Search for Janis Sanders: Son's Unwavering Quest

In a story that combines heartbreak and inspiration, James Sanders, who was just two years old when his mother disappeared, has dedicated years of his life to searching for answers. His mother, Janis Sanders, went missing in 1975 at the age of 24. While investigators believe she was kidnapped and murdered, her body has never been found. This cold case has haunted the family for decades, but James and his sister continue to push for answers.

Janis Sanders' case was reopened in May, thanks to James's tireless efforts. He enlisted the help of Detective Sergeant John Moore of the Michigan State Police Special Investigation Section, who had previously played a key role in solving the 35-year-old Roxanne Wood cold case. Moore's dedication and expertise have provided renewed hope in the pursuit of justice for Janis Sanders.

The case had gone cold for many years, making it a challenge for those seeking answers. Detective Moore emphasized the importance of putting in every possible effort, even in non-active cases, to help solve the mystery. Janis Sanders is still listed as a missing person in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

The last known sighting of Janis was leaving her job at Pete's Patio Restaurant in Niles, Michigan, close to midnight on July 20, 1975. Her estranged boyfriend, Gerald Casimer "Jerry" Libertowski Jr., had followed her out of the restaurant. She had ended their relationship a week before and moved back in with her parents in South Bend, Indiana. Tragically, she was never heard from again, and her family reported her missing on July 21.

A significant lead emerged when Janis's car, an AMC Matador, was discovered parked in the former Holiday Inn parking lot in Niles on August 5. However, there was still no sign of Janis at the scene.

In 1976, Libertowski was charged with Janis Sanders' murder and also with the murder of Janeice Langs, another of his girlfriends who had disappeared in 1973 and was never found. Shockingly, he was acquitted of Langs' murder, and the charges related to Janis Sanders' presumed death were dropped due to a lack of evidence. Despite these setbacks, authorities continued to believe that Libertowski was involved in both women's disappearances. He passed away in 2010, leaving a frustrating void in the efforts to gather evidence and find Janis's remains.

James Sanders is convinced of Libertowski's guilt, and he's not alone in this belief. Moore and the police are also certain that the same suspect was involved in both cases. They are resolute in their determination to locate the victims' bodies. Moore stated, "We know who committed the crime, just don't know where the victims' bodies were discarded."

To breathe new life into the investigation, Sanders and Moore have submitted all relevant police records to Western Michigan University's Cold Case Program. This program offers students hands-on academic training in forensic science, law, and criminal investigation tactics, collaborating with the Michigan State Police to examine cold case homicide files. It played a pivotal role in solving the Roxanne Wood cold case.

Advancements in technology are offering new hope in solving these long-standing mysteries. Moore is optimistic that the growing influence of cell phones and social media can facilitate quicker dissemination of information, potentially leading to new leads.

In a bid further the cause, James Sanders created "Cold No More for Jan," a 501c3 organization. All donations and sales generated by the organization are dedicated to covering the expenses required to solve cold cases, including offering rewards for information. Sanders hopes that the promise of a financial incentive might encourage someone with crucial information to come forward.

"It might take that in order to get someone to say something," Sanders said. "We're hoping that money will talk. I want to reach out to people's hearts and humanity. Even if it is a tiny bit of information, it could be something to pique the judge's interest for a search warrant. We want to recover the remains and bring closure to my family."

COLD CASE: Family still searching for answers in 1975 Janis Sanders disappearance

The story of James Sanders' relentless pursuit of the truth in his mother's cold case is a testament to the power of determination and the unwavering commitment to seeking justice. With the support of dedicated individuals like Detective Sergeant John Moore and the aid of modern technology, there is newfound hope for resolving the mystery surrounding Janis Sanders' disappearance.