all its virulent forms. Through her work as Co-founder of the Earth Harmony Foundation, she has become a penetrating beacon of light, hope and healing for exploited children everywhere.
Judi sums it up this way:
"Child trafficking networks operate in secretive, devious ways. Children
who have been exploited in child pornography, trafficking, and satanic ritual
abuse are often conditioned, threatened, given drugs to cause memory loss and
tortured through brainwashing and mind control techniques, in order to deter
the children from revealing the abuse that has befallen them. I'm focusing my
energies on educating the public, and those entrusted with protecting children,
to learn how to look beneath the surface, and pay close attention to the small,
red flags that have for far too long gone unnoticed. I want to draw attention
to the large numbers of missing and unaccounted-for Foster Children, in states
across the nation who are vulnerable to falling prey to the child traffickers.
Additionally, the foundation is educating the public about the illicit activities
of child trafficking networks. These dangers include, exploitation in child
prostitution, being sold over seas for sex slavery and child sex tourism, internet
abductions and child pornography, satanic ritual and mind control, illegal black
market organ donor trade, fraudulent adoption for illicit activities, and child
trafficking."
"If I can stop one {child's} heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain"- Emily Dickenson
Judi and David Chase with their twins: Tisha and Darius
Christmas 1994
SYNOPSIS OF THE JUDI CHASE STORY
JUDI'S BACKGROUND
Judi Lloyd and Her Siblings
New Zealand Circa 1972: From left to right, Janice 14 yrs., Judi 17 yrs., Maurice
(Judi's older brother) 20 yrs. and Sandra 11 yrs. :
Judi's parents Tony and Diane Lloyd
Judi Amber (Lloyd) Chase is a native of New Zealand. Actually, she was born in Fiji. Her father had been working for the Bank of New Zealand when he was transferred to Fiji in 1952. Several years later, the family returned to New Zealand, where after high school, Judi enrolled in Teacher's College in order to procure a teaching degree. Thus her first career was as a school teacher in New Zealand. Parenthetically Judi initially began working with children as a Sunday School teacher at the ripe old age of 12 years.
Judi was also very involved with the Margaret Barron Musical Theater Company,
and performed in shows such as Calamity Jane and Oliver. And there was a budding
modeling career. Judi was approached by a local photographer for a modeling
assignment with Moontide Swimwear. When the photographer's agency director saw
the photos, she immediately signed Judi to be represented by Models Incorporated.
Judi's first modeling promo card, Models Incorporated Agency Auckland N.Z.
After having succeeded as a school teacher and a model, Judi had a burning desire
to travel, so she bought a one way ticket to Paris and began working her way
around Europe, with the Transit Travel Company, apprenticing as a Courier for
hotel and camping trips. After this, Judi continued traveling on her own, spending
considerable time traveling between Greece, Paris and London for several years.
Judi hiking to the beach in Greece with her friend Alain
In England, at the urging of a friend, Judi entered a beauty contest and wound up a finalist in the "Miss Piccadilly Princess Beauty Pageant." As fate would have it, Vidal Sasson was one of the judges, and he was extremely impressed with Judi. So impressed, he offered her, on the spot, a position as a spokes model in the promotion department of Vidal Sasson Inc. Shortly thereafter, Judi was not only promoted, but given an extraordinary opportunity to relocate to Sasson headquarters in America, Century City of Los Angeles to be exact. Without hesitation, and under the influence of her innate pioneering spirit, Judi decided to accept the adventure and move to America. Typically, not long after settling into her new digs, she embarked on yet another challenge: an acting career, including, of course, costly yet obligatory acting lessons. Judi enrolled in a night class. Then she picked up an evening, part-time cocktail waitress gig to help her pay for her acting classes. This was in addition to her day job at Vidal Sasson! It paid off. The lessons went so well, Judi was soon selected to participate in Martin Landau's six week "invitation only" master class.
Judi as Vidal Sasson Spokesmodel (for Sasson hair product line in London)
Before long, Judi had gravitated back to her roots and was teaching children again, this time at the Academy of Performing and Visual Arts at UCLA. By all measures it was a cutting edge program created with the help of actors like John Ritter, Jean Stapleton, Sid Ceaser, and many others. It was designed especially for high school students, enabling them to hone their acting skills by working closely with successful actors in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Judi's job description included assisting in the creation of the Academy's pilot drama curriculum.
Judi's talent as an actress, combined with her teaching abilities and her curriculum
development skills found new expression when she established "The Amber
(her middle name) Children's Theatre Company." She also conducted creative
drama workshops under the umbrella of Performing Tree, an arts and education
program serving the L.A. Unified School District. Judi directed lots of children's
musicals. She also started getting small acting parts of her own- here and there,
and began test shooting with many LA photographers to build her modeling portfolio,
and her first test shoot was with LA Photographer, Bruce Ayers.
Judi's first photo shoot with Bruce Ayres
After showing her portfolio to several talent agents, she was signed by Betty Fanning at the prestigious William Morris Agency. This led to job opportunities in print, commercials, music videos, and television. Her first credits included playing Kelly in Target Miss World, a Matt Houston episode, an episode of the Dating Game, playing a Senator’s wife, Carol Earle, on Divorce Court, a dancer on Rick Springfield’s Two Souls Music Video, and landing a recurring role on the daytime soap opera circuit. She played a gangster's girlfriend named Kathy on one of the top soaps at the time, "The Young and the Restless." The pattern is obvious. Creativity and children have always been an important and potent thread in the fabric of Judi's life.
EARTHSAVE FOUNDATION AND JOHN ROBBINS 101
Judi was always eager for new and meaningful challenges. Her growing awareness
of the need to preserve and renew our increasingly distressed and degraded environment
motivated her to become more active as an environmentalist. That's primarliy
why Judi volunteered to be the local chairperson of the L.A. Chapter of John
Robbin's National Earthsave Foundation. Judi felt that she could help rekindle
Earthsave's global mission by assuming leadership at the local level, thereby
infusing a steady dose of enthusiasm and renewed focus into the lagging local
L.A. EarthSave group. The catchy activist slogan " Think globally, act
locally" perfectly expresses the philosophical and strategic underpinnings
of the EarthSave Foundation.
John Robbin's father was one of the founders of the Baskin's-Robbin's ice cream
empire. Most impressively, John Robbins, an only son, refused his sizable inheritance,
and instead opted to become a passionate crusader for the general upliftment
of humanity through improved dietary habits and sustainable environmental practices.
Robbin's message was a clarion call for humanity to finally assume the role
of compassionate mindful stewards of the planet, as opposed to environmentally
destructive egotistical, mindless, Madison Avenue driven consumer drones.
Robbin's summed up his initial research and thoughts in his 1987 best selling,
no-holds-bared book: "Diet For A New America." With his well researched
book, Robbins was able to persuasively link environmental degradation, unhealthy
dietary habits, disease and massive cruelty to animals into a global movement
aimed at correcting these ills, via a grassroots effort that ultimately culminated
in the EarthSave Foundation. He advocated that his followers switch over to
a more plant based diet, not only to improve their personal health, but also
to improve the health of the environment we all share, and to put an end to
the inhumane, strictly profit motivated, animal torture facilities known as
factory farms and slaughter houses.
John Robbins, Judi and Dov at Earthsave's Annual National retreat in Santa Cruz
BROWN EYED GIRL
In 1992 Judi was hosting a gala fundraiser for the Earthsave Foundation. The
setting was a romantic, yet trendy white domed home belonging to another EarthSave
member called "Les Domes", couched in the hills above Malibu, California.
The event was replete with a sumptuous vegetarian feast, an impressive setting
with star studded views, live music, with the well known local band, LGB, and
dancing. The fundraiser was a smashing success by all accounts.
Just as Judi was about to take a much needed reflective break, since most of
the guests had departed, and before she seriously started her post party clean-up
duty, she noticed a late arrival peddling his bike towards the entrance of "Les
Domes." Within moments a youthful looking, middle-aged man pulled into
the driveway on his bicycle. Cycling to Les Domes was quite a feat. Les Domes
was situated high-up in the Malibu Hills. Judi was immediately intrigued. How
on earth could anyone ride a bike up such steep hills? Obviously this guy was
in really good shape!
After casual introductions, Judi apologetically explained to the late arrival
cyclist, David Chase, that regrettably the party was pretty much over, and the
once ample provisions had dwindled to mostly scraps and crumbs. As a gesture
of welcoming her late guest, Judi offered to make him a cup of freshly brewed
tea. Exhibiting his dry sense of humor, by playing on Judi's New Zealand accent,
David accepted Judi's cup of tea offer with a "sure mate" response.
Ironically, David confided to Judi that he had been one of the volunteers who
had helped prepare vegetables for Judi's Earthsave event! David didn't seem
too disappointed about missing out on the food. Instead, he was curious about
"Les Domes" and requested a tour of the facilities. Judi gladly showed
him around. Meanwhile, the sound system was still on, and in the background
Van Morrison's 1967 hit single "Brown Eyed Girl" wafted throughout
Les Domes. Spontaneously, David asked Judi to dance. Judi was thrilled, as this
was her first and only dance opportunity the entire evening. And "Brown
Eyed Girl" was one of Judi's favorite oldies.
Hey where did you go, days when the rain came....
You my Brown Eyed Girl....
Generously, David offered to help Judi with her post party clean-up. As a reward
for his good deed, a departing guest with with a car offered David and his bike
a lift home. Bottom line: David had made an indelible impression on Judi. "There
was something about this boyish charmer that I liked." In her book, “Portals
of Love" Judi mused: " He was fun and unlike anyone I'd ever met before."
JUDI, DAVID AND EARTHSAVE
Judi and David were destined to meet again at future Earthsave meetings. A friendship based on mutual goals, understanding, and shared interests was slowly blossoming between them. At another Earthsave meeting, Judi announced that she was looking for a compatible roommate to help defray her monthly rent expense. David Chase quickly threw his hat into the roommate ring, since his living situation at the time wasn't optimal. Judi suggested David preview her home prior to his making a final decision. David loved the house and made arrangements to move in with Judi immediately. To celebrate and welcome David to his new home, Judi hosted a cozy dinner party inviting close friends and musicians. Everything seemed to magically fall into place.
EARTH SUMMIT: "Earth Day Every Day"
Shortly after David had moved in, Judi received and accepted an invitation from
a group called Terra Christa to speak at the Earth Summit as part of the Global
Forum in Rio de Janeiro. It was an offer she couldn't refuse, since everything
except her airfare would be covered by Terra Christa. The "Rio Earth Summit"
was really four separate environmental forums organized under the auspices of
the "Rio Earth Summit" umbrella." The United Nations beckoned
representatives from all the governments around the world to gather together
for the purpose of signing treaties and working towards new international laws
that would protect the environment globally.
The Global Forum, which Judi had been invited to, included the Non-Governmental Agencies and Citizen Activists from around the world. Judi also attended the Indigenous People's Court and the Wisdom Keeper's Forum, which was comprised of religious leaders, including for example, the Dali Llama and many others from around the world. Judi's boyfriend at the time, Dov who was a talented musician, songwriter and artist, at the last minute decided to join Judi in Rio. Aisha also came along. Aisha a little girl who had sometimes joined Judi and Dov as a singer and dancer at the various children's performances in Los Angeles, flew in by herself for the last week of the conference. Aisha's mother was thrilled with the idea of her attending the Rio event. Judi explained, "Dov, Aisha and I were used to performing at schools. We called ourselves the Planet Players. We used to be known as kind of like pied pipers and we would get everybody together in assemblies singing songs with us about taking care of the earth and animals." (Portals Vol.1)
Dov and Judi performing as the Planet Players
At the Earth Summit, Rashmi Mayer was hosting a panel of citizen activists
from around the world to discuss the inherent dangers of nuclear testing and
the horrors of radioactive waste. Judi was straight away asked to speak on this
panel as a native New Zealander, which she was. She was proud to point out to
the receptive audience that New Zealand is a nuclear free zone -- a great accomplishment
for any nation. Additionally, in a separate presentation at the Global Heart
Tent, hosted by Terra Christa, Judi acted as a spokesperson for the Earthsave
Foundation; she stressed the numerous benefits to be gained both environmentally
and individually by simply adhering to a plant based diet.
At the Global Heart Tent a special event was dedicated to the street children
of Rio. Many street children responded to the invitation and participated in
dancing, singing and joyous laughter. "It was quite magical and a very
moving experience for me..."-Judi recalled. The street children in Rio
had profoundly transformed Judi's life. Mysteriously, the children had rekindled
a sacred flame deep in Judi's heart to help children everywhere live a better
life. In "Portal's of Love" Judi described her heart opening experience
like this: "...a seed was planted, a seed to take action, to open the eyes
of the world to take action. Not just the poor children, the orphaned children,
but I was later to find out that many people were going around and gathering
up the street children and some were being killed and their organs sold for
an underground organ selling operation. I knew that I had to be a voice to the
world, to say WAKE UP!!! This is what is happening to the world's children,
these are OUR children. What can one person do? That was a thought that continued
to haunt me. I must find what I could do." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi in Rio with children: Aisha, Dakota, and a new friend from Rio.
On a more mundane note, Rio was a city of sharp contrasts where crushing poverty and ostentatious wealth lived side by side. It was a three- dimensional yin-yang of have-nots and haves. Nevertheless, it was also a romantic and an exotic place. Not surprisingly, Dov and Judi seemed to draw closer together. Judi elaborated, "Hanna Strong, wife of the UN organizer of the Earth Summit, Maurice Strong, invited Judi, Dov, and Aisha to join her and the Wisdom Keepers on a voyage on a sailboat to one of the local islands. It was a truly magical day, with a plethora of colorful parrots, and many genuinely, happy people, where a feast had been laid out on picnic tables by the beach. While Hanna was looking after Aisha that afternoon, Judi and Dov were playfully splashing in the warm, turquoise blue, ocean water, when Dov unexpectedly poped the question, "Judi will you marry me?" Judi was nonplussed and somewhat shocked. Although she and Dov had been together for the past two years, their relationship had been a jerky roller coaster ride, with exhilarating highs followed by steep declines. Judi expressed serious doubts about marriage: "This was the last thing I expected as our relationship over the past two years had been filled with just as many valleys as peaks, and I was not at all sure what the future was to hold for us." Judi responded to Dov's overture, "Dov, I do love you, and I am so touched that you would ask me, but I'm not sure, I don't think you're ready for this." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi, Dov, and Aisha, a.k.a. the Planet Players on an island off of Brazil, during the Earth Summit, 1992
Dov had written a song called "Earth Day, Every Day" and he and Judi
were invited to perform it as the closing number on Botafoga Beach for the final
Concert of the Global Forum. A band of amazing local Brazilian musicians backed
up the Planet Players as they performed a set of their songs, as well as many
other acts who performed that evening, which drew almost 100,000 people during
the course of the evening. Dov added, "It was a full moon and a total eclipse,
which helped to symbolize the gathering of the worlds’ representatives
to make a stand for a healthy and sustainable future upon planet earth."
Ultimately, the trip to Rio was an important turning point in Judi's life.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Bye-bye Rio de Janeiro. Hello David Chase. After returning to L.A., Dov and
Judi started to drift apart emotionally. Dov was spending more time looking
for new venues where he could perform his music. Judi and Dov were hanging out
together less and less. Judi suspected he may have been dating other women.
Although Judi still wanted to continue collaborating musically with Dov, she
had decided their romantic involvement was over. Simply put, Judi was ready
to settle down and have a family, and she felt strongly that Dov wasn't. Judi
made it clear to Dov that their future relationship was to be based on friendship
only.
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Meanwhile David and Judi were deepening their friendship with heartfelt chats
over steaming cups of tea made with fresh, aromatic peppermint plucked from
Judi's garden. They were constantly doing things together, all the while pondering
and attempting to connect the dots of meaning behind life's seemingly random
events. Not surprisingly, the street children of Rio continued to linger in
Judi's mind and tug at her heart. The "Rio Reunion" was to be Judi's
new fundraising adventure. She had already determined it was to be held as part
of the Whole Life Expo, at the Hilton Airport Hotel. The funds would be earmarked
for a children's orphanage.
Around that time, Judi's mother dropped in from New Zealand to visit her. After
Judi had explained to her mother that she and Dov were no longer romantically
involved, her mother innocently commented on the obvious "what about him?",
pointing to David. Judi flippantly dismissed her mother's observation by casually
retorting: "Oh, him. Yes, isn't he nice. But he is just my roommate, we
get along great. In fact, we're the best of friends." (Portals Vol.1)
On the surface, Judi and David continued to appear as pals. Then one day their
relationship as best friends transformed into romance. David's playfulness lead
to a passionate kiss that awakened Judi to the realization that David was actually
her Prince charming. The fairy tale was consummated when David asked Judi to
marry him and Judi accepted.
WELCOME TO PARADISE
Wedding kiss New Zealand style February 27, 1993
A wedding "down under" was mutually agreed upon and slated to be held
in Auckland, New Zealand inside a tiny antique-like 19th century church situated
in a bucolic setting. Judi painted this picture, "The place we had picked
out was a quaint little 19th century historical village in Howick, which had
a sweet little church and a lake with ducks and cottages, which were all perfectly
preserved from the past." (Portals Vol.1)
TWO HONEYMOONS
Judi and David exiting chapel with Reverend Ola in New Zealand on Feb. 27.
The first honeymoon was spent in a cottage on one of Judi's favorite spots, Piha beach. But the official or second honeymoon would be in Hawaii. David and Judi were both 40 years old. Judi had been briefly married once before, and the dissolution was a friendly one. However, this was to be David's first and only marriage. A late bloomers dream come true wedding was in the making. Judi left for New Zealand a week early, to visit with family and old friends as well as to help with wedding preparations. Judi even designed and sewed her wedding dress, as well as David's wedding attire. Unfortunately, David was unable to join Judi until later due to work constraints.
PARADISE CONTINUES
Next stop Maui. Now for the best wedding present ever. In Maui Judi found out
she was pregnant. David and Judi had been trying for several months to get pregnant
without success. That's when they discovered, through testing, that David was
sterile. He determined that the culprit was a probably an Xray that had been
taken several years back without proper protection,when he had a long term stay
in a hospital after a serious accident. To solve the problem, Judi and David
resorted to artificial insemination, and it worked! It was in Maui, amongst
lush tropical foliage, aromatic flowers, and pristine waterfalls, reminiscent
of the classic 50's American musical, South Pacific, that Judi and David chose
the name Sage for their new baby.
Honeymoon in Maui
When Judi and David returned to L.A., they decided to hold another Wedding ceremony at Les Domes, where they had first met, so their friends could join in the celebration too. Ceremonial symmetry had been achieved with two weddings and two honeymoons.
Les Domes wedding, L.A.
Shortly after David and Judi had settled back into their familiar routine in
Los Angeles, their landlord suddenly decided to sell their Agoura Hill's house.
They were forced to quickly search around and find a new place to live. Luckily,
through a contact at the Whole Life Expo where Judi was working, she found what
appeared to be an ideal apartment for her and David, in Topanga Canyon.
Judi's dogs Shimone and Merindi took to the place immediately. The apartment
was snuggled up against a soothing, meandering creek. The move was uneventful,
and everything seemed to be falling into its proper place. The circumstances
surrounding David and Judi's blessed life together thus far were on the verge
of fraying around the edges. Unbeknownst to Judi and David, their slide into
darkness and despair was just around the corner. Their soulful courtship and
fairy tale marriage was inching towards a seemingly bottomless pit of unfathomable
loss and excruciating grief.
PARADISE WANING
David was a high-end custom furniture and cabinet maker. In actuality, he was
of a rare breed: an old world type craftsman. David was born and raised in Minneapolis
Minnesota. After graduating from high school in 1971 David's family decided
to move to Florida and he joined them. It was in Florida that David's passion
for arts-and-crafts and fine woodworking blossomed into a profession. And blossom
it did. As a matter of fact, one of David's hand made tables found its way to
Asia, where it sits in a Tokyo airport. Not surprisingly, most of David's clients
were wealthy.
At the time of the move, David was busy plying his trade, designing, creating
and installing cabinets for a local airline mogul. However, a problem surfaced
with the monetary arrangement as the job neared completion. David wouldn't be
reimbursed until the job was completed, but he was expected pay for the cabinet
materials out of pocket. It was only because this client's wife had been a valued
prior customer, and David stood to profit handsomely that he had agreed to these
terms. Judi to the rescue. She offered David the use of her credit card for
the preliminary purchase of materials, trusting that when David had finished
the job she could easily pay the card off. So far so good. Until the next problem
arose.
The source of the next problem turned out to be the general contractor. He suddenly
had a brilliant and self serving idea to save money for his client. The contractor
decided that he wouldn't pay David for any of his work: designing, making, and
installing cabinets, because David was licensed as a cabinet manufacturer and
not a cabinet installer. Ironically, David had agreed to install the cabinets
as a favor to the owner's wife. Huh? This was totally bogus and highly specious
logic was used to steal the fruits of David's labor. The fact was, David didn't
need a separate license to install the cabinets. The upshot: Not only was David
stiffed for all the time and effort in design and labor costs, but his wife
was left with a credit debt of many thousands of dollars for the purchase of
the building materials for the client’s upscale beach front property cabinets.
Unfortunately, David's options for recouping his money were limited. He and
Judi were more than broke, they were now deeply in debt, and they knew that
suing someone wealthy and who was well connected would be a daunting proposition.
Yet David decided that what was important was that a contract be honored, and
so he hired an attorney and sued the client. David knew with a best-case scenario,
it would be many years (if ever) before he would see a penny, but he wanted
justice, even so.
THE FALLOUT
The financial stress coupled with the underhanded tactics employed by the contractor
to avoid paying David for all his hard work proved to be too much for Judi.
She suffered an emotionally debilitating miscarriage. As one can imagine, David
and Judi were devastated. Together they struggled through their grief and eventually
came to the conclusion that they needed a new beginning, a fresh start. They
were determined to create a new and solid foundation to build their future on.
If it meant leaving California, that was okay too. David vigorously pursued
work opportunities in and beyond California. Within no time he was hired as
a cabinet maker in Denver, Colorado. David's plan was to first and foremost
to secure a steady paycheck by working for an established company. Then he would
use that steady security to segue into building his own cabinet making business.
PARADISE REGAINED... ALMOST 1993
Winter wonderland: Judi and David's backyard view from their mountaintop house in Evergreen, Colorado
With monetary help from David's parents, and Judi's mother (Judi's beloved father
had been tragically killed by a drunk driver in a car accident) Judi and David
were able to purchase their very first home together. They found an unassuming
3 bedroom house that was situated on a densely wooded four acre lot with a stream
running through it. The house was approximately 14,000 feet up a mountain in
Evergreen, Colorado. Evergreen is a small and charming town that has a creek
running through its belly called Bear Creek. It was only about an hour commute
to Denver. From Judi's description the house was simply enchanting, "We
felt incredibly drawn and magnetized to the house. (...) There was something
very peaceful about the property." While for David it was, "... a
little piece of paradise." Judi (Portals Vol.1) Together they envisioned
their new home as the perfect setting to restart their family dream.
The soon to be Colorado mountain dwellers departed from LA with their dogs in
tow and all their worldly possessions crammed into a huge, rented moving truck.
On their first morning together in Evergreen, David awoke early and drove into
Denver to begin his new job. Naturally Judi was non-stop busy all day unpacking
stuff and organizing the essentials when she suddenly realized that she needed
to pick-up some household necessities, like food! On the way to the grocery
store, Judi spied a facility for children called, "The Attachment Center."
Judi's curiosity was strongly aroused, so she pulled into the parking lot and
hastily entered the center. Luckily the Director was no only available, but
was eager to take Judi on a guided tour of the facility. Like a professional
tour guide, she carefully explained to Judi that the center was a treatment
mecca for children who had been diagnosed with an emotional disturbance called:
reactive attachment disorder. Families from all over the USA routinely flocked
to the center for help. Judi and the director got along famously. So well in
fact, that on the spot Judi made impromptu arrangements with the director to
start teaching drama workshops for the center's foster children.
Judi leading kids in a Shadow Mountain Theater Company rehearsal in Evergreen,
Colorado.
Subsequently, there was a teaching offer from a another local group. This time
Judi was asked to start a children's theatre company. What more could Judi ask
for? Children of her own, of course! Judi and David were ready to get certified
again as foster parents in Colorado.
Judi clarified, "David and I had done the training to become foster parents
at the Inner Circle Foster and Adoption Agency in LA but had moved to Colorado
right after we had completed the training. I decided to sign up with the Addison
Foster Agency in Evergreen and become certified to offer foster care."
(Portals Vol.1)
David Chase volunteering at a Sunday School in the Virgin Islands
OUR DAY WILL COME
In Early December, David and Judi vacationed on the island of St. John in the
Virgin Islands. When they returned to Evergreen on Dec. 22nd and that's when
Judi met her new in-laws, Tom and Noreen Chase for the very first time. Judi
reminised: "The happy family reunion was enhanced with a magical white
Christmas as our new property was blanketed with six feet of snow. The entire
family enjoyed the festive holiday season by skating together on the frozen
Evergreen Lake and then drinking hot chocolate in the Lodge around the huge
fireplace."
David's family ice skating...at the Evergreen lake at Christmas
David's mother, Noreen, Randy and Marie Case (Evergreen neighbors), David, Judi,
and David's father, Tom.
Judi and David's first Christmas together in Evergreen was simply divine. Leave
it to David to find and adopt two stray black kittens, which he named Chaos
and Seraphina. David was almost finished working on his plans to build his cabinet
making workshop on the property adjacent to the house. He was eager to quit
his job in Denver, so he could open his own cabinet making business in Evergreen
close to Judi and the twins.
Within months of their arrival, Judi and David had acquired a Colorado foster
care license. Shortly thereafter Lenny, a 10-year old boy, and later his 11-year
old brother Marvin, were placed with the Chases. Unfortunately, for all concerned
the placement didn't work out. It wasn't long before both boys were exhibitng
severe aggressive behavioral problems. The best solution for Marvin turned out
to be a 24 hour residential treatment center. Sadly, after losing his brother
yet another time, Lenny suffered a severe aggressive episode and medical personnel
recommended a 24 hour residential setting for him, as well.
The Chases were sad to see the boys go, but were undaunted. Characteristically,
they were more determined than ever to be foster parents again. Now that they
had their own home in a sublime setting they were seriously considering going
the extra mile and adopting children. Prior to Judi's pregnancy and subsequent
miscarriage, she and David had been working with foster children, especially
via the arts. Judi noted that, "Often we talked about starting a family,
having waited our whole lives and the timing was right, as we were both over
40 we were even foster parents to two girls who were abused and neglected even
while dating and one came to NZ for the wedding and was a bridesmaid."
( Portals Vol. 1) The biological clock was ticking fast and furiously and time
wasn't on their side. It was now or never.
The Chase's soon became acquainted with one of their Evergreen neighbors, a
convivial and helpful woman named Vanessa. Serendipitously, Vanessa was a licensed
social worker, who strongly recommended that Judi and David consider what's
known as a fost-adopt program. Additionally, Vanessa advised Judi and David
to select a foster agency that specializes in babies. Vanessa was a wealth of
information. Judi and David were all ears. They took turns peppering Vanessa
with questions about the procedure, including the downside. As a crude analogy,
the fost-adopt program is roughly similar to what's known in Real estate circles
as a lease with the option to buy. It's a commonly used technique for selling
real estate, where the prospective owners get to live in the property before
they decide to buy it.
Vanessa carefully explained that many of the babies come from extremely challenging
family backgrounds, such as parents that are drug addicts, who are sometimes
homeless, often prostituting themselves to earn just enough money to support
their drug habits. Judi asked, "How long do they stay in foster care?"
"That depends," Vanessa continued. "The state gives the birth
parents a treatment plan which might include drug testing, counseling, monitored
visits with their children, and judges need to see proof that the parents can
in fact turn their lives around and provide a safe home for the children to
return to." (Portals Vol.1))
Within a specific time frame, usually about 18 months, if the parents are not
in full compliance with their treatment plan, the court terminates the birth
parents rights, and the foster family can legally exercise their contractual
option to adopt the foster child or children. Judi and David weighed the fact
that these were foster children with an "option" to adopt. There was
no guarantee. For the most part the outcome was based on variables beyond the
foster parent's control. David queried, "So there is a bit of a risk in
that the foster parents would fall in love with the children, only to see them
yanked out of a loving environment and given back to the birth parents? "
(Portals Vol.1)) "Yes, that happens and sadly, many times it does not work
out, and once again the children return back to foster care," Vanessa replied.
(Portals Vol.1)) Now that Judi and David clearly understood the good, the bad,
and the ugly they were still ready, willing, and eager to take the plunge.
Judi's next step was searching for an appropriate foster agency. After 30 inquiries
she settled on the "The Happy Hearts Foster and Adoption Agency."
David and Judi met with the director, Veronica McDonald, who explained the procedures
involved in their becoming eligible to participate in the agency's foster/adoption
program. Judi recalled that Veronica seemed impressed with her and David and
she had encouraged them to participate in the program, which they did. It wasn't
long before Judi and David's Colorado foster care license was in hand and their
home certified for a fost-adopt placement.
VICTORY
The Chases were ecstatic when they were notified by the agency that a foster/adopt
placement was available for them. The babies were biracial twins who were barely
7 months old. From birth the twins had been in a foster home along with six
other children all under the age of 5. One of these children, who was unable
to pronounce Patricia's name started calling her Tisha instead. So Patritcia
became known as Tisha. The Chases liked the name and decided to continue calling
the baby girl Tisha. The boy's name was Darius. As expected the twins had had
a very challenging background. They were born premature and addicted to cocaine.
Nevertheless, the twins history didn't seem to phase Judi and David; they were
simply thrilled to be parents again.
Twin's First Day Home With Their New Parents
David and Judi feeding the twins at lake in Evergreen
DDSS (Department of Denver Social Services) protocol wisely required the Chases and the twins to spend time together prior to the twins moving in with their new foster parents. Several planned, supervised visits, with a social worker were arranged to officially determine compatibility. The compatibility test was a cinch.
The twins moved in with their new parents. Judi summed it up, "We had both waited until we were 40 to get married and to bring children into our lives. We had purchased our first home together, a beautiful rustic four-bedroom house that sat on four acres with a stream and a forest of evergreen trees. We fondly called our haven, "A Little Piece of Paradise." After all my years of wondering if I would ever settle down and get married, the sweetest gentlest man had ridden his bicycle up to the top of a Malibu mountain to find me and claim me as his bride. And now here we were on a mountaintop of our very own building a new life together. We shared a common vision, of creating a safe haven for babies who were orphaned and born with special needs, so they could grow up close to nature in a healing, loving, and creative environment. And we were so close to completing the adoption of not just one, but two beautiful babies." (Portals Vol. 1)
Resorting to an oft used cliché of the 50's, per Judi's description,
she was floating on cloud nine emotionally, but physically challenged. "Most
of the time, I would be physically exhausted but emotionally, completely fulfilled
and happy. In fact I would have to say this was the happiest time of my entire
life. Being a mother was all I dreamed it would be and more," Judi continued.
"... In spite of the obvious joy, the first year with the twins was extremely
challenging. " ... The babies first year with us was challenging and full
of sleepless nights as Tisha had trouble sleeping for more than an hour at a
time due to the crack in her system. We watched them overcome one hurdle after
another witnessing the profound healing and conquering power of love. "...
They had become a part of me, just as my arms and legs; they were inextricably
attached to me. I could not have felt any deeper bonding to them even if I had
physically given birth to them." (Portals Vol.1)
The twins’ first Christmas was a happy one. Judi writes, "One of
our favorite places to go was the hot springs, which was about half an hour's
drive up the mountain. The huge warm swimming pool is enclosed and very steamy
inside. David and I would often take the babies and put them in floaties and
play in the water with them. It was a lot of fun.
"Judi with twins at Colorado hot pools
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
And there's more, much more. David had another grand and impossible dream in mind. This was in addition to his being a parent and opening his own custom cabinet making business. Like Judi, David had a sincere and pressing desire to help foster children, especially children with special needs. His dream included building a facility on the property for these children to heal and get ready for adoption. "... we decided it would be a home for orphaned drug babies who were born with special needs and who were often passed over in favor of babies born without such challenges. (Portals Vol. 1)
HARMONY HEAVEN
The facility would include a greenhouse, a dance studio, an arts and craft and
drama room and much more. David created a blueprint for the project and began
the long process of seeking the necessary approval and permits. Judi describes
how David had painstakingly planned the project in Portals Vol.1:
"This is where the covered greenhouse is going to go so we can grow our own vegetables and food organically, even when it snows in the winter. And there is going to be a new driveway and a two-car garage down at the base of the property. I am dropping the blueprints off tomorrow so when we get the permit, we can start building immediately. And if it goes through with no revisions, which my friend said it should, we can start pouring concrete next week!” David’s face was lit up like a Christmas Tree."
Because music had been such an important inspirational element in Judi's ongoing work with children David and Judi decided the children's home would be called "Harmony Haven." Another sign of progress and a big step forward: Word was spreading about David's cabinet making skills. More and more lucrative jobs from local wealthy clients were rolling in. David's work had entered a transition phase. He was no longer required to make the often arduous one hour commute to Denver everyday. However, to maintain a steady income stream during the transition period, he occasionally did various types of odd jobs and construction work with his neighbor, Pat Lubelski.
PARADISE LOST
"A Long Days Journey Into Night"
The Morning of June 6,1995
Against Judi's better judgment, David had agreed to work with Pat Lubelski on
a roofing job that day. The tension between Judi and David was thick. Judi didn't
want David to do the roofing job with Pat. She tried her best to persuade him
not to go, to no avail. Judi felt a very uneasy, sinking feeling about the arrangement.
She pleaded frantically with David to reconsider. He staunchly held his ground.
As a last ditch effort she reminded him, "You've heard all the stories
about Pat's drinking and getting into fights," "I don't think you
should be hanging around him. It's just not a good idea." (Portals Vol.1)
David told her it would be his last job with Pat and tried to impress upon her,
"look...I can take care of him." (Portals Vol. 1) Just then Pat and
his white pick-up truck pulled into the driveway.
Pat casually helped David load his tools into the back of the truck. Pat was
chauffeuring David around town, because David's truck was in the shop to be
repainted. The idea was for David to trade his truck in for an SUV that Judi
and the twins would use. David would then purchase an older, used truck for
his cabinet and furniture making business.
In a spontaneous gesture, so typical of David, he lovingly and playfully rushed
over and "butterfly kissed' Judi and the twins good-bye. "I'll be
home for dinner," David shouted. (Portals Vol. 1) Judi and the twins watched
David and Pat disappear down the twisting mountain road. That would be the last
time Judi saw David alive.
As usual, Judi's day was extremely busy taking care of the twins along with
catching up on her chores. Nevertheless, her growing concern for David continued
to lurk in the back of her mind throughout the day. Casting aside her worst
fears, Judi decided to start preparing dinner in anticipation of David's arrival.
But a glaring and unnerving fact remained: it was already 7:00 o'clock and still
no David. Judi tried hard to shrug off her anxiety about David's absence. But
dinner was getting cold, and it was getting late. So Judi capitulated, and with
a heavy heart went through the motions of eating dinner with the twins. Judi
continued to hope that David would call or walk through the door any minute.
Yet, she couldn't help but wonder why David hadn't called to say he'd be late.
It was so unlike him. Nothing like this had ever happened before.
Judi was exhausted, but couldn't sleep. Instead she held the twins in her arms,
while still fully dressed, slightly slouched over in her rocking chair with
just a blanket thrown over her and the twins. All night long Judi dozed on off--
hoping and praying that David was safe. At 5:00 A.M. the sun was slowly inching
over the horizon.
Judi rocking Twins on their Evergreen deck
Out of desperation Judi decided that she and the twins should immediately drive up the road to Pat's house. Judi hoped she would find David there. Maybe he had fallen asleep on Pat's couch? Judi gathered up the twins and within minutes they were at Pat's doorstep.
WORST NIGHTMARE
Judi nervously and repeatedly knocked on Pat's front door. Eventually, "Pat stumbled to the door in his usual stupor." (Portals Vol.1)) Judi asked Pat if he knew of David's whereabouts point blank, as David had never returned home nor had he called her. Pat just shrugged his shoulders, and claimed he had left David at a bar called "On the Rocks, "a popular watering hole, where locals would hang-out, play some pool, and have a few beers. Needless to say, Judi had grave doubts and serious misgivings about Pat's story.
MISSING PERSONS REPORT
It was 9:30 in the morning and David had been missing a full 24 hours. Judi knew that a 24 hour period was necessary before a missing persons report could be filed. So she called the police and filed an official missing persons report. Before long, Sheriff Lilly and a victims advocate, Julia Baker, from the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Department were knocking at her door. Sheriff Lilly took detailed notes and had been asking Judi many probing questions when the phone rang. To Judi's amazement it was Pat's girlfriend, Becky. She claimed she had additional information she wanted to share with Judi about what had really happened to David based on what Pat had told her the night before. Becky blurted out, "I wanted to tell you {Judi} that, when Pat came home last night, he was very drunk. It was about two in the morning, and he smelled of spirits. And I asked him about David. And he said, " 'Oh, David went for a swim.' "He said David had told him. " ' I've got a raft. Pick me up in Morrison. ' " "And then David jumped into Bear Creek." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi knew that David would never ever do such a crazy thing. This story was
obviously a total and disgusting lie. "It was complete rubbish and made
no sense at all", Judi asserted. Later Judi found out that Pat had floated
several other versions of what had happened to David around town. "In fact,
during the month after he disappeared, Pat had changed his story to the police
about the events of David’s last day; About 3 or 4 versions were in circulation,
and were repeated by different people. Pat told some people David jumped, then
later told police he and David were throwing wood trash into the stream and
David fell in, off of the back of the truck. When I told the police about the
environmental activism programs David and I had participated in, I absolutely
found it inconceivable that David would ever dump anything into a stream."
Judi said. (Portals Vol.1)
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The Clear Creek County Search and Rescue launched an extensive search with divers,
dogs and helicopters. For two days they searched a ten-mile stretch of the river
in the area where Pat claimed David had jumped in. However, they had to call
off the search for a month because the river was too high. Homicide investigator
Don Olin had been assigned to the case. Judi commented, "Don Olin was a
Jeffco homicide investigator assigned exclusively to work on the Chase case
that alone... no other cases for three whole months." Judi walked the river
almost everyday looking for David, or hoping to find a clue that would shed
light on what had happened to him, or perhaps find some evidence that had been
overlooked by the police.
The days dragged on and still no David. Judi's mind was spinning and she was
emotionally drained. "Every day, thousands of questions raced through my
mind, what had happened to him, was he attacked, did he feel pain, was he kidnapped,
did he meet another woman and fly away to Europe or someplace like that",
Judi recalled. (Portals Vol.1)
Meanwhile, Judi kept reviewing and reassembling numerous pieces of information surrounding David's disappearance in an effort to establish what had really happened to David and why. Emerging facts were like new puzzle pieces that needed to fit precisely together with older puzzle pieces. By this process, Judi felt that eventually a clear picture of what had really happened hopefully would soon emerge.
"STORIES" DIDN'T ADD UP
It saddened Judi greatly that Pat was spreading lies about David all over town.
For example, Pat swore David had been drunk the night he disappeared and that
is why he "jumped' into an ice-cold raging, snow fed river on a cool mountain
night." Judi said. And Pat told the police David had announced "I'm
going for a swim. I've got a raft. Pick me up in Morrison." Judi countered
Pat's explanation, "David did not have a raft. Secondly, he was an expert
in wilderness training, and knew full well the dangers of entering a raging
snow-fed river at night. Thirdly, he would never jump in a river fully clothed
with his boots on. Lastly, I had never heard of anyone taking a raft at night
from Evergreen to Morrison. That was ridiculous. We had driven to Morrison for
Sunday brunches before, but it was quite a distance and nobody would ever try
to swim there in a freezing cold river at night. Certainly, not my husband."
(Portals Vol.1)
It really hurt Judi when the Denver Post's headlined echoed Pat's lie: "Drunken
Pal Jumps In River", thereby giving legitimacy to Pat's uncorroborated,
ridiculous rendition of what had supposedly happened to David. (Portals Vol.1)
In striking contrast to Pat's drunken friend tale, Judi painted an entirely
different picture of David's habits and tendencies. Judi stated, "For starters
David wasn’t much of a drinker." Judi continued "His limit was
two beers and that was usually while he was playing pool." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi described David as a health and fitness fanatic whose favorite drink was
fresh carrot juice. David usually awoke at 5:30 a.m. as the sun was rising,
while others were still asleep, so he could practice an hour of meditation,
tai chi, yoga, and pranayama (yogic breathing exercises).
Additionally, Judi often emphasized to the officials, "David was an experienced
outdoors-man, he had participated in a variety of wilderness survival and mountain
climbing training, he had yellow gear to prevent hypothermia. ... No way would
David swim at night to Morrison."(Portals Vol.1) The reality was that Pat
was constantly changing his stories, yet none of the versions made any sense.
The uneasy question remained as to why the police didn't find these unconvincing
and shifting versions to be indicative that Pat was in all probability lying
about what really happened to David.
One of the more outrageous claims by Pat was that he had searched for David
for nearly an hour before finally giving up and going home. Judi new that was
beyond crazy. Who would look for someone for an hour, not find him, yet never
ask anyone for help? Why didn't Pat call the police or David's wife, or Judi
for that matter. After all, Judi lived only a stones throw down the road from
Pat. Pat could have effortlessly stopped by Judi's house on his way home and
let Judi know that her husband, who was 'drunk' had 'jumped' in the ice cold
river, that evening and never made it to his professed destination. Judi points
to the obvious: "He {Pat} could have quickly gone back into the bar where
there were many people still playing pool and gotten some of them to help. Or
he could have gone a few yards up the road to the fire station, and the firemen
would have been more than happy to assist in a search for David."
$1800 MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED
What about the $1800 dollar check David inexplicably cashed? Pat admitted that
David had asked him to stop by a customer's house so David could pick up an
$1800 check, which was a down payment for a cabinet job David was scheduled
to start working on the next day. In actuality, the money was to be used by
David to purchase materials for the job. However, according to Judi, David did
something with the $1800 he had never done before. Instead of depositing the
check as was his custom, and then writing checks for the materials, instead
David cashed the check at his bank and pocketed $1800! This was strange.
Why would David cash an $1800 check and not deposit it like he always did? Not
surprisingly, the money was never found. Per bank records and eyewitnesses,
after having cashed his check David and Pat eventually wound up at "On
The Rocks Bar." Judi learned that David had had a couple of beers and had
played pool with a group of four people while Pat sulkily sat drinking by himself.
It was reported that "Pat appeared to be very moody" (Portals Vol.
1). It was determined that Pat and David left the bar at around 8:45 p.m..
Casting more suspicion on Pat, Becky, (Pat's live-in girlfriend) later told
Judi not long after David went missing she noticed that Pat had $800 cash stashed
in the glove compartment of his car. Judi asked her, "is that unusual?"
Becky said, "yes!" (Portals Vol.1) And then she offered up this bombshell:
Pat had owed the IRS $1600 for a very long time. He had been paying them off
on an installment plan a little at a time, each month. And around the same time
that the $800 showed up, Pat started bragging to Becky that he had finally paid
off the IRS in full!
LACK LUSTER INVESTIGATION
Amazingly, throughout the investigatio Pat had remained a free man, drinking heavily as was his bent, while roaming around town in his truck doing odd jobs here and there. Although it's true Pat had been briefly brought in to the JEFFCO Sheriff’s Department several times for questioning by the police, he was always released. The Jefferson County Sherif'fs Department withheld from Judi Chase the results of the police administered polygraph tests performed on her neighbor, Pat. One wonders which version or versions of the story Pat was using during the polygraph tests. Judi recalled, "The police had interviewed him {Pat} many, many times and had not charged him because of a lack of physical evidence." (Portals Vol.1)
Prior to David's sudden disappearance, he had mentioned to Judi that Pat had
a side job delivering frozen french fries. He told Judi that he knew for a fact
that Pat was stealing some of these large bags of fries. Judi knew from first
hand observation that Pat had a very small refrigerator freezer and couldn't
store large bags of frozen food. David had discovered more. Judi wrote: "...
What Pat and his girlfriend were involved with were not merely small potato
drug using. But what he{David} observed was some sort of smuggling while Pat
was delivering 'french fries' as a cover, {which} David {thought} for something
{else}.... Judi added David also said, "He [Pat} was stealing at the same
time from these deliveries." (Portals Vol.1)
There's more. Something else that made Judi very suspicious of Pat's story.
It was later discovered that the roofing job that David was to have helped Pat
with on June 6th had already been done by someone else. So instead of the planned
roofing job, Pat dragged David around town doing other odd jobs like shrub and
stump removal as the local Elks Club and so on. Even though Judi had dutifully
reported all anomalies to the police, including Becky's revelations to Judi
about the $800 dollars, there was virtually no follow-up by the police. Judi
had given the police the names and phone numbers of people who were willing
and eager to share relevant information about the case with the them. Judi was
stunned to learn later that none of the people had ever been contacted by the
Sheriff’s Department.
FAMILY BETRAYAL
Judi had dutifully notified David's parents as soon as she knew that he was
actually missing. In response Tom and Noreen Chase advised Judi that they would
immediately be driving from Florida to Colorado, and that they wanted to stay
for a few weeks with her and the twins. Judi's two sisters flew in, one from
New Zealand, and one from Canada. Shortly thereafter, David's brother Paul arrived.
As expected, it was an exceptionally trying and emotional time for Judi. Overall,
Judi was grateful for the company and the support her guests temporarily offered.
But, that's not to say there wasn't friction around competing values, which
led to disagreements as to what Judi should or shouldn't do regarding the twins
if David were found to be dead. For example, David's parents and Judi's sisters
strongly felt if David were to be found dead that Judi should "return"
the twins. Judi's two sisters felt that raising two babies alone was something
they would not ever consider, and therefore assumed Judi should likewise not
continue with the adoption. A classic case of projection. Where as David's parents
position reflected their shared belief in traditional family values. Specifically,
they strongly felt that all children should be raised by two parents, a mother
and a father period. Unbeknownst to Judi at the time, behind her back, these
opinions had been communicated to the twins' social worker casting an official
cloud on Judi's relationship with the twins.
The twins remained the one aspect of Judi's shattered life that was still intact. The daily routine and responsibility of taking care of the twins helped Judi maintain her equilibrium throughout the crisis. Judi states, "Life continued on as usual for the twins. I am sure they missed their Daddy, but they still laughed and giggled and seemed to be happy, because they continued to experience my love. For me it was like there were four parts to the love that filled our family, and one part had been taken away, the other three parts were still intact. The love and joy that passed between us three remained unbroken and that was a great source of comfort to me and probably saved my life." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi and twins in sand pit: Where's David? Where's daddy?
Prior to David's disappearance Judi had been working part-time as a spokesperson
for a telecommunications company. It required her being away from home two weekends
a month. So Judi hired a nanny to look after the twins on the weekends she was
scheduled to work. This way the twins would have the care they needed while
she was away. However, because of the turmoil caused by David's disappearance,
Judi decided to quit her job and instead be a full-time, stay at home mom.
Of course, Judi gave her company ample notice that she would be quitting and
why. Moreover, Judi still had a few weekend work commitments to fulfill before
she could actually quit. Fortunately, Judi's next trade show was scheduled in
Los Angeles. This was a boon for her as she was able to reconnect with her old
support network, which was quite large and included Dov, who had remained a
close and loyal friend to both her and David. Dov had even lent Judi and David
some money when they needed a short term loan. And Dov was still involved with
many of the same projects, environmental and otherwise, that Judi and David
had championed.
WHY DEMAND A NANNY NOW?
Out of the blue, Judi received a call from her social worker demanding that
she hire a live-in nanny ASAP. This was odd because Judi had only recently told
the foster adoption agency, social worker that she was in the process of quitting
her job, so she could give 100% of her time and attention to the twins. When
Judi queried why this was necessary, she was told that a meeting had taken place
between the Foster Adoption Agency and Denver Social Services, regarding David's
status as a missing person. The outcome of the meeting was an ultimatum: unless
Judi hired a new live-in-nanny immediately, to replace the nanny that was leaving,
the twins would be removed from her custody.
So, it appears that the official rationale for the live-in-nanny revolved around
David's status as a missing person. This is very strange. For starters, Judi
had just recently given her part-time employer a termination notice. It was
abundantly clear to all concerned that Judi was able and eager to be a full-time
stay-at-home mom. Judi's decision to quit her job was based on several factors
including David's status as a missing person, the reality that she was now the
sole caregiver for the twins, and the growing realization that the twins were
all she had left of her and David's dream of starting a family together. Doesn't
it seem more logical that the Department of Denver Social Services (DDSS) concerns
could have been assuaged by some kind of crisis counseling for Judi and or needs
assessment for the twins? Then further evaluations and recommendations could
have been made based on direct observation from the social worker and DDSS.
To reiterate, Judi had already notified DDSS of her new plans and she had informed
the current weekend nanny that she would no longer be needed in the near future.
Besides, if Judi needed additional help with the twins, her church had an exceptional
daycare and baby-sitting service that she could utilize whenever necessary.
But Judi had no choice in the matter, and she proceeded as ordered by DDSS to
find a full-time nanny who could start immediately. Judi placed an ad in the
local newspaper for a nanny. She had a total of three responses. Only one out
of three applicants was able to start immediately. Her name was Shelly Jones.
When Judi hired Shelly, she explained to her up front that this would be a short
term assignment, at most a few months. Judi informed Shelly that she was planning
to finalize the adoption of the twins as soon as the biological mother's parental
rights were terminated by the court in mid-September. Judi's intention was to
sell the house in Colorado as soon as she was able to legally adopt the twins
and then move back to L.A. with them. Thus Judi could start her healing process
back in her old stomping grounds of L.A. She looked forward to reconnecting
with the strong support network she had of old friends such as her minister
friend Dolores who had mentored her through the ministerial training program
at the Church of Inner Light. And there were other friends, Sue from New Zealand,
Dov, Jeff Hutner, friends from Earthsave, The Whole Life Expo, and the Agape
Church that she and David had attended. Just to regain a sense of personal safety
would make the move worthwhile.
Judi was surprised when Shelly returned with her scant belongings to move in
with Judi and the twins. All her personal belongings fit into one medium sized
suitcase. Shelly revealed to Judi that she was literally broke and couldn't
contribute to any household expenses. Judi thought it was odd that Shelly had
virtually no personal belongings and zero money. Shelly's prize possession was
her bible, and she often quoted from it, verse and chapter. By all appearances,
Shelly was a sincere, church going teetotaler.
There was a glaring red flag however. Judi had requested a list of Shelly's
nanny references at the time of her initial interview. Shelly promised she would
give then to Judi. The reality is that she never did supply Judi with the references.
Whenever Judi asked for them, it was always the same ridiculous response, Shelly
had forgotten them again. Judi reasoned that since Shelly would only be staying
on for a couple of months at the most, she would tolerate Shelly's 'forgetfulness.'
The Foster and Adoption Agency Director, Veronica McDonald had asked Shelly
to write an informal report based on her observations as to how well Judi was
functioning as a foster mother.
Shelly shared this glowing report with Judi:
July 20th, 1995.
Dear Veronica,
Just dropping you a line to let you know how things are going. Actually, everything
here with Judi and the twins exceed my greatest expectation! The loving and
happy atmosphere here is foremost. Love and a warm welcome has been extended
to me and has made a strong impression.
I can’t wait for each day to get started! The children are loved and secure.
Judi and David surely had a deep loving marriage because Judi is steady as a
rock. She is truly committed to their children. Specifically, Judi’s doing
an exceptional job overall. The children are on a schedule, meals prepared to
meet their nutritional needs, fun playtime, Naptimes, and development of physical,
mental, and language skills. The children learn so quickly, primarily because
Judi spends time with them even in play. Aside from the normal grief of losing
a spouse,
Judi is happy in her role here. I have never known anyone to be as strong and
poised as she. Technically, the house is clean and pleasant. Meals and bottles
are prepared fresh throughout the day as needed. She has exceptional parenting
skills. Her patience and discipline are constant and the children are flourishing.
Judi is focused. She is devoted to her children and looking ahead to ensure
their future.
Judi has been training me with particular regard to detail in the care of the
children. She shows me how she prepares a nutritional well-balanced meal and
how she secures their safety. Everything is written down to help me further.
Judi is obviously a strong secure woman. She is coping with her current circumstances
famously. She is a woman with a purpose. She also has the support and encouragement
of friends and loved ones. She’s also obviously experienced with children
and a natural mother. I cannot impress upon you enough how impressed ‘I
am! This is a woman of integrity and backbone!
With kindest personal regards,
Shelly
(End of letter)
Understandably, Judi was dismayed to learn one year later during court proceedings
that in addition to Shelly's report lavishing praise regarding her superior
parenting skills, behind Judi's back Shelly had been casting aspersions and
making negative comments to the twins’ social worker at DDSS and to The
Happy Hearts Adoption Agency. In this case Shelly via a phone conversation with
a DDSS Social Worker had claimed: "Judi doesn't want the twins any more
--she says it's too hard taking care of them now...." (Portals Vol.1).
Luckily, Shelly's libelous lies had been recorded by the social worker in her
official daily log. Of course, it was a complete fabrication. But why was Shelly
doing this?
WORST CASE SCENARIO CONFIRMED
Dov's visit was perfectly timed, not only because all the other guests had just
left, but because Judi had recently arranged for several job interviews in L.A.,
and Dov was able to reschedule his departure from Colorado so he could travel
on the same flight with Judi back to Los Angeles. Now that Judi had a full-time
nanny installed in her home she felt it was an opportune time to return to L.A.
for job interviews with two of her former employers, to start the ball rolling
on the employment front, as well as to begin setting things up in preparation
for her upcoming move with the twins.
Judi's life had been a slow motion state of utter turmoil, an eerie sort of
timeless limbo. As noted earlier, the search for David had stopped due to hazardous
river conditions. The search resumed, Yet still no word about David. On July
21st. Judi and Dov flew back to L.A. as planned. It was in L.A. on July 25th
that Judi received a jarring phone call from Shelly, her nanny in Colorado.
Shelly relayed a message for Judi from the Jefferson County coroner's offiice.
Judi's response to the news: "I let out a piercing scream!" (Portals
Vol.1) Judi immediately called the coroners office only to confirm the worst.
The details were devastating. Judi learned that David's dental records were
being sought because his face was so badly decomposed a positive ID couldn't
be made without them. They say the devil is in the details, and that surely
was the case with David. For starters, David's "left hand was almost completely
severed and only attached by two ligaments." (Portals Vol.1). And there
were several other disturbing anomalies and inconstancies regarding the autopsy
that surfaced later.
Judi called Jeffco Homicide Investigator Don Olin to check in with him, and
he assured her that Pat was going to be brought in for questioning again and
a polygraph would be administered. Mr. Olin assured Judi that David's death
was "officially classified as a homicide" and that "charges are
pending." (Portals Vol.1) Don Olin's reassurance was comforting to Judi,
as now her only hope was for justice.
Ironically, the very next day, July 26th, was Judi's birthday. Obviously, Judi
wasn't keen on a celebration of any kind. Instead, she was contemplating a funeral
and the need make decisions about her dead husband's body. Stunned and in shock,
Judi caught the next available flight back to Colorado. To make matters worse,
just as Judi was about to enter Evergreen, Colorado the first person she ran
into was - Pat! A bad omen. Just as night follows day, more bad news was on
the way.
MORE BAD NEWS
Another setback. Judi unexpectedly got a call from the twin's Guardian Ad Lit-em,
Donald Knowles. He informed her that because Judge Wakefield was ill, the scheduled
hearing to terminate the parental rights of the twin's biological parents would
instead be continued until February 13, 1996!
That meant Judi would have to stay in Colorado by herself with David's alleged
killer, Pat, still on the loose and living just up the road from her. Judi was
crushed. Her faith in an all loving higher power was temporarily eclipsed by
waves of grief and darkness. The original plan had been to leave Colorado with
the twins in September, enabling Judi to begin her much needed healing process.
Judi describes her quandary, "It was difficult to heal while driving around
Evergreen and having Pat smirk at me. Now my sentence had just been extended
by six months due to a Judge being sick. Where’s the justice?" (Portals
Vol.1)
Frankly, Judi wasn't sure if she would be mentally and emotionally able to withstand
six more months in Colorado. But what choice did she have? What were her viable
options if any? Judi mentally staged several scenarios. One option would have
been to give up the twins and return to California without them and simply start
a new life by herself. On the other hand, she could tough it out and stay the
six months, then adopt the twins as planned, and they could all start their
lives over again together as a family. After agonizing, as to what she should
do, Judi solved the dilemma by reminding herself why she and David had adopted
the twins in the first place. Judi exclaimed, "... David and I had a dream!
Our dream was to have a family of our very own. We had sacrificed everything
to make it happen. We had overcome so much to attain our dream… infertility,
artificial insemination, pregnancy and miscarriage before the gift of these
darling twins was given to us. We had raised them joyously together for a year.
We were so close to realizing our goal of adopting the twins. I felt as if someone
had cut off my left arm when I lost David. Now life was asking me to cut off
my right arm by giving up the fight to keep the babies. The decision was quickly
made. I would endure, and keep on enduring, until I was free to leave with the
babies." (Portals Vol. 1)
JUDI ENDURES HARASSMENT
Judi had valid concerns for her safety while staying in Evergreen, Colorado.
Consider that David Chase's alleged murderer, per Jeffco Homicide Investigator
Don Olin's 600 page report, lived just up the hill within minutes of Judi's
house. Judi realized she had been followed several times as well. It seemed
the publicity Judi was generating about her husband's alleged murder angered
some-- to the point of "unknown" assailants seriously harassing and
trying to intimidate her. Judi describes an incident: "The months of July
and August 1995 were challenging to say the least! I did some interviews with
the Denver TV stations about David’s death and a couple of days after
those aired, the campaign of intimidation began. Guns were repeatedly fired
at my property, once while the police listened over the phone. However, by the
time the police arrived, no one was ever found. I was also stalked, and my house
was broken into. On another occasion, I had to pass Pat driving up the narrow
mountain road we shared—an unnerving experience. Our two vehicles had
to stop in order to pass one another and at that moment, Pat and two other men
pointed, laughed, jeered and smirked at my babies and me." (Portals Vol.1)
On another occasion, Judi had driven to Anderson's, a local gas station, when
unexpectedly two strange men began sneering at her while making threatening
remarks: "Why don't you go back to California, bitch!" (Portals Vol.1)
Judi reported: "I continued to be plagued with nightmares that Pat was
stalking me. In fact he actually was! But when I reported it to the police they
told me that there wasn't anything they could do unless he actually harmed me!
" (Portals Vol.1)
It boiled down to this: Judi wasn't convinced that she could keep herself and the twins out of harms way if she were to stay in Evergreen alone. Judi was forced to make a difficult but necessary decision. She would sell her house "as is" (unfinished remodeling) immediately, then she would rent a house in a different location in Colorado. This way she and the twins would wait it out together for the pending adoption hearing, but in a safer setting.
Judi listed the house with a real estate agent and before long had a serious
offer The only problem was that this offer was from a woman who utterly adored
the house, but simply didn't have the money to finish the remodeling projects
that David had started but hadn't been able to finish. To make the deal work
Judi, applied a little ingenuity. A local contractor who had begun working on
a job in the neighborhood needed a short term rental close to his project. So
Judi offered David's workshop space to the contractor in exchange for his completing
David's remodeling. This way all Judi had to do was buy the supplies. Because
the sale of the house was a distress sale, Judi still willingly sold the property
to Marge Phillips at the original"as-is" asking price. It was a win-win
situation. The closing date was scheduled for November. (Portals Vol.1)
PHIL HARRIS, EXTRAORDINARY PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
Phil and Janet Harris
Phil Harris was a retired homicide detective from Ohio. What made Phil Harris exceptional was his ability to solve cases others had given up on. Judi was intrigued and wanted to know the secret behind his success. She was astonished to learn of Phil's special ability that enabled him to excel in solving tough cases where others would routinely fail. Judi wrote: "I asked him what he owed his successes to and he said he had this uncanny ability to hear clues from the victims of these cases." (Portals Vol.1)) Wow! A detective that could communicate with the dead. Now there's a cutting edge advantage. Initially, Judi had found out about Phil Harris from a Rocky Mountain News reporter., Lynn Bartells. It was Lynn who called Judi and urged her to contact Phil: "There is someone you should meet. He is a private investigator and retired police officer named Phil Harris. He says he wants to help you with the case.” Judi was stunned to learn from Lynn that Phil had told her he planned to donate his services. Judi couldn't help but wonder why he would be willing to do such a thing for a complete stranger. Lynn's explanation: “Well Judi, he read my article in the Rocky Mountain News on your husband and said the case was crying out for justice, and he wanted to help, so he called me to ask me to give you his number. I would call right away if I were you." Judi took her advice and called Phil straight away to arrange a meeting in the parking lot of the twin's school. (Portals Vol.1)
Phil was waiting in his car when Judi and the twins arrived. After introducing
himself, Phil told Judi the following story: "Phil told me that he had
been awoken at 4:00 a.m. in the morning by a voice that said, “my name
is David Chase, I was murdered. Go look in the Sunday paper”. Phil did
as requested and found a picture of David and I on our wedding day. There was
a story entitled…”What Happened To My Husband?” " Evergreen
Woman Determined to Learn the Truth About His Death." That's why Phil had
offered his services pro bono, as a private investigator. Phil continued, "David
says: Tell Judi, I want to wipe the smirks off their faces." Judi knew
all too well what David was speaking about via Phil. Judi told Phil: "Only
one week ago, my neighbor and another male companion were in a truck driving
down the mountain as I was driving up. Our two vehicles had to stop in order
to pass one another and at that moment, both men pointed, laughed, jeered and
smirked at my babies and me."That settled it for Judi. She hired Phil on
the spot. To make it a legal contract, Pat asked Judi to pay him one dollar!
(Portals Vol.1) Phil did some truly amazing work for Judi that not only corroborated
Don Olin's 600 page report, but opened a whole new level of motive related to
David Chase's alleged murder.
NOTE: Phil Harris was able to maintain steady and reliable contact with David
Chase through-out his investigation for the next year until his {Phil's} untimely
death (murder?).
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Marge Phillips was set to take possession of Judi's house on November 15th.
As a matter of fact, Judi and Marge had struck an agreement where by both of
them seemingly could benefit. Since Marge would be living alone with the exception
of her three small white dogs, she offered to rent Judi two bedrooms in the
house that she had just purchased from Judi until February (the twins hearing).
Marge welcomed the help with her new mortgage payments for a few months. Judi
was pleased with the offer for obvious reasons and gratefully accepted.
Art, a friend of Judi's from California, flew into Colorado to help Judi and the twins move their belongings to California, in a U-Haul truck rental. Essentials for day to day living as well as Judi's two dogs were left behind in Colorado. "Oh, how I wished that moving trip could be my final one, but now, I would be forced to return to Colorado indefinitely. Why, oh why, can’t this be over?" Judi lamented, "I still needed to retain my Colorado residency in order to finalize the adoption on the twins." (Portals Vol.1) It was a simple plan. Judi and the twins would stay in California for two weeks, unpack, and get the twins room painted and ready for when they could live there permanently. Then they would all return to Evergreen until the adoption was final.
ANOTHER BUMP ON THE ROAD
A phone call from Marge Phillips changed everything. One of Judi's dogs had
bitten one of Marges's small dogs and subsequently required six stitches. Marge
felt the situation with the dogs was untenable. Regretfully, she informed Judi
that she would have to make other plans. In other words, Judi needed to find
another place to stay when she returned to Colorado. Although Judi wasn't happy
about the situation, she totally understood where Marge was coming from. Judi's
big dogs could attack Marge's little dogs again, and the next time it could
be much worse.
However, this sudden turn of events left Judi in a challenging and awkward situation.
She had barely a week to figure out where she and the twins would stay when
they returned to Colorado. The only person Judi could think to call was her
ex-nanny Shelly to see if she knew of any houses for rent. Judi recalled that
Shelly had recently moved into a rental in Denver and that it was a fairly large
house.
When Judi called Shelly and asked how things were going, Shelly complained about the hard time she was having paying the rent, and she told Judi that she had placed an ad in the local paper, in the hopes of finding a suitable roommate, but so far there had been no responses. Although Shelly's mom, Ruby was living with her she wasn't working and wasn't able to help with the rent. Judi proceeded to update Shelly on the twins and then explained to her about the dog situation with Marge at her old Evergreen home, that's precisely when Shelly suggested Judi and the twins temporarily rent a room in her house. Judi accepted her offer on the spot. She had little choice, since no other options were on the table, and time was of the essence. Shelly responded by reiterating how badly she needed the extra rent money. Feeling relieved, Judi promptly called the Happy Heart's foster agency, explained the situation, and requested that they certify Shelly's home for foster care prior to her return to Colorado with the twins. The agency complied without a fuss.
Before returning to Colorado, while in California a friend had arranged for
Judi and the twins to do a photo shoot with the world renown photographer Carl
Studa
JUDI MOVES IN WITH EX-NANNY
Shelly's house was a little more upscale than Judi had anticipated. Judi wrote,
"Shelly had been homeless and broke when she came to work for me as a nanny.
Now she was renting a large house nicely furnished...? (Portals Vol.1) Now Judi
couldn't help but wonder how Shelly was able to afford all this on her meager
salary? Good thing Shelly's mother didn't work, because early on Judi realized
that Ruby started her day with a coffee cup filled with straight gin. Judi also
found it exceedingly strange that Shelly and Ruby would furtively start whispering
to each other whenever Judi entered the room. And it got stranger. Judi noted
that Shelly and Ruby slept together in the same bed every single night, even
though an empty bedroom was available.
It was at night, when they were in bed together, that Judi would hear lots of
whispering going on between them. Oddly, they also reverted to whispering whenever
anyone came to the door. Judi was baffled.
MORE RED FLAGS
Why was Shelly's mail delivered to a P.O. Box and not at the house, which was
free and more convenient? What really piqued Judi's curiosity was the basement.
She couldn't figure out what it was being used for. Judi was home with the twins
when a delivery truck filled with furniture arrived at Shelly's house. The furniture
was for the unfinished basement, but there were no windows in the basement.
Although the furniture was in good shape it wasn't brand new. And there was
more than enough room on the main level of the house to accommodate all four
occupants without resorting to the basement for additional space. Judi started
to feel that she and the twins were not safe at Shelly's house. Too many oddities
just didn't add up. And it was clear that Ruby had a serious drinking problem.
Judi decided it was her duty to remove the twins from this potentially dangerous
environment. While Judi was mulling over the prospect of finding and renting
a new and safer house for her and the twins, Phil Harris was busy investigating
David Chase's murder.
BAD NEWS FROM DEPARTMENT OF DENVER SOCIAL SERVICES (DDSS)
On December 6,1995, Judi was notified that she was required by DDSS to attend a meeting to discuss new information about the twins and their case. At the meeting, Judi was told that the twin's biological mother was now drug free and termination of the mother's parental rights was no longer an objective. Instead, a new probationary period would be tried, so DDSS could determine if the birth mother could maintain drug free stability over the next six months. The procedure would entail the twins spending monitored overnight weekend visits with their birth mom for the entire six month trial period. And if the twin's birth mom were to fail during that time, she would automatically forfeit her parental rights. But a court hearing would still be necessary in order to legally sever her rights, enabling Judi to exercise her promised adoption option. What this meant for Judi was that she would be required to stay in Colorado for up to six more months with absolutely no certainty as to whether she would finally be able to adopt the twins.
Once again, Judi was in shock. She knew for a fact that just a few months ago
the twin's birth mom had miserably failed all her drug tests. Although Judi
conceded that miracles can and do happen, in this case it seemed like a long
shot and rather unrealistic. After all, this would not be the first time the
twin's biological mother had children taken away from her for similar reasons.
Dumbfounded, Judi pressed for more details regarding what would happen if the
"re-unification plan failed'?
Note: Jennifer Murdoch is the Case Supervisor of the twin’s social worker,
Melinda Bennet
Excerpts:
Judi: But what if your re-unification plan fails? Wasn’t the birth mother
failing all of her drug tests just a few short months ago?”
Jennifer: “Yes, that’s true, however, every one of her latest tests
have come up clean, and so the judge would never terminate parental rights on
such a case."
Judi: I understand that and I really do hope she does succeed in staying clean,
but if something happens and she goes back to failing, wouldn’t it be
in the best interests of the children to be adopted by me, their adoptive mother
of the past year and a half, the person they now call momma?
Jennifer: ".... Of course that would be in the twins best interest, and
you would be able to complete the adoption if she fails.” (Portals Vol.1)
(end of excerpt)
It was settled. The next hearing to secure court approval for a six month continuance
would be on February 14th, 1997! To add insult to injury, Jennifer dropped this
bombshell: “{ Although} The next hearing is February 14, and if the judge
grants the 6-month continuance that we are requesting, the decision will be
made around the middle of August.” Wow! Judi realized this process could
realistically easily turn into an eight month waiting game.
Judi had a lot to think about. Without warning her options had been severely
curtailed. Still, there were a few key issues related to the twins that she
had already figured out. For example, Judi knew that she must move out of Shelly's
house and find another place, a safe place to live with the twins. Judi concluded:
"Number one, I knew that the house I was currently in with Shelly and her
mother was unsafe, and that there were some suspicious, possibly criminal activities
going on there in the basement, and that we needed to exit immediately. Secondly
the mother was an alcoholic,
and thirdly, whoever had been shooting at us was still at large, Sticking around
had lost it’s appeal." (Portals Vol.1) Judi promptly contacted the
twin’s social worker at Happy Hearts Foster Adoption Agency and explained
to her in great detail exactly why she and twins had to move out of Shelly's
house immediately.
Judi wasted no time locating a suitable new home. After several days of intense
looking she found an exceptional 3 bedroom rental in Aurora that had all the
amenities she had hoped for and more. When Judi called Happy Hearts and requested
an appointment to have her new home certified for foster care, she was shocked
when the Director, Veronica McDonald, coldly refused.
Veronica claimed that since the agency had just recently certified Shelly's
house, they would not certify another one so soon. Here we have Judi and the
twins in a very unsafe environment, yet the director of a foster care placement
and adoption agency says, 'no" to a routine and necessary request to certify
a safer home for the benefit of the twins under her charge. It's simply unbelievable!
Judi vented, "This was amazing to me. Weren’t they concerned as I
was for the twin’s safety? That was why I was moving and I had told them
this. Rhonda [another social worker] informed me that my only choice was to
remain in the current home with Shelly until the twins were freed up by the
courts for adoption, or relinquish them to be moved into a new foster home.
" (Portals Vol.1)
Judi felt bewildered and cornered. She knew her first priority was to ensure
that the twins were in a safe place and out of harms way. Regretably, it looked
like this would require Judi's temporarily giving up custody of the twins so
they could be placed in a new foster home, away from Shelly and her alcoholic
mother. Although it wasn't what Judi wanted, she knew it was the only decision
that made any sense at this point.
Judi summed it up: "I sadly realized that relinquishing the twins to another
foster home was the best solution to keep the twins safe. I felt that I should
step aside and give the birth mother one final chance to be reunited with the
twins, and since I had been given the assurance that I could adopt them if this
plan did not work out, I contemplated temporarily being separated from the twins
so I could move to California and set up the home for them, and await the court’s
decision." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi wrote DDSS and let them know that she was stepping aside so the twins could
be moved to a new temporary and safe foster home until they are either reunified
with their birth mom or adopted by Judi. Reluctantly, Judi contacted Dov and
explained why she would be returning to California without the twins. Dov agreed
to fly into Denver and help Judi drive back to California with her belongings.
Judi and the twins greeted Dov at the airport and drove him back to Shelly's
place. The next day, Dov took outdoor photos of Shelly, Ruby, and the twins.
Shortly thereafter, with great sadness, Dov drove Judi and the twins to the
DDSS parking lot where social worker Melinda Bennett had been waiting for them.
Melinda had requested that Judi leave the twins' belongings at Shelly's house.
Melinda told Judi she would pick them up at Shelly's house later that day with
a borrowed truck. Judi described her anguish, "And I kissed them and handed
them over to Melinda. It completely broke my heart. And it took every ounce
of strength that I could muster to turn around and walk back into the truck
and drive away from Denver Social Services. I think that I was completely silent
for the first hour of the drive, and when we got to the sign, which said, You
are now leaving Colorado. I asked Dov to stop and we pulled the truck over and
I said, “Take a picture of me standing under this sign”. (Portals
Vol.1)
BACK TO CALIFORNIA
Dov had graciously offered Judi and the twins two of the bedrooms in his spacious
three bedroom San Fernando Valley (L.A.) home. Actually, Dov was one of the
twin's Godfathers. "Dov had agreed to be one of the twin’s godfathers,
and he was true to his word in fulfilling the role of providing for the twins
after the death of their father." (Portals Vol.1) Judi remained doubtful
that the twin's birth mother would remain drug free; she would be able to complete
the adoption process, as promised if the reunification plan failed. Judi explained,
" My Social Worker from Colorado, Melinda Bennett, had promised me that
if parental rights on the twin’s case were terminated, my request for
her to initiate an interstate compact agreement would be granted." (Portals
Vol.1)
Optimistically, Judi had Dov's home certified for foster care by The Inner Circle
Foster and Adoption Agency on March 11, my Los Angeles home was formally certified
for foster care and adoption cases. I was looking forward to the day when the
twins would be back in my arms and playing happily in the garden on their swing
set. My Social Worker at the Inner Circle Foster and Adoption Agency mailed
my new certification certificate and home study approval to Denver Social Services
in preparation for the upcoming adoption hearings." (Portals Vol.1)
Judi was prepared. In fact, Judi wrote a letter to Melinda Bennett and requested
permission to visit with the twins in Colorado. Surprisingly, her request was
denied. Judi recalled " The letter informed me that the twins were thriving
in their new foster home and that the department did not feel visitation with
me would be a good idea as it could be disruptive to the babies." (Portals
Vol. 1)
BETRAYAL ON VALENTINE'S DAY
On February 14th 1997 Judi contacted the twins guardian ad litem, Donald Knowles
to get an update regarding the February13th court hearing. This hearing had
been requested by DDSS, to obtain a six month continuance, so the re-unification
plan with the twin's birth mother could proceed. To Judi's dismay and without
her awareness, she was informed that DSS had already determined, after only
six weeks of the re-unification trial period that the plan wasn't working. How
could this be happening? Melinda Bennett had clearly and unequivocally promised
Judi that nothing would be decided until after the six month trial period had
ended, yet they had failed to inform Judi of this despite the fact that she
had requested in writing to be notified immediately if re-unification failed
and Judi had stated she would be on a plane to Colorado the very next day. Why
wasn't Judi notified that the twin's birth mother had lost her parental rights?
Why didn't they notify Judi that the birth mother had failed to show up after
only a few weekend visits? Why did they fail to contact Judi, who was the twins'
adoptive mother to let her know that the birth mother had disappeared? Judi
learned that one weekend when the biological mother was scheduled to pick-up
her twins, she never arrived; Essentially, she had disappeared off the face
of the earth. And the twin's father, who had been languishing in jail lost his
parenttal rights as well.
Moreover, Judi had requested in writing that she be notified immediately if
for any reason the reunification plan failed. Here's an important clarification.
Recall that David and Judi had been participating as licensed foster parents
within a specific and clearly defined program referred to as: fost-adopt. Although
the contract had been initiated with the Happy Heart's agency, Darius and Tisha,
were actually held in joint custody by the Happy Hearts Foster Agency (in Denver)
and the Denver Children and Family Services Agency.
Here is the universal definition of what constitutes a fost-adopt placement
from the LA. Child and Family Services Agency Website: "A fost-adopt placement
occurs when approved adoptive families take children into their homes pending
the termination of the birth parents rights to the child. Prior to termination
of rights, the child is in the family's home under the guidelines of foster
care. Once parental rights are terminated adoptive placement papers can be signed."
Per this definition Judi's rights as a fost-adopt parent had been egregiously
violated.
Additionally, Judi learned from Donald Knowles that since the court had terminated
the twin's birth mother's parental rights, and the twins were now in a temporary
foster home, that she must retain an attorney to petition the courts to intervene
in the twin's custody.
Judi declares, ".... if reunification failed ,.. I would be on a plane
to see the twin’s in Denver the following day, and of course wished to
complete their adoption." (citation) The most alarming news of all was
when Donald informed Judi that the twins current foster family was seeking to
petition the court so they could adopt the twins. In effect, the current foster
family was "legally" preempting Judi's contractual adoption rights.
Judi had consistently and with distinction acted as the twins mom in the fost/adopt
program for 18 months. All fost/adopt placements contain a standard provision
that triggers the adoption phase to begin the moment the biological parents
loose their parental rights. To repeat, once the biological parent's parental
rights have been terminated, the fost/adopt parents can automatically move to
adopt their foster child or children. One has to wonder how these interlopers
could get away with something like this? Ponder this, these "Johnny come
lately" foster parents had custody of the twin's for merely six weeks,
and though they were certified as foster parents, they were not under the fost-adopt
program!
Based on Knowles wise recommendation, Judi immediately hired a Colorado attorney,
John Canny, so she could petition the court for intervention. In other words,
Judi was now on the defensive. She was forced to hire an attorney at great personal
expense to represent her in a Colorado court and prove to the court that she,
Judi Chase, was the twins rightful mother, and that she should be allowed to
fully exercise her legal right as a fost/adopt parent and adopt the twins! The
twins current foster family supposedly hired an attorney named Jack Curry to
represent them, but he never appeared at the hearing, instead a DDSS appointed
and paid for attorney represented them. In other words, the state via DDSS was
picking up the tab for all of their legal fees.
(Portals Vol.1)
To bolster her intervention case, Judi amassed an impressive stack of letters
of recommendation, from many professionals who worked with the twins. Each letter
in one way or another highlighted Judi's exceptional qualifications as a devoted
mother who was uniquely qualified to continue providing a loving and healthy
home for the twins. Ironically, Judi was scheduled to fly back to Denver in
a few days, this time as a witness in another court case. She had been subpoenaed
to testify on behalf of Maureen Davis, one of six social workers fired en masse
by the Happy Heart's Foster agency director, Veronica McDonald. Supposedly Maureen
was fired for insubordination. It just so happens that Judi had been there the
day Maureen Davis was allegedly rude and insubordinate to Veronica. The truth
was that the insubordination charge was a total fabrication that Veronica was
using as retaliation against Maureen and the other five social workers who were
fired.
Judi explains what really happened, “ . . . all six of them filed written
complaints about their concerns that the agency director was taking money designated
for foster children and using it for her own personal use. She was having the
agency pay for her own personal therapy, for the purchase of a brand new car,
and other inappropriate expenses." Judi continued, "These six former
employees, got together and filed a class action lawsuit against the agency
director for wrongful termination of employment and subpoenaed some of the foster
parents including me,” (Portals Vol.1) Thanks in great part to Judi's
testimony the twins' Social worker did prevail in her court hearing and was
awarded substantial financial reimbursement. Although Maureen Davis was very
thankful for Judi's support, she worried that Veronica would somehow retaliate
against Judi regarding the upcoming custody/adoption battle with the twins.
LETTER FROM: MAUREEN DAVIS 5/5/96
While I was an employee at the ‘Happy Hearts’ (pseudonym) Foster
Agency, I witnessed Director Veronica McDonald (pseudonym), being retaliatory
toward foster parents. She tried to get rid of at least 2 foster parents that
I supervised. During the lawsuit two former Happy Hearts Consultants stated
that they were still fearful of Veronica McDonald, and one of them said she
could not leave the stand during a break out of fear. I am aware that prior
to my being fired by Veronica McDonald, she made several frantic phone calls
to Judi Lloyd Chase’s answering machine threatening that if Judi didn’t
respond immediately she would come to Judi’s house.
I was one out of four of the six employees in the agency who files a grievance
against Veronica for actions that interfered with meeting the needs of the foster
children. The day Veronica fired me, she made false accusations to the police,
and she imprisoned me in my office and assaulted me. I feared and still fear
that placing Judi Lloyd Chase on our subpoena list would cause Veronica to retaliate
against Judi Lloyd Chase. I feared Veronica would hinder Judi’s chances
of adopting the twins. (end of letter)
Meanwhile, in Denver, Phil Harris had established a working alliance with Judi's
intervention attorney, John Canny. And there had been a review hearing. Judi
wrote: "On May 13, there was a review hearing on the twins’ case
held in Judge Wakefield's Court in Denver. My attorney, John Canny was present.
I was not. The Happy Hearts Foster Agency provided a review of the twin's progress,
which stated that Judi Chase was no longer their Foster Mother because she did
not wish to continue doing foster care. This was a lie, as I had given written
notice in Dec. 1995 to the Happy Hearts Agency that I would continue to maintain
a current Foster Care license through the Inner Circle Foster Agency and I sent
the same letter to Melinda Bennett at DSS. And the new foster agency had already
sent them my new foster care license. Why would they lie? " (Portals Vol.1)
Phil's first assignment was to determine who the mysterious new foster parents
were, while Judi was busy back in L.A. pursuing a second expert opinion of David's
autopsy report. The official autopsy report claimed that David's death had been
consistent with drowing based on the assumption that all of David's noted bodily
injuries had occured postmortem! In short, the coroner was legitimizing the
notion that no foul play had occurred. Judi needed someone with expertise to
explain to her exactly how the coroner could be so sure all David's injuries
were 100%, without a doubt post mortem? Judi was skeptical.
THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE SECRECY
Finally Judi's attorney, John Canny had discovered who the twin's new foster
mother was. It was none other than Shelly Jones! Judi anguished. " I will
never forget picking up the phone and hearing Vicky’s {John Canny's secretary}
voice on the other end telling me she knew who the new foster parents were.
She told me it was Shelly and her mother Ruby. How could Shelly and her mother
have deceived me? How could they have arranged all of this behind my back, watched
me pack up all the twin’s toys as if they were going off somewhere new.
They watched me dismantle the cribs! And what about the truck? The social worker,
Melinda Bennett, said she was going to use her friend’s truck to move
the twins to a new foster home.
They must have all lied to me, and together conspired to keep me in the dark,
behind walls of secrecy, and because I was in the dark, I could not say anything
or try and stop it.” (Portals Vol.1)
PHIL HARRIS DISPROVES SEVERAL OF THE CORONER'S KEY FINDINGS
I {Phil Harris} called Levi Strauss Company and talked to one of the designers
of the fabric of Levi’s. The designer said that he did not believe that
Levi’s would dissolve in 47 days in cold water. No matter how hard the
water was running. He also said that if David wore his jeans tight they would
have resisted dissolving much longer than 47 days. He said that if the Jefferson
County detectives want proof they could put a pair of used jeans, most any kind,
not just Levi’s, in a washing machine and turn it on Agitate with cold
water for 47 days and the jeans would still be there. At least the waistband,
side seams and lower leg cuffs. When I ask him why would the deceased have cuts
or lacerations on the top / front of his thighs and front of his lower legs
and have a small bottom cuff loop still left in the boots and socks area he
said just what we suspect. Pat or someone cut David’s jeans off rather
than take his boots and socks off to get the jeans off. This designer also said
the jeans would ha