Testimonial

Hi, my name is Katie Gaon. My mom is Julie Gaon and you are one of her clients at Northwestern Mutual. I am sending you this email because I read about your loss in the UK October 2003 edition of Marie Claire magazine and I want to tell you how deeply sorry I am.

This last summer, I backpacked in Europe for five weeks. My best friend, who I was traveling with, went home early and I spent the remainder of my trip with other friends who were studying abroad. So, when I was traveling home, I was traveling by myself for two days, making my way from Venice to London, where I was to fly back to the States. At one of the train stations, I picked up a copy of Marie Claire to help the time go by a little faster. Prior to arriving at the Heathrow airport in London, I read the article about Alyson. My mom had told me the story before I left, so I knew it was the same story when I came across the article. The article brought tears to my eyes and made me feel so fortunate that I had a safe trip. The article touched me very deeply, making me truly miss my family for the first time in weeks. At that point, all I really wanted was to go home. I arrived in London at about 9pm on Saturday night and was intending to get a hotel room by myself until early next morning when my plane took off. But, after reading about your tragedy, I didn't want to take any chances or go anywhere by myself at night, so I stayed at the Starbucks in the airport all night. I knew that chances were that I would be safe staying in a nearby hotel and that I would get more sleep that way, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave the airport. I couldn't stop thinking about Alyson and about your family.

I think it is wonderful that you and your family have set up a memorial foundation in Alyson's name in order to reduce the risks for young travelers abroad. I was lucky to have had a safe trip and I am aware of the many dangers present when traveling in a foreign country. The article helped to solidify my knowledge of these dangers. If there is anything I can do to help the foundation in order to raise awareness, I would be more than willing to help. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Katie Gaon

As a Londoner I was horrified to read of this crime following the trial last April. The events was widely reported in the London Press.I chanced across this Web Site and would like to express my sorrow at your loss.I feel that the Police and the Bus and Station management had seriously failed Alyson. Like any capital city in the world there are always the detritus of society using staions late at night and the authorities should have been aware of this, especilly given the weather conditions. I do note that there are now a number of Community Policeman on site at various main line stations and police contact phones at other termini. But I am sure there is still a lot of work to be done. I will certainly urge further action. I support your sentiments in the protection of students in their travelling and am sure this will have a positive effect in the future. I am sure there are many thousands of \"the silent majority\" in England who can empathise with your pain so please do not feel that this is a heartless or unfeeling society. My thoughts are with your family and I hope you receive the strength to deal with the continued pain of these awful events.

With Love and Hope Regards,
John Fleet

A friend and I had ditched a day of school in early 2000 to travel to Las Vegas for the weekend. We were only 18 and were excited to be able to sight see along the strip on our own. Even though we weren\'t old enough to gamble we thought it would be fun and exciting! We coudln\'t have been more wrong. We were in the Rio for their nice buffet. No sooner as we had just stepped in line two men started to talk to us. One guy claimed he was related to the Baldwins and the other had said he announces all the fights for the Rio and he gets to stay in the suites. Knowing that some guys will say anything to get a girl we kinda just ignored them and smiled. They had asked if they could sit with us for dinner. We had said no thanks. And kinda lost them in the line. We paid for our meal and sat down to eat. After a few bites we see them coming towards us. Not wanting any company from them we get up and leave. They followed us out of the buffet area and into the casino. We walked faster...so did they. We weave in and out through the slot machines and try to lose them, hurrying to get to the parking lot. They followed. We run and finally get to the lot. We jump in the car and and turn it on in a hurry and jump on the gas to get out of there. We drive around the strip and onto Luxor to lose them. And that was just the beggining of this trip. We had encountered another man who offered us money to \"be seen\" with him. He also had two huge men who I guess were bodyguards or something. I wish now I had carried some pepper spray or a blow horn around in my purse. There are so many men out there looking to take advantage of young women and who can\'t take \"no\" as an answer. We learned to travel in big groups of people and not to just hang around so strange men may have a chance to talk to us. Always have a destination to get to.

Jamie Wegforth

I recently read the article about your daughter, friend, cousin, love one. I was appalled that someone could take another persons life like he did. I live in London. I am now more aware when travelling in England or abroad. I now pay more careful attention. I think that the website you have done is an eye-opener. If there is an thing going on around london to do with Alysons foundation, please keep me in contact. I would love to help out. This has really broaden my awareness, I had tears in my eyes when I read the article in Chat Magazine. So I cannot even come to think about the pain and grief you and your family have struggled and maybe not fully come through. With the bottom of my heart, this website is far better then any other site I have been on. I will make sure I will pass this onto friends and family inorder to make sure everyone knows about your beauitful girl and how her life was taken from her. Thank-you for sharing this with the world and maybe one day everyone will know your precious little girl had ambitions for life but sadly was taken away from her. Once again Thanks. Alexandra from London aged 16.

Alexandra Hanlon