Facts About Mickey Shunick’s Disappearance
NOTE: These original pages of the Find Mickey Now website have been saved as links in the resources section for those who are missing a loved one and may need guidance in starting their own search effort.
Update August 9, 2012: Investigators have identified the body discovered in Evangeline Parish as that of Michaela “Mickey” Shunick. There will be no further comment on the Shunick investigation at this time.
View an updated timeline of events in Mickey’s disappearance here.
There is a $25,000 Reward for any information leading to the whereabouts of Mickey Shunick, no questions asked. The reward is capped at this amount.
LAFAYETTE, LA: 22 year old Mickey Shunick was last seen at about 2:00 am (May 19) riding a black and gold Schwinn Cutter bicycle with glittery gold handlebars from a friend’s home in the Saint Streets area of Lafayette. She was riding back home to the area near Ambassador and Congress, but never made it home and hasn’t been seen since.
She is 5’1″ tall, weighing about 115 pounds, has shoulder length curly blonde hair and blue eyes. She has a small tattoo of a bicycle on her right outer ankle and a nose ring on her left nostril.
She was last seen wearing a pastel multicolored striped shirt, light wash denim skinny jeans, and silver ankle boots. She was also carrying a light brown leather backpack, a black and yellow Vera Bradley wallet, a black Verizon slider phone and a small pink container of pepper spray.
If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the Lafayette Police at 337-291-8633 or contact Private Investigator John Abdella at 337-235-0270. You can also email findmickeyshunick@yahoo.com.
Update August 9, 2012: Investigators have identified the body discovered in Evangeline Parish as that of Michaela “Mickey” Shunick. There will be no further comment on the Shunick investigation at this time.
Update 8/7/2012: On the morning of August 7, 2012, investigators involved in the Mickey Shunick case received credible information as to the location of Mickey Shunick’s body. Investigators were directed to a section of property off of Louisiana Highway 10, near its intersection with Louisiana Highway 13, in Evangeline Parish. Upon going to the site, they discovered an area where a buried body was located. Working with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Lafayette Metro crime scene technicians began processing the scene with forensic experts from LSU.
At approximately 8:30 pm, the body was removed from the scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office and transported back to Lafayette Parish. Although investigators strongly believe that the body is that of Mickey Shunick, it may take 3 days for the identification process to be completed. The investigation remains ongoing.
Update 7/27/2012: Lavergne has entered a plea of “not guilty” in the first-degree murder cases of Mickey Shunick and Lisa Pate. Mickey Shunick has still not been found.
Update 7/18/2012: A grand jury has indicted Brandon Scott Lavergne on two counts of first degree murder. Mickey Shunick has still not been found.
Update 7/6/2012: An arrest has been made. Please read the Lafayette Police Department’s statement regarding the arrest here.
Update 6/1/12: Beginning at 7:00 pm this evening, an answering machine will record all tips regarding the Mickey Shunick case for those persons who call 337-291-8633. The number of tips received by the Lafayette Police Department has decreased and it is no longer feasible to answer the tips line 24 hours a day. The tips line will be answered Monday through Friday during normal business hours by detectives. During weekends and after hours, the messages on the tips line will be checked periodically by an investigator.
Update 5/31/12: On Wednesday investigators returned to the area were the bicycle was located and re-examined the area with sonar. Images recorded on the sonar equipment were reviewed and sparked the operator’s interest. Divers from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office were called in to conduct the search beneath the water, but nothing of evidence value was located. The investigation remains ongoing.
Update 5/30/12: Lafayette Police have identified the operators and occupants of both the older model 4-door car and the white 4-door pickup truck with the bed cover, which were captured on surveillance video. Investigators have ruled out any involvement by these individuals and they offered no additional clues for the investigation. Investigators continue to seek information on the newer model white Z-71 pickup truck. The investigation remains ongoing.
Update 5/28/2012: As of noon, Lafayette Police have discontinued the search of the area surrounding where Mickey Shunick’s bike was found. Investigators were unable to locate any other significant evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.
Update 5/27/2012: Lafayette Police are confirming that Mickey Shunick’s bike has been found beneath the Whiskey Bay I-10 Bridge at Exit #127. Some local fisherman located the bike and notified police through the tips line. The entire area and the river are being searched for clues and evidence. Police are asking the public to remain out of the area so that law enforcement officials can search. The case remains under investigation.
Update 5/26/12: Detectives have provided an updated picture of the initial vehicle of interest and the pictures of two additional vehicles that were in the area during the same time frame when Mickey Shunick was last captured on surveillance footage. (Two vehicles have been found. See update from 5/30/12 above). The first truck (Picture1) drove from the area that Mickey had traveled. It is evident from the new photo that the vehicle has a bed cover and tinted windows. The second truck is a white 4 door Chevrolet Z71 that traveled in the same direction of Mickey on St. Landry Street. The third vehicle (Pictures 3 &4) is an 80’s or 90’s 4-door vehicle with body work on the rear right quarter panel. Detectives are interested in locating the vehicles and speaking with the occupants to obtain further information on the case. Anyone with information about the case of the pickup truck is encouraged to call the tips line at 337-291-8633 or Crime Stoppers at 337-232-TIPS.
Update 5/25/2012: Detectives were able to identify a bicyclist believed to be Mickey Shunick travelling on Versailles Blvd and Saint Landry Street. At approximately 1:47AM the bicyclist is captured on Versallies Blvd travelling towards St. John Street. She then travelled on St. John Street and crossed over University Avenue, continuing west on St. Landry Street where she was captured on video at approximately 1:48PM. Investigators are seeking information regarding a white newer model four door pickup truck, (see update from 5/30/12 above) which was captured on video after Mickey Shunick travelled on both streets. Anyone with information about the case of the pickup truck is encouraged to call the tips line at 337-291-8633 or Crime Stoppers at 337-232-TIPS.
View surveillance photos