Archive for the ‘Homewood Alabama’ Category

Another Holiday Without You

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Nadia

Dear Nadia,

Another Thanksgiving holiday has past without you and your little man.  We miss you both so much.  I look at your pictures everyday and ask you to understand that everything will be okay.  It will all work out in God’s time.

We continue to try to bring your son/our grandson (please understand we are not permitted to say his name) home to us.  That situation remains complicated as it is held within the Alabama legal system. 

I want you to know numerous members of dedicated professional search teams are planning another search for you as we speak.  Leads have continued to come in as we press on in our attempts to find you.  We have not given up and will not give up so long as people contact us through this website or in person and give us credible leads to pursue.

As you know the man arrested in the matter of your disappearance will face trial in April of next year.  If he knows where you are we hope he will learn of God’s Peace and give us that information.  Our prayers remain with him and his family for this is a horrific situation for us all.

We are and will continue to be dedicated to you.  As your family we love you very much! Our hope is one day soon we will all be reunited.

Our love in Christ,

Mom

Hello everyone,

We’d like to thank those people from around the world who have supported us along the way with their words of encouragement and hope…people from Australia, U.S., Africa, Europe, Canada, Southeast Asia, etc. We want to personally thank our friends from Guam who visited us a few weeks ago for their time and fellowship. 

We are eternally grateful for the professional search teams who have spent endless hours looking for Nadia.  These are individuals who never knew Nadia before she disappeared and yet their determination and hope carries them forward in their search for her.  They are driven by the Lord’s Grace to undo what the darkness has done.  God’s speed today.

In the interest of privacy we cannot acknowledge people individually as we’d like to on this website.  If you are not mentioned please know we are silently thankful for your help and appreciate everything you have done to help us find Nadia and bring her and her son home. 

In Christ,

Nancy for all 

Two Year Remembrance for you Nadia

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Nadia

Fox 6 News Link  Nadia Kersh remembered after 2 years missing

November 3, 2010 was the second year remembrance for our daughter, Nadia who disappeared from Homewood, Alabama and has not been seen or heard from since then.  Below are the words shared by our family at her remembrance at Vulcan Park in Birmingham, Alabama later that evening:

It’s been two painfully long years since our daughter Nadia disappeared from Homewood, AL on November 3, 2008 and every day since then we’re reminded she is not here.  Three days after she went missing we were notified of her disappearance.  We lived just outside of Washington D.C. at the time and we were completely overwhelmed by the news.  Questions fired away at us at an alarming rate.  What happened to Nadia?   Where is she?  Where is her son?  Our grandson?  What could possibly have happened?  Today two years later many questions continue to go unanswered.

Albert Einstein was known as one of the most brilliant people in the world.  He once said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” 

Well over 1000 people have been reported missing in AL.  Most of them remain missing because those who have information on their whereabouts have been afraid to come forward and have remained silent.  It is this choice of inaction that can damn a community into bondage of secrets, untruths and deception, the greatest tools used against a society creating misery, uncertainty and pain.  That is not what our Lord in heaven would want. 

Our God is not the author of confusion, misery, separation and despair.  He would want you, the people in this community who have clues about what happened to Nadia and where she is to come forward with information concerning her whereabouts to end the darkness, to end the confusion and the mystery of where she is that surrounds us all. 

Most people don’t want to see me here, they don’t want to hear what I have to say because it’s a reminder once again that their children, their siblings, their mother, father, sister, brother could be the next one taken and not heard from again. Each day we as a family are reminded Nadia is not here, each day I look at her picture and tell her we have not given up looking for you.  But still, we need your help.  We need your help to answer some of those unanswered questions.  I ask you good people of Alabama to come forward and give us the information we need to find Nadia and bring her home.  I ask you all who hear this message to ask around Birmingham and the surrounding communities to see if anyone has any information that could help us find Nadia and end this bondage of the unknown, of deception and of secrets.

You can help by calling the Homewood PD on their tip line at (205) 332-6262 with any information that might help us find her.  If you’ve called before and you did not receive a response, don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate and please call again.  All information is so important, so critical. It’s important for us as a family as a society to find the truth, to find Nadia and release this community from the darkness of secrets.

If you’d like to contact us, you can reach us at helpfindnadia.com (repeat) Just register on the site and send an email.

In the meanwhile, we as Nadia’s family and friends won’t stop praying, praising God and looking to Him as our source of strength and hope.  As we do each day we thank the Lord for He is all sovereign and we know He looks over Nadia and her son wherever they are.

Dear Heavenly Father we ask for Your continued protection and grace for Nadia, our grandson, the rest of our family and this community plagued with knowing one of its members is still missing. We pray for Mr Haywood and his family that you Lord may comfort their hearts for they are also a family in pain and despair.  We lift up this community to You and ask You to touch the hearts of those people who can help us find our beloved daughter Nadia and bring her home to rest.  Lord we ask you to guide the search teams as they continue to volunteer endless hours looking for her.  We thank you for the officers of Homewood PD, Birmingham PD and the FBI who have been working to find the truth behind Nadia’s disappearance.  Lord, we ask you to put people in our path to help us find answers we need and this community needs to heal.  In Your Holy Name we pray.  Amen.

Nadia’s brother, John added these words:

Hello everyone,  I am John Kersh, Nadia’s brother.  I am nine years old.  I really miss my sister and if she came back home I would give her a big hug and show her around Montgomery, Alabama where we live now.  I would show her where I go to school at Montgomery Academy.

I have a nice comfortable bed for her to sleep on at home and a big backyard and a big lake with some ducks, lots of geese and a big water fountain in the middle of the lake.  I think Nadia would enjoy feeding the ducks and playing in the backyard with me and my sister, Charlie.

I really miss Nadia a lot.  I wish she was here.  Please help us find her.  Thank you.

Nadia’s sister, Charlize added:

Nadia is my sister.  She’s bigger than me.  She is lost.  We need to find her.

 

In Christ,

Nancy for all.

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

Hello everyone,

Several issues in Nadia’s story have remained constant and have caused confusion to those of you who are following her story.  First I’d like to clarify that we are Nadia’s only family in Alabama.  There has been some confusion about that and we’d like to set it straight.   As a simple guide, if someone living in Alabama does not at least have the last name of Kersh, they are not related to Nadia and are not part of her/our family. 

In addition, Nadia’s closest friend lives in Texas.  Her name is Jackie.  She has known Nadia for many years and was devastated when she heard she went missing on 3 November 2008.  She’s been a great support to us from afar as we continue to look for our beloved daughter and her dear friend.

And the search continues.  Professional volunteers continue to search for Nadia as leads continue to come in. and since our last posting even more people have come forward to lend their expertise in hopes of finding her.  We are so thankful to all of you who have come forward to offer your talents, your support and your kind words.

Even with so many people coming forward in the search for Nadia, we remain burdened with tremendous sadness.  We miss Nadia terribly with all our hearts but we’re also heartbroken over our continued separation from her son (our grandson).  We miss him more than anyone can imagine.  He was only one year old when Nadia disappeared and he became separated from us.  Since then he must remain with someone who is not family and has been growing up with their family.  We love and miss him so much and wish he could be here with us.  Nadia’s extended family, her grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins and the rest of the family have been waiting almost two years to meet him.  Our efforts continue to try and bring him home to us, the only family he has.  As Nadia would want it to be and as it should be.

Thank you to all who continue to support us in many ways in our search for Nadia and in our efforts to bring our grandson home. Nadi would be proud.  I look at her and our grandson’s pictures everyday and relive how different things would’ve been if she had been able to make the flight home for Thanksgiving week 2008.  For now I say we love you both with all our hearts and wish you were here.

All our love Nadi to you and your little man.  We miss you both terribly.  To our grandson,  Happy Birthday baby from afar.  All our love,  Grandma

To everyone else,

Heartfelt thanks for staying by our side during this difficult time. 

In His love,

Nancy for all

As We Go On

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Hello everyone,

It’s been 22 months since Nadia disappeared from Homewood, Alabama and we’ve been separated from her son.  We’ve since relocated to Alabama to be nearer to where Nadia went missing and in hopes of bringing our grandson home to us…the only family he has.  Due to legal complications we have not yet been able to bring him home and so our family separation continues.  I don’t believe law-makers at the time had our family’s scenario in mind when they established laws regarding family unity and preservation.  It is a situation we hope today’s law-makers will address to prevent this kind of separation and needless worry from happening again to other families. 

Searches for Nadia continue as professional volunteers follow-up on leads. We will press on as long as there is support from the community and leads continue to come in.  Volunteer professionals carry on unnamed so that they can work more effectively and efficiently to find Nadia and bring her home.  We have a great deal of respect for them for they are some of the most dedicated individuals we’ve come to know. 

Thank you all for standing by us as we move forward in our search of Nadia and in our actions to bring her son home (something she had planned to do 22 months ago).  Any information that would help us bring closure, please feel free to contact us through this website.

In Christ,

Nancy for all

Missing Nadia

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for your kind words and supportive emails as we continue our search for our daughter, Nadia. 

Last month we celebrated her 25th birthday with a balloon release from Vulcan Park in Birmingham, Alabama.  On each balloon we attached Nadia’s information and the Homewood, AL police department’s phone number (205) 332-6262 for information leading to her whereabouts.  We know there are people who know what happened to Nadia when she disappeared on 3 November 2008.  We know you know and we’re waiting for you to come forward.  Whatever is causing you to withhold information, please cast that aside and try to envision her as your missing sister or your missing daughter. 

We continue to move forward in our efforts to bring our grandson (Nadia’s son) home to his family.  He has been separated from us for a long time.  If you have information you think might help us, please feel free to contact us at this website.

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers as we try and bring some closure for our family.

In His love,

Nancy for all

A Day Closer to finding Nadia

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Hello everyone,

We have moved to Alabama.  It is good to be closer to where our daughter, Nadia disappeared in Homewood, AL on 3 November 2008.  We continue our efforts to find her as professional teams prepare for yet another search.  Leads continue to come in and for that we are grateful. Thank you all for taking the step to come forward with information that may lead to Nadia’s whereabouts.  She will be found one day with your help.

We continue our efforts to bring our grandson (Nadia’s son) home to his family.  We’ve waited a long time and have great hopes he will be with us soon as we believe Nadia would want it to be.

To Nadia’s supporters all over the world from the U.S. to Russia to Europe and as far away as Australia we appreciate you and thank you for your continued support.  To her school friends, thank you for your kind words and the love in your heart you carry for Nadia.

May the Lord Bless you all,

Nancy for all

As We Remember Nadia

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Hello everyone,

I’d like to first thank all the girls who attended Victory Christian Academy with our daughter, Nadia for their support and kind words about her.  Of all her friends you are the people who know her best, you know the challenges she faces and the desires of her heart.  Our family is grateful for you all and appreciate your dedication to her.

The man who was charged with capital murder in Nadia’s disappearance faced a preliminary hearing last week.  The judge ruled to move the case to the grand jury.  As I understand the process, the next step could take a couple of months.

There is still no news of Nadia’s whereabouts since she disappeared.  However, searches for her continue in hopes we will be able to bring her home soon.  Many thanks to all the volunteers who have spent endless hours looking for her.  If anyone has any information concerning her whereabouts or if you have any information about Nadia’s case, please call Homewood Police Department at (205) 332-6262. 

The military is sending our family to Alabama this summer.   We are thankful as it will put us closer to where Nadia disappeared and to our grandson (her baby).  We’re excited about the change as we prepare to move.  If all goes well he will be home with us soon.

Thank you all for supporting our efforts to find our daughter, Nadia and to bring our grandson home.  No matter what the future brings we have peace knowing our Lord is with us.  May He bless and bring comfort to the Franklin, Hendersen, Holloway families/friends and all other missing persons’ families/friends as we continue to be patient to learn of the whereabouts of our precious and dearly loved ones.

The Lord be with you all,

Nancy for the family 

Questions regarding our grandson

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Hello everyone,

My apologies for not being clear about the situation regarding our grandson (Nadia’s son).  I’ve received numerous emails asking about his welfare.  I’d like to address those questions here.

To everyone who has asked about him, I ask you to be patient with us for we’re not in a position to mention his name nor reveal details of his circumstances because he is a minor involved in the Alabama legal system and because of that we especially need to protect his privacy.  Please be patient as we are left to refer to him as “Nadia’s little son”, “our little man” or “our grandson” instead of calling him by his name as he deserves.

We love our little guy so much and miss him terribly.  We can’t wait to have him home with us.  His great-grandma,  great-grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins and the rest of his extended family are anxiously waiting to see him. 

Nadia’s father and I have been actively engaged in the legal process to bring him home to Virginia since we first traveled to Alabama after Nadia was reported missing.  This process has been extremely long and complicated.  We’d love to take him home today if we could but we’re required to be patient to see the process through. 

We’d appreciate your continued patience as we deal with the issues involving our grandson as well as the disappearance of his mom and our daughter, Nadia. (We miss you Nadi.  We wish you could be here for your little guy.)

Thank you so much for your understanding and patience in this matter.  

Blessings to you all, 

Nancy

An arrest is made in Nadia’s case

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Hello everyone,

Although I knew there may be some activity forthcoming in Nadia’s criminal case I was still shocked to receive the news last night from Homewood Alabama Police Department about an arrest for murder in her disappearance.  The FBI DNA analysis report was received last week and that was something Homewood PD had been awaiting for months.  With it they could press forward and present their case to the DA.  I was waiting for word from them when I received the call.

Joacquas Haywood was arrested in Homewood, Alabama last night for capital murder and burglary in the second degree in the case of our missing daughter, Nadia.  I’m torn by a mixture of emotions at the news.  On the one hand, if this man did do something bad to our daughter, I hope he will search his heart and lead us in the right direction to find her.  On the other hand my heart goes out to him and his family.  I can’t help but think he is someone’s son, someone’s grandson and maybe someone’s brother.  His arrest has undoubtably caused great pain for himself and his family.  

In the meanwhile, we will continue to search for Nadia in hopes of finding her.  We miss her so very much.

“Good night sweetheart.  Sleep tight wherever you are.  God hold you in His arms while we’re apart” (David Kersh) 

His Gracious Love to all of you,

Nancy for all

Carrying on in your absence

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Hello Nadia,

It has been a one and 1/2 years since you disappeared on 3 November 2008 and we miss you so much.  We wake up everyday with the reminder that you’re not here.  We miss your smile, your little giggle and the free-spirited ideas you come up with so frequently.  We love you, Nadi.  I know you know it but I’ll say it again…We love you, Nadia.  Your little brother worries about you so much.  He’s hoping you’ll come back to us soon.

We wish you could be here to see what is happening in your absence.  So much darkness and unethical activity surrounds your situation and that of your little son.  As his grandparents and only family, we’ve been struggling to bring him home to Virginia since we were told you went missing.  There is someone (not affiliated with us) who filed a petition to adopt your son.  We do not support these actions.  When I look at all the pictures of you and him together it breaks my heart to know you can’t be with him right now to help him.  So in your place we will continue to do all we can to try and stop these activities and bring him home where he belongs. 

Your brother wanted to submit a post this time but instead I’d like to add some of his comments.  He says, “I miss you very much.  I hope someone will find you soon so you can come home.  I’d like (his nephew) to come home too.  I would take him to church and teach him how to be a Christian.  You would want him to be a Christian too.”  It breaks his heart to know we are facing such adversity in addition to mourning your disappearance and your little man’s absence.

The investigation in your criminal case is very close to being completed.  The person of interest in  the case remains the primary person of interest.  That does not mean others were not involved in your disappearance.  Your father and I continue to work with Homewood Alabama Police Department in hopes of bringing some resolution to the question of your whereabouts.  We have been there for you working these issues and will continue for as long as it takes to find you.

There are a number of volunteers who continue to support us in our efforts to find you.  Some come from professional search teams others are simply commited to bringing closure for us.  More leads have come in to Homewood PD and  searchers are combing identified areas.  There has been no halt in activities to find you.

Nadi, we want you to know we are doing all we can to carry on for you.  We want you home in the worst way as we continue to mourn your absence and that of your young son.  If you’re no longer with us I know you’re with Our Father.  May the Lord give you Peace wherever you are.

All my love,

Mom