2008 Woodie Awards
Bard student vanishes boarding Metro North
Courtney Kretz
Issue date: 3/4/04 Section: News
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Little light has been shed on the case of Melissa Kennedy, the 21-year-old woman missing from the area since Friday, Feb. 20.
Kennedy was reportedly supposed to board the 8:33 p.m. train from the Poughkeepsie train station, heading to Grand Central station in New York City, Friday night. She was on her way home to Brooklyn and has not been seen or heard from since she was dropped off at the station.
Police have ruled out the possibility that Kennedy may have been a runaway, and are operating under the assumption that this is a true missing persons case.
Detective Lt. William Siegrist of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, who is heading the case, was unavailable for comment.
The dispatcher at the police station could only give a brief statement on the situation.
"All I can tell you is that she is still missing," the dispatcher said.
However, a sighting of Kennedy was reported Wednesday, Feb. 25. A caller reported seeing the Bard College student near the Vanderbuilt Mansion on Route 9 that morning. The area was thoroughly searched, but to no avail.
Posters have been placed at train stations along the Hudson River, in the City, and even throughout the dorms and academic buildings of the Marist campus. The flyers have been posted in hopes that someone can provide information regarding the case.
The situation has sent a chill throughout the campus. Many students have become fearful of traveling by train, or by themselves.
Katherine Poirier, sophomore, said she is now fearful of traveling alone.
"I took the train that same day, by myself," said Poirier. "I never really thought that I could be in any danger. Next time I will think twice about taking the train by myself."
With the recent news that a female was sexually assaulted at the Poughkeepsie train station this past Monday, Mar. 1, even male students, including senior Jake Morrison, are questioning the safety of the area.
"I feel that the Poughkeepsie train station is a very unsafe place," said Morrison. "Even I, being a guy, don't feel safe at night there by myself. I think it is poorly lit, poorly patrolled, and in an unsafe neighborhood."
Kennedy was reportedly supposed to board the 8:33 p.m. train from the Poughkeepsie train station, heading to Grand Central station in New York City, Friday night. She was on her way home to Brooklyn and has not been seen or heard from since she was dropped off at the station.
Police have ruled out the possibility that Kennedy may have been a runaway, and are operating under the assumption that this is a true missing persons case.
Detective Lt. William Siegrist of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, who is heading the case, was unavailable for comment.
The dispatcher at the police station could only give a brief statement on the situation.
"All I can tell you is that she is still missing," the dispatcher said.
However, a sighting of Kennedy was reported Wednesday, Feb. 25. A caller reported seeing the Bard College student near the Vanderbuilt Mansion on Route 9 that morning. The area was thoroughly searched, but to no avail.
Posters have been placed at train stations along the Hudson River, in the City, and even throughout the dorms and academic buildings of the Marist campus. The flyers have been posted in hopes that someone can provide information regarding the case.
The situation has sent a chill throughout the campus. Many students have become fearful of traveling by train, or by themselves.
Katherine Poirier, sophomore, said she is now fearful of traveling alone.
"I took the train that same day, by myself," said Poirier. "I never really thought that I could be in any danger. Next time I will think twice about taking the train by myself."
With the recent news that a female was sexually assaulted at the Poughkeepsie train station this past Monday, Mar. 1, even male students, including senior Jake Morrison, are questioning the safety of the area.
"I feel that the Poughkeepsie train station is a very unsafe place," said Morrison. "Even I, being a guy, don't feel safe at night there by myself. I think it is poorly lit, poorly patrolled, and in an unsafe neighborhood."