Disappearance Probes Highlight University and City Response
In Ames and Simil Homme two young men in their 20s vanished 116 days apart and 108 miles apart. Friends describe them as kind and funny. One was the son of a Grinnell lawyer and art instructor, the other the son of a Haitian refugee preacher. The Simil Homme case prompts questions about University of Iowa HawkAlert use and Cedar Rapids police and news responsiveness. University officials say HawkAlert is not routinely used and policy is case by case. Public Safety Director Chuck Green cites potential stress to students and liability concerns for volunteers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ames
Lacuna
Similhomme
Grinnell
Haiti
University of Iowa
Cedar Rapids
Public Safety
Chuck Green
University
Jacques
Thompson
Monice Dalien
Dalien
Green
US Public Safety
Iowa
Stewart
Somerville
Isa
Tom Crady
Grinnell College
Paul Shuman- Moore
Shuman-Moore
Grinnell Country Club
Community neglect and search efforts in Lacina case
The Lacina missing person case spurred extensive but uneven campus and public response. University officials delayed campus alerts, while volunteers and local outlets raised awareness and pressed for help, contrasted by Cedar Rapids police jurisdiction hurdles and limited campus action.
Similhomme case fuels search and mixed police findings
Police began the Similhomme investigation October 5 after the car was found. Volunteers, including Merry Thies, aided searches in the Time Check area. Medical examiners ruled the death a drowning with possible self action, while family disputes the conclusion and calls for full disclosure remain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Similhomme
Merry Thies
Cedar Rapids
Ellis Park
Craig von Sprecken
Bernie Walther
Jacques
Danielle Holliday
Dwight Lapine
Rochester
Thies
Waterloo
Jonathan Thompson
Gazette editor recalls missing student coverage shortcomings
Mary Sharp of The Gazette reflects on limited coverage of University of Iowa student Jacques Similhombre, missing September 28 and found October 10, citing deadlines and resource limits. She notes communication gaps with police and university officials and discusses newsroom constraints shaping missing person reporting decisions.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Director of Public Safety
Lacina
Simithomme
Minn
Governor's Office
Daily Iowan
Nailw
Aving Iowan
Kelsey Beltramen
the Gazette
Mary Sharp
Tom Rocklin
Rocklin
Dessalines Similhomme
Jerry Stewart
Diane Somerville
FBI
National Crime Information Center
Abel Bolanos
Virginia Tech University
Penn State University
University of North Dakota
Iowa State Daily
Ames Tribune
Des Moines Register
CNN
Anderson Cooper
Jon
G.R
Coralville
Jim Malewitz
IowaWatch
Robert Wilcox
Jacques Similhomme
GazetteOnline.com
Ave
Jazette Man
Rairle
Mary
Sharp
The
Gazette
Des Moines
Devonta Love
Kathy Bolton
Metro
the Register
Randy Evans
Register
Martin Davis
University Iowa
Barry Davis
Press Citizen and Gazette
Press Citizen
Jim Lewers
Davis
Cedar River
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