Assumed Deceased: Peggy Merimon -- TX -- 08/09/2006

[Linda]

http://www.kcbd.com/global/story.asp?s=7080045

The Remains of Peggy Merimon Found?

9/15/07

The search for missing Lubbock woman Peggy Merimon continued Saturday. Led by bounty hunter Gary Pringle and Gearl Merimon, Peggy's husband, dozens of volunteers came out again to search for Peggy, and at one point, it looked as if they may have found what they've been looking for now, for 402 days.

Hopes flew high as one of the search parties came across what they thought were human remains. In fact, the Lubbock Sheriff's Office came out to the scene along with an anthropologist from Texas Tech because several of the bones found didn't look like the animal remains teams have found in the past.

Unfortunately, after review by the experts, it turns out that what was found wasn't human, and because of days like Saturday, Peggy Merimon's husband, Gearl says he's really numb to the whole thing.

"We've done so many times, and we haven't come across the actual thing and I really don't build up any hope that it is. So I actually guess I don't feel anything until I actually know," Gearl said.

The search concluded at 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

Gearl Merimon and Gary Pringle say hope isn't lost. In fact, Gearl will be back out next Friday and Saturday just like he has been every weekend since Peggy went missing in August 2006.

[Linda]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=7267419&nav=3w6y


Reward Doubles in Case of Missing Lubbock Woman

10/25/07

The reward for missing Lubbock woman, Peggy Merimon, has been doubled to $50,000.  A additional $25,000  has been  put towards the reward for Peggy's recovery, plus the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Peggy Merimon disappeared last August, along with her co-worker Kay Harrelson. Harrelson's body was found in a ditch eleven days later. The whereabouts of Merimon are still unknown.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6750252&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Lubbock Man Hopes Billboard Will Help Bring Missing Wife Home 
06/11/08

Gearl Merimon says a billboard offering a reward is offering him hope that the nearly two year old mysterious disappearance of his wife will be solved.

"This sign went up about two weeks ago. It was an organization out of Arizona that helped put up the money and helped put it up and everything. And then the reward of one hundred thousand dollars came out of an organization out of Arkansas . And they put up the rest of the, the remainder of the 50,000.

Peggy Merimon was last seen leaving her Lubbock State School job with co-worker Kay Harrelson whose remains were found ten days later near Shallowater.

Mr. Merimon says he believes someone living near or routinely driving past the billboard on West 19th Street knows something that can help end his nearly two year long search for Peggy. 

--
If you know anything about her whereabouts, give Crime Line a call at (806) 741-1000.

[Linda]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=8787027&nav=menu69_2_9

Suit Identifies Suspect In Merimon & Harrelson Case

8/4/08

A civil lawsuit reveals new details in the disappearance of Peggy Merimon and the death of Kay Harrelson.  Merimon disappeared from the Lubbock State School on August 9, 2006. Witnesses saw her leave with co-worker Kay Harrelson, and an unidentified man.

Merimon has never been found. Volunteer searchers discovered Harrelson's body 11-days later in a bar-ditch near Shallowater.  Monday, a civil lawsuit filed by both families identifies the person who they say killed their loved ones.

Since the start of their investigation, police have never named a suspect, but they did release a sketch of the person who witnesses say the women left with.  Now, the wrongful death suit identifies the suspect as Mickey Patterson.

The lawsuit claims Patterson lured Merimon and Harrelson from the Lubbock State School on August 9, 2006. It goes on to say that Patterson held them against their will, and ultimately killed them and hid their bodies.

The families say Patterson's actions constitute malice, saying he had specific intent to cause substantial injury to Merimon, Harrelson, and their families. They're asking that a citation be issued and served on Patterson and that after a final hearing, the court award damages for all they've suffered. It does not state a specific amount, but asks that the court tax all costs against Patterson.

NewsChannel 11 told you last year that the suspect was terminated from his employment with the Lubbock State School in late August.  State Representative Delwin Jones lead the push to either put him back to work or fire him, after we discovered the suspect, now named as Patterson in the wrongful death law suit, made more than $44,000 during a year of paid leave.

We want to point out that this is a civil suit.  No criminal charges have been filed in this case.  NewsChannel 11 will keep you updated.

[Denise]

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/080508/loc_313692611.shtml

Families file wrongful death suit

By Robin Pyle | Avalanche-Journal
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Story last updated at 8/5/2008 - 2:19 am

Days before the two-year anniversary of their disappearance, the families of two Lubbock women have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man they believe is responsible.

The families of Louetta Kay Harrelson and Peggy Merimon say Mickey Patterson lured the women from the Lubbock State School on Aug. 9, 2006, killed them and hid their bodies, according to court documents filed Monday.

 Harrelson's body was found 11 days later in a ditch just southwest of Shallowater. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Merimon remains missing.

The lawsuit is a civil case and does not carry the penalties, or the same standards of proof, as a criminal case.

Investigators identified a "person of interest" shortly after the women disappeared, but he has never been charged or named in public records. Police would not say if they still have a person of interest in the case.

But family members have remained adamant in their belief that Patterson is the man responsible for their loved ones' fate.

Natosha Davis, Merimon's daughter, said the families decided to file the suit because the statute of limitations on wrongful death will expire after two years, which is Saturday. "We waited until the last possible minute that we could," she said.

Davis referred comment about the lawsuit to the families' attorney, Don Graf. He could not be reached Monday.

The lawsuit seeks damages for the severe emotional distress and physical pain of Harrelson and Merimon as well as the pain and suffering of their families, according to court documents. It further seeks to recover punitive damages from Patterson.

Matt Powell, Lubbock County's district attorney, said he spoke with Graf, who was concerned the lawsuit might hurt a criminal investigation. It won't, Powell said.

"It doesn't change a thing," Powell said. "We're not doing anything because we haven't been presented a case yet.

"I'm hoping this will rattle some cages, or put some stuff on the forefront, if someone might know something. I think this is the first time (Patterson's) name has been made public."

Lubbock Police Capt. Greg Stevens said police are not prepared to file criminal charges in the case. In criminal cases, prosecutors have to prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, while civil cases demand a lower burden of proof.

"The only thing we can say about it is simply the criminal case is not there yet - and emphasis on yet," Stevens said.

Police identified a person of interest - at the time an employee of the Lubbock State School - from a sketch of a man who witnesses say was with Harrelson and Merimon shortly before they disappeared.

The women were last seen leaving the state school around noon with a man nearly two years ago.

About a week after the disappearances, police questioned the person of interest and searched his vehicle and residence in West Lubbock.

There were inconsistencies in his story. He told police he left work at 12:30 on Aug. 9 because he was sick. But video surveillance at his mobile home park show him driving in with at least one other person at 12:03 p.m. that day.

Police took several items from his vehicle and residence for testing but were not able to connect him with Harrelson or Merimon.

Police said they are still actively investigating the case, and they have been following up on new leads within the past few months.

[Denise]

http://everythinglubbock.com/content/fulltext/?cid=11281

Families File Civil Suit in Lubbock State School Disappearance Case

Reported by: Lisa Carr
Monday, Aug 4, 2008 @09:43pm CST

        It's been two years since two workers disappeared from the Lubbock State School.  One was found dead, the other is still missing, and on Monday, the victims' families filed a civil lawsuit against a suspect in the case. Kay Harrelson and Peggy Merimon went missing August 9, 2006. 

        The civil lawsuit names Mickey Patterson as the defendant. Patterson worked at the Lubbock State School with the women, and we're told he closely resembles the police sketch of the man witnesses saw Merimon and Harrelson leave with on the day they disappeared.  Patterson is a person of interest in the criminal case, but he has not been charged with the crimes.  The civil lawsuit claims Patterson owes both families damages and punitive damages because he caused them emotional and physical pain, loss of financial support, and he had specific intent to cause injury to both the women and their families.  The families say this lawsuit is not about getting rich.  It's about uncovering new leads in the criminal case.

Gearl Merimon, Peggy's husband, says, "We hope for anything.  It's like I say, it's been two years, within five days, and anything we can do to bring forth information of where she's at ... that's it, just bringing her home."

         The families say they filed this lawsuit now because the statute of limitations was about to end for when they could file a civil case against Patterson. They say this does not mean they have given up that police will eventually make an arrest in this case.  A civil trial date has not been set.  We will keep you updated.

[Linda]

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of Peggy's disappearance.
Our thoughts and prayer remain with fer family, friends and loved ones .

[Linda]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=8816143&nav=menu69_2_9

Peggy Merimon Missing For Two Years Now

Aug 9, 2008

It's been two years since the last time anyone saw Kay Harrelson or Peggy Merimon alive. Newschannel 11 has followed this story since both women disappeared from the Lubbock State School on August 9th, 2006.

Volunteer searchers discovered Harrelson's body near Shallowater 11 days later. Since then, hundreds of people from across the country have joined in the search to find Merimon. Peggy Merimon's husband Gearl says witnesses at the Lubbock State School saw Peggy Merimon, Kay Harrelson and another person leave for lunch. Little did anybody know that was the last time Peggy Merimon and Kay Harrelson would ever be seen alive again.

In the weeks, months and now years that followed, several public searches have been held to find Peggy and during those searches there were times of excitement: Bones were found, clothes were found, but nothing was shown to be Peggy's.

"It's not knowing, We got lucky enough that we found Danny's wife and not knowing where ours is, Where Peggy is, It kind of weighs on you, I mean you think all of the good stuff and day in and day out you think about her constantly," said Gearl Merimon, Peggy's Husband.

Gearl has played an active role, day in and day out, to find Peggy. He's been involved in every public search and most days you'll find Gearl out searching on his own.

"We all know in the back of our minds that she's not coming home but we'd like to find her and have some sort of peace and bury her," said Gearl.

And even with that reality facing the family the search continues. Rewards are being offered - $35,000 from the Merimon family and $65,000 from an organization called "Lets Bring Them Home. A total of $100,000 for an arrest, conviction, and the location of Peggy.

Before the statute of limitations ran out, Gearl Merimon and Danny's Harrelson, along with members of their families, filed a civil lawsuit against Mickey Patterson. Their petition filed in Lubbock County District Court on August 4th of this year says that Mickey Patterson killed Peggy Merimon and Kay Harrelson.

"It's been hard for us. The two years, you know it's, It's a hard time for everybody and I hope that this will bring some sort of closure eventually, That's what I'm hoping for." said Gearl.

If you have any information that could lead to the location of Peggy or the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for her disappearance, you are urged to call CrimeLine and that number, as always, 741-1000.

[Denise]

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/081008/loc_316883809.shtml

Unknown still torments Merimon family

By Avalanche-journalrobin Pyle | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Story last updated at 8/10/2008 - 4:02 am

Some days, Natosha Davis grieves for her mother.

Others, she feels panic.

 And there are the really bad days when the daughter of missing Peggy Merimon falls to her knees and pleads with God to give her mother peace.

The unknown haunts the Merimon family two years after her disappearance.

Saturday was the anniversary. The mother of seven and grandmother of 25 was last seen alive leaving the Lubbock State School with co-worker Kay Harrelson and an unidentified man on Aug. 9, 2006.

Harrelson's mangled body was later found in a ditch.

"When you don't know (what has happened to your mother), you don't know if you should grieve and you don't know where they are, if they're OK, is there suffering or is there hardships for her?" Davis said. "When you don't know what to do, you're stuck in limbo."

They want answers. They want justice. They want closure.

It's also something the Lubbock Police Department wants.

Though no arrest has been made in the past two years, Police Sgt. John Gomez said the case is still being actively investigated, and police have been working new leads lately.

A "person of interest" has been identified - the man with whom the women left the state school - but police don't have the evidence yet for an arrest. "(Detectives) will never give up," Gomez said.

In their search for closure, the Merimon family recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Mickey Patterson, the man they believe is responsible. The suit was reported last week in The Avalanche-Journal.

"Hopefully that'll bring some closure, hopefully - that's what we're looking for," said Gearl Merimon, Peggy's husband. "Our No. 1 priority has always been to bring her home, and (the murderer has) always been second in my mind."

[Denise]

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/081708/edi_319595710.shtml

Unsolved murders are not impossible to solve

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Story last updated at 8/17/2008 - 2:35 am

LOSING A LOVED one to murder is a terrible tragedy, but it must be especially painful in murder cases that were never solved.

A very visible recent example is Peggy Merimon and Kay Harrelson, two co-workers who disappeared two years ago. The body of Ms. Harrelson was found 11 days after the disappearance, but Ms. Merimon has never been found, and no charges have been filed in either case. It is assumed Ms. Merimon met with foul play, but the loved ones don't know for sure. The family members of both women live with unanswered questions every day and the knowledge that someone apparently responsible for the loss of their loved ones has not faced justice.

 Sadly, many other families of local people also have faced the frustration of not knowing who killed their loved ones. In the past 30 years, 43 murders in Lubbock and Lubbock County remain unsolved.

In some cases, investigators don't know who the killers are. In other cases, lawmen have strong suspicions about the identities of the killers but don't have sufficient evidence to get a murder conviction from a jury.

But it isn't hopeless. The A-J compiled a list of 35 unsolved murder cases in 2002, and seven of them have been solved in the last six years.

There is no statute of limitations for murder, and such cases are never closed. Police officers and sheriff's deputies periodically review unsolved murder cases, and tips and possible leads about the cases that surface are followed up when received. The Texas Rangers have an Unsolved Crimes Investigation Team that assists local agencies with unsolved murder cases.

However tragic and frustrating it might be for survivors in unsolved murder cases, they have the assurance the cases are not going to be filed away and forgotten.

And we note one of the most important things to solving such cases is information from the public. A tip or piece of fresh information can make a crucial difference in whether a cold case is solved.

Anyone who has information about an unsolved murder case, even if it might seem the information is insignificant, should report it to the appropriate law enforcement agency investigating the case. It could help solve an investigation and give closure to the family of the victim.

Meanwhile, we are thankful for the work of homicide investigators - and we note they solve the great majority of murder cases. Also, we appreciate the commitment of law enforcement officers to keep cold cases open and the continued determination to solve them and bring the killers to justice.

[Denise]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=8876018&nav=menu69_2_11

Homicide Investigation Continues Two Years After Body Found

Posted: Aug 20, 2008 11:45 PM CDT
 
It was two years ago a group of volunteer searchers found the body of 51-year-old Kay Harrelson in Northwest Lubbock County. Her murder remains unsolved.

Harrelson's body was discovered in a bar ditch along FM 179 near Shallowater. She went missing 11 days earlier along with her co-worker, 61-year-old Peggy Merimon. They were last seen leaving work at the Lubbock State School on August 9, 2006.

Merimon has never been found.  Lubbock police questioned a person of interest who matched the description of the man last seen with the two women, but two years later, no arrest has been made.

Earlier this month we told you the families of both Harrelson and Merimon are suing Mickey Patterson. They claim he lured both women away from their job, held them against their will and eventually killed them.

Lubbock police have never named Patterson as a suspect in this case. Again, Harrelson's murder remains unsolved.

If you know anything that can help investigators crack this case, you're asked to call Crime Line at (806) 741-1000.

[Linda]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=8980898&nav=menu69_1_3


Mickey Patterson Responds to Merimon Lawsuit

Sep 9, 2008

There is an update on the case of missing Lubbock woman Peggy Merimon. It's been more than two years since Merimon disappeared along with coworker Kay Harrelson from the parking lot of the Lubbock State School.

Harrelson's body was found days later, but Merimon is still missing. The two families claim in court records that a former State School employee, Mickey Patterson, is responsible.

On Monday, he filed a response to that lawsuit. Patterson's attorney argues the families want access to records and testimony that are not allowed by law. The new documents were just filed Monday so the judge has not yet ruled.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=9287055&nav=menu69_2_12

Mickey Patterson Scheduled to Appear in Court
Posted: Nov 3, 2008 06:37 PM EST

The man accused of murder in a civil lawsuit, Mickey Patterson, is scheduled to be in Lubbock court this week. However, he missed a hearing on Friday.

The families of Kay Harreslon and Peggy Merimon filed a lawsuit against Patterson in June. The wrongful death suit claims Patterson lured both women from the Lubbock State School in the summer of 2006.

The suit goes on to allege that Patterson held Harrelson and Merimon against their will, and ultimately killed them and hid their bodies. Harrelson's body was found. Merimon is still missing and presumed dead.

Court records reveal that Patterson was scheduled to give an oral deposition following Friday's hearing in court. Administrators tell NewsChannel 11 that he did not show up.

The visiting judge for the 99th District Court granted a motion to compel Patterson to give that deposition.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Wednesday. Patterson has been named as a "person of interest" in the Merimon-Harrelson criminal case. He has not been charged.

[LINDA]

http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8036461&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1

Defendant in Merimon, Harrelson Case Faces Criminal Retribution



12/09/08 

The no-show defendant in a pending wrongful death civil lawsuit faces criminal retribution.

Mickey Patterson has not complied with an order to give a deposition in the civil suit against him; filed by the families of two women who went missing - reportedly while in his company.

The families claim Patterson killed former co-workers Kay Harrelson and Peggy Merimon in August 2006.

Harrelson's body was found in a bar ditch near Shallowater.
   
Merimon's remains have not been recovered.

Local attorney Will Boyles explains an order of attachment, issued for Patterson Friday, authorizes lawmen to arrest him.

Patterson is also ordered to appear before the court December 19th to explain why he should not be held in contempt.

[LINDA]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=10392887&nav=3w6y



Man tied to cross draws small crowd on north Lubbock street

May 19, 2009

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - Tuesday night a small crowd gathered in north lubbock to hear a message from a man who was tied to a cross.

Gary Pringle is beginning what he calls a "personal mission" near Riversmith's at Avenue Q, near the Marsha Sharp Freeway. "I'm praying for several things," says Pringle.  "I'm praying I will be a better man, I'm praying that I will have a pure acceptable heart to a lady I love, and I'm hoping God will help us find Peggy Merimon."

"This is what is in his heart and wants to minister to people," says onlooker Andi Arias.

Pringle is a friend of Gearl Merimon, the husband of Peggy Merimon who went missing along with her co-worker Kay Harrelson almost three years ago. They disappeared from the Lubbock State School on August 9th, 2006. 

Volunteer searchers discovered Harrelson's body near Shallowater, but Merimon has never been found. Pringle says he plans to stay out on the cross until August 9th.