The window was shut to keep out the cold. It was November 7, 2008 and Wisconsin was starting to look and feel like winter. The treees were bare and there was a chill in the night air
My husband and I ha.d just finished dinner and were looking forward to a relaxing evening. We were surprised by the sound of the front doorbell and quickly answered it. My daughter, son-in--law and granddaughter entered followed by a Wisconsin police officer. Without hesitation, my husband was handed a small piece of paper and instructed to call the Broward Country Sheriffs Department in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We immediately knew something terrible had happened to our son, Adam, who resided there.
A million thoughts raced through our minds as he nervously dialed the number. The voice at the other end confirmed our worst nightmare. Adam was a victim of a homicide in an attempted robbery. His body was found by a city worker on a desolate strip of highway near the everglades. It was believed the murder took place on November 4 and discovered on November 6. The police needed a positive identification so they requested the name and phone number of Adam's dentist. The following morning we were notified that the dental records were indeed a match.
Adam Joseph Gerber was born April 25. 1975. Although he was full term he weighed only five pounds nine ounces. He was what doctors called a "miracle baby". He was critically ill and given almost no chance of survival. His lungs had not fully developed properly and he was put on a respirator. Although the doctors knew it may dangerous, Adam was given a large amount of oxygen. After three and half weeks and numerous bouts of pneumonia, Adam was able to come home.
He was a happy and quiet baby. His good looks and kind nature attracted people wherever we went. Even at a young age he was honest and trustworthy. At the age of seven he found a dollar bill in the school yard. Without hesitation he turned it over to the principal. He was praised by his teachers and other faculty members. The principal made it a point to meet me at the door and tell me how proud he was of my son.
Adam surprised many people by learning to ride a two wheel bike at the age of six. Most of his teachers told us his eye-hand cooridination was slow in developing. When he was young, he was small for his age, so physical sports were not an option. When he was eight, I signed him up for a bowling league. He not only quickly learned the game but soon became a top bowler earning many trophies. He continued to bowl until he was in his twenties and received a diamond ring and plaque for a perfect 300 game. He enjoyed to game but one night he hurt his shoulder and never bowled again.
When he was a senior in high school he got a job as a bag boy at a local supermarket. After graduation he became a cashier and remained there for fourteen more years. He was liked by his customers and fellow employees. His honesty showed up again in the workplace. He found several items of jewelry in the parking lot and turned them over to the manager. If no one claimed them after thirty days, Adam was allowed to keep them. One time he spotted a hundred dollar bill on the floor near his register. He turned it in and noone claimed it.
In 1997, Adam's grandmother had a stroke and was paralyzed on her right side. She was placed in a nursing home a few blocks from out house. Adam would visit her on his way to work or on his days off. He would read the bible to her and help her with her meals. Many people thought he was a volunteer and were shocked to find out differently.
In 2003, Adam's sister was diagnosed with MS. The doctors told her that living in the extreme heat of South Florida was aggravating her condition. She was a single mom with one child. She had been dating a young man from Wisconsin and the three of them planned to move there. In August 2006 they left Florida. My husband and I decided to move and we wanted Adam to join us. We had moved to Florida from New York when Adam was nine and twenty-one years later he was unsure about another move. He remained in Florida until March 2007 when our house there was sold.
He came up to Wisconsin and got a job in Home Depot. He yearned to go back to Florida, son on October 12, 2007 we drove him to the airport. We hoped he would change his mind and eventually come back. He returned to his old job but was only offered part time hours. While working he looked for full time employment. The job market in Florida, as it was all over the nation, was weak.
He rented a room and became friends with a young man named Terrance Taylor. They went places together and he gained Adam's trust. We later found out the Terrance, age 27, had been in and out of prison for ten years. His charges were robbery and assault on an elderly gentleman.
On the morning of Novermber 4, 2008, Adam and Terrance were seen at a local Sears Tire Shop where Adam was purchasing a tire for his 1998 Lexus. The police have photos of Adam at the bank ATM early that morning. A few hours later, Terrance was photograhed at the same ATM using Adams card. Although Adams car was in the background, there was no sign of him.
After finding Adam's body, the police captured Terrance as he tried to enter his apartment through a window. He was carrying Adam's ATM card which he stated was given to him. A week later the Lexus was found in a supermaket parking lot in the next county.
Three and half years later, Terrrance was found guilty and sentenced to life with no chance of parole.
We have made many friends in Wisconsin and have become active in Lions and Lioness clubs.. We also found great comfort attending mass and Christ the King Catholic church. We will take one day at a time but family and friends will help us live with this nightmare.
On that gloomy November night the window was shut, but the cold came in the front door and never left.
