Since Sherry/Rosco tipped us to the story here, it's probably only fair to go ahead and post the story:
Mongo murders on show Web site
‘America’s Most Wanted’ features slayings of Terry and Darleen Anderson
By Tiffany Yoder
tiffanyy@kpcnews.net
MONGO — For over three years, Sherry Musilek of Chicago has done everything in her power to keep the memory of her father, Terry Anderson, and his wife, Darleen, in the public’s eye.
The Andersons were the victims of a brutal double homicide at their home in Mongo on Oct. 20, 2005. Since then, Musilek has done everything in her power to spread awareness of the crime, in hopes that information leading to an arrest will come forward. The case now will receive national attention, as it is being featured on the Web site for “America’s Most Wanted,” a program dedicated to finding answers to crimes and finding missing persons.
“I’m really excited about it being on ‘America’s Most Wanted,’” Musilek said. “I can’t imagine anything more exciting than someone getting arrested.”
For the last three years, Musilek has made sure her father and his wife have stayed in people’s minds. She has placed billboards in memory of the couple, held an annual memorial vigil, spoken to every talk show she has been able to and written numerous letters to outlets of all sizes, ranging from local media outlets to national organizations.
“I’ve been doing so much to keep this in the limelight,” she said. “I needed national coverage. I need this not to be forgotten.”
Musilek hadn’t known her father growing up. It wasn’t until she was 18 that she sought him out, but since then the two had remained close. She would visit her father and Darleen at their home whenever she had the chance. Once she was married, her husband, Eric, traveled with her. He said he felt an instant bond with the couple.
“We hit it off since day one,” Eric said.
He said he remembered Terry as a “jolly” man, adding that he wasn’t mean at all. A favorite shared pastime for the men was fishing, a hobby Eric learned entirely from Terry. “He’s taught me everything I know,” Eric said with a laugh. In his memory, Eric attends an annual Terry Anderson Iron Man Memorial Fishing Tournament, held the weekend of Father’s Day each year at Webster Lake.
It came as a shock to the Musileks when they heard that someone had killed the Andersons in their own home. Sherry’s sister, Amanda, had found Darleen the morning after the homicides when she came to give Terry a ride to work. The Musileks immediately made their way to Mongo when they heard what had happened. They were shocked at the limited information they were given.
“It’s unbelievable,” Eric said. “I feel sorry for all the people of Mongo.”
Sherry Musilek received word from Sheriff Terry Martin approximately eight to nine months ago, saying that “America’s Most Wanted” had contacted the department and requested a packet of information regarding the case. Musilek remained alert to any word that the case may be featured, and was thrilled to receive an e-mail from a producer on Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, indicating they planned to do something on the case.
“It’s been a very becoming Thanksgiving,” she said.
Musilek said she hopes the case may make the television program, which airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. on the Fox network. However, she has been told that it is very difficult to get a case on the program, which lasts only 43 minutes each week. There is still a chance the case may make airwaves, though.
“He did say it’s possible that if it gets enough hits, John Walsh might contact them,” Musilek said of her discussions with the producer, indicating enough Internet interest could help the case break onto the program. “We need all the hits we can get, the more hits the better.”
Musilek said she was intent on finding out what had happened to the Andersons and who was responsible for it. She said she cannot let it sit around and go unsolved.
“It’s not fair,” she said. “I won’t stop until I’m in the ground and I hope my son will continue after that.”
This time of year, she said, is particularly hard for her. Both Musilek and Terry have December birthdays, and the holidays add to the grief she already feels about the loss of her father and Darleen. Musilek and her husband would visit every year for the holidays and the men would go on hunting trips. Now, however, the couple rarely make trips to the area as it is too painful.
When they do visit, there are two stops Musilek always makes. She visits the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department and the place where the Andersons have been laid to rest. Though she keeps in contact with the sheriff’s department, she said she only receives limited information. However, she said she is glad for this because she wouldn’t want to risk the investigation.
“I’d rather they not tell me anything at all if it’s going to jeopardize the investigation,” she said.
Musilek encourages anyone who may have information, or may hear anything about the case, to come forward. She said it may be possible that someone might overhear something while out and about, and someday a tip like that may lead to a break in the case.
“You never know, people talk,” she said, noting there is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the case. She said she firmly believes that someone knows something about the case and more coverage may lead to more information. “Maybe the person who knows something will come forward.”
Information about the case is available at the “America’s Most Wanted” Web site at amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=61288&refresh=1 or at terryanddarleen.com.
Cold Case Detective
Re: Darleen and Terry Anderson Murders
Originally Posted by james_t
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks