Vancouver, Washington

On December 7, 1971, 16 year old Jamie Grissim left her foster home to go to Fort Vancouver high school ( in Clark County ) and never returned. Her foster mother never bothered to report her missing, and it was a month before a report was initiated by her caseworker. Police found her wallet and other personal effects 5 months later in east Clark County. A year later, a woman's body was found in northern Clark County. After another year, the skeletal remains of 2 young women were found 100 feet apart, a mile from where Jaime's ID's were discovered. These cases are linked to a man who worked for the Clark County parks system and had keys to every gate in every park in the county. He is suspected in at least 3 more abductions. Over 40 years later, Jaime remains a missing person.

The rally stop is held on the grounds of Jaime's old high school, hosted by her sister Starr, who was 14 when Jaime vanished decades ago. Starr greets us with a big smile and lots of hugs. She is anxious to share an old photo album full of school photos and other smiling pictures of Jaime. Her precious mementos include those items that were recovered by the police. She tells us how proud Jaime was of that laminated school ID card. I listen as she reminisces with old friends...who attended which school, who hung out with who...I learn that the school was brand new when Jaime attended it in 1971. The missing person flyer she hands me has a picture of Jaime age progressed to 51 years.  I personally find Starr an amazing, fascinating, and strong woman, having read stories about her life while researching  the cases for this tour. So I at first was interested in her relating how she had doubts about doing this today...But then don't we all second guess ourselves and struggle with doubt at times?

Starr had a large candle set out on a table to light, but a friend had brought a bunch of very colorful flowers and it was decided to pull the petals and toss them into the wind. Just as the group gathered on the steps to the high school the wind died down. So we regrouped and instead tossed them around the school sign. It made for a beautiful sight and tribute to Jaime.
Elisa Stirling