Karen Foster - Justice for Bonnie

From I.J. Schecter

I am indebted to Karen Foster and to Bonnies siblings and extended family, for being so candid about the tragedy they have endured together, and for answering every one of my questions, even the toughest ones. Karen and her family gave me access to a world of unending pain and unfathomable resilience to make sure Bonnies story could be told properly and her memory honored in the right way. It is a great privilege to help tell this story, and I hope it allows Karen and her family some measure of catharsis while encouraging those in positions of power to ensure that our laws are designed to protect citizens and support families of victims.

My deepest gratitude also goes to Shannon Jamieson Vazquez, our keen-eyed editor at The Berkley Publishing Group, who was responsible for bringing Bonnies story to print in the first place, and who possesses both of the attributes one hopes for in an editor: a ruthless eye for detail, and a deep sensitivity to the material itself.

From Karen Foster

I first would like to thank all the people who have supported me and my family through this unspeakable tragedy; those who jumped into action to get things done, get laws changed and those who simply took time to give us a hug, drop us a note, showing us that they cared.

Thank you to all the other victims who have helped me, shared their stories and worked with me to help change our laws.

Thank you to all the lawmakers who took time to listen to my story and the stories of many other families, then made changes in our laws so fewer people would have to suffer as we did. Thanks to the governors who have supported and signed Collection of DNA on Felony Arrest bills into law. Thank you to the lawmakers who ensure our law enforcement and crime labs are sufficiently funded to do their jobs.

Thank you to all those who work in the crime labs across the United States and Canada. It is with your help and dedication that more criminals will be successfully prosecuted. You are the backboneand the new heroesof our justice system.

Thank you to those who read this book and share it with lawmakers in states without collection of DNA on arrest laws. We need to ensure all fifty states and Canada collect DNA on arrest. It will save lives and so much pain.

Thank you to Paul Miovas and Jenna Gruenstein and Timothy Hunyor for being the most understanding and kind prosecution team a family could ask for. Without your skillful prosecution this story could have turned into a bigger tragedy and injustice.

Thank you to Mel and Arlene Schecter, for bringing my story to their son I.J., and for encouraging both of us to write this book. I.J. was the perfect person to help me through such a daunting project, and turned seventeen years of hell into an amazing book. He took all my stories, rantings, news reports, and the trial scripts and made it all come together. He is truly an amazing and talented writer.

Thank you to Shannon Jamieson Vazquez, our editor, for all her talent, patience, and understanding.

Thank you to all my children, Jason, Adam, Samantha; my stepchildren, Jesse, Alex, and Sarah; and all my grandchildren. Without you, I could not have survived this tragedy. You have truly enriched my life, and I know Bonnie is so very proud of you all.

Lastly, Bonnie, you will never be forgotten. We love you dearly.