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Murder in Small Town X Winner Missing in World Trade Center by Richard Hoeg 07/10/2002 Murder in Small Town X winner Angel is a Manhattan firefighter who was amongst the first to respond to the World Trade Center attack. Now he is among the missing heroes of that day. As all of America stands quiet vigil, rescue workers fight toxic gas, collapsing buildings, and smoldering flames to rescue those who could still be alive in the ruins of the World Trade Center. But before those towers became ruins, the fires that burned so strongly ravaged the upper floors of the besieged office complex. The first to report to this disaster were New York's bravest: the men and women of the New York Fire Department. As many of you know, the recently completed Murder in Small Town X was won by one of these brave men. His name was Angel. As of this minute it has been confirmed that Angel is indeed one of the hundreds of missing firefighters in New York City. His story and the story of his myriad stalwart and newly-made fans is yet another human face to what sometimes seems like an incomprehensible travesty. At about noon on September 11th, the MiSTX messageboards immediately lit up with concern for the firefighting winner of the show. The focus of this concern was first aimed at whether or not Angel's fire department would even have been called to Lower Manhattan. There was hope that since his MiSTX byline said he was from the Bronx, he might not have been there when the twin towers came crashing down. This hope, alas, was quickly dashed. Friends of his (including Kristen) informed the many concerned that he worked for the Chelsea Fire Department. A quick look at a map of Manhattan later, those on the board began positing what would later be confirmed: Angel had been one of the first to arrive. As the terror in this nation grew, those without direct connections to New York soon found themselves thinking of their brave fireman hero. The well-wishers on the board began to harp on any official statement. First came words from those who know him. Joe Garcia, a friend of Angel, responded late yesterday: “Everyone, Let's all pray for Angel. I do know him and have attempted to contact him ever since this madness with the World Trade Center began. Here are the quick facts: According to various news reports, the first 200 to 250 firefighters that went to the World Trade Center were in the building when it collapsed. All are missing and presumed dead. Angel's firehouse is located near 19th street, not far from the attack. From what I've heard, he was on the phone with someone, then had to cut the call short, saying 'I gotta go... I have to go to the World Trade Center,' and then he hung up and left to save lives. This was early this morning. He was one of the first to go. As of now, currently 9:45pm EST, no one has since heard from Angel. Everyone I've spoken to says 'it doesn't look good' and fears the worst.” This news would later be confirmed, although the passage of time in between would seem like an eternity. The mother of Gary Fredo, MiSTX's host, had often contributed to the boards of her son's show. Today, however, she would be one of the first to bring something resembling official news. Her son Gary, it seems, had been called by Fox to be informed of Angel's addition to the missing firefighters list. A short while later the producers would inform those who had been holding their own vigil on Fox's message board all day. This was at roughly 3 o' clock on September 12th: "We appreciate and are touched by the many posts expressing your concern for Angel in the wake of the events in New York. Please know that your thoughts and concerns have not gone unappreciated by all of here at Fox, and by Angel's family. As of 11:00 am PST this morning (2:00 Eastern time), we confirmed that Angel is one of the many firefighters still missing. That is as much as we - or anyone - know at this time. As you've seen on television, rescue operations are continuing. As information becomes available, we will let everyone here on the board know more. Until then, we know you join us in sending our prayers and best wishes to Angel and his family." -George Verschoor Bob Fisher Gordon Cassidy As this news slowly trickled in, a magical thing happened. Those who had once ridiculed Angel came together with all of his other MiSTX fans. Never was the gap between reality TV and true reality more evident. The bond of humanity and kinship was evident across the board. One concerned fan gave voice to the thoughts which had enveloped us all: "I cannot even find the words to express how I am feeling right now. I was so afraid of this kind of news regarding Angel. Even though alot of us don't know him 'personally', we have all 'connected' with him. It was the same way we all felt when John Kennedy Jr. died and Princess Diana. There is still hope for the people they know are still alive under all the rubble. I feel so helpless as an American. Those of us waiting patiently, glued to our TV's, can do nothing but pray. 'Be still and know I am God'. That is all we can hold on to at this point. And so the day after has come to an end. We have lost many heroes today, whether or not Angel ever returns. Yet there is real hope in my heart that we are anything but defeated. The actions of our firefighters on these days have proven the capabilities of the human spirit. Those who once squabbled in petty disagreements have come together under a common flag. In the aftermath of this tragedy let us remember those who give so much for us. Our prayers and our thoughts are with Angel and his family as well as with each and every one of the hundreds of people to whom so many owe their lives. |