FUNERAL FOR CELINA CASS, 11; KILLER STILL ON LOOSE

A MOM'S GRIEF

FRIENDS AND FAMILY said goodbye to Celina Cass today and cried a river of tears. The 11-year-old from Stewartstown, New Hampshire was found murdered last Monday wrapped in a blanket and dumped in the Connecticut River about a mile from her home. So far, there have been no arrests as local cops and the FBI try to find her killer--even though the case has yet to be officially classified as a homicide. They are still waiting for results from toxicology tests. Celina was buried in Lancaster, NH
after a funeral service in Canaan, Vermont. Family members and friends were gathering to mourn her at a school gymnasium in neighboring Vermont where she played basketball. Samples of the girl's artwork plus photographs, stuffed animals and other keepsakes sat on tables flanking the podium where a picture of Celina was placed, according to the Associated Press.  “It’s just hard to think it could have been any of our children,” a friend told the Boston Herald. “It’s just not supposed to happen here and for somebody of her innocence to be taken, that was just wrong.” MORE IN THE HERALD

HOLLY BOBO, CELINA CASS, LAUREN SPIERER UPDATES!

* HOLLY BOBO DISAPPEARANCE MOVING SLOWLY: The pace of the investigation into the mysterious April disappearance of 20-year-old Tennessee nursing student Holly Bobo continues to move at a snail's pace. Detectives are now questioning convicted fuguitive sex offender George Wall, 43, who was busted as his girlfriend's house in Duluth, Minn. MORE FROM CRIME SCENE USA
* CELINA CASS LIVED IN A PARTY HOUSE: As more information is revealed, it appears poor Celina Cass, the 11-year-old New Hampshire girl, found murdered a week ago lived in a party house and her body was found wrapped in a blanket. Her stepfather
has faced a slew of mental issues and his pickup truck has been examined. She disappeared two weeks ago. Meanwhile, her funeral will be held today in Vermont. MORE IN THE UNION-LEADER
* LAUREN SPIERER PROBE DRAGS ON: In the other high-profile missing person's case, there still has been no sign of Lauren Spierer and now investigators are searching an Indiana land fill in hopes of finding something. It appears that her friends are being less than forthcoming on the pretty blonde 20-year-old co-ed's June 3 disappearance. MORE ON LAUREN SPIERER

CELINA CASS: STEPFATHER'S TRUCK TAKEN AWAY

TRAGIC

A PICKUP truck belonging to the troubled stepfather of Celina Cass, has been hauled away by cops investigating her mysterious death. 
The tragic 11-year-old's body was found dead on Monday, almost a week after her mysterious disappearance, but detectives are still trying to work out how she died. 
As part of their investigation they have taken the truck, which neighbors said was used by her stepfather Wendell Noyes, who was reportedly taken to hospital hours before the youngster's body was found. 
In the past he has received treatment for mental illness and was reportedly involuntarily committed to a mental institution and diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2003.
Officers remained tight lipped on why they were taking the truck, but it's thought they maybe searching for DNA or other clues in the vehicle.
New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said has confirmed that an autopsy failed to determine how the girl died and further toxicology tests and more investigations were needed.
But she maintained the death was considered suspicious.
Cops are continuing to comb the river which divides Vermont and New Hampshire, near where Celina's body was found, while crime scene technicians said they were doing computer-aided diagramming to give them a precise electronic image of the area.
One of them said: "We always do a thorough job but because of the sad nature of this case, everyone is doubly determined to find out what happened. 
Five hundred tips were received and the FBI offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to her and to the arrest and prosecution of anyone responsible for her disappearance.

BOY ASKS: 'WHO WOULD DO THAT TO CELINA CASS?'

THE HEARTACHE in New Hampshire continues as an autopsy to discover how Celina Cass died has so far been inconclusive. However, cops seem to have no doubt the soft-spoken 11-year-old was murdered. Her body was found in the Connecticut River Monday and now residents of her small town near the Canadian border are asking:why?
 Carole Rodrigue told the Boston Herald: “Whoever did this might be living here. I just hope they get the person and he pays for what he did, because she was just an innocent little girl.”

Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said the girl’s death was suspicious because of the condition of the body, but she declined to be specific. She said last night further study was needed on the autopsy.


Johanne Rodrigue told the Herald her 10-year-old son went to a nearby park with Celina and her family July 22, the Friday before she vanished. On the Tuesday, she said, Celina's sister, Kayla, 13, and a pal came looking for her. She said: “My son said to me, ‘Who would do that to Celina?’ and all I could tell him was, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know.’ ” MORE IN THE BOSTON HERALD

NEW HAMPSHIRE HEARTACHE: CELINA CASS MURDER

AN AUTOPSY today should reveal how 11-year-old Celina Cass was killed. The New Hampshire girl's body was found Monday morning at a damn in the Connecticut River after a week-long search around her hometown of West Stewartstown--about a mile from the Canadian border. Cops believe she was murdered and a full manhunt in now underway for her killer. Last night a candlelight vigil was held for the quiet, popular girl as the crowd sang "Amazing Grace." Her best friend collapsed in tears.
Her dad Adam Laro said of Celina:  "Very sweet, very outgoing, very generous
to people. Lovable, trusting, you name it."
Celina was last seen Monday evening, July 25, at a computer in the home where she lives with her mother, stepfather and 13-year-old sister. The house was sealed off with police crime scene tape Monday after the body was discovered. Police have not identified anyone as a suspect but her stepfather, Wendell Noyes has a troubled past. AUTOPSY WILL REVEAL CAUSE OF DEATH

URGENT: CELINA CASS, 11, FOUND MURDERED IN NH RIVER

UPDATE: The body found near a hydro dam on the Connecticut River in New Hampshire has been identified as that of missing 11-year-old Celina Cass. The body was found this morning half a mile from where the girl lived. Cops now say they believe the soft-spoken child was murdered. Sources told the Union-Leader there was screaming and crying at her home when cops arrived to bring the grim news.  Celina disappeared July 25 and had last been seen on her computer. New Hampshire Attorney General Jane Young said: "We have brought Celina home, but not the way we wanted to bring her home."

 MORE IN THE UNION-LEADER. MEANWHILE, a law enforcement source said: "This is now a murder investigation and we will leave no stone unturned in bringing the monster who did this to Celina to justice."

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EARLIER: THE FATHER of missing New Hampshire girl Celina Cass is begging for the soft-spoken 11-year-old's safe return. Adam Laro said: “We are all wondering where my daughter is and hoping the best for her safety. I’d appreciate it if we get her back very soon. If she hears me now, tell her Daddy’s OK now. I’m doing much better, and whenever you’re ready to come home, Celina, daddy will be here waiting for you.”
Laro had recently been hospitalized but offered no further information.
Meanwhile, the hunt for Celina--missing a week-- is losing steam. So far they have investigated 400 leads but residents of her smalltown fear that she may not be found alive. Resident Robbie Kimball said: “Ain’t nobody hopeful. The only hope we have is that she’s going somewhere and maybe will get in touch with us.”
Her best friend Makayla Riendeau said:  “She’s a very good friend, and she never lets anybody down. She would never run away."
The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information in the case, and a community member has added $5,000. MEANWHILE, a missing children expert offers a range of scenarios on Celina's fate. EXPERT WEIGHS IN ON CELINA CASS

HOPE FADING FOR MISSING NH GIRL CELINA CASS, 11

POLICE SOURCES say hope is fast fading for the safe return of missing New Hampshire girl Celina Cass, 11. After scouring through garbage and interviewing everyone in her small town near the Canadian border today they're searching the Connecticut River. The soft-spoken little girl disappeared Monday and has not been seen since. The FBI have offered a $25,000 reward for info on her bizarre disappearance.
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kieran Ramsey, announcing the reward said: “This reward should not be read into that we are transitioning in
any way in this investigation. We are still aggressively — aggressively — searching and hoping to bring Celina Cass home."
But friends and family are losing hope after almost a week.
West Stewartstown selectman Jimmy Gilbert said: It’s a pretty sad mood for everyone. It’s hard not knowing. Everyone wants to know.” HOPE FADING FOR CELINA CASS

CELINA CASS'S FATHER HAS 'VIOLENT, MENTALLY ILL PAST'

WITHOUT TRACE

MISSING 11-year-old Celina Cass's stepfather has a violent past, filled with allegations of criminal behavior and mental illness records reveal. Wendell Noyes, 47, was busted for threatening an ex-girlfriend back in 2003, after breaking into her home while she and her two children slept, picking up her mattress and slamming it down.
As a result of the 2003 attack, court records show that the 47-year-old was involuntarily committed after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
At the time, Judge Richard Hampe ruled Noyes was incompetent to stand trial, writing that the man's mental illness created "a potentially serious likelihood of danger to himself and others."
Pretty Celina, 11, vanished without trace Monday, after last being seen playing on her computer at around 9pm, sparking a huge manhunt, around the small town of Stewartson, NH, which has just 800 residents and is just a mile away from the Canadian border.

There seemed to be no signs that she had either run away or of abduction or struggle as nothing was missing or disturbed in her room.
State Police, border patrol and FBI child abduction experts scoured the area Thursday, even sending agents as far as New York and Virginia.
Shannon Towles, who owns a mini-mart on Route 3, said her disappearance had shaken the town, saying: "It's creepy. Things like this don't happen here. I know that's kind of a tired phrase. I'm an overprotective mom as it is. Now it's going to be way worse." 
She added: "She's just a little girl and she's a nice little girl."

FBI HUNT FOR MISSING CELINA CASS GOES TO CANADA

THE SEARCH for missing 11-year-old New Hampshire girl Celina Cass has now moved to Canada. With no sign that she voluntarily left or was kidnapped, the FBI has enlisted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police--our northern neighbour's border is just one mile away--to search for the shy girl. Also, her stepfather's past has come under the spotlight. MORE ON CELINA CASS

MISSING CELINA CASS, 11, 'WOULDN'T HAVE RUN AWAY'

CELINA CASS would never have gone with a stranger, friends said. The missing 11-year-old New Hampshire girl was just too painfully shy. Cass--who lives near the Canadian border--was last seen in her bedroom Monday night. Kayla Baglio said: “She was very shy. If she didn’t know you she would look to her older sister to make sure you were okay."
So anyone in her small village of 900 who knows her--and that's pretty much everyone--doubts she willing went with the person who likely abducted her. And they don't think she ran away either.
The investigation, now aided by the FBI, has sent
shivers of terror through the area as parents fear for their own children's safety.

Kieran Ramsey, the supervisory special agent for the F.B.I. in New Hampshire said the agency has deployed its “Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team.” Cops are begging for the public's help and the case still being treated as a missing person's case. However, late Wednesday crime scene tape was put around the family home.

FBI JOINS HUNT FOR MISSING CELINA CASS, 11

A DESPERATE search is underway in New Hampshire for missing 11-year-old Celina Cass and now the FBI has been called in to help unravel the mystery. The West Stewartstown--about a mile from the Canadian border-- girl vanished Monday night around 9 p.m. from her home. She was last seen playing on her computer. When her parents went to wake her up the next morning, Celina was gone. Authorities are searching the Connecticut River
Lt. Douglas Gralenski said they were searching the residential area along the Connecticut River and in nearby woods. Her parents say Celina is not the type to run away.
Her stepdad Wendell Noyes said Celiona was quiet: "I'm not really at liberty to say anything. She's just a little girl and she's a nice little girl."

 Shannon Towles, said Celina's disappearance has stunned the town of 800.
She said: "It's creepy. Things like this don't happen here. I know that's kind of a tired phrase. I'm an overprotective mom as it is. Now it's going to be way worse."
Cops say there is no indication Celina ran away or that another family member may have taken her. On the other hand, there were no signs of a struggle. Celina is 5-foot-5, 95 lbs., and has waist-length hair and hazel eyes. She was last wearing a pink shirt, pink pullover, blue shorts and shoes

WHERE IS CELINA CASS