Disappearance of Kyron Horman explained

Kyron Richard Horman
Birth Date:9 September 2002
Birth Place:Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Disappeared Place:Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Education:Skyline Elementary School
Occupation:Student
Parents:
  • Kaine Horman (father)
  • Desiree Young (mother)

Kyron Richard Horman (born September 9, 2002) is an American boy who disappeared from Skyline Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, on June 4, 2010, after attending a science fair.[1] Local and state police, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), conducted an exhaustive search and launched a criminal investigation, but have not uncovered any significant information regarding the child's whereabouts.[2] Horman's disappearance sparked the largest criminal investigation in Oregon history. To this day, his whereabouts remain unknown.

Background

Kyron Richard Horman was born September 9, 2002, in Portland, Oregon, to Desiree Young and Kaine Horman, an engineer for Intel.[3] The couple divorced eight months into Young's pregnancy with Kyron, with Young citing irreconcilable differences. The two had been granted shared custody of Kyron until 2004, but when Young was diagnosed with kidney failure that required extensive medical intervention, Kaine took over full custody; notwithstanding this fact, Young still remained an active part of the child's upbringing.

In 2007, Kaine married Terri Moulton (born March 14, 1970), a substitute teacher originally from Roseburg.[3] [4] Kaine became romantically involved with Moulton around 2001 when he and Young were in the midst of divorcing.[4] They married in 2007 while visiting Kauai, Hawaii. In December 2008, Moulton gave birth to a daughter, Kiara.[4] Meanwhile, Kyron was a student at Skyline Elementary School near Forest Park.[3]

Disappearance

On June 4, 2010, Kyron was taken to Skyline Elementary School by his stepmother Terri Horman (Moulton),[5] who then stayed with him while he attended a science fair.[6] Terri Horman stated that she left the school at around 8:45 a.m. and that she last remembered seeing Kyron walking down the hall to his class.[7] However, Kyron was never seen in his first class and was instead marked as absent that day.

Terri's statements to the police indicate that, after leaving the school at 8:45 a.m., she ran errands at two different Fred Meyer grocery stores until about 10:10 a.m.[8] Between then and 11:39 a.m., she stated that she was driving her daughter around town in an attempt to use the motion of the vehicle to soothe the toddler's earache. Terri said that she then went to a local gym and exercised until about 12:40 p.m. By 1:21 p.m., she had arrived home and posted photos of Kyron at the science fair on Facebook.[9]

At 3:30 p.m., Terri and her husband, Kaine, walked with their daughter, Kiara, to the bus stop to meet Kyron. The bus driver told them that the boy had not boarded the bus, and to call the school to ask his whereabouts. Terri did so, only to be informed by the school secretary that, as far as anyone there knew, Kyron had not been at school since early that day and that he had accordingly been marked absent. Realizing then that the boy was missing, the secretary called 9-1-1.

Initial search efforts

Search efforts for Kyron were extensive and primarily focused on a 2miles radius around Skyline Elementary and on Sauvie Island, approximately 6miles away.[10] Law enforcement did not disclose their reasons for searching the area where they did, which included a search of the Sauvie Island Bridge.[10]

On June 9, 2010, the Horman family, who had initially refused to speak with the media, released a statement:

On June 12, around 300 trained rescuers were on the ground searching wooded areas near the school.[11] The search for Kyron, which spanned ten days,[10] was the largest in Oregon history and included over 1,300 searchers from Oregon, Washington and California.[3] A reward posted for information leading to the discovery of Kyron, which was initially $25,000, expanded to $50,000 in late July 2010.[12]

Legal proceedings

In late June 2010, in the midst of the search, Kaine was reportedly told by investigators that Terri had offered their landscaper, Rodolfo Sanchez, "a lot of money" to kill her husband. Sanchez testified in a deposition that Terri approached him to help kill her husband in January 2010, five months before Kyron's disappearance; in her own deposition, Terri denied the charge.[13] Investigators convinced Sanchez to confront Terri while wearing an audio surveillance device, but they were unable to obtain any evidence and could not make an arrest. On June 28, Kaine filed for divorce[12] and obtained a restraining order against Terri.[14] [15] The divorce was granted[16] and Terri was eventually granted supervised visitation with her daughter.[17]

During this time, Terri failed two separate polygraph examinations regarding Kyron's disappearance.[18] In August 2010, it was announced that law enforcement were searching for an individual allegedly seen by two witnesses sitting inside Terri's truck outside Skyline Elementary the day of the disappearance.[19] Bruce McCain, a former sheriff for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, told CBS News: "The identity of that second person, if he or she existed, could be critical in determining what happened to Kyron after 9 a.m. on June 4."[19]

Meanwhile, in July 2010, a Multnomah County grand jury subpoenaed several friends of Terri, including DeDe Spicher, whom Young and Kaine described as having "been in close communication with Terri" and "providing Terri with support and advice that is not in the best interests of our son."[20] According to law enforcement, Spicher was "extremely cooperative" and allowed a search of her property and car, as well as enduring three hours of questioning from detectives.[20] On the day of Kyron's disappearance, Spicher was gardening for a homeowner on Germantown Road in Northwest Portland and was allegedly unaccounted for during a three hour period,[21] [22] though Spicher claimed she had never left the property. She also helped Terri purchase an untraceable cell phone after Kaine had moved out of the house.[23] During this time, Spicher told journalists: "There's this horror that my friend is going through. If I thought for a second that she was capable of [foul play], I would not have been there. She would not have been my friend in the first place."[24]

In early August 2010, Young, Kaine and the Skyline Elementary School principal were subpoenaed and testified during the grand jury hearing.[25] In December 2010, it was reported by The Oregonian that the grand jury had yet to provide compelling evidence yielding a potential indictment.[26] By November 29, 2010, search efforts in Kyron's case had cost an estimated $1.4 million, according to county commissioners, and yielded 4,257 tips.[26]

In May 2017, it was reported by Portland station KGW that a secret grand jury panel continued to hear evidence in Kyron's disappearance, and had convened on multiple occasions.[27] During the report, Kyron's case was described as still "active and ongoing." Two months later, in July 2017, law enforcement conducted further searches along Skyline Boulevard, but the searches yielded no results.[28]

Lawsuit against Terri Horman

On June 1, 2012, Young filed a civil lawsuit against Terri, claiming that she was "responsible for the disappearance of Kyron." The lawsuit attempted to prove that Terri had kidnapped Kyron on the day he disappeared. Young sought $10 million in damages.[29] [30] On August 15, 2012, a federal court judge denied a motion by Terri to delay the lawsuit.[31]

On July 30, 2013, it was announced that Young had dropped the lawsuit against Terri so as not to interfere with the ongoing police investigation.[32] [33]

Depiction in media

Terri appeared as a guest on Dr. Phil in 2016, during which she told Phil McGraw: "I was advised from the beginning by law enforcement, by my husband at the time, by attorneys in the beginning, not to say anything. I've always wanted to. I've asked multiple times to speak out and have not been allowed."[34] She denied having any involvement in Kyron's disappearance, and also stated her belief that he was kidnapped, adding: "There was a man in a white pickup truck, Ford, parked on Highway 30 at the 7-Eleven, which is not near the school. He was acting very strangely and he was addressed by one of the employees because he had been pacing back and forth in front of the 7-Eleven for about an hour."[34]

Boy Missing: The Search for Kyron Horman, written by Rebecca Morris, was released in May 2020.[35]

"Vanished from School," season 2, episode 2, of the television show Real Life Nightmare on Discovery ID explores the case. The episode aired November 15, 2020.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: June 4, 2010. Police looking for missing Skyline Elementary student. KATU. ABC. Portland, Oregon. February 1, 2011.
  2. News: Terry. Lynne. January 31, 2011. Desiree Young says waiting for word on Kyron Horman is 'torture'. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. https://web.archive.org/web/20180705175950/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/01/desiree_young_says_waiting_for.html. July 5, 2018.
  3. Web site: Willamette Week. The Kyron Files. August 3, 2010. Pitkin. James. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027061706/https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-12305-the-kyron-files.html. October 27, 2016.
  4. News: The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Kyron Horman's blended family: Friends describe a close, supportive group. Terry. Lynne. June 19, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502152241/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/06/kyron_hormans_blended_family_f.html. May 2, 2018. November 18, 2018. live.
  5. Web site: Terri Horman accused of stealing gun in California . Associated Press . Bend, Oregon . . . December 6, 2016 . Records show she booked into jail on July 4 after failing to show for her arraignment. She was released and later pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge. She was acquitted. Her next court hearing was December 16. Terri is now using her maiden name, a reason her arrest escaped attention at the time..
  6. Web site: People. Where Is Kyron Horman? A Timeline of the Little Boy's Still-Unsolved Disappearance. September 13, 2017. Pearl. Diana. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913164146/https://people.com/crime/kyron-horman-disappearance-timeline/. September 13, 2018.
  7. News: Arrest Imminent in Kyron Horman Search?. CBS News. July 26, 2010. February 1, 2011.
  8. Web site: The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Kyron Horman investigators ask public to help track white truck Terri Horman drove. August 10, 2010. Bernstein. Maxine. https://web.archive.org/web/20111205021937/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/08/kyron_horman_case_investigator.html. December 5, 2011.
  9. News: Sources detail Terri's timeline day Kyron disappeared. July 23, 2010. KATU. Song. Anna. ABC. Portland, Oregon. dead. January 27, 2013. https://archive.today/20130127045541/http://www.katu.com/news/local/99151549.html. February 1, 2011.
  10. Web site: The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Kyron Horman: Timeline of events since boy's disappearance. May 28, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913224308/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/05/kyron_horman_timeline_of_event.html. September 13, 2018. .
  11. News: Los Angeles Times. Search expands for missing boy, 7. June 13, 2010. A22. Newspapers.com. .
  12. News: Press & Sun-Bulletin. Reward doubles in search for missing boy. Newspapers.com. Binghamton, New York. 10. July 28, 2010. Associated Press.
  13. News: Bernstein. Maxine. Horman case: Judge will restrict landscaper's testimony but may not give much weight to it. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. February 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180221/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/02/horman_case_judge_will_restric.html. July 5, 2018.
  14. News: Kyron Horman's Stepmother Reportedly Barred by Restraining Order From Seeing her Kids. June 29, 2010. Pinto. Barbara. Netter. Sarah. Schabner. Dean. ABC News. 1 February 2011.
  15. News: Complete coverage: Search for Kyron Horman. KGW. NBC. Portland, Oregon. September 8, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101213160124/http://www.kgw.com/news/Second-grade-student-missing-from-Skyline-Elementary-95670454.html. December 13, 2010.
  16. News: Horman divorce: Kaine and Terri marriage dissolved. January 9, 2015. December 31, 2013. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon.
  17. News: Kyron Horman's dad gets custody of daughter. KATU. Portland, Oregon. NBC. June 4, 2014. Dubois, Stephen. https://web.archive.org/web/20151220055624/https://katu.com/news/local/kyron-hormans-dad-gets-custody-of-daughter. December 20, 2015.
  18. News: KOIN. CBS. Dr. Phil grills Terri Horman on sexting, failed polygraphs. Wasserstrom. Shuly. September 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118053339/https://www.koin.com/news/dr-phil-grills-terri-horman-questions-behavior/870145138. November 18, 2018. Portland, Oregon.
  19. Web site: CBS News. New York City. CBS. Mystery Figure Emerging in Kyron Horman Case?. August 11, 2010. . https://web.archive.org/web/20170727115320/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mystery-figure-emerging-in-kyron-horman-case/. July 27, 2017. November 18, 2018. live.
  20. Web site: CNN. Friend of missing boy's stepmom appears before grand jury. . July 26, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101018122707/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-26/justice/oregon.missing.boy_1_grand-jury-kaine-horman-terri-horman?_s=PM:CRIME. October 18, 2010. November 18, 2018. live.
  21. News: The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Terri Horman's friend DeDe Spicher declines to answer any questions about Terri Horman in deposition. October 23, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121125090144/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/10/terri_hormans_friend_dede_spic.html. November 25, 2012.
  22. News: DeDe, Terri unaccounted for at same time on June 4. KGW. NBC. Portland, Oregon. August 12, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100814151150/http://www.kgw.com/news/DeDe-Spicher-99077874.html. August 14, 2010.
  23. News: Fake name used to buy Horman-linked phones. Portland, Oregon. August 6, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101226181127/http://www.katu.com/news/local/100161574.html. December 26, 2010.
  24. News: ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Kyron Horman Case: DeDe Spicher Speaks Out, Says Police Pressured Her to Target Terri Horman. Karlinsky. Neal. Netter. Sarah. August 18, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100821234305/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/kyron-horman-case-dede-spicher-speaks-police-targeting/story?id=11426202. August 21, 2010. New York City.
  25. Web site: CBS News. CBS. New York City. Kyron Horman: Renewed Massive Search. August 9, 2010. . https://web.archive.org/web/20181118055848/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kyron-horman-renewed-massive-search/. November 18, 2018.
  26. Web site: The Oregonian. Bernstein. Maxine. Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton confident Kyron Horman investigation won't end up in the cold case files. December 4, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913224308/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/12/multnomah_county_sheriff_dan_s_2.html. September 13, 2018. Portland, Oregon.
  27. Web site: May 18, 2017. Grand jury hearing evidence in Kyron Horman case, document reveals. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180208222008/http://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/kyron-horman/grand-jury-hearing-evidence-in-kyron-horman-case-document-reveals/283-440862217. February 8, 2018. November 18, 2018. KGW. NBC. Portland, Oregon.
  28. News: Ryan. Jim. July 10, 2017. Kyron Horman search near Skyline yields no pertinent information, official says. The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114134052/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/07/west_hills_search_in_kyron_hor.html. January 14, 2018.
  29. Web site: Mother files lawsuit saying Terri Horman kidnapped Kyron. KATU. ABC. Portland, Oregon. June 1, 2012. January 27, 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20130127063345/http://www.katu.com/news/local/Desiree-Young-files-lawsuit-saying-Terri-Horman-kidnapped-Kyron-Horman-156429105.html. June 1, 2012.
  30. Web site: New York Daily News. Kyron Horman's mother sues Terri Horman for $10 million over boy's 2010 disappearance. Gorman, Ryan. June 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160319000047/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/kyron-horman-mother-sues-terri-horman-10-million-article-1.1088830. March 19, 2016. November 18, 2018. live.
  31. Web site: Kyron Horman's father: 'Growing evidence' against Terri. KGW. NBC. Portland, Oregon. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121010061036/http://www.kgw.com/news/Hearing-today-on-Kyron-civil-suit-delay-request-166253236.html. October 10, 2012.
  32. Web site: Mother of Kyron Horman dropping civil suit. KATU. ABC. Portland, Oregon. July 31, 2013. https://archive.today/20130731104230/http://www.katu.com/news/local/Mother-of-Kyron-Horman-dropping-civil-suit-217632621.html. July 31, 2013. live.
  33. Web site: The Huffington Post. Kyron Horman's Mom Prays 'For The Evil One To Grow A Conscience'. Lohr. David. January 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170405065055/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kyron-horman-mother-missing-six-years_us_5755be91e4b0c3752dce561b. April 5, 2017.
  34. Web site: KGW. Terri Horman tells Dr. Phil she believes someone abducted Kyron. Thompson. Jeff. 22 September 2016 . NBC. Portland, Oregon. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306181244/http://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/kyron-horman/terri-horman-tells-dr-phil-she-believes-someone-abducted-kyron/283-316127232. March 6, 2018. November 18, 2018. live.
  35. News: Multiple witnesses allegedly saw Kyron Horman leave school with stepmom, author writes. KGW. Portland, Oregon. May 26, 2020.

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