The Story of Kidnapped Nurse Michelle Le from Hayward Kaiser, Ca.
UPDATE: Michelle Le's body found
UPDATE: 9-19-2011. With a heavy heart here is the update on Michelle Le: It was confirmed tonight that the body found Sat, on Verona Road in Sunol/Pleasanton area was Michelle's. May God give comfort to the family of Michelle - her brother Michael, cousin Krystine and all of Michelle Le's family and friends. They never gave up looking for her, not even after 7 searches, and their determination has brought Michelle home to be given a proper burial. Rest in peace Michelle. Justice will be served in your name, and you have left behind a legacy of love.
09-07-2011: The Hayward Police Department announced Wednesday that they have made an arrest in the case of Michelle Le, a nursing student who vanished over three months ago.Giselle Esteban, was arrested in Union City at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday morning. The charge was listed as 187, which is the code for murder, according to the inmate locator tracker for Alameda County.
Help! My co-worker Michelle Le is Missing
Several weeks ago I met nursing student Michelle Le in a patients room where I work at Kaiser Hospital in Hayward. It was just a brief encounter but I remember her flashing a brilliant smile while doing rounds with her fellow nursing students. I was taking baby photos (I work for Our 365 as a newborn baby photographer) - and the students were enchanted by me taking babies photos in the room.
It was only a brief encounter, but sadly the next time I saw was Michelle Le's brilliant smile was on the front of a missing persons poster. I was off for 3 days when Michelle went missing and it was Memorial Weekend. Details were sketchy as to what had happened to the young nursing student. The local news said she had gone to take a break around 7 pm, and walked to her car which was parked in the Sleepy Hollow Kaiser parking garage. She never returned from her break. She had taken her cell phone with her but left everything else at Kaiser, so it looked like to all intents and purposes that she had planned to come back. It was also divulged that Michelle was later planning a trip to Reno with a friend. The friend said she never heard back from Michelle Le, nor did she show up in Reno that weekend.
Her car was found the next day a couple blocks from Hayward Kaiser, parked in a residential area. Her laptop was found in the car and the local police said the car was left in a manner that suggested someone "cared about the car".
Fears started to emerge that something very bad had happened to Michelle, and the family and news media started intensive coverage - with news of Michelles odd disappearance traveling as far away as the east coast. A sense of foul play came to mind as her family described Michelle as a trustworthy,compassionate and responsible person.
$100,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON MISSING MICHELLE LE
Sleepy Hollow parking garage at Kaiser Hayward
Two weeks have gone by since Michelle Le's disappearance
It has now been over 2 weeks since Michelle went missing and several new stories have emerged from the media and the Hayward Police Dept. Without the Hayward PD notifying the family, the news announced that Michelle Le's case was now considered a homicide and their efforts were now focused on recovery instead of finding Michelle Le alive. Needless to say, the family was shell-shocked. The police to this day have not given the family any kind of conclusive proof or theory as to why they consider Michelle Le dead versus alive. Instead they learned about this news in the mainstream media. Family and friends were urged not to send out searchers for Michelle nor divulge information.
Since hearing that dreadful news, the family has appeared on the news again to appeal to the public to keep hope alive that Michelle Le is not dead. They stress that she is out there and needs to be found. They say without definite proof of homicide they will not give up hope and will focus on finding Michelle alive. Michael Le, Michelle's only brother, has stated publicly that now is not the time to grieve but a time to focus on finding Michelle. Michael's heartfelt plea to help find his sister,and the fact that Michelle is a co-worker, motivated me to get involved in finding her. With the help of family members and supportive community,Michelle's case has managed to stay in the limelight.
At the bottom of this hub you will find links to resources that you can access to also help find Michelle. Besides the official website Michael Le has set up for his sister, there are also face-book pages with events for Michelle and even a link to Websleuths forum where creative brain-stormers put their heads together to help solve cases.
It takes a village to raise a child - and to find one
Since getting involved in Michelle's case I have had the sad pleasure of meeting many of Michelle's family. Since I am a local Hayward resident and co-worker of Michelle's, I have been able to help them in small ways, but this hub I consider probably one of the best things I could do to help the family get more coverage for Michelle. Please RSS this hub,and also link to Michelle's official missing persons website below. I will keep an area of this hub updated with new events planned in the search for Michelle and any updated news I deem appropriate to this hub. I will not publish all news (you can Google that) but I will link to any news that may help find Michelle, or news that gives any definite details on Michelle's disappearance
I have also had the pleasure to meet Mr.Mark Klass (Polly Klaas' father) last weekend at the flyer distribution for Michelle at the Hayward K-Mart parking lot (thanks to store manager Liz there for allowing this event) Mark Klass also has an organization that he has formed since the tragic abduction and murder of his daughter Polly Klass in 1993. That website is here and is also a good resource not only for Michelle but to help find other missing children.
Michelle Le is a nursing student
The not knowing is the worst feeling
I was interviewed a few times on the news regarding Michelle (boy that was awkward - it's easier for me to write than to talk publicly) and one of the news reporters asked me if I had something similar to this happen in my own life. I said no but in retrospect I have lived a life full of anxiety regarding my missing brother, Although the circumstances are not even the same (my brother has schizophrenia), I have had to live for years at a time not knowing if my brother was dead or alive (he would disappear sometimes for as long as 8 years) The strain, fear and anxiety of not knowing his whereabouts took a big toll on not only me but on the health of our entire family, especially our mother and father ( I can't imagine what Michelle Le's family must be feeling, not knowing where Michelle is and what happened to her)
I also have kids that are Michelle's age and the thought of one of them disappearing like this gives me a sense of urgency to help Michelle's family bring her home.
If anyone reading this knows the whereabouts of Michelle Le or has any tips, please contact the Hayward Police Dept. tip line for missing person Michelle Le at 510-293-5051 . Even small details could mean something, and if the kidnapper of Michelle is reading this, please let Michelle go. She does not nor ever deserved this. She has a dream of becoming a nurse and helping others, Please let her go and let others be helped through her. No matter what the circumstances, you now have the chance to do the right thing and let her go. Let her family know where she is so they can be at peace. And if you are reading this Michelle, we are looking for you. Don't give up.
(Dorsi Diaz is a freelance writer and writes on a broad variety of subjects. This hub is dedicated to Michelle Le, her brother Michael Le, her extended family and cousins, friends and and co-workers.Thank you to the community for playing such an active part in helping bring Michelle home. If you are a praying person please pray for Michelle's return. This family needs closure - and hopefully it will be her coming home alive to those that love her (And please vote in the poll about Michelle - I am researching how using HubPages can help find missing people. This could be of big use for families of missing people in the future (Please RSS this hub and feel free to join my reader/fan club above for future articles)
Giselle Esteban arrested for murder of Michelle Le
An arrest has been made in the slaying of nursing student Michelle Le, more than three months after she vanished from a Hayward parking garage, police said today.
Hayward police declined to provide details pending an afternoon news conference. But Alameda County jail records show that Hayward police arrested Giselle Esteban, 27, of Union City on suspicion of murder this morning. She is being held without bail.
http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2011/09/07/live-now-arrest-made-in-michelle-le-case/
News Video on 7-28-2011
Poll on media coverage of Michelle Le
Have you heard of the disappearance of Michelle Le?
News report on Michelle Le's disappearance
Websleuths assisting in the search for Michelle Le: Brainstorming and discussion here
- CA CA- Michelle Hoang Thi Le, 26, Kaiser Hospital, Hayward, 27 May 2011 -Nursing Student - Websleuth
One of the largest crime forums on the internet. Discussions,forums, blogs.
Map of Sleepy Hollow Kaiser Hospital parking garage in Hayward,Ca. where Michelle Le was last seen
Comments
Hello Again Dorsi . . . All our hearts are with the family in this senseless loss . . . Such a tradegy . . . We were all hoping against hope that things might turn out differently . . . Although the body has not been positively identified, I imagine Lee's clothing gave them a fairly good indication as to the loss of their beloved . . . Such a shining light gone far too soon in a world that so desperately needs more of Michelle's quality . . . Blessings always, Earth Angel . . .
Hi Dorsi, thinking of you and Michelle's family as I saw this morning that a body was discovered that might possibly be Michelle. My heart aches for the family and for all the wonderful people like you who have gotten involved in the search for her. Our heart's desire is for her to come home safely, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like it is happening. {{hugs}} to you from Florida.
She is a pretty girl and if she sees her ads she needs to return back, a lot of times the girls have a problem with the family and they go missing themselves.http://www.micocrane.com
Blessings Dorsi,
Was Michelle Le's case determined a "homicide" as dph indicates above . . . ?? That's more than disturbing . . . We are still holding in prayers that she will be found alive . . . Please keep us posted . . .
Blessings always, Earth Angel . . .
What's the most popular theory?
Should we assume her attacker laid in waiting and then incapacitated her in some way? At that point maybe the perp. took her and Le's car to nearby street to transfer into another getaway car then drove all over town(s) to confuse the cell phone pings. I guess body could be anywhere.
Also didn't GE's house get searched the same day Le case was declared a homicide?
Also who was she going to Reno with?
Anything new? Did the search last weekend turn up any new leads? Prayers continue! Blessings, Earth Angel
So sad to read this, Dorsi. It is bad enough to read this in the news, but so traumatic when you actually know the victim. It makes it so personal. I applaud your efforts to keep her disappearance fresh in the media and pray for a safe homecoming for Michelle. She is a beautiful girl and my heart aches for her family.
Thank you for bringing this heart-wrenching story to our attention. Prayerfully, ministering angels are protecting and comforting Michelle until she's found. Please continue to forward updates.
Thank you so much Dorsi for the update AND the good tips for how each of us can help! Blessings to you wonderful soul! Blessings of strength, safety and a positive outcome for Michelle and the entire Le family! Earth Angel!
Nice info, well shared and properly written.
It is so sad- i do hope she is found - and good that you are using your skills to put the word out world wide
Hi Dorsi,
Thank you for the update, albeit without the good news everyone is praying for . . .
Might I suggest your updates go in BOTH the body of your Hub AND here in the Comments section? Updates in the body of your Hub allows us to check back with you from time to time; updates in the Comments section automatically sends out email alerts to everyone who lovingly follows your writing . . . and this unsettling mystery . . .
Continued blessings for Michelle and her family . . .
Blessings to you and yours always, Earth Angel . . .
A sad and tretful story indeed. Hope they will find her soon -- unharmed.
Very sad. I'd be looking into ex boyfriends as an avenue of interest, but I'm sure the Feds are all over it.
Hi Dorsi,sending out prayers for Michelle and her family, that she will be found safe and soon .
Continued blessings and prayers to Michelle, the Le family, friends and extended family . . . I'm from SF and a dear friend called me this morning (not knowing we are following this through you Dorsi) asking our group of sixteen ministers and their congregations to pray for Michelle . . . Sending positive energy in Michelle's direction, asking the Divine for information leading to her whereabouts, praying Spirit keeps her safe and from serious harm . . . Always, Earth Angel . . .
It's good that you're getting the word out. I saw a news coverage about her some time back. My heart goes out to her family and we hope Michelle comes back safely.
Add my prayers to yours, Earth Angel.
Why cannot good people be left alone to live? No matter - best hopes for finding her!
Our continued prayers to Michelle and her family that they all be healthy and happily reunited as soon as possible . . .
Writing a Hub is a brilliant idea Dorsi . . . Since HubPages is headquartered in San Francisco, not that many miles from Hayward . . . With hundreds, if not thousands of Hubbers in the vacinity . . .
Again, our group of Ministers will continue to pray for safe and peaceful resolution to this mysterious disappearance . . .
Blessings always, Earth Angel . . .
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