Bring Bri Justice

2009-12-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

Suspect Arrested

2008-11-26T15:01:00.001-08:00

Wednesday, November 26, 2008, RENO NV: Today in a morning press conference, members of the Reno Police and Washoe County Sheriff's departments, the District Attorney's office and area investigating teams confirmed the arrest of a suspect who has been charged with the murder of Brianna Denison. For more information about the arrest, please go to the Reno Gazette Journal or to watch the press conference go to the KOLO TV websites. If you are with the media, please click here for family contact information.

Grand Opening for New Foundation Location

2008-11-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

GRAND OPENING AND APPRECIATION CELEBRATION:
THE BRING BRI JUSTICE FOUNDATION HOLDS A GRAND OPENING
FOR ITS NEW CENTER FOR JUSTICE.

On November 1, 2008, the Bring Bri Justice Foundation held a Grand Opening and Appreciation Celebration for the people of Northern Nevada. The Center for the Bring Bri Justice Foundation is located at 5000 Smithridge Drive, A-9 in the Smithridge Shopping Center on S Virginia Street and S McCarran near Toys-R-Us.

The event was designed to introduce the community to the functions of the Foundation’s Center for Justice as well as provide safety awareness. Additionally, the Foundation shareed its gratitude for the tremendous support the community has given to the Denison family and the Foundation since Brianna’s disappearance. The Foundation would like to include members of law enforcement, searchers, volunteers, donors, and Foundation members, in appreciation for all they have done.

The celebration included games and giveaways, finger printing, raffles, face painting, balloons, Bounce House, live music, along with food and drink. The focus was on safety awareness and was free, open to the public, and family-focused. All proceeds from the event will be used in Nevada to further the goals of the Foundation.

Brighton's Song: "Not Time To Say Goodbye"

2008-02-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

Brighton Denison, Brianna's younger brother, wrote and produced this song for his sister. His collaborator on the song is co-writer and close friend, Danielle DeTomaso. They want the world to hear it! Please click here to download and play the MP3 file "Not Time to Say Goodbye."

Louis Bonaldi's Song: "Bring Back Bri"

2008-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

Please click here to download the MP3 song, "Bring Back Bri".
Bring Back Bri
Music and Lyrics: Louis Bonaldi
Piano: Louis Bonaldi
Vocals: Tim Snider, Rodney Branigan, Trevor Gilmer
Recorded at Tanglewood Productions, Reno, Nevada
Special thanks to Sol'Jibe and everyone who helped with this recording.

Brianna Zunino Denison (1988-2008)

2008-02-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

Brianna Zunino Denison, known for her million-dollar-smile and sparkling blue eyes, her tremendous outgoing nature and compassion, died in Reno, Nevada after being abducted on January 20, 2008. She was 19 years old.

Brianna was born on March 29, 1988. She was lovingly known by her mother as Breezy, because she reminded her of a “breath of fresh air on a cool summer day.”

She spent her childhood in Reno, Nevada, and in her mother’s native town of Mendocino, California. Brianna’s passion for traveling and world cultures took her to Hawaii, New York, Mexico, Jamaica, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Hungary, Austria, and France. She studied abroad in Rome, Italy for a year with her family. Her ability to connect with people from all walks of life became part of her radiant personality.

When Jeff and Bridgette Denison’s children, Brianna and Brighton, were born, they considered them to be the greatest gifts of their lives.

Brianna was raised in the tradition of honoring children as our most precious possessions. Brianna’s mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends instilled in her the merits of being a loving, spiritual, respectful and trusting human being.

She loved children and animals; especially her dog, Ozzy.

Brianna graduated from Reno High School in 2006. She was a sophomore at Santa Barbara City College, majoring in child psychology.

She is survived by her mother, Bridgette Zunino-Denison and younger brother Brighton Denison of Reno, her maternal grandparents Bob and Barbara Zunino of Mendocino, her maternal uncle, John Zunino and her cousin Ashley Zunino.

She also leaves behind her paternal grandmother, Carol (Fifi) Pierce, her aunts, Lauren Denison and Rena Denison Terry, uncles Mark Denison and Steve Terry, and 13 loving cousins, along with many extended family members throughout Nevada and California.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to her Foundation, “Bring Bri Justice” to help bring her killer to justice.

From the Zunino Denison Family

2008-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

On March 29, 1988 Bridgette and Jeffrey Denison were given the incredible gift of their daughter Brianna.

On January 20, 2008 she became the daughter of our entire community.

On behalf of Brianna’s mother Bridgette, her brother Brighton, the entire Denison and Zunino family:

We want to thank the Reno Police Department for all of their support, the community of Reno, the devoted volunteers, searchers, the media and everyone involved in the search for Bri.

This is a difficult time. We ask first that every woman be diligent about their own safety and that each and every one of you protect the women and children in your community. We ask once again that if there is anyone out there with information, we beg you to come forward. Now is the time.

And finally, we want to say that we are grateful for many things. Grateful for all of your actions, thoughts and prayers. Grateful for the gift of Brianna in all of our lives. Grateful for the joy that she brought us and for the cherished memories of her that are a source of comfort. Memories that give us strength to see beyond our sorrow, sustaining us in spite of our grief.

Please don’t forget Brianna….

A Prayer for Brianna

2008-02-14T16:23:00.000-08:00

Dearest Mother Father God, we know and acknowledge you as Source.

We hold ourselves as one with you, in a unity which flows through us and all creation. In our faith of this holy union, we step up to our declaration that Brianna is whole, healed, and complete. We connect with that which is Divine in all of us and jointly extend our compassion to Brianna and all those who love her, and whom she loves.

We assert that there is nothing in creation that can succeed in assaulting the Divine, and that our faith lives in the invisible realm of Spirit, bringing forth physical manifestation all around us. In this faith, for those of us who believe in Jesus, we ask in His name. For those of us otherwise connected, we call upon our love of God to sustain us all in a unity of Light and compassion.

We deliver her into your divine hands, for there is nowhere else with greater healing and compassion. Having delivered her to Your care, we release our prayer and intention to Your vast heart, and align ourselves with Divine Highest Good. Knowing that it is now done, we enter into gratitude, giving thanks for all now being well.

Help us Tell Brianna's Story

2008-02-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

We need your help to tell Brianna’s story!

Developments in this case are ongoing and all facts should be checked with both police and family representatives.

High-res photographs, some not previously published, of Brianna and her family are avaliable, as well as documentation of the events in Reno following this case. Resources are available on many levels so please ask!

Access to photograph and interview members of the Zunino-Denison family will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

A partial list of broadcast media, links to online video tapes of previous interviews and reports, and major news articles is also available upon request.

Family Media Contacts:
Broadcast Media: Jennifer Bushman, (775) 287-6859
Family Spokesperson: Lauren Denison, (775) 544-5183
Print Media: Jain Lemos, (415) 265-8292
Website Coordinator: Spencer Terry, spencerterry123@yahoo.com

Safety Tips for Women

2008-02-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Trust your instincts. If someone or something doesn’t feel right, leave immediately or get help.
Be aware of your surroundings. Take the iPod earphones out of your ears. Don’t talk on your cell phone while you are walking, especially at night. Know where you are going and what’s going on around you.
Think about what you are wearing. Don’t wear “hoodies” or sweatshirts with hoods that can be pulled over your eyes and face in an attack. Cover up (or just don’t wear) provocative outfits. Don’t wear shoes that could slow you down.
Use confident body language. Keep your head up, swing your arms, and walk briskly with purpose.
Lock your doors. Have your keys ready in your hands as you walk to your car. Once you get into your car, lock the doors and drive away. When you get home, make sure your doors are locked once you are inside.
Have a plan. Know in the back of your mind what you would do if attacked. If he wants your purse, don’t hand it to him, throw it to the side and run.
Don’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Walk in groups. Avoid walking alone in parking garages, dimly lit streets or alleys. Don’t drive in unfamiliar or bad neighborhoods alone.
Use your voice. Make noise. Scream for help and run away screaming when possible.
Don’t be afraid to come forward if you are the victim of an attack. You might help save another woman’s life!

RENO POLICE BULLETIN: UPDATED APR 2, 2008

2008-02-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

RENO POLICE BULLETIN
Official Publication of the Reno Police Department
Michael Poehlman, Chief of Police
April 2, 2008

MURDER INVESTIGATION

On January 20, 2008, Brianna DENISON, 19 years old, disappeared from 1395 Mackay Court in Reno, Nevada. On February 15, 2008, Brianna was found deceased in a vacant field on Sandhill Drive in southeast Reno, the apparent victim of strangulation. Discovered at the scene were a pair of women's thong underwear that have been determined not to have belonged to Brianna. This underwear is very distinctive. It is described as having the caricatures of the head of the “Pink Panther” and pink hearts on a black cotton field. Forensic analysis of the underwear has found the DNA of an unknown female.

The Reno Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in identifying this underwear. Anyone who may have owned a pair of this of particular underwear or knows someone who may have owned a pair of this of particular underwear is strongly encouraged to contact the Reno Police Department.

The Reno Police Department is still seeking the community’s assistance in identifying anyone with the following or similar characteristics and/or a vehicle possibly with the following notables:

DATES OF ATTACKS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY DENISON SUSPECT:

November 13, 2007 between 5:55pm and 6:05prm at 401 College Drive (parking lot)
December 16, 2007 between 2:00am and 2:30am at 1425 N.Virginia Street (parking lot)
January 20, 2008 between 4:30am and 9:00am at 1395 Mackay Court (residence)

***UPDATE ***
DENISON VEHICLE DESCRIPTION FROM DECEMBER 16, 2007

Vehicle:
- Consistent with a smaller (mid-size) pick-up
- Extended (not standard) cab configuration
- Two bucket style seats covered with soft dark (possibly dark grey or black velour upholstery
- Passenger seat had an adjustable head rest at the top of the seat back.
- Passenger front seat reclined approximately twenty degrees and was operated by a manual lever along the bottom of the seat.
- Center console was mounted to the floor between the front seats - approximately six to eight inches in width and eight to eleven inches in height above the level of the seat
- Lid on the center console was constructed with a textured black vinyl or plastic similar to the material commonly found on vehicle dashboards - hinges for the lid were at the rear of the console - lid on the center console extended only about 2/3 of the way to the front of the seat bottom - inside of the center console did not illuminate when the lid was open
- Unknown if there had been cup holders, an emergency brake, or a floor mounted shift lever forward of the center console
- Height from the passenger front seat to the ground approximately thirty inches
- No conventional bench seat located behind the front bucket seats
- Dome light centered between the front seats and forward in the cab above the windshield -Automatic transmission.
- Radio, tape player, or C.D. player mounted at the center of the dashboard directly forward of the center console- rectangular shaped face with at least three rows of narrow bars on the right side of the display - bottom bars as being red in color with blue colored bars above the red

***UPDATE***
DENISON SUSPECT DESCRIPTION FROM DECEMBER 16, 2007

- A male that appeared to be Caucasian with the skin on his abdomen, groin, and upper legs noticeably lighter in color than the skin on his hands
- Likely in his early twenties to mid thirties
- Likely between 5’9” and 6’3” in height
- Large and somewhat heavy build - not overly muscular
- Medium to dark brown head hair. Body hair and facial hair was the same color as head hair
- Facial hair consisted of at least a mustache and goatee with a noticeable gap (without hair) between the ends of the moustache and the top of the goatee
- Clear fluent English with no accent or regional dialect.
- No visible tattoos on his hands, fingers, lower abdomen, groin, or genitals
- Genital and groin areas were without hair – skin noticeably smooth and consistent with use of a hair removal cream or similar hair removal process
- Large hands with “meaty” thick fingers.

Information can discreetly be provided via telephone to the Reno Police Department tip line @ 775-745-3521.

Click here to download a PDF of this police bulletin for distribution.

Brianna Denison DNA Project Donor List

2008-02-09T11:51:00.000-08:00

Brianna's family and community wishes to thank the following for their generosity in helping raise funds to clear the Washoe County DNA Testing Backlog:

A-1 RADIATOR REPAIR, INC.
ACADIAN REHAB, INC.
ADAMS, HONORABLE BRENT
AMERICAN WEST DRILLING COMPANY
ANDERSON, ASSEMBLYMAN BERNIE
ANDERSON, TROY
ANONYMOUS
ARMSTRONG, DANNY AND CATHERINE
ARTHURS, MARVA F. ARTHURS TRUST
ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA
AT YOUR SERVICE HOSPITALITY STAFFING, LTD.
AULDRIDGE, BILL AND JACQUELINE
AUSHERMAN FAMILY TRUST
AXT, DUANE AND BARBARA
BAILEY, DONALD
BARTLETT, SYD DBA BARTLETT CONSTRUCTION
BASHISTA, JIM AND LAUREN
BATSLEER, JOANNE
BECKETT, SANDRA AND JOHNSON, MICHAEL
BELL, ARLENE AND CATHY HUMPHRIES
BELZ, JEANETTE
BENDING, DAVID AND BORDEAU, GINETTE
BERCAW, MSG. WILLIAM
BLOMSTROM, CHERYL AND MARK
BOBZIEN, ASSEMBLYMAN DAVID
BOLDUAN, SYLVIA AND TIMOTHY
BOWERS, J.W.
BRICK, ISIDORE
BRYANT, STEVEN
BUFFINGTON, AUDREY
BURSTON, SUZANNE
BYER, NORMA
CAL-NEVADA TOWING
CANTER, ROBERT AND CONNIE
CARANO, GLENN AND LAMISE
CARANO, MICHAEL AND SUE
CASHELL ENTERPRISES, INC. DBA ALAMO TRAVEL CENTER
CECCARELLI, JEFF AND RHONDA
CHATELLE, LEWI DBA JZLC, LLC
COBB, WILLIAM AND CATHLEEN
COLLIGAN, TERRANCE
COOK, LINDA V. COOK 2005 TRUST
COX, MICHAEL AND PATRICIA
CROWLEY, SHARON AND PATRICK
DAINES, LISA AND MICHAEL
DAY, PHYLLIS
DAY, THEODORE J.
DEL SOLDATO, RONALD
DICKEY, ROBERT
DICKMAN, DAVE AND ELIZABETH
DINSMORE, BECKY AND JOHN
DOTSON, JOHN AND DORIS
DREW, JAMES AND COLLEEN
DUNCAN, EARLE AND SANDY
DURHAM, KELLY ANN
EDELMAN, BRAD AND IGRID
EDGINGTON, ALLYSON AND RUEDY
EDWARDS, DALE AND DIANE
ELDORADO RESORTS, LLC
ELLIOTT, BRIAN AND CANDICE
EMHISER RESEARCH, INC.
EPPS, WALTER AND MONA
EQUITY LENDING PARTNERS, LLC
ERICSON, HARRY AND FRITSI
ESPINO, CAROL JEAN
FERRELL, THE FERRELL FAMILY TRUST DTD 02-01
FLANAGAN, BARBARA
FLANAGAN, BETTY
FORRESTER, EDWARD AND JANET
FRANKLIN, PAUL AND KOVAL, JANET
GALLI, RACHEL
GANSERT, ASSEMBLYWOMAN HEIDI
GAY, DAVID AND LISA REDMON-GAY
GOODMAN, PHILIP AND NANCY BRICK-GOODMAN
GORMLEY, JOSEPH
GOSS, HAL AND BARBARA
GRALLA, LAWRENCE AND DONNA
GRAVES, MICHELLE AND DANIEL
GREEN, FRAN
GREGORY, JEANNE AND DONALD
GUZMAN, JUAN AND TERI JAMIN
HAGADORN, CARL
HALEY, LAURIE AND MICHAEL
HANES, EARL AND MARJORIE
HARRIS, JAMES AND KLOVE, KARIN
HARRISON, JON AND JEAN
HAYES, JOHN AND GOULDING, HEATHER
HEALEY, WILLIAM DBA WTH ASSOCIATES, INC.
HELLMAN, NOREEN AND DANNY
HERITAGE BANK OF NEVADA
HJ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
HOMEGATE REALTY OF RENO
HOMEYER, JACK AND PATRICIA
HORTON, MARILYN
HOWARD, KEITH
HOWARD, WINNONA AND HOWARD
INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY
INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION
JENKS, CHARLES
JOHNSON, JERRY
JONES, MADDEE
KALLESTAD, JOHN
KAVANAUGH, S. AND L.J.
KELLERMANN, DAVID
KEOGH, MARLENE
KORCHECK , KAREN E.
LANNI, TERRANCE, COO, MGM/Mirage
LARSEN, JOHN
LEE, ROBET M. LEE FOUNDATION
LEGARZA, NADINE
LEMBERES, COL. ALEX AND MARY
LESLIE, ASSEMBLYWOMAN SHEILA
LEWIS, JOHN
LINDEMAN, ROBERT
MANCHESTER, L.A.
MARTIN, LORRAINE
MATHENY, D.L. AND C.M.
MAUER, LORI AND RICHARD
McEACHERN, CATHLEEN
MERCHANT, ROBERT AND STEPHANIE
MERTINS, JAMES
MGM MIRAGE DBA CIRCUS CIRCUS
MICCILE, JOHN AND THERESE
MILLER, R.G. AND J.M.
MINOR, JAMES AND MARILYN
MODLIN, LEAH
MONROE, FRANK DBA JMA COMPANY
MONTALBANO, JANICE AND CHRISTINE
MORREY DISTRIBUTING CO.
MUCHA, VALERIE
MULLER, WILLIAM AND MARGARET
MURRAY, LAURA
NASON, DANIEL AND WENDY
NEVADA TRI PARTNERS, LLC
NOLTE, HELEN
NORK, WILLIAM AND MARY HODSON
NORMAN, ROGER AND ELISE
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ROBBERY INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION
NORTHERN NEVADA DUI TASK FORCE
NOVACEK, S.V.
OCONNELL, K.E.
ONEY, TROY DBA TROY ONEY ENTERPRISES
PAGNI, ROLAND AND JEAN
PARKS, DAN AND MARIANNE
PARNELL, ASSEMBLYWOMAN BONNIE
PEACE OFFICERS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION/PORAN PAC
PEPPERMILL HOTEL AND CASINO
PESTANA, CHARLES
PETRELLI, MELANIE
PINKSTON, REX AND SUSAN
PLISE, WILLIAM W.
POPE, GERALD
POULTON, MARCELLA
PRICE, BARBARA
REAVIS, CHARLES AND SANDRA
RENO CAB COMPANY, INC.
RENO RODEO ASSOCIATION
ROUMPH, TIMOTHY AND KAREN
RUSH, PATRICIA AND RICHARD HEDGEPETH
SALIKA, CAROL AND JAMES
SANKOVICH, CAM AND HEAVEN
SANKOVICH, LARRY AND CARLA
SAULT, NANCY
SAVAGE AND SON
SAX-LAMERSON FAMILY TRUST
SCANLAND, JUDY
SCHOLEY, BETTE
SCOLARI, JERRY SCOLARI 1980 REVOCABLE TRUST
SCULL, MICHAEL AND KATHRYN
SELTMAN, VIRGINIA AND VIRGINIA DAVANZO
SERPA, BONNIE
SHARP, TED AND LAURA
SICINSKI, ANITA AND JOSEPH
SILVER LEGACY
SIMPSON, CAROLYN
SIPIN, SHIRLEY
SLOTNICK, ROBERT AND PATRICIA
SMITH, ASSEMBLYWOMAN DEBBIE
SMITH, EVERETT
SMITH, PAUL AND JEANNIE
SPARKS POLICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
STETSON-BEEMER INSURANCE
STUYVESANT & MERCIER, LLC
SUTTON, HAZEL AND JOHN
SWAIM, STEVEN M.
TAMARACK CROSSING, LLC
TASHIE, GEORGE AND MILDRED
THOMAS, KATHY
TITLE SERVICE & ESCROW CO.
TOLLOTI, MARY
TOWNSEND, SENATOR RANDOLPH J.
TREPP, WARREN AND JALE
TRIMMER, BONNIE
UPSWUNG CORPORATION
VAN ANTWERP, DR. JAMES AND MARILYN
VASQUEZ, LAURIE AND LINDA
VOCI, RHONDA
WALLACE, LARRY
WASHOE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ASSOCIATION
WASHOE COUNTY SUPERVISING SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ASSOCIATION
WEBER, MARK
WEBSTER, JAMES AND KARLENE
WEISS, STEVEN AND ANN
WESTERN NEVADA SUPPLY COMPANY
WHISTLER, TERRY AND JEANEEN
WHITE, ANDY AND KELLY
WHITNEY, ANDREA
WILCOX, RICHARD AND BERTHA
WILLIAM FURS
WILLIAMS, CATHY
WILLIAMSON, MARLENE AND ARTHUR
WISSERT, G. MICHAEL
WOFFORD, D.J.
WOOLDRIDGE, JEFF AND SUSAN

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NEVADA GRANT FROM A GIFT FROM THE RANSON AND NORMA WEBSTER FOUNDATION
ROXIE AND AZAD JOSEPH FUNDATION TRUST
ROBERT S. AND DOROTHY J. KEYSER FOUNDATION

Plans for Bri's Blue Ribbon Campaign

2007-12-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

MARCH 20, 2008, RENO, NV: The Board of Directors of Brianna Denison’s Foundation, “Bring Bri Justice” today announced future plans for their signature blue ribbon campaign. They also emphasized how grateful the family is to the Northern Nevada community for their continued help since Brianna was first discovered missing sixty days ago.

Blue, Brianna’s favorite color, quickly became a connecting symbol as search teams and volunteers came together throughout the region. After Brianna’s body was discovered, the Foundation’s focus changed from search to justice. Friends and family asked everyone to wear blue and display blue ribbons as a remembrance of Brianna and as a reminder to be vigilant about personal safety.

In remarkable support, the Reno area became covered in blue ribbons as people participated by hanging ribbons on everything—from cars, mailboxes, gates and trees to traffic signs, bus stops, lamp posts and store fronts. Recently, the Foundation was alerted that many of the ribbons and related posters are becoming tattered and strewn about, possibly leading to a litter hazard.

In response, the Foundation is further defining the blue ribbon campaign. According to Lauren Denison, Brianna’s aunt and Foundation Board Member, “Our goal is to raise awareness of the issues the Foundation is adopting. We definitely don’t want to upset anyone in this town, especially after all that has been done to help us.”

The Foundation is urging anyone who finds blue ribbons or signs that have become litter to kindly recycle them, or contact the “Bring Bri Justice” Command Center who will send volunteers to the area to clean up. The Center can be reached by phone at (775) 785-8303 or by email: BringBriJustice@gmail.com.

The Foundation is planning to create a more permanent ribbon design for those who wish to participate as the blue ribbon campaign continues. These will be available at the Command Center at no charge at a future date to be announced. Until that time, however, the Foundation welcomes help with removing any ribbons in order to keep the town clean.

###

Brianna Zunino Denison was visiting family and friends in Reno, Nevada during winter break from college in Santa Barbara, Calif., when she was abducted on January 20, 2008 at a home near the University of Nevada, Reno. Her body was found the following month on February 15 in a field near an industrial park in south Reno. Brianna’s abduction and death has been linked through DNA to at least two other sexually motivated attacks near UNR. Her killer is still unknown and at large.

Brianna’s Foundation “Bring Bri Justice” was established to find her killer and bring him to justice by widely publicizing case details, toughening laws for sex offenders, supporting the building of new DNA processing labs in Nevada, and advancing public safety awareness for women and children. For more information, please visit the official family website at www.BriannaDenison.com.

Labor Day Event: Tie A Ribbion

2007-12-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

On Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) join us for "Tie a Ribbon for Bri Day" from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Our goal is once again to remind the community, and especially the students at UNR, to always be aware of their safety! More details coming soon.