The podcast of Dateline NBC, “After the Verdict: Missing Mickey,’ is a look at investigating the case of disappearance as well as the murder of young 22-year-old Michaela “Mickey” Shunick in May 2012. The girl was taken when she returned from a friend’s home and later killed by Brandon Scott Lavergne, who murdered her following a struggle.
The podcast also features the sister of Mickey, Charlene “Charlie” Shunick, who led the efforts to find Mickey and later became the family’s spokesperson during the time. Let’s learn more about her. Let’s get started, shall we?
Who is Charlie Shunick?
In the early morning and evening hours of May 19 and May 19, 2012, Mickey was missing while she was cycling back home. After that disappearance, everyone in the Shunick family’s lives was forever changed. They couldn’t celebrate Mickey’s birthday and her younger brother’s graduation. Only they had to hunt worldwide to find Mickey and Charlie leading the search. In addition to organizing candlelight vigils and even offering tips, Charlie started a Facebook campaign to increase awareness about the investigation.
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Charlie asked for help in the search and offered numerous interviews to local TV and radio stations to keep the narrative going. With time, the possibility of Mickey dying seemed to be inevitable. However, Charlie and her family were hopeful. After her bike was found within a couple of days, Charlie explained, “We didn’t get the bad feeling in the pit of our stomachs like, ‘Oh, my God, this is terrible.’ It was more like, ‘Oh, my God, finally we found something of Mickey’s.’ And we realized that someone definitely took her, and this was planned out … whoever has her is thinking about these things.”
The time was when Charlie believed that if someone kidnapped her while she was awake, she would be wounded. The authorities later discovered exactly what transpired. Brandon was arrested in connection to the investigation. However, it was later discovered that Mickey tried to retaliate and stabbed Brandon several times in a fight. After Brandon was indicted on murder charges, Charlie and the family were hopeful about Mickey remaining alive.
As of the month of July, Charlie wrote, “The odds do not appear to favor us; however, as I’ve previously stated that until I stand in front of the casket at the funeral, there’ll be a chance that she may be in the area. If he’s accountable or is involved in any way, all we’d like is for him to tell us the exact location Mickey is to take back her.” Unfortunately, Brandon killed Mickey that night, and later she was buried near the cemetery.
Where is Charlie Shunick Now?
Charlie’s experiences in trying to search for her sister led her to an idea to create an organization called the Resource Association for Missing People. She established the organization in September of 2013 and was hoping to aid the families and loved ones of those who are missing. In addition to educating the public about missing persons, RA for Missing People will assist and help along with everything else required to find the missing person.
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Charlie holds a bachelor’s in psychology and an advanced master’s degree in applied neuroscience and cognition. Presently, she resides in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the Biotechnology Director at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Charlie has been in this position for more than four years and was an associate professor in biology for eight years before this. She owns a dog named Carmen and enjoys traveling and visiting her friends.
