This year marks 10 & 9 decades after Amber Dubois and Chelsea King vanished from their North County San Diego neighborhoods. Large-scale search efforts were launched after their abductions, and the local community rallied behind them.
Sadly, they were neither discovered alive, despite the hopes of their relatives, friends, and total strangers.
Although the two young girls had never met in person, they were connected in death when it was found that John Gardner, the guy who had kidnapped them and killed them, was also responsible.
These solemn anniversaries remind us of young lives lost, but they also serve as an opportunity to acknowledge how society has changed.
The parents of Amber and Chelsea have done a variety of things to preserve the identities and recollections of their daughters such that San Diego and the rest of the world would never forget them.
In 2010, Amber’s mom Carrie McGonigle participated in searching for both abducted children and adults, utilizing search and rescue dogs as a way to memorialize her daughter.
What Happened In 2011?
In Northern California, in 2011, Carrie and her dog found the remains of a regional student nurse. You go, mom! Carrie claimed her daughter might have exclaimed.
The “Finish Chelsea’s Run” 5K race, which Chelsea’s parents Brent and Kelly started organizing in 2011, collects funds for the Chelsea’s Light Foundation, which awards grants to high school seniors planning to attend college. The 2019 race is set on March 2.
The Kings also supported Chelsea’s Law in California, which strengthened surveillance of sex offenders and toughened penalties for sexual offenses.
Tyler King, Chelsea’s brother, produced a documentary titled “Chelsea’s Light: A Brother’s Journey” in 2014 to pay tribute to his sister’s memory.
The News 8 videos that follow provide a reminder of the strength of a united community.
On February 13, 2009, while attending school in the Escondido community of North County San Diego, 14-year-old Amber Dubois vanished.
Adrienne Moore of News 8 provided updates on the search and rescue operations and the parents of the missing teen five days later.
Amber Dubois’ relatives, friends, and the neighborhood gathered for a candlelight vigil one week when she vanished as she made her way to Escondido High School.
News 8’s 200 people attended the vigil, featuring her parents and classmates discussing Amber’s passion for reading and horses. Jeff Zevely observed the event.
If another North County adolescent suddenly disappeared just a few miles from where Amber was last seen, it had been just over a year since Amber had vanished.
What Happened on 25th Of February 2010?
On February 25, 2010, while running at Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 17-year-old Chelsea King vanished.
While Adrienne Moore of News 8 reported the efforts to locate Chelsea in a region close to Lake Hodges, the hunt for the Poway High School student was on its sixth day.
On 9 March 2010, a week after Chelsea King’s body had been discovered, the man eventually convicted of the kidnapping and deaths of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois made his first appearance in a San Diego courtroom.
News 8’s John Gardner was the subject of Phil Blauer’s reporting while he was held accountable for Chelsea’s murder and then Amber’s death.
The inquiries into Chelsea and Amber’s tragic deaths involved a number of additional details.
There are numerous further stories from News 8 about the court cases involving John Gardner, but they will not be included in this article.
Rather, we want to draw attention to how the girls’ families, friends, and communities have helped preserve their memories.
How Many Runners Were Attracted By Chelsea Honor Race?
A race in Chelsea’s honor attracted more than 6,000 runners to Balboa Park on March 5, 2011, one year after she was kidnapped and killed.
News 8’s Adrienne Moore covered the yearly “Finish Chelsea’s Run” event, which is both moving and motivational.
During 2018, Amber’s mother, Carrie McGonigle, worked with two rescues and searched dogs to find two lost teenagers.
Team Amber Rescue has participated in numerous searches for missing persons throughout the years, from children to adults.
Carrie founded the charity in memory of her daughter, and she even gave one of their canines the identity of the young woman whose career was sadly cut short.
Reporter Marcella Lee from News 8 covered the hunt and the impact Carrie was having on the neighborhood.
