@@gaaraxnaru fr, like I get it if a kid says they have to go to they restroom and someone else has to go so they take them (like a auntie or friend of the parent) but a random man saying he will take them to the bathroom for no reason is so weird
For real! My dog went missing last year and I put up a reward and a few people claimed to have her for the money, and when I got my hopes up and found out they didn’t have her, it was heartbreaking. I cannot even fathom how Tammy must have felt expecting to get her baby girl back, just to find out they were trying to make some money. It was horrible when it happened to me with my DOG, I can’t imagine how she felt when it was her actual CHILD. Disgusting 😢
Never recovering the body is such a horrible extra layer of never getting closure that really horrifies me. To not know where your baby has ended up is truly never knowing peace.
Right! I think it should be law that they only get considered for parole if they tell where the body is!! I mean I don’t think he should be living much less out on the streets but he was released (unfortunately)& I think that should’ve only happened if he said where the body was like why should he get out without telling them where this poor girl is give her mom& family a lil peace& lay her to rest……. I have no sympathy for child molesters, rapist or murders anyone who harms a child should not get a second chance, I don’t believe we should waste our tax dollars on the lowest form of scum……just do away with them!!!
So disgusting!! It makes me so mad when killers do that. They've already committed the most heinous act, and then don't even have the decency to provide the family with closure
Classic narcissist, and they’ll never admit what they’ve done wrong because in their head they’ve justified their actions and don’t see it as murder or abuse. Truly sick.
How was he let out of prison? So he’s walking around TODAY near other children? God forbid anything happens, but how could they allow this? This guy was found guilty on kidnapping a little girl and obviously killed her. Someone in the comment’s section earlier said he shouldn’t have been let out of prison without telling where the body is and I 100% agree. Virginia, wtf? With that said, I feel like Deedrick took this case personally and his dedication brought about huge evidence. Still have hope police can bring more closure to this family. The holidays must be so hard especially for the mom. I’m PISSED.
You’ll see that a lot of older cases involve the creep being let out, either early or on time. It’s scary to think that someone sentenced to 25 years in 2000 would get out soon. The Hang Lee case is like that. The dude who clearly did it is walking free
Yeah Virginia ain’t shit and I from Virginia and still live here. It’s a common wealth state so they’re grimy af and honestly don’t care about much. It’s a shady ass state 💯💯
i believe he also killed that other girl and i don’t get why police didn’t also try and look into it with him aswell , its also weird that he was trying to get with other girls even tho he already had a parter so in my belief he should still be in jail for murder of tammys daughter and harassing kids and older woman
Did good ole Virginia at least register him as a P3d0 ? If they let someone like this out in Texas, there would be an un-welcoming mob waiting for him.
The police work in this case gave me chills! Especially Deedrick!! They should be held up as examples of above and beyond to try to solve a case. 🙏🙏 Little Melissa 😔
It's good to keep cases like this in mind when we're getting impatient with how long it takes law enforcement to move forward with current cases. They were being so thorough, but it must have felt like forever to Melissa's family.
I really wish that people like this would never be released unless they gave details to let the victim’s family retrieve what’s left of their loved one and give them a proper burial honoring their memory. It’s the very least they deserve. Also, I hope that FBI agent never again gave his wife a hard time about being a bit of a shopaholic to have a photographic memory of this outfit from a year before just based on verbal description.
@@suzyschettler4241 - but then if somebody is actually innocent they would be punished above an actual murderer, because they would never be able to give the location of a body they weren't responsible for hiding so would never be able to get early release.
He’ll never tell, because then he could be charged with murder. There is no statute of limitations on murder, but I agree he most likely killed the other missing girl.
It’s so disgusting that people like him get released early. With these types of crimes specifically and with the ineptitude of the American criminal justice system, it’s almost certainly impossible for someone like this to reform and reintegrate into society. He’ll likely hurt someone again.
this is what happens when people are not informed on the kind of people they vote into office. We need to inform ourselves of the kind of people who run for office and stop being so quick to vote for people who are more interested in being activists and making a name for themself. Before voting ask ourselves, are they soft on crime? do they tend to sympathize more with offenders than with victims and their families? are they for early release for people who committ crimes against children? all of these questions matter, and we need to stop voting for people who are soft on crime because then we - the regular citizens - are the ones who have to deal with these monsters living next door to us.
@@marissavallejo2987 I truly believe in vigilante justice where the children are sexually abused, raped, murdered and for anyone who has child pornography on their computers etc. A bullet to the head would do the world a great big favour for getting rid of these demons.
How has a body not been found?! They didn’t find any dirt or grass so he couldn’t of buried her? Maybe he dropped her in that body of water within the radius but still. This is heartbreaking
I wonder the same. I’ve heard of cases being solved by experts analyzing dirt and plant life found in the tire ridges or even the undercarriage of the vehicle. I wonder if that was even tried.
Bella is the only UA-camr who I can actually listen to the sponsorship part without skipping 😂 just obsessed with her voice (I’m English and we do love an Aussie accent haha)
That last bit where the mother has remarried but still uses her old surname for her phone listings just in case Melissa is alive and is looking for her… Breaks my heart 😭💔
They should have made him reveal her location before allowing him to be released early. Offer some type of incentive & if he’s not willing to give out that information he’s clearly not ready to get out of prison
Wow, this is like the perfect example of supremely efficient and thorough police work. Incredible. So glad this family didn’t have to spend their lives tortured by uncertainty. I can’t imagine anything worse than not knowing what happened to my child. RIP Melissa, sweet angel.
I just wish the family had gotten the closure of a confession or being able to recover her body to lay to rest, or at least a murder charge. the police work was so diligent, it’s just so devastating that they couldn’t charge for murder without a body, with all the evidence there was.
Do you not just love when a case completely comes together? Like it’s the domino effect of that one little thing, and everything just clicks. Makes me feel like every cold case is just one clue away from a domino effect😭
I actually lived in this neighborhood in 2020 (Woodside Apartments) I didn’t hear about this story until I lived in the neighborhood. I moved into the complex in the same month that the suspect was released from prison (2019). (Murderers like to revisit crime scenes.) I have definitely had nightmares about this case. I lived right by the woods (very woodsy area) of the complex. Of course, the leasing office will not tell you about any history of the complex. I would look out into the woods and wonder if her remains may be out there…. It is likely that her remains will not be found. I am just glad that he at least served time for his heinous and disgusting acts! Ultimately, I had to move, one of the main reasons being this case. Creepy!
@@kadeelacayo4806 unfortunately in most states unless you ask, they dont have any legal obligation to disclose that information. Now if you ask and they lie, that’s illegal.
@@quianamosley4785And back then there would have been *no* traffic. Too many wooded places within a short drive back then, especially since it wasn't as built up.
How heartbreaking for her parents! But it’s nice to hear of such thorough police work for a change, though I wonder with them being so thorough and with so many people involved in the search how they never found her body - I mean, the guy wasn’t that bright, and he only had a couple of hours to commit the crime and get rid of her remains, seems crazy they couldn’t find her.
The poor mother begging for her daughter is so heartbreaking ❤️🩹. Just tears in my eyes . I can’t imagine my child being kidnapped. Prays for her mom & dad .
I have been binging your videos on a 6 hour drive and we have 30 minutes left and this came at a perfect time. You did a wonderful job telling sweet Melissa’s story. Merry Christmas everyone 🎄
This case absolutely disgusts me. He obviously killed this poor little girl and I wish her mother could have at least found the body. There was too much blood for her to be alive. So many crazy things happened with this case! I'm a little taken aback that his wife was so suspicious of him that she was monitoring the mileage on the car! That was a piece of information that's almost unheard of in cases like this. These days the electronics in the car could tell you, or many of the apps in your phone or smartwatch. I wish they could search the radius again but she could be under a road, building or anything these days. I feel like she's in water. Also the jc Penney catalog information was crazy. Those catalogs were what between 200 and 500 pages most years? But they were a big deal and had such a following. Even as a child in the late 90s and early 2000s I would still look at most pages for clothes I wanted or new bedding to deck out my room. I'm glad they found that totally unique outfit and were able to put this man behind bars for 30 years even though he deserved so much worse.
Right! His wife would have been tracking mileage from an analog odometer back then. Lots of folks being watchful, enterprising and smart in this investigation.
This is every parent’s worst nightmare! I feel so bad for Melissa’s parents. Great work Bella. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ❤️🎉
This is so heartbreaking. I can never understand how someone could ever do this to another human, much less a child. I hope he is miserable for the rest of his existence.
I met Tammy on a couple occasions and she is such a wonderful and inspirational women! I can’t stop admiring the strength and courage she has to never stop looking or giving up hope while having to move on and choose joy and happiness
Oh my gosh. I live in the same town within walking distance of the woodside apartments and have NEVER heard of this case! When you said Lorton VA, I had to double take. Ugh how heartbreaking :,( I drive by them everyday and I will never look at them the same. I hope Melissa is resting in peace. Poor baby :( people are so evil.
So sad 😞 My daughter is 5 and I can't bare to think what this poor mother and child went through 💔 How is he allowed out early when this poor girl never got to live past the age of 5!! Infuriating 😩
I remember seeing this case on Forensic Files. It still enrages me that he refuses to tell where her body is to this day. And those roommates who cruelly tried to extort her mother for ransom should also still be in prison. Their sentences were way too light, in my opinion.
WOW THIS CASE IS SO FRUSTRATING!!!! He obviously is responsible for her abduction and murder ☹️ poor little girl has never been found… I can’t imagine her mom’s pain
I lived in suburban Maryland at the time and this was a big deal during Christmas. It was all over the news and there were flyers everywhere. A condition of his release should have included revealing where her remains were left. This jerk should never have been released.
Ofc she doesn’t trust him lol. He obviously cheats on her with his openly flirting at the party. Then the disgusting part of him talking and “touching” the kids. Ugh so gross it makes me want to … no words.
Omg!!!! I live here and my grandpa was a sheriff in Fairfax county in the 80s! Will definitely have to ask him about this one. Such a sad case. Can’t believe he was let out!!
This was such an interesting & heartbreaking case. Thank you for all of your hard work on these cases. I hope one day her family gets the closure they deserve.
I remember we watched an episode from Forensics Files about this case in my Forensics class and one of my classmates said Caleb looked like the type of guy who would abduct a child.
it always gives me hope when cases go like this, where the detectives don't stop, like with that sweater, and then how the wife was super cooperative, some just shut down to protect their husband, even if they might be a POS.
This happened in my area an my children were 5 and 2 years old at the time … you told the story perfectly… Just like I remembered it happening … It was, at that time, the worst thing I had ever heard of …scary, sad, and heartbreaking… I just drove past the apartments other day and was wondering after all these years where that baby girl is… And then this popped up…WOW … I pray one day we will all know the truth … thank you Bella for another great video. MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY HOLIDAYS and GOD BLESS
Your presentation of this tragic case was so well-informed--which made it even harder to hear. People like this man should never walk free. Second chances are for those who confess and apologize and commit to live right after having done wrong. Not for defiant perpetrators who once released will take up exactly where they left off.
Anyone who uses the grieving parents of a missing child to make easy money deserves to rot in jail for as long as the kidnapper dose, completely despicable humans
Her mom rocking side to side during her press conference broke my heart. I think anyone that has ever raised a baby, knows the "mom rock". I do it when holding my daughter if she's upset and if she was missing, it would bring me some level of comfort to do that too.
Yesss I’m so excited everytime you upload these I’ve watched about every single one on yt but you and eleanor neale rock these 😤 you do such an amazing job retelling these stories.
My uncle worked this case when he was a homicide detective in Fairfax County and it was the case that sent him over the edge. He ended up retiring after this. The guy got out of jail a year or so ago…he’s living in a halfway house last I heard.
In the case of a guilty verdict of abduction where the child is not recovered there should not be a chance of ever getting out of jail. And to get out early?? There's a serious problem with that.
Idk why but it always feels weird when the victim has the same birthday as you, like I always feel for the victims but it just feels different... or even worse when someone died on your birthday
The part about the outfit and how it was located and made and how there was one that was never worn is amazing, extraordinary and chilling all at the same time. Do you realize how many stars would have to align for something like that to go down !
I mean, what a power couple the police officer and wife that found the store selling the outfit she was wearing, are!! Another note, imagine being one of those women that rejected him and finding out he literally murdered a child just bc of it
Thanks Bella, glad justice was somewhat served, but can't believe they never found her given they had the area narrowed down to where she could have been.
I have lived and worked in the fairfax/prince william county since 1997. Unfortunately, there is a lot of child predators around here. Not only that but when they get caught, they only get probation and a slap on the wrist. And since theyre not drug addicts, they usually get off probation early or never violate. Probation in Virginia is built around addicts. Ive gotten in a lot of trouble (in my younger years) in both of these counties so this is just what I have seen first hand. Child predators deserve to sit and rot in that Fairfax jail (literally one of the worst i have everrrr experienced, i went once and never went back again lol)! Im really surprised they havent found Melissa's body. Theres been so much development between both areas. Child cass are just so horrific and break my heart. I feel for her parents. 🙏🏼🙏🏼 Melissa is found.
BELLAAAAAAA I KID U NOT I ACTUALLY SCREAMED OUT LOUD 3 MINUTES INTO THE VIDEO BC I LITERALLY L I V E IN THE APARTMENT COMPLEX WHERE THIS TOOK PLACE AND I HAD NO IDEA THIS EVEN HAPPENED I AM SO SHOOK IM STILL SCREAMING I- i never thought you’d cover a case where i live let alone in the same apartment complex 😭 i’m spooked
0:27 Havent started the video well yet but just wanted to say THANK YOU for giving me binge worthy videos cause I've watched you all weekend. Kinda creeped out though because they just found a body in our woods 6hours ago 😬
i see so many true crime videos where the police/ investigators half ass their work. it’s so good to hear how hard the investigators worked on this case.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. The holidays can be a sad and lonely time for some people…spread love, reach out and check in with anyone you know spending the holidays alone…or if someone has seemed “off” or not like themselves lately…just let them know they’re cared for and they matter. Sometimes just hearing from another human that they care can make a huge impact on someone who is struggling. If you’re reading this and you’re having a hard time, I see you and I get it. I care and I genuinely want you to know that you are loved and that your life matters. Reach out if you need help or just someone to talk to. You don’t have to go through anything alone. ❤️
I am so happy that the police in this case did their job. Sometimes it is so frustrating with these cases, when the police don't do their work properly.
You cannot believe my shock when I heard this occurred in my home town. I never heard of this case (but then again I was born long after this case occurred) I just realized I have heard of this absolute heartbreaking case. I hope they find her remains someday and bring that last bit of closure for her family.
Such a sad story. I lived in Fairfax County in the early 2000’s. I didn’t realise how dodgy some parts the area could be, until I read the local newspaper.
This one was local for me when I was in high school. It still to this day blows my mind that the FBI how the FBI was able to match fibers from her mother's rabbit fur coat purchased Germany & dyed a blue color not found in the States. But even more astounding was the way they matched the fibers from her outfit. The agent doing the testing was frustrated & discussing how hard this was to match with his wife. She told him if it had Big Bird on the outfit then it was only sold in JC Penny & she just so happened to still have the back to school & Holiday catalogs from 2 years ago. He flipped thru the Christmas catalog & there is was. So he contacted JC Penny. JC Penny said it was only manufactured once & sent a memo out to all stores nationwide to check store rooms. No luck. So they provided the FBI with a list of every customer who ordered it from the catalog. A family out west still had it as a handle down for their YOUNGSTER daughter & shipped it to the FBI. Perfect match. And he checked nearly 200 other navy blue acrylic clothing items & the duplicate JC Penny outfit.
He's walking free rn! That's what makes me sick! He got a 50 year sentence but a stupid parole board decided to believe his lies about being rehabilited and released him after only serving 28 years. Sick
I am honestly so terrified that he is out there somewhere today. And most parents and children won’t know who he is. He didn’t even confess or show any sign of guilt and that just shows he is completely capable of doing so again. It is so sickening. I feel awful for those parents and I know that her mother will have blamed herself all of these years. They should have recovered the body, how can anyone rest at night knowing he could return to reminisce like other killers do, and that her baby can’t rest in peace. So awful. It is sad that the home who employed him didn’t do more thorough background checks on him before allowing him to be around families.
First time viewer and I'm glad that's not a green screen, people whose bedrooms are that simple are often geniuses. This gives credit to what I'm about to watch.
A grown man offering to take little girls to the bathroom is so freakin creepy and disgusting
I think any grown up offering to take a kid they're unrelated to or not in charge of (i.e. babysitting/daycare) is creepy and disgusting.
@@gaaraxnaru fr, like I get it if a kid says they have to go to they restroom and someone else has to go so they take them (like a auntie or friend of the parent) but a random man saying he will take them to the bathroom for no reason is so weird
@@Ivuxoxo I was specifically saying any random PERSON. Not just a man. It's weird no matter what gender or lack thereof.
@@gaaraxnaru Yes mad! weird that’s a huge red flag.
@@lulshorty1894 Yes!
Those guys who pretended to have her for ransom are absolutely vile disgusting people.
For real! My dog went missing last year and I put up a reward and a few people claimed to have her for the money, and when I got my hopes up and found out they didn’t have her, it was heartbreaking. I cannot even fathom how Tammy must have felt expecting to get her baby girl back, just to find out they were trying to make some money. It was horrible when it happened to me with my DOG, I can’t imagine how she felt when it was her actual CHILD. Disgusting 😢
The mother not changing her name in the listings by the slim chance she‘s alive and wants to find her is really heartbreaking
That part really got me. Poor woman. What a senseless, horrifying crime, and against a kindergarten-age child too.
Its so sweet & amazing that she did so. Proves just what an awesome loving mother she really is.
@@bethmcculligh1930 śsśsśs
@@AI-dp3rd ss
@@AI-dp3rd ss
Never recovering the body is such a horrible extra layer of never getting closure that really horrifies me. To not know where your baby has ended up is truly never knowing peace.
💔💔💔💔
Right! I think it should be law that they only get considered for parole if they tell where the body is!! I mean I don’t think he should be living much less out on the streets but he was released (unfortunately)& I think that should’ve only happened if he said where the body was like why should he get out without telling them where this poor girl is give her mom& family a lil peace& lay her to rest…….
I have no sympathy for child molesters, rapist or murders anyone who harms a child should not get a second chance, I don’t believe we should waste our tax dollars on the lowest form of scum……just do away with them!!!
So sad that her family never got that closure
@@nixjoy938me too. That is the worst of all crimes. The highest most evil thing.
@@LUVBUG24K qqqqqqqqqq
he couldn't even have the decency to tell the family where she was. Just heartbreaking
So disgusting!! It makes me so mad when killers do that. They've already committed the most heinous act, and then don't even have the decency to provide the family with closure
people that are capable of doing such a horrible disgusting thing have obviously no decency at all
Classic narcissist, and they’ll never admit what they’ve done wrong because in their head they’ve justified their actions and don’t see it as murder or abuse. Truly sick.
That gives him power and they still let him out.21 years early
How do we find him…
God bless his wife for giving the detectives their first major lead and a huge “fuck you” to him! he deserves absolutely nothing good in life.
Lmao
Yeah I'm so glad she didn't cover for him like a lot of partners of criminals do
That is the least of what he deserves but him living to get out with 21 years off his sentence is beyond horriffic.
Him being out now puts her in danger tho, he should’ve never been let out
How was he let out of prison? So he’s walking around TODAY near other children? God forbid anything happens, but how could they allow this? This guy was found guilty on kidnapping a little girl and obviously killed her. Someone in the comment’s section earlier said he shouldn’t have been let out of prison without telling where the body is and I 100% agree. Virginia, wtf? With that said, I feel like Deedrick took this case personally and his dedication brought about huge evidence. Still have hope police can bring more closure to this family. The holidays must be so hard especially for the mom. I’m PISSED.
He shouldn't have been let out of prison full stop, even if he said where the body was.
You’ll see that a lot of older cases involve the creep being let out, either early or on time. It’s scary to think that someone sentenced to 25 years in 2000 would get out soon. The Hang Lee case is like that. The dude who clearly did it is walking free
Yeah Virginia ain’t shit and I from Virginia and still live here. It’s a common wealth state so they’re grimy af and honestly don’t care about much. It’s a shady ass state 💯💯
i believe he also killed that other girl and i don’t get why police didn’t also try and look into it with him aswell , its also weird that he was trying to get with other girls even tho he already had a parter so in my belief he should still be in jail for murder of tammys daughter and harassing kids and older woman
Did good ole Virginia at least register him as a P3d0 ? If they let someone like this out in Texas, there would be an un-welcoming mob waiting for him.
The police work in this case gave me chills!
Especially Deedrick!!
They should be held up as examples of above and beyond to try to solve a case.
🙏🙏 Little Melissa 😔
I agree! I was thinking the same thing.
was thinking the same!! they really went above and beyond so solve this case. really incredible
It's good to keep cases like this in mind when we're getting impatient with how long it takes law enforcement to move forward with current cases. They were being so thorough, but it must have felt like forever to Melissa's family.
Yet the suspect is free he got out 2019
Agree
I really wish that people like this would never be released unless they gave details to let the victim’s family retrieve what’s left of their loved one and give them a proper burial honoring their memory. It’s the very least they deserve.
Also, I hope that FBI agent never again gave his wife a hard time about being a bit of a shopaholic to have a photographic memory of this outfit from a year before just based on verbal description.
It’s such a slap in the face to release him with no body.
Exactly! When she said he was released early I clutched my pearls!
I agree. I think there should be laws that if they won't tell where the body(ies) is, then no early release or parole. Period.
@@suzyschettler4241 - but then if somebody is actually innocent they would be punished above an actual murderer, because they would never be able to give the location of a body they weren't responsible for hiding so would never be able to get early release.
He’ll never tell, because then he could be charged with murder. There is no statute of limitations on murder, but I agree he most likely killed the other missing girl.
the fact he never admitted is insane and shows something is wrong with his head. do we know what ended up happening to his wife after?
She eventually remarried and had five kids but still hangs a stocking up for melissa and makes her a cake on her bday
@@darthmichael1172Melissa’s mother or Caleb’s wife? The comment was about his wife
The forensic guy is a star wow 👌🏾 he really put his soul into this case. I’m so hurt that she’s never been found to this day
It’s so disgusting that people like him get released early. With these types of crimes specifically and with the ineptitude of the American criminal justice system, it’s almost certainly impossible for someone like this to reform and reintegrate into society. He’ll likely hurt someone again.
this is what happens when people are not informed on the kind of people they vote into office. We need to inform ourselves of the kind of people who run for office and stop being so quick to vote for people who are more interested in being activists and making a name for themself. Before voting ask ourselves, are they soft on crime? do they tend to sympathize more with offenders than with victims and their families? are they for early release for people who committ crimes against children? all of these questions matter, and we need to stop voting for people who are soft on crime because then we - the regular citizens - are the ones who have to deal with these monsters living next door to us.
@@marissavallejo2987 I truly believe in vigilante justice where the children are sexually abused, raped, murdered and for anyone who has child pornography on their computers etc. A bullet to the head would do the world a great big favour for getting rid of these demons.
He's undoubtedly hurt others since.
How has a body not been found?! They didn’t find any dirt or grass so he couldn’t of buried her? Maybe he dropped her in that body of water within the radius but still. This is heartbreaking
I wonder the same. I’ve heard of cases being solved by experts analyzing dirt and plant life found in the tire ridges or even the undercarriage of the vehicle. I wonder if that was even tried.
right. if he dropped her in the water she could’ve floated to a whole different area.. it is very heartbreaking and everyone’s worst nightmare:(
Maybe he walked. U know, drove a bit and then walked to dispose her body....
Outside the area of suspicion
There are a lot of wooded areas in the vicinity - and that area was not as built up then as it is now.
Bella is the only UA-camr who I can actually listen to the sponsorship part without skipping 😂 just obsessed with her voice (I’m English and we do love an Aussie accent haha)
i actually agree with you lol o’clock am from the US so we love Aussie and English
Hahahhaha so true. Even if I think I’m not in the mood for true crime, I’ll be like I’m in the mood to just listen to Bella lol
I didnt even realize it but she's the only 1 i dont skip the sponsor part also lmao
As a fellow Brit person I can confirm I love her accent
Yeah me to Bella means Beautiful
The detective's wife finding the sweater just goes to prove that the fbi works hard, but women work harder tbh
You're so good at telling these stories and super respectful of the victim and the victim's family. Thank you so much!
I always forget that solved doesn't mean a happy ending for the victim.
That last bit where the mother has remarried but still uses her old surname for her phone listings just in case Melissa is alive and is looking for her… Breaks my heart 😭💔
heartbreaking 💔
They should have made him reveal her location before allowing him to be released early. Offer some type of incentive & if he’s not willing to give out that information he’s clearly not ready to get out of prison
The police work if absolutely amazing in this case , I feel like we don’t hear that enough which is so heartbreaking ..
Wow, this is like the perfect example of supremely efficient and thorough police work. Incredible. So glad this family didn’t have to spend their lives tortured by uncertainty. I can’t imagine anything worse than not knowing what happened to my child. RIP Melissa, sweet angel.
I just wish the family had gotten the closure of a confession or being able to recover her body to lay to rest, or at least a murder charge. the police work was so diligent, it’s just so devastating that they couldn’t charge for murder without a body, with all the evidence there was.
the fact that the wife found the fit in the catalog proves that moms are actual superheros
Her poor parents begging for her safe return absolutely breaks my heart.. You can hear in the mothers voice how devastated she is 😓
hearing the dad's voice crack as he's trying to remain calm was so heartbreaking too, its so painful seeing how this case has concluded in a sense
Do you not just love when a case completely comes together? Like it’s the domino effect of that one little thing, and everything just clicks. Makes me feel like every cold case is just one clue away from a domino effect😭
yeah
I actually lived in this neighborhood in 2020 (Woodside Apartments) I didn’t hear about this story until I lived in the neighborhood. I moved into the complex in the same month that the suspect was released from prison (2019). (Murderers like to revisit crime scenes.) I have definitely had nightmares about this case. I lived right by the woods (very woodsy area) of the complex. Of course, the leasing office will not tell you about any history of the complex. I would look out into the woods and wonder if her remains may be out there…. It is likely that her remains will not be found. I am just glad that he at least served time for his heinous and disgusting acts! Ultimately, I had to move, one of the main reasons being this case. Creepy!
Also, the distance between Lorton and Woodbridge is not hours away…. From the actual complex to the Woodbridge area is about 15-20 minutes away!
They have to divulge that information btw
@@kadeelacayo4806 unfortunately in most states unless you ask, they dont have any legal obligation to disclose that information. Now if you ask and they lie, that’s illegal.
@@kadeelacayo4806 this happened like more than 30 years ago, the current staff may just not know about it
@@quianamosley4785And back then there would have been *no* traffic. Too many wooded places within a short drive back then, especially since it wasn't as built up.
The detective work from Deedrick in this case is outstanding! Makes a change from most cases we unfortunately hear about.
How heartbreaking for her parents! But it’s nice to hear of such thorough police work for a change, though I wonder with them being so thorough and with so many people involved in the search how they never found her body - I mean, the guy wasn’t that bright, and he only had a couple of hours to commit the crime and get rid of her remains, seems crazy they couldn’t find her.
If yh
The poor mother begging for her daughter is so heartbreaking ❤️🩹. Just tears in my eyes . I can’t imagine my child being kidnapped. Prays for her mom & dad .
I had to skip through that part. I can’t even imagine that pain.
Ikr! This is totally heartbreaking... idk why people would do such a thing.......
I have been binging your videos on a 6 hour drive and we have 30 minutes left and this came at a perfect time. You did a wonderful job telling sweet Melissa’s story. Merry Christmas everyone 🎄
This case absolutely disgusts me. He obviously killed this poor little girl and I wish her mother could have at least found the body. There was too much blood for her to be alive. So many crazy things happened with this case! I'm a little taken aback that his wife was so suspicious of him that she was monitoring the mileage on the car! That was a piece of information that's almost unheard of in cases like this. These days the electronics in the car could tell you, or many of the apps in your phone or smartwatch. I wish they could search the radius again but she could be under a road, building or anything these days. I feel like she's in water. Also the jc Penney catalog information was crazy. Those catalogs were what between 200 and 500 pages most years? But they were a big deal and had such a following. Even as a child in the late 90s and early 2000s I would still look at most pages for clothes I wanted or new bedding to deck out my room. I'm glad they found that totally unique outfit and were able to put this man behind bars for 30 years even though he deserved so much worse.
Right! His wife would have been tracking mileage from an analog odometer back then. Lots of folks being watchful, enterprising and smart in this investigation.
Every time I watch these videos I can’t help but cry. I have a 5 year old and a 8 month old and would die if something happened to them 🥺
Agreed. I have no idea how I could go on…
i grew up in fairfax county, va. this case is especially heartbreaking because i know the area. may melissa’s memory be a blessing
This is just so heartbreaking. I hope her family gets proper closure. It’s Absolutely disgusting that he got out of jail.
The law is a ass
This is every parent’s worst nightmare! I feel so bad for Melissa’s parents.
Great work Bella. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ❤️🎉
Honey saved me $15 on a textbook this semester and I’ve never been more glad to have something that I thought was useless on my laptop
This is such a heartbreaking story - such a messed up world we live in
this is the perfect christmas eve present ❤️ I get so happy every time I get the notification that you’ve posted
This is so heartbreaking. I can never understand how someone could ever do this to another human, much less a child. I hope he is miserable for the rest of his existence.
I met Tammy on a couple occasions and she is such a wonderful and inspirational women! I can’t stop admiring the strength and courage she has to never stop looking or giving up hope while having to move on and choose joy and happiness
Yes I'm glad she remarried and isn't alone
Oh my gosh. I live in the same town within walking distance of the woodside apartments and have NEVER heard of this case! When you said Lorton VA, I had to double take. Ugh how heartbreaking :,( I drive by them everyday and I will never look at them the same. I hope Melissa is resting in peace. Poor baby :( people are so evil.
ahh, i remember this case from forensic files. what a sad one. thank you as always for the wonderful coverage bella
So sad 😞 My daughter is 5 and I can't bare to think what this poor mother and child went through 💔 How is he allowed out early when this poor girl never got to live past the age of 5!! Infuriating 😩
I remember seeing this case on Forensic Files. It still enrages me that he refuses to tell where her body is to this day. And those roommates who cruelly tried to extort her mother for ransom should also still be in prison. Their sentences were way too light, in my opinion.
WOW THIS CASE IS SO FRUSTRATING!!!! He obviously is responsible for her abduction and murder ☹️ poor little girl has never been found… I can’t imagine her mom’s pain
I lived in suburban Maryland at the time and this was a big deal during Christmas. It was all over the news and there were flyers everywhere.
A condition of his release should have included revealing where her remains were left. This jerk should never have been released.
happy to hear your voice bella. the unwinding of this story and the very specific plum navy 887 die was amazing. unbelievable. story
everyone: vlogmas day 24
bella: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MELISSA BRANNEN
hahahahah some very wholesome holiday content over here
Ofc she doesn’t trust him lol. He obviously cheats on her with his openly flirting at the party. Then the disgusting part of him talking and “touching” the kids. Ugh so gross it makes me want to … no words.
Omg!!!! I live here and my grandpa was a sheriff in Fairfax county in the 80s! Will definitely have to ask him about this one. Such a sad case. Can’t believe he was let out!!
Did you ever ask???
I live in the area the case takes place and I had never heard of this case before. Thank you Bella for covering lesser known and older cases! ❤️
This was such an interesting & heartbreaking case. Thank you for all of your hard work on these cases. I hope one day her family gets the closure they deserve.
I remember we watched an episode from Forensics Files about this case in my Forensics class and one of my classmates said Caleb looked like the type of guy who would abduct a child.
I get it. But remember, murderers don't look any specific way. Stereotypes like that make things harder for kids being abused to get help.
It’s so disturbing to know that these monsters exist
It’s crazy how much detail went into this case!! Such amazing work from the authorities!
it always gives me hope when cases go like this, where the detectives don't stop, like with that sweater, and then how the wife was super cooperative, some just shut down to protect their husband, even if they might be a POS.
This happened in my area an my children were 5 and 2 years old at the time … you told the story perfectly… Just like I remembered it happening … It was, at that time, the worst thing I had ever heard of …scary, sad, and heartbreaking… I just drove past the apartments other day and was wondering after all these years where that baby girl is… And then this popped up…WOW … I pray one day we will all know the truth … thank you Bella for another great video. MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY HOLIDAYS and GOD BLESS
I lived in fairfax county for a bit when I was a kid! So weird to hear about a case that took place where I lived when I was younger…
I was born in southern Va, and had that same outfit! Its so crazy to think that same year, I wore that same outfit as her. :(
@@HiddenMemorina things like that are so beyond humbling.
Sicko....won't even let her family truly have closure and tell them where her little body is ... Heartbreaking 💔
Your presentation of this tragic case was so well-informed--which made it even harder to hear. People like this man should never walk free. Second chances are for those who confess and apologize and commit to live right after having done wrong. Not for defiant perpetrators who once released will take up exactly where they left off.
Anyone who uses the grieving parents of a missing child to make easy money deserves to rot in jail for as long as the kidnapper dose, completely despicable humans
Her mom rocking side to side during her press conference broke my heart. I think anyone that has ever raised a baby, knows the "mom rock". I do it when holding my daughter if she's upset and if she was missing, it would bring me some level of comfort to do that too.
Yesss I’m so excited everytime you upload these I’ve watched about every single one on yt but you and eleanor neale rock these 😤 you do such an amazing job retelling these stories.
My uncle worked this case when he was a homicide detective in Fairfax County and it was the case that sent him over the edge. He ended up retiring after this. The guy got out of jail a year or so ago…he’s living in a halfway house last I heard.
In the case of a guilty verdict of abduction where the child is not recovered there should not be a chance of ever getting out of jail. And to get out early?? There's a serious problem with that.
when bella posts, i click. merry christmas and happy holidays bella!
So sad that they never found her body😒 but this man is sick!!! He should’ve never gotten out… but Karma always remembers, thank you Bella
all this talk about melissa wearing a big bird sweater:( just kept reminding me that she was just a baby. poor little girl
Two videos back to back! Awesome! Merry Christmas!
I've been binge-watching all your videos while doing my work for the past two weeks. I love youu!! The amount of research you do is amazing! 💖❤️
Idk why but it always feels weird when the victim has the same birthday as you, like I always feel for the victims but it just feels different... or even worse when someone died on your birthday
The part about the outfit and how it was located and made and how there was one that was never worn is amazing, extraordinary and chilling all at the same time. Do you realize how many stars would have to align for something like that to go down !
I mean, what a power couple the police officer and wife that found the store selling the outfit she was wearing, are!!
Another note, imagine being one of those women that rejected him and finding out he literally murdered a child just bc of it
Thanks Bella, glad justice was somewhat served, but can't believe they never found her given they had the area narrowed down to where she could have been.
I have lived and worked in the fairfax/prince william county since 1997. Unfortunately, there is a lot of child predators around here. Not only that but when they get caught, they only get probation and a slap on the wrist. And since theyre not drug addicts, they usually get off probation early or never violate. Probation in Virginia is built around addicts. Ive gotten in a lot of trouble (in my younger years) in both of these counties so this is just what I have seen first hand. Child predators deserve to sit and rot in that Fairfax jail (literally one of the worst i have everrrr experienced, i went once and never went back again lol)!
Im really surprised they havent found Melissa's body. Theres been so much development between both areas.
Child cass are just so horrific and break my heart. I feel for her parents. 🙏🏼🙏🏼 Melissa is found.
The American Justice System needs to get its priorities straight
BELLAAAAAAA
I KID U NOT I ACTUALLY SCREAMED OUT LOUD 3 MINUTES INTO THE VIDEO BC I LITERALLY L I V E IN THE APARTMENT COMPLEX WHERE THIS TOOK PLACE AND I HAD NO IDEA THIS EVEN HAPPENED I AM SO SHOOK IM STILL SCREAMING I- i never thought you’d cover a case where i live let alone in the same apartment complex 😭 i’m spooked
0:27 Havent started the video well yet but just wanted to say THANK YOU for giving me binge worthy videos cause I've watched you all weekend. Kinda creeped out though because they just found a body in our woods 6hours ago 😬
The press conference almost made me start crying. And I don't cry easily.
Your enthusiasm for doing these videos is amazing and makes a person want to listen !
Wow, you must do soo much research on these cases! Amazed at the time you put in to this!
Such a sad 😞 story but you did a great job! THANK YOU!
i see so many true crime videos where the police/ investigators half ass their work. it’s so good to hear how hard the investigators worked on this case.
Loving these back to back uploads, Bella!
How the hell are people like him married. I legit don’t understand
we love you bella! and i love your solved cases!!!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. The holidays can be a sad and lonely time for some people…spread love, reach out and check in with anyone you know spending the holidays alone…or if someone has seemed “off” or not like themselves lately…just let them know they’re cared for and they matter. Sometimes just hearing from another human that they care can make a huge impact on someone who is struggling. If you’re reading this and you’re having a hard time, I see you and I get it. I care and I genuinely want you to know that you are loved and that your life matters. Reach out if you need help or just someone to talk to. You don’t have to go through anything alone. ❤️
What a sweet & thoughtful message, Ashley! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas & God Bless!
@@jbeannie90 thank you so much!
Why wasn't he thrown out of the party if he was making so many women uncomfortable???? Oh god men can get away with sooo much 🙄
The fact that they let him out, so disturbing!!!!!
I am so happy that the police in this case did their job. Sometimes it is so frustrating with these cases, when the police don't do their work properly.
You cannot believe my shock when I heard this occurred in my home town. I never heard of this case (but then again I was born long after this case occurred)
I just realized I have heard of this absolute heartbreaking case. I hope they find her remains someday and bring that last bit of closure for her family.
You should definitely do Tamla Horsford from the case in 2018. I would love to hear your part on that!
Such a sad story. I lived in Fairfax County in the early 2000’s. I didn’t realise how dodgy some parts the area could be, until I read the local newspaper.
were there alot of cases like this one? or what did u mean by dodgy parts? Can u elaborate on this more pls
This is just so sad. I’m feeling sick from this story. My prayers and thoughts go out to all who have been affected by this horrible act.
I lived at this apartment complex when this happened. It was a very big case. It seemed like Melissa just disappeared into the air!
So strange to see a case where the police actually does their job. Wish her family the best
This one was local for me when I was in high school. It still to this day blows my mind that the FBI how the FBI was able to match fibers from her mother's rabbit fur coat purchased Germany & dyed a blue color not found in the States. But even more astounding was the way they matched the fibers from her outfit. The agent doing the testing was frustrated & discussing how hard this was to match with his wife. She told him if it had Big Bird on the outfit then it was only sold in JC Penny & she just so happened to still have the back to school & Holiday catalogs from 2 years ago. He flipped thru the Christmas catalog & there is was. So he contacted JC Penny. JC Penny said it was only manufactured once & sent a memo out to all stores nationwide to check store rooms. No luck. So they provided the FBI with a list of every customer who ordered it from the catalog. A family out west still had it as a handle down for their YOUNGSTER daughter & shipped it to the FBI. Perfect match. And he checked nearly 200 other navy blue acrylic clothing items & the duplicate JC Penny outfit.
He's walking free rn! That's what makes me sick! He got a 50 year sentence but a stupid parole board decided to believe his lies about being rehabilited and released him after only serving 28 years. Sick
I am honestly so terrified that he is out there somewhere today. And most parents and children won’t know who he is. He didn’t even confess or show any sign of guilt and that just shows he is completely capable of doing so again. It is so sickening.
I feel awful for those parents and I know that her mother will have blamed herself all of these years. They should have recovered the body, how can anyone rest at night knowing he could return to reminisce like other killers do, and that her baby can’t rest in peace. So awful.
It is sad that the home who employed him didn’t do more thorough background checks on him before allowing him to be around families.
First time viewer and I'm glad that's not a green screen, people whose bedrooms are that simple are often geniuses. This gives credit to what I'm about to watch.
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos during the holiday season!
I was born and raised in Fairfax Virginia and never heard of this story! Thanks for covering.