Mysteries Of The Missing Recent cases draw attention In the past week, three missing person cases have been in the news along with the discovery of two unidentified bodies. There are actually more than 100 people from the area who are currently missing. It's been a stressful week in the Harris home. Twelve-year-old Amber Harris disappeared in November and there have been few leads. There was a development in the case of Jessica O'Grady Tuesday when her car turned up in a west Omaha parking lot. Jessica's aunt, Shauna Stanzel says, "They basically said they found the vehicle without her, so we continue to search for her." Friends and family of the 19-year-old UNO student have not had contact with her in a week. Shauna says, "I would like to hope that she's out there somewhere, and now that we've found her car, then she's not too far behind." Shauna Stanzel says what makes her niece's disappearance even more unusual is her commitments, including helping her coach seven and eight-year-olds on a softball team. It's been nearly two weeks since 35-year-old Tracy Tribble vanished from Council Bluffs. Searches have come up empty. Adding to the spate of mysteries are the two recent discoveries of human remains. The latest discovery came last Thursday in Hummel Park, in far north Omaha. Ten days ago, a woman's remains were found in a barrel in Council Bluffs. Police are waiting for test results in hopes of making progress on the remains found in Omaha but identification of those found in Iowa will be more difficult. The woman apparently died years ago. Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber says they've received dozens of tips but only a few have any promise. "When they've got information that hasn't necessarily been released to the public that's consistent with what we've found, that really makes us stand up and take notice," he says. Since the remains found in Iowa are years old, there is no connection to any of the recent high-profile cases involving missing people. Authorities are hoping that science can shed more light on the remains found in Hummel Park but the test results are still pending. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2815851.html

New Search Announced Tip line set up Council Bluffs Police are hoping for a break in the investigation of Tracy Tribble's disappearance. The 35-year-old has not been seen by family or friends since May 3rd. Another search is being organized for Saturday morning. That will follow two searches conducted last weekend. The next round will begin at 8 a.m. and start at St. Patrick's Church at 223 Harmony Street. In the meantime a tip line has been set up by the family to receive any information on Tracy's whereabouts. The number is 218-1199. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2820951.html

2 Missing Cases Have Search Team Dividing Time Tribble, O'Grady Searches Planned For Weekend POSTED: 5:00 pm CDT May 18, 2006 UPDATED: 5:18 pm CDT May 18, 2006 OMAHA, Neb. -- A team of expert searchers is having to split time between two Omaha missing persons cases. Council Bluffs police on Thursday released a description of what Tracy Tribble, 35, was likely wearing the night before she disappeared. Investigators said Tribble, who was last seen on May 3, was wearing dark blue pants or jeans, a green sweater and a dark zippered green hooded jacket with gray fleece lining. Tribble's father, John Gostomski, has turned his business into a command center for the search. From there, he and his family are trying to plot the most efficient search plan possible. A map marked in orange and black shows where searchers have already been. Family and friends of the Council Bluffs woman are becoming reluctant experts in search operations. "Don't know if it will do any good, but we sure know it won't hurt, and hopefully we'll know where Tracy's not," Gostomski said. Even as they plot their weekend search plan, they're still looking to the pros for help. The United States ATV Search and Rescue team is ready to pitch in. USATV Search and Rescue is a nonprofit volunteer group based in Omaha. It is affiliated with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, but works with law enforcement agencies in six states. "My team is well-versed, not only in riding bikes, first aid, but survival techniques and tracking," said team leader DJ Ginsberg. The ATVers have survival gear and high-tech maps. They can search several square miles in a hour. Currently, the team is splitting its time between two missing persons cases in the Omaha metro -- Tribble, and Jessica O'Grady, 19, who was last seen May 10 in Omaha. "We're obviously staying on the others as long as we can, but if we have to split the team, we can," Ginsberg said. "Even six or seven of us, we can cover a very large area." Gostomski said he understands the team's split allegiances. He said he's thankful for any assistance. "We know what they're going through, too. Whatever help they can give to us we'll appreciate, just like anybody else," Gostomski said. The weekend search for Tribble starts in the parking lot of St. Patrick's Church in Council Bluffs. Volunteers can show up anytime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. The search will resume Sunday if enough volunteers show up. Tribble's family has set up its own tip line. They said they feared that someone with good information on her whereabouts may be too intimidated to call police, so the new tip line is (402) 218-1199. A search for O'Grady is also planned Saturday. If you have any information to help investigators in the O'Grady case, call (402) 333-1000. http://www.ketv.com/news/9241140/detail.html

Three Still Missing Families are still praying for loved ones to be found The families of three missing people are still waiting for word on the whereabouts of Amber Harris, Jessica O'Grady, and Tracy Tribble. There is still no definite word on where these missing loved ones are. Tribble's relatives question whether Tracy is even alive but they are preparing another search in the hopes that their prayers will be answered. Tribble's father, John Gostomski says it is not like his daughter to be gone this long without contacting anyone. He believes that she has been gone too long. "When you're searching for this, you know, you are not searching for one that's alive and well, but you have to do it." A cadaver dog assisted in the search for Tribble last week and much of the area surrounding her home has been eliminated from the search area. This Saturday the search perimeters will expand. Hundreds of volunteers have shown up to help, but Tribble's husband has not been one of them. "We've had four days of organized searches and we haven't seen them at one," said Gostomski. Tribble's husband was the last one to see Tracy and he tells police that she was sleeping when he left for work. Police have released a description of what Tribble was wearing the night before; the last time that someone other than her husband saw her. Police say that Tribble was seen wearing dark blue jeans, a dark green sweater, and a dark green jacket with a hood. Sgt. Jerry Mann says that these may or may not be the clothes that Tribble was wearing when she disappeared, but it is a starting point. Mann says they have searched the home a couple of times and the clothes have not yet been discovered. Police say that Tribble's husband is merely a person of interest and for now, the focus is on finding Tribble. "We would like to see Tracy show up alive. That's what out ultimate goal is here. We hope that's how this case turns out, but we'll have to see," said Mann. A tipline has been set up for those who may have any information regarding Tribble, the number is 218-1199. A search is has also been set up for anyone who would like to help. Meanwhile at Amber Harris' house, her parents continue that long wait to hear about their missing daughter. Omaha police have contacted them and other families after human remains were found in Hummel Park. There is a candlelight vigil planned for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19th at Pulaski Park in 41st and 'H' St. Anyone who would like to join is welcome. Another family is waiting to hear about their daughter. Nineteen year old, Jessica O'Grady has been missing for a week and her family is still waiting to hear of any developments. The Douglas County Sheriff has assigned additional detectives to O'Grady's case. Anyone with information on where she may be is asked to call the Sheriff's office at 333-1000. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2831141.html

Woman's Body Found Under Bridge Police Working To Identify Body POSTED: 11:25 am CDT May 19, 2006 UPDATED: 1:28 pm CDT May 19, 2006 COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Crews are investigating the discovery of a body near the Veteran's Memorial Bridge on the Council Bluffs side of the river. Investigators confirmed that the body is that of a white woman. Sgt. Jerry Mann, with the Council Bluffs Police Department, said his office was first contacted at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. A pest control worker reported seeing the body in the river, according to Mann. The area is residential with a number of mobile homes. The body was removed and sent to the state lab in Ankeny for identification. So far, investigators have not linked the discovery to the disappearance of Tracy Tribble, 35, of Council Bluffs, who was last seen on May 3; or that of Jessica O'Grady, 19, of Omaha, who was last seen May 10. http://www.ketv.com/news/9244933/detail.html

Tribble Family Sets Up Tip Line UPDATED: May 18, 2006 OMAHA, Neb. -- The family of missing Council Bluffs woman Tracy Tribble has set up its own tip line. Tribble, 35, was last seen on May 3. Her family is offering a $75,000 reward for information that helps track her down. Tribble's family said they feared that someone with good information on her whereabouts may be too intimidated to call police, so the new tip line is (402) 218-1199. Another search for Tribble is planned this weekend. http://www.kcci.com/news/9237411/detail.html

Missing woman's relatives turn to psychics Police will join another search Saturday for the Council Bluffs resident. May 19, 2006 LISA ROSSI REGISTER AMES BUREAU Council Bluffs, Ia. - Tracy Tribble of Council Bluffs disappeared May 3, leaving loose the dog she is said to have loved. The 35-year-old woman's mother has been so distraught that she has stepped out of her house in Omaha only once since Tribble was reported missing. Other family members and friends continue their searches as they grieve, and police report no clues and no suspects in the case. Tribble's relatives and friends will hold another search Saturday. The efforts to find Tribble have taken a surreal turn as each day leads to more frustration. In the past weeks, family members have turned to psychics for help and have launched a Web site - tracytribble.com. Meanwhile, Council Bluffs police said this week that they will scale back their presence at the Saturday search mostly because of overtime expenses. The ordeal has pushed Tribble's relatives to the brink of despair. "I'm fast approaching destroyed," said Mary Gostomski, Tribble's mother, through sobs Thursday. "But I still have a little bit of hope, just a little bit." Specialists in loss and grief say people whose loved ones have vanished suffer in a way that is not soothed by designated times of support. "It's a silent type of grieving," said John Harvey, a psychology professor at the University of Iowa. Help will drift in and out of their lives until the loved one is found, he said. Experts in law enforcement added that it's not uncommon for families who are desperate for answers to turn to psychics, although the claims of such practitioners are not accepted as legitimate by psychologists. Searching for Tribble is "the most horrific experience of my life," said Tribble's aunt, Betty Thomas. "I never knew life to be this painful." Thomas said it was a psychic she trusted who led her to a home in Madison County this week. When Thomas and her husband reached a farmhouse in Dexter, the psychic "said we found my niece and we started digging, and we didn't get far when an elderly lady came out and started slowly walking towards us. We didn't know what to do, so we decided to leave," Thomas said. Tribble's father, John Gostomski, said he last spoke to his daughter two days before she disappeared, discussing her new job, which she said she liked. He said she didn't mention any problems with her husband, Stan. Police in Council Bluffs say Stan Tribble is their only "person of interest" in the case, but he is not a suspect. In October 2003, Stan Tribble was arrested for aggravated domestic assault for redness on his wife's throat. Against the advice of the Pottawattamie County attorney's office, Tracy Tribble dropped the charges, the county attorney's office said. In April, Tribble accused her husband of assaulting her. Charges in that case were filed May 11 by the county attorney's office. Authorities said Tribble had been grabbed, poked and punched, with bruises on her throat, chest and arms. She refused medical treatment for those injuries. Stan Tribble's attorney, James Burger, said his client had no comment. Burger said he also could not comment on the abuse allegations. Tracy Tribble was last seen by her husband at 6:30 a.m. on May 3, according to police reports. John Gostomski, who lives in Arizona, is staying in the Omaha area, and has created a search headquarters at his Omaha business, Futureware Distributing Inc. He is offering a $75,000 reward for information about his daughter's whereabouts. "It's our daughter," he said. "We will use our resources to try our darndest to get her back." Another member of the search team, Bryon Batchelder, who said he dated Tribble before she married Stan Tribble, also met with Diana Abbott, a woman who told him she had psychic abilities. Abbott said: "Psychics read energy fields. Victims have an energy field around them. ... The energy is still there for Tracy." Relatives study those conversations closely. On Wednesday at the search headquarters in Omaha, Patti Gostomski, Tracy Tribble's stepmother, clutched the notes from recordings of those talks. "She kept saying H.A.," she said, pointing quizzically to the letters on the page. http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/NEWS/605190367/1001/BUSINESS02

Tribble's Mother Fears Body Is Her Daughter Police Work To Identify Body POSTED: 11:25 am CDT May 19, 2006 UPDATED: 4:41 pm CDT May 19, 2006 COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Crews are investigating the discovery of a body near the Veteran's Memorial Bridge on the Council Bluffs side of the river. Investigators confirmed that the body is that of a white woman. Sgt. Jerry Mann, with the Council Bluffs Police Department, said his office was first contacted at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. A pest control worker reported seeing the body in the river, according to Mann. The area is residential, with a number of mobile homes. The body was removed and sent to the state lab in Ankeny for identification. That autopsy is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday. So far, investigators have not linked the discovery to the disappearance of Tracy Gostomski Tribble, 35, of Council Bluffs, who was last seen on May 3. Tribble's mother, Mary Gostomski, said people knew her daughter as Tracy Gostomski, so she has asked KETV NewsWatch 7 to add her daugther's maiden name. Mary Gostomski said she feels that the body found in the river is her daughter's. Investigators would not confirm Gostomski's fears. "I don't know how I'm going to go on without my daughter. We were such good, good friends," the mother said. Mary Gostomski said her daughter was last seen by a work friend. She said it would be completely unlike her daughter to disappear without a word. She said she had held out hope of finding her daughter alive, but that hope is now dead for her. Douglas County investigators told KETV NewsWAtch 7 on Friday that they believe the body found is not that of Jessica O'Grady, 19, who was last seen on May 10. The sheriff's office said the discovery is not affecting or slowing their investigation of O'Grady's disappearance. A search to find O'Grady is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Church in Omaha at 150th Street and West Maple Road. http://www.ketv.com/news/9244933/detail.html

Searches For Missing Women Two new efforts planned The discovery of the body in the river Friday sent two heartland families on a roller coaster of emotion as they organize large-scale searches for missing loved ones. This will be the second weekend search for Tracy Tribble and her family is working with military precision. Large sections of Pottawattamie County have already been searched and each team will be given maps to a new location. Tracy's father, John Gostomski says, "We're doing what we can. That's why we posted the reward. If something or somebody or some people did something to her, hopefully somebody will talk to get it." The search for Tracy Tribble will start at 8 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. The Search For Jessica The anxious hours without answers continue to pass for the family and friends of Jessica O'Grady as well. The19-year-old UNO student been missing for more than a week and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department is conducting a criminal investigation into her disappearance. On Friday morning those organizing a Saturday search were stocking water at 150th and Maple. Douglas County deputies are assisting the effort by providing guidance about where to search and helping to make sure that any potential evidence is not destroyed. The O'Grady family is prepared for any eventuality. Jessica's aunt, Shauna Stanzel says, "You prepare yourself as much as you can, yeah, you know, that could happen on a daily basis, you know, with any family member. You pray for the best and hope for the best." The search for Jessica O'Grady begins with registration at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrews church at 150th and West Maple. Volunteers should dress for hiking. Wear long pants, use sunscreen and wear hats. Those who are physically unable to hike can help in other ways by distributing flyers. Applebee's will provide food and beverages. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2836161.html

Body Is Tribble's Autopsy confirms identity The body recovered from the Missouri River near Council Bluffs is that of 35-year-old Tracy Tribble, an autopsy showed Saturday. The Iowa State Medical Examiner was able to determine her identity through the comparison of dental records and identifiable tattoos. Council Bluffs authorities say they were told of a body in the water near Progressive Park, at 6865 Gifford Road around 10:30 Friday morning. The body was recovered within about an hour of that initial report. Sgt. Jerry Mann, with the Council Bluffs Police Department says that a pest control worker found the body and reported it to authorities. Police have been in contact with the family of Tribble, a Council Bluffs woman missing for more than a week. The investigation into Tribble's death is on-going. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2834221.html

Tribble Case Not Yet Called Homicide POSTED: 8:36 am CDT May 22, 2006 UPDATED: 8:47 am CDT May 22, 2006 COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Council Bluffs police are waiting for lab results in the death of Tracy Gostomski-Tribble. The 35-year-old's body was found Friday along the Missouri River after she had been missing more than a week. Investigators said they did find signs of a possible injury, but as yet they are not calling the case a homicide investigation. http://www.ketv.com/news/9252853/detail.html

Investigators Search Home Of Dead Woman POSTED: 8:56 pm CDT May 22, 2006 UPDATED: 9:38 pm CDT May 22, 2006 OMAHA, Neb. -- Monday night, Council Bluffs police searched the home of Stan and Tracy Tribble. Potawattomie County Attorney Matt Wilber said investigators were looking for evidence related to Tracy Tribble's death. Police searched the couple's home and vehicles. The body of 35-year-old Tracy was found in the Missouri River on Friday. Detectives said she had obvious injuries, but an autopsy is still under way to determine how she died. Her husband Stan was the last one to see the woman alive on May 3 when they reportedly had an argument. http://www.ketv.com/news/9257747/detail.html

A community grieves Omaha World Herald Editoral Amber Harris, Tracy Tribble and Jessica O'Grady are reminders of the many who go missing locally. The Omaha metropolitan area collectively mourns the loss of Amber Harris. And Tracy Tribble. And holds on to hope that Jessica O'Grady will be found alive and well. Recent weeks and months have been filled with unease, hope and despair. The remains of 12-year-old Amber were found in Hummel Park May 11 after a six-month search. Tracy's body was discovered in the Missouri River Friday after an extensive search since her May 3 disappearance. And efforts continue to locate Jessica, a UNO student who was last seen May 10. Additionally, the remains of an unidentified woman were found in a barrel May 6 in Council Bluffs. It is hard to understand the type of person, the type of evil, that treats life with such disdain and callousness. Especially a life only 12 years along. The Rev. Thomas L. Smith, pastor of Paradise Baptist Church, expressed what many in the community are feeling about the death of Amber. "Our hearts bleed for this family," he said. After all, Amber could represent anyone's child; Tracy, anyone's daughter, sister or wife; Jessica, likewise. Unsettling is the fact that, despite the unusual timing with the Harris, Tribble and O'Grady cases, missing people are not uncommon. Nebraska currently has 329 people listed as missing, 129 of them reported to the Omaha Police Department. Over the years, cases have popped up that provide faces to the many people who seem to vanish without a trace. In 1992, Omaha North High School student Kenyatta Bush was abducted and killed. Heather Guerrero, a 15-year-old newspaper carrier from Gering, was abducted, raped and killed in 2003. Five years ago next month, 19-year-old Jason Jolkowski went missing in his Benson neighborhood. His case remains unresolved. While both circumstances are rare - a missing person's case resulting in death and a case going unanswered for so long - both inflict a terrible cruelty on families. In the case of death especially, questions arise about whether enough was done in order to find the missing person. Would an Amber Alert, if activated, have led to the safe return of Amber Harris? Currently, there must be signs of an abduction and an idea of who might be involved in the abduction. Are such limitations appropriate? What is the best way to balance the practical demands of issuing an Amber Alert (named for another abducted child) with the safety of a child? The Harrises have recommended Amber Alerts for all youths without histories of running away. The family of Heather Guerrero made a similar request after the death of their daughter in Gering. This is a topic that Nebraska policy-makers would be wise to discuss yet again. Meanwhile, Midlanders have been doing their part over recent months and weeks. When tragedy strikes, so does a sense of helplessness. But coming together to support the families involved, praying, remembering the victims and helping search for those still out there are all actions that can make a difference. It is comforting to know that the senseless acts of a troubled few and the ensuing powerlessness inflicted on a community are answered by the enduring qualities of the human spirit. http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=608&u_...0&u_rnd=9688002

Friend Talks About Gostomski-Tribble's Last Conversation POSTED: 8:49 pm CDT May 24, 2006 UPDATED: 10:04 pm CDT May 24, 2006 OMAHA, Neb. -- A friend is trying understand the reason for the disappearance and death of Tracy Gostomski-Tribble. "I hope they find out exactly what happened to her," said Melissa Harkin, a friend and co-worker of Tribble. The 35-year-old disappeared May 3. Her body was found in the Missouri River on Friday, with obvious injuries to her face. A police search warrant said the woman's face was fractured and several teeth were missing. The woman's husband, Stan Tribble, told police he and his wife had been arguing before Tracy disappeared and Tracy talked about suicide. Harkin said she was one of the last people to see Tribble alive. "The day before she disappeared she was in tears and everything," she said. Harkin said Tribble was having marriage problems. Harkin worked with Tribble at AAA, where Tribble had just started a new job as a customer service operator. She doesn't believe Tribble would take her own life. "And she was planning stuff. People who are suicidal don't make plans for the future," Harkin said. Tracy Tribble's body had injuries when it was found. According to a search warrant, the left side of her face was fractured and several teeth were missing. The medical examiner said she was possibly struck by a fist and or an unknown object. On Monday night, Council Bluffs investigators searched the home and vehicles of Stan Tribble. The search warrant shows that he had been fighting with Tracy recently, but that they were verbal fights, not physical. Stan Tribble reported his wife missing on May 3. He said he came home from work and she was gone. Her cell phone and wedding ring were on the counter. The search warrant also states that police confiscated several pieces of bedding from Stan Tribble's home, including a waterbed liner that was in the trash and an SUV. Police describe Stan Tribble as a person of interest in this case. The case is not yet considered a homicide, but investigators told KETV NewsWatch 7 that they are waiting for additional autopsy results before they decide how to classify the case. http://www.ketv.com/news/9270746/detail.html

Search warrant: Tribble's face fractured Chad Nation, Staff Writer 05/25/2006 A search warrant served in the investigation into the death of 35-year-old Tracy Tribble stated that the autopsy revealed that she was struck with an unknown object that caused her face to fracture. The Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office indicated to Council Bluffs Police officers that the left side of Tribble's face was fractured and several teeth were missing. Her husband, Stan, said he last saw Tribble at 6 a.m. on May 3. When he returned home at 5:30 p.m., her car was still in the driveway, but she was nowhere to be found. Court documents indicated that when Stan Tribble came home he found Tracy's wedding ring and cell phone on the counter, and the couple's dog and cat were missing. Two messages were on the answering machine. One was from the Council Bluffs Animal Shelter informing them that their dog had been found and the other was from a co-worker of Tracy's who Tracy was supposed to pick up that morning. Stan Tribble told officers that the couple had been fighting recently, but he said that it was always verbal and he never touched her. The Pottawattamie County Attorney's Office has filed misdemeanor serious assault domestic abuse charges against Stan Tribble. The charges stem from an April 3 incident in which Council Bluffs Police officers were called to the Tribble residence. Court records stated that Tracy told officers that she and her husband got into an argument and Stan assaulted her. Stan Tribble told officers that they did have an argument, but denied assaulting her. Tribble's body was discovered in the Missouri River last Friday. Her death has not officially been ruled a homicide. The autopsy on Tribble's body was conducted on Saturday at the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny. Officers are still waiting for the full autopsy report. During the warrant search on Monday, detectives searched the couple's two vehicles and the home "looking for teeth, hair, fake fingernails belonging to Tracy Tribble." Officers were also looking for any indication of a struggle in the residence or the vehicles resulting in DNA left behind. Several items were taken from the home during the search, including pillowcases, bedding, a waterbed bladder and lining and one of the vehicles. Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said that until his office has received the formal reports from the medical examiner, he is not commenting on the investigation. Wilber did stated that although he knows the physical findings of the autopsy, without the formal reports he has no way of knowing the cause of the injuries or the manner in which they were inflicted. "Getting from point A to point B is not that easy," he said. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16692334&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555106&rfi=6