Without a Trace

It seems like every time I read the newspaper I hear about a new kidnapping or murder in the Salt Lake Vally. Today, the article was regarding the murder of a 10 year old girl, Anna Palmer, in September 1998. Anna

was found lying in a pool of blood with slash wounds on her neck, and bruises to her upper chest, face and body, as well as dried leaves and grass tangled in her hair, according to Salt Lake Tribune reports following the crime.

Salt Lake City police seek help with cold case of murdered 10-year-old - Salt Lake Tribune

 No one was ever held in custody as a suspect of this murder, even after shows like America's Most Wanted featured the story and presented the public with a sketch of a man seen in the neighborhood right before her murder.  And

The thing that really disturbs Salt Lake City detectives about this case, is that the murder was committed in broad daylight...at a very busy time of day. They strongly believe there are people who have the information they need to solve this crime.

Utah News from KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, Utah

But I never heard anything about this tragedy. Even though I was only 8 when this murder happened, I still then I would have slightly remembered it have their been an immense amount of press coverage. It seems to me that when Elizabeth Smart was abducted, every news station, radio, and paper had updates about her nearly everyday up until the day she came home. Before her, I didn't know kidnappings even happened in Salt Lake. But now I know they happen nearly every day. What I just don't understand is why Elizabeth Smart's case got so much coverage, both locally and nationally, and so many people go missing without any notice everyday. Or take those postcards Missing Persons send out every once in a while... I have rarely seen any media coverage, or amber alert's on the missing people. I think it's a real tragedy when people go missing everyday and no one hears anything about it. Imagine if one of your best friends, or your sister, or you brother, went missing today and no one heard about it.