Derrick Henagan Message Board

To post a note on this message board
for the Henagan Family, friends, investigators, or SAR team members,
e-mail it to mneiger@hotmail.com
or mail it to:
Michael Neiger
Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR)
313 Jonathan Carver Road
Marquette, Michigan, 49855.

Mike...
   Well, you did it again. You knew when I needed a pep talk. You called tonight and I needed that talk. It's been quite and I was getting discouraged in Derrick's case and was feeling alone in this journey.
   I know its been hard and we are getting things done, but when I don't hear from the police I get to feeling down and then you call and make things better.
   I want to thank you again. I could not be this far and still be calm if it weren't for you and our pep talks. They mean a million to me. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and may God be with you and keep you safe in the work you do for so many. You are one in a million. We could not do this if it weren't for ones like you who care.
   Its MEMORIAL DAY weekend and we will be remembering our lost loved ones, even the ones who are missing and we don't have their grave to go to, but they are still in our hearts and are always missed, I will plant a flower in my front yard this weekend for all the missing persons. Its something I have done since Derrick went missing.
    To all out there, enjoy this weekend and be safe.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, May 26, 2010

I want to thank everyone who is showing support and concern in my son's case and posting [on the Topix forum], but most of all I want to THANK the State Police and Det. Shier and the task force and Mike and all the search teams that have worked on this case.
    I don't think you are getting the right amount of THANK YOU cause people don't know what all has been done and what you have done and you all have been working your butts off and minds cause there has been so many lies told.
    Its caused you to go in circles but its all coming together because of the constant work you have been doing on the case again.
    THANK YOU .
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, February 27, 2010

Mike and the task force working on Derrick's case:
   Its now a new year and we are still on this path to find my son. We have had a long, hard road and a lot of bumps in it, but we are getting some results and an arrest has been made.
   Hopefully, with this, it will shed light on Derrick's demise. I thought we would have more answers by now but we have to take one day at a time, we will get this done.
   Winter puts us on hold for certain things that we can do, so in the spring we can focus on more searches and develop more leads.
   I hope with the arrest that was made it is not for the wrong person. I would not like it if someone took the fall or blame for the ones involved with Derrick's murder, or what ever it might be.
   I know we should always have hope when one is missing but we know its been too long and things just don't look good for this family in finding derrick alive.
   But I hope for justice to be done now and my son's remains can be found so he can be at peace. I will still pray for the missing as I do for my son, and for all the families and friends of a missing loved one.
   I know we sure are blessed to have people like you in our corner fighting for our missing. You stay safe while on your training operations and out in the bush searching for the missing.
   God be with you every step of the way.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, Feruary 9, 2010

Mike....Thank you for being you and keeping me on the right track. I could not be this far along in this with out your help and our talks.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, December 10, 2009

Michael....I want to thank you for all your help and talks we have. You keep me on the right track and keep me doing things the right way. This family is blessed to have you on our side in this case.
I know it's been hard and a different and strange one, but they will get caught and with your help we will get justice and my son's killers behind bars. I know we have a long ways to go but we made it this far we will keep going full speed ahead, have a good day....
Take care and god bless.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, November 27, 2009

Michael, I want to THANK YOU again for your dedication and all the time you have put in my son's missing person case.
    For the search you did Labor Day weekend and for making sure the posters are still up in the towns you pass through, and also to the gentleman that helps you with the posters when he sees them down.
    And for being honest and up front with me about all info and the things you find on your searches, you don't keep me in the dark and I appreciate the truth.
    You always let me know what is going on, and you keep me on the right track. I could not do this with out your help and support.
    THANK YOU to the Department of State Police out of Lansing, Col. Peter C. Munoz, in returning a letter in regards to my sons case. Its a difficult case and mystery but he ensures me everything possible is being done to find Derrick.
    I pray for all of you working and who are involved in the searches and this case. THANK YOU Mike for keeping the public and the post aware of the reward Quick Bails Bonds have put towards this case along with the reward from Crime Stoppers.
    Maybe some one will find it in there hearts to make the phone call to the police, or crime stoppers. THANK YOU ALL from the family of Derrick Henagan. I miss and Love my son every day. Lets bring him home.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, September 25, 2009

Thank you to The Newberry News in Newberry Michigan, and the editor, Jim Diem, for the story they ran on my son Derrick on 8-19-2009. It was his 37th birthday that day and the story was a good story and it was on the front page.
    Also, thank you Michael for all your help and support in this. I could not do this without all that you have done and all the teams you get together to help in your searches and the State Police and Det. Shier and the people of Newberry.
   You are a wise man and you always seen to know when I need your pep talks. You keep me going and on the right track. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
    Even through those bumps in the road you smooth them over and we're straight again. We will find my son and bring him home with all the help that's been given to his case and I have you to thank for that, I felt like I was up against a brick wall and you have been taking that wall down brick by brick but we will get it done.
    You have my prayers in every step you take and so do all the missing persons out there.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, August 24, 2009

I would just like to say a BIG, THANK YOU to Mike Neiger of MiBSAR, and to ALL HANDLERS and their K-9 Friends. I really don't know where or what we would do as Friends or Family of Derrick Ray Henagan without you all!
    I don't know how we are going to every be able to tell anyone how much Mike Neiger and the rest of the team of MiBSAR means to us all, and what they have ALL done to find Derrick, (What do you say to the people that you feel you owe more to than a THANK YOU?)
    I really don't think we can every tell you anything that would make any of you know how much WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL!!!
    I would never want anyone to have to have a MISSING LOVED ONE, but if you ever find yourself there, where we are right now, I ONLY HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE SOMEONE LIKE MIKE NEIGER AND HIS TEAM TO BE BY YOUR SIDE.
    Thank You Mike for making us feel like, WE ARE NOT ALONE. Also for being the voice of reason on some days and the rock the others.
    For that we could never repay you, and for never looking at Derrick as a "BAD PERSON" he has always been just Derrick Ray Henagan, A SON, A GRANDSON, A BROTHER, A DEAR FRIEND TO SOME, AND MOST OF ALL RAYCER'S DAD!!!! FOR THAT, JUST ONE MORE THANK YOU MIKE AND MiBSAR!!
    Thank you for ALL you do,
—Jody Rogers, Coloma, Michigan, friend of Derrick Henagan, July 14, 2009

Mike and John Pepin [senior reporter], thank you for the article in the Sunday Mining Journal newspaper on my son's case and him being missing.
    And thank you to the K-9 One search team and Tucker for what you did the 4th of July.
    My prayers and thoughts are with you always. I could not do this without all your help and support.
    Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, July 13, 2009

Thank You Michael for everything you have done and for the pep talk we just had. You are a wise man and I do what you tell me and yes we will work through the bumps in the road and find derrick.
    Sorry about all the other stuff. It will all work out as I have the search teams, the Newberry State Police, and Det./Sgt. Shier working with us and that's all we need to have.
    They're a good team and your help is gratefully appreciated. My prayers are with you always.
    Thank you for being you and calling when you know I need the talks we have.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, July 12, 2009

I want to thank everyone for what they were doing this weekend for my son Derrick's case.
    To all the good people of Newberry and McMillian, and to all the search teams and K-9 One, I don't know what this family would do without your help.
    My heart goes out to all of you, and you have my prayers in every step that you take on land and on water.
    Its tough, but we won't give up. THANK YOU ALL from Derrick's family. We got to have hope and faith no matter what.
    Just want him found and justice done and I know all of you do too. Take care and I will remain strong and try to take one day at a time.
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, July 6, 2009

Teresa Clewley and Family: I want to thank you for your message in regards to my son.
I am sorry for you and your family having to go through these times, also having a loved one missing, but we are blessed to have MIBSAR and Mike's dedication in our family and in all searches he does. I pray for your family and for all families of missing loved ones and for Mike when he is in the UP.
Be strong and have hope, faith and you have all my prayers always.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, June 22, 2009

I would like to thank Jody and Mike Rogers for everything that they have done for Derrick and his family, the Hhank you that they wrote about my son Scott Stanfill, and how they said how lucky they were to have a friend like him.
    Well, let me tell you that Mike and Derrick are like my own sons. Mike and Derrick and Scotty were quite the group.
    Mike was always there for Scotty and Derrick no matter what the situation, and Derrick would come in my house and say Hey Mom (which he called me quite often) where is the spaghetti and meatballs, that was his favorite.
    Derrick, the people that love you and miss you will never give up.
    Jody, there are no words to express all that you have done; you truly are an angel.
    Betty, my friend, you are always in my thoughts and prayers and if you need anything don't hesitate to call me.
    As far as friendship goes, Scotty could not ask for any better friends than Mike and Derrick and Jody. Thanks for always thinking of Scotty.
    I would like to thank Michael Neiger and all that are involved in the search for our loving and missed friend Derrick
    God Bless You All!!!!
—Grace Daisy, Tracy Johnson, and Scott Stanfill, friends of Derrick Henagan, May 27, 2009

Dear Mike, I would like to say "THANK YOU SO MUCH!" for everything that you have done and that you continue to do for Derrick and for all of us that have been working so hard to find him and bring him HOME!! I don't know if you really understand how much your time that you give to Derrick's case and to us also means to us!
    There is no way that I could ever say in word's how much what you are doing for Derrick and his children mean to Mike and Myself, for nine month's Betty and myself have worked EVERYDAY, ALL DAY to do what we could to find Derrick and if nothing else to get Derrick's Story out where people could see his pictures and for the people that see the pictures to know that this man's name is Derrick Henagan and to also know when they hear his name they would know what he looks like, and along with everything you have done you also did that for us too.
    I know myself that you are an "OUTDOORS ANGEL" to the families that are cursed with having a Missing Loved One but also blessed to have you working hard to find their loved one! I would also like to say a HEART FELT THANK YOU TO, BURT AND PAUL OF MAPLE LANE BLOOD HOUNDS, K-9 ONE SEARCH AND RESCUE, MICHIGAN SEARCH AND RESCUE, AND ALSO BRET WILSON OF MSP NEWBERRY POST, DET. JOE SHIER (MSP SAULT SAINT MARIE), ALSO ABOVE ALL MIKE NEIGER BACKCOUNTRY SEARCH AND RESCUE.
    I would like to Thank You Mike Neiger for helping, caring, and I don't know if you know you also gave me some of my life back before you came in to our lives I would work on Derrick's case every minute of everyday now, I can take a day off if I need it, you gave that to my family, I am able to do that now because I know that you are out there searching for Derrick, even when we don't know!
    Well I could go on and on about how much you mean to the families that you help, and how much you mean to us but that would take a life time, so just one more time THANK YOU MIKE NEIGER YOUR A GREAT MAN!
   Thank You,
—Mike and Jody Rogers, Coloma, Michigan, friends of Derrick Henagan, May 24, 2009

Mike and myself would also like to say THANK YOU to Scotty Stanfill, a GOOD FRIEND of Derrick's and of ours, from Hartford that took time out of his life and also spent Mother's Day away from his Mother for a reason of going with two good friend's to find a good friend, Derrick Henagan Mike and myself would like Scotty to know how much that meant to us, there are not many friend's out there now day's that you can trust your life in their hands, well Mike, Jody, Betty are lucky enough to say WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST FRIEND'S OF OUR LIVES IN SCOTTY STANFILL, as a friend of Derrick's we didn't even have to ask Scotty he called and asked what he could do to help us find Derrick, WHAT A FRIEND,THANK YOU SCOTTY!!!!
    I also would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU TO JODY NEWMAN (Quick Bail Bond's) and to her best friend and daughter that spent their Mother's Day with us in the U.P looking for Derrick.
    Here again is a case where people that are blessing's from God, Jody and her crew started in August,2008 doing a JOB, well it wasn't to long after talking with Betty and myself Jody realized Derrick was Missing then she put her hand's out to a mother and a friend of Derrick's to help them search for Derrick and for what happened to him, and sometimes to hug us or to be the shoulder to cry and the ears to listen to our yelling, crying, talks that we had with her, this is something that she didn't have to do by any means but she really seen we needed help and she was there, that say a lot when Derrick has HUNDRED'S of life long friend's and Jody a person that just knew a name in the beginning and she has done so much that I can't even tell all of it, and the thing about Jody she will continue to do all she can!
    So to You Jody Newman THANK YOU for being there for Betty and myself, I hope someday you might know how much you mean to us!! Jody you will always have a friend in Jody Rogers and Betty Henagan.
    I know that with all the dear friend that we have had from long ago, and those even dearer friend's that we have made through this search for Derrick we have a blessed life and that, WE TOGETHER AS A TEAM ARE GOING TO FIND OUR DEAR FRIEND DERRICK RAY HENAGAN AND BRING HIM HOME TO HIS CHILDRENAND FAMILY AND FRIEND'S!! SO IN CLOSING THANK YOU TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE HELPING US FIND DERRICK, I AM GOING TO CALL YOU (DERRICK'S ANGEL'S) BUT ALSO "MY FRIEND'S" I know I look forward to our next trip! It is coming up fast. Mike Neiger you just be careful and safe on your searches for Derrick.
   Thank You
—Mike and Jody Rogers, Coloma, Michigan, friends of Derrick Henagan, May 24, 2009

Reading these messages posted by Derrick’s family is heartwarming as they are so grateful for MiBSAR coming into their lives and searching for the loved one that remains missing.
    We too, continue to appreciate everything you do to bring resources that may help us locate my Dad. Your continued dedication and perseverance is commendable.
    I wish for MiBSAR’s success for each family that is blessed to have you researching, investigating, and tracking in the forests of the UP.
   Thank you.
—Teresa M. Clewley, Three Rivers, Michigan, daughter of Joseph R. Clewley, Joe Clewley investigation, May 20, 2009.

Michael, Betty, Jody, & everyone helping out in this case, I thank you so much.
    Although I am the ex wife of Derrick, I care; need answers & closure myself. Our son, Rayce, talks about his Daddy every day. With each season that passes, Rayce reflects on things he used to do w/ Derrick.
    Now it's getting warmer & it's fishing & quad weather...I hope this season doesn't pass, like the other 3 have, with no answers. I want nothing more than for our son to be reunited with his Daddy.
    You guys are doing an excellent job & I commend you for your persistence.
—Cheri, Mother of Rayce (Derrick's son), Kalamazoo, Michigan, May 18, 2009

I would like to thank all the members of the search teams that helped in the search for my son in Newberry on the weekend of Mother's Day--especially the mom's for spending that day up there doing this for the Henagan family.
Also Michael Neiger lead investigator with Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue in Marquette, Maple Lane Blood Hounds, K9-One Search and Rescue, Michigan Search and Rescue with cadaver dogs, Michigan State Police in Newberry, Det./Sgt. Joe Shier from the Sault Ste. Marie Post, John Pepin with the Mining Journal, and all my friends that helped put up the posters by Johnson's Printing Service.
—Betty Henagan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, May 14, 2009

Mike, I would like to thank you and all the search teams that were in Newberry over this past Mother's Day weekend.
    I would like to thank Trooper Wilson for being there and helping Betty and Jody thru this tragic time they're going thru. Jody, you are doing a wonderful job, keep up the good work. Betty and you will get all of your answers sooner or later.
    To the people of Newberry and surrounding areas, thank you for all the help and information you shared while we were up in your area.
    God Bless
—Jody Newman & Family, Quick Bail Bonds, Jackson, Michigan, May 13, 2009

Michael, thank you for your help.
I'm sure someone knows something, let's just hope they have the courage to do what's right. Derrick's family (especially his momma and 2 children) deserve to know the truth.
Thank you so much.
—Michelle (Rayce Henagan's aunt), May 13, 2009

Michael, thank you for your help and concerns in this case. You don't know how good it feels to finally have someone take my feelings seriously.
My prayers will be with you every day and every step you take. After 8 months, I don't feel so alone.
Thank you.
—Betty Henagan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, April 22, 2009

Michael, thank you so very much!! You don't know how much this [your help] means to me and Derrick's mother....
Once again thank you so much for your time and thoughts!
—Jody Rogers and Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, friend and mother of Derrick Henagan, respectively, March 25, 2009