Michelle Maenza

Michelle Nikki Maenza was born on September 12, 1963. On November 26, 1973, she disappeared from her home in Rochester. Her body was found two days later in Macedon, 15 miles from Rochester. She is famous for being the 3rd victim of the Alphabet Killer.
Background
Michelle grew up in Rochester ever since she was three and had two older sisters named Bebe (age 14) & Tori (age 16). She had perfect attendance in school and attended Rochester St. Church. She would normally ride the bus to and from school but if she missed it, she had to walk. That's exactly what happened on November 26, 1973.
Disappearance
Michelle was last seen walking from school on November 26 after she missed her bus, #273. Police estimated that Michelle was two blocks from home when she was abducted. Her parents said that Michelle new very well never to go with strangers but new very little self-defense. About twelve hours after her disappearance a neighbor said she saw a little girl who looked alot like Michelle was getting to a grey car built in the year 1972. Police were puzzled but soon found out it wasn't Michelle when the neighbor said she saw the little girl again.
Death
Michelle's mother, Denise, posted a $14,000 reward to the public audience two hours before Michelle's body was found. She had been raped, strangled, and had a broken skull. Police believed that Michelle had been killed early that morning with a baseball bat and was strangled so she was sure to to be dead.
Her death was also the work of the same person who committed the Alphabet murders. Michelle had been the third and last victim to be raped and strangled.
Memorial Service
Michelle's memorial service was held at the Rochester St. Church on November 28 and she was buried at the Rochester Cemetary on November 29.
Michelle's sisters decorated her grave with roses, daises, sunflowers, and coated with white petals. Also a line on her tombstone said: "To our sweet angel... RIP."
Aftermath
A whole year after the tragic incident, Michelle's mother wrote a tell-on novel called Choices We Make: The 3rd Alphabet Murder that told of Michelle's life and her gruesome death. Another year after that, Bebe founded a club a club called "National Children's Association For The Missing", and two months later it became international with over 3,000 members. Tori and Michelle's father, Joan, raised money for "Missing Children Inc." by running a marathon and raised $1.7 million after 10 months.

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