Tarot Spread: Michelle Jolene Lakey

Jolene visited her mother at Mercy Hospital in their hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1986. She was last seen walking on north Washington Avenue towards her home, which was in the 1300 block of that street. She was planning on spending the night at a female friend's house on Myrtle Street.

Jolene may have entered an unidentified light yellow car approximately one block from her family's residence. She has never been seen again. Authorities believe she was abducted by a non-family member.

Frank Osellanie is considered a possible suspect in Jolene's case. He was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering a nine-year-old Scranton girl in 1990 and has been in prison ever since. He is considered a person of interest in several other cases, including the 1978 disappearance of Joanne Williams.

Osellanie admitted to knowing Jolene and said she sometimes visited his auto shop and he gave her rides home. He maintains his innocence in her disappearance, however, and investigators are not sure whether he was involved.

Jolene's parents are divorced; she had not seen her father for three years prior to her disappearance and he was not notified of her abduction for seven months afterwards. Her mother moved away from Scranton shortly after her disappearance and now lives in Oxford, New York. Her case remains unsolved.

This seems to be a case of grabbing a child off from the streets; a crime of opportunity. I am not certain as to whether the suspect involved was responsible, but I shall keep an open mind.

1)                  Nine of Pentacles. Gain, reward for your efforts, success in projects and business deals, realizing your goals, a kept man or woman.

This card signifies the Querent’s present – in this case when Michelle was last seen. I wonder what ‘project’ refers to. The card shows a woman surrounded by tall bushes. Maybe Jolene is surrounded by bushes or there were bushes close to where she was abducted.

 

2)                  Two of Wands, reversed. Self-doubt, loss of control, scattered energy, abuse of power, being dominated, disrupted plans and interruptions. Business partners and office workers, travel agents, hoarders and collectors, silent partners.

Might Michelle have been taken by someone she knew? Or at the very least someone she trusted. She might have had doubts about this person or persons’ plans soon after entering their house or vehicle. The idea of disrupted plans appears to me to link to her disappearance.

The card shows a man standing behind a wall as he looks out onto other buildings and onto water. Could Michelle be behind tall walls, or perhaps be close to a large body of water? Lake Wallenpaupack is the nearest large body of water that I can think of. Might she be there?

 

3)                  Fool, reversed. Folly, chaos, lack of direction, poor judgement, being gullible, blocks, restrictions.

I think that Michelle must have been tricked somehow, whether or not she knew her abductor.

 

4)                  Justice, reversed. Miscarriage of justice, imbalance and unfair treatment, being discredited, not being able to speak your truth, making or receiving the wrong decision, jail.

The fact that Justice happens to be reversed makes me think that Michelle may never receive justice, which is a horrible thought, especially when it concerns a child. However, the jail and unfair treatment might imply that she was held for a time after her abduction. I still cannot work out if she will receive actual justice, however. It is rather interesting that Justice represents the number 11, the age Michelle was when she went missing.

 

5)                  Five of Swords. Defeatism, arguments, negativity, troubles, disturbances, feeling broken, spite and malice, selfishness, revenge.

The fifth card symbolises the best that the Querent – Michelle – can hope to achieve. If so, then this is a very unhappy card and therefore she was in an unhappy situation. Or perhaps these were feelings that Michelle herself had, either before or during her ordeal. Were there problems at home? Child predators can easily spot a child who is in need of love. This happens far too often, I am sad to say.

 

6)                  Seven of Swords, reversed. Being caught out, being ashamed of your actions, blaming others, making excuses, walking away at a crucial point, uncovering a sham. Private investigators, researchers, festival staff, fairground or attraction workers, thieves, burglars.

This card shows a man walking away from a group of tents. Might this mean that Michelle was taken out of Scranton? I wonder if her abductor will be caught, if he has not been arrested already for another crime.

I think again of the suspect. I CANNOT say for certain that he is involved, but this is something to take into account when looking for Michelle.

 

7)                  Magician, reversed. Deceit, con artist, liar, communication blocks, abuse of power, ill intentions, manipulation. Electricians, communications workers, the self-employed or technologically minded.

This card links to Michelle’s environment. I believe that this card signifies the person who took her, especially if she currently shares his environment. He may have known her and abused that trust to get Michelle to come with him.

 

8)                  Queen of Pentacles, reversed. Narrow-minded, selfish, immoral, insecure, obsessive, neurotic, a gold-digger. Teacher, cook, interior designer, career woman, manager, works with animals.

This card symbolises Michelle’s hopes and fears. There might have been a female involved in her abduction. This woman likely has dark hair and eyes and may be over forty.

I see an animal-themed park close to Lake Wallenpaupack. I wonder if this could be a clue as to where Michelle is now.

 

9)                  Lovers, reversed. A broken love affair or relationship, infidelity, business falling apart.

The ninth card connects to the Querent’s hopes and fears. Perhaps Michelle is afraid of love or trusting the wrong person. I would not be surprised, especially if she already knew her kidnapper. Or maybe if a business fell apart then somehow Michelle would be found. Could evidence be buried underneath a business’ foundations?

 

10)               Ten of Cups. Fulfilment, perfect harmony, satisfaction, a happy family unit, your dream becoming reality, a growing family, a happy communal living. Landscape gardeners, festival organizers, youth workers, churchgoers, charity workers, community workers, volunteers.

This is a very pleasant card to end a reading on, despite the circumstances, as the Ten of Cups is always a joyful card. I believe that whatever the outcome, Michelle’s loved ones will receive closure and, if Michelle was alive as of the reading, she will be found alive. The card shows a house on a hill with two adults and two children underneath a rainbow. This links back to my theory that she is not in Scranton, but in the countryside.

Tarot Spread: Lauren Maria Pico Jackson

This little girl has been missing for over thirty years and yet there seems to be very little about her online.

The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

Lauren was last seen digging in the dirt with other children near her mother's apartment complex in Spring City, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1988. When her mother, Christina O'Donnell, went to check on her later, she was gone. One of Lauren's playmates said he saw her walking towards her home; she was about 100 feet away from her front door at the time. She has never been heard from again. An extensive search of the area turned up no clues as to her whereabouts.

O'Donnell and the child's father, Michael "Mickey" Jackson, shared custody of her at the time of her disappearance and he lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had planned to seek full custody of Lauren because he was concerned about the living conditions in her mother's home. Michael described O'Donnell's neighborhood as a haven for drug activity. O'Donnell herself was arrested on drug charges prior to Lauren's disappearance, and she later admitted she had a substance abuse problem.

Tracker dogs traced Lauren's scent away from her mother's apartment, along Park Road to Route 724 and along there to the Vincent Motel, nearly a mile from the apartment complex, before the dogs lost the trail. Due to the lack of evidence in Lauren's case, investigators believe she was most likely abducted. Her case remains unsolved.

I have a personal suspect in mind, although where exactly he was and when seems to be a bit spotty.

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/vicap/homicides-and-sexual-assaults/richard-william-davis

Richard William Davis murdered Siobhan McGuinness in 1974. He was only connected to the crime in 2020, six years after he died. He had links to Pennsylvania, but no matter how far I have searched, I cannot work out where. However, he is not the only child murderer with links to Pennsylvania. Lauren might very well have been taken by someone else and could still be alive. We must never give up hope.

1.       The Moon, reversed. Secrets being revealed, deceptions are seen, insomnia and unusual sleeping patterns. Irrational thoughts and behaviours.

Was Lauren or her mother suffering from insomnia when she went missing? The Moon also links to the number 18 and the element of water. Could there be a link to the Schuylkill River?

 

2.       Knight of Swords. Active, energetic, sudden changes. A soldier, lawyer, negotiator, surgeon, hairdresser or graduate.

This card symbolises Lauren’s obstacles. She was taken from her home suddenly, that is for certain, but perhaps this card might describe her kidnapper. He was most likely over the age of forty, or someone who could be considered a stern leader. He may have been the head of his family or household, if he had one. His hair may be black or dyed. Kings and Queens also tend to mean people who are married.

 

3.       Queen of Wands. A mother, flirty, dynamic, creative, open-minded or a femme fatale. A businesswoman, counsellor, manager, performer or executive.

A woman might have been involved in Lauren’s disappearance. She could be an energetic and lively woman, or perhaps a tough businesswoman. But whoever she was, this does not sound at all like Lauren’s mother. A cat is featured on the card at the feet of the Queen, with more cats decorated on her throne. Maybe cats are a bit part of this woman’s life, or maybe she is named Cat or Catherine. Something important is that this card represents the best that the Querent – in this case Lauren – can arrive at.

 

4.       King of Cups, reversed. Petty, spiteful, lacking in commitment, a weak man or philanderer, betrayal, laziness and sometimes violent. A negotiator, veterinarian, doctor, judge or bar owner.

The idea of a veterinarian makes me think again about the possible connection to cats. This card shows a large body of water, but as Lauren was last seen in Pennsylvania, I wonder what this might mean. Perhaps she was taken east or even north to the Great Lakes. The search dogs followed her scent to a motel north of her apartment complex. Her abductor could have been going to, or even lived, close to the Great Lakes. This man might be violent at home, but appear kind to the outside world.

 

5.       Five of Pentacles. Material loss, worries, setbacks, desolation, feeling isolated, losing your home, financial hardship.

The fifth card represents what the Querent is moving through. Lauren was definitely taken from her home and would have been worried and perhaps even physically isolated. The card depicts two figures walking by a church, oblivious to the fact that warmth and even happiness might be inside. Lauren could have believed that there was no hope for her. This is quite an upsetting card, as the meaning that this particular card illustrates means that I am unsure if this even means if she is dead or alive.

 

6.       Six of Wands, reversed. Self-doubts, loss of confidence, delayed success, being ostracized.

This card signifies the Querent’s future. Lauren may at present – whether she is dead or alive – have no confidence in herself. The delayed success could refer to the investigation; perhaps there has been a significant clue but it was not followed up on for one reason or another.

 

7.       Three of Wands, reversed. Loss of direction, lack of ambition, difficulties in business, disarray at work, disorganization.

This card represents Lauren herself. She may feel lost – both physically and emotionally – and this may be the reason why this reading appears to be muddled. This card shows a figure overlooking a stretch of water large enough for boats to sail in. She could be close to some docks, a beach or, as I have suggested, by the Great Lakes.

 

8.       Knight of Wands. Travel, movement, change of residence, courage, clever, witty, charming. A tour guide, soldier, sportsman, illusionist or electrician.

Now we go onto Lauren’s environment. The idea of travel makes me think again of ships and oceans, but it could just as easily be an airport or a major highway. The Knight of Wands rules the Six of Wands, causing me to think that this card somehow connects to Lauren’s personality. Did she want to travel? Was she a charming sort of child?

 

9.       Two of Pentacles, reversed. An imbalance between work and home, resisting change, discord, a turn for the worse, incomplete projects, buckling under pressure.

As this card symbolises Lauren’s hopes and fears, I think that she hopes that her abductor – if he is still alive – will buckle under the pressure if he is accused. Resisting change could refer to the situation she is in if she happens to have passed on. This card can also refer to accountants, shift workers, people with multiple jobs, buyers and sellers or market traders. Yet again I see ships on the water behind the figure and I really do think that Lauren is close to a large body of water.

 

10.   Eight of Wands, reversed. Delays in communication, disruption to plans, stalling or moving slowly, descending into chaos, targets missed.

This card represents the outcome. There shall be some delays and disruptions, which makes me wonder if they will catch Lauren’s kidnapper – again, if he is still alive – but there shall be some delays in finding her or prosecuting him. Perhaps he is dead and the complications therefore refer to finding Lauren.