01-23-2012, 09:43 AM
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120...AMPSHIRE02
Two people who saw Celina Cass at her West Stewartstown apartment the night before she was reported missing — and may have been among the last to see her alive — said they have been told by the authorities not to speak with the media.
Cassandra Hunt and Jason Atwood visited Celina's stepfather, Wendell Noyes, on the porch at 863 Washington St. while Celina played on the computer and watched television inside in the nearby living room on the evening of July 25, 2011. A massive search was launched the following day.
Celina, 11, a girl who loved yoga and catch-and-release fishing, was found murdered a week later. Her body was found not far from home, wrapped in a blanket in the Connecticut River.
When reached by phone, Hunt, a self-employed massage therapist, and Atwood, who live together in West Stewartstown, confirmed they had visited the Noyes apartment, but didn't say what time and refused to say anything about that summer night.
But on a Facebook wall attributed to Hunt, Celina is mentioned several times, as is a discussion with detectives.
On Jan. 5, a posting says: “I have a lot on my mind but I highly doubt all of it is warm and fuzzy after another day of talking to Detectives...... Makes me miss her soooo damn much!”
On Oct. 5, 2011, a posting says: “I just wish I could have done more for Celina. I still have a hard time with the fact that I saw her and talked to her the night she went “missing”. I just miss her soooo much.”
And on July 27, 2011, during the search for Celina, a posting says: “Sitting here acrossed (sic) the street, feeling helpless, and questioning everything from the day before is un-nerving. I can only pray to God that he protects Celina in her time of need and watches over the family. Please Dear Heavenly Father bring her home safe and sound. Please help find Celina Cass.”
Atwood, who called the New Hampshire Sunday News to make sure it was clear they did not want to be interviewed, said: “We are devoted and have been spoken to and ordered not to speak to (the) media. It's a devastating loss to the North Country, and I'm sorry she's gone.”
Celina's mother, Louisia Noyes, has said she went to bed at 9 that night. Wendell's mother who often slept over, had already gone to bed.
Kevin Mullaney, 23, a friend of the family who also lived at the apartment and was recently jailed on unrelated charges, has said no one was awake when he returned home at midnight and went to bed.
Celina's sister, Kayla, 14, with whom she shared a finished bedroom in the basement, was staying at a friend's house.
Authorities have refused to say how Celina died, except to say it was a homicide. No one has been charged in connection with the death.
The Coos County Superior Court clerk's office said a grand jury was still sitting Friday at 4 p.m. when the court closed for the day.
Noyes said she was upset Thursday to hear from a customer of the consignment shop where she worked that a grand jury in Lancaster was involved in the investigation.
Besides issuing indictments, grand juries can also investigate difficult cases.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young wouldn't say whether a grand jury has been empaneled or whether one met, citing professional conduct rules. She would not say where she was working Friday.
“I worked today,” Young said when asked if she worked in Lancaster.
Young said her office continues to “have a dialogue with” Noyes. “Because this investigation is ongoing, we cannot provide a lot of details.”
Noyes has moved to Lemington, Vt. She broke up with Wendell Noyes shortly after Celina's death. Mr. Noyes could not be reached for comment. Early on in the investigation, police seized his pickup truck.
Kevin Mullaney moved to Vermont with Louisia Noyes and Kayla, but moved out two weeks after a dispute over rent.
His father, Mark Mullaney, an unemployed cook and electrical worker, and Noyes have rekindled a previous relationship.
Kevin Mullaney, who declined an interview request, is being held in Coos County Jail in West Stewartstown on $31,000 cash bail. He is accused of forging Noyes' name on a check, possession of stolen property, breach of bail and felon in possession of a firearm. The Colebrook Chronicle reported he was convicted of stealing six vehicles in 2007.
State police told the New Hampshire Union Leader that Kevin was arrested in Franconia on Dec. 22, accused of misuse of license plates and drug possession.
Noyes, who has faced financial difficulties even while working, has just been laid off from the Lads and Ladybugs consignment shop in Colebrook.
“What does a trapped rat do?” Noyes asked when reached by phone, her voice full of emotion.
Jeannine Brady, the shop's owner, said she felt sad about having to lay off Noyes.
“The store is having a slump at the moment,” said Brady, who is also Noyes' friend.
She said the business is downsizing to a new location near the IGA in February.
As more time passes, Brady said, townspeople worry someone will get away with Celina's murder.
“I think there is a group of people who feel maybe it will never be solved,” Brady said.
Noyes said she has been sick for two weeks. Still, she had to fill out the paperwork to see whether she is eligible for unemployment benefits.
“Right now, I can't deal with the public. I don't want to deal with the public,” Noyes said.
And she fears she will never have closure.
“Someone stole my daughter,” Noyes said.
“I just want justice for my daughter. Please, that's all I want.”
Two people who saw Celina Cass at her West Stewartstown apartment the night before she was reported missing — and may have been among the last to see her alive — said they have been told by the authorities not to speak with the media.
Cassandra Hunt and Jason Atwood visited Celina's stepfather, Wendell Noyes, on the porch at 863 Washington St. while Celina played on the computer and watched television inside in the nearby living room on the evening of July 25, 2011. A massive search was launched the following day.
Celina, 11, a girl who loved yoga and catch-and-release fishing, was found murdered a week later. Her body was found not far from home, wrapped in a blanket in the Connecticut River.
When reached by phone, Hunt, a self-employed massage therapist, and Atwood, who live together in West Stewartstown, confirmed they had visited the Noyes apartment, but didn't say what time and refused to say anything about that summer night.
But on a Facebook wall attributed to Hunt, Celina is mentioned several times, as is a discussion with detectives.
On Jan. 5, a posting says: “I have a lot on my mind but I highly doubt all of it is warm and fuzzy after another day of talking to Detectives...... Makes me miss her soooo damn much!”
On Oct. 5, 2011, a posting says: “I just wish I could have done more for Celina. I still have a hard time with the fact that I saw her and talked to her the night she went “missing”. I just miss her soooo much.”
And on July 27, 2011, during the search for Celina, a posting says: “Sitting here acrossed (sic) the street, feeling helpless, and questioning everything from the day before is un-nerving. I can only pray to God that he protects Celina in her time of need and watches over the family. Please Dear Heavenly Father bring her home safe and sound. Please help find Celina Cass.”
Atwood, who called the New Hampshire Sunday News to make sure it was clear they did not want to be interviewed, said: “We are devoted and have been spoken to and ordered not to speak to (the) media. It's a devastating loss to the North Country, and I'm sorry she's gone.”
Celina's mother, Louisia Noyes, has said she went to bed at 9 that night. Wendell's mother who often slept over, had already gone to bed.
Kevin Mullaney, 23, a friend of the family who also lived at the apartment and was recently jailed on unrelated charges, has said no one was awake when he returned home at midnight and went to bed.
Celina's sister, Kayla, 14, with whom she shared a finished bedroom in the basement, was staying at a friend's house.
Authorities have refused to say how Celina died, except to say it was a homicide. No one has been charged in connection with the death.
The Coos County Superior Court clerk's office said a grand jury was still sitting Friday at 4 p.m. when the court closed for the day.
Noyes said she was upset Thursday to hear from a customer of the consignment shop where she worked that a grand jury in Lancaster was involved in the investigation.
Besides issuing indictments, grand juries can also investigate difficult cases.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young wouldn't say whether a grand jury has been empaneled or whether one met, citing professional conduct rules. She would not say where she was working Friday.
“I worked today,” Young said when asked if she worked in Lancaster.
Young said her office continues to “have a dialogue with” Noyes. “Because this investigation is ongoing, we cannot provide a lot of details.”
Noyes has moved to Lemington, Vt. She broke up with Wendell Noyes shortly after Celina's death. Mr. Noyes could not be reached for comment. Early on in the investigation, police seized his pickup truck.
Kevin Mullaney moved to Vermont with Louisia Noyes and Kayla, but moved out two weeks after a dispute over rent.
His father, Mark Mullaney, an unemployed cook and electrical worker, and Noyes have rekindled a previous relationship.
Kevin Mullaney, who declined an interview request, is being held in Coos County Jail in West Stewartstown on $31,000 cash bail. He is accused of forging Noyes' name on a check, possession of stolen property, breach of bail and felon in possession of a firearm. The Colebrook Chronicle reported he was convicted of stealing six vehicles in 2007.
State police told the New Hampshire Union Leader that Kevin was arrested in Franconia on Dec. 22, accused of misuse of license plates and drug possession.
Noyes, who has faced financial difficulties even while working, has just been laid off from the Lads and Ladybugs consignment shop in Colebrook.
“What does a trapped rat do?” Noyes asked when reached by phone, her voice full of emotion.
Jeannine Brady, the shop's owner, said she felt sad about having to lay off Noyes.
“The store is having a slump at the moment,” said Brady, who is also Noyes' friend.
She said the business is downsizing to a new location near the IGA in February.
As more time passes, Brady said, townspeople worry someone will get away with Celina's murder.
“I think there is a group of people who feel maybe it will never be solved,” Brady said.
Noyes said she has been sick for two weeks. Still, she had to fill out the paperwork to see whether she is eligible for unemployment benefits.
“Right now, I can't deal with the public. I don't want to deal with the public,” Noyes said.
And she fears she will never have closure.
“Someone stole my daughter,” Noyes said.
“I just want justice for my daughter. Please, that's all I want.”