Tragic Dec. 8, 1974 murder of my Oakdale Junior High classmate 

That was very nice of you Jeff to pay homage to someone so young, innocent and almost forgotten....now we all know, thank you!

It’s hard to believe that guy did so little time and is still around today. It was nice of you to honor her the way you did.

After we lost a dog my friend shared his philosophy, "They're only gone when they're forgotten." That helped, and that could apply to people as well as pets.

Out of the ballpark Jeff. Editing, storyline and filming are excellent. This one deserves an award. The system has been failing us for a long time. Godspeed Vivian … You are not forgotten…

So heartbreaking. Such an honorable and respectful job done by you Jeff. Thank you.

This is such a heavy and heart breaking story. It is unfortunately a reality in this world. Thank you Jeff for allowing us to remember Vivian, your classmate from so long ago. Very well done and, as usual, appreciated. Oh, I was born about nine weeks after Vivian (July 31, 1961) so her story seems more relatable. Very sad.

I am so sorry about your classmates murder! This was such a sad video! I am so sorry about your cousin too! I remember 1974 and life was so different. Thank you for bringing Vivian’s murder to light so she isn’t forgotten. Sending you prayers and healing thoughts as you relive this sad time!

I hope this was good therapy for you Jeff. I know it had to have been painful - especially being at the scenes. Now my family knows about her and will pray for her soul and everyone affected by this. The production on this was spectacular. Thanks for sharing this story. Very well done Sir.

Jeff, I could see and hear your pain as I was watching this. I am so sorry that this happened, and it also angers me that the person who robbed her out of so many Joy's of life only got 6 years for her murder. I have no doubt that she is with our Heavenly Father, at peace. This story reminds me of when I was young living in small town USA, and of the two friends I had there living only a few houses down from where I lived. They went to the lake one weekend day. One was drowning and the other went in to help and ended up drowning too. Those two friends were my introduction to "death". I was around 12, 13 years old. I'm 58 years old now but I remember that day like it was yesterday. Jeff, please know by what you did here will help keep Vivian's memory alive. And also, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your cousin, Sandra. May God comfort you and give you peace. God Bless you and your family.

Thank you Jeff for sharing this moving tribute to your classmate. It's so hard to accept the death of someone so young. May she rest in peace.

There’s a saying that says people die twice the human body dies the first time and then the memory of that person dies the last time someone speaks their name. Thanks for the video, Jeff and I’m very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and to her family.

I remember this case so well. I was living in Livermore and attending Junction Avenue school when this happened. Thank you for keeping Vivian's memory alive.

I pass some of these locations on a daily and weekly basis and live not to far from where Vivian was was tragically found. I will never look at the peach weighing station the same way again as I pass by it. Thank you Jeff for all the hard research you do on each and every video you do. God bless Vivian and everyone that was effected by this tragic senseless and heinous crime.

I was as old as Vivian living in Southern California and my girlfriends and I were, unaware of the dangers, hitchhiking to the malls. We were cute and met a lot of creepy guys. Gosh, we were lucky!! Now, after 30 years in law enforcement, I have learned a lot and I have seen our California laws put soo many people in jeopardy. The parole system fails in keeping the public safe and most people have no clue until something happens.

I'm so deeply sorry for the tragid loss of your cousin and the brutal death of Vivian. It's unbelievable to me that someone who had previously threatened to kill their own parents, was not being more closely observed and the fact that he got such a ridiculously light sentence is incomprehensible. I find it infuriating also, that he was later given a job as a taxi driver, where he could prey on innocent women. I can't imagine that he just stopped this type of offending either, even after being in jail the second time around. It's so horrendous. 😔

What a tragic story. Thank you for sharing with us and keeping Vivian's memory alive.

MEMORY ETERNAL! It's beautiful how you brought this unfortunate girl to the hearts and minds of those who would otherwise never known. The touching tribute is a gift of love to Vivian and those affected by this tragedy. Yes, Vivian was a child of God, worthy of remembrance. In 1972, a 12 year-old boy in our county, Brad Bellino, was brutally murdered and thrown away in a dumpster. It eventually came out that he had been molested as well, the details being too horrific to recount. I was eleven years old at the time and still recall the feeling of shock and vulnerability. His murderer was never found.

What a sad and horrible ending to such a young girl with her whole life in front of her. That was really nice to keep her memory alive and paying tribute to her. Once again a class act guys! Take care and see ya on the next one. Frank from Philadelphia, PA.

From Oakdale, I’m that Livingston historian! Been really lovely to see your channel grow.

Vivian will always be remembered by many of Oakdale Junior High's classmates. This episode was difficult to watch as it brought back the memories of fear that reached our little town of Oakdale, CA. It was a time when you could stay out until the streetlights came on. We hadn't heard of 'Stranger Danger' yet. We left our doors unlocked during the day. It definitely changed how we acted as children back then. And, how we brought our children up in the future. Jeff, thank you for all the long and hard work you have done on this story.

What a heartfelt and tragic recollection. My father was very protective of my sisters and I. He served in law enforcement during that time and retired in 1976 from Stockton CHP. Bless you for remembering her and sharing her story with us.

Wow. This really touched my soul. I, myself being 14 years old at that time, had also hitchhiked around that year in Stanislaus County. After watching this video I feel that could have been me easily. Sorry for the loss of your friend and cousin. And thank you for bringing awareness to the dangers of getting rides from strangers or even picking up people you don't know. I will be having some talks with my grandkids that are around that age now.

What a great tribute to one of your classmates Jeff. As always, you did a fantastic job of it. May she rest in peace until we all meet again.

This was a sad but also great way to honor Vivian. It bothers me that this creep was out in 5 years when people who do much less get so much more time. Even if he was mentally unstable and prison wasn't the right option, that doesn't mean he belongs in society with the rest of us.

Thanks for sharing Vivian’s story with us. How sad she was failed by so many.

I lost a close friend to a murderer. There are no words to describe the feeling.

You sir are an amazing person! She definitely deserves to be reminded. I didn't know her but this video and story makes me so heart broken, I am the father of 2 young boys my son Jr is 12 and my son Cam is 8. I'm a 49 year old father that tries my hardest to teach my boys and make them aware of things not so good in this crazy world! Raising such young kids today has parent's on their toes and so wond up about our children. Thank you for paying homage to your friend She is an angel looking over you. ❤️ 🙏

I hope doing this helped you and thank you for bringing this case to our attention especially since the man who did this was actually release when he should not have been. I've also had someone close to me taken by cancer six years ago in September and she was only 27 years old when she passed. My condolences to you about the loss your classmate and the loss of your cousin.

I remember this like it was yesterday. The morning we sat in class, and heard the principal announce it over the PA, my heart sank. Thanks for doing this video, Jeff. I’ve thought about those girls, especially Vivian, over the years, and have told the story so many times. I could never forget about her, and the other girl, whose name I won’t mention here out of respect & privacy. Thanks again! Patty (Diez) Quinn

Good job Jeff. Your tribute and remembrance is quite moving. Vivian is remembered because of you. I find the part of the story about she was utterly failed by the system is so typical of how our justice works and may even be worse today.

Thank you for sharing her story. I’m so sorry this happened. I can’t believe he didn’t serve more time.

Wow !! This one was tough to watch Jeff....but thank you for such a lovely tribute to your classmate on the anniversary of her death. Extremely sad that she was so very young. Can't imagine how you all dealt with such a tragic loss. Gave me chills as you spoke with one of the victims and also her friend. Strange how she had a premonition about her death. Great vlog !!!

Thank you Jeff, the loss of innocence is never easy to talk about. You did a heart felt tribute , blessed be 🙏

Such a sad sad story. I'm so sorry that you had to even experience such a thing. It definitely had to be hard to do this story. I'm really sorry Jeff, I lost a friend in the 9 th grade and it's something that has never left my mind. You're a good person and definitely shows in all, but mostly this video. Take care Jeff and God bless you and Sarah for what you do.

You've done a really good thing by documenting her with this video. Very proud of you. It's such a tragedy when a life is taken by evil. Is the murderer alive today?

Jeff, this was a touching tribute to your classmate. Thank you for keeping her memory alive so that those of us who never met her could know about her. She was a child of God, deserving of our honor and respect, and a daughter, sister and classmate worth remembering. May God bless and comfort you and the work you do on your channel. May peace and healing be with you.

I appreciate you sharing this story and your personal loss with us.

Thank you for bringing Vivian back even for a moment. It seems her life was forgotten since he got a outrageously light sentence. So sad. It must have had a tremendous effect on all classmates, friends and youths back then. To lose an innocent child at the hands of a predator that obviously continued on with his wrath is unimaginable. I'm sorry for her families loss. The impact it had on you. A loss in that way is unimaginable.

Very respectfully done and heartfelt. Interesting how some situations we experience at a very young age continue to haunt us as adults. I hope your memory documented here provides comfort to you and others. ❤️

Thank you for making this tribute for this young girl. This was such a sad and horrific story and you did an excellent job covering it.

Thank you for covering this story. You did a great job researching and presenting her tragic case. I was about 6 years old when this happened, living in NYC, so I never heard of this before. It was nice of you to remember your classmate. May she rest in peace...

So very tragic. It was a different time. I recall Atwater & Merced when I lived there in 1972, and the Stayner kidnapping. Then those poor women in Yosemite. Just horrific. Thanks for sharing Jeff. I could tell this was difficult. So much tragedy. Your biggest Tennessee (formerly California) fans. God bless.

I remember the first time my mother told me this story of her friends getting a ride from a stranger, and that stranger killing her friend. I was about 13 and stairway to heaven played on the radio and it reminded her. I heard it many times over the years. Watching this and putting video of the places makes it so much sadder to me. Thank you for making this I am gonna show my momma.

Thank you for this video. What a wonderful tribute to a life cut so short. Memories like that stay with you for a lifetime. I can’t understand how the perpetrator only served 6 years. What a travesty. Keep up your good work. I don’t comment often but I watch all your videos. 🤗

He lives in Sacramento. I wonder if his neighbors know who he is. Insane that someone gets away with that.

This brings back memories of a girl in my junior high class that died after being hit by a car after running across the street. It would have been close to this period of time since I'm around the same age. It doesn't matter how you die it's still a tragedy when it's unexpected, especially when your young. I haven't thought of her in years and can no longer even remember her name now.

So tragic. It is so kind of you to honor Vivian. Such heartbreak for her family. It obviously had a lasting impact on you and I can see why. And for your little cousin who lost her life to leukemia is another, different kind of tragedy. My heart breaks for your family. My mom lost her nephew to leukemia in the 60s when there was little to no treatment for it. She cried when she spoke about him to the day she died. I hold in my heart that when my mom died, she was finally reunited with her sweet nephew in Heaven whom she loved so dearly.

Such a horrifying and tragic case. You did a lovely tribute to your old classmate. Do you know where the murderer is now? Is he still out there? It's just outrageous that he only served a few years for this heinous crime. He should have gotten the death penalty---Yes, we believe in it. Thank you for remembering a lovely young lady who never got to live her life.

Hi Jeff, sorry you went through that, such a sad story. I remember that event. I read the Modesto Bee every morning before going to school (at that time, I was at Beyer High). Bowling was big in our family at McHenry Bowl. (my dad has several 300's on the board there) and to think she hung out there too, and to have her last hours after leaving there, so tragic. Thanks for keeping her memory alive.

What a beautiful tribute to your classmate. I was told by a psychic medium that they know when you talk about them, it keeps their memory alive. Sad she wasn't able to get away. I hitchhiked too...everybody did! We felt invincible.

Thank you 4 sharing the story of Vivian with us ... I was born 2 yrs b4 Vivian and I too made some foolish choices in my youth, but never with such harsh consequences... rest in peace Vivian, you were not forgotten ❤

It is so nice of you to do this remembrance of Vivian, people will forget her. Very sad what happened to her and it's sad that the guy didn't do much time for it. He probably should have been in a mental hospital. I remember those times,I was the same age in 1974. My sister died in an accident in 1973, it was extremely hard for me.

~ Thank you Jeff for this sad but memorable and poignant video. It takes me back to December 1981 when a friend of mine was brutally murdered at age 21. Her anniversary is next week when I annually clean her headstone and place a rose on her grave. 🥀😔 Her resemblance to Vivian is quite uncanny. ✝️🙏🏻❤🇨🇦

It was easy to see Vivian’s murder touched you deeply and profoundly. Vivian is at peace now. I hope you can be, too. Her story will be remembered by many, thanks to you.

Such a beautiful, moving and touching personal tribute Jeff. In the same way that she had the premonition about her death it seems that you two are in the same classroom for a reason. It seems that your paths cross so you could keep her memory alive. 💙

I grew up between Modesto and Oakdale. Thank you for covering this case as I never heard about this awful history while growing up there.

As long as her memory is kept alive 🌈 she will not be forgotten! R.I.P. Vivian Loughlin 🌹

Honoring this young lady was so important. Also her friend that survived the attack, what a thing to live with through her life. I hope it gave you Ben some solace.

Thank you for honoring your classmate Vivian's life and history. We had a similar experience with a family friends' young daughter who was killed in the early seventies by a local teen in Rexdale, Ontario, Canada. Something that has stayed with me to this day also. I wish I could do something like this for her family and friends.

I'm glad you did this video. I'd never heard of Vivian until I watched it. It's always incredibly tragic when a young persons life is taken in such an awful way. Sad to hear about your cousin as well. Take care.

Good job Jeff in paying your respects to someone who grew up with you and still pay respects to today and to never be forgotten!

Jeff, I am so sorry for your loss but know that she is with God. It is very difficult to lose a friend or classmates when you're that young. On my personal front I lost my junior high friend when she was 24 to someone who strangled her to death. I had known her since we were in junior high. It never takes away the pain, but if you remember the fun times and maybe if you laughed you might have had with that person. I think that they're not forgotten and at least you remembered a smile or a good laugh you had with them. God bless her family and thank you for sharing her sad story.

What kind of justice system puts a dangerous, despicable killer out on the streets after five years?

Thank you, I could not imagine this type of pain that the community has shared over so many years. I've lost classmates, and yes time starts to make those memories fade. Amazing how you may hear something in a song, or just a name, and it takes you directly back to that error, back to the last place with them. In the wind, memories with tears shed down your face, as the memory quickly blows away till the next memory

I drive by that old weigh station everyday for work and never knew that happened there. Hard to see someone so young taken. I see the pain in your face. It was tough I am sure to make this documentary for you. Thank you for telling her story. If you didn't some of us would never know what happened.

A phenomenal memorial to Vivian Jeff, kudos to you sir.

Good telling of this girls life. I had a friend whose father killed his mom and then himself. We were freshman in and just starting to get to know each other. He sadly found his parents when he came home from school. His relatives in the east scooped him up immediately and took him away to live with them. This tragedy took place in Burbank Ca. I was shocked and stunned but didn’t get the chance to talk to him because he was taken so fast by family. These things that happen when we are young are things we don’t forget. Thanks again for sharing your memories.

This was a great and respectful video that honored the memory of Vivian Loughlin. It’s abhorrent and unacceptable that the killer only served 6 years for his heinous, evil, and unnecessary murder. The fact that the murderer was mentally ill may have partially explained why he committed the murder, but it most certainly doesn’t justify the murder or justify a lenient sentence. Murderers must be sentenced harshly regardless of whether they are mentally ill. Murderers should either spend their entire lives in maximum security prison or be executed promptly after their conviction. Life in prison should mean just that, life in prison. Prison sentences for murder and other violent crimes should always be fully served with no early parole. The murderer’s short prison sentence was not only disrespectful to Vivian’s memory, but allowed the murderer to kill another person. It’s incredible to think that this lenient prison sentence was well before the advent of woke criminal justice. It’s scary to think of how lenient of a sentence a current day woke judge might have given the murderer if the murder had occurred today. I’ll never understand people who want to go lenient on murderers and other violent criminals.

Very sad, and terribly sorry for the scars that have been left on those that survived. Any idea of what)where the murderer is today You've done a very honorable thing here. RIP little lady.

The part that struck me was that Vivian knew that she would die young. There are folks who know about the paranormal, and those who have experienced near-death experiences, who say that before we enter our earthly lives and are in spirit form, we plan the events in our forthcoming lives and choose the experiences and lessons we will learn.

Thank You for keeping Elaine's memory alive. I'm sad that growing up, i only saw photos and lots of stories to know about my great aunt. She is still very much loved and missed. Her death left a gapping hole in our family .

Such a tragic story. Jeff, you did a very good job telling it, I would not have been able to keep it together. Thank you for this and all your stories.

Hey Jeff, This one made it to my top 5 of HH episodes. Great job on this powerful and personal story. I really liked the music and some of the new visual techniques. Kinda reminded me of the Zodiac killer's activities so close to home on Hwy 132. BTW... any ideas on why the murderer served so little time for such a horrendous crime? Do you know anything about his whereabouts now? Anyway, keep up the good work and Merry Christmas to you and Sarah! 🎄

Such a heartbreaking story. How awful for everyone and for you Jeff ❤

Jeff, what a way to describe the loss of your classmate. She lived life and touched many. Her death you and many felt. Her memory is forever recorded and documented in this video memoir. Thank you for sharing your memory.

What a wonderful thing you did remembering Vivian with this vlog.. I can tell it was not an easy one for you to make..God rest her soul! And Thank You for remembering a forgotten soul!

The fog scenes add to the eeriness of that evening.

he practically got away with them murders! thats so crazy!!

This was so sad. Thank you for doing such a beautiful and respectful video in memory of Vivian. ❤

Wow I am so impressed with your efforts on this project that you so clearly felt compelled to do. Those are the kinds of things that we don’t want to ignore. Because at the ends of our lives, it will grieve us that we didn’t follow those promptings. What a lovely young lady. As a genealogist and family historian, I’ve spent a lot of time walking the steps of those that have been forgotten and I always feel those spirits close by as if guiding me and showing appreciation for thinking of them. I do believe you made yourself an eternal friend in Vivian❤. Thank you for remembering her and sharing her story with us.

I was born a yr after vivian. I think of all the yrs and life ive lived that she didnt have the chance to. She was just a baby. The killer got 5 yrs??!! Disgusting!

My wife and I have lost two young daughters so we fully understand your pain and Grief Jeff, It didn’t stop there a few years later we had to be there for our youngest daughter who had a stillbirth. Three very dark periods in our lives we will and cannot ever forget💝💝

That was very touching. 🥺. Thank you for all your efforts in sharing it. Bless your hearts 💕

Thank you for sending the link to this video for me. It isn't easy when you're young to lose a friend or classmate. I, even after all these years, light a candle every year on March 3rd, to remember my friend, Jennifer Horn, who was shot and killed by a 14 year old boy in Sacramento in 1991. She was only 12 years old. Evil exists in many forms and ages. I'm sorry about your classmate. That couldn't have been easy to deal with.

So,so sad. Wonderful of you to share her story with us💖

Jeff, Thanks for sharing Vivian's sad story with us. And also the story of your cousin Sandra. Both very sad and emotional stories. May they both rest in peace.

Sorry for your loss and dear Vivian. You have done a wonderful job of making this video. Very moving,I showed this video to my 17 yr old granddaughter as something to be aware of. Thank you for your time and effort. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this Jeff. Being Junior high age is rough enough for kids.

Goodness, six years for murder of a child! What a legal system.

What a tragic story. So sorry for all who endured it. That had to be really tough to go through at that age. Thank you for bringing this story forward. You told it so eloquently...

By far the saddest video you've done. But a wonderful job of remembering a young life taken way to soon. Thank you for sharing this piece of tragidy from your life that we may remember Vivian and ensure she isn't lost to history as so many before her.

Thank you for this video. So sad. I grew up not far from there in Newman. God bless.

Its touching man that you took the time to travel back in time for her. The story is particularly troubling that he only got 6 years for this outrageous crime. Peace be yours…

Really heartfelt and touching. Thank you for sharing Vivian and her story with us. RIP Vivian.

So many sad forgotten stories like this out there 😢. It is very kind of you to bring Vivian back to the hearts and minds of people after so long. Thank you.

I was born in 1962 in Germany. It really was different, because although we knew that some people did horrible things to kids, we were not as cautious as the kids today. We roamed free in the woods, drove 10 kilometers on a bike at night to visit friends. I was never afraid of anything. But my mother stayed awake until I got home. Always. So, I can understand how this could happen to your schoolmate. It was not her fault. I highly appreciate what you did for Vivian. Your video is one of the nicest and most considerate things I have seen on a social media platform for a long time. Not pushing yourself in the front but keeping the memory of a girl alive whose future was taken away. You are a good man.

That was very sweet that you took the time to do this for Vivian memory.💝👍♥️😊

That was a beautiful tribute. We should all be so fortunate to have a person like you enter our lives, no matter how briefly. Thank you.

This was such a well done video. You are right when you said 1974 was a different time. I was in junior high at that time and kids were more innocent than they are now. It’s very upsetting to think what she went through before her death. These kind of tragedies have a ripple effect to loved ones, friends and acquaintances. Also, society has made strides about mental illness since 1974. May god bless Vivian and your cousin who were taken at such a young age. I can tell this was a difficult video for you to do but it was very moving and well done. Thank you for bringing light to this tragedy.

This is so sad and creepy. I also went to Oakdale Jr High in 1993-1994 and I don’t recall ever hearing about this happening. It’s so frustrating and ridiculous that he was already under police radar for repeatedly making threats to murder women. Thank you for honoring her memory and reminding people about her life.