From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
The last search is on hold as Detectives are following up on a tipster which if what he claims is true could be a break in the case. However we’ve had many tips claiming knowledge so we are not getting too excited until we hear if it is legit or not. We are praying and hoping....thanks.
IS THE DAY FINALY HERE?
If what I hear it is true you could be soon finally here.
I’ve been praying for hope but I fear the lies of a dope.
Which will it be? God let it be...let it be.
I have many questions but fear the answers...I seek answers but fear the truth.
If I could only turn back time and I could see you one more time.
If the time for truth is finally here I am not ready to hear...as I fear you are not here.
Give me the strength to take away the fear and allowed them to bring her here.
God let it be...please let it be.
LOVE YOU TRACY WITH ALL MY HEART....DAD.
Tuesday Augusth 10th is your birthday, God only knows how much I wish you were here. However after knowing of so many people with missing love ones I have to thank God for the time he gave us with you..others did not have the same blessing.
One of these days I hope I can bring you home and find out what happend to you.
Happy Birthday...you will always be "my little girl"
WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!
DAD
If anyone has any information or knowledge about this posting on scaredmonkeys.com please contact the Ocoee Detective Division at 407-905-3161, this website or crimeline at 1-800-tips Crimeline is 100% anonymous and there is a $20,000 reward.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
Subject: Lake Bennett’s Search
Today was tough as we had our hopes high. This Lake and general area has been a major focus due to tips of Hataway dumping here, her boot being found nearby to the cadaver dogs acting up near the shore. I was there all day today and even though I’m dissapointed I want to point out how impress and grateful I am of the Ocoee Police department and their Detectives. These men plowed through mud, water, snakes, humidity, rain and gave it their all! I was there and I can tell you they are dedicated about their jobs and showed us they care for our family.
To Detectives Olson, Berrish and Sergeant Bryant, I don’t know what I would do without their help and support through this ordeal…I thank you from the bottom of my heart….God Bless!
One year and 25 days since you were taken from us. Today on Father’s day I remember those days when you were young and we used to go fishing together...I miss your smile, I miss your laugh and most of all I miss you being here today!
I love you and miss you.
Dad,
Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father347 days since Tracy was taken from usThe bad news is that yesterday we did not find Tracy. The good news is that we have a Lake area spot where several cadaver dogs hit on which we are going back to confirm either way. However it could be something else all together so I do not want to get our hopes too high. In addition we are concentrating our next efforts in areas where the Ocoee police was searching while James Hataway was nervous and looking at websites on how to commit suicide. Maybe he knew something back then and we were not paying attention.I want to give thanks to all of the search and rescue members for their continued efforts and for giving us hope, especially to Danny and Kathy! I do not know what I would do with out their help! I also want to thank the media for providing awareness to our daughter’s case. Every time they do this we get a spike on tips and I hope and pray one of these days it lead us to her. Even though "the day after" has been extremely disappointing and the feeling of hopelessness is in our hearts today I assure you we’ll get over it and we’ll get focused again with finding our daughter and getting justice.Have a Happy Mother’s Day and God Bless you all for your kind words and prayers.Joe Ocasio
Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
10 months & 15 days since Tracy was taken from us.
On Saturday May 8th the group "Search and Rescue of Central Florida" will be searching for Tracy again. The search willl consist of areas from the Taproom into Ocoee. I want to give thanks to the group in advance for their efforts and pray to God that they help us bring Tracy home and possibly find leads to help bring the person(s) responsible to justice.
God Bless you all for your words of encouragement....I pray this coming search will bring Tracy home, good or bad and give us the closure we seek.
From:
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father:
Interesting article and postings:
http://blinkoncrime.com/category/tracy-ocasio/james-hataway/
Anyone with information is urged to call the Ocoee Police department at 407-905-3160 or 407-905-3161 OR CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS. CrimeLine is 100% anonymous and your conversation will not be recorded.
If you have any information you may be eligible for a $20,000 reward.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
8 Months & 19 days since Tracy was taken from us.
I continue to read comments from blogs or articles in the news previously made about James Hataway we’ve not been able to confirm but could lead the investigation into a new phase.
IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN JAMES HATAWAY FREQUENTED THE CARDIO CLUB WORKOUT PLACE NEXT TO THE TAB ROOM BAR IN ORLANDO FL FROM WHERE TRACY WAS LAST SEEN PLEASE MAKE CONTACT WITH US THROUGH THIS WEBSITE USING OUR GUESTBOOK!!
RUMORS HAS IT HE FREQUENTED THIS WORKOUT PLACE FOR A WHILE BY EITHER "POSING" AS A PERSONAL TRAINER OR ACTUALLY HELPED OTHERS WORK OUT OF THIS LOCATION. KEEP IN MIND WORK OUT PLACES SUCH AS THESE MANY TIMES OFFER "FREE TRIALS" SO THIS DOES NOT NECCESSARELY MEANS HE WORKED THERE! THIS COULD ALSO LINK JENNIFER KESSEE’S CASE TO THIS MAN!!
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS TIP PLEASE MAKE CONTACT WITH US OR the Ocoee Police department at 407-905-3160 or 407-905-3161 OR CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS. CrimeLine is 100% anonymous and your conversation will not be recorded. !!
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
8 Months & 18 days since Tracy was taken from us.
Tracy,
Today I asked Mom to open your Valentines card I got you......your always in my mind and heart. As I always told you, my love for you is unconditional no matter what.......miss you terribly, especially in days like today!
I pray every night that one of these days, good or bad we can bring you home!
LOVE YOU ALWAYS,
Dad
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
8 Months & 6 days since Tracy was taken from us.
Today we finally have something positive happen that we hope and pray can lead us eventually to get closure about our precious daughter. James Hataway has been charged with first degree attempted murder in Rachel Clark’s case. Rachel is the lucky girl that lived to tell her story after very similar circumstances as our missing daughter.
I want to give thanks to all of you for your prayers and support during these difficult times for our family. I also want to thank Rachel Clark for coming forward knowing there is no guarantee this man will be convicted but being brave and thinking not only about herself but other women such as our daughter.
Last, I want to again please ask that if anyone out there has or knows any information that can help us bring our daughter home, good or bad to please come forward now and at the same time help put this animal in a cage for life where he belongs!
God Bless you all!
Joe Ocasio
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
197 days since Tracy was taken from us.
As of recent it seems everything has gone "cold". Some things have come up from time to time but nothing that has made a difference. It’s incredible and sureal that our precious daughter has been gone this long and with 12 days before Christmas we still do not know why this man called "James Hataway" took her from us. A coward that gets off hurting women and currently laughs at us.....I hope he gets a long sentence in Rachel Clarks case, the lucky one that got away from this madman.
Several months ago I had an open mind that maybe he might know something and maybe he was not directly involved. Today I feel totally different after we continue to deal with his "garbage" and "arrogance".....we know he’s guilty but unfortunally law enforcement has not gotten the break we need to charge him with her murder.....some day, some day.
I pray every night that God willing one day soon, we can bring her home and give her the proper burial she deserves.....a place we can go see her....talk to her....GOD WE MISS HER!
Last, I want to give thanks to everyone that continues to pray with us and helps us get strength to live through this ordeal.
God Bless you all!
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
112 days since Tracy was taken from us
WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SINCE YOU SLIPPED AWAY FROM OUR LIVES....GOD IT HURTS!
Click on link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zoN7w2nVw
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
96 days since Tracy was taken from us
This weekend’s search lead by the group "Search & Rescue of Central Florida" did not lead to any findings. The concentration for this weekend was from route 50 and north. The area where the boot was found off of south Blufford and route 50 was searched including Lake Bennett. Of all areas searched I’m most disappointed about this one as I thought after finding the boot there that something else might have been found in the area. In addition the search included several other areas from Ocoee through parts of Lake Apopka near where her car was possibly sighted. I’ve been asked today a couple of times how do we feel about this "roller coaster", well it is and has been a very challenging journey to say the least. It feels like having a hole in your heart that hurts everyday and does not go away. However I believe God willing we’ll find out, hopefully sooner than later what has happened to our daughter, good or bad and we can bring her "home" where she belongs. The way I choose to look at this, is that now we know where she’s not at and we are getting closer.
This weekend started a detailed methodical search that is being logged, tracked and the efforts will continue by Search & Rescue of Central Florida. In addition as Sergeant Mike Bryant said before, local specialized units have been asked to use Ocoee for their training exercises as well. I want to give a special thank you to Search & Rescue of Central Florida along to the many searchers from throughout the state that came in from as far as Tallahassee to help our family. It is amazing to have people like this that give their time and personal resources to help others and incredible as to what drives them....God Bless them and their families!
Last, we are eagerly waiting to see what the DNA results bring as to the boot that was found. In checking the surveillance video from the Taproom many times and speaking with one of her girlfriends that was with her that night she was indeed wearing her boots. I hope this turns out to be a positive id so Detectives have a clue to lead them to their next step in the investigation.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
94 days since Tracy was taken from us
Tomorrow "Search and Rescue of Central Florida" the group that helped search for Jennifer Kesse will be searching for Tracy.
I want to give thanks to the group in advance for their efforts and pray to God that they help us bring Tracy home this weekend and find leads to help find the person(s) responsible.
God Bless you all for your words of encouragement....let’s pray this weekend brings these searches to an end!
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
78 days since Tracy was taken from us
Recently it’s been very demoralizing, nothing good has happened as we’ve been dealing mostly with bad news. Recently our biggest tip to date turned up empty, no new tips have come thru as these continue to dry up…to add to the misery Monday was Tracy’s birthday. A sense of despair has been over us recently with questions such as; Why would someone hurt our girl? Are we ever going to find her? Why has evil touched our family?
Amazingly I was reminded today that there is a lot of goodness in our community and yes there is hope….For starters the Central Florida Search and Rescue group made contact with Ocoee Detectives and has formally offered their help!….they are meeting today. I want to give thanks in advance for any help they can give us!
To top it off, yesterday I had a message at home from my Dentist who is actually a specialist, a Doctor of Dental Medicine who had performed oral surgery on me. I kept thinking I had forgotten to reschedule a visit but when I checked voicemail there was another message on my cell phone telling me that he personally needed to talk with me. I found that odd and thought there was something wrong with my last visit. Instead of he wanted to tell me that he had being following Tracy’s case and needed to do something to help get information to help bring Tracy home! He did not ask but then stated he was adding $10,000 of his own money to raise Tracy’s reward money. I was totally blown away and speechless, here is a man I barely know outside his “office chair” not only taking time to tell me how much he cared but giving his own money to help find our daughter! When he told me I said I did not know what to say, his reply was “don’t, I’ve been blessed and I like to help people whenever I can”....I could not help but break down crying.
In the name of Tracy our family wants to thank Dr Jeffrey J. Sevor for his help and generosity. When we asked him if I could use his name he wanted to make sure this was not about him but about Tracy, another example of the person he is!...God Bless him!
To: Tracy Ocasio, our missing precious daughter.
76 days since Tracy was taken from us
Today on your 28th birthday, we continue to hope and pray for a miracle to find you alive but realize that day may never come as reality is here with us as well. We miss you to the point that it hurts like nothing we have experienced before. At times, like today we are at a loss and do not know what to do except to keep trying to find answers, answers that we might never get.
If there is a remote chance you are alive we pray you are not suffering, if you are not with us any longer we hope you are in heaven in a place without pain and suffering. We are blessed for the time we’ve had you on this earth and the time we spent together.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY......WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU TERRIBLY!!
From your family Joe, Liz and Joey.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
70 days since
was taken from us Tracy
I want to give thanks to everyone for your kindness and prayers. Your encouragement and words mean a lot. Among the evil that we’ve encountered you are the balance of goodness we’ve needed.
As most of you know this past week we received an encouraging tip from a witness that saw what might be
’s car the morning she disappeared. Tomorrow there is a search of this area which is not too far from areas we’ve searched. It also fits the time frame of when the car was found and it is only 5 miles or 10 minutes from where her car was found. To this date we do not have any idea of what happened and we hope and pray tomorrow lead us to something…..god willing. On one hand we need to know and want her back, good or bad. Even though by now we’ve come to terms that she might not be with us I truly dread the day we find her body, as I don’t know how to get ready for that. Tracy
All that said this journey is not over until we find the person or people responsible. I suspect we’ve been contacted on this very website by someone with personal knowledge about her case and if that person is reading this I ask you to please look inside yourself, do the right thing and come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Ocoee Police department at 407-905-3160 or 407-905-3161 OR CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS. CrimeLine is 100% anonymous and your conversation will not be recorded.
If you have any information you may be eligible for a $5,000 reward.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father68 days since Tracy was taken from us
PLEASE JOIN ME KEEPING THE KESSE’S IN OUR PRAYERS...A MESSAGE TO DREW AND JOYCE:
Drew & Joyce,
I don’t know how you both have done this for over 3 years and keep your faith and show the strength you do. I can’t shake this hollow feeling after this weekend’s search did not bring Jennifer home...we are truly very sorry.DON’T GIVE UP HOPE!... you both have been an inspiration to Liz and myself...keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless you,
Joe & Liz Ocasio
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
Two months since Tracy was taken from us.
Today marks two months since our daughter was taken from us. A day that forever will be etched into my soul. In addition Tracy’s birthday is just two weeks away. She was born on August 10th 1981, a day I celebrated as she was our first born.
However today also brings hope. Detectives have several leads they are following and there is a "big search" coming up this weekend! I want to personally thank Drew and Joyce Kesse; they are parents "living the nightmare" of a missing child. Even while working on their "personal quest" to find their daughter Jennifer, they have "reached out" to help others as well including having their search team spend time looking for our daughter Tracy. The Kesse’s have announced a big search for this weekend and part of it will include looking for other missing people as well....words can not describe how thankful my wife and I are for their kindness. Below I’m listing below the press release Drew sent out to the media to announce this event that both of our families hope can bring closure to someone with a missing child in the Orlando/Ocoee area.
Drew, Joyce....from the bottom of our hearts we thank you again and look forward to meet you both this weekend. My prayers are with you both that Jennifer comes home this weekend.....God Bless you!!
Press Release
Date: 7/27/09
Subject: Jennifer Kesse Ground Search, August 1 & 2, 2009, Orlando, Fl.
Today, Drew and Joyce Kesse, with the help of FL-3 ASAR- search and rescue teams, are announcing a preplanned extensive ground search for Jennifer Kesse, Missing - http://www.findjenniferkesse.com/ , Abducted, 1/24/2006, from in or around her Orlando home, as well as other Missing people in the Orlando area. Search dates - August 1st & 2nd 2009. This will be a search made up of trained search and rescue teams from around the State of Florida. These Teams, who have trained and worked together, have gathered their resources, skills, knowledge, training, experience and passion to help find Jennifer as well as others Missing in the Orlando area, on a volunteer basis. This will be a professional, organized and well planned search of multiple areas utilizing state of the art equipment and K-9 teams. The search is not one planned by The Orlando Police Department or The Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Both agencies have been made aware and will make themselves available should any need arise to respond to a search area. There will be no volunteers needed for this physical ground search. Joyce and Drew Kesse will be at the Command Center, in and out throughout the search. The Command Center will be located at First Baptist Church of Orlando – Out Parking Lot at the corner of John Young Parkway and L.B. McLeod.
“This search, is a joint search effort with FL-3 ASAR as the sponsor of this mission working with five other top notch certified search teams in Florida. All six teams will take an equal part in this search mission for Jennifer. Fl-3 ASAR East and West coast division being the marine and K-9 support, Tampa Bay SAR, and Citrus County SAR being the ground search support, Manatee County SAR, Search and Rescue of Central Florida, First Response Search Team of Tallahassee and “DART”, Disaster Animal Response Team. Our main goal in this mission is to bring some sort of closure to the Kesse family and other families associated with these missing person cases. All teams are volunteers and self sufficient when deployed and require no payment of services. Our only goal is to be recognized as professional search teams in the State of Florida.”
--FL-3 ASAR Team
As of this time the teams are expected to work mornings (6:15am start) – during the heat of the day - rest/feed dogs, evaluate morning search and reaffirm afternoon and evening search plan - resume search late afternoon until unable to continue. There will be Aerial Units utilized Saturday, August 1st, weather permitting.
Search Group Contact for Media:
Drew Kesse, Cell# 813-404-7061
Resources which will be utilized:
COMMAND CENTER Location- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of ORLANDO- out parking lot, corner of J. Young Pkwy & L.B. McLeod.
COMMAND RV - (38’ double slide)
HEAD COUNT 50-70 Trained/Experienced Searchers
HRD K9 –16 teams
ATV’s –multiple
Hydratrek Amphibious Vehicle, with Side Scan.
2 Airboats with Side Scan Units
1 Boat with Side Scan Units
AERIAL Units (3) are confirmed and will fly weather permitting, 8/1/09
VETS (2) accompanied by multiple Vet techs
DART TEAM, 5 members - Disaster Animal Response Team - K9 rehab area.
SECURE RADIO NETWORK in place with 14 Team lead radios.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
Day 53 since Tracy was taken from us.
First I want to again thank everyone for your kindness and prayers. It really has helped us see how our community has rally to help us find our daughter. It is overwhelming at times and we truly appreciate the personal time many of you have given to search for her or your continued efforts...GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
The investigation continues to move along but unfortunally no hard evidence yet that can leads us to Tracy. Many comments and rumors have been surfacing about the quality of work the Ocoee Police and Detectives have been doing. Since I’m personally involved and have preview to many of the information and clues they are working on I can assure you we, the family are very pleased with their efforts and their genuine care for our family. Their investigation has been looking at many avenues including Hataway for obvious reasons but also other people as well. However they’ve been "tight lipped" and because of that it has lead to many speculations.
All that said, I’m personally not happy with the lack of hard evidence to this point so far but I know there are people out there that have information that can help us find our daughter. Some of the tips received on this website leads me to believe someone knows more but is not talking. We also know that many are afraid to come forward or maybe do not care to help. I beg those of you that know something to please come forward and help us bring our daughter home!!
You can call the Ocoee Police department at 407-905-3160 or 407-905-3161 OR CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS. The CrimeLine is 100% anonymous and your conversation will not be recorded.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
Day 38 since Tracy was taken from us.
Thank you to everyone for the kind words and prayers. As we continue to look for Tracy many tips are still coming in about Jim Hataway’s character, however not a single tip yet about anyone ever seeing her car the night she dissapeared. There is a gap between 2:00 AM and 7:00 AM when her car was spotted by the home owner of the property where her car was abandoned.
In addition we have no clues about the where abouts of her phone and keys. However we have phone records placing the phone in the area until 8:30 AM. The phone tower records placed the phone .21 miles from the tower which ironically is also .20 miles from Jim Hataways house. Right after my wife called her phone at 8:30 AM whomever had the phone either turned it off and or disposed of it. We know it’s not there as we’ve searched the area many, many times. This obviously indicates someone knows about her phone.
We know there are people out there that have information that can help us find our daughter. We also know that many are afraid to come forward or do not care to help. I beg those of you that know something no matter how small to please come forward and help us bring our daughter home. We need to know what has happened to our daughter...good or bad....PLEASE HELP US!
You can call the Ocoee Police department at 407-905-3160 or 407-905-3161 OR CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS. The CrimeLine is 100% anonymous and your conversation will not be recorded.
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
I previously sent the letter below to many of my co-workers and many Dollar Tree associates that helped me and my family during these past several weeks. I’ve been asked by many to post this here on Tracy’s website for the many other Dollar Tree people that did not get to see it or I might have missed. From the bottom of my heart here it is:
To: My Dollar Tree Family
From: Joe Ocasio
On May 27 th my life along with my family’s changed for ever, a date that will always be etched in my mind as it’s the date our daughter was taken from us. Not knowing what’s happened to her is the most unreal and horrible feeling we currently live with. It’s like having a hole in your heart that hurts everyday and never goes away.
Today 26 days later is father’s day; a reporter yesterday asked me what I would do today to help me cope. What she did not know is that “my Dollar Tree family” has made today a day for me to be grateful and give thanks. You always hear about “company culture” and many brag they foster such environment. We’ll I can personally tell you that “you, my Dollar Tree family” has given me and my family the love, prayers and showed us the kindness that is rarely seen today. Not only have you given me time but you have fed our family, donated water and many associates gave their time to help during our desperate search.
While searching the woods for our daughter I was never more proud of where I work until a reporter asked how we would be able to hydrate such large number of people for a whole week during the extreme heat and was told by Tim Miller, founder of EquuSearch: “Dollar Tree, Joe’s company has been by his side and was kind enough to not only help us with water but look around, many of these volunteers are part of his extended family and are here with him”.
As I get back to work tomorrow please do not express your sorrow but instead continue to keep my daughter in your prayers so one day in the near future we can bring her home…good or bad.
I will for ever be grateful to you, “my Dollar Tree family” for your kindness and being there for me and my family. I will never, never forget!
Today during father’s day I can truly say that I’m blessed and grateful to work for such a wonderful organization and I thank you from the bottom of my heart…God bless you all!
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
Day 26th since Tracy went missing
Yesterday EquuSearch made it’s last search based on current police research and incoming tips. For us is it was the end of a hopeful week that was not meant to be...not a good day.
However, it’s not over, this past week the Ocoee police assigned Tracy’s case to a Detective as his only case given her case a more prominent outlook. In addition a warrant was issued for computers from Hataways father’s house including books and magazines that could help detectives get a better outlook as to where to go from here...We pray for a miracle but want her back good or bad.
God Bless you all for your kind words and prayers!
From: Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father
First post: Day 22nd since Tracy went missing
I want take a minute and thank the Ocoee police dept, in particular Detective Olson, Tim Miller founder of EquuSearch at http://www.texasequusearch.org/, the Ocoee/Orlando community, our friends, family members and my Dollar Tree family where I work. A special thanks to Spiderhost at http://www.spiderhost.com/ for their kindness in donating the time and putting together this website for Tracy!!
YOUR HELP, PRAYERS AND SUPPORT IS A BIG REASON WHY WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO COPE DURING THIS LIVING NIGHTMARE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
That said let’s get down to business as Tracy needs our help! EquuSearch is currently helping us look for our daughter with a group of experienced team leaders along with volunteers.
WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! Anyone 18-years-old, or older, who is interested in helping is asked to go to the Command Center located at:
Vignetti Recreation Center 1906 Adair St Ocoee 34761.
Volunteers are asked to bring their own food, water, wear long sleeves, sturdy shoes and a hat. Bug spray and sun tan lotion is a must. We begin every morning at 8:00 AM but we add volunteers through 2:00 PM EST. We will continue to search everyday until we find Tracy or the search is called off.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR HELP DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
