Trafficking the Disappearance of Lily Rose Flannery: Based on Many True Stories

by Rachael Elizabeth Lee

  Everly, we need to go inform Mr. and Mrs. Bower that we have two suspects in custody.

  As I approach the home of the Bower’s my heart is heavy. Mr. and Mrs. Bower how are you holding up?

  “We are not good.”

  I am sorry to hear that and again I am sorry for your loss. I wanted to let you know that we caught the two men who murdered Zachary and abducted Lily Rose Flannery. They are in custody, and will be arraigned tomorrow morning.

  “What about Lily? Have you found her?”

  No, the two suspects asked for lawyers. They will be found guilty and spend the rests of their natural lives in prison. We do believe that Lily is still alive.

  “What are the mother fucker’s names?” Matias and Facundo Martinez.

  “Will they be able to make bail? Did they tell you why they killed out son?”

  Mr. and Mrs. Bower given the seriousness of the charges they will be sitting in a jail cell for a long time. I am going to have to warn you this will be a long strenuous process. They asked for a lawyer before we could ask them about Zachary and Lily.

  “Thank you, Detective Allard.”

  Remember I am always here for you, no matter what. Again, I am sorry for your loss. Take care of yourselves.

  “Thank you, Detective Allard.”

  I will be in contact with you soon. I have a crisis counselor who will be reaching out to you if she has not already done so.

  We need to go notify the Flannery’s. I do not want to tell them we have not found their daughter yet.

  Hi, Mrs. Flannery is your husband home? “Yes, let me grab him. Do you have any news on Lily?”

  Dr. Flannery how are you and your wife doing?

  “Each day is a challenge for us, sometimes my wife does not want to get out of bed.”

  The reason I am here is because we caught two suspects in the murder of Zachary.

  “Did you find Lily?”

  No, sir we haven’t.

  “Do they know where she is?”

  I have a feeling that the two men do, however they each requested counsel so they will not speak to us.

  We will not stop searching for your daughter. We do believe she is alive.

  “What are the son of the bitch’s names?” Matias and Facundo Martinez.

  “Why would they do this? Why did they take Lily?”

  Sir, we are not sure. We are investigating and have been tracking down leads.

  “How did you find them?”

  Their mother turned them into the police. She gave us permission to search her home. We are pulling all our best officers together to bring Lily home. Detective Allard and I will remain in contact with you. Call us if you receive any new information. I am so sorry for your loss of Zachary. Keep praying for Lily and keep updating the social media sites.

  Have you started family therapy?

  “No, not yet.”

  I suggest you do that and I will make sure a crisis counselor reaches out to you and your family. I will be in contact with you soon.

  “Detective Everly you found who killed Zack?” “Did they tell you where Lily is?”

  Yes, Gabriel we found the men who killed Zack we have them in custody. We are still looking for Lily. Rest assure son we will not stop looking for Lily.

  “Detective Everly my wife and I want to put up a reward for Lily’s safe return. Do you think we should?”

  I have to warn you that you will get a ton of false information from people trying to get attention and people who will false report in order to hurt you. It could also hinder our investigation.

  6

  Gabriel Flannery

  Ever since my sister went missing, I have been ignored. It is like my Mom and Dad do not want me anymore. They do not talk to me about Lily. She is my sister and I love and miss her too. I am told to leave the room every time anyone brings her name up. Everyone is shutting me out and it is not fair. It is like they have forgotten all about me. My Mom cries all the time and Dad is starting to drink. He is drinking more and more, but I need to talk to them about Lily.

  Grams, Gramps, Uncle Mike and Aunt Dee will not even talk to me about Lily. I just want to remember the good times. I am always being told to go to my room and it pisses me off. I am hurting too I lost her too. I want to scream; break everything I own. I want my sister back. I need my parent’s attention too. My family cannot just keep ignoring me.

  I know in my heart she is still alive. I know that she is scared and thinking about all of us. I dream of her every night. Every night she tells me she loves me and she will be home. We are all together as a family. Sometimes we ski, hike in the mountains. We celebrate life and everything that we are grateful for. I love when I dream of Lily that is how I know she is still alive.

  I am so angry I need to be heard by my family. The refuse to hear me, they refuse to see me. They forget they have another child to and that is me. I will make them listen. We do not even eat together anymore. My family was so strong nothing could tear us apart. Or so I thought.

  I drive myself crazy with thoughts of Lily being chained up and tortured someplace. She is alone and scared. Sometime I imagine she simply ran away and she is safe somewhere on a beach. I do know she has not left this Earth, not yet. I call the Detectives without my parents knowing and I ask about Lily’s case. They tell me that they believe she is alive and she will be home someday. They could be trying to just comfort me.

  I ask about the men who shot and killed Zack and who took Lily. I am told they are taking it to trial. There is more than enough evidence to lock them up for life. I ask why they will not tell the police where Lily is? The Detectives never have an answer for me. My guess is the two men Matias and Facundo will never tell them where they took her. I tell the Detectives; I have been researching sex trafficking and ask if they sold Lily. They never answer my question. I know in my heart of hearts that is exactly what happened to Lily.

  I need to go downstairs and speak to my parents. Mom, Dad I am hungry and I want to talk to both of you. You two have been treating me like a ghost for the last few months. I am tired of it I am not a fucking baby! Are you even listening to me? Hello! Do you not care how I feel? I need you to let me in. Lily is my sister and my best friend. You are not the only ones who are hurting. I talk to the detectives all the time behind your back. At least they are honest with me and do not treat me like a baby. They do not treat me like I no longer exist!

  “I am your child too God Damn It! Stop shutting me out and sending me to my room whenever Lily’s name comes up. It is not fair to me I have just as much of a right to know as you two do. I want dinner, I want all of us to sit at the table and eat together. I want to talk about Lily. I know she is alive and you know it to. I know she will be home someday.”

  Gabe baby I am so sorry, Dad and I only thought we were protecting you. We did not mean to shut you out. We both love you so much, I know you are hurting to and your Dad and I are not perfect. We have no clue on how to get Lily home. We have been frozen in time if we try to move on, we feel guilt. If we approach the media, we feel guilty because some people out there are saying we are only seeking attention. If we laugh, we feel guilty. I am angry too; I am scared and I imagine the worst.

  Mom think of all the happy memories we have together and there will be more when Lily comes home. Dad please do not drink it will not bring Lily home. I love you guys and I miss both of you. Please don’t forget about me.

  “Okay, kiddo Dad and I will work on communicating with you. What do you want for dinner?”

  Pizza and chicken wings. “You got it kiddo.” Can we watch old family movies?

  “Yes, my love we can. When did you grow up so fast Gabe?”

  I don’t know. I would like to look at pictures and watch videos.

  “We will absolutely watch whatever you want.”

  Right now, as a family?

  “Yes, Gabe we will watch right now and we will also order your pizza.”

  May I get whatever toppings I want?
<
br />   “Yes love!”

  Okay I want pepperoni, sausage, ham, peppers and onion.

  “Okay honey you got it. What kind of Wings?”

  Umm garlic parmesan please and I would also like some soda, umm Coca Cola. No wait orange soda, nah never mind I want Coca Cola.

  “You got it kiddo. Is that all you want? Do you want dessert to?”

  Hmm let me think, no thanks. I want to watch family videos now.

  Okay, Mom and Dad start the family videos. Oh, my God look how small we were. Lily sure does love the ocean, collecting sea shells and the glass. Remember when we used to build sand castles and dad always destroyed them? That was the best! Mom remember horseback riding on the beach? You were so scared, we all thought you were going to pee your pants.

  “First of all, I was not scared the horse was scared.”

  Is that why you were screaming get me off this ride?

  “Gabe that never happened!”

  Yes, it did Patricia, remember me your husband Patrick I have it on video.

  “Well I am going to have to burn that video. Where is it?” I will never tell you love.

  “Gabe do you know where it is?”

  My lips are sealed. Look Mom and Dad it’s when we went to Maine Lily loved every minute of it. God it was so gorgeous. She is so happy look at her big beautiful smile. Mom and Dad, I have to say it but you guys are smiling and you were laughing.

  “Kiddo I think the pizza is here.”

  Dad can we eat it at the couch and watch more videos? “Your wish is my command.”

  We need to communicate more and you need to let me in.

  There is more I want to talk to you about. Promise me you guys will not keep me in the dark anymore.

  I promise to tell you how I feel if you two promise to tell me how you feel.

  “Okay, we absolutely promise.”

  Pinky swear? “Pinky swear.” Mom pinky swear? “Pinky swear.”

  Now swap spit? “Not on your life!”

  This pizza is okay, I miss your home cooked meals Mom and Dad.

  “Dad and I will start cooking again.”

  You promise? “Yes, we both promise.”

  Will you teach me how to cook? “Darling Mommy, would love to teach you anything you want to learn.”

  Look at the mountains on the video they are stunning. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for watching these with me. I love you! Oh, wow look at the time it is late.

  “Alright kiddo it’s time for bed.” Okay see ya in the morning. Love you both! “Love you to Gaby my baby!”

  As I pray, I ask God to watch over my sister Lily and to please bring her home to us. Please help Mom and Dad get through this. Please let them know it is okay to laugh, smile and enjoy life. Please help the men who shot and killed Zack and took Lily. Please help them and show them that they can tell the police where my sister is. Please help the man or men who are holding my sister. Let them see the error of their ways. Watch over my entire family help us all get through this. Help my Mom and Dad so they do not argue so much. I just want our family to be whole again. If you are listening please answer my prayer. Goodnight and thank you for listening to me. Please do not forget about us. Please be with Lily and let her know that I love her.

  When Lily was kidnapped It had a huge emotional effect on me nobody seemed to understand how I felt. I refuse to live with the uncertainty of Lily never coming home. I need to find out what happened to my big sister. My family and I are living in limbo hanging onto hope and at the same time having this feeling of hopelessness. I refuse to believe that she is dead. I have hope that she will one day walk through our front door again.

  I guess I am in denial. That this is all one big mistake I try so hard to remain calm, I even blamed myself. Lily should have watched me that night and not gone out. We have no closure there is no resolution. I know that it is hard for my parents to move on. We all want to know what happened and why she is missing? We do attend support groups to talk about Lily and her disappearance. I know that detective Allard told me that when Lily comes home it may not be a joyous reunion. There will be stress, frustration and the worry that she may disappear again. But Detective Allard does not know Lily she is a fighter.

  We have taken the necessary steps to find Lily, we have alerted the media, the police are involved, we had tee-shirts made and we post on social media all the time. I am constantly posting pictures and videos of Lily on social media and asking people from all over to share the posts. Mom and Dad hired a private investigator and he is working with the police. I will never stop spreading the word my family needs to find my sister. My parents posted an $100,000 reward for the safe return of Lily.

  When Lily first went missing my parents were not taking care of themselves. They were not sleeping, cooking and eating. They barely even showered. My parents stopped exercising and no longer mediate. They were going through this emotional roller-coaster, they did not take breaks from searching for Lily. They did not share their feelings with family members or friends. I started to journal right away. I have written Lily so many letters. My parents hardly go out anymore, I think it is the guilt of Lily not being here. I want to go see a movie with them or go to a theme park. They are distracted and stressed my mom will not even drive her car anymore. I want them to reestablish as much of their routine as possible. I miss home cooked meals and dinner with the family. I miss my Mom taking care of her small garden. I want to go to places that Lily likes to go to so we can stay connected with her.

  I wanted my parents to be honest with me from the beginning about Lily being missing. I needed them to tell me they are doing their best to find her. I wish they would have notified my school that Lily was abducted. I want and need my parents to answer all my questions honestly. The hardest part of all of this is not knowing where Lily is. I feel drained all the time, confused and angry. I need support from my family. I am not angry with Lily because I know it is not her fault. She would never leave us. We all need to learn to live without knowing. I am often upset, crying angry, bitter and I want to hit things. I have the sense of hope that Lily will be found and it is what is keeping me strong. I like to think of Lily as a whole. I like to remember her when she was here.

  It is important to me to remember her laugh, her sense of humor and her big heart. I cry all the time in front of my friends, family and complete strangers. It is okay to cry its natural. I sometimes open up to strangers about my sister. It has helped me to talk to the counselor, sometimes I prefer to talk to her alone. As a family we are in counseling and we attend support groups. We know that we are not alone in this. Grams and Gramps have helped with our day to day activities. I have been helping too. I started taking piano for when Lily comes home, so I can play her: her favorite songs. Mom and Dad informed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There is no way anyone could have prevented this from happening. I guess no one knows how they will react when a loved one is abducted. I try my best to stay positive but there are days it is hard and I want to give up.

  Mom and Dad have gone in front of the media a lot to keep Lily’s case alive. They have learned to control the interviews. They sometimes meet at Lily’s favorite places. Sometimes they do the interviews in our home so they can see Lily’s personal belongings. They arrange the interviews for particular places and times.

  In the beginning Mom and Dad did not place limitations on the interviews and it almost hindered the police investigation. The interviews were not always cleared with the Detectives working on the case. They go to Grams, Gramps, Auntie and Uncle for advice. Dad is usually the spokesperson for all the interviews and he lets them know now all the limitations and the rules.

  Mom is always by his side. I have done a couple interviews myself. The hardest part of all of this is people recognizing us and approaching us. Asking all sorts of questions. They do not respect our privacy. It is hard being filmed and photographed wherever we go. Having the media standing outside lying in wait. It is like they want my Mom and
Dad to feel guilty for going to dinner, a movie, bowling or for a walk. I started looking at the comments in the media. I am looking for comments made by one particular person. I am looking to see if someone is writing personal information that only our family or the police would know. I read all the comments carefully and on a daily basis. It is late I need to try and get some sleep. Mom and Dad will be up in a few hours to wake me.

  “Good morning Gabe, I made breakfast. Your Dad and I want to talk to you. I want to apologize for not being there for you. I am grieving, I feel like my life is in limbo I cannot move forward and I cannot go back.”

  Mom I understand how you feel. I feel the same way. But I want to talk about Lily. I want to go to her favorite spots.

  “I know you do Gabe and we will. We will take a long drive this weekend. I promise you I will not shut you out anymore. I know you need me more than ever and I have failed you.”

  Mom you did not fail me, you are sad, stressed and under a lot of pressure. When did you become so smart? I got my brains from Lily! Is that a smile I see mom?

  “Yes, Gabe it is. Whatever questions you have Dad and I will answer what we can truthfully and honestly.”