Adam Walsh Murder Case Closed After 27 Years
Father John a Missing Children's Activist in America's Most Wanted
Dec 16, 2008
Adam Walsh was a six year old boy when he went missing and later found dead in 1981. The case of the disappearance and murder has remained open for 27 years but has finally been officially closed in Florida today.
Six Year Old Adam Walsh Died in 1981
When Adam Walsh disappeared for a Hollywood, Florida Mall in 1981, the story made headlines in South Florida and around the nation. The boy’s severed head was found two weeks later. Adam had been murdered and decapitated. His body was never found.
Adam Walsh Case Closed 2008
In a televised news conference held on December 16, 2008, Hollywood Police Chief Chadwick Wagner, apologized to Adams parents, John and Reve Walsh, for the many mistakes made in investigating the case.
Police named Ottis Toole, as the killer of Adam Walsh. Toole had been the prime suspect in the case for years. Police said that they had conclusively linked Toole to the killing.
Toole had confessed to killing Adam Walsh twice, but later recanted his confessions. The criminal had claimed to be responsible for hundreds of murders, but the police found that most of the confessions were false.
Toole was a drifter who died in prison of cirrhosis, at the age of 49, in 1996. He was serving five life sentences for murders unrelated to Adam Walsh.
John Walsh, with tears in his eyes, expressed gratitude that the case was finally closed. The heartbroken father had been critical of the Hollywood Police Department in the 1997 book, Tears of Rage.”
John Walsh Missing Children's Activist
The disappearance and death of Adam Walsh spurred his father, John Walsh, to become a crusader and national advocate for missing children. Walsh put missing children’s faces of milk cartons and fliers, in the days before Amber Alerts allowed the news to be spread electronically via the Internet and email.
John Walsh’s activism was the impetus for change in the search for missing children across America. The case of Adam Walsh prompted national legislation to create a national database and toll free line dedicated to missing children. The television show America’s Most Wanted delivered the missing children’s cases into millions of homes.
The case of Adam Walsh and the efforts of his father, John Walsh, have made people more aware of dangers to children, who can easily become targets for predators.
Caylee Anthony Another Florida Case in the News
This Florida case has hit the headlines at the same time as another high profile case has been in the National news. Three year old Caylee Anthony has been missing for six months. Skeletal remains have been found near the family home, but positive identification has not been made.Caylee Anthony Coverage on CNN Nancy Grace Show
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