MICHAEL LARRY MADDEN IS MISSING

WHAT IS GOING ON?

5 AM, Sunday, August 10, 1996 Michael, before returning to college had decided to meet friends Josh Rocha and three others at Sandbar flats near Sonor in Tuolumne County CA, to go fishing. They were to join him the next day, Monday. He left a note for his mother stating where he was going and why, took his camping and fishing gear along with his dog Matilda and left for Sandbar flats. That was the last time he was seen.

Nickname: Mike

Missing Type: Endangered

Age at Disappearance: 20 years

Date of Birth: 01/22/76

Date Missing: 08/13/96

Missing from: Tuolumne County, CA

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 195 lbs

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Hazel

FOR INFORMATION CALL: TUOLUMNE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT 209 533-5815

Michael has a 3" surgical scar on his left collar bone.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS FOR MISSING ADULTS
WATCHDOG'S MOST WANTED
CHILDQUEST
GAYLE MARKS FROM STOCKTON, CA
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

THE REST OF THE STORY

2 AM Tuesday, August 12, 1996, Josh Rocha had celebrated his birthday with friends and did not arrive on Monday as scheduled, but arrived at Michael's campsite at this time. There was no sign of Michael or his dog Matilda, yet all of his gear was there and the fire was fresh. A man, later identified aas Joseph Tine walked out of the woods carrying a .45 automatic from no apparent campsite to confront the young men asking who they were. They did not answer, asking him who he was instead. He also did not reply according to the young men except to ask if they were looking for "Mikey". No one called him Mikey, he would have considered in an insult. The young men waited six hours for Michael to return while Mr. Tine sat on a nearby tree stump cocking the pistol over and over again according to the young men. They also believe he was wearing Michael's boot's.

...and the saga continues Soon after Michael's disappearance, detectives questioned Michael's family and friends and administered a polygragh test to his father. It was NINE MONTHS later before the detectives administered a polygraph test to Joseph Tine. The test results are not known. After lengthy negotiation the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department allowed Child Quest International to conduct another search of the area, but added restrictions, including having a deputy with each search team. This time dogs were used, but again nothing was found. This is a source of constant frustration for the parents. When the law enforcement agency in charge witholds information from the family for long periods of time that frustration increases.

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THE FAMILY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

It has become clear that the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department is not understanding in the pain and suffering that a parent feels at the loss of a child. And this is quite understandable unless they have walked in the shoes of a parent who has lost a child. The Madden's are not people of any celebrity. They are not rich. They are just regular people like you and I. Who now have to suffer the unbearable pain of a child who has vanished and not be able to put any closure on it. A man who has a daughter missing said to me, "It's like getting shot in the heart and not dying." This is exactly how it feels. So as parents of missing young adults, we have to depend on the law enforcement agencies to help us deal with this, to give us information to help us process the feelings and heartaches. This law enforcement agency doesn't appear to be willing to do that for the Madden family. The Madden Family needs your help. Please don't bury your head in the sand and ignore this horrible fact and be glad it isn't you! Step up and be counted and help this family and be glad it is not your child we are fighting for. Email Mr. Madden now with your support and suggestions. Click onto the links for WATCHDOG'S MOST WANTED and CHILD QUEST. DO IT NOW. PLEASE!

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS...... Tuesday, April 6, 1999 Detectives turned over the complete file of Michale Larry Madden to Mr. Larry Madden the father and Chris McElroy of the WATCHDOG. It is such a saddness that so much time and effort had to be expended in letters and phone calls and personal visits to get this taken care of in the appropriate manner, but let us just thank goodness that the files have finally been turned over. And let's hope that the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department will continue or re-open the investigation on Michael. What do we have to do to make them care enough to continue in an active manner? Of course now so much time has gone by, but still there has to be something that can be done. And one thing I can think of would be to talk to people that were in the area. I made a few phone calls myself and instead of being met with concern and sympathy for the family and justice for all I was met with irritation, untruths, uncooperation. Let's see what happens now.
THANK YOU TOULUMNE CO. SHERIFF'S!

No parent should ever have to suffer the way the Madden Family has suffered in the search for their son. Time was wasted by the Sheriff's Department and that is not something that we can tolerate when time is of the essence. Let's pray it isn't too late and Michael will be home soon.

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