Rebecca Schaeffer’s Murder: Things That Went Wrong

I am appalled that just anyone can walk into a detective agency and request an address. Rebecca Schaeffer’s address was unlisted, for obvious reasons, yet the Anthony Detective Agency felt that it was OK to give this man, obviously mentally ill, her address so he could kill her. Schaeffer would probably still be alive today if the agency had denied Bardo’s request. What right does any detective agency have to give out someone’s address, especially when it is unlisted?

I am further appalled that no charges are being brought against the detective agency in Schaeffer’s murder. The agency is defending itself by saying Bardo was required to fill out a form stating the reason he wanted the address, but what is to stop a person from lying?

I certainly hope this will be a lesson to all detective agencies to be more cautious about the information they give out, along with finding a more thorough way for screening their prospective clients. Am I the only one appalled by this terrible injustice, and senseless murder?

TRUDY ORSELL

Long Beach