Loss of Two Young Wrestlers

As an explanation on why I have been inactive lately, I will report on the matter that has completely consumed my attention.

There is a small community named Leroy which is close to Clinton, Illinois, where my six grandchildren live. I have many friends there.

On March 8, two young boys, Duncan Connolly age 9 and Jack Connolly 7, were not returned to their mother who had custody of them after a visit with their father Michael Connolly age 40.

Amy Leichtenberg, the boys mother, had an ominous feeling prior, and sought to prevent the unsupervised, yet mandatory visit.

Michael had made references to planning to harm the boys and commit suicide to punish her for not taking him back after their divorce, in an effort to manipulate her.

Although she sought the assistance of an attorney she was advised that if the visit was not allowed she would be picked up and jailed.

With no alternative left, Amy waited anxiously all day Sunday for her sons to be returned to her.

When Michael and the boys did not return by Sunday evening, Amy reported the situation to the Leroy police. The next day, March 9, an Amber Alert was issued and a warrant issued for Michael Connolly for felony kidnapping.

Since both the Connolly brothers were athletic and active in a Youth Wrestling club, as was my oldest grandson from the age of five, and will soon be the case for his "almost" five year old brother, I can readily identify with these two adorable boys and the joy they had for competing in the sport.

This form of domestic terrorism has occupied my mind an prayers from the night of March 8 when a plea went out to be on the look out for the boys, father and his 1991 Dodge Dynasty until I learned of the boys eventual discovery this past Sunday.

Since my husband and son had been on the road almost continuously during this time period I had foolishly hoped that they might see something leading to the boys detection, but of course that didn't happen.

Many TV and radio stations carried the news: pleas from Amy, her friends and Michael's family and friends for him to return with the boys went unheeded.

Amy continued to grieve and have ominous thoughts of what Michael was capable of doing.

A task force had been formed and many areas of Illinois were being searched to find Michail, the boys and the car.

All efforts turned out to be of no avail.

America's Most Wanted advised its viewers of the information in an attempt to locate the children with their viewers' assistance on March 21.

Again, no luck.

Sunday March 29, the car was finally spotted on a rural road in Illinois' smallest county of Putnam, on Taylor Road off of Route 29.

On a desolate area near a small abandoned Cemetery which dated back to the 1800's, the bodies of both boys were found dead in the backseat of their father's car.

Michael Connolly was found 60 yards away with a rope around his neck.

Amy Leichtenberg stated, "My heart is broken. There are no words that can express the pain."

Amy further stated that she never wants to learn in what manner her young sons were killed.

Two young athletes with hopes and dreams of following a career of wrestling throughout all their school years will never be able to fulfill their dreams or potential. 

What does all this say about their father?

Did he hate their mother more than he loved his own sons?

What price can be put on the lives of two youngsters who so enjoyed sports and their lives?

Can anyone of you readers blame me that I need to grieve for them as if they were my own?