Summer in their hearts
By David Tanner The ExaminerThe only silence Brandi Shipp wants is the silence of prayer for her mother.
Summer Shipp has been missing since Dec. 8, 2004. She disappeared while doing door-to-door market research in Independence, and police have suspected foul play from day one.
Brandi Shipp wants desperately for someone to come forward and break the five-month silence.
"I'm going to stay focused until we bring my mother home," she said, during a candlelight vigil Sunday evening at the corner of Forest Avenue and College Terrace, north of Independence Regional Health Center.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
Brandi Shipp, right, hugs Diane Mares of Prairie Village, Kan., near the conclusion of the vigil at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace in Independence, Sunday. Brandi's mother, Summer Shipp, disappeared in December while taking door-to-door surveys in that neighborhood.
The family chose the vigil site because it is near where Summer Shipp's gold-colored BMW was found abandoned in the beginning hours of the search.
Private investigator Jim Underhill said the case can be solved only with leads. Sometimes a lead can come from a small detail, a time, date or place, or a tiny clue.
"I'm open for anyone to come and discuss the case with me," he said to the gathering of about 50 people.
They lit candles and joined in collective thoughts about Summer Shipp and about the neighborhood where she was last seen.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
People gather at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace for a vigil Sunday for Summer Shipp who went missing in December from the area where she was conducting door-to-door surveys. About 50 people gathered for the vigil. PHOTO/Paul Beaver 1 May 05
Brandi Shipp is keeping the issue alive in the media. She is scheduled for more television appearances, including a spot on CNN Headline News at 7 tonight.
Check the Web site, www.friendsofsummer.com for more details.
"Whatever has happened to her mother, there are answers out there," the Rev. Carla McClellan of Unity Church of Independence said. "We join in love and prayer and faith that each of us can make a difference."
Independence Police Chief Fred Mills gave his word the department is doing everything it can.
"I can assure you several things," Mills said. "We will never stop looking, we will never stop trying, and this Police Department will never stop caring until Summer comes home."
Another speaker at the vigil, City Council Member Don Reimal, encouraged people to invest in their neighborhoods.
"We have to take it upon ourselves to know our neighbors," he said. "We need to know who and what is in our neighborhood."
The search continues.
To reach David Tanner e-mail david.tanner@examiner.net or call (816) 350-6324.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
Elizabeth Sexton of Kansas City shields her candle flame from the wind during the Summer Shipp vigil Sunday. Sexton is a friend of Shipp and did door-to-door surveys with her occasionally.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
Elizabeth Sexton, left, and Laurie Mellenbruch, both of Kansas City light their candles during the Summer Shipp vigil at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace Sunday. About 50 people attended the vigil for Shipp, who disappeared from that area while she was doing door-to-door surveys in December.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
Laurie Mellenbruch, left, of Kansas City, and Kathleen Connors of Shawnee, Kan., light their candles during the Summer Shipp vigil at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace Sunday. About 50 people attended the vigil for Shipp, who disappeared from that area while she was doing door-to-door surveys in December.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
A couple lights their candles during the Summer Shipp vigil at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace Sunday. About 50 people attended the vigil for Shipp, who disappeared from that area while she was doing door-to-door surveys in December.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
Brandy Shipp, daughter of Summer Shipp, talks about her mother who has been missing since December at a vigil at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace, near where here was found.
Paul Beaver/The Examiner
Brandy Shipp, daughter of Summer Shipp, watches a small crowd gather for a vigil for her mother who has been missing since December at Forest Avenue and West College Terrace, near where here was found.