A tragic end to a tragic story.
Police have been searching for 12-year-old, Brooke Bennett, who was last seen on Wednesday morning on June 25, 2008.
Television news reports are saying right now that they found the child, dead.
As of yesterday the police were searching Michael Jacques, a registered sex offender's home while he was being arraigned on sex charges in a case not related to Brooke's disappearance.
Jacques was one of the last people seen with Brooke before she vanished. There have been rumors flying in the town that her uncle had been molesting and/or raping her since she was 9 years-old.
I will update with more details on where she was found and by whom when I have them.
Until then, more can be found on the previous investigation over at Fox.
It seems that while investigating Jacques, the police ran across information that led them to arrest Ray Gagnon, who is Brooke's step-father. He is suspected of sexually assaulting another child in 2007.
Yesterday it was reported:
Federal agents are preparing to also charge Gagnon, of San Antonio, with obstruction of justice for destroying evidence in the Brooke Bennett investigation, FBI Special Agent John Pikus said.
The story is not up yet but Fox News has the orange Breaking banner saying "Vt. Police Say Missing 12-Year-Old's Body Found." When they write it up, I will provide the link.
(Link from WCAXTV News)
Police believe they have found the remains of Brooke Bennett, 12, of Braintree. Police say the remains were found on property on Crocker Road in Randolph near the home of Michael Jacques. Police found ground there that had been recently disturbed yesterday. Today, a search found the body there. Police say Brooke's body was recovered at 4:45 p.m.
An autopsy will be performed in Burlington to confirm it is Brooke and to try to find the cause of death. Police do call the death suspicious.
Brooke's family was notified of the discovery.
Federal authorities announced they will charge Jacques with kidnapping Brooke and now that her body has been found, it is safe to assume that further charges will be following.
Sex rings, child abuse, sexual abuse, rape and now murder.... this poor child.
May she rest in peace.
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