BRINGMICKEY HOME
Candlelight Vigil

Slideshow

Visit:

Bring Mickey Home

Family turns to prayer in search for Mickey

By Aimee M. Henderson
Staff Writer, ahenderson@turely.com

[Published July 15, 2010]

BELCHERTOWN – It has been two months since Michael “Mickey” Brougham of Jabish Street went missing, and this Friday his family will turn to prayer in hopes to bring him home.
On Friday, Aug. 27 a prayer service will be held at the Quabbin Tower parking area, scenic overlook, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with family, friends and Belchertown United Church of Christ members present. The family is asking that community members join the prayer service.
“Mickey went missing two months ago and this will mark that date, and we felt it was important to stay mindful of the timeline,” said sister Carla Chaisson. “The prayer service is intended to be a shorter, more brief gathering than that in the past, with the primary purpose focusing on the power of prayer and the active investigation.”
Chaisson said her family has continued to hope for the best, but as time passes with no word about the location of her brother, worry does set in.
“It does become increasingly difficult as time goes on, and we continue to need people to come forward with leads and tips because everything is helpful,” she said. “As a family and community, we remain strong in our resolve to ‘Bring Mickey Home.’ Each day, we work toward this goal. With God’s grace, we can do this….we can bring Mickey home.”
In case of inclement weather the prayer service will be moved to the Belchertown United Church of Christ located on 18 Park St. Visit www.bringmickeyhome.com for up-to-date information or the facebook group “Bring Mickey Home.” You may also call 413-221-4407 for location verification. To get to the Quabbin Tower parking area, take Route 9 east from Belchertown center 4.3 miles to the second entrance of the Quabbin Reservoir, proceed half a mile to the spillway then 1.8 miles to the Quabbin Tower parking area.
Brougham, 54, was last seen in Belchertown on Friday, June 25 driving his pick-up truck near the center of town, alone. He was reported missing by his family the following Sunday after his wallet was found near a racetrack in Loudon, NH and they had not heard from him. He did not make plans to care for his animals, nor did he let family know of his plans, which is out of character for Brougham, according to family. Brougham did not take anything from his home that indicated he would be gone for any length of time, including medication. Brougham had recently had cardiac bypass surgery and is a diabetic. All of Brougham’s vehicles were still at his home.
Brougham’s family is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to his return. Visit the family’s website, www.BringMickeyHome.com. There is a guest book and an area to leave anonymous tips. If anyone has information about the disappearance of Michael Brougham they are encouraged to contact the Belchertown Police Department at 413-323-6655.

Candle vigil focuses on hope
Hundreds gather on common to ‘Bring Mickey Home’

By Aimee M. Henderson
Staff Writer, ahenderson@turely.com

[Published July 15, 2010]
BELCHERTOWN – A message of hope and faith was the central theme of a candlelight vigil held on the common last Friday evening. The hope that Mickey Brougham will return home and the faith that his family will see him again.
Approximately 500 people gathered on the Belchertown Common on Friday, two weeks after the last time Brougham was seen. There were prayers, songs, tears and stories shared by his family and friends. Brougham’s motorcycle was parked in front of the common’s Memory Tree, which was ornamented with white lights and blue ribbons. The other trees on the common also were wrapped with blue ribbons and bows, and those in attendance were given blue lapel ribbons to pin to their shirts. Buttons with Brougham’s picture were also distributed and his family and close friends wore “Bring Mickey Home” T-shirts.
Cindy Brown, Brougham’s sister, was the first family member to speak during the night, and she thanked the community for its support.
“On behalf of our family I want to welcome all of you and thank you for taking the time this evening to share this event with us,” she said. “I know you understand that tonight is very hard. It’s as hard for us as it is for you. But we wanted to share some of our thoughts.”
Brown shared her memories of her brother and expressed that she has known him his entire life, seeing as she is the eldest of six.
“I’ve known Mickey all of his life, without a doubt he is a middle child and has had very different relationships with each of us,” she said. “From his childhood there have been many words we have used to describe him. Some of them good and quite frankly some of them not-so-good.”
Brown went on to describe her brother as hardheaded, argumentative, persistent, independent and scrappy, but always a friend.
“Those very characteristics are what makes him who he is. He is loyal, and for many - the go-to person when you need a problem solved. He has a great sense of humor, he is generous with his time and money,” Brown said. “He loves nothing more than to kick back in front of a roaring fire with great friends and a great cocktail in his hand.”
Brown continued though, talking about her brother’s passionate side.
“Although he often portrays the image of a motorcycle riding tough guy, and he loves to do that, underneath that he is a passionate, caring man who has connected and committed to many people on many levels. He loves nothing more than to help, protect and defend his family and friends,” she said.
Brown expressed her family’s gratitude for the community’s “outpouring love and support” that has been shared with them throughout the difficult time they face with her brother’s disappearance. She said her brother would have been “absolutely honored and rendered speechless” to see such a crowd.
“If Mickey was to come here tonight and see all this, first he would say, ‘What are you doing?’ He would be hurt and then he would be angry because he wasn’t invited. And then, just as quickly, he would absolutely be honored and rendered speechless at the realization of how many people actually love him,” she said. “This crowd is a testament to the people who care deeply and struggling with his disappearance.”
One of Brougham’s other sisters, Frances Lofland, shared the same sentiments, but also reminded the crowd to not lose hope.
“This is an incredible outpouring of love for Mick,” said Lofland. “Mick would be very proud… This gathering tonight is about hope and faith. It is not a memorial service. This is about the community coming together showing solidarity and strength and that we are not going to stop until we bring him home.”
Lofland talked about how it took some time for other communities to take Brougham’s disappearance more serious, but his hometown knew from the start that something was not right.
“Everyone in this community, from private citizens to law enforcement, immediately knew there was a problem. The one thing we all know about Mickey is that he is very predictable. He often follows the same routine because it’s comfortable for him,” she said. “Yet we all know Mick has the ability to be a risk taker and we have all learned to live with that and accept it as a part of his personality. In a world of copies, Mickey Brougham is an original…He has touched many people. It is time for us to reach out and touch him.”
Lofland ended with a plea to help bring her brother home. She reminded citizens to call the police with any information leading up to his disappearance.
“I miss my brother. I want my brother home. And we will not stop until that happens. I hope the people on this common tonight will stay behind this family and we can do this together because Mickey deserves it,” she said.
Brown also urged the public to stay focused on the purpose of the night – to bring Mickey home.
“Please keep thoughts and comments focused on our purpose tonight. We all know none of this makes sense. Mickey does not disappear. Mickey would not leave his cat, his home, his friends, and most importantly, his family, without letting us know where he is going,” said Brown. “We are lucky to be living in Belchertown. Belchertown is a very caring community. We need your help. More importantly he needs your help. We strongly believe that someone has seen or heard something that is very important. Please tell the police. It may be insignificant to you, but it may be just what we need to bring him home to all of us.”
Several other friends spoke of their memories of Brougham – from helping to build a new home to burying a beloved dog to helping save a precious life. Several songs were song, including Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” performed by Ryan Butler, a music teacher in Belchertown and friend of the family.
As the evening progressed and the daylight faded – 400 candles were passed out to the crowd. Some even broke candles in two to make sure others had one to light. As each candle was lit a soft glow grew through the crowd and the common.
Shortly after the crowd’s candles were lit and a lit candle was placed in front of Brougham’s motorcycle, Magi Bish approached the podium to share her hope with the family and friends that had gathered.
Bish’s daughter, Molly Bish, was abducted from her lifeguard post at Comins Pond in Warren 10 years ago on the same date that Brougham was reported missing – June 27. She shared that she didn’t know “the pain another family was going through” because it was Molly’s anniversary, but she soon got in touch with the sisters and talked about Mickey.
“Today I feel like I know the family more. I am very very amazed at the hard work they have put forward,” said Bish. “In 10 years I’ve never seen a Christmas tree at any of Molly’s vigils. And this is an absolute beautiful testament…I didn’t know him, but I feel him.”
Bish focused on hope, but also focused on the color blue, which had a strong presence during the vigil.
“Tonight we do gather under the blue twilight skies of Belchertown,” she said. “The color blue reflects great contrast in our lives. The great blue sky we are looking at now…tonight we feel that contrast because of the amazing love that we have here tonight and the unfortunate evil that has found its way into this family and community.”
While candles continued to glow and the night sky became darker, Bish pointed out that one small light can make a difference.
“It is said, never under estimate the light from one small candle, and in a few moments our lights will sparkle like the stars filling a night sky – with hope,” said Bish. “When someone is missing hope becomes your very breath. I didn’t know Mickey, but I know the fear that the family and this community is experiencing. When someone goes missing, you expect them to come home. You wait- the first hour, the first day, the first week. How do you go on?
“Good has overcome, and prayer will hold you up when you don’t think you’ll be able to stand any longer,” said Bish. “Mickey may be among the missing, but he’s here with each of our hearts we all carry him differently.”
Michael “Mickey” Brougham, 54 of Jabish Street, was last seen in Belchertown on Friday, June 25 driving his pick-up truck near the center of town, alone. Brougham was reported missing by his family on Sunday, June 27 after his wallet was found near a racetrack in Loudon, NH and they had not heard from him.
If anyone has any information as to Brougham’s whereabouts they are encouraged to call the Belchertown Police Department at 413-323-6685.

Family reaches out to help find Mickey
Candle vigil planned for Friday at 8 p.m.

By Aimee M. Henderson
Staff Writer, ahenderson@turley.com

[Published July 8, 2010]
BELCHERTOWN – A week has passed since a man from Belchertown went missing, and his family is now offering a cash reward for any clues that will lead to finding him.
Michael “Mickey” Brougham, 54 of Jabish Street, was last seen in Belchertown on Friday afternoon driving his pick-up truck near the center of town, alone. Brougham was reported missing by his family last Sunday after his wallet was found near a racetrack in Loudon, NH and they had not heard from him. It was believed, at first, he had gone there to attend a NASCAR race. However after a large-scale search using people, canine units, helicopters and ATVs on Thursday, July 1 resulted nothing, the focus of the search turned back to Belchertown, according to family.
“Police departments in Belchertown and Loudon have been working together to help solve this mystery,” said Cindy Brown, Brougham’s sister. “There was no indication that he had been there. The cooperation between states continues, but the focus of our search now returns to Belchertown.”
Brown said the facts they know for sure are “extremely confusing and misleading,” and that is why they are putting a call out to residents to help find Mickey.
“It has been more than a week since our brother and son, Mickey Brougham, went missing. This is the type of nightmare that we all read about but now has happened in our small town,” said Brown. “The facts we know are extremely confusing and misleading. We need your help.”
Brougham was last seen in Belchertown on Friday afternoon, but he was not at his home on Jabish Street on Friday evening. He did not make plans to care for his animals, nor did he let family know of his plans, which is out of character for Brougham, according to family.
“It is inconceivable to all of us, as well as those who know him, that he has disappeared and has not had any contact,” said Brown.
Brougham did not take anything from his home that indicates he would be gone for any length of time, including medication. Brown said her brother had recently had cardiac bypass surgery and is a diabetic. All of Brougham’s vehicles are at his home, and he had made plans for a full schedule of work during the week.
Brougham’s family is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to his return, and has planned a vigil on the common for Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m.
“Belchertown is a small tight nit community. We are asking that you think about what you may have seen or heard during the time leading up to his disappearance sometime Friday. His home is on Jabish Street, however you may have seen something in another area of town. We are confident that someone saw or heard something, which will help us know what happened and bring him home,” said Brown.
The Broughams have planned a variety of events to draw attention to the disappearance of Mickey, including setting up a website, www.BringMickeyHome.com. There is a guest book and an area to leave anonymous tips. Aside from that, there are thousands of posters with pictures of Brougham circulating the area, including New Hampshire.
If anyone has information about the disappearance of Michael Brougham they are encouraged to contact the Belchertown Police Department at 413-323-6655.
“Please help us find Mickey,” said Brown.

Belchertown man missing after trip to New Hampshire

By Aimee M. Henderson
Staff Writer, ahenderson@turley.com

[Published July 1, 2010]
LOUNDON, NH – A 55-year-old Belchertown man has been reported missing after a trip to New Hampshire with a female acquaintance, according to local and Loudon New Hampshire police officials.
Michael Brougham, of Jabish Street, was reported missing by his family on Sunday after his wallet was found in the vicinity of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is believed he had gone to Loudon to attend a NASCAR race, The LENOX Industrial Tools 301, which had taken place on Sunday.
Belchertown Police Chief Francis R. Fox, Jr. said his department is working closely with the family as to Brougham’s last known whereabouts, and could not comment as to whether or not they suspect foul play. He said they are treating the case as a missing persons report.
Fox said his family has concerns about Brougham’s disappearance because it is out of his character to not be in touch with them for an extended period of time.
Loudon Police Chief Robert N. Fiske said the department is actively investigating the disappearance of Brougham as well, and had most recently spoke with family members on Monday morning.
Fiske said Brougham’s wallet was found by people in the area of the racetrack, who then called a cellular telephone number that was found in the wallet, which was the phone number of a family member.
Fiske said his department has looked into a couple of things, including checking area hospitals, county jails and motels in the immediate vicinity. He said the department was going to further their investigation into the surrounding county area. At this time Fiske said there doesn’t seem to be any foul play.
“Certainly, in my opinion, there has been no foul play,” said Fiske, adding that it is “conceivable that he came to the race with a female acquaintance.”
Fiske said the department had recently “pinned” his cell phone location in the Laconia, New Hampshire area, and the investigation will continue in that direction.
“It is not clear, but it is 99 percent certain, that the pin was located in a traveling vehicle,” said Fiske.
Fox said Belchertown Police is working closely with Laconia Police, as well as local media.
“We are doing everything we can to find him,” said Fox, adding that they have sent his picture to the media in that area to broadcast it for any tips.
Brougham owns his own business in town, Brougham’s Excavating. His brother, Gary Brougham, is the town administrator of Belchertown. If anyone has any information as to Brougham’s whereabouts they are encouraged to call the Belchertown Police Department at 413-323-6685.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Belchertown Police Department at:

413-323-6655

Any information you can provide could be a help in finding Mickey.
Phone anonymously:

1-866-477-8237