About Me
Every day we celebrate the life of Alana “Laney†Gwinner, our friend, and unfortunately now, our angel.This website is our way of saying, "thank you" to her for the way she brightened our lives. We will always feel cheated that she was so young when she left us. At the same time, we should feel grateful that she was a part of our lives at all.
It is a shame that it took losing Laney for us to truly appreciate what we are without her. We want her to know that life without her is very difficult. She shared her joyous smile and laugh, her zest for life and the passion for all things that were important to her.
Laney was born in Westchester, Ohio March 18, 1974. From the very beginning, she was smart, beautiful, outgoing and unstoppable.
After graduating from Lakota High School in 1992, Laney worked in communications at both LCI International (Qwest Communications) and Telco Communications. While holding down her day job, she spent her evenings taking classes at Raymond Walters College for a Degree in Business and Accounting.
She had taken an interest in line dancing which all but consumed her. Any Thursday through Sunday night you could find her at the Cheyenne Cattle Company, owning the dance floor. Her beauty, her grace and her personality elevated as she danced. Everyone around her could see and feel it…even those who did not know her…yet. Laney made a lasting impression. Those lucky enough to have been considered a friend by Laney now have a place in their heart that will remain forever untouched.
December 10, 1997 is a day we will never forget. Laney Gwinner was out with a friend at Gilmore Bowling Lanes in Fairfield, Ohio the night before. It is estimated that she left the bowling alley around 1:00am. By 10:00am the next morning, friends and co-workers began talking; it was unlike Laney not to let a friend know where she was, let alone, to not call into work. As day turned to night, we became more concerned for her but we had faith that she would walk through the door at any moment. Although the news reports were heart-wrenching, they never swayed us into considering the worst-case scenario.On January 4th, the Cincinnati news channels were buzzing about Officer Mike Partins who fell from the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge while chasing a suspect. We all took a break from our own sorrow and turned our thoughts to his young wife, Lisa and their daughter.
A day, a week, a month went by and then it happened…On January 11, 1998 while searching for Officer Partins, Kentucky State Police found the body of Alana “Laney†Gwinner. Everything fell silent. Watching the news, flipping through channels thinking one of them will tell us otherwise, hearing the phone ring but unable to speak to anyone… Can this really be happening? How? Who? Why? So many questions…some that will remain unanswered.
On January 17, 1998, a memorial service was held at St. John Church in Westchester, Ohio.She would have been proud of the number of friends and family that came to show their respects. Now that the worst is over, we begin to look for answers.
Laney’s 1993 Honda Del Sol has never been found (License # AKP-3607). The case was recently reassigned to the Cold Case Unit in Butler County, Ohio. Detective Frank Smith has given all of Laney’s friends and family hope. Detective Smith says this is a solvable case…we will have closure. It has been a long time coming…
If you have any information regarding the case of Alana “Laney†Gwinner, please contact the Butler County Sheriff’s Department at 513-785-1000 or visit the Butler County Cold Case Unit.
