By David Lohr

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(Continued)

Her granddaughter's hysterics baffled Shirley, and she ran into the room to see what all the commotion was about.  When she looked inside the box, she too was horrified.  Inside was valentine candy and a black garbage bag with Chevy's bloodied head inside.  Someone, as unthinkable as it may be, had decapitated the girl's pet, and then took the time to gift-wrap it and deliver it to the home she shared with her mother and grandmother.  The family was left to two questions.  Who and why?

The St. Paul Police Department was called in to investigate the crime, but, according to Shirley, the officers who responded were unconcerned about the incident and disrespectful to her and her granddaughter.  She said they refused to collect the evidence, and told her to throw everything away.

"And to sit and laugh and the dog's head is right in front of you at your feet ... give me a break," Shirley said in an interview with WCCO, adding, "I reported them the next day."

A spokesperson for the St. Paul Police Department will not comment on Shirley's allegations because the department is conducting an internal investigation.  While that aspect of the investigation is being kept under wraps for now, St. Paul Police Sgt. Jim Gray has confirmed that he has assigned homicide investigators to look into the dog's death because the department feels it is an "implied" threat.  Gray also confirmed that that Chevy's body has been recovered in a nearby park.

Police say they have no suspects; however, Shirley thinks that a former friend of Crystal's might be responsible.  Prior to Chevy's disappearence, Crystal had a falling out with one of her friends.  On at least two occassions, Crystal was locked in the person's house, and not allowed to leave until Crystal's grandmother had intervened.  Shirley handled both incidents on her own, and did not involve the authorities.  Now she wonders whether that person could have had something to do with Chevy's death.  Police refuse to comment on whether that individual is considered a suspect in the investigation.

Last week, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.  Within hours, that reward skyrocketed to $10,000.  According to Jill Fritz, the Humane Society's state program coordinator, donations have been pouring in from people who have heard about Crystal and Chevy.

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Contact  David Lohr at           crimewriter74@hughes.net

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