OR-Brooke Wilberger Part 2

[WindChime]

Continue on :-)

[wordsnmorewords]

http://tv.ksl.com/index.php?sid=223053&nid=5

Will try to find more on this in other local papers.

Looks like you all found a ton, also. He looks like MH. :eek:
Thank goodness for credible witnesses! Finally, maybe some closure at least for the family.

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Man charged in the murder of Brooke Wilberger. Her body has not been found. Per Greta.

[gatetrekker44]

but that the individual had already been in custody as a suspect in a sexual assault on a foreign-exchange student in New Mexico. And that he is being charged with murder in Brooke's case.


Bring Maura home!

[scandi]

Is this breaking news today? It is the first I have heard anything about Brooke in a long time, and I'm in Portland right N of Corvallis! There has been nothing on the local news here either, and I never miss it as you can imagine. LOL



Scandi

[scandi]

How interesting,
On June 18th, our poster named Mysteiew {sp} wrote this post. Was there no news articles about the van being found in Az?

"The Corvallis Police Department is dispelling rumors that a green van associated with the Brooke Wilberger disappearance was found in Arizona, giving investigators what they needed to solve the case.

Police also asked the man who identified himself as "Brian" and called 911 the day of Wilberger's disappearance to contact the police department.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/article...ty/friloc03.txt


Scandi

[scandi]

Here is the first article about this man arrested and charged with Brookes murder. How do they know she is dead for sure? Unless he confessed!

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/08/03/news/community/bwilberger.txt

Scandi


EDIT: They say in thiis article there was a news conference today at 2pm. Did anyone watch it?

Amazing to find the killer before locating the remains, isn't it.




Scandi

[blueclouds]

Another article:
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1123024969130251.xml&storylist=orlocal

OMG........... it's amazing how LE piece this together. I hope and PRAY that the family will be provided her location of her remains for some PEACE.

Dear Lord, I pray for this................


AMEN. :(

God Bless Brookes family & friends.

[annemc2]

Looks like he was arrested Dec 2004 for the crime against the exchange student. Here is a link about that incident


http://web.abqtrib.com/archives/news04/120204_news_kidnap.shtml

(looks like Bodhi and I posted at the same time!)

[Bhodirasta]

Man jailed in rape case

The cooperation of an alleged victim and another woman leads to a quick arrest in Albuquerque.

By Arthur Simoni
Tribune Reporter

A helpful witness helped take a dangerous man off the streets, says Officer Trish Ahrensfield, an Albuquerque Police Department spokeswoman.

Joel Patrick Courtney, 38, is charged with first-degree criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping and aggravated battery after police caught up with him Tuesday at 2105 Renard Place S.E.
http://web.abqtrib.com/archives/news04/120204_news_kidnap.shtml
..............

[scandi]

BlueClouds,

Do you think this guy has confessed to the crime? Do you think the police know where her body is? Questions, more Questions, I'm sorry, but it is such a sudden happening I am almost in a state of shock. I felt very passionate about Brookes having gone missing at all, much less without a trace, that it even maximizes the shock that I feel.


Scandi

[texasgirl]

I think the news conference is tomorrow. Here's another link that I don't think has been posted yet.

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=78798

Oh, I hope they find her!!!!

[scandi]

Thanks Bhodi,

This story is les than 4 hours old. He was not sitting in jail, but roaming the streets. And he is bu!! ugly - scary, isn't he. Poor Brooke. OMGT, can you imagine this guy accosting you with a knife?

I hope he has confessed. Wonder if Corvallis was looking for this guy and already knew he was the one?



Scandi

[blueclouds]

I don't think this guy has confessed at all! :furious: COWARD .

It even states that in the article that he's "NOT RESPONSIBLE" for Brookes disappearance. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Bobbisangel]

I wonder why he murdered Brooke but raped the other girl and then dumped her off alive? The article was kind of confusing...did he let her go or did she get her hands untied and escape from the car and run? You wouldn't think he would have let her go because she could identify him. It sounds like he drove the girl to another parking lot and that is when she either got away or he let her go.

I wish that they would find out that he dropped Brooke off somewhere and she is alive but can't remember who she is...wishful thinking I know.

It will be interesting to see how LE came to the conclusion that this guy kidnapped Brooke and murdered her.

I look at Brooke's pictures and she is such a pretty sweet girl. So sad.

[ShowerSinger]

What a scum. Maybe he'll get the death penalty? I'm saddened by this, but know the family is relieved that this perv can no longer prey on young women. Thanks for the early update. I've been reading about this for some time.

PS...That original person of interest "Panty Perv" needs to be off the streets, as well. It seemed as if that sicko could do something horrible, if the opportunity presented itself. What if someone had caught him in the act of stealing all those panties?

[scandi]

Hi Bobbie,

In one of the articles from tonight, it says LE will not need any more tips from the public and also that her finddrew site will be taken down. Sounds like they are much more than positive that he is the one who killed her and they must have evidence of her death to say this, right?

On the local news tonight it talked about his family who are from Beaverton Or. They said in May of 2004 he came back to Beaverton from down South and that he was picked up on a DUII the same day that Brooke went missing. He would have to have driven by Corvallis on his way up to the Portland area. They said the family who is a lovely family acc to the neighbors, have been working with LE for months now.

So therefore we could deduce that he could have left evidence in their home or in a vehicle that tracked back to Brooke, which is what furthered the case. It is exactly like what Dr Henry Lee said last night on LKL, get a piece of evidence that connects the two and then question him about the evidence and what it tells in the story of the crime.

The Corvallis police have been so professional in this case that I'm sure all their i's are dotted. I just want to know what the evidence was that linked him to her death.

Gee, this means they must have proof that she is dead. That has to be pretty substantial evidence, don't you think. Like a weapon with his fingerprints on it and her blood. And if he was drunk he was probably very sloppy and left a mountain of clues.

Just wind me up, get me going . . . . . .LOL


Scandi

[mysteriew]

Why would the family immediately take down the web site? Her body hasn't been found yet. LE either has info that they know what happened to the body or has already located it.

[fran]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1123063670114990.xml&coll=7

Man accused in Wilberger case
Benton County serves a murder warrant on Joel P. Courtney, jailed in New Mexico, in Brooke Wilberger's 2004 disappearance
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
BRYAN DENSON
and BOAZ HERZOG

Police served a murder warrant Tuesday on a New Mexico prisoner in the disappearance of college student Brooke Wilberger, 14 months after the 19-year-old woman vanished from a Corvallis apartment complex without a trace.

snip..........................

Noble told The Associated Press that Wilberger hasn't been found. "We still don't know where Brooke is," he said.

Courtney, who has lived in Oregon, Alaska, New Mexico and Florida, also served three months in jail in Washington County after a May 16, 1991, conviction for sex abuse and escaping from authorities.

"We believe justice needs to be served," said Dina McBride of Beaverton, Courtney's sister. "He has a long history of involvement in things that have been hurtful to many people, and he needs to be held accountable for those behaviors."

McBride, who described herself as a spokeswoman for her family, said she was aware that her brother would be charged with murder and said her family has cooperated with the task force investigating Wilberger's disappearance for several months.

Courtney lived in New Mexico with his wife and three young children prior to last fall's arrest, she said.

Benton County authorities have called a 2 p.m. news conference today in Corvallis to release details about how they connected Courtney to Wilberger's abduction.

"This is the correct guy and we'll have more information," Noble said.

snip..............................
more at link..................

[mysteriew]

Wilberger's close friend and would-be BYU roommate Brittany Knight expressed hope Tuesday that the body of her friend would be found now that a suspect is in custody.

The Wilberger family was apprised of the recent developments in the case but would not comment when contacted Tuesday by multiple media outlets.

The Corvallis Police Department has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon.
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600153184,00.html

[Anngelique]

Here are a few snips from this lengthy article. They are having a press conference at 2 PM Pacific and we will find out more. What a complete scumbag this guy is! I pray for Brooke's family!


http://katu.com/stories/78803.html

According to a record check ran by KATU News, Courtney has a criminal history in both Oregon and New Mexico that includes sexual abuse charges.

In 1985 at 19 years old, Courtney went to prison where he did nine years of hard time in the Oregon Department of Corrections for a sex abuse case out of Washington County.

Other items on his record include felonies, misdemeanors and violations, but perhaps the most interesting bit of information is what happened after Courtney was arrested on a drunk driving charge in January of 2004.


Courtney was supposed to appear in court on May 24, 2004, the same day Brooke Wilberger disappeared, but he never showed up.

Court records show he called the Lincoln County Court to say he was in Corvallis on his way to Newport that day, but he never made his appointment.

As for the incident involving a student at the University of Mexico, the victim told police Courtney pulled a knife on her and demanded she get into a car. She said she was then tied up with a shoestring and sexually assaulted.

She was able to break free and run for help. Her ability to identify Courtney and get him locked up may have been just the alarm Corvallis police needed to look in his direction.

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1123063670114990.xml&coll=7

"We believe justice needs to be served," said Dina McBride of Beaverton, Courtney's sister. "He has a long history of involvement in things that have been hurtful to many people, and he needs to be held accountable for those behaviors."

McBride, who described herself as a spokeswoman for her family, said she was aware that her brother would be charged with murder and said her family has cooperated with the task force investigating Wilberger's disappearance for several months.Thank God his family aided police!

I hope they find Brooke soon so that her family can say a proper goodbye.

[lisag]

They are being too evasive - I think the police know more.. Hopefully her family can bring her home soon.
Prayers for Brooke and her family!

[lynie]

I am sure too that they know more but are protecting the case. We may here more at the 2:oopm news conference.

An interesting statement was made today by this Courtney-jerkheads sister.
It was something to the effect that he has had problems for a very long time and whatever punishment he may get is truely deserved. Sounds like his family here in Beaverton (Where I live!) has been very cooperative with the investigation....

[fran]

On the local news tonight it talked about his family who are from Beaverton Or. They said in May of 2004 he came back to Beaverton from down South and that he was picked up on a DUII the same day that Brooke went missing. He would have to have driven by Corvallis on his way up to the Portland area. They said the family who is a lovely family acc to the neighbors, have been working with LE for months now.
Scandi


Oh good grief! Don't tell me from '94 to 2004 he was in California? or do they mean 'down south' as in Southern Oregon?

I could think of several girls gone missing in California during the '94-2004 time period. :doh: Some were wearing 'school sweatshirts.'

Da#n sexual predators!

JMHO
fran

[mysteriew]

The fact that her family has not been speaking to the media leads me to think that LE may have been able to give them some very definative answers.

[Anngelique]

The fact that her family has not been speaking to the media leads me to think that LE may have been able to give them some very definative answers.

I just watched the video on www.katu.com and the police has asked the family of Brooke's and the family of the suspect NOT to speak to the media until AFTER the news conference. They said the family HAS been in the loop but has been asked not to speak. I bet we will hear from both of these family when the news conference is over.

[fran]

The fact that her family has not been speaking to the media leads me to think that LE may have been able to give them some very definative answers.

This probably says it all, IMO:


http://www.katu.com/stories/78803.html

Police said after Wednesday, they would no longer need the public's help in terms of tips or information in the case


JMHO
fran

[A.Wood]

I dont know what to say. Atleast they know, and do not have to wonder anymore. how sad.

[scandi]

Hi Fran,

That was one of the first news blurbs I heard about it on TV, and it turns out it was not correct, so I don't know. He didn't actually get the DUII that day in 2004, but was due in court on the charge that day. Big difference.

I know from what the release was to the press on the info we heard last night has to say they know she is dead and who killed her, or they would not have arrested HIM on that CHARGE! Something was said about the Corvallis PD piecing everything together, so I bet with this charge in place, they already have all their ducks in a row. They might even know what happened to her. Maybe her body has been desintegrated in some way.


Scandi

[fran]

Hi Fran,

That was one of the first news blurbs I heard about it on TV, and it turns out it was not correct, so I don't know. He didn't actually get the DUII that day in 2004, but was due in court on the charge that day. Big difference.

I know from what the release was to the press on the info we heard last night has to say they know she is dead and who killed her, or they would not have arrested HIM on that CHARGE! Something was said about the Corvallis PD piecing everything together, so I bet with this charge in place, they already have all their ducks in a row. They might even know what happened to her. Maybe her body has been desintegrated in some way.


Scandi

hi Scandi:

What I'm getting out of all of read is that the very day that Brooke disappeared, the perp was supposed to appear in court but phoned and said he was in Corvallis and on his way. He never showed.

He placed himself where Brooke disappeared from. It kind of sounds as if they may have the car or van too.

JMHO
fran

[annemc2]

They're (Benton county DA) really not saying much about specifics in the case. Just that the green minivan WAS the link and that it was located "out of state" (not in NM). Never able to locate "Brian." No body located. Not saying much about evidence; Albuquerque PD contacted Newport (OR) PD to check for similar crimes in the area. Newport referred them to Corvallis and "a connection was made." This happened in early Dec 2004. DA "doesn't want to try case in the media" so is not saying much more. Grand jury has apparently been held in this case.

Press release (summary) will be released 3pm (PT) including copies of arrest warrants, indictments, etc. Capt Noble: "We still have a lot of work to do." "We still don't know where Brooke is."

[lynie]

I can't believe that the media, knowing that he was in the Portland/Beaverton area hasn't found an old high school teacher or beer buddy yet! I want to hear more about this creature...did you hear he was married with 3 kids?

lynie

[Anngelique]

It sounds like these LEs are truly doing a good job. They are not soiling the case by giving out too many details, it sounds as if they are being very thorough and it sounds like they have their man! From watching CW Jensen give his thoughts on the case it sounds like they must have found physical evidence placing Brooke in that green van. He said this is imperative because there would be NO other reason to place Brooke with this suspect. If her fingerprints, or DNA is found in that vehicle than you have found your culprit to her disappearance.

I have been very upset over this case after Robert St James started implying blame onBrooke's family, namely her brother-in-law Zak. I hope he offers a public apology here on this thread after all the facts come out. I hardly ever let things bother me but I used to walk away almost in tears and so upset that her family was being victimized after all they have been through. They seem like an amazing family, strong, full of strength, uprightness and fully united. It broke my heart that someone would lay blame at their door.

[annemc2]

That's funny you mention him, Anngelique - I've been wondering if RStJ is going to make an appearance back here and comment on the latest developments.....

[lynie]

Robert dear Robert....everyone is allowed to have their opinions, and I do believe he would say "wait, the police have not divulged their information, Zak could have been there holding Brooke waiting for dirt-ball to come pick her up so he could meet up later." :doh: :doh:

:slap: :slap: :slap:

[Bhodirasta]

Heck,
I should eat crow too.
I thought it could be some sect leader or visitor like the Lafferty Bros...

What was he doing there? Seems like he was in to scoping campuses.
A LOT of the time though, it does turn out to be someone the victim somehow knows.
I am wondering about the initial green van tip...

[concernedperson]

Has anyone heard the press conference on the west coast? If so, please let us know.

[annemc2]

I posted a synopsis of the press conf in post #32 - sorry, I didn't label it!

[lynie]

Yep...just finished a news conference with Joel Courtneys family....basically that his family (conference given by his older sister) would appreciate no media contact, and that she would be the family spokesperson. They have small children and an elderly relative in the home, and any additional upheavel could be harmful to these innocent people.

She also said that she is impressed with the professionalism and courtesy of the law enforcement folks that they have dealt with.

Sounds like the Courtney family is a decent one, I am sorry he has placed them in a bad position...

Bhodi...I know all of us were throwing around therories...The remarks about RStJ I believe refer to the insistence he had that the Corvallis police were trying to cover for the brother-in-law, and putting out some ideas that could be considered hurtful to the Wilberger family.

Heck, I too thought that she could have been "stolen" by a religious sect! especially after reading "Under the Banner of Heaven". I really wish this were the case :o(

[concernedperson]

I posted a synopsis of the press conf in post #32 - sorry, I didn't label it!

Thanks, I was hoping for a link but your word is good enough for me. Getting here late today and so much is happening that I am jumping from thread to thread just trying to keep up. :blowkiss:

[Anngelique]

Yep...just finished a news conference with Joel Courtneys family....basically that his family (conference given by his older sister) would appreciate no media contact, and that she would be the family spokesperson. They have small children and an elderly relative in the home, and any additional upheavel could be harmful to these innocent people.

She also said that she is impressed with the professionalism and courtesy of the law enforcement folks that they have dealt with.

Sounds like the Courtney family is a decent one, I am sorry he has placed them in a bad position...

Bhodi...I know all of us were throwing around therories...The remarks about RStJ I believe refer to the insistence he had that the Corvallis police were trying to cover for the brother-in-law, and putting out some ideas that could be considered hurtful to the Wilberger family.

Heck, I too thought that she could have been "stolen" by a religious sect! especially after reading "Under the Banner of Heaven". I really wish this were the case :o(

Just for clarification though, since I am an active Mormon woman living in Salem and most of my close acquaintances and family members are also LDS I would like people to know that we do NOT have anything to do with broken off sects of the LDS church. Mainstream Mormonism is not into all of that strange, wierd stuff you read about in books like "Under the Banner of Heaven". There are sick, sick individuals in all walks of life proclaiming affiliations with almost every mainstream religions, people that have taken their sick minds to the extreme. These individuals should not be confused with the normal, good that the religion that they soiled does. The REAL Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an honorable, good church. We do more for the world as a whole second to only Red Cross and now are often there before Red Cross in world catostrophes. You do not hear about these good works because we believe in serving the Lord and not for seeking recognition. Brooke's family was from the normal LDS family. Again, I reiterate, we do not associate with sects that have broken away. I know of one person in all my life that has ever associated themselves with these extreme fundamentalists and he left his family and moved to Montana to have more wives and live that way of life. I have never had contact with him again and I would not want to. I thought he was way "off" before he left. I mean come on, you can normally tell when they are stranger than science. :D

[Anngelique]

Thanks, I was hoping for a link but your word is good enough for me. Getting here late today and so much is happening that I am jumping from thread to thread just trying to keep up. :blowkiss:

go to www.katu.com and I believe you can actually watch it yourself. :)

[Bhodirasta]

When was the first Green Van tip called in, and was it a new tip?
Were the plate numbers given?
Does anyone know what he was doing there?
If he attacked another student, it seems that he was a campus prowler.

[Beffie]

Here is a new article I just ran across. They have to know something. They have all the charges including murder, kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse and sodomy. This scum bag has a wife and three kids. They think he might be a serial killer.

http://www.katu.com/stories/78821.html

Another sick SOB who shouldn't of been on the street. :behindbar

[lostfaith]

Here is a new article I just ran across. They have to know something. They have all the charges including murder, kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse and sodomy. This scum bag has a wife and three kids. They think he might be a serial killer.

http://www.katu.com/stories/78821.html

Another sick SOB who shouldn't of been on the street. :behindbar



Time to start looking at the cases of the collage age missing girls, and see if it is possible that he was in the area. I agree, they must have some good evidence on him. I feel sorry for his family also, they seem like good people by the way they have helped the investigation and the way they talk about how justice needs to be served. I wonder about his wife? Poor woman!

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Here is a new article I just ran across. They have to know something. They have all the charges including murder, kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse and sodomy.Do these include the charges for the other girl that escaped from him? I don't know if they can indict for two cases at once. The charges as outlined in one of the links here:

KATU 2 - Portland, Oregon (http://www.katu.com/stories/78821.html)

The specific counts are: 14 counts of Aggravated Murder Alleged In Alternative Theories, 2 counts of Aggravated Kidnapping in the First Degree, 1 count of First-Degree Rape, 1 County of First-Degree Sexual Abuse and 1 count of First-Degree Sodomy.

(I don't know what 14 counts of aggravated murder alleged in alternative theories means - anyone know?)

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

KATU 2 - Portland, Oregon (http://www.katu.com/stories/78821.html)


According to Kari Brandenburg, Bernalillo County District Attorney, Courtney is "a possible suspect in other homicides." When asked whether those cases involved college students, Brandenburg said "yes."

In New Mexico and in Oregon, the victims were both young college students and it is possible the other victims that Brandenburg spoke of were college age as well. Investigators are now trying to link Courtney to other unsolved murders.

"In this one (the case in New Mexico), we have a live victim and we're very thankful for that," said Brandenburg. "In some of the other cases, the victim wasn't that fortunate. So this is an individual that we want to put away for the rest of his life."

[mysteriew]

I still do not understand. The family is not talking and they are taking the website down. The police say they no longer need tips from the public. The van has been found. LE says that they have not found her body. I would think that since they have the suspect in custody, that they would now turn to looking for her body, thus still needing public support. Where is her body?
They are acting as though they know what happened to her body, yet still claim not to have the body. And where are the bodies of the other alleged victims? And who are the other alleged victims.

[Bhodirasta]

I still do not understand. The family is not talking and they are taking the website down. The police say they no longer need tips from the public. The van has been found. LE says that they have not found her body. I would think that since they have the suspect in custody, that they would now turn to looking for her body, thus still needing public support. Where is her body?
They are acting as though they know what happened to her body, yet still claim not to have the body. And where are the bodies of the other alleged victims? And who are the other alleged victims.

Furthermore,
why would they take the website down, when anyone who would click on it could be led to other missing persons cases in order to help other people with missing children...???????

[mysteriew]

People who took part in the search last year for missing 19-year-old Brooke Wilberger said Wednesday morning they were glad someone has been charged in the case, but they were sad and disappointed the arrest probably means the Brigham Young University student is dead.
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/08/03/news/community/cwilberger.txt

Joel Patrick Courtney, 39, is in jail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, N.M., awaiting trial on charges that he allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a student at the University of New Mexico last November.

"The name is accurate. That's all correct," Corvallis Police Capt. Ron Noble said Tuesday night.

Some news sources reported that investigators had not located Wilberger's body.

Noble declined to confirm whether that information was accurate, adding that information would be covered at today's news conference.
http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2005/08/03/news/top_story/wed01.txt

An indictment against Courtney was filed Monday in Benton County Circuit Court and a warrant was issued, an official at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in New Mexico said.

Bernalillo County is holding Courtney without bail as a fugitive.

The Benton County charges include 14 counts of aggravated murder, likely for different theories about how Wilberger was presumed killed. Noble said Wilberger had not yet been found.

Courtney also is charged in Benton County with first-degree rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and kidnapping.

He will be extradited, the Bernalillo County official said.

"It is significant," Noble said. "It's significant from an investigation standpoint, but there's still a lot of work to do."

Tuesday's announcement of a break in the case came two months after Corvallis police asked for the public's help tracking down information about a green minivan seen driving erratically the day Wilberger vanished.

One of two people of interest in the Wilberger case has a connection with a green vehicle, Noble said then.

Noble refused to say what led police to Courtney.
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050803/NEWS/508030327/1002

[lynie]

Hi all...I thought I heard Cammy Wilberger say they were NOT taking the website down....at the news conference. I have tried to look but didn't see it, but was sure I heard it! Could be the voices in my head...

Maybe they do not need any tips from the public because they are trying to apply pressure to Courtney somehow OR they searched every conceivable place locally that was possible in the initial investigation. They certainly left very few stones unturned.

As far as others missing, what was the name again of the gal that went missing I think at San Luis Obispo around the time Scott Peterson was there?
They were kinda looking at him about the disappearence....

[Only4Justice]

As far as others missing, what was the name again of the gal that went missing I think at San Luis Obispo around the time Scott Peterson was there?
They were kinda looking at him about the disappearence....

Her name was Kristen Smart. Did you hear they were looking into her dissappearance in connection with this guy too?

[Anngelique]

Do these include the charges for the other girl that escaped from him? I don't know if they can indict for two cases at once. The charges as outlined in one of the links here:

KATU 2 - Portland, Oregon (http://www.katu.com/stories/78821.html)

The specific counts are: 14 counts of Aggravated Murder Alleged In Alternative Theories, 2 counts of Aggravated Kidnapping in the First Degree, 1 count of First-Degree Rape, 1 County of First-Degree Sexual Abuse and 1 count of First-Degree Sodomy.

(I don't know what 14 counts of aggravated murder alleged in alternative theories means - anyone know?)

CW Jensen spoke about this on KATU after the news conference. He said that it is because they have alternate theories about what happened. He did not say that they would dwindle the charges down after they got more information but he said it was very common to charge them with all counts with each theory they have. I hope that makes sense to you. The 12 witnesses by the way are not eye witnesses, they are forensic specialists and other specialists. So they MUST have some kind of DNA to tie this guy to the crime. They held a grand jury all ready and they found sufficient evidence to charge him with the murder of Brooke. So there is some kind of physical evidence placing Brooke with this sicko. My bet is some of her DNA or fingerprint was found in that green van. I think this is the tightest lipped LE I have personally ever experienced but from what I understand it is the correct way to do it.

While visiting another site I saw where someone was saying they don't think this is a major development like the media is making it out to be because of Kim the panty thief and a few others who's names were connected with this case. He said that there was a big hype in the media about them and we all know they did not do it and that Kim's family is now sueing LE for wrongful arrest. I would refute that as the LE ALWAYS said these other individuals were persons of interests and they were being closely looked at. NEVER were they arrested for a crime connected to Brooke. They were only arrested for other crimes indendent to this case. It was the media who put the hype of these other individuals, not LE. This time around it was the LE who said we have an arrest, we have our guy. I think they DO have the correct person and I believe they have physical evidence of Brooke's to pin this on this very sick indivdual.

[fran]

Her name was Kristen Smart. Did you hear they were looking into her dissappearance in connection with this guy too?

IMO, there are several college-age girls, missing without a trace, during the time this guy was on the loose. Seems he could be suspect in several states. LE is finally getting it,... these perverts are very mobil, which is why they keep getting away with it. That's why we needed a National Sex Offender data base. When it comes to sex crimes, it seems there's no bounds and jurisdictions need to work together.

JMHO
fran

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

CW Jensen spoke about this on KATU after the news conference. He said that it is because they have alternate theories about what happened. He did not say that they would dwindle the charges down after they got more information but he said it was very common to charge them with all counts with each theory they have. I hope that makes sense to you.Yes, it does. Thanks so much for clearing that up for me.

While visiting another site I saw where someone was saying they don't think this is a major development like the media is making it out to be because of Kim the panty thief and a few others who's names were connected with this case. He said that there was a big hype in the media about them and we all know they did not do it and that Kim's family is now sueing LE for wrongful arrest. I would refute that as the LE ALWAYS said these other individuals were persons of interests and they were being closely looked at. NEVER were they arrested for a crime connected to Brooke. They were only arrested for other crimes indendent to this case. It was the media who put the hype of these other individuals, not LE. This time around it was the LE who said we have an arrest, we have our guy. I think they DO have the correct person and I believe they have physical evidence of Brooke's to pin this on this very sick indivdual.First of all, I'm convinced that LE has the right guy. Not only did they get the indictment but they're also planning on taking the web site down, and no longer taking tips from the public. They've got to be absolutely certain IMO. Especially considering the witnesses that testified at the grand jury. I agree that they probably have forensic evidence that ties this pig to Brooke.

As for the Kim family suing, all I can say is I wish people like that would get a life. If they want to clear his name, then go on some talk shows or something. It's just another case of someone seeing a chance to try to make a quick buck. Hopefully the judge will throw it right out of court.

[scandi]

:clap: Bravo JerseyGirl! I agree they should get a life, and the thought of them suing when they have such a sick son who is so sexually perverted he could have commited a crime like this is almost unbelievable to me. Remember they found all of that literature in his room on torturing women, in fact I think it even involved cutting them. I read he might have been at the stage in his illness {!} that murder could have been his next act!


Scandi

[Anngelique]

:clap: Bravo JerseyGirl! I agree they should get a life, and the thought of them suing when they have such a sick son who is so sexually perverted he could have commited a crime like this is almost unbelievable to me. Remember they found all of that literature in his room on torturing women, in fact I think it even involved cutting them. I read he might have been at the stage in his illness {!} that murder could have been his next act!


Scandi

You are so correct Scandi! Kim is an extremely sick individual. not only did he have an aresenal stockpiled in his home, he also had tons of videos, pictures, internet sites of tortured and abused women. This is NOT normal and he could act out on this for sure! Kim is where he belongs and I hope they throw away the key. His family is saying the LE embarrassed their family. Why don't they place the blame where it belongs? That blame belongs to their son and no one else!

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

His family is saying the LE embarrassed their family.Are you kidding me??? I swear that now I've heard it all. Considering all of the information that you and Scandi mentioned that LE has on that guy, I suspect that the judge will indeed toss their case out. What a waste of taxpayer money. And if he was never even arrested in connection to Brooke, and only in other crimes that he DID commit, or in which the police were justified in thinking he could have committed, how can they sue for false arrest? I'm so sick of frivolous lawsuits, I can't even tell you.

Maybe Kim's family can simply join the rest of us in our happiness that the pig that's responsible for Brooke's disappearance will finally be held accountable for his disgusting actions. I guess that would mean caring about someone other than themselves. :rolleyes:

[Anngelique]

Are you kidding me??? I swear that now I've heard it all. Considering all of the information that you and Scandi mentioned that LE has on that guy, I suspect that the judge will indeed toss their case out. What a waste of taxpayer money. And if he was never even arrested in connection to Brooke, and only in other crimes that he DID commit, or in which the police were justified in thinking he could have committed, how can they sue for false arrest? I'm so sick of frivolous lawsuits, I can't even tell you.

Maybe Kim's family can simply join the rest of us in our happiness that the pig that's responsible for Brooke's disappearance will finally be held accountable for his disgusting actions. I guess that would mean caring about someone other than themselves. :rolleyes:

Here is more on this ridiculous lawsuit.

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=78735

Sung Koo Kim's family files $11 million lawsuit


PORTLAND, Ore. - The family of Sung Koo Kim, the man who was once suspected in the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger, is suing.
Kim's parents and sister are suing two cities, a county and nearly 40 policemen for $11 million, claiming their Tigard home was unlawfully searched.

The lawsuit claims police used excessive force. And that the search caused the family to suffer "shock, fear, anxiety, humiliation, and mental and emotional pain."

[Anngelique]

This shows what a scum Kim is.

February 7, 2005
Sung Koo Kim, the best-known of several "persons of interest" under investigation for Brooke's disappearance, has been cleared by police after every lead involving him came up negative. Kim is in custody on burglary and theft charges for allegedly stealing thousands of pairs of women's underwear from the dormitories of nearby colleges. His computer contains (according to police reports) thousands of images of women being raped, tortured and mutilated; what appears to be a checklist for torturing and raping a woman; a list of countries that don't extradite criminals back to the United States; and research on a female Oregon State University swim team member who was petite and blonde (like Brooke).
A police spokesman pointed out that the removal of Kim from the list of suspects doesn't mean investigators have determined "beyond a shadow of a doubt" that he wasn't involved in Brooke's disappearance.

http://crime.allinfoabout.com/wilberger/updates.html

[fran]

:clap: Bravo JerseyGirl! I agree they should get a life, and the thought of them suing when they have such a sick son who is so sexually perverted he could have commited a crime like this is almost unbelievable to me. Remember they found all of that literature in his room on torturing women, in fact I think it even involved cutting them. I read he might have been at the stage in his illness {!} that murder could have been his next act!Scandi

I can't agree more, Scandi! All this guy would have had to do was accidentally break into someone's house while they were home, or run into a guy just like the one now standing accused of the Wilberger crime. IMO, he was a 'murder waiting to happen.' :eek:

They should be glad he was caught and get him help! :mad:

JMHO
fran

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

The lawsuit claims police used excessive force. And that the search caused the family to suffer "shock, fear, anxiety, humiliation, and mental and emotional pain."11 million dollars worth, apparently. Pathetic.

[mysteriew]

11 million dollars worth, apparently. Pathetic.

But the shock of finding out that their son was a pervert evidently didn't cause them any trauma.

[mysteriew]

Corvallis police on Wednesday credited savvy police work -- in New Mexico and Oregon -- for the arrest of a former Beaverton man in connection with the disappearance and death of Brooke Wilberger, 19.

At a news conference where officials offered new details about the case and the suspect, the Wilberger family vowed to keep searching for their daughter's body.

A Benton County grand jury indicted Courtney on Friday on 14 counts of aggravated murder, each offering different circumstances under which Wilberger presumably was killed. He also is charged with kidnapping, rape, sodomy and sexual abuse.

He is being held without bail at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050804/NEWS/508040362/1001

[mysteriew]

I have a question. Traditionally LE won't file charges unless they have some physical evidence of the crime or a strong witness testimony. This would have to independent of any confession. They haven't found a body, but they are charging him with rape and sodomy. With no body, what could be the evidence?

[Anngelique]

I do daycare for an Assistant DA here in Salem, Oregon. I talked to her this morning about this new development with Brooke. She said she knows the DA who was at the press conference and also said that because of the different charges (based on theories again) and because they had a grand jury find that they have a strong enough case to go forward with the charges, she personally would put money on blood evidence along with possible semen evidence in the green van. She believes by what little she knows that they have quite a bit more than the public knows. Especially since they said they would no longer need help from the public. She also wonders if he might have confessed. She said of course this is all speculation but from her professional assessment she believes they have some very strong evidence. This would be great news :woohoo: :clap: Let's get another scumbag off the streets!

[mysteriew]

His past includes other convictions and charges for violent crimes against women, alcohol and drug abuse, and questions of mental illness.
http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2005/08/04/news/community/thu03.txt

On Wednesday, she made her first public appearance after police arrested a man for the murder of Brooke Wilberger.

Wearing a pink blouse, a color that became synonymous with the "Find Brooke" campaign, Cammy Wilberger addressed a room full of reporters, and the television and radio audience that was watching and listening.

A hopeful, Cammy Wilberger maintained an ever-present calm.

"This is not over yet," she said. "To come this far, a lot of prayers have been answered."
http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2005/08/04/news/community/thu02.txt

Though police say they have not yet found the 19-year-old Veneta woman's body, Heiser told assembled reporters that prosecutors have enough evidence to "pursue the case aggressively."

Courtney's connection to Wilberger's disappearance was confirmed because of a 1997 green Dodge Caravan, Heiser said.

Corvallis police requested the public's help this spring, hoping to hear from someone who may have seen the van the day of Wilberger's abduction. Investigators have the van. However, Heiser declined to comment on what evidence may have been found inside.
http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2005/08/04/news/top_story/thu01.txt

Wilbergers's hometown reacts to news of Courtney arrest
http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=78828

[annemc2]

Apparently the green minivan was owned by this company
www.creative-building.com
Courtney worked there in some capacity. (reported by kgw - www.kgw.com)

[concernedperson]

And this other family wants to sue. How absurd is that? Escalation, people, escalation. Then denial by family members. The crux of it all.

[lynie]

My suggestion would be that the persons that had their underwear stolen or who were stalked (like the swimmer) should sue the Kim family because of the shock, fear, anxiety, humility, emotional and mental pain their son caused them.

After all, all of the items were found in the Kim home...who is to say that it was just the kid doing the dirty work...maybe mom and dad drove him to his "hobby".

I wish they knew just how stupid the thought of their lawsuit sounds....

[fran]

Apparently the green minivan was owned by this company
www.creative-building.com
Courtney worked there in some capacity. (reported by kgw - www.kgw.com)

Oh, now I see the 'van' connection! Courtney was a supervisor or something for a cleaning or maintenance company. ahhh-haaa :eek: .......the dots start connecting.

JMHO
fran

[fran]

My suggestion would be that the persons that had their underwear stolen or who were stalked (like the swimmer) should sue the Kim family because of the shock, fear, anxiety, humility, emotional and mental pain their son caused them.

After all, all of the items were found in the Kim home...who is to say that it was just the kid doing the dirty work...maybe mom and dad drove him to his "hobby".

I wish they knew just how stupid the thought of their lawsuit sounds....


Me thinks the Kim's need to get a grip and rethink their lawsuit. They may be opening a whole can of worms here with this lawsuit! :doh:
JMHO
fran

[mysteriew]

The man charged with murder, kidnapping and rape in the disappearance of Brigham Young University student Brooke Wilberger may be a serial killer who has struck in several states, according to a New Mexico district attorney.

Courtney, 39, is currently being held in Albuquerque on kidnapping and rape charges in an unrelated incident involving a foreign exchange student at the University of New Mexico. In a statement to ABC News affiliate KATU News in Portland, Ore., Bernalillo County, N.M., District Attorney Kari Brandenburg said Courtney is "a possible suspect in other homicides" involving college students.

Courtney, authorities said, has lived in a number of places, including Beaverton, Ore.; Cape Canaveral, Fla.; Anchorage, Alaska; and Albuquerque, N.M. In New Mexico and Oregon, Courtney's alleged crime victims were both young college students and it is possible that other victims also were college age, Brandenburg said. Investigators are trying to determine whether evidence links Courtney to other unsolved slayings.

At an arraignment Wednesday in New Mexico, Courtney refused to appear on video before the judge.

"His lawyer probably told him there were several cameras in the courtroom waiting for him," said bail bondsman Gerald Madrid. "I think he realized the amount of media coverage that was in the courtroom and he was just trying to minimize the amount that he's on the news back in Oregon."
http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=1007878&page=1

[gatetrekker44]

I don't know how many of you remember the case of Kristen, who shortly before her 19th birthday, went to the San Francisco area and disappeared after about a month. No trace of her was ever found, and to this day, there have been no real leads. I wonder where, exactly, this scumbag was in the summer of 1997, specifically June 23rd, when Kristen disappeared.
Since it seems that this guy has been atrolling predator on the west coast for a long time, I wonder if he will be questioned in Kristen's disappearance???


Bring Maura home!

[mysteriew]

I don't know how many of you remember the case of Kristen, who shortly before her 19th birthday, went to the San Francisco area and disappeared after about a month. No trace of her was ever found, and to this day, there have been no real leads. I wonder where, exactly, this scumbag was in the summer of 1997, specifically June 23rd, when Kristen disappeared.
Since it seems that this guy has been atrolling predator on the west coast for a long time, I wonder if he will be questioned in Kristen's disappearance???


Bring Maura home!

Kristen Modafferi
http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46&highlight=Kristen
From what we have at this point, we don't know that he was ever in Cal. but after some of the others, just because he wasn't living there doesn't mean he wasn't there.
Edited to add: Dark brown hair; brown eyes. Modaferri has facial dimples.

[lynie]

Her name was Kristen Smart. Did you hear they were looking into her dissappearance in connection with this guy too?

No, I haven't heard her name in connection. It just rang a bell with me that she was another gal that disappeared from a college locale without a trace. If this guy has been acting out for a long period of time along the west coast it could be a possibility...at least in my head!

[Anngelique]

http://www.katu.com/stories/78837.html

(More at link)


Courtney Vows To Fight Extradition To Oregon
Version

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The man accused of killing 19-year-old Brooke Wilberger was in an Albuquerque court Thursday for his arraignment, but it may be some time before he stands before an Oregon judge.
Joel Courtney, 39, has vowed to fight extradition to Oregon, which will force the state go through all the legal hoops before he can be tried for Brooke Wilberger's murder.

Homicide investigators throughout the nation have their eyes on Courtney, the man accused not only of murdering Wilberger, but who also faces charges in a kidnapping and rape case in New Mexico.

Striking similarities between the two cases have investigators wondering if they have a serial killer on their hands, one who targets pretty, blonde college students.


Kari Brandenburg, Bernalillo County District Attorney, told KATU News the two cases sent up a disturbing red flag signaling that Courtney could be responsible for multiple deaths in multiple states.

"They have similar characteristics," she said. "You look at the time of day that the crime was allegedly committed - in daylight. You look at the individual's background and I think that anyone would wonder about that and wonder if there aren't other cases out there."

Brooke Wilberger appears to share physical similarities with the New Mexico rape victim who was able to escape her attacker. Witnesses described the woman as an attractive college student with long, straight, blonde hair, a light complexion and a petite build.


Brandenburg suspects investigators throughout the country are now reviewing their cold case homicides, especially in places where Courtney once lived - Alaska, New Mexico, Oregon and Florida.

"It's like a TV show or the movies that you see where you have a police department somewhere where the defendant possibly lived or traveled through and they say they have a case that is not solved. They go back and look at that case and try to determine if perhaps this is an individual who can be considered a suspect," she said.

Meanwhile, we are learning more details about the case in New Mexico that led to Courtney's arrest.


Last November, Dara Finks, a waitress and mother of four, saw a young woman, nearly naked, running across an Albuquerque street.

Finks got the frantic woman, who said she had just been attacked, into her car.

"She was freaking out," Finks told KATU News. "She said 'he's going to get me, he's going to get me, he's got a knife, he's going to kill me.' So I told her to get in the car. I won't let anyone hurt you. Lock the door. And he was right there at the light."

Finks says the woman had deep red marks on her neck where a knife had apparently been held. Albuquerque police took Joel Courtney into custody just a few hours after the assault.

"Is there anyone who thinks this guy has done this only three times in 20 years? I don't think so," KATU Crime Expert C.W. Jensen said.

Brooke Wilberger and the woman Courtney is accused of raping in New Mexico are similar in appearance. According to Jensen, preying on the same type of victim is common among serial rapists and murderers.


"(They) obviously have a favorite victim that they fantasize about and so should that opportunity present itself, they would go after that," he said.

Jensen added that serial criminals strike wherever they are. Although we do not know whether Courtney can be tied to crimes where he moved, we can look at his travels for 2004.

In January, he got a speeding ticket in Newport, Oregon. In March, his listed address was in Pensacola, Florida. In May, he got a speeding ticket in La Grande, Oregon, listed a Cocoa Beach, Florida address and drove a car licensed in Minnesota. In November, he was arrested on kidnapping and rape charges in New Mexico.

"A zebra doesn't change its stripes and a sex offender doesn't change their behavior," said Jensen.

That is why law enforcement agencies from Alaska to Florida, and everywhere in between, will be looking at Courtney's DNA very carefully.

For example, KATU News spoke with detectives in Anchorage, Alaska, one of the places where Courtney lived, and they said they plan to search their unsolved case files. They said when Courtney's DNA is available, they will be comparing it to their own evidence.

[PolkSaladAnnie]

Been following Brooke's story since it broke: Brooke is related to a longtime and very dear 'cyber-friend' and co-poster of mine from another forum. May God bless all relatives and keep them strong as time unfolds. As of yesterday, Brooke's website was still up and running: www.findbrooke.com

It's horrific; this useless, wicked, waste-of-life Courtney monster has finally been caught! It's impossible to imagine the excruciating pain his arrest has caused many, many other loved ones whose beautiful, precious daughters went missing-without-a-trace?

It's a sheer miracle his latest victim escaped ~ she's tiny and he's HUGE ~ though we know she'll be scarred for life. This huge, violent, satanic monster met a young woman with huge courage ~ courage that will put him where he belongs.

Thank God Courtney's family are fighting for justice for the victims ~ and not in denial. Unlike *some* families who opt for blatant denial, his fam join the likes of Kazinsky, Hacking, and BTK's families who either reported them, forced them to face the truth and/or divorced their psycho-family member for good.

This story is growing by the hour, if not the day ~ I wonder if it will be moved to the crimes & trial forums? Scary ... I shudder to wonder exactly what this beast's final charge sheet will eventually contain! :(

[mysteriew]

A New Mexico man indicted on 19 counts of aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape and sodomy in Oregon plans to fight extradition.

Judge Sharon Walton says Oregon officials have 30 days to file extradition papers, though that deadline could be extended to 90 days.

Benton County, Oregon District Attorney Scott Heiser yesterday detailed charges against Courtney in the killing of Brooke Wilberger, a 19-year-old college student whose body has not been found.
http://www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=11399

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

A New Mexico man indicted on 19 counts of aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape and sodomy in Oregon plans to fight extradition.I don't know why this surprises me. I guess we shouldn't have expected anything else. :mad:

[Usher737]

Is there anyone who thinks this guy has done this only three times in 20 years? I don't think so," KATU Crime Expert C.W. Jensen said.

I am sure this monster has many more victims, perhaps some were raped but not murdered. Le should be checking his DNA in unsolved rape/murder cases involving white, young females in multiple states.

[mysteriew]

Is there anyone who thinks this guy has done this only three times in 20 years? I don't think so," KATU Crime Expert C.W. Jensen said.

I am sure this monster has many more victims, perhaps some were raped but not murdered. Le should be checking his DNA in unsolved rape/murder cases involving white, young females in multiple states.

And not just college students. The college may have just been the draw, where he knew he would find "his" type, but may have just been for the purpose of finding them, not actually required for his fantasy.

[Anngelique]

It seems that Brooke's abduction was not planned. Since I know the area pretty well from where Brooke was abducted I noticed something interesting. He was on his way to Newport which the road you take from Corvallis is right by Reser's statdium which is right near the apartments Brookes sister and brother-in-law managed. So he probably really was on his way for the speeding ticket, got close to the college and checked it out. There he saw Brooke cleaning the lamp posts and she fit the profile of girls he liked, and he took the opportunity that presented itself. He then took off on Hwy 99 (I believe that is what it is called) the one that connects Corvallis and Rickreal and drove erratically. Brian saw him driving erratically and called 911 when his cell phone stopped working for whatever reason. From personal experience there is a LOT of deadspots in that area. When my husband called me while coming home from work in Dallas almost every time he hit near the Rickreal area he lost his call. So, it is making more and more sense.

[Anngelique]

Here is a good map showing what I was talking about.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Corvallis,+OR

Make the map the size of where you can see Oregon State University and Reser Stadium clearly as well as all the major surrounding roads.

Hwy 34 that then turns into Hwy 20 is the road you take to go to Newport. Keep going west on this road and you run into Newport. This is the road I believe he was taking. You can see this runs right next to Reser's Stadium. In fact you can see the Stadium very clearly from this road. I believe he pulled into this area while on his way to court. He saw Brooke and that no one was around, grabbed her and then look at the map again. He took one of those major yellow roads to get back to Hwy 99. Most likely he took 3rd street as it actually turns into 99. 99 goes directly through Rickreal and then at the junction you can turn left and go to Dallas or Lincoln City, turn right and go to Salem or go straight and run into McMinnville. This is where Brian saw him driving erratically.

[Anngelique]

Heiser and police have said little about what evidence they have that connects Courtney with the Wilberger case, though Courtney's connection to Wilberger's disappearance was confirmed, in part, because of a 1997 green Dodge Caravan.

Investigators have the minivan but have not revealed what was found inside or exactly why the van implicated Courtney in Wilberger's death.

On May 17, 2004, Courtney was cited for speeding in a green Dodge minivan near La Grande.

According to KGW News, the van is owned by Creative Building Management, a professional cleaning service.

Before his arrest, Courtney was employed as a cleaning crew supervisor in New Mexico, police said.

Courtney was supposed to appear in court in Lincoln County the day Wilberger disappeared.

"He apparently was travelling from Portland to Newport," Heiser said.

Courtney called the Lincoln County Circuit Court at 1:15 p.m. that day and left a message saying that he was in Corvallis on his way to Newport. He had been scheduled for arraignment on a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants.

The Benton County grand jury that indicted Courtney on Friday, July 29, heard testimony from 16 witnesses, including Wilberger's family, investigators, FBI crime lab analysts and a physician.

FBI forensic DNA examiner Rhonda Craig testified by report before the grand jury. Craig, who works for the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Va., has worked on cases involving crime and disasters to identify criminals and victims, according to an on-line biography.

FBI DNA examiner Constance Fisher also testified by report. Fisher was a witness in the California trial of Scott Peterson, who was found guilty of murdering his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn child. Fisher testified about mitochondrial DNA testing in that case.

Heiser has indicated that the District Attorney's Office is ready to "pursue the case aggressively," even though Wilberger's body has not been found.

"Oregon law doesn't actually require recovery of the body of a murder victim," Heiser said.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/08/05/news/community/fri02.txt

[PolkSaladAnnie]

Thank you SO much for all these links, updates, reports and detailed observations, Anngelique. Suberb references ~ highly appreciated. You have every detail of this case covered; kudos :)

You also sure seem to have figured out this Courtney-monster's route and beastly M.O.; Can only agree with you: seems he stumbled upon the unsuspecting Brooke en route to court (how ironic and bizarre is THAT!) That map is interesting and helps put everything into perspective (not that I even know which side of the road the uni or stadium is, lol)

Gee ... large river, too...

[Anngelique]

Thank you SO much for all these links, updates, reports and detailed observations, Anngelique. Suberb references ~ highly appreciated. You have every detail of this case covered; kudos :)

You also sure seem to have figured out this Courtney-monster's route and beastly M.O.; Can only agree with you: seems he stumbled upon the unsuspecting Brooke en route to court (how ironic and bizarre is THAT!) That map is interesting and helps put everything into perspective (not that I even know which side of the road the uni or stadium is, lol)

Gee ... large river, too...

Yes, the Willamette is a very large river and it runs all the way to Portland and then eventually joins the Columbia. It is a beautiful river and most of our cities are built up around it. I doubt he dumped her in the river though, but he could have. I just think knowing this route like I do that he could have dumped her anywhere on the side of the road in a field, or just got off the main road a bit and can be in some forest land. Oregon is so heavily forested that it could be very hard to find a body around here. Hopefully knowing the route he took they can decide where to look next. Better yet, I hope they get him to finally tell where he disposed of the body. My guess is they might do this in exchange for the death penalty being waived. What do you guys think? A little plea bargain, we will spare your life if you tell us where Brooke is?

By the way, did you guys see he was trying to say it was a mistaken identity and they have the wrong name? LOL He is really worried now!

[mysteriew]

"Oregon law doesn't actually require recovery of the body of a murder victim," Heiser said.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/08/05/news/community/fri02.txt

From the link:
"Yesterday, he was contesting identity, saying that it wasn't really him," said Bernalillo County Assistant District Attorney Melanie Harper. "He was refusing to leave his cell."

The number of murder charges they have against him worries me. If each one represents a theory of how the murder occurred, that kind of says they don't know how the murder occurred, but they are going to get him anyway. Whatever evidence they have against him, must be pretty strong.

[Anngelique]

From the link:


The number of murder charges they have against him worries me. If each one represents a theory of how the murder occurred, that kind of says they don't know how the murder occurred, but they are going to get him anyway. Whatever evidence they have against him, must be pretty strong.

Remember they did not know how Laci died either and they were still able to convict Scott. I believe there is REAL DNA in that van and so they have much better evidence than the circumstancial they were using against SP.

[mysteriew]

Remember they did not know how Laci died either and they were still able to convict Scott. I believe there is REAL DNA in that van and so they have much better evidence than the circumstancial they were using against SP.

Oh they can convict without a body. But what I am afraid of is the jury saying wait a minute- you have no real idea of how she died, but you want us to convict. 2-3 scenarios looks like they have the info, just can't be sure of the details. 14 scenarios and no body..........they may not be as sure.

[scandi]

Thanks Anngelique for all your hard work that benefits the whole forum. :blowkiss:

I wonder why they said he was traveling from Portland to LCity when he called from Corvallis and on his way. No one would go all the way up to Portland and then track back to the coast! I think he probably took that road straight to McMinnville.

I think that as that is where he was last seen. The erratic driving has always told me she was still in the vehicle. I think she might have awakened from a blow, for instance, to the head and started screaming and bet she lunged for the steering wheel to try and make a scene to stop him.

If that is the case, wouldn't she be somewhere off that road that goes to McMinnville? Doesn't that road go through lots of fields and farms? I don't remember a lot of trees in that area. Do you have any idea Anngelique? Do you think she was still alive and in the car when it started to drive erraticly?


Scandi

[Anngelique]

Thanks Anngelique for all your hard work that benefits the whole forum. :blowkiss:

I wonder why they said he was traveling from Portland to LCity when he called from Corvallis and on his way. No one would go all the way up to Portland and then track back to the coast! I think he probably took that road straight to McMinnville.

I think that as that is where he was last seen. The erratic driving has always told me she was still in the vehicle. I think she might have awakened from a blow, for instance, to the head and started screaming and bet she lunged for the steering wheel to try and make a scene to stop him.

If that is the case, wouldn't she be somewhere off that road that goes to McMinnville? Doesn't that road go through lots of fields and farms? I don't remember a lot of trees in that area. Do you have any idea Anngelique? Do you think she was still alive and in the car when it started to drive erraticly?


Scandi

I know the road extremely well. There are mostly farms but there are trees along the way. You go through a couple small towns on the way, the biggest small town is Amity which you better be doing the speed limit as that little hole in the wall of a town is a speed trap. IF he turned left and headed back towards Dallas, Willamina, Grand Rhonde, Lincoln City, well then you get into some extremely heavy forest. I think that's why the authorities were asking where that green van has been. If someone saw it that could help determine which direction to look. Turning left on 22 would be truly the hardest place to find her. There are so many BLM roads and logging roads and just flat out thick forest. I wonder if she could have been alive too and started a struggle. Why else would he draw attention to himself with driving erratically and speeding? But he also could have had the adrenaline pumping and drove erratically.

I was raised in my early years in Willamina, teen years in Dallas and currently live in Salem. Like I have mentioned before I used to run a single copy newspaper route for the Statesman Journal. I was in charge of Dallas, Rickreal, Monmouth, and Independence. My exhusband was a Regional District Manager for the Statesman Journal and he was over Corvallis, Albany, Philomath and all those towns that are out in that area. That is why I know this area well. I may not know the names of each and every road but I have traveled even the back farm roads and the country forest roads. I just wish we knew in which direction he went from Rickreal.

[Scorpion]

I wonder why they said he was traveling from Portland to LCity when he called from Corvallis and on his way. No one would go all the way up to Portland and then track back to the coast! I think he probably took that road straight to McMinnville.
Just trying to get my bearings here as I like to try to see it all on a map. I've been back through the press releases and can't see any mention of McMinnville - is it the quickest route to his family's home in Beaverton? And I can't find Rickreal on the maps - where should I be looking? Is it another suburb of Portland?

[Anngelique]

Just trying to get my bearings here as I like to try to see it all on a map. I've been back through the press releases and can't see any mention of McMinnville - is it the quickest route to his family's home in Beaverton? And I can't find Rickreal on the maps - where should I be looking? Is it another suburb of Portland?

There has not been any mention of McMinnville that I know of. But let me find a better map to get your bearings. Be right back.

[Scorpion]

There has not been any mention of McMinnville that I know of. But let me find a better map to get your bearings. Be right back.
Thanks - have now been on Topozone and followed the route through McMinnville and it does seem to go straight to the Beaverton side of Portland. Might well be something in it. But of course an absolutely huge area to go over if she is there. And he probably knows it all well. Just hope someone's memory gets jogged on the green van but sadly it may well not have looked too out of place at the time. Must admit, I always look for underground stuff or waterbodies when I'm studying maps on the assumption that someone wanting to get rid of a body would want to do their best to get it as far out of the way as possilbe, but if as you say it's densely wooded it's just going to add to the problem. In that event, it could be like some of the cases that have been coming through recently when hunters eventually trip over remains.

[Anngelique]

Okay, here is a map courtesy of the wineries in the Willamette Valley. :D

It shows everything that you would want to see.

Look for Corvallis, that is where Brooke was abducted. Rickreal is a straight shot from Corvallis on Hwy 99, you run into McMinnville if you continue straight on 99. If you turn left on Hwy 22 off of 99 you go towards the Ocean Beaches. This is the heavily wooded area I spoke about. If you turn right on Hwy 22 off of 99 you head into Salem. (where I live). Portland is a good hour and a half from Rickreal. McMinnville might be less than an hour from the Portland suburbs. I hope this helps.

PS when you locate Corvallis you will see Hwy 26 that goes straight to Newport. I believe Courtney's original plan was to take this road to court.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/Anngelique/map-small_2005.jpg

[Scorpion]

Okay, here is a map courtesy of the wineries in the Willamette Valley. :D

It shows everything that you would want to see.
Yes, thanks - that's very helpful: helps me get to grips with the layout. Seems that even though the police know where the call was made from they're no further forward in finding Brooke. Shame the caller doesn't seem to have come forward with any other information. It's just incredible this could happen in broad daylight. Thank goodness one girl got away otherwise LE might never have been the wiser.

[scandi]

Here is where I got McMinnville and where he was by Rickreal at that junction. It5 was one of your posts Anngelique up high on this page:

"Most likely he took 3rd street as it actually turns into 99. 99 goes directly through Rickreal and then at the junction you can turn left and go to Dallas or Lincoln City, turn right and go to Salem or go straight and run into McMinnville. This is where Brian saw him driving erratically. Anngelina


Has there been any other written news today on the case. Just got home anam PPeeeDood! LOL

Scandi

[Anngelique]

Here is where I got McMinnville and where he was by Rickreal at that junction. It5 was one of your posts Anngelique up high on this page:

"Most likely he took 3rd street as it actually turns into 99. 99 goes directly through Rickreal and then at the junction you can turn left and go to Dallas or Lincoln City, turn right and go to Salem or go straight and run into McMinnville. This is where Brian saw him driving erratically. Anngelina


Has there been any other written news today on the case. Just got home anam PPeeeDood! LOL

Scandi

Ahh, I just meant you can go straight and run into McMinnville. He was seen near Rickreall which is at the junction of Highways 99 and 22. Sorry if I misled you. :blushing:

[scandi]

Well I guess when I read what you wrote I got the feeling she did something to make him drive a bit crazy which made someone notice the car it was near Rickreall. Thank goodness. And since you had mentioned McM I guess I assumed he would go straight ahead.

He probably gave her a swift blow to knock her out then, and I think he would want to do what he wanted with her and get her out of his car as soon as possible, don't you think? Now I'm not looking at the map, but if you cut from Rickreall to the coast wouldn't you encounter a more winding roadway and lots of trees, with gravel roads taking off and - gee I wonder if there are any little parks around? Like the little one by Sheridan on the S side of the Hwy.

Do you think he would bury her - he didn't know the area that I know of and he probably didn't have a shovel with him. He evidently didn't clean up the van very well. He probably has one of those careless personalities. The gal down south he had with him was naked when she ran out into the street to find help. Maybe Natalees clothes were in that van with her blood on them. And if there was evidence with luminol that there was a lot of blood thqat would be one way LE would be able to say she was dead for sure.

I'm sorry I'm rambling here - gees! LOL You get the mind trying to picture what could have happened and the next thing is that everything starts to pop out!


Scandi


EDIT: Well I got thinking. He didn't show up in court so maybe he didn't head for the coast. He had to get her out of the car and he had some trouble near Rickreall. Anngelique, is there anything around that area with a sign to it he might see that he would go to to put her - like a small park or a winery or something like that. A bridge? A river or pond? I don't think he went too far from R before he left her behind. He probably headed to Portland then since he didn't go to Newport. Anything unusual on that road from R to P where you could hide a body?

[lostfaith]

Just some thoughts here. Now that there is a suspect being charged with Brookes disapearance and murder, maybe the caller (Brian) who called in the green van, might call back. I was thinking, maybe he was scared to call before, maybe he thought they might suspect him somehow. Some people are just wary of getting too involved for fear somehow they might get accused. Maybe now that he hears they have a suspect, he just might call in again. A little far fetched, but maybe!

I was also wondering, do you think that they could go back now and look at possible credit card transactions on that day. Might place him at certain gas stations or restuarants, get a better idea in which way he traveled.

I dont have time to go back and read tonight, so please bear with my laziness tonight. He made that call to the court at 1:15, what time frame do we have for Brookes disapearance? Was it close to that time?

I sure hope he does the decent thing and tell where her remains are. I am sure the family is happy the perp. is finally in custody, but I am sure if they could give her a proper burial, it would mean so much to them.

[Anngelique]

Well I guess when I read what you wrote I got the feeling she did something to make him drive a bit crazy which made someone notice the car it was near Rickreall. Thank goodness. And since you had mentioned McM I guess I assumed he would go straight ahead.

He probably gave her a swift blow to knock her out then, and I think he would want to do what he wanted with her and get her out of his car as soon as possible, don't you think? Now I'm not looking at the map, but if you cut from Rickreall to the coast wouldn't you encounter a more winding roadway and lots of trees, with gravel roads taking off and - gee I wonder if there are any little parks around? Like the little one by Sheridan on the S side of the Hwy.

Do you think he would bury her - he didn't know the area that I know of and he probably didn't have a shovel with him. He evidently didn't clean up the van very well. He probably has one of those careless personalities. The gal down south he had with him was naked when she ran out into the street to find help. Maybe Natalees clothes were in that van with her blood on them. And if there was evidence with luminol that there was a lot of blood thqat would be one way LE would be able to say she was dead for sure.

I'm sorry I'm rambling here - gees! LOL You get the mind trying to picture what could have happened and the next thing is that everything starts to pop out!


Scandi


EDIT: Well I got thinking. He didn't show up in court so maybe he didn't head for the coast. He had to get her out of the car and he had some trouble near Rickreall. Anngelique, is there anything around that area with a sign to it he might see that he would go to to put her - like a small park or a winery or something like that. A bridge? A river or pond? I don't think he went too far from R before he left her behind. He probably headed to Portland then since he didn't go to Newport. Anything unusual on that road
from R to P where you could hide a body?

Funny you would ask that. Tonight I went to my Dad's to get a CPU to borrow because I am having computer trouble and we have pretty much eliminated all other possibilities besides a new CPU. I borrowed one from my dad to see if I need to get a new one. Anyway, while in Dallas I went to see my Grandmother who just moved in with my Uncle. I stayed until past midnight and I was really tired. I took a back road that I thought took me right back to Hwy 22 but instead it took me to 99 . So I turned left onto 99 and went right through Rickreall until I hit 22 again and was able to go back to Salem. I thought it was so ironic I went that way being so tired after thinking about this most of the day. Anyway, like most of the Oregon roadways there is a lot of brush, would be a lot more in Spring compared to summer when it is drier, and there is a winery right in Rickreall. We had our class reunion there. There is the Polk County Fairgrounds and lots of farms. Not much else but normal brush and trees. I believe Mill Creek runs through there but it is not that deep. The only large ponds I can think of off the top of my head is the Dallas Reservoir, but you would have to know the area well to find that. If he turned left on Hwy 22 and headed towards the Ocean Beaches than that road has tons of smaller roads he could turn off of with thick fir tree growth. Heck the Van Duzer Coridor is very thickly wooded. There are so many logging roads right off of Hwy 22 or not far off. The trouble is if he knows the roads at all he could go in all kinds of directions as the back roads all interconnect. For instance, you can head towards Amity and McMinnville on 99 but then turn right and go towards Dayton, Dundee, Newberg. Or you could turn left on 22 and then turn off at Dallas and head towards Fall City, or pass Dallas and head towards Willamina cut back towards Sheridan or pass those and head towards Grand Rhonde and cut across to Hebo then head towards Tillamook. Heck, the list is endless. I could go on and on. You see that direction would make the most sense to me for getting rid of a body. It is a windy road, usually a lot of traffic though, BUT there is a lot of fishing right off the road in lots of different bodies of water and it is not unusual to see cars stopped on the side of the road. Just turning off for even the shortest of distance on 22 once past Dallas can bring you to dense forest and easy body disposal. I just can't imagine which way he went and what he was thinking. I hope the LE are able to piece it together and give us a very clear picture of what happened.

[scandi]

Thanks Anngelique,

It's like old home to me too. Working in Depoe Bay I drove into Salem at least once a week, often puttering in these small little towns.

The one town I've never been to is Rickreall. I wonder what the road is like from there up to Salem? Wouldn't that be a natural way to get back up to Portland if he had decided that was where he was going?

Somehow I feel this guy moves abruptly and is not cagy at all. I don't even think he would drive on side roads to avoid LE. I wish we could learn more about him. I think he must be a very scary guy. Imagine the thought of actually seeing a gal working, grabbing her in broad daylight and then dealing with her in the car while he was driving, evidently not afraid he might be noticed or caught with her.

I wonder if he realized he was seen when he kind of lost control of the car near Rickreall? I've been thinking too that it was an impulsive move he made to grab her and if he disposed of her body driving up through the backlands he most likely tucked her behind a tree somewhere out in the open. A quick impulsive decision, seeing a lone group of trees surrounded by brush up aways off the road. If he did this we might never find her as animals would carry her off.


I am wondering when we will hear more news on her case. Do you remember if Chandra was found out in the open or even buried? It was about a year I know before they found her remains.

Scandi

It is a truely scary thought to me living in Beaverton that guys like this and like Kim live here with their parents! Whooooooaaaa

[Anngelique]

Thanks Anngelique,

It's like old home to me too. Working in Depoe Bay I drove into Salem at least once a week, often puttering in these small little towns.

The one town I've never been to is Rickreall. I wonder what the road is like from there up to Salem? Wouldn't that be a natural way to get back up to Portland if he had decided that was where he was going?

Somehow I feel this guy moves abruptly and is not cagy at all. I don't even think he would drive on side roads to avoid LE. I wish we could learn more about him. I think he must be a very scary guy. Imagine the thought of actually seeing a gal working, grabbing her in broad daylight and then dealing with her in the car while he was driving, evidently not afraid he might
` noticed or caught with her.

I wonder if he realized he was seen when he kind of lost control of the car near Rickreall? I've been thinking too that it was an impulsive move he made to grab her and if he disposed of her body driving up through the backlands he most likely tucked her behind a tree somewhere out in the open. A quick impulsive decision, seeing a lone group of trees surrounded by brush up aways off the road. If he did this we might never find her as animals would carry her off.


I am wondering when we will hear more news on her case. Do you remember if Chandra was found out in the open or even buried? It was about a year I know before they found her remains.

Scandi

It is a truely scary thought to me living in Beaverton that guys like this and like Kim live here with their parents! Whooooooaaaa

If you drove from Depoe Bay to Salem then you drove right by Rickreall. When you are at the junction of Highway 22 and Highway 99 then that is Rickreall. Rickreall has only a couple hundred people and one tiny store, (not much of a store, not sure what you call it). They have a fairgrounds and a winery and a farm store that even sells tractors. I can't think of much else in Rickreall. All you have to do look to your right on your way back towards Salem look to the right at this junction and you have just seen Rickreall. :crazy:

[spydog]

It's sad to think that if Dave's phone had not gone out, she may have been found before it was too late. :(

[mysteriew]

As law enforcement officials prepare to prosecute Joel Patrick Courtney in the death of Brooke Wilberger, detectives investigating other homicides and violent crimes in Oregon and across the country are reviewing their cases for similarities.

Authorities in Corvallis and Albuquerque, N.M., each recently have fielded calls from law enforcement agencies after Corvallis police said they had charged Courtney with kidnapping, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and aggravated murder in the death of Wilberger.

Corvallis Capt. Ron Noble said he and detectives in his agency had taken about five calls since the news of Courtney's new charges broke Monday.

The calls came from agencies in Oregon and in other states, Noble said, declining to be specific.

Kari Brandenburg, the district attorney for Bernalillo County, N.M., in which Courtney is being prosecuted, said she took one call this week from a detective in the Pensacola, Fla., area. Courtney previously lived in Florida.

In one Oregon traffic-citation case, Courtney gave an officer a Cocoa Beach, Fla., address.

Brandenburg isn't ready to call Courtney a serial killer or a rapist, but she wonders whether he may have been involved in other sexual assaults or disappearances.

His criminal history includes convictions for attempted rape and escape in 1985 in Washington County.

And both the New Mexico and Wilberger cases, authorities say, included sexual penetration, occurred during daylight and happened to victims of similar age

"The same crime, the same M.O., the victims are similar," Brandenburg said. "What we've got is two indictments with criminal sexual penetration and one conviction. Obviously there's a pattern."
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050806/NEWS/508060319

[scandi]

Thanks Anngelique,

Last night I was reading an article from KTVU from Aug 4th and it was an interesting one. It showed pictures of this perp in his younger years and mentioned that officers immediately saw signs of a struggle when they went to the scene of Brooke's kidnapping. I had never heard this before.

Scandi

[fran]

I have a feeling we haven't heard the last of this guy's crimes! :behindbar

JMHO
fran

[concernedperson]

I have a feeling we haven't heard the last of this guy's crimes! :behindbar

JMHO
fran

Ditto. They have a pattern even if it is irregular. Can't discount one crime to fit another anymore they are trying to be ingenious and deceiving. Which is typical in criminal behavior. Blow smoke and see where it lands....i.e. Duncan the worst of the worst lately.

[mysteriew]

Probation officers initially had trouble keeping tabs on Joel Patrick Courtney following a Washington County sex-abuse conviction in 1985, but he eventually fulfilled all of the requirements of his probation and was released from supervision in 1994.

Police say Courtney, the 39-year-old Rio Rancho, N.M., man charged with the rape, kidnapping and murder of Brooke Wilberger in May 2004, had a relatively unremarkable criminal record until November, when he was arrested in Albuquerque and accused of kidnapping and raping a University of New Mexico foreign exchange student.

While on probation following the 1985 sex-abuse conviction, Courtney absconded supervision for more than three years, but seemingly got his life together when he returned to Oregon in 1991, a Washington County probation officer recalled.

"There just wasn't any indication that this guy would be a high risk when he got off supervision," said Bob Severe, the manager of the sex offender supervision office at Washington County Community Corrections.

With Courtney now charged in at least three more cases involving violent crimes against women, some people wonder how Courtney's — and Wilberger's — story might have been different if mandatory minimum sentencing and sex-offender registration were in place in 1985.

In addition to New Mexico and Oregon, Courtney is said to have lived in Alaska, Florida and Mexico.

Courtney did not surface in Washington County until 1991
During the years Courtney absconded supervision, 1987 to 1991, he went to Mexico and was fishing in Alaska, Severe said. He worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and spent the off-season south of the border, Severe explained.
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/08/07/news/community/local01.txt

[scandi]

Hi,

Just coming over to say Hi to everyone! :blowkiss: Any more news? Wouldn't you love to be a little bug buzzing around the Corvallis police station?


Scandi

[Anngelique]

Could this be Brooke? HMMMMM....


http://katu.com/stories/78919.html

August 9, 2005

Autopsy to be conducted this week on body found in Salem

SALEM, Ore. - A badly decomposed body was found near the Willamette River in Marion County, authorities said.
Investigators could not determine the identity or gender of the body, said Kevin Rau, a spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

They also don't know if the person died from violence.

"(It's) suspicious in that we don't know how the person died," Rau said. "No reason to believe it's criminal, but no reason to believe it's not. So we're treating it as if it is."

A couple riding all-terrain vehicles along the river near a private duck-hunting club and farm discovered the body Sunday. The sheriff's office removed the body from the scene Monday afternoon after spending hours looking for evidence.

An autopsy will be conducted this week.

The body was found in a brush-covered area near the east bank of the river by Terry Holder, 46, and Shannon Glass, 39, who have lived on the property for about five months.

Glass said she immediately realized that the body must be human, because it was wearing a shoe and sock on one foot. A bra or bikini top also was in the area, she said.

"It wasn't a good thing," Glass said. "I'm kind of glad that we found her, though; she's somebody's somebody."

Glass thinks the body is that of a woman because of the articles of clothing she saw. A mother of two teenage daughters, Glass said she feels sad for the woman and her family, and nervous that a body was found so close to where she lives.

The club and farm, called Greenway Beautification Inc., have been on the site for about four decades, said Denny Nielsen, one of the owners.

[Usher737]

I doubt this is Brooke. Her flip flops were found at the scene and I dont think she was wearing socks. Hopefully, this body will identify another missing woman.

[Anngelique]

I doubt this is Brooke. Her flip flops were found at the scene and I dont think she was wearing socks. Hopefully, this body will identify another missing woman.

Very good point! I should have known that. I do hope they find who this is.

[scandi]

Hi,

It just goes to show us though that hope does spring eternal. Eventually Brooke's remains will be found just as this lady has been found after all the time it took to decompose so badly.

Tha Salem area off the road that runs along the river and ends up in the downtown area would be a good possibility for a body to be put if you had not planned this ahead of time and were limited by not having what you would need to bury a body.

I had this strange thought that maybe he took her on to Beaverton with him as he knows this area well if his parents live there. Then he could find a secret place to put her that would be difficult to find. I still think he is impulsive as heck and has planned very few things in his life before he did them!

No news in the local papers with further information????? :confused: You'd think we would have heard something more by now. Oh well, every time I come to the forum this is where I check in! LOL


Scandi

[Anngelique]

Hi,

It just goes to show us though that hope does spring eternal. Eventually Brooke's remains will be found just as this lady has been found after all the time it took to decompose so badly.

Tha Salem area off the road that runs along the river and ends up in the downtown area would be a good possibility for a body to be put if you had not planned this ahead of time and were limited by not having what you would need to bury a body.

I had this strange thought that maybe he took her on to Beaverton with him as he knows this area well if his parents live there. Then he could find a secret place to put her that would be difficult to find. I still think he is impulsive as heck and has planned very few things in his life before he did them!

No news in the local papers with further information????? :confused: You'd think we would have heard something more by now. Oh well, every time I come to the forum this is where I check in! LOL


Scandi

LE is being very tight lipped. They are not letting out anything they have. Also it was said he would have to be tried in New Mexico before being tried here. I want to hear more and the silence is hard to take. At the same time at least they are not leaking a lot of misinformation like we experienced in so many other high profile cases. Hugs Scandi!

[LazyCat08]

I have been on vacation and missed this development.
I feel so sad for Brooke and her family and the family of this monster who has been charged with her murder. Brooke was such a beautiful girl, I can't imagine what she went through.
It seems pointless to say it again, but I just cannot even fathom what drives people to this kind of behavior???
This man has a wife and children whose lives will also no doubt be destroyed by what he has done.....
Of course I would love to watch this guy burn :furious: in hell - I'd like to push the button myself, but I know that's not necessarily the solution either.....

:(

[Anngelique]

http://katu.com/stories/78964.html

August 10, 2005

Accused killer Joel Courtney wants access to law library

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A Rio Rancho man indicted on 19 counts of aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape and sodomy in Oregon wants a judge to give him access to the jail's law library or set him free to use the public library.
Joel P. Courtney, 39, has been held without bond in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center here since November on an unrelated rape and kidnapping charge.

He was indicted a week ago in Benton County, Ore., in the disappearance and presumed death of Brooke Wilberger, 19, a Brigham Young University student who vanished in Corvallis, Ore., in May 2004. Her body has not been found.

Courtney is fighting extradition to Oregon, where he could face the death penalty.

Last week, metro court Judge Sharon Walton of Albuquerque gave Oregon officials 30 days to file extradition papers, though the deadline could be extended to 90 days.

On Tuesday, Courtney filed a request in state district court asking for a public defender to represent him in his effort to get daily access to law books or "release from custody to seek access in a public arena."

He contends the jail isn't allowing him sufficient access to its law library, which he said he has been to once in his eight months behind bars.

Capt. Heather Lough, a spokeswoman for the jail, said Courtney is being held in segregation, so guards must escort him to the library, which must be cleared of other inmates while he's there.

"Arrangements are being made for him, but it requires extra effort," Lough said.

The jail, in a recent court response to another inmate upset about library access, documented 700 inmates on a waiting list for books and computers there.

Courtney is charged in Albuquerque with raping a University of New Mexico foreign exchange student six months after Wilberger vanished. He is accused of forcing the UNM student into his car at knifepoint and tying her up shoelaces before raping her.

[scandi]

Thank you Anngelique for the article. I bet this guy wants to be set free to have access to the public library! That is almost sad it is so funny. He can't be very smart, which actually might be a good thing. Let him make a fool of himself now in the media and it will probably help the case for the prosecution. Not crazy, just demented and a bit slow.

Gee, I'm hoping the mental abilities of this guy will be an aid in finding where he put Brooke. Kinda stupid, not dumb, and impulsive, not a planner. Suddenly he wants to see what his rights are in the law books where they show what happened to perps in cases similar to his. Maybe he'll read that the only guys that did well were the cases where perps cut a deal for no death by giving LE the body.

After today's disastrous events in Tennesee with this guy escaping with help and a correctional officer losing his life in the foree, I seem to think that if they take this guy to the library they'll be sitting on him till he finds what he is looking for or until the cows come home. Whichever is sooner!



:blowkiss: Scandi

[scandi]

Anngelique, I've been wondering how your relative who was so sick and up at OSHU or Shriners hospital. I hope everything is well with him - your nephew, right? I have thought about him so often and even pictured you driving up to the hospital and going to visit.

xoxoxo Scandi

[Bobbisangel]

As law enforcement officials prepare to prosecute Joel Patrick Courtney in the death of Brooke Wilberger, detectives investigating other homicides and violent crimes in Oregon and across the country are reviewing their cases for similarities.

Authorities in Corvallis and Albuquerque, N.M., each recently have fielded calls from law enforcement agencies after Corvallis police said they had charged Courtney with kidnapping, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and aggravated murder in the death of Wilberger


I'm confused here....they don't have Brooke's body so how did they know what charges to bring against the killer? It looks like they have covered about everything a man can do to a woman...but how do they know that he did all of these things? How can they make all of these charges stick in court without her body to tell them what happened to her? Did he tell the LE everything that he did to Brooke?

[Anngelique]

I'm confused here....they don't have Brooke's body so how did they know what charges to bring against the killer? It looks like they have covered about everything a man can do to a woman...but how do they know that he did all of these things? How can they make all of these charges stick in court without her body to tell them what happened to her? Did he tell the LE everything that he did to Brooke?

I do daycare for a Assistant DA here in Salem. Salem is one county over from the one Brooke's case is being tried in. Anyway, my good friend and daycare mom said it is very common to try someone like this. In fact it is how Scott Peterson was tried. They use theories. Right now they charge him with all these theories by what type of evidence they have and get all their areas covered. They can drop some as they learn more or they can go to court with that many. She said in Oregon it is a very common practice and does not minimize the case in the least. So I have faith that everything will be okay.

[Anngelique]

Anngelique, I've been wondering how your relative who was so sick and up at OSHU or Shriners hospital. I hope everything is well with him - your nephew, right? I have thought about him so often and even pictured you driving up to the hospital and going to visit.

xoxoxo Scandi

Thanks for asking Scandi. He is still in the vegetative state. Their family has been denied medical care by their insurance and Social Security. So Senator Gordon Smith's office just looked into it and it looks like they might finally get some help. His medical bills run $8000 a day. Ouch!

[Anngelique]

http://katu.com/stories/78971.html

Does Courtney's DNA Link Him To Wilberger?

By Anna Song
and KATU Web Staff
SEASIDE, Ore. - Court documents obtained by KATU News reveal potential DNA evidence against the man accused of murdering Brooke Wilberger.

This comes as prosecutors from all over the state gather in Seaside for a conference, including Benton County District Attorney Scott Heiser, who is involved with the Wilberger case.

Heiser would not confirm whether forensic evidence is the key link between Joel Courtney and Brooke Wilberger, but the court documents indicate that as far back as February, Corvallis police wanted and got Joel Courtney's DNA.

The court records show that on February 10, 2005, a judge in New Mexico granted Corvallis police a search warrant for Joel Patrick Courtney.

Courtney was already in custody at that point for the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman near the University of New Mexico campus.

The February warrant led authorities to take DNA evidence from Courtney - his fingerprints from both hands, swabs of saliva from his mouth and various hair from his face and pubic area.


Heiser will not confirm whether the evidence was gathered to match DNA material found in a green Dodge minivan that has been described as the 'key' link connecting Courtney to the Wilberger case.


While at the conference on Wednesday, Heiser declined an on-camera interview, but told KATU News he has had several conversations with Brooke's family about their feelings on the death penalty.

Legal experts say one possibility in cases like this is to offer the defendant life in prison in exchange for information on the victim's whereabouts.

The District Attorney who prosecuted Scott Peterson in the murder of his wife, Laci, says that discussion came up in his case.

"It would have been a consideration had Scott said 'I'll do that.' I'd have had to talk to the family and basically, that would be their decision," Jim Brazelton told KATU News.

However, Scott Peterson never struck that type of a deal and a jury sentenced him to death.

As for the Wilberger case, Heiser referred us to last week's press conference to get a sense of whether her family would consider a deal of that sort.

"Our main goal remains the same - to find her and see that justice is served," Brooke's mother, Cammy Wilberger, said at that news conference

[mysteriew]

I'm confused here....they don't have Brooke's body so how did they know what charges to bring against the killer? It looks like they have covered about everything a man can do to a woman...but how do they know that he did all of these things? How can they make all of these charges stick in court without her body to tell them what happened to her? Did he tell the LE everything that he did to Brooke?

I have brought that up before. I can understand kidnapping, I can even understand murder- depending on evidence found in the van, I can even understand sexual assault- though I wonder what evidence they could have to indicate that. But sodomy? Since there is no body to get evidence from- that almost leads me to think there is a confession or a witness.
I have another question. Where did they locate the green van (full of evidence)? It was a company van- did they find it at the company or did he ditch the van somewhere and quit? Or was the van in the company parking lot all that time? If so, then there may be other drivers and that is going to make the evidence in the van harder to tie into him.

[Beffie]

I have brought that up before. I can understand kidnapping, I can even understand murder- depending on evidence found in the van, I can even understand sexual assault- though I wonder what evidence they could have to indicate that. But sodomy? Since there is no body to get evidence from- that almost leads me to think there is a confession or a witness.
I have another question. Where did they locate the green van (full of evidence)? It was a company van- did they find it at the company or did he ditch the van somewhere and quit? Or was the van in the company parking lot all that time? If so, then there may be other drivers and that is going to make the evidence in the van harder to tie into him.

I was confused about that also. Then I read on www.kgw.com (no direct link to article) his court papers about the rape of the exchange student in New Mexico. I imagine he would do the same to all his victims. I will see if I can find the report. You have to sign in and I do not have a sign in name and password, and none of the ones on bugmenot.com work, or I should say I quit trying after about 10 unsuccessful tries.

Sorry I could not find it. If I run across it I will post it.

[Anngelique]

August 10, 2005
Former detective talks about experience with Joel Courtney


http://www.katu.com/stories/78939.html

By KATU Web Staff
PORTLAND, Ore. - The man accused of murdering Brooke Wilberger is remembered by a Washington County detective as a cruel, abusive person.

Mike Graham investigated Joel Courtney 20 years ago when the man was convicted of sexual assault.

Courtney is currently being held on rape charges in New Mexico and Graham says that is almost predictable for a man who once tried to rape a friend.

"He needed a ride and she simply offered him a ride home," he said. "Probably the most striking thing about the attempted rape is that he did not have a lot of empathy. He attacked her rather aggressively, especially considering she was a friend."

Graham says Courtney's appearance has changed so much in the last 20 years, he would not have recognized him.

However, he says serial rapists and murderers often alter their appearance, like Courtney did when he shaved his head.

[scandi]

Hi Mysteriew,

We have read that he has driven all over the country, and so am thinking he might have posession of the van and keeps it where he stays. Do you know if the company he works for is near where he lives in New Mexico?

A kind of surly sloppy and impulsive guy is how I read him, and so he could have been careless thinking no one would ever connect him to Brooke. For all we know there might have been some of her clothing in the van which he just didn't have the heart to dispose of. Or possibly the piece of jewelry she was wearing - which could also have blood spatter on it. If he did hit her across the head to silence her screams, for instance, she would bleed. He could have tried to wash out blood but luminol would still pick it up.

Sodomy is a hard one. Brother, I think if her undies were there with his saliva on them. I think there was a goldmine of forensic evidence to greet LE once they found the van.

When was the announcement about the green van? Remember it said they knew where it was but wanted to know if anyone had seen it on that day on a logging road, or anywhere doing something suspicious. Well in mid Feb they filed to get his DNA. They must have thought it was him all along. Boy these are cracker jack detectives, putting out the announcement and then giving the public nothing else! That's the way it should be, unfortunately! LOL

Scandi

[mysteriew]

I was confused about that also. Then I read on www.kgw.com (no direct link to article) his court papers about the rape of the exchange student in New Mexico. I imagine he would do the same to all his victims. I will see if I can find the report. You have to sign in and I do not have a sign in name and password, and none of the ones on bugmenot.com work, or I should say I quit trying after about 10 unsuccessful tries.

Sorry I could not find it. If I run across it I will post it.

But what he did with another victim would not constitute proof of what he did with Brooke.

Sodomy is a hard one. Brother, I think if her undies were there with his saliva on them. I think there was a goldmine of forensic evidence to greet LE once they found the van.

Even if his saliva was on her panties- he could have spit or drooled and it ended up on her panties.

[mysteriew]

from findlaw.com:
sodomy
['sä-de-me]

Anglo-French sodomie sexual intercourse between men, from Old French, from Late Latin Sodoma Sodom, from the supposed homosexual practices of the men of the city in Genesis 19:1-11

: the crime of oral or anal sexual contact or penetration between persons or of sexual intercourse between a person and an animal

esp
: the crime of forcing another person to perform oral or anal sex

[scandi]

Thanks Mysteriew.

I didn't even think of anal sex, but if they found something in the van that had excrement on it that had Brooke's DNA, wouldn't that lend itself to proof she was in the van and that she was sodomized? All theories of LE, but they would have to have something to back up each theory, right?


Scandi

[mysteriew]

Thanks Mysteriew.

I didn't even think of anal sex, but if they found something in the van that had excrement on it that had Brooke's DNA, wouldn't that lend itself to proof she was in the van and that she was sodomized? All theories of LE, but they would have to have something to back up each theory, right?


Scandi

Right, that was my point. Even if they found excrement mixed with DNA from him- that is going to be a hard one to prove at trial.

[Bobbisangel]

It's hard to say what evidence LE has but they have to have something that ties him to Brook's murder and the sexual stuff. I'm still puzzled over the sodemy. That defination said that sodemy was either anal or oral sex. I've never heard of oral sex being called sodemy. I've always thought sodemy was anal sex...period. Isn't there another name for oral sex...starting with an f ?

In order to arrest and charge this creep they have to have something to prove that he murdered Brooke and raped, etc, her.

Poor little Brooke...outside doing her job earning her summer money never dreaming this pervert would come along and lift her right out of her shoes, take her away and murder her along with everything else he must have done.
I just don't know how parents learn to cope with the horror their children went through before their deaths. I really believe it would drive me out of my mind.

Why was this killer out of prison? I doubt that he behaved himself between the time he got out of prison and his next known victim. Oh how I dispise these sex offenders. I'm for the death penalty for this guy.

[scandi]

Hi Bobbie,

I think the word you refer to is 'cunningless' or something very similar.

Rape is about control and is violent, and this gtuy has a history of a sexual attack go9ing back some twenty years I think. And I have heard too many learned people say that they can not be healed. Sometimes if they are castrated they still want to do it again. Good thing I'm not involved in the making of law, as on their 2nd offense I'd have their ba!!s removed and find a different way to go pee! Mod, if that is too strong I'll delete that part. It just frosts my goat that time after tims we see this same thing over and over. There has to be a stop to it.



Scandi

[mysteriew]

What exactly happened to Courtney remains unclear. Courtney's wife, other family members and his attorney aren't talking. Likewise, Oregon investigators refuse to offer any details of their case against him.

But court documents and interviews with neighbors and New Mexico officials paint a portrait of an under-employed and angry man who at times drank too much and frightened his wife and children. He also was facing financial pressure. And when he was arrested last year, Albuquerque police found Courtney with a glass pipe for smoking crack cocaine.

Court records indicate Courtney, 39, spent much of 2004 on the road, traveling from Florida to Oregon and back to New Mexico. He drove cars registered to other people and companies. Whether his movements mean anything remains a mystery for now, but police think they've taken a dangerous predator off the streets.

It could be months before more details become public. Whatley, the Albuquerque assistant district attorney, said Oregon officials want her to complete the prosecution of Courtney on the Albuquerque rape and kidnapping charges before they try to bring him back to Oregon.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/112392716624880.xml&coll=7
This article contains some info on how the connection to Wilberger started as a hunch.

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

It's hard to say what evidence LE has but they have to have something that ties him to Brook's murder and the sexual stuff. I'm still puzzled over the sodemy. That defination said that sodemy was either anal or oral sex. I've never heard of oral sex being called sodemy. I've always thought sodemy was anal sex...period. Isn't there another name for oral sex...starting with an f ?I also never realized that it could mean oral sex. There are two words for oral - fellatio (performed on a male) and cunnilingus (performed on a female). I must admit that I've never heard these words in relation to a sexual crime so perhaps sodomy does refer to this as well?

[Izzy Mae]

I also never realized that it could mean oral sex. There are two words for oral - fellatio (performed on a male) and cunnilingus (performed on a female). I must admit that I've never heard these words in relation to a sexual crime so perhaps sodomy does refer to this as well?
Hi JG.
Long time no chat :)

I've always been under the impression that sodomy meant *one* thing, too. But you're right, it means both - apparently w/ an animal as well.

Legal Dictionary
sod·omy
n.
[Anglo-French sodomie sexual intercourse between men, from Old French, from Late Latin Sodoma Sodom, from the supposed homosexual practices of the men of the city in Genesis 19:1-11]
The crime of oral or anal sexual contact or penetration between persons or of sexual intercourse between a person and an animal; esp The crime of forcing another person to perform oral or anal sex sod·om·ize http://www.answers.com/sodomy

Interesting, huh?

[lynie]

Hi Everybody...just got back from vacation too, and didn't want to read all of the "Oregonians" stacked up on my dining room table! Came here instead!

I think in regard to Brooke's body, that we have to consider she could be almost anywhere. If he was driving north from Corvallis to Rickreal, it would be very easy to head east and catch I-5, and go north or south. Also, he could have just as easily go through Salem and over the Santiam Hwy to Central/Eastern Oregon.

We just got back from camping for a week in central Oregon, and from Salem it takes only about 1 1/2 hrs to get to the national forest, and another 1 1/2 hours to get to the desolate high desert area. Many places where the only living things are wild animals....

Since he grew up here he would certainly know these areas, and if he traveled on the job as much as he apparently did, the travel time would be easily done and hidden.

Just a thought....

[scandi]

Hi Lynie,

Good point! I still think if there was a foree in the van near Rickreall, which we have good and witnessed evidence of the car swerving there, he would be then itching to finish up with her and get rid of her body. He's impulsive and seems like he goes on emotion. I can't imagine him driving with her for a couple of hours in the car! Wouldn't that make him paranoid he might get stopped?

Scandi

[lynie]

Hi Lynie,

Good point! I still think if there was a foree in the van near Rickreall, which we have good and witnessed evidence of the car swerving there, he would be then itching to finish up with her and get rid of her body. He's impulsive and seems like he goes on emotion. I can't imagine him driving with her for a couple of hours in the car! Wouldn't that make him paranoid he might get stopped?

Scandi

Hey Scandi!

Itchin' for rain like me? I'm HOT! ;o)

I don't think he would go far with her alive, I doubt she made it out of the Corvallis/Salem area. In fact the name of the little town Falls City keeps coming to my mind...not that it has ever been mentioned by anyone. It is just curious that the van was seen swerving around Rickreal....Was she still alive and fighting? Was he trying to "mop" or clean up something he didn't want spreading in the van (icky thought, I know)?

The thing that bothers me about him driving recklessly around Rickreal is that there are not a lot of hiding spots in that vicinity. Yes, many country roads but in that part of the valley the land is fairly flat or rolling hills, with more crops than forests. Yes, some of the roads can be very deserted but are pretty out in the open until you get closer to the west and the forests. Maybe it is just not the place that I would choose to hide a body...guess thankfully I wouldn't be very good at it!

[scandi]

Rain! Oh, yes, I love the thought of it for once. LOL I was so mad at the weathermen here today. It was suppose to be like 83 or so and my car said it was 94 degrees!

Well Lynie, Do you think once she was dead he would feel the strong urge to get her out of his car? I think she was dead or knocked out right past Rickreall. All he would have to do is park his van and use the back. Hey, maybe he then drove her up to his folks house in Beaverton. Park the car. She is dead inside. Who would know. Then the next day he takes her somewhere not too far away to get rid of her.

After all the publicity on the Green Van, if anyone saw it driving down a logging road - Hey, I think that is what the police think he did. Trouble is there are logging roads everywhere in this part of Oregon. I wonder if the police have a clue to where she is - any good tips on seeing that van on that day?


Scandi

[Anngelique]

Hello fellow Oregonians. I have to say I am a true Oregonian through and through. I can't wait for the rainy period to come as well. I have had enough sun to last me until next year. All those with SAD should be feeling pretty darn good themselves. Now it is time for those of us who enjoy the cloudy, rainy weather to get a dose of what we love.

As for where he dumped her it is really a mystery until the police give us more to go on. I went to the coast this Saturday. I drove to Rickreal and then over the coastal path of 22. On the way home I decided to go through Newport, Philomath and Corvallis. I saw the apartments where Brooke went missing from. I am really surprised he headed towards Rickreal. He must have had some kind of plan to do that. It would have been so much easier to stay on Hwy 20 towards the coast which is not even a block for the apts. Seriously quick access and it is not a heavily traveled road as 99 and 22 are going towards Rickreal. However, I will repeat. If I was getting rid of a body and I was near Rickreal I would head into the hills of Dallas, Falls City, Pedee, or better yet go towards the beach. There are so many little logging roads or private drives off the main hwy. With all the fishing and stuff I don't think anyone would think it out of place to see a car on one of those roads. I wish we could learn more about what the police have. They are being probably tighter lipped than I have ever known law enforcement to be. I suspect that is a good thing but it does not quench my thirst for details.

[scandi]

What a Sweetie-Pie you are Anngelique, out there Sleuthing around, driving the roads in the area where Brooke could have been to see if anything glares out at you.

LE did mention logging roads when they put out a call about the Green Van. What else besides that? Logging roads or . . . .That means he would have taken a left at Rickreall, correct? Am going back to your map.

This could be a slow case to develop. The prosecutor wants to push his NM case into the fall or winter. Wonder how long the case will last. And the wheels of Justice move slowly. What do you think, a year before we really learn anything more about what happened to Brooke for sure? I must say I am very proud of these Corvallis PD. Tight lipped! Zipped is what I would say. Unfortunately for us, but the way it should be.


Big Hugs, well kisses. To hot for a hug tonight!
Scandi

[dannyodie]

What a Sweetie-Pie you are Anngelique, out there Sleuthing around, driving the roads in the area where Brooke could have been to see if anything glares out at you.

LE did mention logging roads when they put out a call about the Green Van. What else besides that? Logging roads or . . . .That means he would have taken a left at Rickreall, correct? Am going back to your map.

This could be a slow case to develop. The prosecutor wants to push his NM case into the fall or winter. Wonder how long the case will last. And the wheels of Justice move slowly. What do you think, a year before we really learn anything more about what happened to Brooke for sure? I must say I am very proud of these Corvallis PD. Tight lipped! Zipped is what I would say. Unfortunately for us, but the way it should be.


Big Hugs, well kisses. To hot for a hug tonight!
Scandi
if any one has a link to a map of the rickeall please post it on here, I have some high tech satellite software that I can see ground clustter real well.

[scandi]

Good Morning Danny,

On post #97 here, page #4, Anngelique posted a map of the area. Rickreall is right below and a bit to the left of Salem which is down towards the bottom of the map.

Is that map good enough for you? How cool! LOL I just knew there was a post over here waiting to read this morning!~


Scandi

[lynie]

Good cloudy morning fellow Oregonians and the rest of the wonderful folks here!

No, I don't really think he would have to get a body out of the car right away.
I think the guy acts on impulse and leaves the rest to figure out after the deed is done. One thing that does confuse me about a struggle occuring in the van while he was driving is does the van have windows all around, or is it like a commercial use van? I cannot remember from the pictures. Even if it had darkened windows, couldn't you see a struggle? If it is made for commercial use (any kind of van can be converted by replacing seats etc) they he would have room inside. If it is a normal passenger van with all of the seats in it there isn't a lot of room left....

I too would certainly head toward the forests and all of the logging roads. I would not head up north on the highway toward the metro area, which is the road he was on. Once you get past Rickreall toward Amity/McMinneville the population density really begins to grow where even country roads are often used. I know those are the roads I use to get around when I can! Going through Dundee is horrid! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[dannyodie]

pleasant valley cemetary and bounds creek area, looks like there are lots of areas in that direction named after creeks, and looks like the area is remote, watkins creek, watsons pond, gallathy creek, philomath, all in that area are good places to look. the general directions I show are good if you have a gps. the way points are: 123.40240w_44.52065N that should be in the general direction, however this area is not in the north direction, unless there is something more meaningful to the rickerall area to say this is the direction this man went then the above might not be of any help. what type of work did this man do? was he a sportsman? bowersville historical area, looks like a water treatment facility is somewhat remote with very few homes around and a heavily wooded area at the water treatment facility all that is in the rickreall area. if that area is a hotspot than a search of about 10 to 15 miles radius might could be done from a central point of the post office there in rickreall.

[annemc2]

Yes, my husband and I joke(?) all of the time about how it takes no competence to be a weatherman here in Oregon. It's always really hot and dry or cool and rainy. Whenever they "predict" something out of the ordinary they are wrong 99% of the time! Anyway, I am ready for some coolness and rain, too. I did not escape from Tx to deal with this heat!

Good work Dannyodie - that is very interesting. And about the van....I have always assumed that it was set up as a commercial van, as it was owned by the cleaning company. Have they shown a photo of the actual van or just of the type they were looking for? I just pictured it with vacuums and supplies in the back, but now thinking about it, would he need all of that stuff in his supervisory capacity? (wasn't he some kind of supervisor? - sorry, this is my sleepy- bordering-on-incoherent time of day!)

[lynie]

I believe I have only seen pictures of the kind they were looking for, not the actual van. I think if memory serves that they showed a passenger van, not converted for commercial use.

Today driving around I checked out all the green vans I saw ;) to see if I could see in their windows! It all depends on the vehicle...my green van is very difficult to see in the passenger end windows, but others it was pretty easy to see. Now if it is a commercial type van with no back windows, he would have plenty of privacy...

Hey!! We may get sprinkles Wednesday!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:

[scandi]

Praise be, I take that rain and loved those clouds hovering over today!

Danny, I think Rickreall is basically a crossroads if you look at the map. Not a whole lot there. I know they have a mini mart, as it has a new owner and of course I'll be sending my guy up to show him everything in the way of video surveilland=ce and security! LOL And tomorrow when I talk to this owner who is from Rickreall by the way, I; going to ask him about Brooke and what he has heardm if anything. Hey, there isn't much I can do, but when I find something I'll give it my all!

Anyway Danny, Rickreall is where this green van started swirving, enough to attract the attention of another driver who called in to the police. He just happened to be driving there when something happened that caused him consternation that he had to take care of as he was driving.

I hope Brooke was clawing at his face and grabbing for the steering wheel!

By the way, I always love to see new posts here. Each one is quite special.


Scandi

[Anngelique]

August 18, 2005

Courtney's trial delayed because of attorney's arrest

By KATU Web Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - KATU News has learned that a strange turn of events will delay the extradition of Joel Courtney, the man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger.

Joel Courtney is currently being held in New Mexico on charges he kidnapped and raped a college student, but his trial has been pushed back from next month until late winter or early spring.

The trial delay was granted because his public defender was arrested last month on a drunk driving charge for a third time.

Because the public defender has been fired, the judge in the case is appointing Courtney a new attorney.

The strange turn of events will delay Courtney's return to Oregon because New Mexico authorities have said they will not send him to Oregon until his New Mexico trial is over.

http://katu.com/stories/79146.html

[Marisa714]

August 18, 2005

Courtney's trial delayed because of attorney's arrest

By KATU Web Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - KATU News has learned that a strange turn of events will delay the extradition of Joel Courtney, the man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger.

Joel Courtney is currently being held in New Mexico on charges he kidnapped and raped a college student, but his trial has been pushed back from next month until late winter or early spring.

The trial delay was granted because his public defender was arrested last month on a drunk driving charge for a third time.

Because the public defender has been fired, the judge in the case is appointing Courtney a new attorney.

The strange turn of events will delay Courtney's return to Oregon because New Mexico authorities have said they will not send him to Oregon until his New Mexico trial is over.

http://katu.com/stories/79146.html

Geez! Drunk driving is so awful, it endangers so many people, and for someone who represents the law to do this makes me so angry! And the 3rd time?! I feel bad for Brookes family too, this delay must be so frustrating to them. IMO b/c of this lawyers actions this guy gets to avoid facing his punishment and possibly facing Brookes family(as long as this really the guy responsible). Maybe it will give the prosecution more time to build a rock solid case against him, if they don't already have it. It seems like they have known about this guy for a long time, and did a good job of finding the right perp.

[scandi]

Somehow I don't think it was a thin case, in fact when he is presented with the evidence after pre-trial, I would think he's be looking for a giant plea bargain. And to me it looks like his case is so solid against him that there will be nothing offered, unleess it is to tell about other women he has abused and raped along the way. They won't mention Brooke, as it was after this crime he is up for in NM.

As people we simply have to be patient and let the law work its way as normal through procedure. And as posters we will have to constantly bite our tongues and simply remember Brooke and her family. Her day will come, believe me, and it will be the trial of the century for the NW. I will be there in Corvallis and rent a little apt, keep working the Eugene - Corvallis market with video surveillance.

I mean, how often do we have an opportunity to watch the wheels of justice turn ~ in person? And you will all be welcome to come and visit and just think, there might be several of us attending the prelim and trial - Oh, we can have dinners together and we will go on talking till midnight or afterwards. I can hardly wait. For one thing, to have Justice for Brooke and then to meet my friends here that I love and have never been able to look in the eye and give them a big hug - whoops, I should say a big Swedish Kram! LOL

Actually I'm thinking of buying a little house down that way, out a bit into the country, and will probably have it by the time this trial ever hears the wham of a gavel! :D

Scandi

[Anngelique]

Somehow I don't think it was a thin case, in fact when he is presented with the evidence after pre-trial, I would think he's be looking for a giant plea bargain. And to me it looks like his case is so solid against him that there will be nothing offered, unleess it is to tell about other women he has abused and raped along the way. They won't mention Brooke, as it was after this crime he is up for in NM.

As people we simply have to be patient and let the law work its way as normal through procedure. And as posters we will have to constantly bite our tongues and simply remember Brooke and her family. Her day will come, believe me, and it will be the trial of the century for the NW. I will be there in Corvallis and rent a little apt, keep working the Eugene - Corvallis market with video surveillance.

I mean, how often do we have an opportunity to watch the wheels of justice turn ~ in person? And you will all be welcome to come and visit and just think, there might be several of us attending the prelim and trial - Oh, we can have dinners together and we will go on talking till midnight or afterwards. I can hardly wait. For one thing, to have Justice for Brooke and then to meet my friends here that I love and have never been able to look in the eye and give them a big hug - whoops, I should say a big Swedish Kram! LOL

Actually I'm thinking of buying a little house down that way, out a bit into the country, and will probably have it by the time this trial ever hears the wham of a gavel! :D

Scandi

I have actually thought yesterday and today that all of us people from WS who live in the Willamette Valley or near by should get together for dinner or something. It would be fun to meet each other and we can talk about our favortie cases. What do you guys think? Anyone up for meeting at a local restaurant or something? Just an idea.

[lynie]

Let me know!! I live close to Beaverton, but don't mind driving...in fact we still need to get you to Trader Joes, Angelique!

lynie

[annemc2]

Count me in! I would totally go. I'd love to meet all these mysterious people that I communicate with all of the time! I was going to hook up with Indigo Falls last year but things fell through and we never got together. That would be so much fun!

[dannyodie]

I was looking into some areas that are outside of rickreall " sorry for the spelling " and two places that are somewhat close together and that are remote with little or nothing around. there is a place called baldy mount, funny that this man is bald. that could be a place he knows of and it is to say the least remote. and then there is another location letteken ponds which is near there. it to is remote. and not far from the rickreall area. either this man lived in that area or made commute thru there on a regular basis, if any one has a gps, let me know, I will get the way points for you.

[scandi]

I'd just love to get together with everyone. What fun that would be, to meet at a restaurant where we could just sit and not worry about them needing the table right away.

There are several of us Lynie and I from Beaverton, Annegelique from Salem, I think there are a few posters from Lane County and a couple more from Portland.


Scandi

[Anngelique]

Oh dear, what's next? This is nuts!!!!


Joel Courtney may not make it to Oregon for a while

August 31, 2005

- ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - First his lawyer was fired after being arrested on a drunk driving charge and now the judge in Joel Courtney's New Mexico case has stepped down.
Courtney, who has yet to face murder charges in Oregon in the death of Brooke Wilberger, is being held in Albuquerque on charges he kidnapped and raped a college student.

Earlier this month, Courtney's trial was delayed because his public defender was fired after being arrested on a drunk driving charge for the third time.

Now the judge, Judge Michael Cavanaugh, has recused himself from the case, according to Assistant District Attorney Theresa Whatley.

Courtney was scheduled to go on trial September 6, but now the trial may not get on the new judge's calendar until the spring or summer of next year.

That means a delay in getting Courtney extradited to Oregon, where he faces 19 counts, including aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape and sodomy, in the Brooke Wilberger case.

Wilberger's body has not been found.

http://katu.com/printstory.asp?ID=79338

[mysteriew]

The judge in the New Mexico trial of accused Brooke Wilberger murder suspect Joel Courtney has stepped down.
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_083105_news_wilberger_courtney.10b6c667.html

[mysteriew]

The rape trial of a man charged with kidnap and murder in the Brooke Wilberger disappearance has been postponed because the judge removed himself from the case.

District Judge Michael Kavanaugh recused himself Aug. 24 from the New Mexico case involving Joel Courtney, according to court records. The case has been reassigned, but no new trial date has been set.

The trial was to begin Tuesday. The reason for Kavanaugh's recusal was not specified.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/112557236634140.xml&coll=7

[mysteriew]

The office of Gov.Ted Kulongoski has requested the extradition of Joel Patrick Courtney, a New Mexico man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger.

Courtney, 39, has been charged in Benton County Circuit Court with abducting, sexually assaulting and killing the 19-year-old Veneta woman who vanished from a parking lot at a Corvallis apartment complex.

The extradition warrant has been sent to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, whose office is processing the paperwork, a New Mexico governor's office spokesperson said.


Richardson will serve the warrant on Courtney when he deems appropriate, said Benton County District Attorney Scott Heiser. A Bernalillo County case is pending against Courtney, and he is not likely to be extradited to Oregon until that case is resolved, Heiser added.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/09/14/news/community/wedloc02.txt

[mysteriew]

Courtney is not expected to return to face the charges in Oregon until the New Mexico case is resolved.

A trial date in the New Mexico case has not yet been scheduled. It's not expected to make the court docket until spring 2006, said Bernalillo County Assistant District Attorney Theresa Whatley in New Mexico.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1126720741258771.xml&storylist=orlocal

[scandi]

Bumping for Brooke

. . .to let her spirit know we still care, and have hope she will be found this spring to give her wonderful family and friends some comfort.

Her family did touch me so.



Scandi

[mysteriew]

A New Mexico man charged with murder in the high-profile disappearance of college student Brooke Wilberger, who vanished from a Corvallis apartment complex in May 2004, has now been publicly labeled by Oregon prosecutors as a "suspected serial killer."
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011005_news_courtney_serial_killer.65803edd.ht ml

[aussiegran]

Glad they got him.the POS .:behindbar I hope the scumbag tells them where she is so her family can bring her home to bury her. :( sounds like there will be more if they are calling him a serial killer.

[mocity]

I was curious if this guy has made a confession? I apologize if I missed it. Prayers for her and her family

[SewingDeb]

Courtney is not expected to return to face the charges in Oregon until the New Mexico case is resolved.

A trial date in the New Mexico case has not yet been scheduled. It's not expected to make the court docket until spring 2006, said Bernalillo County Assistant District Attorney Theresa Whatley in New Mexico.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1126720741258771.xml&storylist=orlocal

His trial will be held in March, then he will be extradited to Oregon:

http://crime.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp%3FID=82475

I'm very curious about the other cases they are investigating as his possible murders.

[mysteriew]

A Benton County judge ruled Wednesday that court records in the criminal case against Joel P. Courtney -- charged in August with the 2004 murder of college student Brooke Wilberger -- should remain sealed because of an ongoing investigation.

Judge Locke A. Williams denied a motion by The Oregonian, KGW and the Associated Press to unseal police affidavits and search warrants in the case.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1137639316163470.xml&coll=7

[jodierenee]

i just looked at the guy's picture....scary....he looks "normal". But i guess most of them do.....

[scandi]

I just heard Brooke's mother, Cammy, address the students, faculty and friends of Oregon State University. Her strength was firmly shown in her voice, and her thankfulness for all the help given by the OSU family to find Brooke could be felt in the words she chose to address them. I could not help but cry as I watched and listened to her. A heartfelt moment in time.

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=85544 There is no link yet, it will be out tomorrow, but this article tells what she planned to say and why.

Can you believe it has been 2 whole years since Brooke vanished off the face of the earth? The deed itself was so unfathomable to me, stealing a young lady in broad daylight, obviously by such a quick force that made her helpless to save herself.

I simply want to thank Brooke's mother and family for all they have been during this tragedy and all the friends who have helped her along the way.

And I want to keep Brooke's spirit alive here at WS. I could not locate an open thread on her tonight!

Brooke reminds me so much of Dru Sjodin, it is amazing. Both kindred spirits now I think.

Scandi

[michelle]

I think about Brooke often, My heart goes out to her family........

[mocity]

I was always confused on this case. I know Courtney was arrested and charged in relation to Brooke but what was the evidence against him?

[concernedperson]

I was always confused on this case. I know Courtney was arrested and charged in relation to Brooke but what was the evidence against him?

I believe there was some DNA that was found in the vehicle that he used to own coupled with his past crimes. Someone correct me if that is wrong.

[scandi]

Whatever it was in his van that was found by the forensic team, it had to be very substantial for them to charge him. The Corvallis police are by the book men. Tough as nails they are!

Sorry, but I don't have even one little piece of a soft spot in my heart for this perv, at all! I just picture Brooke's mother. That is enough!

Hi Anngelique!



Scandi

[mocity]

why haven't they said what evidence they have that indicates he raped and killed brooke?

[scandi]

Hi Mocity,

I think this police dept will keep everything they can under tabs. So far the only time they really let anything out was when they needed info from the public. To name him as her suspected killer to the general public was a very major move on their part, so it must be a pretty airtight case they have against him.

They don't really have an obligation to let the public know anything before trial, at least I don't think so. There is no danger from this guy now. And the less out there the better for influencing a jury pool.

Just awful for those of us who want to know every little thing, right? LOL

From what I read about this guy, he isn't too smart. He's known for leaving a messy crime scene as I remember it, which maybe is what he likes, to revel in after it's all done.


Scandi

[annemc2]

Wilbergers sue suspect’s employer

The family of Brooke Wilberger has filed a lawsuit against the company that employed the man now charged with aggravated murder in her disappearance.

Wilberger’s parents, Cammie and Greg, filed the complaint against Creative Building Maintenance.

They claim the company did not complete a background check on Joel Courtney when it hired him, and failed to supervise his activities.


rest of article at http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2006/05/20/news/community/sat07.txt

[Peabody]

With permission, I am posting a message that Sharon, Maura's boyfriend's mother posted today at www.mauramurray.com (http://www.mauramurray.com/)

"Hello All,

Just spoke to the producer of 20/20

He says that the 'Vanished" show about Maura and Brooke Wilburger has been one of the highest rated shows of the year.

Also, the show is tentatively schedule to re-air on Friday August 25 - if not that date, then the following week on Friday on September 1

He is to call me to let me know if the showing will be 8/25 or 9/1 -- I promise to keep you posted.

Don't know if you are aware, but a recent national show was the reason that Laura McKenzie was located - let's pray that this second airing will give us some postivie results in locating Maura!

Sharon"

[annemc2]

Judge: Joel Courtney fit for trial
He’s accused of raping a N.M. student, abducting Brooke Wilberger


more at link: http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2007/01/08/news/community/7aaa02_cortney.txt

[BAD_BUTTERFLY]

Was really glad to see this topic bumpt back up. As I was laying in bed last night going to sleep I wondered if anything new had come up with brooke since it had been quite a while since i heard anything.

[petra]

Anything New? The posted link has timed out. I could not find anything else.

Thinking of Brooke's loved ones.

[scandi]

Me too, Petra. Thanks for keeping her in our minds.

:blowkiss: scandi

[scandi]

Bump for Brooke, still not found, and needing justice to give her family peace. I think Brooke has already been given her Angel Wings. She didn't have to wait till he was found gulty.


I think Brooke had a really lovely family. Whenever I saw them on TV I could feel their hope she would be found, and then their absolute love for her.

Tonight I am thinking of Brookes mother and father. They both touched my heart. God Bless them for living this nightmare and staying so strong. Scandi

[Bobbisangel]

Has that guy gone to trial yet? If so, how many years did he get? When people are caught and the evidence shows that they did commit the murder why in heaven's name won't they tell what they did with the person that they murdered? Don't they understand how important it is to parents to get their child back and to have a service and a place to put flowers? If my son murdered someone and the body had never been found...and I knew without a doubt that he committed the crime I would beg him to tell me what he did with the body so the family would know. It is just so cruel not to tell.

I agree that Brooke is from a really nice and loving family. It is just a shame that she happened to be in that parking lot and that creep spotted her. She looked like such a sweet nice girl and was just working to help with her college education. So darn sad.

[rd_jfc]

Don't they understand how important it is to parents to get their child back and to have a service and a place to put flowers? If my son murdered someone and the body had never been found...and I knew without a doubt that he committed the crime I would beg him to tell me what he did with the body so the family would know. It is just so cruel not to tell.

You have just described the reasons a sick perv like that enjoys not telling anyone. It's their power trip. And of course it would admit guilt, which he probably hasn't done.

We need lots and lots of cheap cells in the desert for these perverted killers, and he needs to be dropped into one of them.

rd

[annemc2]

Indictment adds two counts of attempted murder, four more for attempted kidnapping

http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2007/05/17/news/community/4aaa02_courtney.txt

[scandi]

I just heard on the 11pm news that man who will be tried for the murder of Brook Wilberger tried to abduct 2 other girls at the same apt complex from where he failed in his attempt, and then successfuly took Brooke a bit later:

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1179452084125850.xml&storylist=orlocal

I haven't read this yet, so I hope it is what I just heard on the news. I wonder why they have waited all of this time to let everyone know about this? They said he will be charged with these other two attempts.

I wish they could somehow force him to tell where he put her body. I would think not charging him with these two new charges would be a good deal for him, although he's probably never going to see the light of day till he dies anyway, so he probably doesn't care!

Scandi

ETA: The news I just heard on TV is a but fresher than this article. What it doesn't say is the two other attempts happened at the same apt complex and both happened right before he finally captured Brooke, his 3rd attempt! I still can't believe this has been kept quiet all of this time. They must have had a really good description of this guy from the go-get, don't you think?

[scandi]

KOIN in Portland released this update at noon, and it pretty well explains things. At least we know September is when he is scheduled to be brought to Oregon to answer charges:

http://www.koin.com/Global/story.asp?S=6537137

Snippet
" . . "The evidence will show it was close in time and proximity to his abduction of Brooke Wilberger and that his effort to prey upon students at Oregon State University, at least first two attempts failed but his third attempted was unfortunately successful," John Haroldson told KOIN News 6.

Haroldson would not provide specific timelines or details of other allegedly encounters, saying only that the two women, both OSU students at the time, managed to get away.

"The victims who were able to survive Joel Courtney's efforts to prey upon students are essential to be able to link up his identification as the perpetrator (in the Wilberger case)," Haroldson said. . ."

Scandi

[Seahorseladydi]

The trial in NM was not suppost to START untill SEPT. ??? then AFTER that they would bring him to Oregon.... are they being optimistic and the charges here would bring more weight.... ??? who knows...... but I just wish they would FIND BROOKE! I was on the first searches for her.... I can't believe it has been this long! :(

[scandi]

Hi Seahorselady ;} Nice to see you, and I am so sorry I read that article wrong :doh: , thinking he would be brought to Oregon in Sept!

It is nice to know someone here was involved in the first searches for Brooke. Did they give you any indication he had approached 2 other girls at the same apt complex before he grabbed Brooke? I am still amazed they held that info for so long with no leaks at all!

I wonder if they have cut a deal with him for no death penalty if he gives up the location of her remains. Maybe that is premature as trial has not been started yet. He has been served papers showing the charges, but does that mean he has been indighted? Maybe not.

I think he isn't giving up anything, so far denying he had anything to do with her. I don't think she is far from Rickreal where he was spotted driving erracticly. If he was aware someone saw him swerving which would possibly be a red flag, he'd want to get rid of her as soon as possible, and think he headed west out of Rickreal towards the coast. There are so many wild treed areas out there it would be difficult to zone in at this date. If they had used heat seeking infared from the air right away they might have found her. But that is hindsight I think.

I have driven that road many times, and there would be so many perfect places to go where no one would see you. Thank God he didn't do a good cleanup of his car! I think he worked pretty hard to get a girl and any evidence left of her in his car would be left to relive the crime over and over again like serial killers do. Stupid man!

Can you tell us a little bit about your experience searching for her? I'd love to hear about that. Thanks Seahorselady, Scandi

[Bobbisangel]

So is he being tried first for the girl that he tried to rape when he was caught? What part of Oregon will he be tried in...what city? It is just heartbreaking that Brooke hasn't been found. It will take a miracle to find her now unless they make some kind of deal with him. I wish they would exchange the death penalty for LWOP. Maybe he would go for that.

I don't think that they said that the other two attempts were in the same complex that Brooke was staying at. They said that the other two girls were going to the same University in Oregon.

[Seahorseladydi]

Scandi ~ As for giving any info on other girls at the time of the searches... No, nothing was said.... but Capt. Noble did seem to think there were others at that time, He hinted at it..... that this was not the kidnappers first.

I agree with you Scandi..... I don't think he will give up anything unless there is something in it for him.... UGH! that is sad to think.....

I also agree that she is in the Rickreal area, that area has been searched over and over again ..... BUT, there is so much bare land out there .... so many places she could be... it just seems so overwhelming....

My experience searching for her was VERY hard...... this was my second search for a missing person (I help with Ashley/Miranda also) to know they are out there and you are looking for the smallest shread of something..... anything that might help... and then to come up empty...... to spend hours and hours looking........ to come up empty....... to think that this one piece of torn plastic or small piece of paper maybe could help..... it is very frustrating.... and sad.

Bobbie ~ Yes, Mr. Courtney is being tried in New Mexico for the attempted kidnaping and rape..... that trial will start in Sept of this year..... then he will be brought up here to Corvallis to be tried for Brooke's murder.
The Police have NOT said the two new girls were from the same complex... just that the incidents happend with Mr. Courtney on or about May 24 (which is the same day Brooke went missing)

I think about Brooke and her family ALL the time.... what a WONDERFUL family Brooke has.... they are all so strong and loving..... I wish them the best and hope that someday they can put Brooke to rest peacefully!

[scandi]

HI Seahorselady, I just read your post and was moved to tears so I just had to cry. How someone could have the audacity to do this is just beyond me, itso hard to comprehend.

Brooke's parents, and I'm sure family were the mostest. Her Dad. Oh, you could tell he just loved her so much. And her Mom. I only heard her speak once but it was from the heart.

When I watched that KOIN broadcast the other day they did say all 3 attacks happened at the same location, and they panned in on a photo of the sign to the apt complex.

Time is a lot closer now, and the summer might go fast. I don't think that trial down in NM will be a long one, as they pretty much caught him right away after it happened as I remember. I'll have to review the case.

Then I started thinking about Rickreal, and taking the road to the west, and how it goes straight for awhile and then as it curves, you are in no mans land. Scattered gravel roads and little farms, so tucked in you can't even see the house or barn sometimes. I just hope that Brooke fought him with everything she had, and I am sure that she did from what the crime scene looked like.

Her family probably doesn't believe in psychics, but if they did there is the best one in Lake Oswego, a good friend of my sister. She is called by police depts all over the country, and has been so successful it is absolutely profound. Laurie McQuarry is her name. but she will not enter a case unless asked by either LE or the family. I'm going to pray on that one! She did find where a housewife had been ditched after being murdered in the wilds of Northern California. I always go for the positive. I always will, and do feel that someday soon Brooke's bones will come back home. Either that or she has that whole area of God's green earth as her final resting place.

Scandi

[Anngelique]

http://www.katu.com/news/7658602.html

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Although Nate McKelvey did not see Brooke Wilberger the day she disappeared, he heard the scream that investigators believe was the last anyone would hear of her. It would prove to be a key piece of information.

Brooke Wilberger disappeared on May 24, 2004 from outside the Oak Park Apartments in Corvallis. All that was left behind was her flip flop shoes, her purse and her cell phone.

Nate McKelvey was there that day. When he woke up the morning of May 24, 2004, his wits were clouded by a night of partying and then the scream came.

"It was somewhat blood curdling," he said. "I would say, like a fan scream like at a concert (McKelvey makes a scream sound here) and then it just got cut short."

[Seahorseladydi]

Scandi,

I do know VERY WELL who Laurie McQuarry is...... She was brought in for the Ashley/Miranda case... she was WAY off with them.... not that I doubt her ability.... I have met her personally and feel that she grabs at straws sometimes.....

I do hope that the summer goes by quickly and the trial in NM should not take long, it is a open and shut case..... I just hope she is found soon!

[IdahoMom]

http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/ktvbn-sep1107-wilberger_suspect.c38ef298.html

snip

http://www.ktvb.com/images/anew.gif Wilberger murder suspect pleads guilty in NM rape case

11:33 AM MDT on Tuesday, September 11, 2007


By AP and KGW Staff

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The man accused of abducting and killing 19-year-old Brooke Wilberger in Oregon in 2004 pleaded guilty Tuesday in a different rape and kidnapping case involving a student in New Mexico.

This clears the way for authorities to bring Joel Courtney to Oregon to face charges here, within a year.

Joel Courtney admitted assaulting the University of New Mexico foreign exchange student on Nov. 30, 2004. Police said he forced the woman into his car at knifepoint, bound her with shoelaces, then raped and sodomized her, just six months after Wilberger vanished in Corvallis.

[scandi]

Hi IdahoMom ;}

I just heard a new blurb on the news minutes ago that as soon as Courtney is sentenced he will be brought straight to Oregon. I can't believe it is finally happening! Do you think there is anything that would influence him at this point to reveal where he put her? They did say if he is found guilty he would get the death penalty.

SeaHorse is probably right, and I bet the jury will take no time to make a decision. Without a body and in charging him with murder, there had to be enough DNA evidence of hers in that van of his to say with certainty she is dead. What in the world would the defense even have to bring up?

Anyway, I tried to get a written article from the newscast tonight but it isn't up yet. This is the latest, which is probably the same time as yours IdahoMom. http://tinyurl.com/2d2s6q

Sayig a prayer for her family tonight. It must be so hard for themn to be watching the news and here comes Courtney walking across the screen.

Krams

ETA: Oh, that was from last January. Sorry!

[Bobbisangel]

For the sake of Brooke's family I hope that they offer him a deal...LWOP instead of the death penalty. The family needs to bring Brooke home.

[SuziQ]

The man indicted in the abduction and death of Brooke Wilberger was sentenced Tuesday for kidnapping raping a student in New Mexico.
(more at link)

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_121107_news_wilberger_courtney_nm_sentencing_. 6976e9f.html

[SuziQ]

The prosecutor in the Brooke Wilberger murder case says he hopes to have the suspect in Oregon within 90 days to face trial and a possible death penalty. (more at link)

http://www.katu.com/news/12446241.html

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

They've still never found Brooke?

I'm so glad that they can now begin the process to extradict this guy.

[SuziQ]

http://www.katu.com/news/local/14293052.html
(snip)
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has signed an agreement to extradite the man accused of killing college student Brooke Wilberger in Oregon.

Joel Patrick Courtney, 41, has been charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and rape in the disappearance of Wilberger. Earlier this month, Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed an extradition order asking New Mexico to return Courtney. Richardson's office said Thursday a warrant will be served on Courtney in the coming days.

[SuziQ]

http://www.katu.com/news/15466056.html

A man accused of kidnapping and killing college student Brooke Wilberger in Corvallis told a judge in New Mexico today that he wants to fight extradition to Oregon, where he could face a death sentence.
(more at link)

[Rle7]

http://www.katu.com/news/15466056.html

A man accused of kidnapping and killing college student Brooke Wilberger in Corvallis told a judge in New Mexico today that he wants to fight extradition to Oregon, where he could face a death sentence.
(more at link)

A New Mexico judge has ordered the man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger to be returned to Oregon for trial.

The order came Friday morning in Santa Fe, where 41-year-old Joel Courtney is imprisoned.

Courtney is accused of murder, kidnapping and rape in the disappearance of Wilberger, a 19-year-old college student who vanished from Corvallis in May 2004.

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=cd8aa32d-055e-4bb9-8650-f5ff92446e2a&rss=191

[scandi]

HI. We have news today about the Brooke Wilburger case just hot off the press:

http://www.koin.com/content/news/topstories/story.aspx?content_id=02d7e658-0efb-428a-b286-da7ffecf7627"]http://www.koin.com/content/news/topstories/story.aspx?content_id=02d7e658-0efb-428a-b286-da7ffecf7627

Snip
"Judge orders Wilberger suspect to Oregon

Last Update: 10:54 am

SANTA FE (AP) - A New Mexico judge has ordered the man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger to be returned to Oregon for trial.

The order came this morning in Santa Fe, where 41-year-old Joel Courtney is imprisoned. Courtney is accused of murder, kidnapping and rape in the disappearance of Wilberger, a 19-year-old college student who vanished from Corvallis in May 2004. Her body has never been found. . . ."

[scandi]

http://www.kval.com/news/17312809.html


I just feel so bad and I can't help it, the tears are running down my cheeks. If I could tell Brooke how sorry I am for what happened to her I would, and give her a big heavenly hug.

At least this new leg of the case is underway now, and acc to the link he could be in Oregon within 30 days. That is all good.

He is so far down on the totum pole of the worst offenders that there is no advantage for him to let Brooke's parents know where he put her so she can have a special place where her family can visit her. And he is such scum he won't do this for them. I hope they don't cut any kind of a deal, and when he starts sweating just before the judge is about to read his sentence, he will try and give the info to them for life without parole. I could live with that, just for peace of mind for Brooke's family.

I don't know when the trial will be, but I only live a little over an hour away from Corvallis so I do plan to attend if I can get into the courtroom. It might be months away - next Fall I expect, and it will be very high profile.

The DA seems like a righteous man, Mr Haroldson. He has the patience of Job and yet is adamant about the death penalty. Thank goodness for that!


If there is anyone else close by who has thought of attending the trial to see Justice happen for Brooke, pop a note here. xoxox

Scandi


Here's Brooke at the Oregon Coast. We haven't seen her photo for eons. I hope it is OK to post it, or Mods feel free to delete:

http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:KPDvtX7u2ocJ:media.bonnint.net/slc/0/99/9950.jpg Oops, you have to use the link ;}

[SuziQ]

-- The man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger appeared in Oregon Tuesday for the first time since he was named as a suspect in the case. (more at link)

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_040808_news_courtney_wilberger_in_oregon.4527c 13a.html

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[fran]

-- The man accused of killing Brooke Wilberger appeared in Oregon Tuesday for the first time since he was named as a suspect in the case. (more at link)

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_040808_news_courtney_wilberger_in_oregon.4527c 13a.html

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Wow! They're going to seek the DP!

I sure would be interested to see his whereabouts during the past twenty years or so. He seems to have gotten around quite a bit. Texas, California, Oregon, New Mexico..........

IMO, I don't think we know about ALL his crimes.:eek:

I am glad to see that he's going to get his for Brooke though! :mad:

JMHO
fran

[LillyRush]

That is good news. I wish they would say more though about how closer they are to possibly finding her. I haven't heard the status of that in a long time, just that they believe this guy was the perp and they were going after him w/ charges.

[scandi]

Oh Thanks Fran, Susie and Lilly, I didn't know if anyone would come by here so I brought tonights link and you guys have already updated the site. How neat!

Here is the KATU site:

http://www.katu.com/news/local/17402424.html


That was really hard last night. It just hit me that what had happened to Brooke was so extreme - out of the blue, could happen to anyone we know. And then they have enough evidence to charge him. But we know so little about the case it is frustrating as they don't have her remains.

I think knowing means so much. Hopefully through these daily articles, which I am sure they will have out of Corvallis, we might get some more tidbits of info.

I just think he put her up in those woods west of Rickrael off the road to the coast. I bet most of those that live in the Willamette Valley think that too! Hid her well and no one has stumbled across her. It is such a sparsely populated area out there, big tall fir trees with lots of alder and underbrush that'll stop one from going thru it in a second.

Well, I'm gonna read a bit, but I am so heartened to see you guys have been here. I lit up with a big ole smile!

xox Scandi

[scandi]

I heard they have another couple of crimes against him here in Oregon, but don't know what they are yet. I bet they got a windfall with the forensic examinations of his van.

There must be another Brooke thread here, as I did come to post last night and then a couple of nights before that I think.

Maybe we can have a Mod join them. It will be a very unusual trial I think and with lots of info because nothing has leaked out yet. xox

[fran]

Wow! This is news to me. I didn't hear about these other charges before! I bet there's more too. We'll probably never know for sure. :(

JMHO
fran


http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/04/10/news/doc47fe4f51e66aa962554040.txt



Thursday, April 10, 2008

CORVALLIS (AP) — The man accused of kidnapping and killing Brooke Wilberger has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder charges

<<snip>>

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Courtney, an Oregon native, also faces charges that he tried to kidnap and kill two other victims in Corvallis.

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson said the other crimes “were close in time and proximity,” and the victims were students who were roughly the same age as Wilberger, who was 19.

At a news conference following the extradition, Haroldson declined to talk about whether the case may be hindered because a body has not been found.

He said he would be revealing key aspects of the investigation if he answered that question.

[Anngelique]

It is so about time that he is back here and tried! I hope Brooke's family will be able to hold up during this trying time. I wish I could make the trial but even though I live close I don't have the time with my jobs.

My husband goes to school where Brooke was kidnapped and we've driven by the spot several times. It gives me a very eerie feeling and brings me such sadness. I pray the evidence shows Brooke didn't have to suffer long.

[annemc2]

Isn't it just so scary, Anngelique, to drive by the spot in this cute, innocent-seeming town and know what happened there? And to think about what a random, fluke thing it was that ended so tragically? Just so horrible. I remember stopping by the drugstore on the day that Brooke disappeared. It was probably around 4 or 5 pm and there were fliers up already. I actually saw a flier before I heard about it on the news - people were working *fast*.

An interesting local article:

Why did it take seven Benton County deputy sheriffs and one FBI agent to bring murder suspect Joel Courtney back to Corvallis?

Because, Sheriff Diana Simpson says, the nature of the case required it. It’s a high-profile capital murder case with a defendant facing numerous charges and a possible death penalty.

Courtney is charged with aggravated murder and other offenses in the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger from Corvallis in 2004.

Simpson talked about this Friday after a caller to the Democrat-Herald wondered why the extradition required so many officers. The sheriff said the particular transportation plan for this operation necessitated that many.


continued: http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2008/04/12/news/community/2loc08_courtney.txt

[Anngelique]

Isn't it just so scary, Anngelique, to drive by the spot in this cute, innocent-seeming town and know what happened there? And to think about what a random, fluke thing it was that ended so tragically? Just so horrible. I remember stopping by the drugstore on the day that Brooke disappeared. It was probably around 4 or 5 pm and there were fliers up already. I actually saw a flier before I heard about it on the news - people were working *fast*.

An interesting local article:

Why did it take seven Benton County deputy sheriffs and one FBI agent to bring murder suspect Joel Courtney back to Corvallis?

Because, Sheriff Diana Simpson says, the nature of the case required it. It’s a high-profile capital murder case with a defendant facing numerous charges and a possible death penalty.

Courtney is charged with aggravated murder and other offenses in the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger from Corvallis in 2004.

Simpson talked about this Friday after a caller to the Democrat-Herald wondered why the extradition required so many officers. The sheriff said the particular transportation plan for this operation necessitated that many.


continued: http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2008/04/12/news/community/2loc08_courtney.txt
Thanks for posting this article Anne! Are you going to make it to any part of the trial since you live there?

[SuziQ]

Info pouring out now:

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_041708_news_wilberger_courtney.72d07c74.html

Newly unsealed court documents provide the first glimpse at evidence allegedly linking murder suspect Joel Courtney to the abduction Brooke Wilberger.

A New Mexico judge unsealed the documents at the request of KGW, Newschannel 8.

An affidavit, written by a Corvallis Police Detective, suggests the evidence linking Courtney to Wilberger’s disappearance includes witness accounts, physical evidence and medical records. (much much more at the link)

[SuziQ]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/wilberger_dna_left_inside_cour.html

Court documents released today by a New Mexico judge detail DNA evidence putting Brooke Wilberger inside a green van owned by Joel Patrick Courtney, who faces charges of abducting raping and killing the 19-year-old college student in 2004 (more at link)

[SuziQ]

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2008/04/17/news/top_story/3aaa00_courtney.txt

(snip)
Blond hairs, white rope with one end tied like a noose, shoe strings and a gray duffel bag were among the evidence also collected at a New Mexico house occupied by Courtney, charged in relation to the May 2004 disappearance of Wilberger, according to court documents.

[LillyRush]

Thanks, Suzi. Wow, that makes it really horrifying to think about what happened to Brooke. I hope they can still find her for her family's sake.

[SuziQ]

I hope they can find Brooke as well. Way back when LE agencies in other states Courtney has a connection to, were comparing notes to cases they have. I wonder how that is going? From what I remember, Courtney has lived or worked in almost every western state in the U.S.

[LillyRush]

I know. That's the scariest thing. I will be shocked if this guy turns out not to be a serial killer who is connected to god knows how many unsolved cases right now.

[Anngelique]

Thanks for posting all the articles Suzi. I've wanted to but I've been so busy with work. It's amazing what's coming out now and I can tell you that Joel Courtney is a terrifying individual! I bet he has killed many times before! They said he entered the hospital after abducting Brooke. They need to look at his medical records, his company log records, where he's lived etc. He tried to molest his sister and cousin...he was into Satanism. He is a very sick and twisted individual!:furious:

[annemc2]

Informative article detailing the actions and locations of Courtney around the time Brooke disappeared. Worth the read.


Court documents recently released by investigators and court officials have detailed the whereabouts of murder defendant Joel Courtney before, during and after the 2004 disappearance of Brooke Wilberger.

http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/community/6aaa02_courtney.txt

[KOOL LOOK]

Informative article detailing the actions and locations of Courtney around the time Brooke disappeared. Worth the read.


Court documents recently released by investigators and court officials have detailed the whereabouts of murder defendant Joel Courtney before, during and after the 2004 disappearance of Brooke Wilberger.

http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/community/6aaa02_courtney.txt

Thanks for the link, a very good read. Good job!

[SuziQ]

Informative article detailing the actions and locations of Courtney around the time Brooke disappeared. Worth the read.


Court documents recently released by investigators and court officials have detailed the whereabouts of murder defendant Joel Courtney before, during and after the 2004 disappearance of Brooke Wilberger.

http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/community/6aaa02_courtney.txt

Thank you for the link. I've been searching for the actual documents and haven't found them. The actual documents always tell a little bit more than what is reported on.

[annemc2]

Wilberger lawsuit bogged down
BY MICHAEL BOOTH
GAZETTE-TIMES REPORTER

Civil case seeks $26.5 million, accuses Courtney’s employer of negligence in hiring, supervision

A $26.5 million lawsuit filed in 2006 by the family of Brooke Wilberger against the company that employed the man accused of kidnapping and murdering her has been slowed because the company had filed for bankruptcy.

The civil lawsuit claims that Creative Building Maintenance, where Courtney was employed when Wilberger disappeared, was liable for her death because it either hired Joel Courtney — a known sex offender — or did not conduct a criminal history check that would have disclosed his criminal past.

The lawsuit also alleges that the company failed to properly supervise Courtney, who was driving a dark green Dodge Caravan owned by the maintenance company the day Wilberger disappeared.

However, the Wilbergers’ civil case is likely on hold until the conclusion of Joel Courtney’s criminal trial in Benton County Circuit Court, a legal expert said.

continued here: http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2008/04/25/news/community/3aaa02_wilberger.txt

[Rle7]

The fourth anniversary of the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger has arrived with the suspect in her death awaiting trial charged with aggravated murder.

Wilberger was 19, wearing flip-flop shoes, and working a summer job scrubbing the lighting fixtures outside a Corvallis apartment complex her sister was managing.

Blonde, blue-eyed, beautiful -- she vanished on May 24, 2004, with nothing but the flip-flops left behind.

No body has been found.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/ktvba-may2408-wilberger_anniversary.265dfdbb.html

[Bobbisangel]

I can't believe that Brooke has been gone for four years! It seems like it was yesterday when she disappeared. I wish that creep would tell LE where her body is. It would mean so much to her family to be able to bring her home. I hope this creep gets the death penalty. He really is a monster. I had him pictured differently and then I saw his picture....scary. To think that his face was the last face beautiful Brooke saw before she died. He will burn in hell for sure.

[SuziQ]

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_070308_news_wilberger_family.1c6b9351.html

The parents of Brooke Wilberger have signaled they would support a plea deal should the man accused of abducting and murdering their daughter four years ago reveal the whereabouts of her remains. (more at link)

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

God, this poor family. They just want their child back. I hope that something can be worked out for them to finally have her back.

[Zanko]

This sicko better make a deal and disclose where he put Brooke!

[Kimster]

This sicko better make a deal and disclose where he put Brooke!

http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D94A9MG82.html

Courtney refused the plea deal and is expected to go to trial in 2009.

:mad:

I was really hoping he would say where he put her body!

[SuziQ]

Benton County prosecutors want to combine three cases against Joel Patrick Courtney together, including the murder of Brooke Wilberger, claiming they are similar.
Courtney is accused of the 2004 murder of college student Brooke Wilberger and, in a separate case, attempted kidnapping and murder two other women on the same day. (more at link)

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_031109_news_wilberger_trial.24cf7b41.html

[SuziQ]

Joel Courtney’s defense moves to dismiss charges
By Rachel Beck
Gazette-Times reporter
Constitutionality of death penalty at issue

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2009/04/15/news/community/5loc00_courtney041509.txt

[SuziQ]

A judge heard testimony Monday from two women sexually assaulted 20 years apart by Joel Patrick Courtney, who is now charged with kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder in the 2004 disappearance of Brigham Young University student Brooke Wilberger.

Their testimony was part of efforts by Benton County prosecutors to persuade Circuit Judge Locke Williams to allow Courtney's previous convictions on sex abuse charges to be admitted as evidence at the murder trial, which is to begin in February. Prosecutors in the Wilberger case are seeking the death penalty. (more at link)

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=6375818

[SuziQ]

Wilberger witness places Courtney on OSU campus

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/wilberger_witness_places_court.html

[SuziQ]

New victim, bizarre alibi and DNA connection to van JPC was driving.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_051209_news_courtney_wilberger_testimony.1d350 e80.html

[scandi]

New victim, bizarre alibi and DNA connection to van JPC was driving.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_051209_news_courtney_wilberger_testimony.1d350 e80.html


Hi Suzi, This might be the same article: http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/13566830-41/story.csp

May 14th! Do you know when the actual trial starts? Thank God they have her DNA evidence from his van. I would think that is enough.


PS: Thanks to Pantera for reminding me of 'older' cases that have not yet been tried. :blowkiss:

Interesting the comment there, that this guy should be on trial for what they can prove he did to Brooke instead of the crimes he committed against others. No worry, as these investigators and prosecutor would never present a case without pertinent evidence even tho they have not recovered her body. xox IMO ;}

[SuziQ]

scandi, I just now saw your post from May. News is far and few between for this case and I rarely come to this thread. Who knows when the trial will start now, there has been a change of venue.

Wilberger killing trial to be moved
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_071809_news_wilberger_trial_moved.54dec97e.htm l

[pittsburghgirl]

A one-hour show that featured Brooke's cases and Maura Murray's disappearance was broadcast last week on one of the cable channels that carries old Dateline and 48 Hours episodes. Keep an eye out for these broadcasts!

[hellolisakitty]

The remains of 19-year-old BYU student Brooke Wilberger were found more than five years after she disappeared. The man accused of her murder, 42-year-old Joel Courtney revealed the location of her remains as part of a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to Aggravated Murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stay with KSL.com, KSL TV and KSL Newsradio 102.7FM/1160AM.

[hellolisakitty]

http://www.komonews.com/news/60013937.html

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The remains of a 19-year-old student who disappeared more than five years ago have been found, and the man charged in her death pleaded guilty Monday.

[Kimster]

Corvallis is right up the road from me! Have they said where her remains were found?

I am so glad the family ~ and community ~ will finally have closure!!!

[scandi]

http://www.komonews.com/news/60013937.html

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The remains of a 19-year-old student who disappeared more than five years ago have been found, and the man charged in her death pleaded guilty Monday.

Hi Hellolisakitty, Thanks so much for today's news. My heart goes out to her parents and family as this will be a traumatic day for them, looking at the reality of what has happened. I know they have known all along she was gone from the evidence found in his van. But it will still be a hard day for them and I wish them God's grace.

I'm sitting here typing with tears running down my face. What happened to Brooke should never happen to anyone much less a young lady who would have to be helpless in that situation. I will always have her spirit in my heart. xox


http://media.oregonlive.com/news_impact/photo/brooke-wilberger-mugjpg-cf8f6a15877874c2.jpg

[Kimster]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/brooke_wilbergers_remains_foun.html

<snipped>

More than five years after she was abducted from Oregon State University and presumed killed, the remains of Brooke Wilberger have been found and her suspected killer has pleaded guilty.

Joel Patrick Courtney faced a possible death sentence when he went to trial for aggravated murder in Wilberger's death next February in Benton. But today, after a change of venue to Marion County Circuit Court, Courtney, 43, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to prison for life with no possibility of release.



As a part of the plea agreement, Benton County District Attorney John M. Haroldson obtained clues that helped locate and recover Wilberger's remains.

[scandi]

Corvallis is right up the road from me! Have they said where her remains were found?

I am so glad the family ~ and community ~ will finally have closure!!!



Hi Kimster, I just heard on FOX there will be a presser at 4 pm. xox

[Kimster]

When she first went missing, everyone looked everywhere for her! Even all the farmers around here. She was from Veneta and vanished from Corvallis. I happen to live between the two...

I'm between shock and relief and sorrow. I will update as I hear news from around here.

[scandi]

Corvallis is right up the road from me! Have they said where her remains were found?

I am so glad the family ~ and community ~ will finally have closure!!!I agree Kimster and know they will have a huge force of support.

There is a presser at 4 today and they will give the info on where she was found. xox