Adam Walsh Case Brings Closure

Twenty-seven years ago, young Adam Walsh was kidnapped and killed by a then-mysterious person. His father, John Walsh, began a quest to find the killer, and bring him to justice.

Now, twenty-seven years after the six year old's death, police and other investigators have determined that a convicted pedophile, Ottis Toole- who has long been the prime suspect in Adam's kidnapping and killing- was the person indeed who took his life. Toole died in 1996, at age 49. He reportedly confessed to Adam's killing, but then recanted. Adam went missing in late July 1981, and his severed head was found two weeks later.

John Walsh asked, "Who could kill a six-year-old?"

A monster, John. A really creepy monster who has wanton disregard for human life. That's who.

The Walshes say that this isn't about revenge or even closure. But I'm led to believe that it puts the rest a 27-year-old pain. Sure, the Walsh will never fully get over the loss of Adam, but at least they're channeling that into helping others. since then, they formed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and twenty years ago, John co-created Fox's
America's Most Wanted, which still airs.

(C) 2008, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.