31st July 2023 · Episode 215
Morbidology the Podcast - 215: Evelyn & Alex Hernandez
30 Min · By Emily G. Thompson
It is widely acknowledged that disparities exist in missing person cases. When a victim fits the mold of an all-American, girl-next-door from an affluent family, their case tends to garner significantly more national attention. This reality was evident in two remarkably similar cases involving pregnant mothers that occurred in California in 2002. The divergent treatment and media coverage of these cases showed that not all victims are equal.
It is widely acknowledged that disparities exist in missing person cases. When a victim fits the mold of an all-American, girl-next-door from an affluent family, their case tends to garner significantly more national attention. This reality was evident in two remarkably similar cases involving pregnant mothers that occurred in California in 2002. The divergent treatment and media coverage of these cases showed that not all victims are equal.
Sources:
San Francisco Chronicle, 11 June, 2002 – “Police Suspect Foul Play”
The Mercury News, 12 June, 2002 – “S.F. Police Seek Woman, Son, Missing Since May”
San Mateo County Times, 13 June, 2002 – “San Francisco”
San Francisco Chronicle, 29 June, 2002 – “Foul Play Feared for Vanished Mother”
San Francisco Chronicle, 31 July, 2002 – “Remains May be S.F. Woman Who Vanished”
The Mercury News, 4 September, 2002 – “Missing S.F. Woman’s Torso Found in the Bay”
San Francisco Chronicle, 4 September, 2002 – “Torso in Bay is Identified”
The Modesto Bee, 3 March, 2003 – “Pregnancy Key in Missing Case?
The Mercury News, 20 April, 2003 – “Eerie Similarities in San Francisco”
San Francisco Chronicle, 21 April, 2003 – “Eerily Similar Case Languishes in Obscurity”
The O’Reilly Factor, 22 April, 2003 – “Unresolved Problems”
Philadelphia Daily News, 23 April, 2003 – “2 Missing, Pregnant Women”
Associated Press, 3 May, 2003 – “Not Forgotten”
San Francisco Chronicle, 3 May, 2003 – “Woman Whose Body Was Found in Bay Mourned”
The Modesto Bee, 20 June, 2003 – “Peterson’s Attorneys Denied Files”
