While many people claim to be psychic and look to make their fortune through publicity, book sales and even television shows, occasionally a person who claims not to be a psychic stumbles into the supernatural realm. This was the case for Etta Louise Smith, who had never had the “gift” and was driven only by the desire to help someone in trouble.
Melanie Uribe was a nurse who had not made it to work and hadn’t been seen for two days. The Paicoma community of Los Angeles was in some distress at the thought of the poor woman being in trouble or worse. While police searched and the television kept the public informed, Etta Smith realized that Melanie was not where they were looking.
Somehow Etta knew that Melanie was in an area similar to the Lopez Valley, not far from Etta’s house. She saw something white beneath the brush and was certain that this was the nurse’s uniform. It had appeared in her mind as clearly as any picture and she felt it her duty to report this to the police.
The officer to whom she spoke listened patiently and let Etta Louise point out on a map the area she had in mind. He knew that he would have to pursue the lead, but he held out little hope. Etta Louise left feeling she had done all she could, but before reaching her home she was driven to investigate herself.
Taking her niece and two of her children, Etta Louise Smith headed to the Lopez Valley and found the body of Melanie Uribe in the place identical to her vision. She knew she had to raise the alarm, but as she was leaving the area a police car arrived.
On discovering the body, the police began to ask serious questions about how Etta Louise knew where the body was. But Etta Louise had no answer to this. She was subsequently charged with murder and held in custody for four days, until the real murderer was arrested.
