Police again looking at Lankey case

WHITE CLOUD, Mich. (WOOD) - Family members tell 24 Hour News 8 investigators are re-looking into the Amanda Lankey case.

The White Cloud native was 13 when she disappeared in June 2004. She was in town from Florida, visiting relatives. She was last seen alive at a friend's house. Her battered and murdered body was found two weeks later in the Manistee National Forest.

Family says detectives called Amanda's mother in Florida to let her know about a man they arrested in a completely different case, but a man who was there the night Amanda went missing.

Because of the circumstances, family says, Amanda's mom was told State police were back on the case.

24 Hour News 8 stopped by the State police post in Newaygo. Officials say they would not confirm any information but said to expect more information soon.

An Amber Alert was never issued and investigators have had few leads. There was blood found in a potential suspect's car, which that person altered and then ditched. And Amanda's computer chats that night said "if you are still on talk to me, it's important." She was talking with the screen name skitzo killa.

Family and friends have collected signatures for a "Justice for Amanda" petition, hoping it would encourage the prosecutor to take the case to a grand jury, forcing someone to talk for the first time.

The White Cloud Fraternal Order of Eagles 4170 posted a $5,000 reward for information about the case. It was matched by a California organization.

You can call Silent Observer at (231) 652-1121 if you can help investigators.