Bring Bernadette Home
Donation protected
Bernadette Stevenson Caruso, age 23, a loving mother, daughter, sister, co-worker and friend, went missing September 27, 1986, after leaving her shift at Shaw's Jewelry store at Eastpoint Mall in Baltimore, Maryland. Bernadette disappeared along with her vehicle, a 1982 gray/green Chevy Cavalier, tag #FYW 097. It has been said that recovering her car will be the crucial lead in finding out what took this young woman away from her family well over two decades ago.
Some time ago, a tip was called in on Bernadette's case mentioning a body of water in Eastern Baltimore County. This particular area was checked by police and divers when Bernadette first disappeared in the 1980s, but was ruled out when tag numbers of vehicles in the water did not match Bernadette's car. Those vehicles were never recovered. Due to information uncovered in 2008, we believe this area of interest needs to be re-investigated with water sonar; today's technology that may prove beneficial in uncovering clues in Bernadette's disappearance.
Side-scanning sonar, along with ROVs (remote operating vehicles) are underwater inspection and navigation systems that have been used in the water recovery of missing persons cases for years. The acoustic signals create panoramic pictures by reflecting off objects under the water's surface. This technology aids in positive identification of target 'hits', allowing divers to check only relevant objects in water investigations. Assisting divers with exact location of bodies and vehicles, even in the deepest of water, allows for greater response time and better safety conditions for the divers.
In July 2006, divers in Danville, Illinois, were testing out new Humminbird Side Scan Sonar in Kickapoo State Park when they located a vehicle in 50 feet of water, just 100 feet from the road. Inside were the remains of 19 year-old Ryan Katcher, a University of Illinois college sophomore, who had been missing, along with his 1999 black Ford-150 pick-up truck since November 5, 2000. The equipment used in the discovery of Ryan's remains replaced earlier sonar technology that, along with divers, was used in numerous pond searches of this same area, but failed to locate his truck.
I would like to see Maryland purchase this sonar to aid in the recovery of missing persons cases - first and foremost - in a renewed investigation into Bernadette's case. However, our police department has stated their budget cannot afford this equipment. Therefore, I am putting out a call for help to social media. In order to thoroughly check this body of water, divers desperately need this piece of equipment, as well as a crane and the service of a flatbed towing company to remove all vehicles found under this water. After purchasing this sonar and payment to the two companies, any remaining funds will then be turned over to police to go towards the reward fund for anyone with information leading to an arrest in Bernadette's case. Will you please help us? We hope to raise enough donations to complete this water investigation by the 26th anniversary of Bernadette's disappearance in September 2012 and would be extremely grateful to anyone who can assist us.
Bernadette's loved ones are still reeling from her disappearance and have lived a waking nightmare for the past 25 years. Despite their own pain, they have spent over two decades helping other families of the missing with on-going support; providing assistance, resources, charitable donations and love because they know what it's like to walk this long, tragic road. In 2005, they created the Maryland Task Force for the Missing and Unidentified Adults & Children; an organization dedicated to bringing support to Maryland families, awareness and education to the public and assistance to agencies that deal with missing and unidentified persons. They are a warm, loving, beautiful family who deserve answers, and the person or persons responsible for Bernadette's disappearance to be brought to justice.
Please help us show Bernadette and her family that she is not just a cold case file or forgotten statistic. The police have deemed her disappearance as, "suspicious, under foul play circumstances" and she has now been missing longer than she was alive on this earth. She left behind a young daughter who never had the opportunity to know her mother, and family and friends who love and miss her very much. Bernadette deserves the spiritual peace of a final resting place and her loved ones a place to pray. This family desperately needs our help and your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Please help us if you can.
Anyone wishing to contribute to Bernadette's fund can do so by this fund raising link, or by sending a check or money order to:
Tracey Reitterer, c/o: Northwest Savings Bank, 1101 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, Maryland 21229 and referencing "Bernadette Caruso Fund Raising Effort" in the memo section.
Thank you, and blessings to each and every one of you!
Tracey Reitterer
Baltimore, Maryland
[email redacted]
"Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear" ♥
Organizer
Tracey Reitterer
Organizer
