A note from Jason's parents...

Jason's mom & dad sent out an e-mail when they returned home from California this week that I thought was inspiring and encouraging. With permission, I share it with you below. I also received an e-mail from Adam this week, one of Jason & Lindsay's friends at Rock-N-Water, who was one of the other counselors that worked with them that summer. He sent a few pictures that I thought were SO great! I have included them at the end of this post. :)

Dear Prayer Partners,

Bob and I would like to thank you for your prayers for us during our recent trip to California. We flew out the day after the terrorist plots were discovered in London, and we were concerned that this would delay our flight and possibly miss our connection in Dallas. However, just the opposite was true. O'Hare airport was very efficient in getting us through security, and because we allowed plenty of time, we were able to catch an earlier flight. We met the Cutshalls in Dallas and flew to Oakland, CA together, which gave us ample time to visit before we got to CA.

Chris spoke at two morning services at First Baptist Church in Windsor. It was apparent that the message deeply affected those in attendance.

On Monday, the 14th, we went to the bluff overlooking Fish Head Beach. We felt we needed to visit the beach alone before we met the press there on the 15th. The beauty of this beach revealed to us as to why Jason and Lindsay chose this spot to camp that night. Kathy and I remained on the bluff, while Bob and Chris descended the steep path to the beach. It was good to see the place our kids spent their last joyful hours on this earth, but also very sad.

On the morning of the 15th, we interviewed with America's Most Wanted up on the bluff. This will air in a couple of weeks. In the afternoon, Chris made a press statement for the local television stations and newspapers. In the statement, he addressed the killer directly. Quotes from that statement are printed in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

It was an emotional week, but we are praying that this will lead to more tips coming in. Continue to pray that the weapon will be found and that the person responsible for this evil deed will either surrender or be turned in by someone. All the authorities need is that one big tip. With the evidence collected, everything would come together.

We were reassured by the Lt. and the Sgt., that this case will never be closed. These men are still working this with passion, even though two years have passed.

Again, thank you for your prayers. We don't understand why it has not been solved, but we don't have to understand. We just have to trust God to bring this about in his perfect timing. But He still desires us to pray about it.

In Christ,
Bob and Delores

Jason & Lindsay with friends at Donner Lake in California (near Lake Tahoe).

Another picture at Donner Lake. :)

A poster that Adam made in memory of friends, Lindsay & Jason.

Another article from this week...

Here is another article I found this week, published in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. It is very similar to the one I linked to in the last post... but adds a few more details:

Slain couple's parents plead for help:
Midwest residents visit site of Jenner killings to pay tribute to their children

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

By CLARK MASON | THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The parents of Jason Allen, 26, and Lindsay Cutshall, 22, looked out over the remote, driftwood-strewn beach north of Jenner where the couple had spent their last night before being discovered dead in their sleeping bags.

It was the first time the parents had made the trip to Jenner, bringing both a sense of sadness and loss but also joy.

"Here is the place where our devout Christian children last laughed together, ate together, expressed their thoughts and feelings toward each other on earth and where they last prayed together and worshiped the Lord just before he took them home to heaven," Chris Cutshall, father of Lindsay, said while reading from a statement.

Chris Cutshall, pastor of Fresno Bible Church in Fresno, Ohio, was accompanied by his wife, Kathy. He said that despite the horrific loss, they felt a sense of joy in the journals, pictures and expressions discovered on the beach with their children.

"We know much of what they were doing and thinking that evening, including the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ," Cutshall said.

He said it "warms our hearts to know that when the Lord showed up to take them home they were found faithful and ready. So an overwhelming emotion for us is that this was the place where Jason and Lindsay personally and literally met their Savior and Lord face to face," he said.

Bob and Delores Allen of Zeeland, Mich., parents of Jason, also traveled to pay their respects and to meet with the media and others.

They were part of a news conference held by the families before they traveled to the bluff overlooking Fish Head Beach, where Lindsay and Jason's bodies were discovered Aug. 18, 2004, several days after they were shot at close range in the head.

Much of the motivation for making the trip to Jenner was to again publicize the case.

The young couple were visiting the North Coast shortly before they were to return home to be married. They had spent the summer working as counselors and raft guides at a Christian youth camp in El Dorado County.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Rob Giordano said detectives still are working the case daily, which has generated more than 1,000 tips from the public.

"We have made progress and are gathering information," he said, but he declined to give details about evidence or any leads.

He said there is no one potential suspect investigators are focusing on, although many individuals have been interviewed over the past two years and several were subject to polygraphs.

Bob Allen noted 156 different tips came into law enforcement after the last news release about the case. That was in May, when authorities released digital photos of a black and white hat, journal entries, drawn images of devil-like figures and a beer bottle that were found at the crime scene.

Giordano said detectives follow up on all leads, but "we haven't found the right one. One single phone call could result in the answer for us."

The two couples spent the morning taping a segment of TV's "America's Most Wanted." It was unknown when it would air.

In addition to thanks for the efforts of Jenner residents and investigators, the two couples spoke directly to the killer or killers of their children.

"You are out there somewhere, perhaps still in this area. We want you to know that you are not alone. God knows what you have done and He knows where you are, and He will bring you to justice," Cutshall read.

He urged the killer to turn himself in.

Detectives don't have a motive for the killings.

Lindsay and Jason were not shy about sharing their faith in public, and there has been speculation the killer could have been someone who took offense at their religious beliefs.

"I guess you could speculate a person had that intention," Giordano said. "There are a lot of theories as to why someone would do that. Really, no one knows until we catch them."

Fish Head Beach is accessed from Highway 1, via a steep path leading down from the bluffs. Jason's beat-up, Ford Tempo was parked in a turn-out above the beach.

It appears likely that whomever went down to the beach with a hunting rifle had the specific intent of doing them harm.

While that theory seems a safe assumption, Giordano said "someone could have been down there shooting for all we know and stumbled across them."

The couple's valuables were found at their beach campsite, including two cameras, wedding literature, Jason's wallet and Lindsay's jewelry - an engagement ring and a diamond necklace.

In his journal, Jason had written:
"I've just spent two awesome days with my fiance Lindsay. Can life ever be so perfect?"

As they looked out at the cove Tuesday, Bob Allen noted his son had taken a picture of the sunset as it went down between two prominent rocks in the water.

"It was a gorgeous picture. It must have been spectacular," he said, then looked up at the marine layer. "All we see is fog."

Jason & Lindsay's parents hold a Press Conference.

Two years...

Yesterday marked the two-year "anniversary" of Jason & Lindsay's murders. It is a day that will never fade from my memory. I can still hardly believe sometimes that someone had the capacity to stand above them and shoot them as they slept. No motive, no reason... why and how would anyone do such a thing? I'll never understand.

Jason & Lindsay's parents traveled to California again for this anniversary... this time to meet with the detectives again and to hold a press conference in the hope that it will trigger more leads. It is so difficult to feel so completely helpless sometimes. I don't know why no one has come forward with information. I'm sure there's someone out there who knows something. Maybe they're afraid to come forward, maybe they don't care... I just wish someone would grow a conscience. Jason & Lindsay's families need the closure. Sometimes it's just plain hard to wait for justice. It seems much too unfair. And it leaves us worried that whoever did this will kill someone else. Obviously he/she/they have the capacity.

We are SO fortunate to have God to help us through this! I don't know what I would do without Him.

Here is an article that was featured today our local paper, The Holland Sentinel:

Parents make plea for clues:
Families visit California beach where couple was slain

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

By CLARK MASON | Santa Rosa Press Democrat

JENNER, Calif -- The parents of a young couple killed on a California beach two years ago visited the scene of the murders Tuesday to pay tribute to their children, make a plea for new clues in the unsolved case and deliver a message to the unknown person who shot them dead on the beach.

The parents of Jason Allen, 26, of Holland Township, and Lindsay Cutshall, 22, of Fresno, Ohio, looked out over the beach north of Jenner where the couple had spent their last night before being discovered dead in their sleeping bags.

It was the first time the parents had made the trip to this place, about 80 miles north of San Francisco, bringing both a sense of sadness and loss, but also joy.

"Here's the place where our devout Christian children last laughed together, ate together, expressed their thoughts and feelings toward each other on Earth, and where they last prayed together and worshipped the Lord just before he took them home to heaven," Chris Cutshall, father of Lindsay, said while reading from a prepared statement.

Chris Cutshall is a pastor of a congregation in Fresno, Ohio, and came to Northern California with his wife, Kathy. He said despite the horrific loss, they felt a sense of joy in the journals, pictures and expressions discovered on the beach with their children.

"We know much of what they were doing and thinking that evening including the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ," Cutshall said.

He said it "warms our hearts to know that when the Lord showed up to take them home they were found faithful and ready. So an overwhelming emotion for us is that this was the place where Jason and Lindsay personally and literally met their Savior and Lord face to face," he said.

Bob and Delores Allen of Holland Township, parents of Jason, also traveled to pay tribute to their child.

They were part of a press conference held by the families before they traveled to the bluff overlooking Fishhead Beach, the place Lindsay and Jason were discovered Aug. 18, 2004.

Much of the motivation for making the trip to Jenner was to again publicize the case which remains unsolved.

Allen and Cutshall were visiting the North Coast on their final weekend in California before they were to return home to be married. They had spent the summer working as counselors and raft guides at a Christian youth camp in El Dorado County.

Sgt. Rob Giordano of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department said detectives are still working the case daily.

"We have made progress and are gathering information," he said, but he declined to give details about evidence or any leads they may be following.

"There is nothing significant at this point," he said.

Bob Allen noted that 156 different tips came into law enforcement following the last press release about the case. That was in May, when authorities released digital photos of a black and white hat, journal entries, drawn images of devil-like figures and a beer bottle that were found at the crime scene.

In addition to thanks for the efforts of Jenner residents and law enforcement investigators, the two couples spoke directly to the person or persons who killed their children.

"You are out there perhaps still in this area. We want you to know that you are not alone. God knows what you have done and he knows where you are and he will bring you to justice," Cutshall read.

Jason & Lindsay's parents view the beach where Jason & Lindsay were killed.

Approaching "anniversary" #2...

Tuesday of this week, August 15, will mark the two year "anniversary" of Jason & Lindsay's deaths. It is hard to believe that it actually has been two years already... yet in some ways it seems like it has been even longer than that.

I know that for many people who read this, who didn't know Jason & Lindsay personally or their families, this is just "another story." But they were real people with real character and faith and they had families and friends who love(d) them dearly. I have regrets about not keeping in touch with Jason in his last years. If I had only known what was going to happen to him... I would have made sure that I didn't lose touch. We were such good friends when we were growing up. Then life happened and we drifted apart. But that doesn't mean that he didn't mean anything to me anymore. I love his family like they are my own family... and it hurts so badly to see the pain that they have to live with now. But don't get me wrong... they are stronger than ever. God has clearly given them strength and peace that can only come from Him. They are fiercely determined to not let Satan have any victories in this... and to this day, he has had none. I'm sure Jason & Lindsay, if they know what is going on down here, are humbled and honored that God has used their story in such powerful ways. And I'm so grateful that I know where they are and that they're very much alive and safe in heaven... and that one day I'll be up there with them and I'll never lose touch again. How awesome is our God!!!

Here is an article that was featured today our local paper, The Holland Sentinel:

Seeking answers:
Parents hope visit to scene will bring new leads

Sunday, August 13, 2006

By TEREASA NIMS | Staff Writer

Jason Allen's parents on Tuesday will mark the two-year anniversary of his murder by going to an isolated California beach where he and his fiancee Lindsay Cutshall spent their last night together.

"It's not something I'm excited about or looking forward to," said Allen's mother, Delores.

Sonoma County sheriff's investigators said Allen, 26, of Holland Township, and Cutshall, 22, of Fresno, Ohio, were found shot to death on Aug. 18, 2004.

They were planning to be married in September 2004.

Authorities believe the murder occurred during the night of Aug. 14 or the early morning of Aug. 15, 2004.

The couple was working as counselors at Rock-N-Water, a Christian camp in El Dorado County, Calif.

Sonoma County Sheriff Lt. Dave Edmonds said investigators continue to search for leads to the find the killer.

"We want to solve this case," Edmonds said.

"It's still a very active case and we work on it daily," said Sgt. Robert Giordano, head of Sonoma County sheriff's violent crime unit.

In May the investigators released some of the evidence they recovered from around the crime scene. This included pictures of a beer bottle, a hat and some writings.

"That generated 140 to 150 tips," Giordano said. "Some of the tips we are still investigating."

Bob and Delores Allen and Cutshall's parents, Chris and Kathy Cutshall, hope they can help generate more leads by holding a press conference from the location where their children were killed.

The two couples have been in the area where the killings occurred, but this will be their first venture to the crime scene.

"I know it will be an emotional day," Delores Allen said.

The Cutshalls agree.

"It is not like we need to go," Chris Cutshall said. "We want to see where our kids were the very last time, but we don't need to. I don't know if I can explain it."

The couples have a common goal -- to see the person responsible for their children's murder held accountable.

"We really hope they can find whoever did this and bring them to justice," said Bob Allen.

"I never want anybody else to have to go through this," Delores Allen said.

Both couples, who only met once before their children were killed, say that they find strength in God and in each other. They agree it helps them make it through difficult times.

"They are family," said Kathy Cutshall about the Allens.

The Allens and Cutshalls spent the first anniversary together and they talk or e-mail each other at least once a week. The also visit each other three to four times a year.

"Kathy and Chris are a real source of strength for us," Delores Allen said. "We help each other through the rough times."

Although there has been no conviction in the case, Chris and Kathy Cutshall say they have a sense of closure.

"We do have closure in the sense that we know where (they) are (in God's hands)," Kathy Cutshall said.

It's an image the Allens share.

"But I don't think we will really have complete closure until the case is solved," Delores Allen said. "I think the sheriff's department is doing all they can and they are keeping us abreast of what's going on."

There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the murder.

Jason Allen is never far from his parents' thoughts.

"I think about the good times, especially when we went camping," Delores said. "Those were just really great times. Jason had a great since of humor and we always had a lot of fun."

Bob & Delores Allen