Cold case: Police hope new technology can help crack a case nea...

Police say 10-year-old Brad Machett was abducted from Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood in autumn 1980.

[Devin]

A retired Milwaukee homicide detective, Steve Spingola, blogged about the Brad Machett case over the past week at sleuthwiththeproof.blogspot.com

[ANON]

Reminds me of Zera disappearing from Frankln and being found in Whitnall Park

[Romayne]

I remember that little boy when my ex-sister-inlaw was living on Bremen and North Ave in 1978 and his sister babysat for my nephew..I remember him roaming around the neighorhood.we found it odd to let a little boy walking around by himself especially after dark,but back then the streets were safer.I remember him as a tough kid for his age.Its so sad,I hope they find out who did this to that little boy.

[withheld]

Romayne wrote:

I remember that little boy when my ex-sister-inlaw was living on Bremen and North Ave in 1978 and his sister babysat for my nephew..I remember him roaming around the neighorhood.we found it odd to let a little boy walking around by himself especially after dark,but back then the streets were safer.I remember him as a tough kid for his age.Its so sad,I hope they find out who did this to that little boy.

/I will and can never accept nor understand a citizen response acknowledging that he/she saw a child of that boy's age, size, and look of innocense, and vulnerability walking around after dark even in the 1980's; and then state stupidly state that back then it was safer in light of the news story that is being commented on. And then Mr. Romayne stupidly and continues on calling the kid "tough for his age." as if the reality of what happened and got reported about the boy didn't touch base that should have cautioned Mr. Romayne to be care on what he stated in his reply; because someone sure showed that the kid wasn't tough for his age to stop his abduction and unfortunate desmise or death. Almost worse than reading and learning what happened to the little boy, is reading Mr. Romayne's account; where a lot of readers learned that Mr. Romayne - sure, WAS OF NO HELP!!!!! to the little boy.

[yram]

I was one of the friends of Brad and his brother Matthew. We went to the same school and grew up together. We share candy all the time. It took a long time to get over this, when it happened. Thank you for the technolgy as of today. This event has not rested my soul to this day. I wish the best for the family. And my deepest sympathy to the family to hear there mumma has past on. To Matthew (were ever you are) you have always been in my heart. Spinatomatoe [e-mail]

[Caleb]

Great coverage by Fox News 6 and Steven Spingola, the retired homicide detective. Very good stuff. I hope this case gets solved.

[angelamuller MilwWI]

I went to school with Brad and Matthew and I remember it like it was yesterday when all of us were told at Cass St school that Brad was missing and then when he was found and yes Brad and i would share Now N Later's candy from Randazzo's
store on brady st next to Cataldo's Pizza and i used to sneak over tothat store at recess almost everyday for candy. Every year since he was taken from us , i think about him often and wonder why that had to happen to him and matthew was never the same after that either and now i hope he will
finally have justice.
P.S. if you went to Cass St school and you would like to get a hold of me email me at [e-mail]

[TIFFANY]

I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY THINKS I'VE KNOWN DAN SINCE I WAS 8YRS OLD IAM NOW 21YR OLD AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM HIT LET ALONE YELL AT HIS FOSTER CHILD THIS IS ALL BULLSHIT!!!!

[Jennifer]

Brad Machette was (and still is) my cousin. I was only 8 when all this happened, but I clearly remember my mom talking to family about the horrible death my cousin had to go through. It haunts me more now than ever because my daughter is 11. There are so many abductions these days, as well as back then. I hope they find the THING that did this to my wonderful cousin. We used to jump on the beds together and eat candy:) I hope you will Rest in Peace soon Brad. I love you. ~Jenny

[Jenny]

I watched the podcast of the story and read the detective's blog. I feel so sorry for this little boy and his family. The police deserve a lot of credit for never giving up. We need more people like the the retired detective, Spingola, who hung on to Brad's photo from the time he was a rookie officer. This tragic case still bothers him.

[Camille]

Brad is my mother's little brother and I know it has been heavy on heart to not have answers all these years so I am happy that we are trying something new!

[LuAnn Will]

I hung out with Brads'sister Danielle and lived right on 2230 N. Weil ST. at that time. My maiden last name was Walker. I went to his funeral. I was 12 years old and remember it as if it were yesterday and it still haunts me. I have not seen Danielle since her family moved away from the east side. I am now 42 years old and I pray to God the fiend is caught.

[Mandy his lil sis]

On that very cold day in October a very special person was taken from our lives and destroy my family in an instant. Brad will always be my big brother and I wish the monster who killed him, will have strong justice brought upon him. I will always miss him and love him and still find it unfair to grow up without him. To those who knew him, please keep him in your prayers. Hopefully soon the truth will come out and finally Brad Allen will rest in peace. What a beautiful angel.

[Abagail]

Mandy...consider giving a guy named Steve Spingola a call. He has a very good blog about homicides in Milwaukee. He wrote about your brother. Still has his photo. Spingola doesn't give up, never. never, never. Get in touch with him. His blog web address is sleuthwiththeproof.blogspot.com

God bless you.

[windsavage]

Cracking "cold cases" only works IF you have a reliable data base. Now in case you haven't been aware of current events, the Wisconsin Department Of Justice has massively F*cked up on all their records.

They have lost and misplaced DNA records and evidence, have not keep records on known pedophiles and have been negligent on informing all law enforcement agencies of updates according to law.

On top of all of this, the same bast*rds that caused this problem still have their jobs because our hypocrite politicians are protecting them.

Add on to this a State department that has been criminally negligent in protecting our child (and they still have their jobs) means one thing ---

---I wanna work for the state; do nothing, screw up and still have a job.

[LuAnn Will]

Hi Mandy,
I grew up a half block away from your family. I hung out with your sister Danielle. I remember Brad and his passing like it was yesterday. Your whole family is in my prayers and with DNA, hopefully the monster is caught.