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| Gjergjaj,Aferdita missing February 26,2001; Michigan | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 15 2006, 12:13 PM (769 Views) | |
| oldies4mari2004 | Sep 15 2006, 12:13 PM Post #1 |
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http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/g/gjergjaj_aferdita.html |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Jan 24 2007, 11:20 PM Post #2 |
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Aferdita Gjergjaj Above Images: Aferdita, circa 2001 Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance Missing Since: February 26, 2001 from Auburn Hills, Michigan Classification: Endangered Missing Date of Birth: September 7, 1970 Age: 56 years old Height and Weight: 5'4, 115 - 130 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Red/auburn hair, brown eyes. Aferdita's nickname is Rita. Her last name is pronounged "Ger-jl." She is a native of Albania; she moved to the United States in early childhood. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A black top, a denim jacket, a black leather coat and denim slacks. Details of Disappearance Aferdita was last seen in Auburn Hills, Michigan on February 26, 2001. She told her sister she was going to meet her ex-husband, Binak "Kola" Gjerjaj, and their three children in the parking lot of Showcase Cinemas on Opdyke Road at 7:00 p.m. Images from a surveillance camera in the parking lot show Aferdita did arrive there, got out of her car, went to another one and sat inside it for half an hour. Then the vehicle drove away with her still inside. She has never been heard from again. Afterdita was reported missing after she failed to arrive for work at a clothing boutique in Troy, Michigan, where she was the manager. Her light blue Ford Escort was found in the parking lot of the cinemas shortly after her disappearance. Her cellular phone and purse were inside the vehicle and so was an unused round from Aferdita's handgun. The gun itself was missing and has not been recovered. A photograph of Binak is posted below this case summary. He and Aferdita married in 1987 and separated in 1996. He filed for divorce in 1998 and sought custory of the couple's two young children. Aferdita did not contest the divorce and never attended any of the court hearings, and as a result a default divorce was granted. Aferdita and Binak shared legal child custody, but physical custody was granted to Binak. He fled the country shortly after Aferdita went missing and returned to his native Kosovo, leaving his children behind. In 2002, he was charged with felony assault for allegedly beating beating Aferdita in 1998. He could face ten years in prison if convicted; however, Kosovo has no official government to extradite him, and as long as he remains there, Binak cannot stand trial. Aferdita was reportedly fighting for more access to her children at the time she disappeared. Binak had allegedly threatened to kill her if she tried to take the children away from him. Authorities stated they believed Aferdita had been murdered in Binak is the prime suspect in her presumed death, but he has not been charged in her case due to lack of evidence. Aferdita's disappearance remains unsolved. Above: Binkak Gjerjaj Investigating Agency If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Auburn Hills Police Department 248-370-9444 OR Oakland County Sheriff's Department 248-858-0692 Source Information Auburn Hills Police Department Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney's Office The Detroit News North American Missing Persons Network America's Most Wanted Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated January 28, 2006; casefile added. Charley Project Home |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Jan 24 2007, 11:21 PM Post #3 |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Jan 24 2007, 11:22 PM Post #4 |
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| monkalup | Feb 26 2011, 09:25 PM Post #5 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/27004677/detail.html Woman Goes Missing 10 Years Ago Friday Ex-Husband Eludes US Investigators In Kosovo POSTED: Friday, February 25, 2011 UPDATED: 10:48 pm EST February 25, 2011 EmailEmail DETROIT -- Rita Gjerjgaj, Birmingham, disappeared Feb. 25, 2001, and police continue to search for her body and suspected killer. Since she went missing, police have been trying to pin down her ex-husband, Binak "Kola" Gjerjgaj, who police said fled to his native country Kosovo soon after his ex-wife's disappearance. Kola was charged with beating Rita before her death, and remains the prime suspect in Rita's disappearance, police said. However, police said Kola remains in Kosovo where the U.S. has no extradition agreement. "My heart still breaks for Rita," said Barry Fayne, a former attorney for Rita. "She came to me for a divorce consultation years before this happened." Police said Rita was fighting for custody of her children and disappeared after a planned meeting with Kola in Auburn Hills. |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| monkalup | Feb 26 2011, 09:26 PM Post #6 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://z13.invisionfree.com/PorchlightUSA/...0&#entry9809593 |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| monkalup | Feb 26 2011, 09:27 PM Post #7 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/1406349/detail.html Missing Woman's Husband Charged With Assault Rita Gjergjaj Still Missing More Than One Year Later POSTED: 3:36 p.m. EDT April 18, 2002 UPDATED: 12:06 a.m. EDT April 19, 2002 The Oakland County prosecutor announced Thursday that he will charge the husband of a woman missing more than a year with assault, for a 1998 incident. Video Missing woman's sister Video Sister Tells Of Disturbing Visits Prosecutor David Gorcyca is seeking an assault with intent to do great bodily harm charge against Binak Gjergjaj, 35 (pictured, left). He is accused of beating Aferdita Gjergjaj (pictured, below), who was 27 at the time, inside their Clarkston apartment. Aferdita Gjergjaj, also known as Rita, disappeared Feb. 26, 2001, after going to meet her husband in Auburn Hills to discuss a custody matter involving the couple's children, investigators said. During the investigation, Binak Gjergjaj also vanished. Detectives said that he went to his native Kosovo, where he was recently questioned about the whereabouts of his former wife, according to police. Auburn Hills police, working with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and the FBI followed a tip that he was in Kosovo after learning about the 1998 incident from the victim's family. The FBI determined there was enough evidence to build the assault case. Binak Gjergjaj is accused of tying his wife to a chair April 15, 1998, and beating her for more than an hour. She eventually escaped and fled to her family's home in Hamtramck and was later hospitalized. Gjergjaj's car was found the night of Feb. 27, 2001 in the parking lot of the Auburn Hills Showcase Cinema. Her cell phone, purse and some receipts were in the car. The mother of two had recently moved to Birmingham. Gjergjaj was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black top and a leather coat over a blue jean jacket. She's 5'4" with brown hair and brown eyes Her whereabouts remain unknown. |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| monkalup | Feb 26 2011, 09:28 PM Post #8 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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Missing Woman's Children Will Stay In Foster Care Woman, Husband Missing For Months The children of a missing Birmingham couple will be remaining with a foster family for the time being. Missing woman's sister Video Sister Tells Of Disturbing Visits At a hearing on Friday, an Oakland County judge ruled that the children will remain in the custody of Protective Services. Rita Gjergjaj was last seen in February leaving a relative's home in Macomb Township. Her car was found a few days later in the parking lot of an Auburn Hills movie theater. Her husband has not been seen since then, either. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/755043/detail.html |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| monkalup | Feb 26 2011, 09:30 PM Post #9 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/528987/detail.html Missing Woman's Ex-Husband Disappears Investigators Are Not Calling Ex-Husband Suspect Police are looking for the ex-husband of a woman that has been missing for more than a week. Aferdita "Rita" Gjergjaj, 30, was last seen about 6 p.m. Sunday leaving a relative's home in Macomb Township. Video Police Say Man Took Passport, Clothing With Him Investigators are not calling the ex-husband a suspect, but they say that the couple's marriage included allegations of domestic abuse. Officers said that Gjergjaj 's ex-husband severely battered her in 1998. Her ex-husband is a native of Yugoslavia. Police said that during a search of his home that his passport and some clothing was missing. Gjergjaj's car was found Feb. 27 night in the parking lot of the Auburn Hills Showcase Cinema. Her cell phone, purse and some receipts were in the car. The mother of two recently moved to Birmingham. Gjergjaj was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black top and a leather coat over a blue jean jacket. She's 5'4" with brown hair and brown eyes A judge placed the couple's children in state custody Tuesday and ordered them not to have any contact with the family. He also confiscated the children's passports. Copyright 2007 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| monkalup | Feb 26 2011, 09:31 PM Post #10 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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Local Woman Missing Since Sunday; Police Concerned Police Don't Know Who Would Hurt Her Family members are extremely concerned about a Birmingham woman, missing since Sunday. Place where car was found Video Police Concerned About Missing Woman Aferdita "Rita" Gjergjaj, 30, was last seen about 6 p.m. Sunday leaving a relative's home in Macomb Township. Her car was found Tuesday night in the parking lot of the Auburn Hills Showcase Cinema. Her cell phone, purse and some receipts were in the car. The mother of two recently moved to Birmingham. Police said that they're not aware of anyone who would want to harm her. Gjergjaj was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black top and a leather coat over a blue jean jacket. She's 5'4" with brown hair and brown eyes. You're urged to call Birmingham or Auburn Hills police if you know anything about what happened. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/511525/detail.html |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| Ell | Feb 27 2011, 12:08 AM Post #11 |
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Heart of Gold
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New information after 10 years in a missing mother case Posted: 02/25/2011 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) - Ten years ago -- a young mother from Birmingham vanished. Police believe she was murdered and say they’ve worked relentlessly this past decade to try to bring Rita Gjergjaj’s killer to justice. Technically, this is still a missing persons case because Rita Gjergjaj’s body has never been found. But police say there’s no way this loving mother is still alive – and they believe she was killed trying to see her children. Please take note: some of the photographs in this story are quite graphic. A battered -- but determined -- young mother. A car found in a movie theater parking lot. The detective’s lead suspect flees the country. And after 10 long years – still, no body. This isn’t some crime novel. It’s the traumatic real-life drama that Rita Gjergjaj’s grieving family has had to endure for a decade. “I miss her laugh… Words can’t even explain, you know, the many things I miss about her – to talk to her, advice, everything,” said George Pulacaj, Rita’s brother. “Without having no closure, you can’t stop thinking about it. Each day you wonder, is this going to be the day you hear something.” On February 25, 2001, the 30-year-old mother from Birmingham pulled her car into the parking lot of the Auburn Hills Showcase Cinemas. She thought she was going to see her children and her ex-husband – Kola Gjergjaj. But Rita never saw her son and daughter that night – and she was never seen again. Police say, the next day, Kola Gjergjaj fled to Kosovo. “Is Rita’s ex-husband still your number one suspect,” asked Action News Investigator Heather Catallo. “Yes, he is,” said Auburn Hills Police Detective Scott Edwards. Detective Edwards says for the past ten years, he has filled more than eight binders with documentation, relentlessly tracking down nearly 100 people connected to the case, getting phone records, even arranging for interviews overseas in Kosovo. The FBI caught up with Kola Gjergjaj in his native land. He denied killing Rita, but refused to take a lie detector test. And Kola did admit to them that he did beat Rita back in 1998 – whipping her with an electrical cord. So detectives have their suspect – but what about a motive? Police say after the divorce, Kola kept Rita from their two children by threatening to kill the kids, her family, and her -- if she tried to gain access to her son and daughter. “And believe me, Rita would certainly understand the credibility of those threats, given that she endured severe physical violence and great emotional torment for a period of ten years or better,” said Detective Edwards. But Rita could not bear to live without her children. Police say about a month before she vanished – she told Kola she would seek custody of Beth and Anton. Amazingly, in the past decade – police say Kola has never once contacted the children. “What does that tell you?” asked Catallo. “It tells me that he certainly had something to do with Rita’s death,” said Detective Edwards. “He’s the one who fled like a coward. Left his kids here, left his blood here, and fled,” said Pulacaj. Rita has been gone long enough that her family does now have a death certificate for her. And that could also help police pursue charges in the future against Kola if he can be brought back from Kosovo. Detective Edwards is hoping, now that ten years has gone by, someone who knew something in 2001 will have a change of heart. “Relationships between people change over the years. And what our hope is that somebody will come forward with information they have had back then, but were afraid to come forward with,” said Detective Edwards. While George Pulacaj says he would love for the police to bring for Kola to justice – what he really wants is information about where to find Rita’s remains. “We left him in God’s hands. All we ask for is her body… just to put her to rest,” said Pulacaj. In an effort to move forward, George and his other siblings opened this restaurant in Detroit. In a way, Pauly’s Grill is a tribute to Rita- her picture is on the menu – her name a part of the artwork on the walls. “I’m going to make sure that she’s going to get justice, and that she’s not going to be forgotten, as long as I live… that she will never be forgotten,” said Pulacaj. After Kola fled to Kosovo, Rita’s children were raised by her relatives... and I’m happy to report they are beautiful young adults right now, and they’re doing very well. Rita’s family is still offering a $10,000 for any information that helps close this case. The Auburn Hills police are also hoping that someone can come forward with new details – no matter how insignificant they may seem.. they can be contacted at 248-370-9444. Det. Edwards can be emailed directly at sedwards@auburnhills.org. http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/oaklan...-after-10-years |
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Ell Only after the last tree has been cut down; Only after the last fish has been caught; Only after the last river has been poisoned; Only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten. | |
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3:50 AM Jul 11