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Welcome
Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project is a victim-centered volunteer organization dedicated to reuniting missing persons with their loved ones, fostering positive relationships between families and law enforcement and advocating tirelessly for victims of unresolved cases, missing individuals and their families.
At Light The Way we believe in treating missing persons, their families, and loved ones with empathy and compassion and we understand that every person deserves to be found.
We have the right to choose which cases are accepted and what services are needed at our own discretion.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
For the last two plus years, Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project has organized a weekly phone call and email writing campaign to Governor Inslee on behalf of missing child Oakley Carlson requesting that he conduct an immediate secondary independent agency review of Oakley’s Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (WA DCYF) case. This past fall, Governor Inslee responded and stated that, “The Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) found that DCYF’s conduct and actions were consistent with court orders, state and federal laws, and agency policies. My office has a high degree of confidence in both the thoroughness and impartiality of the OFCO’s investigation and finding regarding DCYF’s conduct and its service delivery to Oakley and her family.” His response felt as if he was ignoring Oakley’s supporters concerns regarding Patrick Dowd’s lack of transparency when interviewing Jamie Jo Hiles, Oakley’s foster mom, and the verified timeline which shows WA DCYF’s disregard for the multiple phone calls and emails made to social worker Angela Fries regarding Oakley’s safety.
The facts are simple, WA DCYF failed Oakley Carlson and we have created a petition in support of seeking answers for Oakley by requesting that Governor Inslee conduct an immediate secondary independent agency review of Oakley Carlson’s WA DCYF case. We need your help today by signing the petition and sharing the petition across your social media platforms and with friends and family.
We THANK YOU for being a voice for Oakley and a voice for children who have been failed by the adults whose job was to keep them safe. Click here to sign and share!
Call to Action
Lonene “Lonnie” Rogers has been missing since January 7, 1981 from Hayfield Township, Pennsylvania. She is profoundly deaf and as a result cannot speak fluently. Lonnie communicates primarily through lip reading and American Sign Language. It was reported that on January 7, Lonnie was last seen by her husband, Clinton “Bud” Rogers, between 2 and 3 am during a snowstorm. According to Bud, she left after the two had an argument. He stated he went to sleep and that when he awoke she was gone. Lonnie left behind her purse, hearing aids, medication, glasses, Mustang car, car keys, and two small children that she loved dearly. Bud did not report Lonnie missing. Lonnie’s parents did, after Bud started behaving strangely just hours after her disappearance.
For the next eight years after Lonnie’s disappearance, Lonnie and Bud's two children were shuttled from one temporary location to the next. On October 14, 1989, Bud dropped their daughter Alison off at a police station and stated he no longer wished to care for her. A guidance counselor at Alison's school reached out to her, and she ultimately came under her legal guardianship for the remainder of her childhood and Alison considers that family to be her true family.
On January 19, 2022, A Daughter’s Journey…and Story of Resilience, written by Lonnie’s daughter, Alison Duiker, was published, click here to view the book. The book details the life of Lonene Ray Rogers and Alison’s own life experiences growing up as a daughter whose mother was missing and her belief that her biological father, Bud, may have been involved in her mother's disappearance. Alison’s strength and determination to find the truth about what happened to her mother Lonnie shines through in her book and we feel honored to work with her.
Over the last forty-three years, Alison has remained Lonnie’s most steadfast advocate, stopping at nothing to find justice for her missing mother. However she has struggled to work collaboratively with law enforcement due to the numerous denials when requesting her mother’s missing person’s case files. Law enforcement has reported that they have been actively working Lonnie’s case, however, according to Alison in four decades they have been unsuccessful in moving the case forward. Alison states that each phone call made by her family results in detectives communicating there is nothing new to report. These words are often followed by how busy they are solving other cases, and a reminder that Lonnie’s case is an add-on to their already overwhelming workload. Alison recently initiated a petition aimed at establishing “Lonnie’s Law,” a legislative proposal which would grant families of missing individuals access to case files in instances where the case remains unresolved for exceeding 20 years. Please sign and share the petition regarding Lonnie’s Law by clicking here.
Engage With Empathy Campaign
Light The Way proudly supports and encourages Julie Murray's Engage With Empathy Campaign. The #EngageWithEmpathy Campaign unites survivors of true crime, supporters, & content creators as we make the difficult journey for those struggling with loss a little more bearable.
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES:
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To offer support and solace to those struggling with loss and trauma.
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To educate content creators on the lasting effects their content has on those who have the most at stake in the stories they cover.
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To educate the public on how to identify responsible and ethical true crime content.
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To engage the true crime community on issues important to victims and families left behind in the wake of these tragedies.
#EngageWithEmpathy Campaign - Maura Murray (mauramurraymissing.org)
Birthdays And Important Dates
MAY 3
May 3 marked one year since missing 17-year-old Victoria Rayment was last seen in Hoquiam, Washington. At the time of her disappearance, Victoria was 5’9” tall, 120-130 lbs, had blue eyes, and naturally blonde hair, but she frequently dyes her hair and wears wigs. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or your local police department.
MAY 4
On May 4, Maura Murray turned 42-years-old. To honor Maura, her loving family, Light The Way and advocates all around the world participated in the Maura Murray Work Out of the Day (WOD) and/or by performing Random Act of Kindness.
Maura has been missing from Haverhill, New Hampshire since February 9, 2004. Her family continues to advocate for answers and justice. Happy Birthday, Maura. Missing, but never forgotten. To learn more about Maura’s story click here.
MAY 5
May 5 was National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People Day (two-spirit people, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex). The day is also known as “Red Dress Day” and to commemorate the day, individuals wear red, attend marches, hold rallies, attend bike rides, organize fundraisers, and more to raise awareness for the MMIP cause and to advocate against the injustice that Indigenous people are victims of violence at a much higher rate than any other U.S. population.
MAY 12
On May 12, we honor the amazing women in our lives on Mother’s Day. However, we also send extra love to those families whose mothers are missing and those mothers who have missing children. As you celebrate your day, please take a moment to think about these families.
MAY 17
On Friday, May 17, we invite you to join Light The Way, alongside families, victim advocates, legislators, law enforcement, district attorney, and community members from Massachusetts, for a pivotal event: Advocacy Day for the Missing and Murdered Children of Massachusetts at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The keynote speaker will be Julie Murray, sister of missing woman Maura Murray and the force behind the podcast "Media Pressure Season One: The Untold Story of Maura Murray." This event will take place from 11am to 1pm in the Great Hall of the State House.
Together, let's raise awareness for the unresolved cases of missing and murdered children of MA.
RSVP at projectproductionsllc@gmail.com, by clicking here, or by scanning the QR code on the flyer pictured.
Click here for Official Press Release
MAY 19
On May 18, 2016, Logan Schiendelman was last seen in Tumwater, Washington. The next day, on May 20, 2016, Logan’s 1996 black Chrysler Sebring convertible was discovered abandoned along the southbound lane of Interstate 5 in Rochester, WA, which is approximately 20 miles south of Tumwater, with his wallet, driver's license, and cell phone still inside. Logan’s whereabouts remain unknown. Logan’s family continues to advocate for answers for their beloved son, grandson, nephew, and cousin. You can learn more about Logan by joining their Facebook group, click here to join.
MAY 21
On May 21, Dawn Holt will turn 49-years-old. Sadly, Dawn has been missing from Waldorf, Maryland since April 25, 1996 when she had plans to meet up with family but never arrived. Her family continues to advocate for answers and justice. Happy Birthday, Dawn. Missing, but never forgotten.
MAY 25
On May 25, we observe National Missing Children’s Day in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the thousands of children who go missing each year and the ongoing efforts to locate and reunite them with their families. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25th as National Missing Children’s Day in 1983, honoring the memory of Etan Patz, a 6-year-old boy who disappeared in 1979. Since then, this day has been dedicated to raising awareness about missing children and recognizing the tireless work of organizations and individuals committed to child safety. Let’s join together to honor the memory of missing children and advocate for their safe return home.
JUNE 11
Join us on Tuesday, June 11 from 8 to 9pm EST as we present “How to Write a Press Release." This is an informational webinar for families of the missing and unresolved that will explore the various methods of navigating media opportunities in the true crime community while protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Past Events
Thank you to our INCREDIBLE Light The Way JOG FOR JUSTICE team, those who purchased apparel to raise funds and those who made generous donations in support of the Jog For Justice 5k event! Our team included families of the missing, advocates, podcasters, law enforcement, bloggers, Washington State’s Miss Thurston County’s Teen, and community members. With your help our team raised over $525 for Season of Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing funding to investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases. Thank you for continuing to support our efforts in LIGHTING THE WAY home for the missing!
Exciting News!
We are thrilled to share with you that we have taken on some volunteers here at Light The Way! Over the next few months, we would like to introduce them to you and share their amazing accomplishments and why we feel they will be such assets to our organization.
Haley Gray
Haley Gray is a seasoned researcher and writer devoted to shedding light on unsolved cases. Since 2016, she has collaborated with over 20 podcasts, including Moms and Mysteries, Big Mad True Crime, and Detective Perspective with Derrick Levasseur.
Beyond her podcast endeavors, Haley co-launched True Crime Podcast Training with her friend and business partner, Andrea Marshbank. Together, they offer 100% online courses preparing students for roles in true crime podcasting.
In addition to her involvement in the podcasting realm, Haley serves as the Secretary of The Bridegan Foundation, a non-profit established by Kirsten Bridegan in response to the tragic murder of her husband, Jared Bridegan.
Recently, Haley has joined forces with the advocacy group Light the Way, providing support to families navigating unsolved cases. Through this collaboration, she has honed her advocacy skills while sharing her expertise in case research.
In her contributions to true crime podcasts, nonprofits, and advocacy groups, Haley exemplifies a commitment to integrity, ethics, and empowering others. Through her work, she continues to shine a light on the stories that often go unheard, striving to make a lasting impact in the pursuit of truth and justice.
Recently, Haley has worked with others in the missing and murdered community to develop a guidebook titled, Collaborating For Justice, A Guide For Families & Creators Spreading Awareness of Unsolved Cases. “This guidebook serves as a compass for both families and creators embarking on this journey together. For families, it offers insight into finding the right creator, establishing boundaries, and ensuring their loved one's story is told with sensitivity and respect. For creators, it provides a roadmap for ethical collaboration, from initial contact with families to post-episode support.” Click here to view the guide book.