The Mickey Shunick Story

[charliek]

Don't worry... you are correct.

I know just decided not a topic I wanted to get into a back and forth over.

If this guy wants to think taking an airplane ride is on par with a tiny girl riding her bike alone at the witching hour then nothing I'm going to say is gonna convince him otherwise.

Sure I take plane fights, but I wouldn't fly in an ice storm. I drive a car, but I wouldn't drive at night through the ninth ward. I ride in a boat, but I wouldn't do it in a hurricane. And so on.

[axg8750]

I wonder if this guy ever spent time in Jennings?

I believe those killings began while this guy was still in prison for his first sex crime.

Mickey's family deserves an explaination from The DA that cut a deal with this sicko for his first charge. He was originally charged with rape and cut a deal to get a shorter sentence. There should be no deals ever with sex offenders. If someone can commit rape they certainly are not above murder. This is a prime example.

[CajunRed]

That's the only unnecissary risk? It was a serious question BTW. How do you determine what unnecessary risks are okay and which ones aren't?

Some risks are part of life and considered worth it for what is gained. Others...at least to me...are easier to avoid and NOT worth it when considering the reward. If you couldn't pick this one out of your list on your own, then I can't help you make such choices.

[HelmutVII]

Some people drive drunk too but that doesn't make it a wise thing to do. Ask any cop if they think it's a good idea for a 22 year old female to ride a bike anywhere alone at 1:30 in the morning and see what they say.

[Just1More]

That's the only unnecissary risk? It was a serious question BTW. How do you determine what unnecessary risks are okay and which ones aren't?

Simple judgement skills. This incident is simply not in the category of "risks that are worth it". All over the country, when this crime was reported, most people's first question was "what was a 22 year old girl out riding a bicycle at that time all by herself?". She is not at fault for her decision. That piece of garbage is. But, this society needs to quit living in a fantasy world. Young women cannot casually walk the streets at all hours of the night. Too many movies depict young women (and kids) overpowering males. That is ridiculous fantasy. I don't care how many Karate classes young women take, they had better hope they never encounter a male with a bent intent.

Many on here are trying to impress on each other to make sure our kids and especially daughters are not naive enough to take these kinds of risks. We do not need dissention.

[cajunhawk]

I believe those killings began while this guy was still in prison for his first sex crime.

Mickey's family deserves an explaination from The DA that cut a deal with this sicko for his first charge. He was originally charged with rape and cut a deal to get a shorter sentence. There should be no deals ever with sex offenders. If someone can commit rape they certainly are not above murder. This is a prime example.

DA's cut deals...this will never change.

[CajunFan3406]

Seriously?? I have a good friend of mine that is on this board alot, shall remain nameless.. He has a concealed weapons permit...How hard was that to get??

Z

Z, she was carrying pepper spray.

I'm of the thought that she was taken by surprise and that no form of protection would have deterred this guy. I'm thinking run off the road or hit from behind.

[geo_cajun]

http://texasequusearch.org/category/missing/

People go missing everyday; young and old, men and women, white/black/latino. It is tragic, and therefore important for us all to use common sense to be as safe as we can and not be naive to the dangers of the world. Lafayette is not Mayberry. I can only hope that justice prevails a fast as possible for the family.

[CajunAmos]

Z, she was carrying pepper spray.

I'm of the thought that she was taken by surprise and that no form of protection would have deterred this guy. I'm thinking run off the road or hit from behind.

The police press conference stated that the damage to the bicycle was consistent with being hit.

[LSUTiger4RaginCajuns]

I feel very sorry for the family of this young woman. I can't, however, help but wonder what in God's name she was doing riding around on a bicycle at 2:00 AM by herself? I'm a 6-1 and 205 lb male in pretty good shape. I'm also a concealed handgun permit holder that is well trained in the use of my weapon. Even though I'd be well armed, you'll still never see me riding around by myself on a bicycle at 2:00 AM.

At the time I thought the very same thing. After hearing all the reports I have come to believe that her family is made up of the sweetest, nicest people on earth and they do not believe people do evil things. I hope no one construes this to mean anything other then utmost sympathy for the family and friends. I cannot image the torture they must live with hour by hour, day by day.

[charliek]

http://texaseqUsearch.org/category/missing/

People go missing everyday; young and old, men and women, white/black/latino. It is tragic, and therefore important for us all to use common sense to be as safe as we can and not be naive to the dangers of the world. Lafayette is not Mayberry. I can only hope that justice prevails a fast as possible for the family.

That page is heartbreaking.

[NewsCopy]

EVANGELINE PARISH – As has previously been reported, Brandon Scott Lavergne, the man in custody for the aggravated kidnapping and murder of Michaela 'Mickey' Shunick, was a registered sex offender ...

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

For the first time since Brandon Lavergne was arrested in the disappearance of Mickey Shunick, her family is weighing in on his arrest.

"If he is the one, if he took my daughter and murdered her, I hope he gets what he deserves," said Mickey's Dad, Tom Shunick.

Before justice is served, Shunick and his family say they just want answers. It's been 51 days since anyone has seen Mickey.

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

The volunteers here work nonstop, and they say they won't stop until Mickey is home. Now, they want to give back to the community with an idea that comes from Elizabeth Smart's family.

Margaret Bearb is hoping to turn this negative into a positive. She wants to make sure what happened to Mickey doesn't happen to anyone else.

"At the beginning we all said the same thing, that couldn't happen here in Lafayette that happens in other towns and other cities, but that did happen here," said Bearb.

Bearb is hoping to give people information on how to protect themselves right here at the mickey Shunick headquarters. The plan is, as people come in to pick up flyers, she wants to give people information on how to protect themselves, through self-defense and being aware of their surroundings.

The rest of the story

[Zeebart21]

Z, she was carrying pepper spray.

I'm of the thought that she was taken by surprise and that no form of protection would have deterred this guy. I'm thinking run off the road or hit from behind.

Yep

[NewsCopy]

For residents of St. Martin Parish, one of the most intriguing elements of the state's case against Brandon Scott Lavergne in the Mickey Shunick disappearance is a terse phrase in a Lafayette Police Department release: "Investigators are also able to place Brandon Lavergne in and around the location of where the bicycle was located."

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

The Shunick family is speaking out about on-line rumors of a demonstration outside the Lafayette Parish Courthouse next Wednesday, when Brandon Lavergne goes before a grand jury.

"My family and I and everything from the search efforts would just really appreciate it if people would not go out there or any public venue to protest or speak out against [Lavergne]," said Charlie Shunick.

Should the grand jury indict Lavergne, the Shunicks are hoping the trial would be held here in Lafayette.

"We would like for it to be here, I feel like it's the type of case where a lot of of people know about it but their opinions are still able to be unbiased," she said.

District Attorney Mike Harson also commented on the potential of a change in venue, releasing a statement to KATC which read in part: "I believe that there are more than enough people who in fact do not know enough about this case that they couldn't give a fair trial."

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

SWORDS – A tip that led authorities to a possible grave site here Thursday morning turned out to be a false lead in the search for Mickey Shunik. Investigators and search dogs were sent to the scen...

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

Emotions ran high when Mickey's family and friends found out authorities were digging up possible graves near Brandon Lavergne's home.

"I'd like to find out how he was involved in this, did he take my daughter is she still alive, if not where's the body?" wondered Tom Shunick, Mickey's father.

Tom Shunick and family and friends say they were relieved when the search turned up nothing, but tom still needs answers.

"Still got a little ray of hope out there. It helps the day go on better, but we certainly need to get some closure on this,' said Shunick.

The rest of the story

[Lexhead]

Mickey Shunick murder suspect treated for stab wounds in Jefferson Parish; deputies called him uncooperative

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/...nick_murd.html