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MEDIA INFO
Each article includes link, date, and summary of the article's content.

Signal Mountain police searching for missing housewife
May 6, 2011 - Times Free Press
First news article about the case published. Includes info about Gail and comments from Arlene Durham: "I think she’s so scared right now she doesn’t know what to do. If she’s not hiding, then something happened to her. You don’t just up and leave. She’s not that type of person."


Police searching for missing Signal woman
May 7, 2011 - Times Free Press
Much the same info as the May 6th article but with new comments. Matt Palmgren says in a phone interview that "She’s had psychiatric issues in the past. Usually she just goes somewhere and decompresses but stays in contact with the kids." Comments from Arlene Durham and Gail's sister Diane Nichols dismissing Gail's alleged psychiatric issues. Kevin Nowacki also comments, "We need to find her." Comment from Detective James Tizzio of the Signal Mountain PD saying "his investigation had uncovered no psychiatric issues with the missing woman." Tizzio also comments on Matt waiting 48 hours to make a missing person's report: "If it was my wife, if it was me, hopefully I’d have called sooner." There are public comments on this article. A copy of the article also appears here.


Signal Mtn. Police search for missing woman
May 8, 2011 - WRCBtv
Very brief article with basically the info from the flyer.


Family of missing woman: "We've got to find her"
May 9, 2011 - WRCBtv
Both video and article included. The video with report from Callie Starnes says Signal Mountain police chief refuses to make any comment about the case, isn't talking to family or friends, so they are passing out fliers with Gail's information. Includes brief interviews with a visibly distraught Kevin Nowacki and Susie Button. Starnes says Matt would not return their phone calls. Shows brief shot of the 4/29/2011 police report for the 911 call. The text article states all the same info.


Family Continues Frantic Search For Missing Signal Mountain Woman
May 9, 2011 - Chattanoogan
Much the same information as what is in the May 9 WCRBtv article above. Also states Signal Mountain police "repeatedly refused" to give any info on the case. Town manager Honna Rogers said on behalf of police "We’ll release more information as we are able and it is necessary."


Husband Of Missing Signal Mountain Woman Files For Legal Separation
May 10, 2011 - Chattanoogan
Matt filed for legal separation and got a court order for custody of their children. Matt's court affidavit says Gail had been "under care" for depression and was "more paranoid recently." Claims Gail took $30,000 worth of items before she left, including his jewelry and his family's jewelry, on weekend of April 23. Said he was to meet Gail at their home on April 30th but she left before he got there, leaving the kids "by themselves without any supervision." Says he received a change of address form for Gail on May 4. The form was dated April 30. Says he was notified that she changed her PIN to three bank accounts in her name that totaled $420,000, but at least $320,000 was "marital property." Says Gail took the kid's passports and he was afraid she would take them out of the country. Brief mention of Diane Nichols being in town looking for Gail.


Missing Tennessee Mom Originally From WNY
May 11, 2011 - WGRZ
Article about Kevin Nowacki and Diane Nowacki Nichols in Hamilton County (misspelled "Hilton" County) looking for Gail. Mentions Gail graduated Williamsville East High School in 1985 and grew up in Williamsville.


New twist in case of missing Signal Mountain woman
May 11, 2011 - WRCBtv
Video of newscast and text article. Video includes brief shot of the court papers Matt filed with the drug names Wellbutrin, Adderall, and Sonata clearly visible. Per Callie Starnes, the court papers say Matt claims Gail is "depressed, delusional, and a danger to her own children" and that she left on her own with "hundreds of thousands of dollars." Mentions also that Matt is asking for custody, restraining order, and possession of the home. A visibly upset Diane Nichols is interviewed. Diane and husband Dan both say Gail was "absolutely not" suffering from mental issues and her leaving is "unusual." Matt will not return Channel 3 WRCB's calls. Signal Mountain police will not say anything about the case except Gail is still missing. Text of article says basically the same thing.


Police Made Repeated Visits To Palmgren Home During Week Before Wife’s Disappearance
May 11, 2011 - Chattanoogan
Discussion of 911 calls on April 22 and April 29. The 22nd incident was the first of three calls made to 911 in a 10-day period, one on the 22nd, one the 29th, and one on May 2nd when she was reported missing. On the 22nd, police report the situation resolved when both Matt and Gail "cooled down." Matt and Gail were fighting over him not wanting to travel "as a family" to their Alabama lake home. Matt "stated that she got mad because he wanted to take the boat down with them and he would have to take the jeep to haul it down there. He stated that she took his jeep key and hid it from him." He left the car and started to walk home, then Gail called 911 "because he wouldn’t get back into the car." On April 29, Gail called to report another incident. She was given "phone numbers of a safe place to stay." It was resolved when "Matthew Palmgren agreed to stay at 40 Ridge Rock Drive and let Gail Palmgren take their two children . . . to their lake house in Alabama for the night."


Missing TN Mom has ties to WNY: Mother of two missing after domestic incident
May 11, 2011 - WIVB
Brief 20-second video about Gail being missing with article that mostly repeats info from the Chattanoogan.


Day 12 in Search for Missing Tennessee Woman From Williamsville
May 11, 2011 - WKBW
Article quotes Kevin: "I was there for the last 4 days. We've probably handed out close to 5,000 flyers in different towns all around the area." Video has Kevin in a phone interview, stating he has personally driven almost every street in the Chattanooga area looking for her. States Diane is still there looking for her. Kevin says police are searching and FBI has been contacted. Anchor says police are following up on new leads. Text basically repeats what was in the video.


Signal Mountain Police Ask Your Help to Find Missing Woman
May 12, 2011 - WDEF
Brief article that's a repeat of WDEF's first brief article, but this time with some interesting public comments.


Missing woman’s husband seeks custody of children
May 12, 2011 - Times Free Press
Matt's paperwork was filed May 6, and will be ruled on May 13th by the Chancery Court. "He reported his wife missing to police on May 2 after he was urged by her family, according to Signal Mountain Police Department reports." Arlene Durham saw Gail and her kids the night of April 29, Gail was "very upset and very worried" but "she wouldn’t talk because the kids were here." Arlene says Matt's excuse for wanting to drive the Jeep to haul a boat from Tennessee to Alabama during the April 22nd incident was "crap" because the boat has been in Alabama for at least 3 years: "That boat hasn’t left the lake in three years that I know of." Durham claims Matt emotionally abused Gail and possibly physically abused her, because on the weekend of April 10, Gail had a black eye. Gail said she "ran into something." There is also a police report for November 17, 2010, where Gail and Matt argued over their missing dog and Gail getting a car stuck in the road. "She took the children and stayed at another home, according to the police report." Matt argues that Gail was mentally unstable. Susie Button is quoted: "Something must have scared her. She wouldn’t just up and leave." Plenty of interesting public comments.


Gail Palmgren: Missing, husband files for custody of kids
May 12, 2011 - Examiner
Basically the same article as the TFP one listed above. Says Matt is director of pharmacy programs for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Stated her mental illness started "after she lost her job at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in June 2010." He said Gail was writing down license plate numbers because she thought people were following her.


Family Searches For Missing Signal Mountain Woman
May 15, 2011 - News Channel 9
Gail's last conversation with Diane was moments before Gail was last seen. Diane says "She was nervous. She was anxious. She sounded scared." Gail didn't say why she was scared, but Diane says "She just thought she was being followed." From the article: "Diane wonders if it's in any way connected to Gail's husband, Matthew Palmgren. 'I know they had some marriage problems.'" Diane says Gail and Matthew recently filed for a legal separation.


Search Continues for Gail Palmgren
May 16, 2011 - News Channel 9
Video and text. The video shows friends and volunteers trying to get word out about Gail with significant comments from Susie. Gail told Susie she felt she was being followed the day before she went missing. Important quotes from neighbor Susie Button:

* "This is totally our [sic] of character. She's never done anything like this before. I don't care who tells you she has. She would never, ever leave her children of her own accord. Something must have frightened her. Something must have happened."

* "I would keep seeing the same car coming in and just turning around and stopping at one of the houses. So that was strange in itself. So after she would say that, I started thinking and I could believe that could be true."

* "He [Matt] was having an affair with a co-worker at Blue Cross Blue Shield."

* "Well, I would hate to think that I could actually know somebody that would be physically capable of making someone disappear. Emotionally, yes. He played a hand in wherever she is."


Gail Palmgren: Missing, husband files for custody of kids (blog entry, not media article)
May 16, 2011 - Missing Persons of America Blog
Editorial comments about news on the case. Interesting Anonymous comment stating Gail stole money and ran off, and Matt was "abused by a devious wife who was unstable." Another Anonymous comment with lie about Gail being found dead.



Missing woman's friends: "We are the only ones looking"
May 16, 2011 - WRCBtv
Video and text. Text mostly the same as video. Video says family is getting no cooperation from police, no answers from them. Signal Mountain Police Dept. continues to refuse to answer questions about Gail's case. Boyd Veal says new info on case could be coming out next week. Friends from out of state teaming up with locals to hand out fliers and search. Friend Maria Gallavan says if Matt is searching for wife, nobody knows about it. Plan on organizing more searches via Facebook. Reporter tries to contact Matt at home, no answer. Reporter calls attorney Bryan Hoss who says Matt has hired a PI to look for Gail. Hoss confirms Matt "has been placed on administrative leave from his job at Blue Cross/Blue Shield in connection with his wife's disappearance." Matt not named as suspect or charged. Dan and Diane Nichols shown leading search, Dan says area is vast and hard to search. Identical Jeep shown at search, car dealer says these Jeeps are common.


Search Continues For Signal Mountain Housewife
May 16, 2011 - WDEF
Text only. Short article about volunteer search and fliers passed out. Susie Button quoted as saying "I knew things were going on at the house, I really believe she was scared of something."


Search Continues For Missing Signal Mountain Woman
May 16, 2011 - Fox 61 WDSI
Text and video. Info about passing out fliers. Says Diane spoke with Gail moments before she was last seen. Diane and Dan Nichols interviewed. Diane doesn't understand how she could have passed out 10,000 fliers locally and found no one who has seen Gail or the Jeep. Diane and Dan state it's not like Gail to leave the kids alone. Dan: "She loves those children." Diane said Gail sounded nervous and scared during last phone call. Gail would not state why she was scared, did say she thought she was being followed. Diane said Gail and Matt had marriage problems. Reporter narration: "Diane says Gail and Matthew recently filed for a legal separation. In fact, police came to the Palmgren's house on a domestic dispute call the day before Gail went missing."


Missing woman search continues for Gail Palmgren
May 17, 2011 - Times Free Press
Note comments are allowed on this article. Susie Button interviewed. Diane Nichols interviewed: "I feel all alone down here." Matt reported Gail missing "at the urging of Nichols and other family members." Gail lost her job at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in June, 2010. Friends and family say Gail found hotel invoices from the DoubleTree hotel and a Hampton Inn in Chattanooga, and that he was having an affair. Diane says Gail had no definite proof yet but may have found something. Diane also said Nichols said traces on Gail Palmgren’s cellphone directed police to an area near the north base of Signal Mountain. The last time there was activity on the cellphone was May 2, the same day the missing person’s report was filed, Nichols said.Matt filed documents in Hamilton County requesting legal separation, exclusive use of their home, and temporary custody of the children on May 6. Documents said Gail was depressed and was on multiple meds. Matt works as the director of pharmacy programs for BC/BS of Tennessee's government business and emerging markets business unit.



Matthew Palmgren on leave from BlueCross job, attorney says
May 17, 2011 - Times Free Press
Matt Palmgren was put on "administrative leave with pay by his employer, BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Palmgren’s attorney said today." Rest of article a rehash of previous info. Note comments are allowed on this article.


Family Pleads for Gail Palmgren to Come Home
May 17, 2011 - News Channel 9
Coverage of the press conference, both text and video. Video: Diane and Matt speak at conference with pleas for Gail to call. Family owns property on Lake Jordan in Alabama, but Elmore County police have been contacted but not officially asked to search, but have posted fliers. Hamilton County Sheriff's Office now helping Signal Mountain police. Matt placed on leave. Matt hired PI Mike Mathis. Text is basically the same as the video.


Family and Officials Speak Out About Missing Signal Mountain Woman
May 17, 2011 - WDEF
Coverage of the press conference. Quote Matt Palmgren with "hopeful information" that "The jeep has been spotted that we've been told on a few occassions [sic] out there." Spokesperson for HCSO Janice Atkinson says "At this point, it's a missing person's investigation" and therefore no suspects.


Possible sightings of missing Signal Mountain mother reported, authorities say
May 17, 2011 - Times Free Press
TFP followup of Matt's claim there were sightings of the Jeep. Authorities say some sightings "have been credible" but "nothing has been confirmed or substantiated." Note there are comments on this news article.


Search for Missing Tennessee Woman Intensifies
May 17, 2011 - Gather.com
Brief summary of recent news. Notable because someone in comments says they saw a Jeep matching Gail's in Georgia.


Sheriff’s Department Joins Search For Missing Signal Woman; Her Husband On Administrative Leave
May 17, 2011 - The Chattanoogan
Press conference recap. Matt P. put on administrative leave with pay from BC/BS. Information on the 911 calls made on 4/22/11 and 4/29/11. Article says a PD incident report says the April 22nd call was Gail asking for help. They were fighting because Matt refused to ride with her and the children to the lake house "as a family." Matt stated he wanted to take the boat with another car, at which point Gail hid his keys from him, so he left the vehicle and walked home. Incident was resolved with both parties cooled down. In separation papers Matt filed in May, he says Gail took jewelry and valuables from the home on April 23rd. On April 29, Gail called again to report another incident and was given "phone numbers of a safe place to stay." The 29th dispute was resolved when Matt agreed to stay at 40 Ridge Rock Drive while Gail took the two children to the lake house in Alabama.


NEW DETAILS: Days leading up to Palmgren's disappearance
May 18, 2011 - WRCBtv
Comprehensive timeline of the case. Originally published May 18 and updated since.


UPDATE: Police in Alabama look for missing Signal Mtn. mother
May 18, 2011 - WRCBtv
Video and text. Elmore County in Alabama was called last week to assist with finding Gail Palmgren. HCSO now assisting as well. Quote from the article: "Matthew Palmgren's attorney confirms he has been placed on administrative leave from his job at Blue Cross, Blue Shield in connection to his wife's disappearance."


UPDATED: Weekend prayer vigil, search for missing woman
May 18, 2011 - WRCBtv
Search by volunteers on May 22, and prayer vigil for Gail held on May 21.


Family pleads for woman's safe return
May 18, 2011 - WIVB Buffalo, New York
Very brief article stating Gail is still missing.


Sightings of missing Signal Mountain woman unconfirmed
May 18, 2011 - Times Free Press
More about the press conference. "A news conference did little to shed light on the case of a missing Signal Mountain woman last seen April 30." Attorney Bryan Hoss requested the May 6th paperwork be continued because Gail is still missing. That will be ruled on, on June 3. In this article, Hoss says Matt wasn't told why he was put on administrative leave at BC/BS. PI Mike Mathis used to be the head of major crimes in internal affairs with the Chattanooga Police Department. Gail placed in the national missing person’s registry. Police have not conducted any searches. Note that there are comments left on this news article.


Missing Mom Investigation Goes To Alabama
May 19, 2011 - WDEF
Alabama properties "checked out." Neighbor said house doesn't look like it has been lived in. She saw Gail leave on April 30.


Court docket for paperwork filed by Matt Palmgren. PDF file.


A Missing Woman Investigation Leads Tennessee Police to Elmore County
May 19, 2011 - WAKA
Video and text. Investigators from Tennessee arrived in Alabama to search. Elmore County deputy chief said they just got a "layout of the residence and the land." They did not find vehicle. Say there is no reason to believe foul play happened in Elmore County. Arlene Durham interviewed. Said she saw Gail on April 29th, upset and "something was bad." Arlene says Gail was her best friend. She is passing out fliers. Scheduled to pass out more in Elmore County on Monday.


Palmgren search takes investigators to Alabama
May 20, 2011 - Times Free Press
Authorities say they received about 20 tips claiming sightings of Gail Palmgren and/or the Jeep. Tennessee authorities went to Elmore County, Alabama. (Article does not elaborate on why they went or what they did.) Elmore County Chief Deputy Ricky Lowery say they have been called to the lake home twice since Gail went missing; there are no signs of anyone having been there. They had not been called to the house before she went missing and have not searched the area. Gail's friends planning Caravan for Gail, a vigil and search with a gathering on Saturday May 21, as well as a physical search Sunday and plans to search Gail's lake home near Titus.


"Caravan for Gail" Nowacki Palmgren
May 20, 2011 - Susan Murphy Milano blog entry
Blog entry with more information about the Caravan for Gail and the Facebook page Bring Gail Home Now.


ECSO joins in search for woman
May 20, 2011 - The Wetumpka Herald
Search efforts for Gail now include Elmore County as three investigators from Tennessee were there Thursday May 19. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said "They were down here to try to find out what they could, and we provided them with any information we could."
Article states Gail last spoke with sister Diane Nichols around 6:30 AM April 30 and said she was leaving the Lake Jordan house and going to Signal Mountain. Diane says police are not telling them anything "so not to compromise the case, which I can understand, but it’s very frustrating. ... I’ve been handing out flyers and talking to authorities and I feel like I’m spinning my wheels." Arlene Durham said she got a text from Gail at 1:49 PM April 29 that said "Headed down...call say little." Durham called, Gail wanted to meet in Wetumpka and wanted to "go some place happy." Durham said, "I could tell something was bothering her."


Communities Pray, Search For Gail Palmgren
May 21, 2011 - News Channel 9
Dozens met May 21 at Pruett's Signal Mountain Market to pray and volunteer for searches. Organized by Clive Bonnick. Gail's sister Diane Nichols attended. "It's been a blessing to know that people are out there who care about my sister and are out there looking for her," Nichols said. The group will meet again Sunday May 22 to search.


Search Continues for Missing Signal Mountain Mom
May 21, 2011 - WDEF
Short article about the vigil and search. Diane quoted: "They've done fliers for us, but to actually go searching for her. This is the first big push. And there have been maps made up and I guess some people are going to be walking and some people are going to be taking vehicles."


Volunteers sign up to search for missing Signal woman
May 22, 2011 - Times Free Press
Coverage of the prayer and support meeting. Minister Greg Nance of Signal Mountain Church of Christ lead the prayer. About 40 volunteers showed up for the support meeting and to volunteer to search on Sunday. They think Palmgren may have been distressed and gotten into an accident after she left her Signal Mountain home, so they are volunteering to bike, drive, hike and ride horses over about 60 miles of roads and trails. Dan Nichols said "The community has been unbelievable." Diane Nichols said "My family’s focus is just to find her. I just pray for her, that she’s still alive." A neighbor girl who is friends with Gail's children says Gail's daughter is "taking it really well."


Search Expands for Missing Signal Mountain Mom Gail Palmgren
May 22, 2011 - WDEF
Brief article on the volunteer search. There are guest comments on this article.


Alabama police join search for missing mother
May 23, 2011 - WRCBtv
Text is just brief article with info that was already reported.  There are two videos on this article.  First video: More than 50 volunteers searched the mountain for signs of Gail or the Jeep. Gail's siblings say she would never leave her children. Callie Starnes at Wetumpka lake home. Friends have been handing out fliers. Authorities in Alabama are now searching. Arlene Durham interviewed about fliers. Says Gail would feel comfortable at lake house, could be anywhere. Sheriff Bill Franklin of Elmore County AL says there are "probably" going to be BOLOs put out anywhere along the route from TN to Wetumpka. Home was searched Thursday and AL authorities to be on lookout for "anything odd, anything unique, anything that's changed." Sheriff Franklin says TN police are "tight lipped" and holding info "close to the vest" in regards to sharing details. TN police not sharing details with Gail's friends either. Arlene says she has to face reality that Gail may not be alive. A helicopter crew and dive team will be searching in Hamilton County soon. Second video: Reporting on volunteers in Wetumpka, AL holding vigil and searching area. Authorities were asked if this is recovery effort, they say it is still a missing persons investigation. Arlene provides info about information Gail was sending to her for the divorce process. Also a letter Matt Palmgren sent to Arlene asking for security DVR and "not to complicate" the situation. Some items are shown on screen, here are screen shots:




Searchers comb Signal for missing woman
May 23, 2011 - Times Free Press
More info about the volunteer searches. Comments from Stephen Gray, Alaine Gray, Clive Bonnick, and Michael Hudson. Clive Bonnick said that there was no info from police so "There’s no starting point. She could still be somewhere in the subdivision, or she could be in another country. We just don’t know." Several volunteers confirmed Matthew Palmgren did not take part in the search.


The Search for Missing Tennessee Mother Intensifies in Elmore County
(Google cache version if original link does not work.)
May 23, 2011 - WAKA
Several friends and volunteers are interviewed about the fliers and search: Brandie Lowery, Janet Steed, Arlene Durham, and Susie Button. Button is quoted: "I really believe she was scared of something. She would never leave her kids alone this long." Arlene planning on spending three weeks in Chattanooga area looking for Gail.


UPDATED: River search for missing woman's Jeep turns up nothing
May 24, 2011 - News Channel 9
Video: First water search at Suck Creek, nothing was found. Other water searches may be done in TN or in Wetumpka at the lake house. Aerial searches are next. Comments from Janice Atkinson and dive team member John Scruggs.


Divers check river for missing Signal Mountain woman's Jeep
May 25, 2011 - Times Free Press
More on the dive which used sonar equipment and divers. A quarter-mile area near the boat ramp at Suck Creek was covered, taking about 2 hours. Many vehicles are dumped there, often after being stolen. "The area was searched to eliminate the location as a possible site for Palmgren’s vehicle. No specific evidence led authorities to the spot, according to investigators." Next up are plans to dive and search near Lake Jordan.


Friends and family plan another search for Gail Palmgren
May 25, 2011 - WRCBtv
Short article saying that another volunteer search party is being organized for the next weekend.


Husband Of Missing Signal Mountain Woman Drops Suit Seeking Legal Separation
June 1, 2011 - The Chattanoogan
Matt Palmgren had his attorney, Bryan Hoss, drop the suit against Gail on Wednesday. In the suit, Matt had said Gail was under treatment for depression, had been "more paranoid" recently, and on April 23 took over $30,000 in items from the residence, "including her jewelry, his jewelry and jewelry belonging to his family." When he went to meet her at the home on April 30, she was gone and has not been heard from since. Matt said he received notice from the post office that Gail had changed her address on April 30. At some point he was notified she changed PINs to three of bank accounts in her name which contain approximately $420,000, but he said two of the accounts with more than $320,000 "are marital property." He said Gail had taken passports from the home.


Search planned Sunday for Gail Palmgren
June 2, 2011 - Times Free Press
Very brief article stating volunteers will be searching Sunday.


Weekend Search Efforts Continue for Missing Signal Mountain Mom
(Google cache version if original link does not work.)
June 5, 2011 - WDEF
Volunteer searchers will focus efforts on trails along Signal Mountain on the Sequatchie County side. They searched last Sunday with ATVs, bikes, hikers and horses. They want to take the search into Riverbend (a large summer festival) next and are planning a reward fund.


Husband Of Missing Signal Mountain Woman Is Fired By BlueCross

Hammond Says It Is "Highly Unusual" That Gail Palmgren's Jeep Not Yet Spotted
June 7, 2011 - The Chattanoogan
Matt Palmgren fired by BlueCross BlueShield from his high-ranking position. Confirmed by Bryan Hoss that Matt was fired Monday after already being on administrative leave with pay. About a week before Gail disappeared, Matt Palmgren went to Pennsylvania to attend an insurance conference. (Note: Pennsylvania is likely an error; the conference Matt Palmgren pretended to attend was probably the Wolters Kluver conference from April 27 through 29.)
Sources told The Chattanoogan that Matt left the conference before attending sessions and instead went with a female co-worker to another location. They allegedly bought a car together at a different location, then drove back to Chattanooga together. BCBS officials would not confirm reports that this female co-worker was also fired. Matt had been director of pharmacy programs for BCBS government business and emerging markets unit since 2009. "He was responsible for the pharmacy programs in BlueCross’ Senior Care Division, which serves Medicare Advantage and Part D members, and Volunteer State Health Plan, which oversees TennCare and Cover Tennessee programs." Prior to that, Matt was director of clinical pharmacy programs at Humana in Louisville, KY. He had been manager of pharmacy and emerging technologies at Humana before that. In 2002 to 2004, Matt was clinical services manager at BCBS in Alabama. His undergrad degree is from University of South Florida and his Pharm.D. is from Nova Southeastern University.

Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond said "major crimes detectives" working the case in conjunction with Signal Mountain police. No indication that a crime has been committed but they are "following all leads." Hammond quoted: "It is highly unusual that it has been this long and her vehicle has not been spotted."


Matthew Palmgren, co-worker terminated at BlueCross
June 8, 2011 - Times Free Press
Matt Palmgren fired "after a search for his wife caused workplace distractions." BCBS sent Matt a letter Monday per his defense attorney Lee Davis. Davis says the letter referenced Gail Palmgren's disappearance. He is quoted: "Obviously, it cites the investigation. We’re not going to discuss the details at this point," Davis said. Matt Palmgren’s co-worker Tammy Helton was let go at the same time "for similar reasons." She was divorced in February and now lives in Batesville, Mississippi per sources. Helton's defense attorney is David Barrow. She was not reached for comment. BCBS also cites "misuse of company equipment and inappropriate email use" for the firings. Gail gave hotel invoices to a friend before she disappeared. The invoices show Matt paid cash for hotel rooms nearby at Double Tree and Hampton Inn, also for a hotel in Batesville.


Husband of missing Signal Mountain mother fired from job
June 8, 2011 - WRCBtv
Matt Palmgren fired from his job at Blue Cross Blue Shield. He had been on paid leave since shortly after Gail disappeared. His attorney confirms the firing but won't say why, claims it was not related to Gail's disappearance.


Friend of Gail Palmgren: Police sent a threatening text message
June 9, 2011 - WRCBtv
Arlene Durham says she was told by Signal Mountain Police to not interfere with the case. A month after Gail went missing, Arlene went to Mississippi and Florida to ask questions. After this, she received a text message saying she was interfering and that they "really don't want to press charges but if you keep doing it then we will." Arlene says Gail was gathering info on Matt for their impending divorce, had hired a PI, found hotel receipts, and put a tracking device on Matthew's car. Arlene says Gail seemed upset and bothered the day before she went missing. Durham: "She was tired of everything that was going on. She was tired of the drinking, the lies. She found out about the affair. Enough is enough."


Signal Mountain Woman's Marriage Was Crumbling Before She Vanished

She Carried Out Her Own Investigation Of Husband's Affair
June 9, 2011 - The Chattanoogan
Lengthy article was a lot of information. Per Arlene, Gail spoke with her about the "escalating problems" with Matt and finding out Matt was having an affair. Gail hired a PI, put a tracking device on his vehicle, and went through credit card records for motel receipts. Arlene also says Gail told her Matt had called to say he was seeing a lawyer the following Tuesday about getting a separation. Details on how Arlene and Gail met at Lake Jordan in 2006 when Gail had bought the A-frame house next door. In 2009, Matt got a job in Chattanooga with BCBS and they bought a house in St. Ives subdivision of Signal Mountain. Arlene said that Gail and Matt went to Italy on a trip she had won from her job at Novartis, and during the trip Gail said "I had a feeling that things were not going well" and things were "really bad." Gail was laid off from Novartis but received a large severance and wanted to stay home with the kids. She had a job offer but Matt didn't want Gail to accept. Gail allegedly said that the drop in income led to more problems. In November, Gail got her last paycheck. That same month, their dog Dottie got loose and Matt was "enraged." Gail had said she was thinking of moving out, but when she went to a bedroom, Matt broke the door down. Recently, Gail had a black eye and told Arlene that she had run into a door. In March, Gail and Matt went to St. Martin for a wedding, and Gail told Arlene that Matt drank a lot and stayed on the beach out of earshot. She said "Arlene, I think Matt's having an affair." Gail found Matt's cell phone password and found "sexting entries" between Matt and Tammy Helton. She saw Matt's Hilton Honors records and got info on his motel stays in Chattanooga, Lookout Valley, and Batesville, Mississippi. Arlene said Gail was asked by Matt to get $20,000 from her retirement account, then three weeks later asked for another $20,000. She gave him the money. Also, Gail said "Matt was getting $400 every couple of days from an ATM." A PI Gail hired confirmed the affair. The Saturday before Matt went to the insurance conference, Gail called Arlene asking for help and for her to come get her. Arlene's ex-husband Mike went to get her, but Gail had left already, going to Birmingham to stay with a friend. Gail left jewelry with this friend. The next week Matt went to Minneapolis for the insurance conference, instead skipping out on it and meeting with Tammy Helton at another location before driving back to Chattanooga. Matt arrived home nearly 12 hours early that Friday. On the 29th, SMPD went to the Palmgren home and gave Gail "phone numbers of a safe place to stay." It was the third domestic call to police in a week. Gail left the house on the 29th with the kids and told Arlene she would be in Wetumpka and wanted to meet. She said the plan was for Matt to come down to the lake house in Wetumpka to tell the kids about the separation. Arlene was surprised when Gail suddenly went back to Signal Mountain the morning of the 30th. She dropped the kids off and was not seen again. Arlene called Matt at the home Sunday and he said "She just dropped my kids off and left." By Wednesday Arlene went to Chattanooga where she stayed with a neighbor of the Palmgrens, then she confronted Matt about why he was not searching for Gail. Matt said "You're making things very complicated." She went to SMPD and "they did not seem very interested." Arlene went to Ider, Alabama to talk to Tammy Helton's ex-husband. She drove past Helton's home in Batesville. There have been several reported sightings of the Jeep. Arlene believes Gail was the victim of foul play.


Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start: Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode" Week Before She Disappeared
June 18, 2011 - The Chattanoogan
Attorney Lee Davis interviewed. Said Matt was open to searches from the very beginning. Says 10 days ago he signed formal agreement with DA's office to allow searches of "the Palmgren home in the St. Ives subdivision, of the family's lake house northeast of Montgomery, Ala., and of their storage shed." Davis says lake house has been searched, doesn't know about the other places. Says friends of the family in Hoover, Alabama claim Gail "had a psychotic episode" the week before she disappeared, that she "showed up uninvited" and stayed with them for two days. Davis does not identify the friends. Says the husband of this couple is an attorney who said "Gail was flat f----- up. She was out of her mind." He also said Gail took side roads to get to their home, more than doubling the driving time. Davis says this couple says Gail called the police on them, afraid they were trying to take her children. Says this couple say Gail believed she was being followed. Davis reminds everyone "No one in law enforcement has accused Matt Palmgren of anything. They continue to treat it as a missing person case." Davis says Matt is looking for her, including hiring PI Mike Mathis, former Chattanooga PD major crimes detective. This case involves more than one jurisdiction and state. Mathis wants to talk to Carol Coppinger who claims she saw Gail on Signal Mountain trails the afternoon and evening the day she disappeared.


Palmgren consents to property searches
June 18, 2011 - Times Free Press
Matt Palmgren has reached agreement on allowing law enforcement to search the properties: "his storage facility, mother’s home, house in Montgomery, lake house in Titus, Ala., and Signal Mountain home for investigators." This agreement was drafted by Lee Davis and Bryan Hoss, Matt's defense attorneys. Matt and Tammy Helton were fired from Blue Cross Blue Shield: "...were both recently let go after the search for his wife caused work place distractions, company officials said. BlueCross cited misuse of company equipment and inappropriate email use for letting the employees go, sources said." Tammy Helton, 31, is separated from her husband Terry Helton. They lived on a farm in Ider, Alabama. She filed for divorce in May according to court records. The divorce case goes to court June 26. They have a 16-year-old daughter and Tammy Helton has left Chattanooga and moved to Mississippi recently. Tammy Helton's defense attorney is David Barrow.



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