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James Renner collection on the Amy Mihaljevic case

Special Collections and Archives

James Renner collection on the Amy Mihaljevic case

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Special Collections and Archives

James Renner collection on the Amy Mihaljevic case

You are here

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: James Renner collection on the Amy Mihaljevic case
Inclusive Date(s): 1987-2010
Bulk Date(s): 2005-2007
Author: Finding aid prepared by Edith Serkownek
Creation: Finding aid encoded by Edith Serkownek using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2010
Origination: Renner, James, 1978-
Extent: 2 cubic feet (5 boxes = 1 record storage box, 1 half size box, 1 video box, 1 manuscript box and 1 newspaper box)
Physical Location: 11th Floor
Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0104
Abstract: This collection contains reporter and author James Renner's research and writing about the unsolved abduction and murder of 10-year old Bay Village, Ohio, resident, Amy Mihaljevic in 1989. Renner published an article on the topic in Cleveland Scene magazine called, "The Coldest Case" (2005), followed by a book, Amy: My Search for her Her Killer (2006). The collection includes material dating from 1987 through 2010.
Revision(s):
July 2019 - Revised by Cara Gilgenbach
Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of James Renner

Reporter and author James Renner was born in 1978 in Cleveland, Ohio. He received an English degree from Kent State University. While working as a staff writer for Cleveland Scene magazine, Renner began investigating the unsolved 1989 abduction and murder of Amy Mihaljevic. Although Mihaljevic's body was found in early 1990 an intensive hunt for her kidnapper and killer was unsuccessful. Renner's article titled "The Coldest Case" appeared in the July 20-26, 2005 issue of the magazine. Renner eventually left his job in order to research and write a book on the case. Amy: My Search for her Killer was published in October 2006 by Gray & Company.

Currently Renner edits an alternative newspaper, The Independent, and he has also produced several independent films. He continues to maintain the blog, http://www.amymihaljevic.blogspot.com, to which people can send tips or write comments about the case.

Scope and Content

This collection contains reporter and author James Renner's research and writing about the unsolved abduction and murder of 10-year old Bay Villiage, Ohio, resident Amy Mihaljevic in 1989. The contents of the collection include original newspaper accounts of the crime, Renner's research and interview notes with friends, family, police, FBI agents and suspects, and extensive correspondence from readers of his book and blog, http://www.amymihaljevic.blogspot.com, as well as transcripts of the article and book he published on the topic.

Statement of Arrangement

The James Renner collection on the Amy Mihaljevic case is divided into series as follows:
Series 1: Research and Working Files
Subseries 1A: Research and Working Files: General Research Files
Subseries 1B: Research and Working Files: Article and Book Files
Subseries 1C: Research and Working Files: Blog Posts and Reader Responses
Series 2: Audio-Visual Files
Series 3: Oversize


Separated Material

Please note that books from this collection have been catalogued in KentLINK.

Preferred Citation

James Renner collection on the Amy Mihaljevic case. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Jame Renner placed this collection on deposit with Kent State University Special Collections and Archives in June 2007. He added additional material to the collection and donated it to Kent State Special Collections and Archives in June 2010.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Murder--Ohio--Cleveland
Murder victims--Ohio--Cleveland
Kidnapping--Ohio--Cleveland
Persons:
Mihaljevic, Amy
Functions:
Investigative reporting
Authorship
Places:
Cleveland (Ohio)
Occupations:
Reporters and reporting
Authors, American
Material Types:
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Research notes
Manuscripts for publication



Detailed Description of The Collection

Series 1: Research and Working Files, 1989-2010
Scope and Content
This series contains Renner's research and working files for his 2005 Cleveland Scene article, "The Coldest Case" and his 2006 book, Amy: My Search for Her Killer. In addition, it contains reader responses and leads on the case following the publication of the book, many of which came through Renner's tip blog, http://www.amymihaljevic.blogspot.com.

Arrangement
Files are organized by subject and then chronologically.

Processing Information
Renner's original file names have been retained in some cases.

Series 1A: Research and Working Files: General Research Files, 1989-2010
Box 1 / Folder 1
Background: Newspaper and periodical articles covering the case and its aftermath, Miscellaneous dates 1989-2002
Box 1 / Folder 2
Background: Oprah Winfrey Show transcript on unsolved crimes with Mihaljevic's mother, 1992
Box 1 / Folder 3
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research (folder 1 of 2), 2005
Box 1 / Folder 4
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research (folder 2 of 2), 2005
Box 1 / Folder 5
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research, 2006
Box 1 / Folder 6
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research (folder 1 of 2), 2007
Box 1 / Folder 7
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research (folder 2 of 2), 2007
Box 1 / Folder 8
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research, 2008
Box 1 / Folder 9
Renner contacts, correspondence, interview notes and research, 2009-2010
Box 1 / Folder 10
Coroner's office and death certificate: Mihaljevic's death certificate and Renner's correspondence attempting to obtain Mihaljevic's full coroner's report, 2005-2007
Box 1 / Folder 11
FBI/Police: Renner's research and notes, 2005-2006
Box 1 / Folder 12
Friends/Family: Renner's research and notes, 2005-2006
Box 1 / Folder 13
Suspect File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2005
Box 1 / Folder 14
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2005
Box 1 / Folder 15
Suspect File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2007
Box 1 / Folder 16
Suspect File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2005
Box 1 / Folder 17
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2008-2009
Box 1 / Folder 18
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, circa 2005
Box 1 / Folder 19
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2005
Box 1 / Folder 20
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2007
Box 1 / Folder 21
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2006-2007
Box 1 / Folder 22
Suspect: File: Alphabetical: Renner's research and notes, 2007
Box 1 / Folder 23
Additional Suspects: Renner's research and notes, 2005-2007
Box 1 / Folder 24
Volunteers: Renner's research and notes including poster seeking information on Mihaljevic's murder (circa 1990), 2005
Box 1 / Folder 25
Similar Cases: Articles and correspondence regarding similar and miscellaneous crimes, Gathered 2005-2007
Box 1 / Folder 26
Miscellaneous: Safety with Slider, children's safety workbook published by A.M.Y. (Community Fund for Assisting Missing Youth), Early 1990s
Box 1 / Folder 27
Miscellaneous: Bay Village Directory, 1999-2000
Box 1 / Folder 28
Photographs: Police searching railroad tracks for Mihaljevic, Bay Village, and correspondence, November 1989 and undated
Box 2 / Folder 1
Volunteers: Press clipping scrapbook covering the Amy Mihaljevic case including volunteer office flyers and requests., 1989-1990
Personal Name: Scrapbook created by Stephanie Sunseri, a volunteer in the Mihaljevic search effort

Box 3 / Folder 1
Book: Buy the Truth. Do Not Sell It!: A Book of Life, A Book of Insight, A Book of Prophecy by Richard Alan Folbert. Internet book by suspect, Circa 2005

Series 1B: Research and Working Files: Articles and Book Files, 2005-2007
Box 1 / Folder 29
Cleveland Scene, "The Coldest Case": Article drafts and editor's correspondence, July 2005
Box 1 / Folder 30
Amy: My Search for Her Killer: Book-related notes including correspondence with publisher, Renner's chapter notes and Renner promotional speaking brochure, 2006-2007
Box 1 / Folder 31
Amy: My Search for Her Killer: Photographs, sketches and posters used in the book and permission to publish forms, 2006
Box 3 / Folder 2
Amy: My Search for Her Killer: Book manuscript with notes and corrections, [2006]

Series 1C: Research and Working Files: Blog Posts and Reader Responses, 2006-2007
Box 1 / Folder 32
Renner's blog posts on www.amymihaljevic.blogspot.com, August 2006-May 2007
Box 1 / Folder 33
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, October 2006
Box 1 / Folder 34
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, November 2006
Box 1 / Folder 35
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, December 2006
Box 1 / Folder 36
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, January 2007
Box 1 / Folder 37
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, February 2007
Box 1 / Folder 38
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, March 2007
Box 1 / Folder 39
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, April 2007
Box 1 / Folder 40
Reader responses following the publication of Renner's book including leads and theories, May 2007

Series 2: Audio-Visual Material, 1989-2007
Box 4 / Folder 1
VHS tape: Channel 19 News report, Undated
Alternate Form Available
Please use DVD Reference Copy for access to the content of this VHS.
Box 4 / Folder 2
VHS tape: Fox 8 "Amy", Undated
Alternate Form Available
Please use DVD Reference Copy for access to the content of this VHS.
Box 4 / Folder 3
VHS tape: "Amy", Undated
Alternate Form Available
Please use DVD Reference Copy for access to the content of this VHS.
Box 4 / Folder 4
VHS tape: Amy book interviews and news stories", 2007
Alternate Form Available
Please use DVD Reference Copy for access to the content of this VHS.
Box 4 / Folder 5
DVD: Amy at Stephanie Weeks' graduation party, Summer 1989
Box 4 / Folder 6
DVD: "Nordonia Library", 2007
Box 4 / Folder 7
CD-R: Amy Mihaljevic "scans", Undated
Processing Information
11 EPS files were recovered from the original CD. These files were converted to PDF/A files and burned onto a new CD. The PDF/A files have also been retained separately.
Box 4 / Folder 8
CD-R Amy Mihaljevic images by Walter Novak, October 24, 2005
Box 4 / Folder 9
CD-R: Interview with Bay Village detective Mark Spaetzel (1 of 3), Undated
Box 4 / Folder 10
CD-R: Interview with Bay Village detective Mark Spaetzel (2 of 3), Undated
Box 4 / Folder 11
CD-R: Interview with Bay Village detective Mark Spaetzel (3 of 3), Undated

Series 3: Oversize, 2005-2006
Box 5 / Folder 1
Trading Times issue, February 15-22, 2006
Box 5 / Folder 2
Poster of book cover, Amy: My Search for Her Killer, [2006]
Box 5 / Folder 3
Free Times article, "Missing Amy": Editor's copy with corrections, October 11-17, 2006
Box 5 / Folder 4
Cleveland Scene article, "The Coldest Case": Editor's copy with corrections (2 copies), [July 20-26, 2005]
Box 5 / Folder 5
Cleveland Scene, "The Coldest Case", July 20-26, 2005