A Mother's Plea
To Whisper "I Love You"
Mother's Plea - Rebekah was born on December 28, 1987. Birth place - Fredericksburg, VA. Rebekah was raised in a town called Partlow, VA. A rural setting. Countryside. I used to sing to her as an infant a song I simply made up. "Rebekah Grace Rose is a gift from God". The same lyrics over and over while I rocked her in my arms. Photos of Rebekah as an infant are tucked away in boxes and albums back in Virginia. I still remember those days. Such wonder in her eyes and curious about all things. I have included a couple of photos that family has provided electronically. Rebekah with her Dad, Ralph Rose, Jr.; and Rebekah with her brother Antonio Alatorre, who she lovingly called "Nony" because Rebekah couldn't say the "T" in Tony. I would give anything to hold my precious daughter once again and whisper "I love you".
Update from Angela, Rebekah's Mom
I want to thank everyone who has donated to our Cause - to Find Rebekah Barsotti or bring Justice to Rebekah. Our current needs include funding for a SAR team with Cadaver dogs. One of the teams that came out last summer is willing to return before the spring to survey areas they could not get to. The family will be privately contracting this organization. Quoted cost will be for one month of searching. SAR team includes Sonar, Drones, Cadaver dogs, SAR team members, and equipment. The river water is low at this time and clarity is at its best before spring runoff. The water will be too treacherous once the winter thaw starts. Of the funds we presently have $12,000 was earmarked for the Reward money. Please help us find Rebekah and bring Justice by finding the truth. DCI (Division Criminal Investigation) has been contacted and we have received word through our attorney that they will be reviewing Rebekah's case. I don't know exactly what "reviewing" means. We received confirmation at the end of January. We hope they will move forward with an open set of eyes and look at this as an opportunity to increase awareness/education at the local level of processing Missing Persons cases to include ruling out Homicide instead of only considering one option. We have learned alot about the Law in Montana and have a lot more to learn. We hope to use our learning experience to help others as they navigate the horrific journey of Missing Persons and Domestic Violence in the community.
Private Search And Rescue Team Hired by Family
Angela and Gerry hired Wings of Hope and Northstar SAR Team during the month of March. The Search and Rescue team completed their search for Rebekah. They were on the Clark Fork River for 31 days. They spent untold hours each and every day. They had a team of volunteers using drones, sonar, and cadaver dogs. Scuba divers and local river guides donated their time and equipment as well. "We are waiting on a complete report from the team". The bottom line here is that they did not find Rebekah. She is Still Missing. We had hoped for closure. We will have to wait on God's timing. We have expanded our team to include a new attorney, Quentin Rhoades. Our search for Rebekah will continue. We hope to gather volunteers to search land sites of interest. Hopefully, the River Guides and recreation people will be looking for Rebekah as well. We will continue to seek Justice for Rebekah. We will be establishing Rebekah's Legacy. It will include Awareness of Domestic Violence to include HOW victims might respond in volatile situations, Search Procedures for Local Law Enforcement for Missing Persons. Educating Law Enforcement to what is required within the first 30 days in relationship to DNA testing and acquiring Dental Records. Establishing fundraisers for our continued expenses in our search and for SAR groups to assist them in getting the required training and most up to date equipment to successfully search for Missing Persons. We thankyou for your continued support. Points of Contact - Quentin Rhoades, Attorney - 406-721-9700 James Terry, Gulfcoast Investigations - 813-993-2242 John Baker - PI - johnbaker@evistmt.com Crime Stoppers (for anonymous tips) - 406-721-4444
Private Ceremony In Honor Of Rebekah
On April 24, 2022 Angela Mastrovito and Gerry Mastrovito held a private ceremony in Honor of Rebekah Barsotti. We purposely chose across from Alberton Climbing Rock area due to flow of the current. Most of the experiments last year resulted in items washing back up on the riverbank on the East side of Alberton Climbing Rock. It took multiple attempts to get the objects to go around the rock. Thus our reason for our location. We opened in prayer offered by Pastor Ed Puett. Thank you. I am posting published items I found in Rebekah's Cloud account. We waited for Mother Nature to provide us a beautiful day and it truly was. We presented the wreath so graciously donated by Big Sky Boho and read their description "Super honored to be able to make a floating wreath for Find Rebekah Barsotti. Purple for Domestic Violence, blue for Rebekah's favorite color and yellow for the ray of sunshine that she is". Pastor Puett reminded us that Purple is also the color of Royalty and belonging to the King of Kings! How exciting is that? I shared Rebekah's passion of horses. The opportunities homeschooling provided us. Her ability to bring light to the room. My excitement when I would pass through the doors at Missoula Airport knowing I would see her beautiful smile and get to hold her. Thankyou to each person who came out. We truly appreciate your support through this journey.
Parents Receive Disturbing Report
MCSO Aborts Recovery Mission August 23, 2021 – Did They Leave Her There??
This image was released to me from the Wings of Hope SAR team I privately hired in March 2022. This is the same team that was here in August 2021; they were never provided a photograph of Rebekah. They were never informed that a volunteer from the community with sonar and drone had retrieved several images of what appeared to be Rebekah on August 10, 2021. The volunteer from the community informed Sgt. Ryan Prather of his findings. Wings of Hope SAR team retrieved their image on August 20, 2021. The out of state team was prohibited by the Missoula County Sherriff Department from participating in a recovery. Captain Bill Burt called together the local SAR team to attempt a recovery. The local SAR team reported it was a "pile of rocks". The mission was immediately aborted. MCSO restricted Wings of Hope from any further participation on recovery efforts .
Was this a deliberate attempt to hopefully destroy any evidence? At 4 weeks, Rebekah's body would have been able to tell a story of what happened. Was this an attempt to keep Rebekah in the river with no further efforts so she would decompose enough to destroy any evidence? Captain Bill Burt has informed me many times, "technology doesn't lie".
This report also states Sheriff TJ McDermott and Captain Bill Burt decided to return this case to Mineral County on August 23, 2021. We were not informed of this decision until September 29, 2021. That is the date reported to the local news agencies as well.
DCI what does it say in your report that you are reviewing?
Montana Attorney General's offices has refused to schedule an appointment with us.
Despite Sheriff Mike Toth stating they have told the family everything - this is another incident where we were not informed.
Photo Gallery
Images of what appeared to be Rebekah on August 10, 2021, provided by a search volunteer from the community with sonar and drone capabilities.
These images were provided to Missoula County Sheriff Office by the search volunteer. Rebekah's parents were never informed.
If Rebekah’s parents hadn’t hired Northstar Search and Rescue March 2022 (present August 2021) they would have never learned about these photos.
Sonar image from 8/20/21. View as if looking through a glass bottom boat. The 5.5 is reference to the length of the image. Rebekah is 5ft. 5in.
This side by side was analyzed for comparison
From the 2021 report that was never reviewed with parents. They only received this info because they hired the same team back in 2022 from 2021.
Body Recovered from Clark Fork Riverbank May 17, 2022
Four seasons passed before yesterday’s news broke, the body found on May 17 is the body of our Rebekah. This is such bittersweet news for all of us. While I am filled with overwhelming sadness, I am also relieved Angie, Gerry, Ralph- Rebekah’s Dad, Tony, and the rest of our family can feel a sense of relief and closure. The unknown was horrendous torture for all of us but especially for Angie. I’ve said so many times, no mother should have to do the things Angie had to do in her search for her daughter, Rebekah. She did it all with admirable strength, dignity, and grace.
Rebekah was an amazing young lady. I will always remember her for being strong willed and determined. She walked to the beat of her own drum, always happy; she embraced a love for life with such a free spirit. Yesterday, prayers were answered. We can take comfort in knowing Rebekah is safe, free from pain and suffering. Thank you to everyone for your support and kind words of condolence. Rebekah deserved so much more from this life.
Angie and Gerry will need time to process their grief. I am not sure what will come next, but I want to think of today as a new beginning. Rebekah’s legacy will continue to unfold before us.
We Love you Rebekah.
“Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your footprints have left on our hearts.”
Dorothy Ferguson
~Laura
6/3/22
Criminal Investigation Opened by Montana Attorney General
This past week we learned the Montana Attorney General has opened a criminal investigation in Rebekah’s case. This is great news! We welcome their investigation.
Angie and Gerry remain strong seeking justice for Rebekah. In her GoFundMe update September 6, 2022, Angie shares the following:
“First and foremost, thank you for your continued support in our cause….yes, according to the State Crime Lab Rebekah was found but we have many questions, that to this day have gone unanswered.
There was no DNA test performed that provided a match. I am not sure I understand why. I submitted mitochondrial DNA, her father submitted DNA and they had a body. Meaning, they had tissue samples, bone marrow and teeth. I find it difficult to understand WHY there was no match. I was informed the Identification was confirmed by dental records. NAMUS had panoramic films on file from 3 different dentists. There were discrepancies in documentation of physical characteristics and nowhere on the Autopsy Report did it identify HOW Rebekah was identified.
We are caught in a storm of what I would consider legal extortion. Despite Court Orders, we continue to return to court regarding the same issues.
We finally returned to our home state but the nightmare has not stopped. Mineral County waited til we left Montana (we were there for 12 months) before stating they were ready to release items of Rebekah’s. At some point, none of this is coincidence anymore. Nathan Jacobsen has come forward and provided audio clips, video clips and firsthand account of the threat that the trailer we were staying in (Rebekah’s rented trailer) was highly combustible. Our attorney was informed that our home in Virginia was to be burned down. There are now photographs on Hidden True Crime that show evidence that although there was a “Standing Order of No Contact”, somehow David Barsotti had photographs showing the contents of the trailer. Was he stalking Rebekah? Were their cameras in strategic locations at the trailer? Did he have a tracker on her vehicle? We will never know. The trailer has been returned to the rental agency. Rebekah’s vehicle has been returned to David.
Despite having a court order for a 2nd Autopsy, each time I thought I had one scheduled there was another roadblock. In the end, all that could be done was to review the first autopsy report because the body was too badly decomposed to perform a 2nd autopsy. Whoever is working the Daybell Case needs to take note. It is my understanding the children’s bodies are being held for a 2nd Autopsy. I hope the SCL handling that case is better prepared and equipped to maintain the evidence.
At this writing there is a letter circulating around Mineral County identifying the corruption of the County and within the Sheriff Department. This letter originated from a local attorney who was born and raised in Mineral County and can no longer stand by and witness the infringement of Constitutional Rights of the citizens.
I have been accused of “profiteering” off my daughter’s name. I am more than willing to give an expense account which will show there is no profit but in fact a huge deficit. I don’t ask for money well. That is why I am not in sales. But it is necessary to continue our Pursuit of Justice. Not only Justice for Rebekah but Justice for those who will fall prey in the future to Domestic Violence, to Missing Persons or to Obstruction of Justice.
You might ask why are we fighting so hard and so long? Because what is happening to us could happen to anyone else reading this. It could be your family member. We hope that by shedding light on the darkness it will be destroyed. We do need financial assistance to do this though. The legal fees are exorbitant.
We continue to research HOW we can establish Rebekah’s Legacy as a non-profit. We are in need of a PRO BONO attorney for this endeavor. If you can be of assistance please contact me.
God Bless each and every one of you. We so appreciate your prayer support and the notes of encouragement as well.”
In closing, I find comfort knowing the past few weeks have been busy behind the scene. We learned there is a VA investigator being assigned for the stolen valor fraud case perpetrated by the estranged husband as well as an insurance investigator being assigned over the accidental death policy the estranged husband took out on Rebekah (as a rider) prior to her going missing. So many things coming to light…will the walls (finally) come tumbling down?
UPDATE: Unfortunately another travesty....Ironically, one month after being informed of the AG investigation, we learned this was FALSE information that was presented in a Court of Law in Missoula, MT before Judge Marks.
~Laura
Appeal Filed In Supreme Court of Montana
On June 1, 2023, we filed an Appeal to the Montana Supreme Court. Judge Jason Marks denied our Claim in it's entirety and in so doing, stated Rebekah was NEVER MISSING, reversed the Guardianship he appointed, reprimanded me for being an Advocate of Domestic Violence and Missing Persons, ignored multiple Motions presented to him, and denied my request for a hearing. It is my constitutional right to request and be granted a hearing. The Appeal has been received and assigned a Case Number by the Supreme Court of Montana.
