Tracy, CA– Adding yet again to the horror of the senseless rape and murder of 8 year old Sandra Cantu, as reported originally in Tracy Press, Melissa Huckaby was accused of drugging and removing a 7 year old little girl from the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park in January.

Could the death of doe-eyed beauty Sandra Cantu been prevented?

According to Police logs, the child was with Melissa Huckaby, as identified initially as the owner of a Purple Kia Suv, from 1:30 to approximately 5:30PM on Saturday January 17, 2009.

(more…)

Tracy, CA- As we all watched the horrific events leading up to the finding of Sandra Cantu’s remains in a suitcase in an irrigation pond, there was a collective feeling of “There has to be more”.  When murder and rape suspect Melissa Huckaby, 28, was arrested  and we watched her appearance in court, the confusion was palpable. 

Tracy Police Sgt. Tony Sheneman stated the Tracy PD is getting hundreds of calls per day from the public emphatically declaring there is no way she acted alone in the molestation, rape and murder of this beautiful child we last saw skipping past her home. The fact that Tracy PD admits they do not have a motive for this crime, and can’t begin to speculate on one, leaves most of us struggling to accept or discount, in some cases both, the senseless scenario of a woman without a violent past viciously raping and murdering an innocent little girl.

Melissa Huckaby’s family and friends burst onto the scene immediately upon her arrest to proclaim other than mild depression, she had no psychological markers to indicate she was capable of such an atrocity.  Joni Lawless Hughes , Huckaby’s aunt, went as far as to say this was completely out of character and they could not and did not believe she committed the crimes she is accused of.  As is usually the case fairly quickly after a crime of this nature, friends and known associates of Melissa Huckaby are telling a very different story.

(more…)

Tracy, CA-  This morning, Family and Friends of murdered 8 year old, Sandra Cantu, gathered for a private funeral service.

An invitation only funeral procession, and memorial service for Sandra’s family, classmates, and select Tracy Police Department Officials was held today at Fry Memorial Chapel. There were approximately 1000 in attendance.

Sandra’s aunt, Angie Chavez, read a poem written by the bubbly, doe-eyed princess we all saw for the last time skipping down her street. Sandra’s classmates were then invited to say goodbye to her at her casket.

The funeral proceeded to Sandra’s final resting place, The Tracy Mausoleum.

Tomorrow afternoon, a public memorial which is expected to draw thousands,  will be held in Sandra’s honor.  The public service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at the West High School gym, 1775 W. Lowell Ave. While the facilities will accomodate almost 8000 guests, there is only parking for 500.  Several shuttles have been contracted for the event and is expected to stave off the parking issue.

The Editor, Readers, and staff of Blink on Crime wish to offer our prayers and condolences to Sandra’s friends and family.

 AND, to us.  We never got the opportunity to meet this special young lady; but we love her and seek justice on her behalf  regardless.

Tracy, CA- One day after Melissa Huckaby’s arraignment in San Joaquin County court on murder, kidnapping, rape and molestation charges, new search warrants are issued and troubling new information is surfacing. Yesterday afternoon two additional warrants were served in the case against Huckaby; one at Clover Baptist Church, and the other at the home of Connie and Lane Lawless where the defendant lived.

As previously brought to you exclusively by Blink on Crime, it has now been officially confirmed that Melissa Huckaby was hospitalized for a suicide attempt immediately after Sandra Cantu was found. Huckaby, in an attempt to end her life, swallowed three Xacto blades. What is not known, is how she got there. Did she present herself after swallowing them? Did she tell her grandparents? We do know for certain that she did not call an ambulance. The treatment of ingested razor blades varies greatly based on when they are presented and where they are in the digestive cycle.  Sources within the investigation have also confirmed this is not the first time Huckaby has attempted suicide, or the second.  Blink on Crime has also learned that Melissa Huckaby may be on disability benefits for a psychologial condition, receiving $600 per month.

(more…)

Tracy, CA- This afternoon at 1:3o PM PST, Melissa Huckaby, 28, was arraigned for Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, and Lewd and Lacivious acts in the murder of 8 year old Sandra Cantu. 

The Aunt of Sandra Cantu, Angie Chavez, and Sandra’s Uncle were in attendance and did not display any outward emotion towards Ms. Huckaby. The Family of Melissa Huckaby was also there, and for the first time, left hurriedly without speaking to reporters.

 Ms. Huckaby declined to enter a plea through her attorney, and requested a continuance until April 24th.  The Public Defender who represented Melissa on the earlier theft charge, Ellen Schwarzenberg represented her in her arraignment. She also requested a gag order which the court is reviewing, and a second request for a medicine evaluation; leading some to assume she has been denied a form of mediation since being incarcerated. 

Huckaby appeared disoriented and wept through most of the proceeding. When the Judge announced the Rape charges in the commission of Felony kidnapping, she closed her eyes and grimaced.

(Editor’s Note: Unless this is a new breed of psychotic, pedaphillic, homicidal sociopath, there is more to this crime than we are being led to believe. Either her family knows alot more than they are willing to admit, or someone (s)else is involved.)

Check back to blinkoncrime.com for updates

Breaking News

Tracy, CA- The San Joaquin County District Attorney, Robert Himmleblau has announced to the AP that it is considering adding rape and child molestation charges to the criminal indictment against Melissa Huckaby.  Huckaby was arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnapping charges in the death of 8 year old Tracy girl, Sandra Cantu. A source inside the investigation has confirmed to Blink on Crime that the public announcement of the additional charges prior to Huckaby’s arraignment tomorrow comes on the heels of her request and retention of an attorney.  The specific charges would be considered special circumstances to the murder charge and qualify Melissa Huckaby for capital indictment and therefore eligible for the death penalty in the state of California.

Himmalbrau refused any further comments from reporters regarding the possible updated indictment charges against Huckaby, on the eve of her arraignment scheduled for tomorrow morning in San Joaquin County.

Check back to blinkoncrime.com for updates to this breaking development