The Park of Death

The Park Of Death

I will attempt to tell this story, the way we lived it. I could not tell this story without telling you what I found, and the way I found it.

We Set Out To Find Justice

We had to find justice. Where did you find my son dead? Was he is his car that he had just gotten in January of 2015? We asked this of the officers standing in my living room, the night of the notification. No one seemed to want to answer my wife. So she asked them, "Was he in a bad area?" They answered in a monotone voice, "Yes". "Where?", I kept questioning, but they did not want to answer.

Law Enforcement Tried Not To Tell Me Anything

We got out of the trance it put us in, and the lingering question still remained. When I finally got an answer from the detective, he wouldn't tell me where it was. So I knew I had to find answers on my own.

Where was Meadow Brook Acres?

My Personal Journey

If we were going to find the killer, we would have to find out what happened? Law enforcement refused to tell us anything, so I waited for the death certificate. That was a sobering moment that made everything seem so very real. Up to that point, I think I was secretly hoping it was all a mistake and Rick would walk through our front door again. I mean Rick made it through fighting on the front lines of a war in a heavy artillery unit, how could anyone just murder him.

The Death Certificate

It said the site of the death was 44 Grey's Lane in Magnolia, Delaware. But where exactly was that. We googled it, and when that didn't tell me anything, I blew up Detective Porters phone. He was leading the investigation into's Rick's death. I bet he didn't know, I would become an integral part of his life.

He finally told us the area that it was in, but he wasn't specific. He just said it was down past Poly Tech High School. So we went looking. We could not find it, so I called him and he let it go to voicemail.

We continued to look and we came to a place called Paris Villa. A man walking down the street answered a few questions for my wife. He said pointing down the road, Meadow Brook Acres is down the road to the right, why do you ask? My wife replied,"My son was murdered there a couple weeks ago". He quickly excused himself, with the excuse, "I don't want anyone seeing me talking to you, you are his mother aren't you?" She confirmed his question, and wondered exactly what secrets lied in this off the beat area.

Meadow Brook Acres

We finally found it, and the only markings were a bent sign, that had at one time said, "Meadow Brook Acres". It was a secluded area, that was hidden by overgrown brush and trees. We were hestitant to enter the park, which mainly consisted of mobile homes, but our need for justice and answers were more powerful than our fears, so we turned into the park.

We were not prepared for what we saw, and now we had to find 44 Grey's Lane. I was shocked and the discovery led to more questions than it provided answers.

Disbelief, Tears And Vomiting

As much as my wife did not want to pull into this horrible place, it was either that or my wife vomited all over our vehicle. Therefore, we headed towards the entrance, and then pulled over to what we thought was a safe spot, and then she vomited.

When we found our way to Grey's Lane and found 44, "My baby died in that driveway. Yes, temporarily my wife thought, "What are you thinking, but she knew her son". She kept insisting to Detective Porter when he said they were going to do a drug screen on my son's body, and she kept telling him that it would come up clean.

She called him the next day, to see just how the drug screen came back. --He very sharply said, "IT WAS NEGATIVE FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS!!!!!!!! The only thing it said that it showed the equivalent of one alcoholic drink in his system, not enough to even be a DUI.

So Now What

I wanted to know what the history was in this horrible sewer pit, that people actually lived in and "Why did my son die here? Why indeed?"

The History of Meadow Brook Acres - Magnolia Delaware

I had never heard of Meadow Brook Acres, although many people did, apparently our son had, he died there among filth and criminals.

I found out that Meadow Brook Acres had been known for drugs, crimes and violence and even murder, long before my son was found in that horrible driveway with twelve bullets in his head and upper torso.

It Was The Go To Place For Drugs

We sadly found out that Meadow Brook Acres, was the go to place if you wanted to buy drugs. It was also known for murder, and during my investigation, we found many people who said, that had lived there once, that murders in that park were common.

It was also known for crimes other than drugs and murder. People were afraid to go near there, no less in the park. There were also two other places nearby, and they were also considered bad areas. Meadow Brook Acres, London Village, and Paris Villa, were affectionately called "The Bush", and I assumed that was because it was secluded by the over growth of trees and brush.

However The Question Prevailed -What was Rick Doing There

He lived with us, and him and his mother were always extremely close. She knew him very well, the good, the bad and the ugly, and believe me whatever you are thinking, she wondered also.

However, things are not always what you think they are, and does Mommy know her baby boy better than the authorities and public opinion? We would soon find out.

As you can see by the photo, we had to retrieve from a former news broadcast, that even before we bought Rick's case to the forefront, it was highly publicized, but when I began searching for a killer, and for answers, it became even more so.

How I Survived Going Into The Park Of Death

Law Enforcement said it was because they were afraid of my wife, all four foot eleven inches of me, and I weighed 109 pounds,

However, my wife did go into that park with an attitude. There were residents of that park, that asked us while we were hanging flyers, decorating every pole and tree with a flyer that had our son's picture on it. "What are you doing here?"

My wife answered matter of fact, "My blood was spilled in this sewer pit, now it belongs to me, until I find answers. Please do not get in my way."

And Answers We Did Find

We found answers about why Rick was there and about the system that was suppose to protect him.

My Journey

It took us two years and ten months to find the answers I wanted.

It took us past the finding of Rick's killer dead in a lake in Dover, Delaware, to a journey that taught me what problems law enforcement faces today and in the past.

It showed us about the use of innocent people that are used for confidential informants and the lack of protection they give them.

It also showed us the enormous task that law enforcement faces every day, and the inadequacies of the same agency that is given the job to protect us.

As I Told A Commanders Secretary

I have met some police officers that are great officers and do their job above and beyond the call of duty.

I have met some police officers that are not that dedicated to their job.

I have seen some police officers that are corrupt.

The Commanders Secretary Responded

"As in Any Profession". And perhaps that is accurate, however, it shouldn't have to cost anyone their life.- That is one thing that cannot be replaced.

This story is dedicated to the loving memory of Richard L Jacobs Jr, that died in Meadow Brook Acres in Magnolia, Delaware on March 27, 2015 @11:20pm.