As we pause to reflect on the tragedy in Blacksburg, there are other episodes of loss that abound. The Austin Police Department needs your help in connection with finding the killer of photographer Michael Cahill. His murder was profiled by America's Most Wanted on April 7, 2007 and we urge you to go to amw.com to read the accounting of this senseless killing. Click here, or search for on Michael Cahill or "most recent episode".If you are reading this post you are a photo professional familiar with the practices, equipment and cast of characters which comprise the world of professional photography. Mike Cahill was a photographer and it might take the assistance of a brother/sister photographer to catch his killer.
By going to www.amw.com/features/feature_storydetail.cfm?id=1636 you can view a list of photographic equipment which the killer stole from Mr. Cahill and several other professional photographers who resided in and around Austin in 1979. Please note that the police believe that the killer was highly selective in what he stole from his photo victims.
Note that there were a substantial number of Leica cameras stolen. That might indicate that the killer/thief well knew and/or wanted that which he stole. Please check the serial numbers on the amw site and check them against any Leica or Canon equipment that you may have.
There is a significant possibility that the killer was/is a photographer or related professional. He may have lived and/or worked in Austin in and around 1979. He could be living or working anywhere.
I believe with the assistance of the professional photo community this killer can be traced and caught. So go to the amw site, put on your thinking cap and carefully examine the missing equipment.
Detective Sharen Soliz is in charge of this case. A portion of one of her e mails to me lists certain photo books that were stolen:
"The following books/magazines were either taken or stacked to be taken in the burglaries surrounding the Cahill murder case:
1) "Women See Woman" - ....by over 80 talented photographers
2) "The History of Photography" - Beaumont Newhall
3) "1979 Book of Days" (the "!978 Book of Days" was the publication used to form the "Book of Days" theory)
4) "Photojournalism 76" - could not see author's name
5) "Texas Heartland, A Hill Country Year" - Photographs by Jim Bones, Jr.
6) "Photojournalism" - Life Library of Photography
7) "Austin" - magazines - 4 editions - could not read the months but could provide articles featured on the covers if needed
8) Diane Arbus - softbound - large format book
9) Ansel Adams - basic photo set (4 books)
10) Ansel Adams - small format - hardbound
11) "Americans" - Robert Frank - small format - softbound
12) Doreatha Lange - softbound - small format book
13) Andre Kertesz - hardbound - large format book
14) Walker Evans - book of photographs
15) "The Craft of Photograph" - David Vestal
16) "Yearbook of Photography" - 2 books - published by Time/Life
17) "Doonesbury Chronicles"
18) "Texas Monthly" - magazine with photos by Rick Patrick titled "A Texas and His Gun"
"Please remember what we talked about with regard to the "Book of Days" just being one theory on this murder.
If someone finds they have some of the missing camera equipment, have them contact me. Email would be the preferable means of communication since I will be out of my office and my phone will likely go unanswered until I call to check messages. If a viable lead comes up, Sgt. Lara will evaluate the lead and assign it as needed.If you have any questions, feel free to contact me".
I think that a review the stolen equipment, reading material and cameras will reveal to you guys things that would never occur to laypeople. Remember this is a burglar and killer who selectively removed (non-collectable) photo books?! One of you out there has got to know something.
Crimes do not in real life get solved in 48 minutes plus commercials. This is real life. Mike Cahill's murderer has for two decades, skated. I believe you guys can help find the bastard.
If you have any information regarding this matter do not hesitate. Contact:
Sharen Soliz
Detective
Austin Police Department
Homicide Cold Case Unit
P. O. Box 689001
Austin, Texas 78768-9001
(512) 974-8576
Sharen.Soliz@ci.austin.tx.us
Also:
Edward C. Greenberg, PC
100 Park Ave.
33rd Fl
NYC NY 10017
ecglaw@aol.com
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