Tracy, CA- I was sent this YouTube memorial tribute to Sandra from a reader. The creator claims to be a family member. I can’t verify that, but it is beautiful and I wanted to share it with you today. I am hearing an arrest in this case is imminent with lots of sordid details to follow, so just for this morning, I wanted to focus just on Sandra.

For Sandra’s Family, won’t you take a moment to leave a comment of praise or condolence for the doe-eyed princess we never met, but will never forget? I will be passing this link on to Sandra’s family.

Tracy, CA- Today’s developments in the case of murdered 8 year old Tracy girl, Sandra Cantu, can only be described as ominous. Although a search warrant was executed last evening, the church and surrounding property were not searched until late this afternoon.

 During a press conference earlier today, Tracy PD PIO, Lt. Tony Shenemen, announced that all previous and current warrants that have been issued in  this case to date will be sealed.  Throughout the day, there was fueled speculation that Pastor Lawless, of the Clover Baptist Church, would be arrested. (more…)

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Tracy, CA- As the news of Sandra Cantu’s death and the finding of her remains in a black suitcase emerged last evening, the investigation into her disappearance and murder moved to the West Clover Baptist Church.  Almost immediately following the heartwrenching news this little cherub we  last saw skipping past a surveillance camera was dead; FBI and Tracy Police personel converged on the the scene at 11000 West Clover Rd. 

Crime scene tape was used to cordon off the surrounding area of the Church and Police indicated they were focusing their efforts on a shed on the grounds.   

Police will not comment on what has led them to obtain warrants to search the church and it’s surrounding land and outbuildings.  However, Blinkoncrime has learned that the Pastor of West Clover Baptist Church, Clifford Lane Lawless is a resident of Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park, where Sandra Cantu lived and was last seen.

Pastor and Mrs. Lawless own the mobile home that occupies Space #57.

A source inside the investigation has confirmed to Blink on Crime  the undisclosed location which was the subject of last nights search warrants and evidence collection, is the home of Pastor Lawless. (more…)

BREAKING NEWS

image by Klaasend

Tracy, CA- Missing young girl from  Tracy, California since March 27th at 4:15PM; The remains of  eight year old Sandra Cantu have been recovered. This morning at 10:03 am, a Farmer called the San Joaquin Sherriff’s office to report a suspicious black “sealed container” floating in an irrigation pond that was being drained.

Earlier this evening, FBI crime scene investigators removed the “container” and escorted the bag to the coroners office in French Camp.

According to search reports, The pond was drained and refilled seven days ago; therefore the bag could not have been placed there prior to Sandra’s disappearance on March 27. The area around the Silva Dairy Farm has been searched twice by ground searchers, but the ponds were not subject to side scan sonar review.

Blink on Crime previously uncovered that one of the named persons of interest in this case, Mr. David Leroy Slayter, lived next to the Cantu/Chavez household prior to moving into Space #43, the residence he shares with his companion Debra and a son Justin. 

Sandra was a beaming, bubbly eight year old who lived with her grandparents in Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park at 812 West Clover Rd in Tracy. The video surveillance taken from her home the day she went missing captured Sandra leaving the family home. 

She was found approximately six miles from her residence . 

Sandra was the daughter of Danny Cantu and Maria Chavez and the maternal grandaughter of Delores and Jose Chavez.

BREAKING NEWS

Update 6:15PM- Coroner is on the Scene:

Tracy, CA- A Black Suitcase has been found in San Joaquin County in an irrigation Pond off S. Becchetti Road.  A one mile radius has been cordoned off and farm operations have been asked to cease while the FBI investigates the container which appears to be a suitcase, pictured below. 

It was found by Farm employees while draining the pond. The area had been searched previously, but the pond was full at the time. At the time of this post, the FBI has not opened the container, and press has been barred from the scene.  According to the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office, no person of interest has been named a suspect or detained this afternoon.

Investigators can not rule out the possibility it may be related to Sandra’s disappearance.   There is a press conference scheduled for today at 3:30PM PST.

Disclaimer– exclusive original content copyright and property of Internet Network News, LLC and Blinkoncrime.com. Reproduction of this article in whole or in part without proper attribution and source link is strictly prohibited and will be considered an infringement.

Tracy, CA- Sandra Cantu, 8, has been missing for 10 days. She was last scene on video surveillance captured from her home camera at approximately 4:15 PM on Friday, March 27, 2009. 

 Are detectives closer to a suspect? On Friday Evening,  FBI agents and Forensic teams, along with Tracy Police , converged upon the home of David L. Slayter, SPC 43 in Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park.  Blinkoncrime has learned there is reason to believe Mr. Slayter may have lived NEXT DOOR to Sandra and her family at one time. 

 Slayter and a woman he identified as his wife, Debra, had been at several candlelight vigils for the chid until Mr. Slayter was interviewed aboud Sandra Cantu’s disappearance .

As reported previously, Mr. and Mrs. Slayter have admitted that Slayter spent time with Sandra several days per week on a regular basis. She claims they went bowling, played yahtzee, and that Sandra did not have many childhood playmates. Slayter makes the third person of interest in this case. The third POI form the same park, and apparently, former Guy Next Door.. (more…)