36 years later, time has not healed the pain Yvonne Olejniczak feels from the loss of her nine-year-old daughter, Sandra.
"She could have grown up to be who knows what she could have been. But, I missed all of that."
17-year-old John Muggelberg killed Sandra in 1983 while she was walking from her home in Amherst to a nearby 7-11 for postage stamps. Sandra's body was found the following day in a nearby pond.
After serving 36 years behind bars, Muggelburg was released on Monday.
According to the N.Y.S. Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the parole board follows statutory requirements and considers many factors like statements from the Sandra's family, Muggelberg's criminal history, his prison accomplishments, and his potential to successfully reintegrate into the community.
"As far as I'm concerned the only way he should be let out is in a pine box," Yvonne said.
In a letter written in 2018, Muggelburg confessed to killing Sandra. He blamed his actions on years of bullying and his inability to deal with his emotions. In that letter he also begs for the family's forgiveness, while extensively quoting portions of the Bible.
"It was disgusting. He's got a lot of nerve telling me to forget what he did and think about the good times I had with her."
What's worse, Yvonne has no idea what he looks like now. She said she doesn't want to know, but feels she should for her safety. She requested Muggelberg's mugshot from his parole officer last week. So far, she hasn't heard back. "He could be standing next to me and I wouldn't have a clue," she said.
7 Eyewitness News also requested his photo. According to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, it is not required to release the mugshot under the new law passed this year.
Yvonne said all of this only forces her to relive the nightmare all over again.
"She was only nine. I miss her. She was... she meant everything to me."
