OR-Human Skull Found Lincoln County

[Auggie21]

Lincoln County sheriff's deputies are investigating the discovery of a human skull by loggers in a remote area off East Devil's Lake Road near Lincoln City.

They found the skull Thursday.

Authorities asked anyone with information that might help identify the person to call Sgt. Ralph Turre at 541-265-4951.

[englishleigh]

Brooke Wilberger?

[Auggie21]

Never say never, but Brooke wouldn't be my first guess.

[reb]

leah roberts?

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/sheriff/helpus/missing/leah.jsp

http://www.findleah.org/

strange.. one site says her car was found abandoned in whatcom county- which is on the northern border, the other says mt. baker (next to seattle).

[Gmommy]

My first thought is a hunter who went missing, Jeremy Childress maybe?

[reb]

kristen modafferi?

[Auggie21]

My first thought is a hunter who went missing, Jeremy Childress maybe?
I thought so too, but Jeremy is missing much further north.

[Gmommy]

If you look at this website about Jeremy he went missing possibly in Lincoln county-
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/jazzyrose/Childress.html.

I guess like any unidentified we all just sit and wait for positive ID and hopefully this skull can be identified quickly to give some family a little bit of hope to at least find where there loved one is and what may have happened to them.

[Auggie21]

If you look at this website about Jeremy he went missing possibly in Lincoln county-
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/jazzyrose/Childress.html.

I guess like any unidentified we all just sit and wait for positive ID and hopefully this skull can be identified quickly to give some family a little bit of hope to at least find where there loved one is and what may have happened to them.
Jeremy's last know location is reported to be 48 miles north north east of the location of the skull by my calculation on google maps. The two place are both wooded, but not in the same forest. Unless someone took him to Lincoln City, I just don't see how it could be him.

[Auggie21]

Lincoln County authorities plan to scour an area near where a human skull was found last week, a Lincoln County sheriff's official said this morning.

Lt. Curtis Landers said a team of up to 20 people led by Detective Sgt. Ralph Turre will search a wooded area this weekend for more evidence. Police have said they are not sure whether the skull belongs to Brooke Wilberger, a 19-year-old Brigham Young University student who disappeared from Corvallis in May 2004. Nothing so far links the skull to the missing woman, authorities have said.

Police said they have no idea of the gender, age or size of the person of how the person died, Landers said. They skull has not been compared with any dental records, officials said.

[reb]

it hasn't been compared with any dental records yet?? well, what the heck are they waiting for...?

we have to keep in mind though that it may not be from someone recently missing. it could very well be a native american, buried pioneer or explorer, etc...

[scandi]

Gee, I wonder if Oregon, my dear Oregon, has a crime lab that is up to the detailed and hi tec forensic examination it will take to ID this skull? Teeth can be checked right away. I wonder if they will send the skull out of state?

Wouldn't that be something if it were Brooke they have found? I HOPE IT IS HER!


Scandi

[reb]

looking again at the location, it DOES seem like it could be brooke. it seems like a quick & easy drive from corvallis, and i could see someone just driving west & then north to that place, if they wanted to dispose of a body in a remote area.

[Gmommy]

I think they can send cases like this to OHSU. Not sure how long it will take them to compile a list of possible identities or figure out the gender if possible. Hopefully they'll ID this skull soon and it doesn't sit in some evidence room for ages.

[Montanagirl]

looking again at the location, it DOES seem like it could be brooke. it seems like a quick & easy drive from corvallis, and i could see someone just driving west & then north to that place, if they wanted to dispose of a body in a remote area.
I used to live in Corvallis and you are right, it is a pretty easy drive - west to Newport, then north along the coast highway to Lincoln City. But it takes at least an hour if not more, depending on traffic and road condition, to get to Newport from Corvallis. Then another hour or so, again depending on traffic and roads to get to Lincoln City.

The road to Newport is twisty and goes through the Coast Range with densely wooded areas on both sides of the road. It seems to me there would be closer and safer places to drop off a body than driving it all the way to Lincoln City, then back into the mountains on a logging road. There are plenty of relativy remote forest accesses all around Corvallis, so I'm not so sure.

Lincoln City is relatively large for a coast town and gets a lot of traffic through it. I think maybe the skull most likely belongs to someone more local to that area. But hey, I'm wrong way more than I'm right:loser:

[SewingDeb]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1158801927131510.xml&coll=7

"There's nothing specifically pointing that way (to Wilberger)," Landers said, "but we can't rule anything out."

He said detectives contacted the Wilberger task force headed by the Corvallis Police Department as a matter of routine. But he noted that there are 70 missing persons cases in Lincoln County, all of which will be compared with the remains.

[Anngelique]

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september242006/remains_folo_92406.php

Actually it was said that Courtney was spotted driving erratically by someone near Rickreal and someone called 911 to report it. Well Rickreal is on the corner of highways 99 and 22. 22 is the road you take to Lincoln City and Devil's Lake is on the left hand side before you get to Lincoln City. I think this has a real possibility of being Brooke.

Thanks Scandi for bringing my attention to this news article. It was such a pleasure to meet you yesterday! :blowkiss:

[Anngelique]

I was just thinking. If these remains really are Brooke's then it was a real blessing that Courtney's trial in New Mexico has been detained because the trial here in Oregon would be much better with remains especially after his vehicle was seen driving erratically on a road headed to where the remains were found. I mean it's always better to try a murder case with a body then without one. I pray this is Brooke and Courtney can get fried on her murder. :behindbar

[scandi]

Me Too Anngelique! LOL

I just heard a news update on channel 12 out of Portland, and they do expect a positive ID sometime later this morning. Brooke's name was mentioned again, although once they associated the possibility that this skull could be hers, her name will be used until there is a positive ID.

Don't you think it is about time for her remains to be found? And I agree that Hwy 99 and 22 is kind of a major crosshair for travel - either you go N or decide to go west, and if you go west you easily end up in Lincoln city. Those logging roads at the east end of the lake lead into nowhere's land. And you wouldn't have to go far to find a good spot. An old burn, lots of stumps and new trees growing, and home for Elk that roam the narly terrain.

I do hope it is her so her family will have some closure.


Scandi

[Anngelique]

Me Too Anngelique! LOL

I just heard a news update on channel 12 out of Portland, and they do expect a positive ID sometime later this morning. Brooke's name was mentioned again, although once they associated the possibility that this skull could be hers, her name will be used until there is a positive ID.

Don't you think it is about time for her remains to be found? And I agree that Hwy 99 and 22 is kind of a major crosshair for travel - either you go N or decide to go west, and if you go west you easily end up in Lincoln city. Those logging roads at the east end of the lake lead into nowhere's land. And you wouldn't have to go far to find a good spot. An old burn, lots of stumps and new trees growing, and home for Elk that roam the narly terrain.

I do hope it is her so her family will have some closure.


Scandi

It looks like we were posting at the same time Scandi. Read my post above yours about it being good her trial had been postponed.

[reb]

i don't understand.. someone called about brooke's killer driving erratically-- but the police never checked into it?? if so, that is sad.. because it may have been possible for her to be saved, if she was still alive-- or at least her body could have been recovered & the assh*le arrested.

[Anngelique]

i don't understand.. someone called about brooke's killer driving erratically-- but the police never checked into it?? if so, that is sad.. because it may have been possible for her to be saved, if she was still alive-- or at least her body could have been recovered & the assh*le arrested.


They tried to. The phone call was cut short as it was on a cell phone. During her investigation they were urging the person who made this phone call to contact the authorities. This was common knowledge at the very beginning of the investigation. Let me find some links for you if I can. But from what I remember it was a green mini-van driving fast and erratically near Rickreal. Courtney's company van was a green mini-van. I'll find more for you.

[Anngelique]

Here you go....


http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/NEWSRL/news/05_31_2005_wilberger_van.shtml

http://crime.about.com/b/a/175399.htm

http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1734&Itemid=1592

http://forum.newsregister.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=26002&Main=24368

[scandi]

Good Morning,

UPDATE: This morning I heard 2 new things about this find, one of which is probably why they think it might be Brooke.

Her killer was scheduled to go to court on the day she went missing, and it wasn't that far from where these remains have been found. So that would put him in the general area to dispose of her body.

I also learned they have found more of the remains and some clothing close to where the skull was found.

They have not released any ID info yet, but they said we should hear sometime today about that.



Scandi

ETA: Just wondering what is taking so long to release ID info. They had sid they would announce it yesterday. Now they say it will be today. Odd?

ETA#2: Oops, here comes the answer to my question. They just announced they are still waiting for autopsy results which will evidently ID the remains.

[Anngelique]

Good Morning,

UPDATE: This morning I heard 2 new things about this find, one of which is probably why they think it might be Brooke.

Her killer was scheduled to go to court on the day she went missing, and it wasn't that far from where these remains have been found. So that would put him in the general area to dispose of her body.

I also learned they have found more of the remains and some clothing close to where the skull was found.

They have not released any ID info yet, but they said we should hear sometime today about that.



Scandi

ETA: Just wondering what is taking so long to release ID info. They had sid they would announce it yesterday. Now they say it will be today. Odd? Thanks for the update Scandi. I've been watching for them and haven't seen anything yet! You're the best! :clap:

[scandi]

Morning Sunshine!

I'm thinking that if it was the Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept that released info to the public about the find, they also know about the clothing that has been found. Somehow I don't think they would allow the media to mention the possibility of it being Brooke unless there were a true possibility it could be her.

That said, it could be that the clothing found may be very similar to what she was wearing when she was taken. Or maybe it is exactly what she was wearing and it had to be ID'ed by the family.

Is it one year Anngelique since she was taken? These remains have been there at least one year they say.



Scandi

[gardenmom]

I'm waiting on pins and needles with you guys.

[Anngelique]

Morning Sunshine!

I'm thinking that if it was the Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept that released info to the public about the find, they also know about the clothing that has been found. Somehow I don't think they would allow the media to mention the possibility of it being Brooke unless there were a true possibility it could be her.

That said, it could be that the clothing found may be very similar to what she was wearing when she was taken. Or maybe it is exactly what she was wearing and it had to be ID'ed by the family.

Is it one year Anngelique since she was taken? These remains have been there at least one year they say.



Scandi

It's been a little over 2 years. May 24th, 2004. But they said there at LEAST a year. I had read in another article that they thought they had been there around 2 years. So let's hope this is her.

[scandi]

I don't know if this has been posted here, but thought it was interesting.

Courtney missed his court date in Newport the day Brooke went missing. But if he was headed in that direction by turning west in Rickreall, it all kind of falls into place that the abduction and rape of Brooke was not a planned thing for hium, but spur of the moment, and so he lost time and had to call the court to say he wouldn't make it.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/joel_courtney/8.html

snips:

1} " . . .At 1:15 p.m., he called the court and left a message that he'd been delayed, was in Corvallis, and was on his way."

2} " . . .If Courtney were particularly stressed over his upcoming court date, perhaps he had an idea of what could take the edge off that anxiety.

Groth goes on to say about those who rape in anger: "Typically, such an offender reports that he did not anticipate committing a rape. It was not something he fantasized or thought about beforehand -— it was, instead, something that happened on the spur of the moment."

So that green minivan that Brian saw "driving recklessly" at or around the time of Brooke's disappearance took on a whole new meaning and a new priority level for the police."


Scandi

[Anngelique]

I don't know if this has been posted here, but thought it was interesting.

Courtney missed his court date in Newport the day Brooke went missing. But if he was headed in that direction by turning west in Rickreall, it all kind of falls into place that the abduction and rape of Brooke was not a planned thing for hium, but spur of the moment, and so he lost time and had to call the court to say he wouldn't make it.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/joel_courtney/8.html

snips:

1} " . . .At 1:15 p.m., he called the court and left a message that he'd been delayed, was in Corvallis, and was on his way."

2} " . . .If Courtney were particularly stressed over his upcoming court date, perhaps he had an idea of what could take the edge off that anxiety.

Groth goes on to say about those who rape in anger: "Typically, such an offender reports that he did not anticipate committing a rape. It was not something he fantasized or thought about beforehand -— it was, instead, something that happened on the spur of the moment."

So that green minivan that Brian saw "driving recklessly" at or around the time of Brooke's disappearance took on a whole new meaning and a new priority level for the police."


Scandi Good find!

[SewingDeb]

Any word yet on the identity for the skull?

[Goodwin]

9/21/06
http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=5269

The remains are expected to be sent to the state medical examiners office, hopefully by Monday. The report from the medical examiner should at least narrow down the age and sex of the person found. Landers said it's still too early to speculate how long it will take to make a positive identification.
For more on this story, read the Wednesday, Sept. 27 issue of The News Guard.

[SewingDeb]

9/21/06
http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=5269

The remains are expected to be sent to the state medical examiners office, hopefully by Monday. The report from the medical examiner should at least narrow down the age and sex of the person found. Landers said it's still too early to speculate how long it will take to make a positive identification.
For more on this story, read the Wednesday, Sept. 27 issue of The News Guard.

Thanks for the update, Goodwin. I was hoping they would know something today.

[scandi]

Ooohhhh, I'm calling channel 12 tomorrow morning.

For two mornings in a row they have said the info would come by late morning! What a bunch of - especially if it hasn't been sent to the state Medical Examiners office in Salem yet, if that is where they are going to get an ID.

It just gets me going when newscasters placate the public with false reports!

We'll just wait a few more days until Monday, OK :blowkiss:



Scandi

[scandi]

I just heard on channel 12 that the remains found are that of a young man.

That is all they have said so far.


Scandi

[Anngelique]

I just heard on channel 12 that the remains found are that of a young man.

That is all they have said so far.


Scandi
Darn!!!! :(

[annemc2]

The remains were those of a younger man, according to Sgt. Ralph Turre of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. An examination by Deputy State Medical Examiner Larry Lewman, as well as items found at the scene, led him to determine the cause of death was likely hanging. No foul play is suspected.


from today's local paper. Here's the article: http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2006/09/27/news/community/4loc02remains.txt

[Anngelique]

The remains were those of a younger man, according to Sgt. Ralph Turre of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. An examination by Deputy State Medical Examiner Larry Lewman, as well as items found at the scene, led him to determine the cause of death was likely hanging. No foul play is suspected.


from today's local paper. Here's the article: http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2006/09/27/news/community/4loc02remains.txt

Thanks Anne!!!! :blowkiss:

[SewingDeb]

So they must think this young male hung himself. I'm kind of surprised that they can tell that it's not murder rather than suicide from what little they found of him.

[reb]

well, wouldn't they have found some rope fibers,, or fabric or leather remnants at the site? hopefully, once they get more info.. somebody who's looking for him will finally have some closure.

[SewingDeb]

well, wouldn't they have found some rope fibers,, or fabric or leather remnants at the site? hopefully, once they get more info.. somebody who's looking for him will finally have some closure.

I'm sure they did find something like that, but how do they know he wasn't hung by someone else...that's what I'm wondering. Death by hanging could definitely be foul play but they've ruled that out.

[mom3dd]

Jaw bone may help identify remains
Lincoln City Oregon
Published: October 4, 2006

http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=5322
Is this the same skull