For the first time ever we are finally hearing Kyron Horman’s voice and are able to see his mannerisms. Kyron’s family released brand new video and 200 pictures of the missing child late last night, and his biological mother and father spoke out this morning on the national networks. His mom, Desiree Young, said her son had poor vision and couldn’t see very far in front of him, so he’s known to stick close to home. Today marks the three week anniversary since he was last seen, and nearly 3,000 tips have poured in on this case. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office collected questionnaires from parents, students and staff of Skyline Elementary School in Portland, Oregon last weekend. The information was geared towards hopefully uncovering new leads that will help find the missing 7-year-old. Investigators passed out the forms one week ago and requested the information back at the end of last weekend. Kyron disappeared on June 4, 2010 after his step-mother Terri Moulton-Horman dropped him off at his school after a morning science fair. A person of interest and suspect has not been named in this case, but investigators have said this is now a criminal investigation. Lt. Mary Lindstrand of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office told me that the official search efforts to track Kyron Horman shifted, and the new flier released will hopefully lead to clues.
Matt Shelby, Spokesperson for the Portland School District said this was the first incident in 20 years that student vanished. Two decades ago Shelby said a young girl was taken out of one of their schools and raped, but her attacker was caught. This case is bizarre because Kyron was seen at the school that morning walking from classroom to classroom looking at the projects with his step-mother. Shelby confirmed to me that the school was open at 8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. for the public to come in. No one was required to sign in at the front office because the science fair was similar to an evening PTA event in that anyone was invited to attend. Kyron was one of 25 other students in his classroom at Skyline. About 300 students attend grades K-8. The morning Kyron vanished Shelby told me that two of the five doors were unlocked and families and friends could walk in and out easily. Unfortunately, there is not any surveillance monitoring the hallways or the classrooms.
Sgt. Travis Gullberg of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office told me that he couldn’t confirm an exact number of forms turned in last weekend, but at least 100 cars stopped at the site prior to 7 p.m. to drop off their information. “Some cars had one person, and some had multiple families. It is safe to say we collected over 100,” Gullberg said. It will take a while to filter through all of the information. The flier shows pictures of Kyron, two close up photos of Kyron’s step-mother Terri Horman, and the Ford F-250 white truck she was driving the day the child went missing. Hopefully the questions will help to jog memories. Sgt. Gullberg says, “I’ve been in the sheriff’s office for 12 years and this is the largest search effort I’ve ever seen… I’ve never experienced anything like this in my career.”
Lt. Lindstrand said, “Although this has been an investigation since day one, it has progressed into a criminal investigation.” Searchers from her department are available to assist in going out on leads, but the immediate area where Kyron went missing has been covered a dozen times. Teams have combed the water and land near the school and specifically Sauvie Island dozens of times. There are reports that this is where cell phone information from Kyron’s step-mother, Terri, was linked to, but Lt. Lindstrand cannot confirm or deny that information. There is one main bridge to get to Sauvie Island and it is only accessible by boat or by car over the bridge. The island is encompassed by two counties, and the island is surrounded by a channel. There are small shops there, houses and farming area.
Late last week Clear Channel Outdoor announced they donated space to launch 30 billboards with Kyron’s face and information on them. A press release confirms ten billboards are in Spanish, ten are in Russian and the rest are in English.
There are many questions that need to be answered, and investigators need your leads. Was there someone inside or outside the school?
Kyron’s step-mother Terri reportedly took two lie detector tests already, but investigators will not comment on those polygraphs at all. You have to remember, a lie detector is a great investigative tool that can help lead authorities in one direction or another, but there is no way of telling if the person taking it is withholding crucial information. Kyron’s family and investigators say Terri is cooperating with their efforts to find her step-son.
Kyron was last seen wearing orange and black cargo pants, and a black t-shirt with a “CSI” logo. The t-shirt has orange trim around the neck. He had on Sketcher tennis shoes, and white socks. Kyron weighs 50 pounds, and is 3 feet 8 inches tall.
Authorities announced a $25,000 reward being offered for any information, and this case will not grow cold.
Please contact Multnomah County Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 503-261-2847 with any information.
Tags: Kyron Horman, new video, released
