MARIE STEWART (COFFIN)
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It was Sunday morning in Vancouver. The date was April 02, 2006 and I was about to set out on a journey that would eventually encompass more than a year of hard work, dedication and desire. Was I up to the task? Indeed, had I known then what was to become painfully obvious medical wise a few months down the road, probably I was not.

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This was the day that I would officially commence my investigation and the writing of the Wilbert Coffin affair. Not knowing any of the parties involved, and as well, very little about the case in general, the task was uphill from the beginning. Earlier in that week I realized that I needed a starting point. I placed a call to the city hall in Gaspe' and explained what my plans were. My question was, could they point me in the direction of someone who may be able to speak with me. I was given the name of a resident of the area. This person was a sister to Wilbert Coffin. The name of this person was Marie Stewart (Coffin).

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Upon placing a call to Marie, I very quickly realized this person on the other end of the telephone line was a very special person. She offered great words of support, but in no way did she make any attempt to influence my plans and ideas. Marie made it very clear, I was welcome to contact her at any time for information. Without doubt, during the next year I would learn volumes about Marie.

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Marie exhibits those qualities and characteristics that are consistent with a warm and caring individual, dwelling upon the strong points, rather than directing cricitism to the weaker areas. In many instances I have heard Marie expressing concern for someone experiencing tough times. Never though, have I ever heard Marie lamenting on her own personal trials and tribulations of life. I have decided to dedicate this posting entirely to Marie Stewart (Coffin) today. There is a special reason for deciding to do this.

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In 1993 Marie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Marie was hospitalized and underwent surgery. Being the strong person that she is, Marie never complained about her situation. She was determined to beat the cancer. Marie carried on with her daily affairs, driven by her desire to clear her brother's name. The cancer was by now, many years in the past.

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A few short weeks ago, Marie received some disturbing news. After an absence of fourteen years, the cancer had returned. Marie explained to me on the telephone that she had beaten it once, and she would beat it again.

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As I put the final touches on this report for publication, Marie is undergoing surgery in Gaspe' today for the latest battle with the cancer. I spoke with her yesterday, and again, she was not dwelling on the problem, she was continuing with original plans for the month of July.

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Marie had been planning a fundraising walkathon around the river area in Gaspe' to raise funds for her brother's case. This walk was, and still is slated for July 14, 2007. Marie explained to me that this cancer surgery of today is not going to hinder her plans for her walk. She plans to be out there walking herself, and she extends the invitation to any others who might like to hook up with some sponsors and join her. This is truly determination at it's finest.

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Throughout the past year, Marie has hand picked hundreds and hundreds of pounds of wild berries to sell in her fundraisers. She has hand knitted and raffled a beautiful blanket, and as well, I must not forget to mention the dozens and dozens of loaf cakes, and enough cookies to feed an army. Without doubt, Marie is a shining example of what happens when a positive mind is set into motion on a course driven by determination and a desire for success.

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I ask that you take a moment and think about Marie today. You are most welcome to leave Marie a message on the comment board. Marie reads the website on a regular basis, and would love to hear from you. I remember once reading a comment from a young lady on the comment page who stated that "Marie reminds one of the Grandma that many wish they had, but did not." God bless you Marie.

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Lew Stoddard

THE WILBERT COFFIN CASE.

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The combination of medical treatments and patiently waiting for answers to some pertinent questions that I have asked of several people has created a very hectic couple of weeks in my investigation of this case. I am pleased however to report, things are happening even though certain factors preclude making some of them public just yet.

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In no way do we want to jeopardize the investigation, thus, it is necessary to exercise extreme caution and tread very carefully. I can assure you, updates will be posted as and when it becomes possible to do so, taking into consideration certain legalities made necessary by law.

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You will recall that periodically on this site we ask for public assistance in the identification of particular people with reference to the case. It has reached that point when I must reach out again. The photo that I am going to show you has been posted previously. The photo contains the images of six adult males standing side by side.

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When I posted the photo to the site, I already knew the identity of two of the gentlemen. Through the efforts of the supporters of my site, you were able to provide a name corresponding to three of the remaining ones. One person still remains unidentified. He is the gentleman on the far left side in the photo. I am asking that you take another good hard look at the picture, or if necessary, show it to your friends, relatives and acquaintances.

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I am displaying two images of the same picture in todays posting. When I posted it the first time I cropped the bottom part of the photo away. I did this to remove the reference as to what this picture was displaying. I can tell you now that this picture was a particular group of searchers. The box that the police officers are holding in the photograph contains all that was found of the final remains of either Richard Lindsey or Frederick Claar.

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A touching photo, yes it is. It is a horrible reminder of what took place in the Gaspe' woods in June of 1953. One has to ask themselves the following question. If that box contained the pitiful remains of your parents, your son, your daughter, your brother, or your sister, would you not want to know why and by whom was this deed carried out? I believe that you would want to know, even if it is fifty four years later. The Coffin family of Gaspe' want to learn the answer. South of the border in Pennsylvania, both the Lindsey family and the Claar family want to know as well.

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It is important to note that we teach our children to always report anything suspicious, or anything that threatens their safety. To sit idly by and say nothing if you know any details or harbour information concerning this vicious crime goes directly against that which we teach our children. I stress the point, if you have information, or know of someone who has, then it is your duty to your fellow man to come forward.

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With reference to the photo, I simply ask that you send me an e-mail rather than posting the name on the comment board. This way it gives us the opportunity to check out the information, prior to making it public. You can reach me at either of the following two e-mail addresses. lewisstoddard@shaw.ca or talkbacktome@hotmail.com

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Hopefully in the next few days, I shall be able to bring you up to date on a couple of things that we are awaiting information for. Once again, thank you for all your support. As I have said many times, it is your comments that displays the depth of the web site.

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Lew Stoddard

SPECIAL NOTICE

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THE WILBERT COFFIN CASE

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I am begging your forgiveness for the length of time that has elapsed since my last posting to the story and investigation of the Wilbert Coffin affair. I can assure you, it was not planned this way.

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Without doubt, the flood gates of information pertaining to this affair have finally opened to the extent of yielding a whole new perspective to the case, and at the same time, enabling Lani and myself to be able to thread this case together in a chronological manner. This has taken time. The work has been non-stop for the past three weeks.

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It would be impossible to sit at this keyboard for a couple of hours and explain all this to my readers in an understanding way. It is a tangled maze of facts that when put together fully explains the murders in the Gaspe' woods and those responsible.

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Though the posting explaining the details of the latest findings will not be ready for a few days, I want to take this opportunity to briefly touch upon what we are looking at, and what has dramatically emerged.

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In the posting you will note that the bear hunters trip from Pennsylvania leading up to their death in the forest is much more pronounced. I have touched on some of this in the past, however, there is now evidence which gives new meaning.

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You will learn about people in the forest of Gaspe' during that fateful week of 1953. You will learn about vehicles not previously identified or talked about that were at the murder site during that time. We now have as well, conclusive proof that a Jeep had travelled between Camp 24, and Camp 26 as claimed by Wilbert Coffin in his statement to police and in his deposition while in Bordeaux Jail. I can also produce a statement by Wilbert Coffin's lawyer, whereby, Wilbert stated that the Jeep that was at the scene of Eugene Lindsey's broken down truck when he returned young Richard Lindsey bore "Pennsylvania" licence plates. In the posting, you will learn why that fact is so significant.

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You will also learn more about a hand gun that I reported to you some months ago that was found discarded in the area near the crime scene. The hand gun discovery was confirmed by the man who found it when I was able to track him down. This person stated at the time that he had taken it home and that someone from Gaspe' had come to his house and taken it away. He further stated to me that from that point on, he knew nothing further about the gun. I shall be outlining to you some details of the past few weeks. I have received information from two sources who do not know each other, that this handgun may have been tossed into a "certain farm water well" in the Gaspe' region. I shall be outlining to you the steps currently being taken with the justice ministry with respect to possible recovery.

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You will now be able to understand why it has always been my contention that the murders of Richard Lindsey and Frederick Claar were not carried out with a firearm. There is now ample evidence supporting the theory that I have been touting from the beginning.

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I shall be detailing to you why it is apparent that a police officer was most probably fearing for the lives of his family and himself. You will learn that this officer would be in a position to identify the probable killers of at least two of the American hunters. His life was in turmoil in all directions. He came face to face with the murderers, and his superiors would not allow him to talk. He knew what had happened to another Gaspe' police officer for speaking out. You will recall Sgt. Henri Doyon was fired and tossed into an insane asylum because he would not toe the line of his superiors and that of Maurice Duplessis.

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You will also learn of evidence that lawyer Francois Fravel received with respect to the case. This was evidence that had been suppressed and never made it to trial. Gravel was confident that this evidence would weigh heavily in the direction of turning the case around against Wilbert Coffin. Unfortunately, the federal government did not review the evidence.

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When all this is put together, you will see who the murderers of the American hunters were, why they did it, and how they were able to carry it out. You will also learn as to how they were able to move around in the forest relatively undetected.

You will also see how and why it was able to go undetected for over a half century.

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This posting will be published here on the site in approximately two days. I am confident that after reading, you will be convinced that Wilbert Coffin was not the guilty party.

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It is important to note, I will not have based this future posting on supposition or hypothesis. The information contained in this posting will be the result of turning over one rock at a time, exposing the contents, and putting the case together.

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I encourage you to ask anyone who may be interested to take a look at the posting in a few days. Of course as usual, I am most anxious to hear or read your comments.

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Lew Stoddard