The recent discovery of 29 year old Jaycee Lee Dugard after being missing for eighteen years made me wonder what ever happened to another high profile kidnapping dating back a quarter of a century ago.
See an article on the discovery of Jaycee Lee Dugard:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/27/BA4N19EJ35.DTL
It's been over twenty-five years (February 10th, 1984) since Kevin Collins disappeared in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco and was presumed to be kidnapped. As a San Francisco native, I was well aware of Kevin's disappearance because his face was on the TV, newspapers and flyers all over the San Francisco Bay Area and later nationally on milk cartons and national magazines. Being around the same age as Kevin, I think Kevin's disappearance set off also waves of worry with my parents and others with kids back in 1984.
Unfortunately, to this day, the case of Kevin Collins has never been solved. I tried to do some quick research on Google to see what kind of clues were found by the police or any other law enforcement agency but did not come with anything. Kevin's disappearance in 1984 did not generate as much publicity as it could have today. The Internet, cell phones, and other forms of messaging and communication that we take for granted today was not available.
The discovery of Jaycee Lee Dugard made me wonder if Kevin Collins could possibly be still alive after all these years. Maybe I'm being a dreamer but it definitely would be a huge feel good story to find Kevin Collins alive out there. Setting my sights a little lower, even if Kevin Collins couldn't be found, I would love to hear that information had been discovered as to what his fate was. I'm sure the discovery of Jaycee Lee Dugard brought up some unpleasant memories for the family of Kevin Collins. In my mind, it certainly would be great if Kevin Collins or any information related to Kevin could be found.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Whatever happened to Kevin Collins?
Labels: children, Jaycee Lee Dugard, Kevin Collins, missing
Posted by DCL at 6:22 PM
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21 comments:
Kevin Collins was the first child I remember being kidnapped. I was a few years older, and all I could see was his face on the posters for years to come, hoping that somehow he would turn up.
I realize you wrote this piece over a year ago, but like you, I also hoped that with the amazing return of Ms. Dugard, others who'd been missing for two decades or more would somehow be reunited with their families. I've NEVER forgotten Kevin. Whenever I see a new story about a kidnapped child, I think of Kevin. I never knew him or any of his family, but like most San Franciscan's, I felt like I did. (I, too, am a native.)
Anyway, thanks for writing the story. I'm sure not many people still think of this first widely publicized kidnapping, and I'm sure his family would appreciate knowing he's not been forgotten.
Chloe
I have had Kevin Collins on my mind over the past month lately too and wondered if I just never heard that he was found. I lived in Stockton at that time and was in elementary school, but I remember it like I knew him. (But didn't.) I can't wait for the day he is found! ~Amy
It so nice to see that, Kevin Collins, has not been forgotten. I was in the sixth grade at the time of his disappearance and it weighed heavily on me for along time. I still have not gotten over it. I went to a catholic school myself and our uniforms were identical. It always had made me aware of my surroundings and to always be observant. I still cant believe there are no clues no follow ups and at least some sort of closure for the family. This is one of the saddest stories because we all felt apart of it.
I've never forgotten Kevin either. I was a few years older than Kevin and went to school with one of his brothers. We used to take the same bus to school in the mornings.
I'll never forget him.
I too often wonder about Kevin Collins. As a small child I was abducted by a child molester. I fortunately was found shortly after but the trauma is with me to this day. The JC Dugard case has drenched up old memories and Kevin Collins is right there with them - along with all the missing and exploited children. I think for those of us who grew up in the SF Bay Area we will never forget Kevin as his story hit so close to home. I believe his disappearence may have saved many lives. After he went missing so many people changed their way of life in fear their children wouldn't be safe. I don't like to think what happend to Kevin but often hope that somehow -someway his story will be told with a happy ending..
I have thought about Kevin every year on February tenth since he went missing. I grew up in Concord and my parents grew up in San Francisco and worked there all my life. I,too, was born in seventy four so we were the exact same age. Growing up I would watch the movie "Without a Trace" over and over and hope that a detective,like the one Judd Hirsch played in the movie,would bring Kevin home safely! Amazing what an impact one boy had on the entire bay area and the kids growing up in the eighties. Tara Burke was found safe and alive and I believe that miracle gave us all hope. God bless the Collins family and Kevin, too.
I always wondered if someone at his school could have come by and somehow lured him into a car.
Someone he knew and thought could trust.
char
I remember when he went missing, one of my classmates went to school with him the year before she came to my school. My father had a surgery and while in the hospital met his grandfather and so it hit home pretty close even though we didn't know Kevin. He made stacks of flyers with his Kevin's picture and Missing and we would drive around the city and post them. I was about the same age as Kevin. I pray for his family that they will some day know what has happened to their beloved son. To Kevin's family, if you ever see this please know there are people out there who are praying for Kevin and you. He's not forgotten.
I can't believe Kevin Collins is still missing. My second child was born in '83. I've been extremely protective of my children since then. Always looking over my shoulder. I was an overprotective mom and glad I was. I lived in Potrero Hill my whole life since I was six and moved away from The City when I was 31.
I still see Kevin's face on milk cartons and plastered on the billboards. My heart still sinks. I feel like Kevin was my son too. He belonged to all of us.
To the Collins Family, please never give up. If he was abducted his name could have been changed, and his identity changed to be another person. Somebody saw something. I wish the person who knows would come forward. The person would not be in trouble, just come clean as to what happened. I'm now a detective and glad I am. Kevin, you started my career of law enforcement. As a mom, I will never stop looking for you. I look in faces when I patrol and drive around the Bay Area.
One day, Kevin will be found. The City will have the best day ever!
The detective , call me. I'm also a detective. Let's talk. 9257831555
This morning I cannot stop thinking about Kevin. Although I was 30 when he disappeared, it has always felt like we were the same age ... actually, I was shocked when I googled his name and things came up. I too grey up in Height and Ashbury and went to the local Catholic school ... very hard not to identify with him and think of the anguish his family and those of us in the bay area went -- and still go through.
It would be wonderful to think that somehow he ended up with a "kind" family but he seems to big to not know his roots. I wonder if his family stayed in the same place hoping he would come home ... what relief that would bring.
We should all pray for his family and him ... how could a person steal another person and how can a boy just disappear?
I grew up in the Bay Area and often would visit my Aunt and Uncle in the Haight/Ashbury area as a kid and now a Native of the City living in the same area and coincidentally I dated someone who grew up in the Area and attended the same school on Masonic as Kevin Collins, who was there that day. He stated to me that school was letting out and kids were all over, crossing streets and getting on buses and he and some friends saw Kevin across the street a bus and some cars passed and Kevin was gone.... He said I haunted him cause he was right there, kinda! He stated it was like he just disappeared! I often wonder who is still living in this area! I see children walking alone and it scares me!
I talked to a desk clerk at Mission Creek Senior community 225 Berry Street S.F. Ca. His name was Larry Oz. He told me that Jose Vega who is the current mgr. there and a known homosexual had something to do with that boys disappearance.I regret to say that Mr. Oz past away,but I urge the authorities to investigate Jose Vega. Vega has a beautiful persona. He is also a pathological liar and a thief.He needs to be exposed for what he really is. Take his D. N. A. Thanks
I know Kevin's father.. He is a great man.. I didnt know all this about his son because he doesnt talk about it.. But now that I know, I'll make sure he knows that people still care and pray for Kevin and the hole family.. I promise I'll let him know.
I'm here because I recently thought of Kevin Collins. I vividly remember his story. I still can remember his face on the fliers that hung in the windows of the Carquinez Bridge toll booth, or on the milk carton. I am so glad to see that I am not alone. I pray for his family, and that God will oneday return him home, like he has done for Jaycee Dugard...
I too am a Native San Franciscan. The Kevin Collins story really hit home because we were both in Catholic School..I attended Sacred Heart at the time and I remember having bake sales and every thing . I often wondered what happend to him. I am now 40 yrs old and shared this story with my kids.I ran a google search and found this site. Thanks so much for taking the time out for Kevin
Something worth looking into:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW7mMou0Psk&feature=player_embedded
I am here at this site because like most of you, I have Kevin Collins on my mind. I am a native and went to school at St. Anne's. I am the same age as Kevin. Shortly after his abduction, St. Agnes closed down and St. Anne's absorbed some of their students. It was a time I will never forget. I still think about it until this day. I can't get his picture out of my head. I sometimes feel like going out there and look for him but don't know where to begin. I hope he shows up one day. The family needs closure. I feel like Kevin was the City's child and everyone of us were his parents. The city was more more tight-knit back then. When Kevin disappeared, it seemed as if someone took something away from each person in the community. I pray for the Collins family and for Kevin's safe return.
I,too, Think of Kevin Collins every time a child go missing. My own son was 14 at the time. He and his friends said he ran away (not trrue) and was liiving in the empty Poly High School building. That waas their way of coping. Funny, when questioned nobody ever really saw him there. I came here today because of the KGO 7 promo abount him at 11:00 tonight.
It was always my thought that that pair of physco's got him,, Ng. I pray for Kevin annd his family.
I definitely remember Kevin too, growing up in Hayward/Castro Valley,, 2 yrs older than him, the signs were posted everywhere. I too hope he can be found, or at least the mystery solved for his family's sake. Never knew him but never forgot his name or his face. <3
I know this is old, but I just saw it today. I remember this case. I was living in Hayward, Ca at the time. I was pregnant, and had a little boy. The only name I could think of was Kevin, so I named my son Kevin who was born on May 22, 1984. I am so sad for this family. I had nine kids for awhile and my Kevin was born fourth. I now have 11 and I still pray that this family finds out what happened to the child.
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