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Police release little info at press conference for slain girl
FAIRFIELD — Police spent more time at a press conference Wednesday deflecting questions and dispelling erroneous news reports than they did providing new details in their investigation into the homicide of a 13-year-old Suisun City girl.
They did announce that the FBI and the Department of Justice are involved in the investigation, but provided no details as to the level of that involvement.
Beyond that, no new information was released into the death of Genelle Renee Conway-Allen, whose body was found naked early Friday morning in a parking lot near the rear of Allan Witt Park. She was last seen Thursday.
Sgt. Rebecca Belk spent a good portion of her time at the podium greeting questions with no answer or claiming the department had no information to share about the topics raised.
“There’s anything possible at this point,” she told one reporter.
Conway-Allen was reported missing around 5:45 p.m. Thursday by her guardian at the foster home in nearby Suisun City where she lived. Eric May, 54, of Fairfield, said he found the girl’s naked body a little before 7 a.m. Friday.
Chief Walt Tibbet asked for the public’s help in providing details of the final minutes Conway-Allen was accounted for. She was last seen in the area of Railroad Avenue in Suisun City and was last captured on camera at the corner of East Tabor Avenue and Grande Circle in the late afternoon.
Belk read a brief statement from the family of Conway-Allen, in which they thanked everyone for their support and asked for privacy during their time of grief. It also commended Fairfield police for their work and asked for anyone with information to come forward.
“This has been a devastating tragedy for our family and community,” the statement read. “. . . Thank you again for your love and support during this difficult time.”
Tibbet addressed reports that aired on a newscast Tuesday that implied police were looking for a certain vehicle. He quickly dismissed those rumors of police searching for a gray van. Tibbet also said any information about a cause of death, other than homicide, has not been released.
“It is not appropriate,” he said. “At this time it will be hurtful to the investigation and devastating to the family.”
Tibbet was later surrounded by a group of cameras and reporters who continued to pepper him with questions. Rather than answer speculative questions, he asked them to be patient. He then thanked the media outlets that have respected the department’s protocols.
“That helps us alleviate fear,” Tibbet said.
Police during and after the press conference stressed a message they said they continually share with parents: the need for parents to talk to their children, to encourage them to be aware of their surroundings and to be wary of strangers.
Belk said parents should teach children that if a stranger approaches them, to scream to draw attention to themselves, and try to get away. Tibbet later said it’s important for parents at all times to be vigilant, but not necessarily hypervigilant, when it comes to their children’s safety.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the department’s Major Crimes Unit at 428-7600, the 24-hour tip line at 428-7345 or Crime Stoppers at 644-7867. Callers can remain anonymous.
Reach Danny Bernardini at 427-6935 or dbernardini@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dbernardinidr. Glen Faison contributed to this report.
Danny Bernardini
Discussion | 6 comments
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GemmaFebruary 07, 2013 - 5:11 am
Those "suggestions" are fine and dandy, but I don't believe a stranger did this to her. I believe she knew the monster who did this.Thank God the FBI's invoved, but weren't they also called in to work Phuong Le's case, which is still UNSOLVED?
Reply |JulianneFebruary 07, 2013 - 6:57 am
I assume that all the sexual predators in that area are being investigated? Just that apartment complex by Tabor and Railroad is filled up with known sexual predators. And of course, I would like to know if all those predators in this region are legal US Citizens? If not, why are they permitted to remain here and endanger our community? We have no clue if she knew the person or not. Stranger attacks are not uncommon. I know, I was the victim of one as a teen. Of course that would have not been the case if I could have practiced my Constitutional right to keep and bear arms and the monster would not be loose to ever attempt to rape and kill another. It is NEVER safe for a person to walk/ride a bike alone. Even in groups, kids and teens are being jumped, but alone makes them a much easier target. Our local neighborhood park, I can't let my kids go there without me and even then we often have to leave because too many hoodlums hang out there, the result of lack of morals and values being taught. The issue is did the police take the "missing" phone call seriously or just once again blow it off until AFTER she was found dead? Her photo walking near my neighborhood...means we probably have some sick predator loose in the area. The person cannot be caught soon enough. Praying for all her family and friends. Bless her heart.
Reply |RichFebruary 07, 2013 - 8:12 am
Gemma, there are a lot of unsolved attrocities around here. I see many young kids running out into traffic and playing by themselves in the street. One day I was leaving my home and I found the woman who's kids were killed in that car wreck on highway 12 little 3 year old in diapers wandering around in the driveway without anyone watching him. I should have taken a picture of him and called the cops and CPS. But I doubt they would have done anything. Gee, I wonder why my wife and I watched our kids like hawks---they are our most valuable possession and can't one replaced. Even after they grow up I worry about them. They are sick of my counsel but I don't care---we did our job and upheld our responsibilities to them.
Reply |John in SuisunFebruary 07, 2013 - 3:25 pm
Has anyone asked the police why an Amber Alert was never issued when the young lady was first reported missing? I thought cases like this was why the system was originally instituted.
Reply |VericamFebruary 07, 2013 - 4:58 pm
My heart aches from this disgusting act. The article says she had a tough life and was from home to home, well now she is in the best home of them all in the arms of our heavenly father. This was a innocent child that was worth more than to be thrown out like some piece of trash. I hope that the MONSTER that did this will burn in hell. This coward needs to be caught asap. I have no sympathy for pukes that do this to children. May you Rest In Peace Genelle... Justice will be served the Lord will make sure of it
Reply |Mr. PracticalFebruary 07, 2013 - 5:44 pm
John, the case didn't meet the Amber Alert criteria as follows... •Law enforcement must confirm that an abduction has taken place •The child is at risk of serious injury or death •There is sufficient descriptive information of child, captor, or captor's vehicle to issue an alert •The child must be 17 years old or younger •It is recommended that immediate entry of AMBER Alert data be entered in FBI's National Crime Information Center. Text information describing the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the child should be entered, and the case flagged as Child Abduction.
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