STEBIC FAMILY TO 'MAKE NOISE' ON TV
PLAINFIELD MOM'S COUSIN WILL OFFER TIPS ON PUBLICIZING CASES ON 'AMERICA'S MOST WANTED'
PLAINFIELD -- When Plainfield mom Lisa Stebic disappeared in the spring of 2007, her family had a Web site up with vital information a couple days later.
One week later, they were being interviewed about her case on national news programs.
With the help of a family friend who worked as a TV news producer, Lisa's family successfully coordinated a media campaign that kept her case in the public eye for more than a year.
Now they're sharing their knowledge with the world, in a segment to be featured next month on "America's Most Wanted."
A segment called "Making Noise," which will give families of missing people suggestions on how to keep their cases in the headlines, will feature Lisa's cousin Melanie Greenberg and the story of Lisa's disappearance.
The program will also include the family of missing Bolingbrook mom Stacy Peterson. It is scheduled to air Sept. 13 on Fox.
"Out of all the missing persons cases I've worked on over the years ... Melanie Greenberg was the first person that popped into my mind," Sigona said.
The program will detail how Greenberg and her friends and family coordinated a media campaign to keep Lisa's case in the public eye.
This week, AMW film crew conducted interviews and shot footage in Plainfield. When the show airs, the information and other tips will be posted on the "America's Most Wanted" Safety Center Web site at http://safety.amw.com.
"We're trying to give people all the tools they need if they have to live this nightmare, like the relatives of Lisa Stebic and Stacy Peterson," said Renee Rosenfeld, a producer for "America's Most Wanted."
Lisa Stebic disappeared from her Plainfield home April 30, 2007. She was in the midst of divorcing her husband, Craig, who was later named a "person of interest" in Lisa's disappearance.
The couple still lived in their Red Star Drive home with their children, now ages 12 and 13.
Craig has not been charged in connection with the case.
Harris had Greenberg set up the site www.findlisastebic.com, which Harris ensured used colors and a layout that would photograph well. She also told the family to hold a press conference, gave them scripts to work from and tips to maximize their time on camera.
The Internet is crucial to spreading the word, Greenberg said, as are providing high-quality pictures and video to the media, holding events and searches around milestone dates such as birthdays and holidays.
Extensive searches and an ongoing police investigation have turned up no trace of Lisa's whereabouts. But for police and Lisa's family, the search continues.
Now, more than a year after Lisa disappeared, Greenberg said her family still has hope she will eventually be found.
"I don't think we'll find Lisa alive," she said. "I don't know how long it'll take."
