Once Again for Edward Lay's youngest child/daughter (20 years old;21 in about 30 days) -- That is my father who was my whole world, and I was 7 years old when this happened. I had just talked to him on the phone not even an hour before this happened, and he was trying to come home. Mary had interrupted the phone call threatening my mother, my brother, and I, that she would hurt us if he was to come home to us. She had threatened my mother for months and attempted to cut all communication between my father and his family. My life has been hell for me mentally and emotionally without my father physically in my life, and that the only ways I can even talk to my dad is a maybe weekly phone call, by mail, or a 15- or 30-minute video visit, and that's if I have the money. The dreams that were really nightmares of him walking through the door finally coming home and crying in my sleep to waking up and sobbing knowing it wouldn't be a reality still happen more times than not. My father knows everything about my siblings; I mean he had to give up 3 of his own and 1 he treated like his own because of their living conditions with their mother and how she was treating them. He's the one that called CPS/DCS knowing he might not get custody of them. My father has his issues/mental issues, but he would do anything for his family even if that meant giving away his freedom or his life. Maybe before don't judge other's choices without knowing their true reason. “Don’t judge people for the choices they make when you don’t know the options they had to choose from.” ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/14/2025

Once Again for Edward Lay's youngest child/daughter (20 years old;21 in about 30 days) -- That is my father who was my whole world, and I was 7 years old when this happened. I had just talked to him on the phone not even an hour before this happened, and he was trying to come home. Mary had interrupted the phone call threatening my mother, my brother, and I, that she would hurt us if he was to come home to us. She had threatened my mother for months and attempted to cut all communication between my father and his family. My life has been hell for me mentally and emotionally without my father physically in my life, and that the only ways I can even talk to my dad is a maybe weekly phone call, by mail, or a 15- or 30-minute video visit, and that's if I have the money. The dreams that were really nightmares of him walking through the door finally coming home and crying in my sleep to waking up and sobbing knowing it wouldn't be a reality still happen more times than not. My father knows everything about my siblings; I mean he had to give up 3 of his own and 1 he treated like his own because of their living conditions with their mother and how she was treating them. He's the one that called CPS/DCS knowing he might not get custody of them. My father has his issues/mental issues, but he would do anything for his family even if that meant giving away his freedom or his life. Maybe before don't judge other's choices without knowing their true reason. “Don’t judge people for the choices they make when you don’t know the options they had to choose from.” ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/14/2025

"I’ve been reading through the details of what happened to Mary Swift, and I can’t stop thinking about her kids." What about his kids because that is my father who was my whole world, and I was 7 years old when this happened. I had just talked to him on the phone not even an hour before this happened, and he was trying to come home. Mary had interrupted the phone call threatening my mother, my brother, and I, that she would hurt us if he was to come home to us. She had threatened my mother for months and attempted to cut all communication between my father and his family. My life has been hell for me mentally and emotionally without my father physically in my life, and that the only ways I can even talk to my dad is a maybe weekly phone call, by mail, or a 15- or 30-minute video visit, and that's if I have the money. The dreams that were really nightmares of him walking through the door finally coming home and crying in my sleep to waking up and sobbing knowing it wouldn't be a reality still happen more times than not. My father knows everything about my siblings; I mean he had to give up 3 of his own and 1 he treated like his own because of their living conditions with their mother and how she was treating them. He's the one that called CPS/DCS knowing he might not get custody of them. My father has his issues/mental issues, but he would do anything for his family even if that meant giving away his freedom or his life. Maybe before don't judge other's choices without knowing their true reason. “Don’t judge people for the choices they make when you don’t know the options they had to choose from.” ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/14/2025

The cameras were there, but that doesn’t always mean they’re clear enough or pointed in the right direction to actually help. It’s frustrating, because you’d think having surveillance would automatically lead to answers, but in cases like Travis’s, it just shows how limited the system can be.... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/14/2025

Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I can’t even imagine how overwhelming it must be to learn, all at once, that Kathleen is likely your mother and then to find out what happened to her. I’m so sorry you’re going through something this heavy and heartbreaking. We honor her life and make sure she isn’t forgotten, not to cause you any additional pain. She mattered — and you matter, too.... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/14/2025

I looked everywhere I could and didn't see any updates on this case since July. How sad. I hope this case hasn't been put on the backburner and the police are talking to potential witnesses and people that may have any type of information. How can people just dissapear in this day and age? ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/14/2025

Its very hard for us all those camera something there ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/12/2025

Thank you for bringing light to his case… we appreciate it ❤️... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/11/2025

Hello thanks for expressing your thoughts on this case. Steven was/ is my big brother. My family keeps the thoughts in our heart that one day someone will say something. He was a good person with a heart of gold. Do yes it has been a long time and he is still deeply missed. Just know it's forms like this that just keep our full of hope because as long as someone remembers, someone will talk. So from our hearts we thank the people of Florida. We are in Virginia. ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/10/2025

I’m his daughter who still is hurt I lost him at 13 years old and I need ur help on finding who did this please ... ...View Post & Comment
Posted: 12/10/2025