Date Archives January 2019

Tom Barnard critical of Trish Van Pilsum’s treatment of the Rucki family

In a recent interview with Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann for The Tom Barnard Podcast, host Tom Barnard strongly criticized Trish Van Pilsum for withholding critical information which could have helped reunite two missing sisters – Samantha and Gianna Rucki – with their family and friends within days of the children disappearing 2013.

Brodkorb and Mann appeared on The Tom Barnard Podcast to discuss their new best-selling true crime book, The Girls Are Gone, which details Van Pilsum’s unethical conduct as a journalist also broke the Rucki’s family trust with the media. This lack of trust contributed greatly to a lack of any substantive media coverage about the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki for nearly two years.

At the end of the podcast, Barnard directed his final remarks at Van Pilsum:

Trish, I have no idea how the hell you could do this cause, I’ve been around parents who’ve lost their children. Neither one of them came back, one of them died from huffing, the other one, Jacob [Wetterling], unfortunately, was buried for I don’t know how many years. How you could walk away from that and be comfortable I will never understand cause I could never do what you did. Never.

As noted in the interview, Barnard has worked in the past with Patty Wetterling to help promote public awareness about missing children, including the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling. Click here to listen to Brodkorb and Mann’s full interview for The Tom Barnard Podcast. Continue reading

Two book events this week in St. Paul and Minneapolis

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann have two events later this week for their new best-selling true crime book, The Girls Are Gone. On Friday, Brodkorb and Mann will have a book discussion and signing at Common Good Books in St. Paul, Minnesota from 7 PM – 9 PM.

On Saturday, Brodkorb and Mann will be signing their book at Barnes & Noble in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1 PM – 3 PM.

Since being released in October, The Girls Are Gone has been a commercial and critical success. The Kindle Edition of The Girls Are Gone is currently listed on Amazon’s Best Sellers for True Crime Biographies.

 The Girls Are Gone is available for sale through numerous retailers in both paperback and ebook. Click here to view a list of upcoming book events for Brodkorb and Mann.

In the news: The Tom Barnard Podcast

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann appeared on The Tom Barnard Podcast to discuss their new best-selling true crime book, The Girls Are Gone.

Brodkorb and Mann have announced a series of book events scheduled for later this month and February. Click here to find an event in your area.

The Girls Are Gone is available for sale through numerous retailers in both paperback and ebook.

Book event on Saturday at Barnes & Noble in St. Cloud

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann will be signing their new book, The Girls Are Gone at Barnes & Noble in St. Cloud, Minnesota on Saturday from 2 PM – 4 PM.

Since being released in October, The Girls Are Gone has been a commercial and critical success. The Kindle Edition of The Girls Are Gone is currently listed on Amazon’s Best Sellers for True Crime Biographies.

St. Cloud, Minnesota is a significant location in The Girls Are Gone. On the night Sandra Grazzini-Rucki abducted her daughters, she later drove them to St. Cloud where they stayed for two nights at the home of Dede Evavold. Evavold was later convicted of six felonies for her role in the disappearance of the sisters.

Evavold’s St. Cloud home was the location of a police search that eventually led to the discovery of the Rucki sisters in Herman, Minnesota at the White Horse Ranch.

In March 2018, Evavold was arrested at her home in St. Cloud on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court related to her repeated violations of a Harassment Restraining Order.

The Girls Are Gone is available for sale through numerous retailers in both paperback and ebook. Click here to view a list of upcoming book events for Brodkorb and Mann.

Seven-month investigation by lawyers board into MacDonald continues

The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility’s investigation into alleged violations by Michelle MacDonald of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct governing licensed attorneys has entered its seventh month, according to a letter from the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.

The seven-month investigation into the alleged violations by MacDonald was opened after Missing in Minnesota filed a formal complaint with the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility in June after MacDonald filed a “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit against Missing in Minnesota, which appears to be in violation of an Order of the Minnesota Supreme Court which details the conditions by which MacDonald is allowed to practice law.

MacDonald was an unsuccessful candidate for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2018, having previously lost two bids for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014 and 2016. Continue reading

Book event at Once Upon A Crime on Saturday

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann will have an event for their book The Girls Are Gone at Once Upon A Crime in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, January 19, 2019, from 12 PM – 2 PM. Click here to view a list of upcoming book events.

Since being released in October, The Girls Are Gone has been a commercial and critical success. The Kindle Edition of The Girls Are Gone is currently listed on Amazon’s Best Sellers for True Crime Biographies.

The Girls Are Gone is available for sale through numerous retailers in both paperback and ebook.

‘The Girls Are Gone’ book event in Herman on Thursday

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann will be signing their book The Girls Are Gone on Thursday from 4 PM – 6 PM at American Legion Post 378 in Herman, Minnesota.

The Girls Are Gone details the events which led to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki abducting her daughters – Samantha and Gianna Rucki – on April 19, 2013, during a custody dispute with her ex-husband, David Rucki. Continue reading

Trish Van Pilsum and missing children: how one reporter failed

On Thursday evening, news broke that 13-year old Jayme Closs had been found alive 88 days after she vanished from her home after her parents were murdered.

For 88 days, people wondered if Closs would ever be seen alive again. On the 88th day, the prayers of many were answered when Closs was found alive. A suspect in the kidnapping of Closs and the murder of her parents was also arrested.

We celebrate the return of Jayme Closs to her family and we pray for their healing and peace, as well as justice for those involved in the murder of her parents and in keeping Jayme hidden for 88 days.

The morning after Jayme was found, law enforcement had a press conference to provide updates to the public on the miraculous news. In his remarks, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald thanked the media for their role in helping the public remember that a 13-year-old girl was missing. Continue reading

‘The Girls Are Gone’ book event scheduled in Herman

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann will have an event next week for their new book – The Girls Are Gone – in a key location featured in the book. Brodkorb and Mann will travel to Herman, Minnesota next week for an event on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

The Girls Are Gone details the events which led to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki abducting her daughters – Samantha and Gianna Rucki – on April 19, 2013, during a custody dispute with her ex-husband, David Rucki. Continue reading

In the news: The Matt McNeil Show

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann appeared on The Matt McNeil Show on AM950 to discuss their new best-selling book, The Girls Are Gone.

Brodkorb and Mann have announced a series of book events scheduled for later this month and February. Click here to find an event in your area.

The Girls Are Gone is available for sale through numerous retailers in both paperback and ebook.

Book event tonight: Barnes & Noble in Burnsville

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann will have a book signing at Barnes & Noble in Burnsville, Minnesota, TONIGHT from 7 PM – 9 PM. Click here to view a list of upcoming book events.

Since being released in October, The Girls Are Gone has been a commercial and critical success. The Kindle Edition of The Girls Are Gone is currently listed on Amazon’s Best Sellers for True Crime Biographies.

The Girls Are Gone is available for sale through numerous retailers in both paperback and ebook.