Press statement from August 15...

I just recently received a transcript copy of the press statement from this past August, written and spoken by Lindsay's dad, Chris Cutshall. On August 15 of this year, the two year anniversary of Jason & Lindsay's deaths, their parents traveled to the beach where their children died and then met with reporters and television crews to read the following statement:

My name is Chris Cutshall and this is my wife Kathy. We are Lindsay's parents... and these are Jason's parents, Bob and Delores Allen.

We have come to California from Ohio and Michigan to visit the beach where our children were tragically murdered two years ago today. We felt it was important for us to come here on the second anniversary of their tragic deaths to see the place where Jason and Lindsay spent the last few hours of their precious lives on earth.

As we looked out over the beach from the bluff above... two thoughts, two emotions, overwhelmed us. First, of course, was that this is the place where some evil person senselessly took the lives of two beautiful, innocent people... our children. And there is a profound sense of sadness and loss attached to that thought. But second, and perhaps even more powerfully, was the thought that 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 worshipped the Lord just before He took them home to heaven.

From the pictures they took and from the notes they wrote on the beach, plus the fact that they had a Bible and some devotional material with them, we know much of what they were thinking and doing that evening, including the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that 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 is the place where Jason and Lindsay personally and literally met their Savior and Lord face-to-face. So profound sadness and profound joy mingle in us here today. And may we say, we love Jason and Lindsay, and we glorify God Who loves them and Who in the midst of great evil took them to their glorious eternal home.

We also wanted to come here to personally thank you, the good people of Jenner and of Sonoma county and of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department, for caring so much about our children and our case. The detectives have worked tirelessly to find the killer, and many people in this community and in this country have prayed for them, have cooperated fully with them, and have rooted for them. And for the Sheriff's Department's great effort and for your tremendous support, we are very grateful. So from our hearts, we want to say "thank you."

But there is a third reason we are here. Two years after the fact, this case is still unsolved, but we believe that it is still solvable. The detectives are doing everything that can be done to solve it, but they are lacking that one tip that very well may be out there that can lead them to Jason and Lindsay's murderer. So may we make a personal plea to the people of this community: Please don't give up hope and please continue to be watchful and thoughtful. And if you have any information, or if you come across any information that would be helpful to solving this case, please notify the Sheriff's Department.

And to the killer himself... 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... if not now, certainly at the Judgment, because you have innocent blood on your hands. As a pastor, as a servant of God, I want you to know that it would be better for you to turn yourself in and face justice now, and get help if you want it, and even forgiveness if you want that. It would be much better for you to turn yourself in than to continue to hide, but in the end, fall into the hands of the living God, which is a terrifying thing for a person like you. So we have come here today to offer you real grace... an opportunity to come clean before it is eternally too late for you. We have come to ask you to turn yourself in.

Thank you everyone... and God bless you.

[Jason & Lindsay's parents view the beach where their children were killed.]

That is also my plea to all who read this blog. If you know anything that might help the detectives solve this case, PLEASE notify the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department. Or, if you feel more comfortable, you may even contact me and I will relay your message to the detectives for you. For the sake of Jason & Lindsay's families and friends... please help us. The lack of closure in that respect is heartbreaking. Not only that, but we fear for the safety of the community. No one is safe when there are people out there that have zero respect for human life. Thank you.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Department
2796 Ventura Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Main phone: (707) 565-2511
Investigations: (707) 565-2185

On this day...

September 11 holds a special significance for Americans and for countless others throughout the world who are our friends and allies. But this day was also very significant in the lives of Jason & Lindsay. They were to be married this day two years ago... but they never lived to see it. So today, they would have celebrated their 2-year anniversary. Instead, their families and friends are left to remember this day in a somber way for very personal reasons. Not only does this day mark the anniversary of a heartbreaking national tragedy... it also reminds us of the reality that Jason & Lindsay never lived to see their wedding day. But they are alive eternally with Christ so we know that we don't have to worry too much about that. Their love is still very much alive and they are together forever.

Please pray for all of those for whom this day is a very difficult one. There are countless people who personally knew someone or more than one person who died on that horrific day, 5 years ago. So this day is a painful one... but it also reminds us of the spontaneous unity that occurred that day... when Americans stood up together as one and vowed to fight for those who died so senselessly. Never forget! And please pray for Jason & Lindsay's families too... two families of many for whom this day brings tears and painful memories. Cling to the hope that God gives us. His promises are everlasting and true and it is because of Him that we can persevere and live with hope. God bless America!

Lindsay's 25th birthday...

Lindsay at Donner Lake in California (near Lake Tahoe).
Summer 2004

Today, Lindsay would have turned 25. This is a milestone birthday... 1/4 of a century old! It makes me wonder if everyone up in heaven keeps track of what their earthly age would be. Somehow I doubt it because I don't think time in heaven is anything like it is here. But you never know what we will be privy to when we're dwelling amongst the angels. Maybe we will be able to see, somehow, what happens here... or maybe not at all. :) What I do know is that where Lindsay is right now, I long to be! The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) What he meant, of course, is that while his work here on earth was very meaningful and worthwhile for the cause of Christ, he would much rather actually be in heaven with Christ! I hope that is the desire of all Christians... to value their time here and make it count... all the while longing for the day they are welcomed into heaven. What an amazing eternity we are blessed with! We don't even have the first clue of how awesome it's going to be. We can't even begin to comprehend it! Our God is indeed an AWESOME God! This is the promise of the glory that awaits us:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

And Lindsay's there now! Experiencing the heaven that we cannot begin to see or hear or conceive of. How cool is that? :) And someday we will be there with her and with Jason.

♥ Happy Birthday Lindsay! ♥