Sunday, July 20, 2008

Frank Daniels


Frank Daniels was found on the bank of the Ohio River in Wellsville on September 8, 1974. He had been badly beaten & drowned. He was only 14 years old. If you have any info, please contact The Wellsville Police Dept @ 330-532-1522

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will never forget when I first learned that Frank was only 14 years old. I will never forget the shock and outrage that his case was never solved. I will not let you down Frank Daniels. We are out there looking for your killers. Some one knows something about what what happened to you. Hopefully someone will have the guts to come forward and help put your case to rest, so you can rest at last.

Anonymous said...

Almost one of the forgotten ones

Anonymous said...

15 minutes before he was found, his family had been at that exact spot and saw nothing. He was said to have been at a friends house which is less than 200 feet from the spot in the river. In fact, I am told that the friend he was with still lives in that very house. I also know that those who have been close to the investigation in the past have been told to "stay away" from it. It is also said that a box of evidence went missing a few years back from the basement of a local PD. An uncle by the same name was a former police officer of that department. He too told certain family members to stay away from the investigation.

Anonymous said...

Wellsvile`s motto isn`t Rolling on the river, It`s Come to the Ville,We KILL. This Police Dept. only cares about themselves & thier family. No justice here , unless your in the click.

ohioislandgirl said...

I am Frank Daniels aunt. I know who can tell you what happened to Frank. Harry Stillwell. He put himself in Rogers Honor Farm because he was afraid for his life also. He told one of the workers at the institute that he saw what happened. She happened to be a woman I graduated high school with. My brother the Wellsville policeman that was mentioned by who R U only tried to keep my family away from the investigation because my family was determined to beat the information out of Harry and the other boy that was there Drew Long. These 2 men know what happened to Frank and they have not told. The Wellsville police department botched the investigation. They left a bloody 2x4 lay on a bench in the old police department and never sent it for any kind of analysis.
Frank was found with his body on the shore and his face in the Ohio river. He was beat beyond recognition and had to have a closed casket. His body was taken to West Virginia because they own the Ohio river and his death was ruled an accidental drowning because he was alive when he was placed or fell face first in the water. I read the autopsy report.
My brother Frank Daniels was the policeman on duty that night and tried to protect the rest of the family from what he saw. He was not the chief of police and had no authority to investigate what was termed an accidental drowning. Frank's sister has tried to have this reopened but was told she will have to have the body exhumed at her own expense. She is battling breast cancer now and doesn't have the money for an exhumation. So that is the real story of Frank Daniels. Take a collection up and have the body exhumed maybe then his murder will be vindicated.

Elmer Daniels said...

I am Frank`s brother Elmer, and for everyone to know there will be no exhumed of the body. My parents always said , leave him rest in peace. Wellsville police always has been a joke & still is. It`s only there for them & thier family`s. If it would have been one of the so called police officers child, this would have been handled different.No one wants the case reopened because so many of them was in on the cover up.West Virginia should have handled it so that it wouldn`t have been covered up.Both said persons have told alot people what they did. But wellsville finest never thought it was worth thier time. so who were they pertecting?JuST KEEP ASKING WHY THE POLICE HAD NO INTEREST IN THE CASE!!!!!

ohioislandgirl said...

My name is Mary Daniels and I agree with Elmer to let Frank rest in peace. When I made the statement about exhuming the body I said that because that is what Elmers sister was told would be the only way the police would reopen the investigation. I don't know who told her that but just like Elmer said they don't care to bring anyone to justice. Our whole family has always known what happened to Frank.
I have one more thing to comment on. Eric Dillard was found guilty lets see if JC Amato is also found guilty. Money talks in Wellsville. Both of these men committed murder but I am curious to see what happens in the Amato case. I wonder if Tonia Amato's murder will be vindicated or will she be like Frank Daniels and her murderer will walk the streets.

Anonymous said...

How can Frank be resting at peace? He was brutally murdered. He never got to have a girl friend. Drive a car. Have children. He never got to live. And it is easy to say let it go now, 35 years later. But I never thought I'd hear that from his own family members. Why is it okay, even with his family that some one murdered him? I think that the people responsible for killing Frank should be in jail. I don't care if it is 35 years later. Frank never got to live. I just don't understand why no one cares about that. I do. His name is on our list because I wanted it there. Because he was just a kid and deserves justice. Did it ever occur to you that there are so many unsolved murders from Wellsville because no one bothered to make sure Frank got justice? No checks and balances means they can do what they want. Here it is 35 years later and it is still happening. Craig Roberts-NO JUSTICE. Tonia Amato-NO JUSTICE. Gene Lysle-NO JUSTICE. And it all started with Frank.

Kathy Heiney said...

I am Franks sister Kathy and I called Kimberly for the help she offers. I thank her and everyone out there For any help or info on his case. I agree with Kim never give up. Frank never got a chance at growing up. his life was cut short by these murderers. who are walking free among us. and this is not o.k. with me. were is justice?
Thank you kim for speaking for Frank........Kathy

Elmer Daniels said...

Apparently you do not understand what you read Kim. No one said it was ok. Not bothering his body in it`s finale resting place, is what was said. Why is all the evidence out in Lisbon locked up? There is DNA testing now.This non justice from this area , we have had to live with it alot longer than you.Why did Wellsville never try DNA testing? Why did wellsvilee throw the evidence in the trash?If this is the attitude of the police dept.. This site or any other is not going to change any of those handling any of these cases minds. This is a good awareness for the misjuctice going on, But if your not in the position to make this change, it`ll never happen.

I have personally lost all respsct for the politicians & those in jobs that are to serve & protect.This is just not here but acroos this country, tune into the news...Everyone has to answer at the end, Hell or Heaven. It comes for evryone.

Anonymous said...

I am a Daniels decendent whose family came from Toronto OH., to Pitts., and back to Ohio. I had never heard of this story until walking the street fair in Columbiana Oh. on 9-12-09. How awful for the family. Are they any relation to the Daniels from Toronto?

Steph Daniels Brown said...

Monday Sept 21 was also Frank's birthday, but I did not see that mentioned on here and looking back at older post Sept 8 was the day he was murdered but I did not see nothing about that on here either.

Belinda Puchajda said...

I apoligize for not posting something about Frank on the anniversary of his death. I did not know that the 21st was his birthday. No one in his family with the exception of his sister Kathy, even supports us. In fact, we have been told that the family doesn't even want him on here because they believe that his death was an accident. I will post a story today for Frank's birthday, for you., but we are trying not to upset anyone and most of his family does not appreciate our involvement in his case. We are doing the best that we can, but we cannot please everyone.

Steph Daniles Brown said...

I am one of Frank's family members. I am his niece, I lived with my grandparents growing up Frank's parents. It is not that we do not appreciate it. I do not know who told you that our family doesn't even want him on here because we believe that his death was an accident, because that is not true. We know that his death was not an accident, we also know that nothing will ever be done about it. My grandparents knew that, my aunts & uncles, know that and even I know that. It was not handled right from the start, and evidence was so called lost. One of the people that did this have even talked and laughed about it. The law will do no justice for Frank, you can not ask the ones who hid the truth for help. A court may never get to find them guilty, but God will.

Anonymous said...

Stephanie, first..it is nice to meet you. Second, when we first learned of Franks' murder, we called the Daniels' in the phonebook and were told then that they did not want our involvement and that Kathy is the only one that doesn't believe his death was an accident. Please read the above messages that we also received when we added him to this site. Now, maybe because we were realatively new and a lot of people didn't know what we were all about, your uncles may have just told us that, but since that time, we have had many events and so far, the only one that has ever came to any of them is Kathy. Until your posting, we had no way of knowing that anyone else in the family cared what we are doing. I am not trying to sound cold or unfeeling towards you, but Kim and I are the one's that go out in the public aqnd try to fight for justice for all of these victims and all we ever seem to get from people are complaints that we are not doing something right. It gets exausting sometimes. All I can tell you is that we most certainly do care about your uncle Frank and will continue to feature him and his story at all of our events. If you would like to be more involved, I don't know where you live but we are always doing something in the community to keep the victims names out there. Please feel free to email me at mom2zack@peoplepc.com and let me know if you would like to meet with us or possibly come to an event. Take care, Belinda

Kristy said...

I too am one of Frank Daniels' relatives. I was only 3 when he was killed but I know all too well the stories of the lies, the truths, the threats and the cover ups. I'm all too familiar in more ways than one. I followed in the footsteps of my grandfather, Perry Daniels, and my great uncle, Frank Daniels. I too was a police officer for many years. It's a thankless job, as too is yours. We choose to serve and protect the public on different levels, but quite relative. Belinda said it best when she said "we can't please everyone"...just do what you were called to do and go where God leads you. I have the utmost respect for you for what you do for all of those who cannot speak or seek out their own justice in these cold cases. It takes a special breed. You have my support and my assistance in any way. As for the comments on the police, well, it's no secret things that have transpired over the decades...yes, even in the small town of Wellsville. However, not ALL are crooked, warped and injust. I looked up to my grandfather and Uncle Frank. I found being a part of the Daniels Family and of the law enforcement family something of earnest committment, safety, security, love and the utmost respect! That is precisely why I chose to walk in those shoes myself. Yes, corruption exists...we know this all too well. And the bad far outweigh the good. But in the corner of the good are people like Belinda and Kim and this organization. My family needs to allow them to do what they have set out to do...what has needed to be done for so long now. I personally thank you for doing what others only wish they could do:) And I look forward to justice being handed down. I anticipate, however, that we're opening up one hell of a Pandora's box with this one....but somebody's got to do it because our silence only encourages and enables this to continue.

Anonymous said...

I am a Daniels and I care what happend to My Cousin! I belive that my family wants justice... but the Wellsville PD has let them down so much that they do not think anything can be done to help! I think there can! I will help in anyway possible! I emailed Kim on facebook! I hope we can get Franks name and picture out there and get some sort of closure for my family! This has haunted them WAY to long! Thank U guys for all that yens are doing! Yens truely are blessing from God!

Anonymous said...

By the way my name is Christi Jo Daniels.. I am on my phone and can only see half the page haha!

Kristy said...

...and one more thing...I'll be more than happy to contribute to the exhumation fund and offer my financial support in your endeavors to bring justice to these cold cases.

Belinda Puchajda said...

Thanks Christi.. Frank's case is a very sad one. I know too well the pain that a family goes threw when they lose someone to murder. I will do whatever I can for you and your family as will Kim and everyone at CCFHV. Please come by our booth somewhere this summer and introduce yourself. It will be great to meet you! Belinda

Kristy said...

Christi Jo, I love ya girl, but I do have to say that the Wellsville PD hasn't let anyone down. We, as a society, have let ourselves down!! Nothing says that better than the quote at the top of this page: "All that is needed for evil to succeed is, that decent human beings do nothing...." That kinda hits home here, doesn't it? Corruption deceives, it intimidates, it frightens and it silences even the toughest and most authoritative of us all. WE, SOCIETY....WE chose not to speak out. WE chose to brush it under the rug. Why? That's what I want to know...out of fear? intimidation? unknowing? or of knowing...did somebody know something? Of course they did....but everyone bad-mouthing can bet their asses that the Daniels on that force were only trying to PROTECT the rest of us!! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. But this is a new day and time, a new era, a whole new ball game. And those who ruled the roost back in the day are given a pretty descent run for their money these days by organizations just like this one and by officers and investigators who ARE NOT corrupt or intimidated, officers like me who don't give a DAMN who you are, who you know, where you're from or who you THINK you are. Wrong is wrong, period, end of story! If more people had this outlook on things it would have ENDED with Frank, rather than continuing over the decades because those responsible just knew the fear the inflicted upon communities would far outweigh ANY chance of EVER having to suffer the consequences of their actions. Wellsville PD didn't let anybody down...society let itself down! Sorry, but I DO have to speak out for my fellow brothers, and sisters, in LAW. Now let's move forward with this....Kim there are more who are with you than are against you.

Pat Hanlon said...

I am Frank's sister Pat and no one will do anything about the case but his family. Yes, We would like to see justice and we thank you for your help. But as for the distance relation's that have been writing to you now. They have no say over anything about his case. Because only his brother and 4 sisters have the right to say, what can be done. If you would to talk to his brother and sisters just E-mail me.

Kathy Heiney said...

Dear KIm and staff,,,,I am sorry i brought you into this. I contacted you FOR MY BROTHERS MURDER. to help solve his case. Not to be drug into family diputes. I appreciate everything you and the other staff do for these victims. such as the benefits and rogers sale. these take alot of preperation and time from you guys but you never complain. you go out there no matter what and speak for these victims. Thank GOD for you guys. People can't see what you are about unless the get involved. So please take some time meet this group of people and see what they do for these victims....I say love the ones you have left. and fight against the ones who took frank from us....Love the C.C.F.H.V. Thanks Kathy Heiney...God Bless You All. Please don't answer me on this site go to my hotmail box or my Phone# is 1-330-532-6123. Kim or no one is responsible for my input. so contact me with any diputes..

Belinda Puchajda said...

This whole thing has gotten ridiculously out of hand. NO ONE in our organization is planning on doing anything. Geez! All we have EVER tried to do was keep Frank's name out there so that anyone with any information can come forward and get the information to the police. We are NOT jumping threw any hoops for your family and are not going to get drawn into some big family squabble. Kim does these you tube videos for FREE and they are on this website. Please feel free to watch one or two of them before getting all bent out of shape. Frank's case is an unsolved homicide in Columbiana County. Period! This is not something that we do for every victim but Kim thought that MAYBE, just maybe the family would like one done for Frank. Honestly, it isn't a big deal. And some 60+ comments later, is very, very sad that no one seems to be interested in FRANK... Just who said what and who has the right to decide what... PLEASE!! Do not lose any sleep over this because I assure you, there will be no video. My organization is here to help the victims and their families in any way that we can. I am sorry if our thoughts FOR Frank caused any grief. If any of you have anything you need, please feel free to contact me through my email at mom2zack@peoplepc.com or through Facebook.

Anonymous said...

Please, correct me if I am wrong, but the forensics back then was about nill. Nothing like today. I do not even think they could determine who was the father of a child????

You all have done a wonderful job keeping all persons in the limelight. Please continue, just make certain everything is legal. It goes a step beyond free speech!

Names can be construed as defemation of caracter, etc., etc.,.

I believe that the difference in forensics in these past years would be the reason to exume. That is also (my guess entirely) the reason stuff was lost. There just was NO TESTING FOR it! So, no reason to keep it around. (NOT saying it was necessarily the correct proceedure)

You family members are working everyone up so bad no one can think.

After reading all this I have made up my mind that even if I Had to.... I would never come home again. Love you all a thousand miles away! RIP Frankie. I love you.

Anonymous said...

Someone threatened my brother Tracey, that he would, "do the same thing to him that he did to Frank." His name has been mentioned here. The fact that everyone knew who did it, and nothing happened to them was the scary part. I don't remember Frank well, but I remember my brothers and sisters liked him and my parents we're so saddened when it happened. Is Harry Stillwell still alive?

Kathy Heiney said...

Dear Anonymos, I know it's hard at times to say who you are but I think you should Talk to Kim Or Belinda & let them know who threatened your Brother. Every little bit of info helps. Yes Stillwell is alive.. Thanks,Franks Sister Kathy.

I Do Care said...

I didn't read every post here, but I did read most. I, too, am part of the Daniels family. Yes, when Frankie was killed, there were threats from the family that his murderer would be killed. What father, uncle, brother, etc. doesn't say "I'll kill the son of a b... who did this."? Are those to be considered valid threats? I think not. The police department and detectives in Wellsville are definitely laughable. The only problem is that it's not humorous! That should be obvious from the amount of unsolved murders/disappearances per capita.

I Do Care said...

I also should add that I was simply defending the Daniels name because some posts commented that there were threats from the family. Frankie was a sweet, young boy and I remember well the day he passed, He has not been, and will never be forgotten.

Anonymous said...

I am Frank's cousin. I was only 3 years old when he was brutally murdered and it was a day before my younger brother was born. It seems we all want justice for not only Frank but for Craig and Gene and all the others I did not know. It all starts with the money and who is in charge.. Just look at who is in charge of the PD and who has always run the townm go figure right. Lets see someone had a stroke right after his daughter married a man who has been involved in way too much in that town and the families never really got along. Mind you Susan is doing her job, but there are other people not involved with that town and county who really need to be involved in breaking these cases open and exposing these people no matter how old they are at this point in time. As for Harry and Drew you should have spoke up sooner. Enough said its about time for justice to be served.. and BTW My 2 Uncles at the time were dam good police officers and never should have been told to back off or let it go either.. TIME TO PAY UP!!!! One way or another!!

Anonymous said...

YES HARRY STILLWELL IS STILL ALIVE, LIVING IN WELLSVILLE LAST I HEARD