OSBI Needs Help to Identify Woman Found In Photo

[SeriouslySearching]

Do you know who this woman is? Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation needs help to identify her. (Warning-she doesn't appear 'gravely injured' to me. She appears dead.)


Purcell - A photo found near the gas pump of a service station in McClain County has investigators worried the woman pictured may be gravely injured.

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0607/433606.html

[KT Can]

I wonder if they can tell how old this picture is??? The first thing I thought of were the photos thought to be of Tara Calico that surfaced at convenience stores or gas stations years ago.

[SeriouslySearching]

Here are the pics of Tara Calico. Hmmm...does resemble her..doesn't it?! Ah, you could very well be onto something. It does look like possibly the artist redid her mouth area which would fit the other pics of her having duct tape over her mouth. Surely, the OSBI is well aware of Tara's case. Strange. The photo in my opinion does look aged. There also appears to be a plastic tie perhaps around her head. See the white thing? Doesn't look like any kind of a hairtie to me...but more like a plastic cord or line. Her clothes look like 70s style, too.

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/calico_tara.html

http://216.250.230.16/ktul/unidentifiedwoman_0607.jpghttp://www.charleyproject.org/images/c/calico_tara3.jpghttp://www.charleyproject.org/images/c/calico_tara.jpg

[Bobbisangel]

Is there any way that you can put the picture of this woman and the picture of the other woman...the pic where she is also wearing a blue top of the same color...on the same page side by side? They really do look alike.

I wonder if someone is still dropping pictures of Tara around every few years or so. The girl in the lone pic looks dead to me. The white thing that looks like a tie that is around her neck looks like it was a long tie and the long end is sticking up on the left side of the top of her hair. I wonder if she was strangled with that? I can't see it in front of her neck and that might be because it has dug so far into her neck. I hope LE can have this picture analysed to see when the paper was made and when they stopped making it like they did the pic's of Tara. I wonder if someone is trying to let Tara's parents know that she is no longer alive.

[SeriouslySearching]

If it is her, then this would be a new lead in her investigation. How would OSBI NOT know this?! I find it very odd they haven't checked this out already. Is our State Bureau THAT backwards?! Doesn't make me feel very secure living here!

[SeriouslySearching]

Is there any way that you can put the picture of this woman and the picture of the other woman...the pic where she is also wearing a blue top of the same color...on the same page side by side? They really do look alike.

I wonder if someone is still dropping pictures of Tara around every few years or so. The girl in the lone pic looks dead to me. The white thing that looks like a tie that is around her neck looks like it was a long tie and the long end is sticking up on the left side of the top of her hair. I wonder if she was strangled with that? I can't see it in front of her neck and that might be because it has dug so far into her neck. I hope LE can have this picture analysed to see when the paper was made and when they stopped making it like they did the pic's of Tara. I wonder if someone is trying to let Tara's parents know that she is no longer alive.

Those are really the only pics I have found of Tara so far besides one beside the boy they thought was her. A forensic artist would have been able to "remove" the tie around her neck for the purpose of showing this picture to the public by using photoshop. (I bet that is what they did for the mouth area, too.)

I would assume whoever left this at the gas station was trying to make a statement to someone. It gives me chills. I read Tara's father passed away years ago and her mother moved away to Florida...I think. In a NM paper, it said that LE had shown her gruesome pics over the years thinking they were Tara. Bless her heart. This will just open those old wounds for her, but she needs to know.

[SeriouslySearching]

The more I read that story OSBI put out...the more I believe they know it is her and are just fishing. Makes me angry they would risk her family seeing it tho. The sick perp tortures the family in this way and it isn't right for the them to put that pic out to the public. Why would they do that?! It makes no sense. It isn't going to help to find the perp! They need to quit playing around and go after who was around that station before they found the pic.

[MissieMt]

Has anyone submitted her name to them-just to be on the safe side? These cases get passed around so much, perhaps they are that uninformed.

[SeriouslySearching]

I will call my friend at the station later today and tell him. He can call them.

[mjak]

I think we need to slow down a bit here. I have been following the Tara Calico situation since the early 90's and I do not see a conection to this photo. However, authorites deffinitly should be made aware of the possibility. Sadly, I believe I just read and am not certain that Tara Calico's mother recently passed away. I do not see anything in this picture that looks like a tie. I do see an ear that looks unusally in that it appears to be very attached lobe and somewhat flush with the head. Prehaps this could be used as an identifing characteristic.

mjak

[wildTrose]

couldnt this woman be a head injury case, and this is a picture the family took? or perhaps she has some disease that has effected her movements?
she doesnt look injured or dead to me just unable to move possibly

[missacorah]

She may just have had her pic taken as she was drifting off to sleep. IMO there is nothing to suggest she is dead or dying! But of course none of us know how much 'photoshopping' has been carried out on the pic.

[KT Can]

Let me state that I do not think that the latest picture is of Tara Calico. I only brought up Tara's case/pics because someone randomly finding an odd picture like this at a gas station doesn't happen all too often; that's where the similarities end for me as the woman in this latest pic does not resemble the woman in the other pics IMHO. I tend to agree with a previous poster, LE probbaly knows who this is. I somehow see this as a plant in the media to get someone to come forward or return to the scene of the crime.

[becklynn]

She may just have had her pic taken as she was drifting off to sleep. IMO there is nothing to suggest she is dead or dying! But of course none of us know how much 'photoshopping' has been carried out on the pic.


This appears to be a cropped photo to me. I think if we saw the rest of the photo there would be no doubt as to whether she is gravely injured.

[philamena]

Since the picture was found at a local service station and the local media is showing the picture, hopefully she'll be identified quickly. The scary thing about this is that she may not be a missing person per se. She could be a woman abused by her spouse who hurt her and made an alibi for her for a few days.
Prayers of protection to this young woman.

[SeriouslySearching]

I don't know because I looked very closely to compare Tara's photos to this one. The bangs look right (they are shorter than the rest of her hair, laying up, and sort of onto the wood piece), the hair (auburn & curly), the dark lines under her eyes (you can see this in all of her pics), and especially her nose matches quite well. The way her hair comes in on the sides around her temples and her ears could match, too. The ONLY huge difference I can see...is she has her eyebrows plucked in the OSBI photo.

The photo OSBI has looks to be older, IMO. Her clothes are like what was worn back in the late 70's or early 80's with the embroidery on the front and that particular type of collar.

Another thing I noticed is the blanket she is laying on. She was abducted out of NM and I have seen tons of Native American blankets from NM with those exact colors.

I believe there is a good chance it is Tara. (And I don't see any "life" in that photo, sorry.)

[philamena]

SS,
I can't remember, did Tara's hair have a reddish tint to it?
Eerily that does look like Tara doesn't it?
This is from the article,
The photo has been touched up by an OSBI forensic artist for public release.The forensic artist was called in most likely to fill in certain areas of the picture.
If the service station where the picture was found had cameras, they could possibly give LE the tapes. There may be more clues. People don't usually carry that type of photo around.

I found this,which explains imo that the woman in the picture was disfigured and certain elements of her face had to be painted in. http://www.forensicartist.com/


Welcome to the world of Forensic Art. This site was developed out of the love of forensic art. The website touches on the various facets of forensic art, giving a brief description of each. Take time to view the various pages and contact me if you have any questions regarding a specific issue or on forensic art in general. Forensic Artists provide many services including composite drawing , three dimensional facial reconstruction , two-dimensional facial reconstruction, decomposition/post-mortem sketches and computer enhanced reconstructions, computer and hand-drawn image-enhancement and age progression. Other tasks include hand drawn and computer generated crime scenes, charts and graphs, assemblage of photo lineups, etc.

[philamena]

I keep going back to the picture. I think it also looks like Jennifer Keese with dark hair.

[txsvicki]

I think we need to slow down a bit here. I have been following the Tara Calico situation since the early 90's and I do not see a conection to this photo. However, authorites deffinitly should be made aware of the possibility. Sadly, I believe I just read and am not certain that Tara Calico's mother recently passed away. I do not see anything in this picture that looks like a tie. I do see an ear that looks unusally in that it appears to be very attached lobe and somewhat flush with the head. Prehaps this could be used as an identifing characteristic.

mjak

I don't think it looks that much like Tara either and I also am pretty sure that I read that her mom has passed away. The woman in the pic looks to me like she is asleep and has a robe or is wearing a night gown. I suppose the authorities believe there is something wrong or they wouldn't be asking for help from the public though.

[MagicRose99]

I don't think it looks that much like Tara either and I also am pretty sure that I read that her mom has passed away. The woman in the pic looks to me like she is asleep and has a robe or is wearing a night gown. I suppose the authorities believe there is something wrong or they wouldn't be asking for help from the public though.

If I remember correctly, the article states that they touched up the photo for "public viewing". I took that to mean that she didn't look so great in the original pic...

[kgeaux]

I don't think it looks that much like Tara either and I also am pretty sure that I read that her mom has passed away. The woman in the pic looks to me like she is asleep and has a robe or is wearing a night gown. I suppose the authorities believe there is something wrong or they wouldn't be asking for help from the public though.

I think the article says something about the photo being hurriedly "cleaned up" for publication------there was obviously something in that picture which has been touched up to make it benign enough to publish. I think the area around the mouth looks airbrushed, and it's possible that tape was removed, or blood, or wounds.....

If the article hadn't said that, I'd agree it could just be someone drifting off to sleep. But after reading that, I look at her little face and just see such resignation and hopelessness.

I hope she is identified and found soon.

[SeriouslySearching]

SS,
I can't remember, did Tara's hair have a reddish tint to it? Yes, if you will go look at post #3 above...you can see the reddish tint quite readily.
Eerily that does look like Tara doesn't it? I believe it does.
This is from the article,
The forensic artist was called in most likely to fill in certain areas of the picture. I said that in the #3 post. It looks like the area around her mouth was photoshopped. I also think possibly around her neck area, too. The plastic cord looks out of place sticking out of her hair and could have been 'removed' from her neck by photoshopping.
If the service station where the picture was found had cameras, they could possibly give LE the tapes. There may be more clues. People don't usually carry that type of photo around. Purcell, OK (5858 pop.) is a small town and so I would be surprised if they did have cameras there. However, being a small town...people notice others as being "out of place or strangers", but it is also less than a mile off of I-35 giving it easy access to the interstate. No one carries around photos like that to my knowledge!

I found this,which explains imo that the woman in the picture was disfigured and certain elements of her face had to be painted in. http://www.forensicartist.com/

Thanks for looking that site up! Very interesting!

[southcitymom]

Here are the pics of Tara Calico. Hmmm...does resemble her..doesn't it?! Ah, you could very well be onto something. It does look like possibly the artist redid her mouth area which would fit the other pics of her having duct tape over her mouth. Surely, the OSBI is well aware of Tara's case. Strange. The photo in my opinion does look aged. There also appears to be a plastic tie perhaps around her head. See the white thing? Doesn't look like any kind of a hairtie to me...but more like a plastic cord or line. Her clothes look like 70s style, too.

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/calico_tara.html

http://216.250.230.16/ktul/unidentifiedwoman_0607.jpghttp://www.charleyproject.org/images/c/calico_tara3.jpghttp://www.charleyproject.org/images/c/calico_tara.jpg

It does resemble her a lot but the women in the photo seems to have much thinner eyebrows.

[Mr. E]

This poor woman also resembles Tara Grinstead.

[SeriouslySearching]

This poor woman also resembles Tara Grinstead.
She does in a way, but I just checked all the later pics of TG and the bangs are long. The girl in the photo has decidedly short bangs.

The eyebrows in OSBI photo look like TC's, but look to be 'plucked' so they are thinner.

[pedinurse]

i'm really bad with comparisons so i don't know about her looking like TG - but her bangs are long. they are just pushed back away from her face (straight back).

[pedinurse]

my husband also pointed out that she has a ring around one eye (a black eye maybe?).

[Mr. E]

I saw the eye, too, and thought it looked like the kind of heavy, dark ring a person might get if she was very, very tired or even drugged out.

Regarding the bangs, even if they are short rather than long, couldn't they have been cut at some point? Tara has been missing for nearly two years (who knows how old this picture is). Check out this site: http://www.findtara.com/

There is a picture of Tara G. on the homepage that is at about the same angle as this unidentified girl in the photo. To me, the girls' noses are similar in length and shape.

[okietexan]

This is so strange. Purcell is a small town (my parents live there) and I, too, truly doubt that there were any cameras at the gas station. Most everyone knows each other and people do pay attention to what is going on. I just hope and pray this turns out to be nothing but a sleeping lady, but it certainly does not appear to me to be someone sleeping. Purcell is still reeling from the Jamie Rose Brolin murder......it is such a great little town and people there truly care about others. When things happen there if affects everyone. I pray they will find the identity of this lady quickly.

[SeriouslySearching]

my husband also pointed out that she has a ring around one eye (a black eye maybe?).

In the before missing photos of Tara C., you can make out dark lines under her eyes which is a natural thing for some people with allergies, women during their period, when they are tired, &/or drunk/drugged. This happens mainly to fairskinned women which she appears to be. I don't see any swelling or redness around her eye area to indicate a black eye due to trauma or force.

[SeriouslySearching]

i'm really bad with comparisons so i don't know about her looking like TG - but her bangs are long. they are just pushed back away from her face (straight back).

If you will look carefully at the wood piece next to her face and hand, you can clearly see shorter, cut pieces of the "bangs" area of hair laying up onto the wood. Looking at her before missing photos, you can see how back in the 80's, she wore her hair with those 'fluffy' bangs cut right at the top which I used to call, "waves" because of the way the girls hairsprayed them high into the air for that "big hair" look. Then bangs weren't cut down into the sides of the hair, but more on top.

[SeriouslySearching]

This is so strange. Purcell is a small town (my parents live there) and I, too, truly doubt that there were any cameras at the gas station. Most everyone knows each other and people do pay attention to what is going on. I just hope and pray this turns out to be nothing but a sleeping lady, but it certainly does not appear to me to be someone sleeping. Purcell is still reeling from the Jamie Rose Brolin murder......it is such a great little town and people there truly care about others. When things happen there if affects everyone. I pray they will find the identity of this lady quickly.

Awww, I am sorry Purcell had to go through the Jamie Rose Brolin case, too. What an awful thing to have happen anywhere!

I agree as I grew up in a small community. When something happens, it does affect the entire town. I hope people in Purcell are aware of this OSBI photo and talking tho. Their input could be critical to finding the person who took the picture then left it. This isn't a normal photo and obviously the girl is/was in a dire situation. This person is worse than brazen, IMO. He is extremely coldhearted and viciously cruel. He needs to be found and put away for life!

My fear is the person just whipped off of I-35, dropped it off, and drove back onto the interstate, then out of the area before he was noticed. They don't mention where exactly they found it, but I doubt if it was readily noticable giving the perp time to be far away when it was found.

[philamena]

Another thing that stood out to me was the amount of space between the back of her ear and her hairline. Something is off there, maybe the forensic artist drew that part of the hairline in.

[Sable]

I was checking out unidentified victims on DoeNetwork and found:

The Doe Network:
Case File 365UFOK
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/365UFOK.jpg http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/365UFOK1.jpg http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/365UFOK2.jpg
Reconstructions of Victim
Unidentified White or Hispanic Female


The victim was discovered on August 29, 2003 in Cole, McClain County, Oklahoma.
Estimated Date of Death: Between 6 and 12 months prior to discovery
Intact Skeletal Remains
Cause of death is unknown but being treated as a homicide, the victim may have been strangled.Vital Statistics


Estimated age: 15 - 20 years old
Approximate Height : 5'1" - 5'3"
Distinguishing Characteristics: Likely to have had red or reddish-brown hair. Old fracture to the left side of nose. No tattoos or scars. Sketches made from photographs of the female's skull showed her to have Native characteristics.
Dentals: She had extensive dental work performed. She still had her wisdom teeth.
Clothing: No clothing or jewelry.
Case History
The skeletal remains were found on August 29, 2003, in a ravine on a heavily traveled county road, just north of highway 74B on May Avenue. The medical examiner has not been able to identify a cause of death.
Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
405-848-6724
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.
NCIC Number: U-9000005200
DTE number: 20031118
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Source Information:
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (http://www.osbi.state.ok.us/)
The Purcell Register 3/25/04 (http://purcellregister.com/article-display.asp?idnum=1104)





(http://purcellregister.com/article-display.asp?idnum=1104)
http://216.250.230.16/ktul/unidentifiedwoman_0607.jpg
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/365UFOK.jpghttp://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/365UFOK1.jpghttp://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/365UFOK2.jpg

Top: Photo found at gas station
Bottom: Reconstructions of unidentified victim

[Lady Sleuth]

Does anyone think that the hand and arm displayed in that photo looks rather odd? It appears that the palm is facing up, therefore it would have to be her right hand and it would be awkard for her to have her hand/arm turned that way. And, the thumb appears to be under that piece of wood. Is that a painted wall with a wooden trim at the bottom? Something about this photo is very strange. Is that someone else's hand attempting to turn the face?

Lady Sleuth
jmho

[SeriouslySearching]

Another thing that stood out to me was the amount of space between the back of her ear and her hairline. Something is off there, maybe the forensic artist drew that part of the hairline in.

Yes, it does look like that was photoshopped to me, too. I went to wiredness.com and looked at this photo different ways to see if I could tell what might be photoshopped. It looks like there might have been a cord or something coming around her neck and ending there. Her mouth and chin have definitely been shopped.

[SeriouslySearching]

Does anyone think that the hand and arm displayed in that photo looks rather odd? It appears that the palm is facing up, therefore it would have to be her right hand and it would be awkard for her to have her hand/arm turned that way. And, the thumb appears to be under that piece of wood. Is that a painted wall with a wooden trim at the bottom? Something about this photo is very strange. Is that someone else's hand attempting to turn the face?

Lady Sleuth
jmho

Now that you mention it...it does look very odd. Hmmm...lemme ponder that one a bit.

[christine2448]

The hand doesn't look odd to me. I picture her lying on her side with her arm bent and her hand under her head, just like I sleep? LIke if you were sitting up and leaned your head on your hand?

I'm ending each comment w/? cause I'm not sure I am explaining right or maybe I am not viewing right.

[SeriouslySearching]

Sable, the woman in the photo looks much younger. In the drawings, it appears more to me that woman could be Native American perhaps and older.

[SeriouslySearching]

The hand doesn't look odd to me. I picture her lying on her side with her arm bent and her hand under her head, just like I sleep? LIke if you were sitting up and leaned your head on your hand?

I'm ending each comment w/? cause I'm not sure I am explaining right or maybe I am not viewing right.

Look more carefully at the hand in the photo. Notice the line coming from the center of the wrist up to where there is a normal creasing of the thumbline. It is backwards of what you are describing. It has the thumb trailing off to the right instead of back towards the head...meaning the fingers are under her head. Try doing that with your own arm. It would mean you would have to use your right hand on the left side of your face.

If she were trying to untie or prevent something from choking her..she could have crossed her arms in the front and come 'down' on her right arm at that angle perhaps. (Or had her arms crossed in front in a defensive position.) It is all I can think of to put her hand in that particular position.

[christine2448]

Look more carefully at the hand in the photo. Notice the line coming from the center of the wrist up to where there is a normal creasing of the thumbline. It is backwards of what you are describing. It has the thumb trailing off to the right instead of back towards the head...meaning the fingers are under her head. Try doing that with your own arm. It would mean you would have to use your right hand on the left side of your face.

If she were trying to untie or prevent something from choking her..she could have crossed her arms in the front and come 'down' on her right arm at that angle perhaps. (Or had her arms crossed in front in a defensive position.) It is all I can think of to put her hand in that particular position.

OK SS, going back for a better look, thanks.


ETA...Ok, I can see it your way now, does look odd. If I hold my hand the way I described the fatty part of my palm (opposite my thumb) is furthest away from my face, in the picture, it appears the opposite. Strange.

[christine2448]

OK..the hand, I agree with the posters that say it's not right. I have studied the picture and my own hand, and it's not working. Her thumb should be visible if it was laying the proper way. This is very odd. He hand also appears to be bruised, but not sure how accurate the photo is now that it's been edited by LE.

I hope they find out who this is.

Are some saying it may be Tara G from here in GA??

[missedone]

Does anyone think that the hand and arm displayed in that photo looks rather odd? It appears that the palm is facing up, therefore it would have to be her right hand and it would be awkard for her to have her hand/arm turned that way. And, the thumb appears to be under that piece of wood. Is that a painted wall with a wooden trim at the bottom? Something about this photo is very strange. Is that someone else's hand attempting to turn the face?

Lady Sleuth
jmho


I very much agree i actually tried to do it myself and it is very uncomfortable! puts too much pressure on your shoulder and arm to be doing that position normally. I have slept like that but always with the support of my other arm underneath. Good eye!

[Sheromom]

Does anyone think that the hand and arm displayed in that photo looks rather odd? It appears that the palm is facing up, therefore it would have to be her right hand and it would be awkard for her to have her hand/arm turned that way. And, the thumb appears to be under that piece of wood. Is that a painted wall with a wooden trim at the bottom? Something about this photo is very strange. Is that someone else's hand attempting to turn the face?

Lady Sleuth
jmho

You're right about that hand! It would be nearly impossible to get into that position; especially without more of the arm showing over the face area- I tried it. The hand in the picture is backwards- the thumb should be on the other side. I do believe the hand must belong to someone else- likely propping her head for the pic. I hope they can find her and that she is still alive.

[Lady Sleuth]

Look more carefully at the hand in the photo. Notice the line coming from the center of the wrist up to where there is a normal creasing of the thumbline. It is backwards of what you are describing. It has the thumb trailing off to the right instead of back towards the head...meaning the fingers are under her head. Try doing that with your own arm. It would mean you would have to use your right hand on the left side of your face.

If she were trying to untie or prevent something from choking her..she could have crossed her arms in the front and come 'down' on her right arm at that angle perhaps. (Or had her arms crossed in front in a defensive position.) It is all I can think of to put her hand in that particular position.

Yes SS...that is what I was trying to say only you did it much better than I did. I see the fat area of her thumb and the thumb line facing towards that wall or whatever it is and her fingers under her head. Just opposite of what it should look like. I think that is someone else's hand....not the victims.

Lady Sleuth
jmho

[christine2448]

I do believe the hand must belong to someone else- likely propping her head for the pic.

That never crossed my mind! Duh! :clap:

[missedone]

i am not exactly sure that is someone else's hand. I know what you are saying by the "fat creases" but the shape from where the wrist connects to the thumb is is a lot wider than from where my wrist hits my pinky...maybe i am misunderstanding, The left part of her hand is too rounded and wide to be connecting to a pinky is what i am trying to say. Of course who knows though.

[SeriouslySearching]

Looking at it...it is possible the forensic artist manipulated the entire hand! They didn't want to draw attention to it, I am guessing. Look how it is as if there are "fingers" painted on the left. That is why we don't see the lines clearly, the pinky finger, or thumb there, I bet!

[pedinurse]

OK..the hand, I agree with the posters that say it's not right. I have studied the picture and my own hand, and it's not working. Her thumb should be visible if it was laying the proper way. This is very odd. He hand also appears to be bruised, but not sure how accurate the photo is now that it's been edited by LE.

I hope they find out who this is.

Are some saying it may be Tara G from here in GA??


I think personally think the photo looks too old to be her, but it may be the other Tara

[pedinurse]

someone earlier said "well maybe this girl was just going to sleep."

i just highly doubt that the OSBI would go into a major investigation over this if they thought that.

[SeriouslySearching]

I don't think it is Tara G. from GA either. Tara G. has this little bulbous area on the bottom of her nose which Tara C. doesn't have plus the age difference. I think it is Tara C. from NM the more I get into her case and study the photo.

[okietexan]

Awww, I am sorry Purcell had to go through the Jamie Rose Brolin case, too. What an awful thing to have happen anywhere!

I agree as I grew up in a small community. When something happens, it does affect the entire town. I hope people in Purcell are aware of this OSBI photo and talking tho. Their input could be critical to finding the person who took the picture then left it. This isn't a normal photo and obviously the girl is/was in a dire situation. This person is worse than brazen, IMO. He is extremely coldhearted and viciously cruel. He needs to be found and put away for life!

My fear is the person just whipped off of I-35, dropped it off, and drove back onto the interstate, then out of the area before he was noticed. They don't mention where exactly they found it, but I doubt if it was readily noticable giving the perp time to be far away when it was found.

I finally just spoke to my mom and step dad and guess what? They had heard nothing of this! And they live right there, not 3 miles from where the picture was found! My mother is as much of a "news junkie" as I am so I just don't understand how she could have missed it if it was on the local news. The original news station from the beginning of this thread was one out of Tulsa (KTUL), which is two and a half hours away. When I told my mom the location listed on the OSBI report she was able to tell me exactly where that is. It is a tiny gas station in the country (not in the town of Purcell) and in my opinion there is no way there would be a camera or anything like that. They still have the old gas pumps where the numbers go around!!! In a way, this makes the picture even more intriguing. It is about 4 miles off of I-35.

[SeriouslySearching]

I finally just spoke to my mom and step dad and guess what? They had heard nothing of this! And they live right there, not 3 miles from where the picture was found! My mother is as much of a "news junkie" as I am so I just don't understand how she could have missed it if it was on the local news. The original news station from the beginning of this thread was one out of Tulsa (KTUL), which is two and a half hours away. When I told my mom the location listed on the OSBI report she was able to tell me exactly where that is. It is a tiny gas station in the country (not in the town of Purcell) and in my opinion there is no way there would be a camera or anything like that. They still have the old gas pumps where the numbers go around!!! In a way, this makes the picture even more intriguing. It is about 4 miles off of I-35.

You know, something in the back of my mind makes me believe this picture wasn't found last week either. There is something very strange about it if your mom hasn't heard of it!! Maybe she can do some digging for us and find out more around town. I would like to know as much as possible what is going on if OSBI hasn't informed the locals in nearby communities or their news stations. Hmmmmmm...That certainly DOES make this more intriguing. Thanks for the update!!

[bnhall]

There seem to be a definite line around her neck, like she might have been strangled.

[aussiegran]

There seem to be a definite line around her neck, like she might have been strangled.
I thought that too bnhall and there looks like a small dark spot that could be blood on the neck .

[SeriouslySearching]

OK..I have checked out every LOCAL news station to Purcell area and they have NOTHING on this at all! There is only one station here carrying it and something is really wrong!! I don't get it?! What is the point?!

[okietexan]

OK..I have checked out every LOCAL news station to Purcell area and they have NOTHING on this at all! There is only one station here carrying it and something is really wrong!! I don't get it?! What is the point?!

Yes! I did the exact same thing. And the only station that carried the story was in Tulsa....which is NOT close! I agree with you that it must have been found longer than a week ago too. The reason I thought that was that if it was "touched up" by a forensic artist that would take some time, don't you think? It just seem really fast to find it, touch it up, and get it posted within a week......MOO

I will be going to Purcell the end of the week for a few days and I will go over to where the picture was found and see what I can find out.

[SeriouslySearching]

Yes! I did the exact same thing. And the only station that carried the story was in Tulsa....which is NOT close! I agree with you that it must have been found longer than a week ago too. The reason I thought that was that if it was "touched up" by a forensic artist that would take some time, don't you think? It just seem really fast to find it, touch it up, and get it posted within a week......MOO

I will be going to Purcell the end of the week for a few days and I will go over to where the picture was found and see what I can find out.
Great! Something is way off with this one! Let's see if we can get to the bottom of it!

I did look it up and it is listed on http://www.osbi.state.ok.us/ site tho. So why only one news station?! I would think they would want this all over the state if they wanted to really know who this person is! (Maybe they DO know and are fishing like I thought earlier?)

[reportertype]

Maybe they have reason to suspect a Tulsa connection?

[SeriouslySearching]

It is what I am thinking.

The only other reason I could come up with is that someone on the local news desk here was checking out their (OSBI) website and thought it would make an interesting article...so ran it.

[MeoW333]

From the looks of the picture, i strongly believe that this woman is not living. It's something about the eyes..
It looks like they also touched up right near the ear and the whole side of the cheek with photoshop. In order to touch up a face, it is very tedious work to get the shades to match and blend well. The area of the cheek and right below the ear is shiny and more of solid color shades. You have to zoom in to the size of a pixel and then match up another color sample from the face unless the artist was using a layer masking technique. (not to sure on how to do those).
Did they ever catch Tara's killer? If they didn't i wonder if it's the same culprit, who gets off on dropping pictures around to get a reaction.
I feel for Tara's mother if she passed without finding out her daughter's body or killer.. the solace being that they are all reunited in heaven..

[SeriouslySearching]

The last I could find on her mother...she is alive and had moved to Florida. Her father passed away in 2002.

Yes, they photoshopped this one a lot. And they call this guy (forensic artist) a pro?! I don't know if he made it more obvious or not...but sure seems that way to me. No, she doesn't show signs of life, IMO. So very sad to say.

[laini]

I do see an ear that looks unusally in that it appears to be very attached lobe and somewhat flush with the head. Prehaps this could be used as an identifing characteristic.
mjak

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/calico_tara.html

Tara Calico seems to have that type of earlobe in a few of her pictures, doesn't she? Am I seeing things?

[SeriouslySearching]

No, I think so, too. Plus they mentioned a "cowlick" on her right temple. I believe that is also present, IMO.

[philamena]

Yes, it does look like that was photoshopped to me, too. I went to wiredness.com and looked at this photo different ways to see if I could tell what might be photoshopped. It looks like there might have been a cord or something coming around her neck and ending there. Her mouth and chin have definitely been shopped.

Oh really? Thanks for doing that SS. I just now looked at the picture again. I agree with your assessment. Something was around her neck before the picture was taken. The mouth, hairline and chin imo have been touched up.

[Bobbisangel]

someone earlier said "well maybe this girl was just going to sleep."

i just highly doubt that the OSBI would go into a major investigation over this if they thought that.


I think she is dead. Her eyes are half open and people don't sleep with their eyes half open. It does look like they fixed her nose and mouth to me. Maybe she was so damaged that it was impossible to identify her. Probably the product of another husband.

I still think she looks like the missing Tara C. Especially of Tara in the picture wearing the same color blue as the dead female.

[docwho3]

Sometimes my old image editing programs can pull out impressions on a picture where something has lain against the picture whch has then in turn been either scanned or a digital image taken of the original picture.

In this case I am seeing what looks like the imprint of some pieces of jewelry on the image and possibly some sort of letters that were probably on the reverse side of the image or were more imprints from something the image laid against when it was stored.

I think this may have been in someones trophy box or in a females jewelry box. Killers sometimes keep a trophybox.

However I have to put this rider on my comments: The editing done by L.E. could possibly interfere somewhat with my getting a good and true result.

[Mr. E]

I think she is dead. Her eyes are half open and people don't sleep with their eyes half open. It does look like they fixed her nose and mouth to me. Maybe she was so damaged that it was impossible to identify her. Probably the product of another husband.

I still think she looks like the missing Tara C. Especially of Tara in the picture wearing the same color blue as the dead female.

I agree that she looks dead. HOWEVER, some people do sleep with their eyes half open. When I was a kid, I used to sleep over at my friend's house. Her little brother slept with his eyes half open. It was very creepy.

This woman looks dead/dying to me, though.

[cheko1]

I think she is dead. Her eyes are half open and people don't sleep with their eyes half open. It does look like they fixed her nose and mouth to me. Maybe she was so damaged that it was impossible to identify her. Probably the product of another husband.

I still think she looks like the missing Tara C. Especially of Tara in the picture wearing the same color blue as the dead female.

I agree with you.........
I think she is dead.

[southcitymom]

I agree that she looks dead. HOWEVER, some people do sleep with their eyes half open. When I was a kid, I used to sleep over at my friend's house. Her little brother slept with his eyes half open. It was very creepy.

This woman looks dead/dying to me, though.

My 6-year-old sometimes sleeps with his eyes half open. It always freaks me and DH out when we go in to kiss him before we go to bed.

[nanandjim]

There seem to be a definite line around her neck, like she might have been strangled.
This is what I thought. I didn't see the line, but it looks like abrasions in the front (due to strangulation).

[Mr. E]

Has anybody actually contacted OSBI to submit these tips -- Tara C. or Tara G.? I'm dying to know if they've gotten any leads on this picture.

[lisag]

Look more carefully at the hand in the photo. Notice the line coming from the center of the wrist up to where there is a normal creasing of the thumbline. It is backwards of what you are describing. It has the thumb trailing off to the right instead of back towards the head...meaning the fingers are under her head. Try doing that with your own arm. It would mean you would have to use your right hand on the left side of your face.

If she were trying to untie or prevent something from choking her..she could have crossed her arms in the front and come 'down' on her right arm at that angle perhaps. (Or had her arms crossed in front in a defensive position.) It is all I can think of to put her hand in that particular position.


I personally think it appears to be her left hand and does not appear odd to me at all. It looks like her thumb IS toward her head/face area....

[SeriouslySearching]

Has anybody actually contacted OSBI to submit these tips -- Tara C. or Tara G.? I'm dying to know if they've gotten any leads on this picture.
Yes, I believe they have been contacted.

[SeriouslySearching]

I personally think it appears to be her left hand and does not appear odd to me at all. It looks like her thumb IS toward her head/face area....
Then where is the thumb? The space between the bottom of her palm and the start of the thumb on the inside would have to be exceedingly far apart to see that much of her fingers, I would think. The thumb sets far below the fingers and you should be able to see it clearly.

I also forgot to mention: Notice the definite "arch" on her right eyebrow or lack of one. It is distinct. It has an actual angle to it instead of a 'soft' arch. (I have one eyebrow that does this and it is more pronounced when you pluck or wax.)

[christine2448]

Has anybody actually contacted OSBI to submit these tips -- Tara C. or Tara G.? I'm dying to know if they've gotten any leads on this picture.

Me too, I am wondering this.

This whole case is fishy, IMO.

[kwatson696]

I wonder if it could Melissa Sue Flores?


http://www.osbi.state.ok.us/Investigative/MissingPersons.html

[teonspaleprincess]

I do see a resemblance, esp. the nose.

[SeriouslySearching]

I think this photo is maybe older than Flores or she would have been just a child when this pic was taken, IMO. (By the hairstyle and the clothes anyway.)

[KT Can]

Another thought... there's the Oklahoma connection with Franklin Delano Floyd; Sharon Marshall was killed there, most likely by Floyd, and her son Michael Hughes was abducted by Floyd from there. I remember that LE found a stash of trophy photos hidden in a truck that Franklin previously owned, I believe this was Oklahoma LE as well. I wonder if thois photo is connected to those photos in anyway???

P.S. My son and I both sleep with our eyes WIDE open. My husband took a picture of me once sleeping on the couch flat on my back with my arms across my chest and I definitely could pass for a dead person.

[SeriouslySearching]

Wow! Thanks for sending me in the direction of this Floyd creep. I am finding out more about Tara, him and Sharon Marshall. There is a wealth of info right here on WS!

[txsvicki]

I think this photo is maybe older than Flores or she would have been just a child when this pic was taken, IMO. (By the hairstyle and the clothes anyway.)

How old would Melissa be now? I can't get the link to open. I'm probably wrong, but I think this pic of the injured woman could be around six to eight years old. The big tropical colors and print on comforters was in and navy blue was around in women's lingerie at that time. I had a navy blue top, split at the neck with an embroidered flower to go with loungewear capri pants back then.

[laini]

I am not convinced that this photo was one of Franklin Floyd's, but since he kept trophy photos and was in Oklahoma, here are a few links to women connected or possibly connected to Floyd. Do you think they look like the woman in the new photo found?

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/3827/69296.jpg This is the photo of the "mystery woman" found in Floyd's belongings.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch/mpdetails.asp?id='M10/9/20012:58:05PM' This is Terrie Hefner missing in Texas, who I believe is the woman in the mystery photo.

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/19/photos/tb-doe.jpg This is Cheryl Commesso who Floyd is on death row for murdering.


I still think the photo looks a lot like Tara Calico. I just thought I would post these if anybody wants to compare. (hope the links work!)

[SeriouslySearching]

Thanks, Laini! The links work. The nose on Terrie is too 'bulbous', I think to match the photo we have here and unless the artist erased it...I don't see a birth mark or a mole on the right side of her face.

Again, with the other two...the nose again doesn't match. However, it doesn't mean that this creep Floyd didn't kidnap poor Tara Calico. It does fit into his MO of taking photos etc. Yet if he is in jail...how did this new photo surface? Where is that David Dial fella now? Anyone know?

[christine2448]

Another thought... there's the Oklahoma connection with Franklin Delano Floyd; Sharon Marshall was killed there, most likely by Floyd, and her son Michael Hughes was abducted by Floyd from there. I remember that LE found a stash of trophy photos hidden in a truck that Franklin previously owned, I believe this was Oklahoma LE as well. I wonder if thois photo is connected to those photos in anyway???


How about Cheryl Commesso, anyone have a pic of her handy...let me see if I can find one..that is one of FDF's victims.

[christine2448]

FDF was sentenced to Death over this murder...she was initally listed as a UID...

IDENTIFIED

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/christine2448/cherylcommesso.jpg

Cheryl Commesso
This woman was located deceased in St. Petersburg, Florida in March 1995. She was identified in November 1997 as Cheryl Ann Commesso.

[christine2448]

Thanks, Laini! The links work. The nose on Terrie is too 'bulbous', I think to match the photo we have here and unless the artist erased it...I don't see a birth mark or a mole on the right side of her face.

Again, with the other two...the nose again doesn't match. However, it doesn't mean that this creep Floyd didn't kidnap poor Tara Calico. It does fit into his MO of taking photos etc. Yet if he is in jail...how did this new photo surface? Where is that David Dial fella now? Anyone know?

Last I know David Dial is in jail here local on drug charges. (things could have changed since I have heard last, I have not followed the SM case for awhile)

[kcksum]

I think it looks like Tara, and I think you can see a very dark ligature line across her neck.there are two lines on her neck, one looks like a natural crease, the other looks like a ligature mark. I think she looks dead. I estimate she was strangled, people who die of ligature strangulation will have lips that are almost black or navy blue. That is why I think they photo shopped her mouth.
just my opinion of course.

[laini]

Thanks, Laini! The links work. The nose on Terrie is too 'bulbous', I think to match the photo we have here and unless the artist erased it...I don't see a birth mark or a mole on the right side of her face.

Again, with the other two...the nose again doesn't match. However, it doesn't mean that this creep Floyd didn't kidnap poor Tara Calico. It does fit into his MO of taking photos etc. Yet if he is in jail...how did this new photo surface? Where is that David Dial fella now? Anyone know?


You're right! I didn't catch the mole on her right cheek! Good eye.

[laini]

How about Cheryl Commesso, anyone have a pic of her handy...let me see if I can find one..that is one of FDF's victims.

There is a photo of Cheryl in the links I posted above. I see you found her Jane Doe photo, also. Her story makes me sad.

[SeriouslySearching]

It is so hard to believe this perp is out just driving around and drops off a photo such as this one for people to find. That is so creepy and scary. It means he could still be abducting people and doing whatever. If they could find this guy, they might solve a lot of crimes across the country. I don't know how they would go about finding him tho since he seemed to hit a place with no cams or many people around.

Could we try to profile this guy?

[comfort80]

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/3827/69296.jpg This is the photo of the "mystery woman" found in Floyd's belongings.

i think this could be the purcell mystery womans twin, she also looks sooo very much like ms. calico. gave me shivers...

[Bobbisangel]

I think it looks like Tara, and I think you can see a very dark ligature line across her neck.there are two lines on her neck, one looks like a natural crease, the other looks like a ligature mark. I think she looks dead. I estimate she was strangled, people who die of ligature strangulation will have lips that are almost black or navy blue. That is why I think they photo shopped her mouth.
just my opinion of course.



I think it is Tara C. too. If you look at the picture of the female you can see one of those white...they look like plastic beads...on the left side of her neck right about at the top of the blue robe or blouse that she is wearing. It ends up above the top of her hair on the left side....when you are looking at her pic on the computer...and it just sort of sticks up above her hair. It is like those plastic ties you can buy if you want to tie something off and then you can cut off what you don't need.

[Bobbisangel]

It very well could be that the killer did leave that picture there of Tara C. hoping that someone would find it and the news would get ahold of it. If she looked alive in the photo no one would have paid much attention. They would have though it was just someone who happened to drop a photo of their girlfriend or wife.

Remember how long Dennis Radar went without so much as a word or anything but his craving for attention got to be to much for him and he just had to do something to draw attention to the things he had done. I wonder if this guy isn't somewhat like Dennis and Tara's case is so old and unsolved that he decided he would try and bring it back into the limelight and drop another picture. I think it is possible.

How far did Tara live from where this picture was found...anyone know?

[teonspaleprincess]

I am not convinced that this photo was one of Franklin Floyd's, but since he kept trophy photos and was in Oklahoma, here are a few links to women connected or possibly connected to Floyd. Do you think they look like the woman in the new photo found?

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/3827/69296.jpg This is the photo of the "mystery woman" found in Floyd's belongings.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch/mpdetails.asp?id='M10/9/20012:58:05PM' This is Terrie Hefner missing in Texas, who I believe is the woman in the mystery photo.

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/19/photos/tb-doe.jpg This is Cheryl Commesso who Floyd is on death row for murdering.


I still think the photo looks a lot like Tara Calico. I just thought I would post these if anybody wants to compare. (hope the links work!)

Looking at the photos I would say you are right. The shape of the chin and nose is dead on!

[Sheromom]

This one drives me crazy!! And it probably one that we will never hear another single thing about, either. I, too, think that picture was left intentionally. I wish they would give more details about it!

[okietexan]

It very well could be that the killer did leave that picture there of Tara C. hoping that someone would find it and the news would get ahold of it. If she looked alive in the photo no one would have paid much attention. They would have though it was just someone who happened to drop a photo of their girlfriend or wife.

Remember how long Dennis Radar went without so much as a word or anything but his craving for attention got to be to much for him and he just had to do something to draw attention to the things he had done. I wonder if this guy isn't somewhat like Dennis and Tara's case is so old and unsolved that he decided he would try and bring it back into the limelight and drop another picture. I think it is possible.

How far did Tara live from where this picture was found...anyone know?

It is quite a long way. IIRC Tara was missing from Belin, New Mexico and this picture was found in Oklahoma. It is far, but could be driven in a day's time.

[Tuffy101]

She does in a way, but I just checked all the later pics of TG and the bangs are long. The girl in the photo has decidedly short bangs.

The eyebrows in OSBI photo look like TC's, but look to be 'plucked' so they are thinner.
Could the artist have cleared up so much of the face he added the eyebrows they look to perfect.Someone needs to send those photos in to the news channel that ran the story.

[KatK]

I did a search for McClain County Sheriff's Office and found their site (http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/). *gulp* The untouched photo (http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/index.asp?content=25) is in their press room page. She's probably dead. Did the person who is seeing the residual effect images, and posits the photo was in a trophy box contact the police with their findings?

ETA: If you save the untouched photo to your computer then open it you can see a bigger image. That looks like a bathrobe she's wearing to me, by the way. It's that velvteeen material. The hand looks ok to me in that photo. Dead, she's dead. :(

[Jaded]

I did a search for McClain County Sheriff's Office and found their site (http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/). *gulp* The untouched photo (http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/index.asp?content=25) is in their press room page. She's probably dead. Did the person who is seeing the residual effect images, and posits the photo was in a trophy box contact the police with their findings?

ETA: If you save the untouched photo to your computer then open it you can see a bigger image. That looks like a bathrobe she's wearing to me, by the way. It's that velvteeen material. The hand looks ok to me in that photo. Dead, she's dead. :(

http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/mcclain/unideentified.jpg

A larger version of the photo and I agree KatK, she's dead. Look at her lips. There is no color to them. It looks like a bathrobe to me, too. :(

[KatK]

More than that, there are red gobbets in her hair, and (it looks like to me) a possible bullet wound. Does it go in her neck and out her head? What is with the plastic tie? Could it be on her other hand? I don't think it's going around her neck or head, but maybe I am wrong.

ETA: Ok, I just looked at the image even larger. Maybe not a wound on her neck, but that's not only coagulating blood in her hair. I've seen (stopped to assist) a very bad car wreck on a lonely stretch of Kansas Highway. That's not just blood. *retch*

[Jaded]

More than that, there are red gobbets in her hair, and (it looks like to me) a possible bullet wound. Does it go in her neck and out her head? What is with the plastic tie? Could it be on her other hand? I don't think it's going around her neck or head, but maybe I am wrong.

ETA: Ok, I just looked at the image even larger. Maybe not a wound on her neck, but that's not only coagulating blood in her hair. I've seen (stopped to assist) a very bad car wreck on a lonely stretch of Kansas Highway. That's not just blood. *retch*

I saw those red areas earlier and wondered what it was. I think you are right. It may be brain matter. The tie looks like those plastic tie bands. Maybe it is on her other hand. That's not an older bathrobe. I've seen similar ones in stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General.

ETA: If you look at her hair in the larger image to the left of the photo, it appears that the color is much darker - a wet looking appearance like coagulating blood.

[KatK]

Yeah, one of my favorite bathrobes is a velveteen bathrobe I got recently from Wal-Mart, so it could be a more recent phtograph.

[Jaded]

Yeah, one of my favorite bathrobes is a velveteen bathrobe I got recently from Wal-Mart, so it could be a more recent phtograph.

I think it's a recent photo, too. I can't tell what it is in the top of the photo. Is it a curtain or the bottom of a bed?

I think whoever was able to scan the image should do this one and see what they come up with since this one is unaltered and report it to OSBI.

[Reannan]

Nice job KatK, on finding the untouched photo. Very helpful. Amazing the difference the angle looks, now I see why her hand looked the way it did. In my opinion, she has been shot in the back of the head because that is definitely brain matter that you can see mixed in with her hair. If you look slightly to the left on the comforter of the largest photo, it also looks like brain matter on that. Can we find out where that robe came from? Next time I am in Wall-Mart, K-Mart, etc. I am going to look for it. I am not as convinced now, that this picture is really that old. The FBI should be able to tell that because of the paper it is printed on. Why have they not shared that information?? :waitasec:

[kwatson696]

Very nice job KatK, I just saved the photo to my computer and I do agree she is not alive her lips look blue and I do see her matted hair with what appears to be blood and (YUCK). I really wish we could find out who this girl is....If anyone can try to make a photo that looks better maybe a Myspace page could help a little......How sad!!!!


ETA I see blood on her arm too, it looks like a finger print or mark from a finger, Do ya'll see it????

[Reannan]

kwatson696, are you talking about the two blood marks on her raised arm about half way between her hand and elbow? I does look like perhaps someone with blood on their hands positioned her arm there and left two marks as their fingers released her arm. I think she was posed for the photograph because the blood coming from her mouth indicates her head was originally laying in the other direction. The blood would not have run from her lips in the direction it appears to have trickled if she had been laying as we currently see her. I think perhaps she was shot on the left side of her head, and we are seeing part of the exit wound in the back of her hair. Her head was then turned so that the entry wound is now facing down on the pillow. What do you guys think?

[teonspaleprincess]

Very nice job KatK, I just saved the photo to my computer and I do agree she is not alive her lips look blue and I do see her matted hair with what appears to be blood and (YUCK). I really wish we could find out who this girl is....If anyone can try to make a photo that looks better maybe a Myspace page could help a little......How sad!!!!


ETA I see blood on her arm too, it looks like a finger print or mark from a finger, Do ya'll see it????

I thought it looked more like an abrasion on her arm than a finger print. And you can see blood on her hand where her thumb is and what looks like wisp of hair with blood in them. She is defintely laying on a bed, one that looks a lot like mine at the bottom of the headboard.

ETA: Is that a little mole or birthmark on her arm near the wrist and on her neck?

[Reannan]

She also has two moles along her chin that would be helpful in identification. One of the moles is directly below the largest blood mark trickling from her mouth, and the other is slightly under her jaw line approximately 1-2 inches from her ear. I wish there were more pictures of Tara Calico so we could look for details like the moles on Tara.

[Reannan]

It could be an abrasion on her arm instead of blood. There also appears to be a "U" shaped bruise that is older on her arm. It is below and to the right of the blood/abrasion marks and directly above where the blue robe touches her arm. Do you see it?

[teonspaleprincess]

kwatson696, are you talking about the two blood marks on her raised arm about half way between her hand and elbow? I does look like perhaps someone with blood on their hands positioned her arm there and left two marks as their fingers released her arm. I think she was posed for the photograph because the blood coming from her mouth indicates her head was originally laying in the other direction. The blood would not have run from her lips in the direction it appears to have trickled if she had been laying as we currently see her. I think perhaps she was shot on the left side of her head, and we are seeing part of the exit wound in the back of her hair. Her head was then turned so that the entry wound is now facing down on the pillow. What do you guys think?

I think you are right. Is it just me or is there bruising or blood on the other side of the head, the part where her other eyebrow would be. I blew the pic up full size and then magnified to 125%.

[Reannan]

I think the other side of her head would be a real mess, because I think that is the side where the entry wound for the bullet would be. On closer examination, I think the blood from her lip is because she has been hit in the mouth. There appears to be an injury to her lip. I have copied the picture and pasted it into MS Word, where I then clicked "format" so that the picture is "behind the text". This allows me to maniuplate it by moving it around on the page. I have then increased the size significantly, and I have cropped the picture to focus on various parts and then I enlarge those cropped areas. Sort of like creating a virtual magnifying glass.

[teonspaleprincess]

I tried looking for robes similar to the one she is wearing at target,walmart,and kmart. but had no luck. I googled velveteen robes but most of those are costumes or vintage clothing from the late 60's and 70's.

[KatK]

I don't remember what they called my robe, but I know the material as velveteen. Faux Velvet, or velvet, maybe?

ETA: Aha! A search at Amazon.com names it velour (http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Lewin-Womens-Velour-Larks/dp/B000I4V8GI/ref=sr_1_7/104-0555144-6307929?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1183124974&sr=1-7)! (It is hard sometimes, to tell velour and velveteen apart, though I know there is a difference, and I also think they are misusing the term velour now. Or, velour has changed?)

ETA2: Here (http://www.amazon.com/Long-Velour-Lounger-Green-Small/dp/B000E921R2/ref=sr_1_3/104-0555144-6307929?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1183125162&sr=1-3) is another product of the same material, and I know they also make them embroidered too. It might not be a place like Wal-Mart selling the robe, it might be a bit more upscale, JC Penney's or the like. (See here (http://www.amazon.com/LIGHT-WEIGHT-VELOUR-PLUSH-PIPING/dp/B000IF7M5I/ref=sr_1_74/104-0555144-6307929?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1183125300&sr=1-74), for example.)

[NewMom2003]

How very sad and unsettling. :( I hope someone recognizes this woman and can get to the bottom of what happened to her and who did it. Very sad. :(

[Reannan]

One other possibility, the gun could have been placed in her mouth. That would explain the apparent abrasion on her lip, although I would think it would have created much more damage to the mouth area if that had been the case. I am seeking the opinion of some "experts" in this area, and will share any information I am able to acquire.

[kwatson696]

I thought it looked more like an abrasion on her arm than a finger print. And you can see blood on her hand where her thumb is and what looks like wisp of hair with blood in them. She is defintely laying on a bed, one that looks a lot like mine at the bottom of the headboard.

ETA: Is that a little mole or birthmark on her arm near the wrist and on her neck?
Yes it could be an abrasion on her arm, I do see the small moles on her face and the place on her lip looks like it is already "scabbed" over..Is that a word? And on her wrist do ya'll see the line like maybe she was bound at some point? Also I am trying to see how ya'll think this is a bed? Is that a comforter or blanket with the pink and green on it....Maybe from a motel room....:waitasec: I dunno this one will drive me nuts.....LOL

[LovingTheChaos]

She is young, it is so so sad... & I think this is recent too, her eyebrows are plucked - & the bathrobe is newer. Thick eyebrows were common pre-1995, I don't think this picture is more than a few years old (or less).

[teonspaleprincess]

Yes it could be an abrasion on her arm, I do see the small moles on her face and the place on her lip looks like it is already "scabbed" over..Is that a word? And on her wrist do ya'll see the line like maybe she was bound at some point? Also I am trying to see how ya'll think this is a bed? Is that a comforter or blanket with the pink and green on it....Maybe from a motel room....:waitasec: I dunno this one will drive me nuts.....LOL

Above her head you can see the wood of the headboard. I do think it is a comforter she is on, but not a motel style because all the hotels I have been in had muted colors, not bright. I am thinking it is a girls room because of the colors.

ETA: I see a lot of comforters in these colors for sale in Florida.

[Sheromom]

I, too, think she is already dead and mostly likely tortured over a period of time before being killed. It appears as though she has some older bruising on her. This is so sad! For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would want to keep a picture like this. I only hope they can locate the killer and that he tries to escape during the arrest and is killed himself- don't even want to waste tax money on such scum.:furious:

[lizzybeth]

One other possibility, the gun could have been placed in her mouth. That would explain the apparent abrasion on her lip, although I would think it would have created much more damage to the mouth area if that had been the case. I am seeking the opinion of some "experts" in this area, and will share any information I am able to acquire.


Reannan, I thought about that too. I don't neccessarily think that if a gun was placed in the mouth it would do more damage. I guess it would depend on the angle and the caliber of the gun. I was wondering, and it's a long shot, if it was a suicide. Maybe the gun is in the other hand. Maybe someone in LE passing through dropped the photo by accident. I told you it was a long shot. You guys are so much better at this stuff than I am. There were a lot of things I didn't even notice the first time I looked at the picture.

I wish someone could identify her. I really wish I hadn't looked at that enlarged picture. I won't be able to get this poor girl out of my mind.

[texasgirl]

Oh, wow! The untouched photo does give us a lot more info!

Could it be that she was struck in the head instead of a gunshot wound? Just wondering if there is another option to her having been shot...I'm not familiar with brain matter (thank goodness) but to me, she looks very close to death...not necessarily dead.

That poor girl...I hope they find out who did this and who she is. :(

These picture cases really have my mind reeling you guys! OMG!

[kwatson696]

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading authorities to the whereabouts of three missing people.
It was 15 years ago that Wendy Camp; her 6-year-old daughter, Cynthia Britto; and Camp’s sister-in-law, Lisa Renee Kregear, were reported missing.

http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/local/local_story_150093325.html
Here is Cynthia Britto....

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=774277&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

Just searching.....:crazy:

[T-Rex]

Good work finding that original photo, KatK!
It's weird the news article showed it sideways.
I think this woman was in her own home, since she was wearing a "housecoat." Also, I think a woman chose those sheets.

[fran]

Above her head you can see the wood of the headboard. I do think it is a comforter she is on, but not a motel style because all the hotels I have been in had muted colors, not bright. I am thinking it is a girls room because of the colors.

ETA: I see a lot of comforters in these colors for sale in Florida.

IMHO, I do not think that is a headboard behind her. To me, it looks like a thin type mattress that they use in motor homes, campers, or........over-cab trucks. I believe this may be a girl that could have been picked up at a truck stop and yes............she does look deceased.

You can see bruising on her left arm, below where the blood is. It does look like the blood on her arm is from someone's fingers. I thought that thing on her upper lip could be a piercing, but after looking at it with one of my daughters we decided it kind of looked like a ...............bug crawling out of her mouth.

This is so sad. The cleaned-up picture should be shown on something like AMW or NG or Greta, etc. They need a national audience to identify this poor girl. Who knows where she is now. Probably thrown out along a highway like a piece of garbage. :(

JMHO
fran

[Reannan]

I don't think she was tossed out anywhere, because she would have been found by now. I think this girl is long buried. For anyone that thinks she is still alive, look at her eyes. She is dead. I feel so BAD about this girl. She as someone's little girl. She was once a baby, and a toddler, and someone who went to High School, and.....well, you get the idea. I have wasted so much time at work today looking for that damn robe I could get fired (if they were smart enough to catch me.....which they aren't:innocent: ). Anyway, I think this is the work of a very sick person who has either deliberatley or accidentally deposited that photo where it was found. In either case.....Houston, we have a problem. Who in their right mind would take that photo? Oh, wait....I can answer that - a serial killer.

[txsvicki]

The untouched pic is very disturbing. I wonder what would have caused those wounds? There looks to be a darker, maybe scab area on her lip. The girl isn't asleep as some first thought, but I don't believe that if she were conscious she would stick that injured arm up against that wooden frame. The arm looks very raw, and the hand and side of the mouth even deeper. I still think the comforter and robe, the colors, could possibly be from about 6-8 years ago ( I worked in retail for quite a few years). I don't know if a younger woman would wear that type robe though unless ill or placed on her. It looks like something my mother in law used to wear. Has Vanity Fair robes been checked? It's more of an upscale brand. That design on the robe is odd looking. I don't believe that I've ever seen anything so large and contrasting on a robe. Maybe it's a plus size. Also, the woman looks to have auburn highlights and those weren't in style in the 70's.

[kwatson696]

Authorities in Yukon are considering charges against the two in the September 2002 kidnapping and murder of Samantha Patrick of Oklahoma City. Her body was found in a trash bin behind a Yukon grocery.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1439457/posts

Carl Wayne Lawson, 32, of Lincoln, was charged this week with the attack on an Oklahoma City woman, who picked him out of a photo line-up. The victim told police that during her attack Lawson bragged about the other attacks. According to her statement, Lawson told her "The first 3-4 I killed -- it bothered me, but I kinda like it now."

http://crime.about.com/b/a/114365.htm

A nineteen-year-old Oklahoma woman is found murdered. Now police are searching for her killer. But an unsuspecting AMW viewer comes forward to tell police the suspect might be her son. She also tells investigators she's scared of her own child.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=31791

I wonder if this disgusting couple could shed light on this, it does'nt explain how the photo recently appeared, but they were in the area, but that was in 2000-2005, but the woman charged in kinda big, maybe it was her robe, and the photo could be in the back of a semi truck....a truck-driving murdering couple, how sick is that...:bang:

[LisainWV]

I consider myself to be pretty tough when it comes to pictures like this, but this one is disturbing.

My initial thoughts.....

She definitely looks dead to me.

Her hair is very clean and shiney and her eyebrows are nicely plucked. She doesn't appear to be someone in "captivity" unless she was allowed to keep up her personal hygiene.

I wonder if she is laying in the same place where she was shot? I would think there would be blood and other on every available surface around her (like the headboard behind her). I think she was laid on the bed after she was shot.

And, I personally think her other eye and probably that side of her face is where she was shot.

And along that last thought, the killer wanted someone to recognize this woman. I think the picture was "exposed" to warn someone of something.

I just wonder - where is she now??

[kgeaux]

In either case.....Houston, we have a problem. Who in their right mind would take that photo? Oh, wait....I can answer that - a serial killer.


I zoomed in on that picture yesterday afternoon, and the image of this young lady has just haunted me since then. Thank you so much, Reannan, for looking for that robe. You may well come up with the clue that solves this case and brings justice for this lost one.

I literally threw up last night thinking about what kind of a person would inflict such suffering on another person and then stop to snap a photo of his "work." And I think you are RIGHT ON SPOT---it's got to be a serial killer. He needs to be caught.

fran's comments about the tractor trailer/camper look to the photo are very interesting. There have been a couple of cases lately of serial killings in which a driver of an 18 wheeler was involved and dropping bodies off along highways.....I know we don't have a body here, but is it possible that this is a picture of a body that was recovered by another LE along a highway somewhere?

[KatK]

<snip>
I literally threw up last night thinking about what kind of a person would inflict such suffering on another person and then stop to snap a photo of his "work." And I think you are RIGHT ON SPOT---it's got to be a serial killer. He needs to be caught.

<snip>is it possible that this is a picture of a body that was recovered by another LE along a highway somewhere?


I agree, and I think it is possible that the body may be in another LEA's system as a Jane Doe. Maybe though, she has already been identified, but her murderer not found yet? :waitasec:

[fran]

fran's comments about the tractor trailer/camper look to the photo are very interesting. There have been a couple of cases lately of serial killings in which a driver of an 18 wheeler was involved and dropping bodies off along highways.....I know we don't have a body here, but is it possible that this is a picture of a body that was recovered by another LE along a highway somewhere?

Hwy 39 where this picture was located, 7 miles west of Purcell, is close to Hwy 35, which is a main trucking road running N to S and meets up with another main trucking road for the U.S., Hwy 40 running W to E. Oklahoma City is like a cross-roads for international trucking in the U.S.

My sis lives N of OKC and works in OKC. She takes I35 daily and says it's not uncommon for LE to have a truck stopped and them hauling off the driver.

IMHO, I think this woman is probably the victim of a serial killer, from when I do not know. But I do NOT believe the picture was intentionally dropped,......unless this killer is trying to lead authorities on a game of hide-and-seek.

IF this person's normal route was either I35 or I40, they could have dropped her off anywhere, any state, like kgeaux said. It took LE a number of years to realize they had a connection with a string of women's bodies found on roads just off or leading from I35, where the last place they were seen was a truck stop in OKC. The bodies were found in different jurisdictions and different states from Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, etc.

There have been more than one long-haul truckers that were found to be serial killers, I believe this woman is a victim of one. This picture was his trophy. He probably has more. :(

It's hard to relate these disappearances and there's probably more than one serial killer on the loose. What a better way to keep from getting caught than dropping the victim's off in various states etc.

This poor woman. She's probably on one of the lists for missing persons, but like many have said, it's hard to tell how old this photo is. Or, she may not even be missed yet. How sad is that?

JMHO
fran

[Reannan]

Question for anyone who is familiar with the area where the photograph was found: Is the gas station that the photo was located at, a gas station that people would typically get off of a major route to buy gas, or is it so out of the way, that it would be unusual for someone to exit off of I35 or other major route?

[Reannan]

Here is a link to three missing people that I think she resembles:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2w6x7r
Lisa Magnolia Snelgrove; Missing 10/17/2003 from Apache Junction, AZ

http://preview.tinyurl.com/3dpawn
Lisa Marie Shuttleworth; Missing 9/4/2003 from Beech Island, SC


http://preview.tinyurl.com/2trvkt (http://preview.tinyurl.com/2trvkt)
Suzanne Rene Richerson; Missing 10/7/1988 from Galvaston, TX


I think she looks a lot like Suzanne Rene Richerson, but the eyebrows are different. Suzanne has a "small scar located over her right eyebrow", and I have tried to enlarge her picture and the mystery photo....but it is easy to start imaging things.

[lizzybeth]

I thought the picture looked more like Lisa Shuttleworth. Probably because the hair is so similar. I thought the girl in the picture that was dropped off might be younger than thirty-four but it's hard to tell.

Thanks for posting those pictures.

[Reannan]

I actually live in the Aiken county area close to where Lisa Marie Shuttleworth went missing. I emailed the information along with a link to the OSBI photograph and to this discussion at Websleuth's to the Aiken County Sheriff's department.....for what it is worth. I will let you guys know if I hear anything.

[fran]

I actually live in the Aiken county area close to where Lisa Marie Shuttleworth went missing. I emailed the information along with a link to the OSBI photograph and to this discussion at Websleuth's to the Aiken County Sheriff's department.....for what it is worth. I will let you guys know if I hear anything.

Good for you Reannan! :)

Ya never know!

fran

[T-Rex]

Do you think it's a Jane Doe?
I see someone in her own home.
The only point I don't get is why the photo.
Mafia proof is the first thing that came to mind (she looks Italian or Greek to me), but I always prefer to keep it simple, and Mafia's a little far-fetched.

[cdt0283]

The last I could find on her mother...she is alive and had moved to Florida. Her father passed away in 2002.

Yes, they photoshopped this one a lot. And they call this guy (forensic artist) a pro?! I don't know if he made it more obvious or not...but sure seems that way to me. No, she doesn't show signs of life, IMO. So very sad to say.


This is the forensic artist who touched-up the photo. Apparently he's one of the best. http://www.harveypratt.com/

[Kellee]

I think the photo kind of resembles Christina Carol Burnett-Pitts:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2nfr9u

http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/mcclain/unideentified.jpg

[Jaded]

Does the eyecolor change quickly after death? The woman in the photo appears to have brown eyes.

[s_finch]

Reannan,

I'm in a neighboring county in SC. A friend of mine is good friends with Lisa Shuttleworth's mom and I remember when she went missing. Very strange case. My friend talked about it lots and lots. From I remember, there weren't any clues but was one possible POI.

[misterallgood]

After seeing the unretouched, large version of the photo earlier in this thread, it seems clear to me that this woman is:

-- dead, likely from homicidal violence;
-- may have died recently, and;
-- the killer may have been the person who left the pic behind.

Just read an article recently that gave the impression that authorities think there is still and I-40 serial killer at work, possibly along through that corridor. Taking a photo of his work would be fairly classic serial killer stuff.

I'm afraid I haven't seen any of the resemblances posed so far, save Tara Calico, and that was slight, and I don't believe it's her, anyway, because I'm thinking the pic was recent.

I've developed such a thick hide, but this is just as creepy as it gets.

Steve

[laini]

I think the photo kind of resembles Christina Carol Burnett-Pitts:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2nfr9u

http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/mcclain/unideentified.jpg (http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/mcclain/unideentified.jpg)

It does kind of look like her. I don't think it is her, though, because I think I saw her story on Montel years ago and the SO probably killed her. I don't think a SO would take a photo like this IMO. Not unless they were also a sadistic killer on the side.

[eleven]

It does kind of look like her. I don't think it is her, though, because I think I saw her story on Montel years ago and the SO probably killed her. I don't think a SO would take a photo like this IMO. Not unless they were also a sadistic killer on the side.

?:waitasec:

Well, if her SO significant other killed her, then he WOULD be a sadistic killer, right? I mean, every murderer is sadistic--to me anyway.

[laini]

?:waitasec:

Well, if her SO significant other killed her, then he WOULD be a sadistic killer, right? I mean, every murderer is sadistic--to me anyway.


True. I just meant that there is a difference between a spouse who kills out of jealousy or whatever their reason is, and someone who kills strangers like a serial killer would. I don't think many spouses who kill in the heat of the moment then take photos and think "cool! - into the trophy box". The fact a photo was taken makes me think this is someone more sadistic.

[PSUfan]

True. I just meant that there is a difference between a spouse who kills out of jealousy or whatever their reason is, and someone who kills strangers like a serial killer would. I don't think many spouses who kill in the heat of the moment then take photos and think "cool! - into the trophy box". The fact a photo was taken makes me think this is someone more sadistic.
I agree. A passion killer would want to forget the moment, and would probably not be a threat to strangers.

A serial killer would want to savor the killing... including pics, and the attention the pics would give him, if he randomly distributes them.

[LionRun]

I agree that it is possible that a serial killer minded slime may have killed this young woman. We don't know for a fact that she is dead in that pic, but chances are she is. If that is true, than I wonder if the killer kept this photo as a souvenir and to look at it and relive his crime. Twisted as it is, these scums do this in some cases.

Lion

[Jaded]

I agree that it is possible that a serial killer minded slime may have killed this young woman. We don't know for a fact that she is dead in that pic, but chances are she is. If that is true, than I wonder if the killer kept this photo as a souvenir and to look at it and relive his crime. Twisted as it is, these scums do this in some cases.

Lion
From what I understand, most do keep souvenirs from their kills (as sick as that sounds). Once you view the original untouched photo, it's quite apparent that this young woman is not living.

[Bobbisangel]

Where is the untouched photo at? I've looked and looked and I can't seem to find it. Can someone direct me to it....post number please?

[Jaded]

Where is the untouched photo at? I've looked and looked and I can't seem to find it. Can someone direct me to it....post number please?


It's here....

http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/mcclain/unideentified.jpg

[Reannan]

I have spent countless hours now, searching on-line for that damned robe and for the bedspread or comforter that she is laying on. After looking at thousands of "robes", I think she may be wearing velour pajama's instead of a robe. Most robes with any sort of embroidery or applique on them have mandarin collars. The bedspread is so colorful, that it reminds me of something you would see on a bed in a beach house. Perhaps it is a sleeping bag stead of a bedspread??? Great....now I can look at millions of pajamas and sleeping bags! I will most likely be in Wall-Mart this pm, so I am going to look at the pajamas, etc. while there too. I really don't think this picture is terribly old - at least not old enough to be Tara Calico. The other look-alikes.....well, you can pretty much drive yourself crazy on that one too. :banghead:

[laini]

I have spent countless hours now, searching on-line for that damned robe and for the bedspread or comforter that she is laying on. After looking at thousands of "robes", I think she may be wearing velour pajama's instead of a robe. Most robes with any sort of embroidery or applique on them have mandarin collars. The bedspread is so colorful, that it reminds me of something you would see on a bed in a beach house. Perhaps it is a sleeping bag stead of a bedspread??? Great....now I can look at millions of pajamas and sleeping bags! I will most likely be in Wall-Mart this pm, so I am going to look at the pajamas, etc. while there too. I really don't think this picture is terribly old - at least not old enough to be Tara Calico. The other look-alikes.....well, you can pretty much drive yourself crazy on that one too. :banghead:

Me too, Reannan! I have looked Target, Walmart, KMart, JC Penney, ebay, and everywhere else I can think of for both the robe and comforter. I looked through my older catalogs, too! I can't find anything. I know I have seen that comforter design before. It is driving me crazy. I thought maybe it was a disney design, but can't find it. I looked through tropical linens thinking it was palm tree leaves. Nada. I am not convinced that it has to be recent. I think it could be older. I also agree about it maybe being a sleeping bag. The seams look like that, and it is sort of shiny like a sleeping bag. Also, if the headboard is something in a truck ( as some have said it looks like) then maybe a sleeping bag is more likely. I don't know. I think the robe looks like something my grandmother would wear.

[Mr. E]

I think she's wearing a 70s- or maybe 80's-style housedress, like this one:
http://www.mainstreetvintage.com/listingview.php?num=38&ref=

The one in the picture isn't velour, but I remember these housedresses from when I was a kid. My mother had them, and my aunts. Like robes, I guess, but they wore them all day.

[SeriouslySearching]

Wow! You did great, KatK! I must agree now...with the original photo things do look much different as to the age of the photo, the robe, and even the bedspread. (Before the spread looked like a Native American type throw and now you can see it isn't...but has a flower pattern on it.)

It changes everything (except I always thought she was dead). I never thought about looking on their site. I would think the OSBI wouldn't be happy to have this original out there. Hmmmm...interesting. Now we have something to really work with tho. Good job, Katk!

[SeriouslySearching]

OK..her head has been moved to the other side and possibly laid down from the position she was in when bleeding from the mouth or it was smeared. You can see how the blood dripped to the right then the smear goes downward towards the chin. That is her left arm and there appears to be blood on her hand, a blood smear on her forearm, and in her hair does appear to be 'matter'. I see what appears to be bruise or discoloration going around her arm where the smear is (I don't see any abrasion on her arm.) There are two 'freckles' or moles on her face, also...if you look closely you can see a slight birthmark or possible bruise on her neck in the shape of a C right above the collar with another freckle or mole on the front of her neck near the thyroid. There are 3 small freckles/moles on the inside of her wrist.

Although it could be a sleeping bag, the hot pink and green colors were popular back in the late 80's or early 90's for comforters. It does look like one of those velour housecoats or robes she is wearing. In my opinion, it looks like this photo was taken in a travel trailer...the way it tucks up underneath the wood there and the wood itself.

Her eye looks like it could be possibly blue.

[mssheila]

I know some people have already noticed this, but I wanted to direct people's attention to her LEFT eye. You can't see the left side of her face, but if you look closely, you'll see that her left eyebrow area is very, very swollen, and purple. I think that's where the entry wound is.

I really hope they find out who she is soon. If she's been found and buried already, maybe this photo would help in the prosecution of her killer.

[Desertsand]

Could the pink and green thingy that she is laying on possibly be a mexican serepe? There are pictures at this location http://www.elchamaco.com/

[Reannan]

We discussed the possibility of it being a Mexican serepe, but after further study, it appears to be more of a floral print. The comforter, sleeping bag, whatever it is, appears to disappear under the headboard or footboard that is visible. There are no pillows in the photograph. I find it a bit odd that she is clothed, actually. I fear that she was held for a period of time before the killer grew tired of her. Perhaps he allowed her to dress in the robe or pajamas we see, and then walked in one day and ended everything. Except that he needed one last photograph to remember her by.

[SeriouslySearching]

I don't think it is sleeping bag myself. I believe it is a comforter with a floral pattern like you mentioned. I have been trying to find the velveteen or velour robe or similiar to it. My grandmother used to wear those, too. I wouldn't be expecting to see a younger girl in one. Strange.

I do see what you mean about the left eyebrow area. It does look to be swollen and purple.

[SeriouslySearching]

In travel trailers, the beds tuck up underneath like that to keep them in place in the older ones which is why I think it is such. It isn't a normal bed.

[snarkymalarkey]

Personally I think this is an old picture. The pillowcase in the background has an awfully outdated color scheme / pattern on it, and I feel the same way about her top.
I think its some kind of silky polyester pajama top, you can see a top button is covered with the same material. Also, the top has a collar and there is embroidery on the collar also...and also on the arm of the top. If that was embroidered velour, it would be kind of stiff to sleep on?

Also, in this day and age of digital photography, why would a killer have the picture developed for a souviner? Seems a lot easier to just keep the picture on your camera or print it out on paper at home.

[philamena]

I continue to feel sick about this woman. Why hasn't she been reported missing? OR has she been reported missing and maybe her loved ones haven't seen the picture.

Here's my take.
She is definitely dead. She has a black eye, defense wounds on her left thumb area and above her elbow. I think the green and pink item she's laying on is either a pillow or another housecoat type thing.


I've also been searching the web for the housecoat she's wearing. I think it's a cheap, velour robe. Probably from KMart or another low priced dept store. (I know, because I had one very similar to that years ago.)

QUESTION--where did you all find the unretouched photograph? TIA

[philamena]

Personally I think this is an old picture. The pillowcase in the background has an awfully outdated color scheme / pattern on it, and I feel the same way about her top.
I think its some kind of silky polyester pajama top, you can see a top button is covered with the same material. Also, the top has a collar and there is embroidery on the collar also...and also on the arm of the top. If that was embroidered velour, it would be kind of stiff to sleep on?

Also, in this day and age of digital photography, why would a killer have the picture developed for a souviner? Seems a lot easier to just keep the picture on your camera or print it out on paper at home.

snarklymalarkey,
Exactly what I think too about the thing in the background. It is old...very out dated but alot of people save old stuff. Maybe this picture was taken in an old camper?

WHY was this picture left at the gas station?
It had to be left on purpose....it didn't haphazardly fall out of someones wallet.

HOW big was this picture?

Wallet size? From an Instamatic?

[kwatson696]

I kinda think she looks like this girl...
http://www.osbi.state.ok.us/Investigative/missing_adults/H_D_Meek.jpg

What do ya'll think?

26 year old Hope Danelle Meek of Valliant was last seen on Thursday, February 21st, 2002 by her husband Jerry who reported her missing the following Tuesday. Meek is described as a white female 5 feet 2 inches tall, 105 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing gray sweats and tennis shoes.

[kwatson696]

OK, :crazy: I went to this site and don't think it looks like her recent photos...

http://hope-meek.memory-of.com/

[Reannan]

At least you are trying Kwatson! This case is driving me insane. There has GOT to be a way to identify the items in that photo. Sadly, there are way too many people missing who sort of look like the lady in the picture. It is just wrong that people disappear without a trace.

[Cherlee]

peeking in here =) :innocent:

I just found this site last week and I am addicted!
This case is creepy and soo sad :(
I have heard many mention that it looks like she is on a camper type bed.
I think she could be on a water bed. I used to own one that looked very similar to this one at the headboard. The mattress went under the bottom of the headboard and if you rested your arm near it, your arm would go under the wood somewhat..
Also, is that a fly on her top lip? As soon as I opened the pic my 18yr old son said "mom that is a fly on her lip!" And It does look like a fly..I thought at first it was a scab of some sort.
I hope they find out who this poor girl is. And the sicko who took this pic!

[Jaded]

peeking in here =) :innocent:

I just found this site last week and I am addicted!
This case is creepy and soo sad :(
I have heard many mention that it looks like she is on a camper type bed.
I think she could be on a water bed. I used to own one that looked very similar to this one at the headboard. The mattress went under the bottom of the headboard and if you rested your arm near it, your arm would go under the wood somewhat..
Also, is that a fly on her top lip? As soon as I opened the pic my 18yr old son said "mom that is a fly on her lip!" And It does look like a fly..I thought at first it was a scab of some sort.
I hope they find out who this poor girl is. And the sicko who took this pic!

I looked, and it does look like a fly. :( I thought it might be a waterbed, too. I think some of this pic was cropped out by LE. They cropped and photoshopped it for the public, and I wonder what is in the rest of it.

[laini]

peeking in here =) :innocent:

I just found this site last week and I am addicted!
This case is creepy and soo sad :(
I have heard many mention that it looks like she is on a camper type bed.
I think she could be on a water bed. I used to own one that looked very similar to this one at the headboard. The mattress went under the bottom of the headboard and if you rested your arm near it, your arm would go under the wood somewhat..
Also, is that a fly on her top lip? As soon as I opened the pic my 18yr old son said "mom that is a fly on her lip!" And It does look like a fly..I thought at first it was a scab of some sort.
I hope they find out who this poor girl is. And the sicko who took this pic!


Welcome to websleuths, Cherlee! Yep, this site is addictive and the people here are great.
Good point about the waterbed. I didn't even think of that.

[Reannan]

No, it isn't a fly on her top lip, it is dried blood. She has been hit in the mouth. I am certain she was shot and an exit wound is in the back of her head. I think she was either shot on the left side of her head, which is facing down towards the bed she is on, or with the gun in her mouth. I would think there would be more damage to the mouth area if the gun had been place in her mouth, however.

[Jaded]

No, it isn't a fly on her top lip, it is dried blood. She has been hit in the mouth. I am certain she was shot and an exit wound is in the back of her head. I think she was either shot on the left side of her head, which is facing down towards the bed she is on, or with the gun in her mouth. I would think there would be more damage to the mouth area if the gun had been place in her mouth, however.

Look to the very top of the dried blood. It looks like it almost blends in with the coloration. It looks like there is a fly sitting on the blood.

[trixie]

This has me hooked. I am also searching online for the pj's or robe. It actaully looks to me like mens pj's or a mans robe. Maybe a kimono. Will keep looking.

[txsvicki]

The mouth and hand look to me like they are some type of deep wound. I can't see any blood or oozing as if she had been cleaned up or the wound not too fresh. The waterbed idea is good. The wood has a slight curve in the middle as if it is some type of headboard area and I don't think it's very wide or there'd be more curving. I was also wondering if this could be the bottom rung of a slotted type headboard or even the arm of a wooden frame couch. I think the black spot on the lip does look like some sort of bug. It looks like there'd be scabbing on the hand and other parts of the cheek if the lip had time to heal. I don't suppose that she is a burn victim.

[trixie]

I think it is a fly also.
What I don't understand is weren't there any security camers at the gas station where this was found? I can't see a photo laying around too long before a breeze or the wind from the cars pulling up to the pump or leaving would blow it away. So if it was found and turned in right away at least they would be able to see who had come in to the station that day and maybe run the plates or at the very least have someone study the footage closely to see if this photo fell out of someones car. I don't see how this could have come out of a truck as they usually use Truck stops for deisel fuel.
Also I don't think this is a real recent photo. It looks like maybe circa 1980' s to me. That comforter or sleeping bag or whatever it is reminds me of the TV show Miami Vice. Everything about this photo looks old actually.

[Diamond]

Hi, everyone. I've lurked for a little while, but finally figured out registration (wouldn't use yahoo email).

I saw a wound on her hand also. Do you think it could be a defensive wound...from a knife? :(

[SewingDeb]

Welcome Diamond! Glad you're finally aboard.

[txsvicki]

That pattern on the shoulder of the robe is really bugging me. I keep trying to look at it differently so see exactly what it is. I keep thinking maybe a large lily with the little things that grow in the middle, but just can't tell for sure.

[docwho3]

Does anyone see any similarities between the unretouched pic of the victim and this painting?
http://www.tamsquare.net/pictures/G/Paul-Gauguin-Madeleine-Bernard-.jpg

[txsvicki]

I have spent countless hours now, searching on-line for that damned robe and for the bedspread or comforter that she is laying on. After looking at thousands of "robes", I think she may be wearing velour pajama's instead of a robe. Most robes with any sort of embroidery or applique on them have mandarin collars. The bedspread is so colorful, that it reminds me of something you would see on a bed in a beach house. Perhaps it is a sleeping bag stead of a bedspread??? Great....now I can look at millions of pajamas and sleeping bags! I will most likely be in Wall-Mart this pm, so I am going to look at the pajamas, etc. while there too. I really don't think this picture is terribly old - at least not old enough to be Tara Calico. The other look-alikes.....well, you can pretty much drive yourself crazy on that one too. :banghead:


After looking and looking and thinking about the patterns, I think you may be right about the beach theme. The robe or top pattern doesn't look very feminine (but still a flower look so maybe not a man's robe) and could be a water plant type theme, the comforter could be beach theme, and she could possibly be laying on a deck type lounge. Just an idea.

[KatK]

QUESTION--where did you all find the unretouched photograph? TIA

I found it by doing a search for OSBI's site. ETA: Pardon, it wasn't the OSBI search that bore fruit, it was a search for the Sheriff's office that did. Post number 99 on page four is where I posted my find. (The flooding and water rationing are distracting me., see the topic I started in the Jury Room for more information if you are curious.)

[jacobean]

hello, im a Crime Library addict, recently found this site and ive been reading different posts and threads ever since. This is the first time ive ever posted and just hope my comments are okay/ interesting...:o

Ive been taking a real good look at the pic, and i think shes lying on one of those old polyester matresses - the sort that used to go on kids bunkbeds. When i was a kid, my mum used to have a couple of those for if my sister and i had friends over and she used to store them under the bed, they often used to be made of bright colour decorated with palm leaves and stuff like that. As far as i know, they dont sell them with the shiny polyester fabric anymore, but i guess alot of people would still have them around. I can see two quite deep groves in the fabric which is what makes me think its a mattress instead of a duvet or pillow or whatever.

[jacobean]

sorry, just another thing thats been bugging me....

Her eyebrows - they look very clean/ neat for having been plucked, and im just wondering if they've been threaded ( a form of hair removal used by asian (pakistani/ indian) women)

I know alot of light skinned asian women and her features (nose/ chin) bear some similarities, just wondered if she could be asian/ indian.....??

[KatK]

I'm adding that actually young women *do* wear the velour clothing now. It's considered trendy/sexy. I'm not that old, 30ish, and I wear the stuff and have been since clothing made from it became available in stores again. A velour robe is quite soft, and warm, soothing. Even embroidered (or, as it seems this one has, with appliques in an oriental motiff) it isn't uncomfortable to wear around the house. Maybe she was sick, or a stay at home mom or something and her husband killed her? That's what I am leaning towards, she was married to her murderer, and he kept a picture of her as a trophy. He may have married others and killed them as well.

ETA: She seems Italian to me, but she could be of another ethnicity. Jewish perhaps? Amy Winehouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Winehouse) would look something like the subject of the photo would living, without her trademark make-up. ETA2: Check out her official MySpace page linked at the bottom of the Wikipedia article if you haven't heard her sing. She's got an incredible voice. ETA3: Or, check out her official site, maybe it's just me, or maybe it's MySpace again. The songs on her page aren't finishing, the sound just stops, though the songs play on. ETA4: One of her songs is used for an advertisement for a new show, drat what's the name of it, Mad Man or something like that? About the advertising industry. I can't recall what channel is putting the series out, either. Lemme do a search. Got it, Mad Men (http://media.amctv.com/originals/madmen/?s_cid=yahoo1) on AMC. ETA5: Here's a YouTube clip of her video "Back to Black (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aygAu1x2uQo)". She really looked like Amy Winehouse, IMO.

[kgeaux]

hello, im a Crime Library addict, recently found this site and ive been reading different posts and threads ever since. This is the first time ive ever posted and just hope my comments are okay/ interesting...:o

Ive been taking a real good look at the pic, and i think shes lying on one of those old polyester matresses - the sort that used to go on kids bunkbeds. When i was a kid, my mum used to have a couple of those for if my sister and i had friends over and she used to store them under the bed, they often used to be made of bright colour decorated with palm leaves and stuff like that. As far as i know, they dont sell them with the shiny polyester fabric anymore, but i guess alot of people would still have them around. I can see two quite deep groves in the fabric which is what makes me think its a mattress instead of a duvet or pillow or whatever.

WOW! I've been thinking and thinking, what does that comforter remind me of? And you've hit right on it: a bunk bed mattress. We had several of these, too, they are so thin they'll slip under a real bed and can be pulled out for company. They were shiny, and bright colors.....and they DON'T make them just like that anymore, we've shopped recently for a new one and the whole design has changed.

Welcome to Websleuths!

[KatK]

Adding, for reference, here (http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0geu69O_YhGV8sAunZXNyoA?ei=UTF-8&p=Amy%20Winehouse&fr2=tab-web&fr=yfp-t-453) is a page of pictures of Amy Winehouse. Some of them have less, or no makeup. I see a striking resemblance between the person in the photograph and her. I think she looked a lot like that when alive.

[Reannan]

I have just posted a question regarding the mattress to a website that is dedicated to beds. They seem to have a passion for the design of a lot of different types of beds, so perhaps they can provide some additional insight. Here is the site I posted the message to:
http://bedzine.com/blog/about
and here is the message I posted:

"This is probably a strange request, but perhaps the expertise on your site can help. I am posting a link to a webiste from the McCalain County Sheriff's office in Oklahoma. They are seeking the public's help with identifying a photograph that was found at a gas station in Purcell, Oklahoma on June 20, 2007. The picture appears to be of a lady who is dead. I subscribe to a true crime blog called Websleuths.com and we have been trying to identify the comforter or mattress that she is laying on. Can you please share it with your friends who are experts and see what their opinion is? It is very bright and colorful, and appears to go up under the headboard or footboard that is visible. Someone thought it looked like perhaps a mattress that used to be used for bunkbeds because they were really colorful. Again, it would be very much appreciated if you could provide any insight or comments you might have regarding the mattress or comforter that she is laying on. Thanks in advance for your help. Here is the link with the photograph:
http://www.mcclaincountysheriff.com/index.asp?content=25"

I will let you guys know if I hear anything back from them.:)

[reportertype]

Does anyone see any similarities between the unretouched pic of the victim and this painting?
http://www.tamsquare.net/pictures/G/Paul-Gauguin-Madeleine-Bernard-.jpg


Interesting, doc. There is a bit of resemblance there.

[Reannan]

Maybe it is a futon she is laying on, like the one posted here:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3y4vu5

There are many, many, futon covers that are very bright and colorful. It makes sense that it is a mattress that she is laying on as opposed to a comforter or bedspread. You would have expected a comforter or bedspread to have been disheveled from whatever events led up to her murder.

[ShowerSinger]

It looks like a Hawaiian tropical pink shower curtain, maybe?

[lizzybeth]

I've finally got up enough nerve to look at the untouched photo again. I agree that it looks like a tropical print. Also, it looks as if she might have a slight cleft in her chin. Anyone else see that? If she does it might make it easier to rule out some of the other missing women that photos have been posted of.

[KatK]

Does anyone else besides me and my husband think she resembled Amy Winehouse?

[kgeaux]

You ladies are so awesome with all the ideas you've come up with, and especially the details, like the little moles, which will help in this lady's identification.

I just can't get this girl out of my mind. There is something about the expression on her face, a quiet resignation or something, that just tugs at my heart. I hope that she is identified, her body found and the killer is found and brought to justice. It's just too awful to think he may be out there snapping more mementos for his photo album. He has to be stopped. The smeared blood on her forearm and around the thumb area make me hope she was able to leave her mark on the evil that did this to her.

I have a question, I'm so sorry because it's gross, but there is something I am noticing today in a whole new way. We've all seen the red globules in her hair, and seem to be in agreement that it is bloody brain matter. We can see what appears to be a plastic tie peeking through her hair, and her neck seems to have a corresponding thin bruise......now here is my question: If I look in the extreme lower left quadrant of the picture, I can see something that looks like (I'm sorry) brownish hamburger meat as it feeds out of the grinding machine. Up until today, my mind processed that area first as "hair" then as "brain matter" but today, it just looks different to me......more tubular somehow.

Does anyone know what that area of the photo is depicting?

[kgeaux]

Does anyone else besides me and my husband think she resembled Amy Winehouse?

Kat, I think there is a resemblance, but the girl in the photo looks younger and more delicate, small boned, to me.

[kgeaux]

I apologize for three posts in a row.

I wanted to comment that I do not remember hearing about plastic ties being used in any of the "trucker" serial murders. I'm going to check to be sure, but if no ties were used then I think this case will differ enough to be able to drop that angle. (It already differs in that the trucker murders usually are discovered with the finding of a body, not a photo.)

[teonspaleprincess]

I know some people have already noticed this, but I wanted to direct people's attention to her LEFT eye. You can't see the left side of her face, but if you look closely, you'll see that her left eyebrow area is very, very swollen, and purple. I think that's where the entry wound is.

I really hope they find out who she is soon. If she's been found and buried already, maybe this photo would help in the prosecution of her killer.

I noticed, I pointed it out a few post back that it looked like that side of her face was bruised and swollen where the other eye/ eyebrow was.

ETA: I didn't notice the fly before but there is definately one sitting in the blood. I am still convinced that she is on top of some type of comforter in a bed.

[kwatson696]

Just a thought, but maybe she has been identified and buried , and the connectios to this photo have'nt been made because noone is looking for her now.
Do ya'll think this photo fell into the gas station parking lot by accident?
I do, I don't think it was dropped in the lot on purpose.. MOO...:cool:

[docwho3]

Interesting, doc. There is a bit of resemblance there.
When I looked at the pic of the victim I thought that it reminded me of some art paintings I had seen somewhere so I did a web search.
Whether or not the perp was trying to imitate a particular painting or not or possibly create his own work of art I do not know but I did note that the comparison brought more clearly to mind some impressions I get from the victim pic.

1. An art painting is often posed for and I got that impression about this victim pic.
2. In an art picture the artists controls what you see and your perspective, angle of view to some degree and again I felt that this was what I see in the victim pic as well.

I see a few more things but these were my first main impressions.

[lizzybeth]

(snipped)
I have a question, I'm so sorry because it's gross, but there is something I am noticing today in a whole new way. We've all seen the red globules in her hair, and seem to be in agreement that it is bloody brain matter. We can see what appears to be a plastic tie peeking through her hair, and her neck seems to have a corresponding thin bruise......now here is my question: If I look in the extreme lower left quadrant of the picture, I can see something that looks like (I'm sorry) brownish hamburger meat as it feeds out of the grinding machine. Up until today, my mind processed that area first as "hair" then as "brain matter" but today, it just looks different to me......more tubular somehow.

Does anyone know what that area of the photo is depicting?

I went back and looked at it. I originally thought it was hair that was maybe wet or matted. I honestly can't really tell now what it is.

[KatK]

Kat, I think there is a resemblance, but the girl in the photo looks younger and more delicate, small boned, to me.


Amy Winehouse is 23/24. I am not sure about the small bones, we can't see her whole face. But the jawline, nose line, and set of the eyes is very close. The skin tone in life was probably not far either.

[Reannan]

I agree this lady looks sort like Amy Winehouse, except the lips on this lady are perhaps a bit thinner?? Regarding the substance in the lower left of the picture. I also thought it was brain matter at first, but it really doesn't look right for that either. I think it is perhaps part of the print of the fabric, but there are a few wispy strands of hair on top of it, and that gives it a more 3-D appearance. I also had the same thoughts as to whether this is someone who was located and buried. Surely, LE would be looking at those cases, right? As to whether or not it fell accidentally from a car....who knows? If it accidentally fell from a vehicle, does that mean the vehicle is so full of pictures like this that they are falling out when the door is opened? I hope not. I sort of think it is more of a calling card, like BTK used to do. Maybe that is why there is very little media attention being paid to it.

[NewMom2003]

Do you think it's possible that this is a crime scene photo that someone in LE dropped/lost on accident? Maybe out of state LE that was traveling through OK?

[trixie]

I think that white thing is a thin nylon type cord. You can see it's got a braided look. So it appears this girl was beaten, strangled and shot. Talk about overkill! Had to be a significant other, IMO.
The photo may have fallen out of somebodys wallet. Most gas stations are pay at the pump types. I wish we knew what size this photo is.

[lizzybeth]

Do you think it's possible that this is a crime scene photo that someone in LE dropped/lost on accident? Maybe out of state LE that was traveling through OK?


I posted that idea a few pages back. It's sounds like a possibility to me. Although woudn't the pic have some type of identification? Maybe something written on the back of it?

[trixie]

I think they probably have some sort of inter-communications that they would check first before putting this out to the public. Usually help from the public is a last resort kind of thing. I think they already know law enforecment didn't lose this. Just my opinion. I'm sure they fingerprinted it. They may already know who had possesion of this photo but if that person isn't talking they still don't have an identity on this victim.

[NewMom2003]

I posted that idea a few pages back. It's sounds like a possibility to me. Although woudn't the pic have some type of identification? Maybe something written on the back of it?

I don't know. I wish there were more information about the size of the actual picture, etc.

There was a murder case here in Houston many many years ago where an infant was murdered along with his parents. The DA or lead detective (I can't remember which) kept a photo of that child (not the crime scene photo), but one of his baby photos in a frame on his desk. He said looking at it reminded him of what his job was really about.

My line of thinking is that maybe this photo is a crime scene photo that belongs to someone in LE. Maybe they keep it with them as a reminder or something along those lines. I know I'm rambling, I'm just trying to come up with another alternative for this.

[NewMom2003]

I think they probably have some sort of inter-communications that they would check first before putting this out to the public. Usually help from the public is a last resort kind of thing. I think they already know law enforecment didn't lose this. Just my opinion. I'm sure they fingerprinted it. They may already know who had possesion of this photo but if that person isn't talking they still don't have an identity on this victim.

I didn't think of it that way trixie. You are probably right.

[trixie]

I think she was probably very attractive in life. To me in this pic she looks like a young Sophia Loren. I think she is either Italian or Hispanic heiritage. I still think this pic is from the '80's.

[T-Rex]

KWatson, I'm with you; I don't think she's a missing person, but an unsolved homicide. Whoever did this did this in her home (in my opinion), which is why she was in a housecoat. And the fact that he kept a memento meant he enjoyed it. And the fact that he still had the memento means he hasn't been caught yet.

She kind of reminds me of Callie Thorne, the actress on "Rescue Me."
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=callie+thorne&gbv=2

[mssheila]

I've finally got up enough nerve to look at the untouched photo again. I agree that it looks like a tropical print. Also, it looks as if she might have a slight cleft in her chin. Anyone else see that? If she does it might make it easier to rule out some of the other missing women that photos have been posted of.

I thought I noticed a little cleft in the chin. I'm glad you did too.

[philamena]

I found it by doing a search for OSBI's site. ETA: Pardon, it wasn't the OSBI search that bore fruit, it was a search for the Sheriff's office that did. Post number 99 on page four is where I posted my find. (The flooding and water rationing are distracting me., see the topic I started in the Jury Room for more information if you are curious.)
KatK,
Thank you SO much for finding the link to the unretouched photograph. It definitely helped me see things more clearly.

FYI-I find myself wondering about this young woman on and off all day long. I wish a major cable news show would show her picture. Hard to believe but there are people who still to this day don't own or have access to computers.

[trixie]

Just two more quick observations: the photo appears to have been creased like someone had it folded in half. If you save it to your computer and then blow it up you should be able to see the crease. As I said before, maybe it fell out of someones wallet.... Also, the nylon cord, IF that is a sleeping bag that cord could be attached to that. What do you all think?

[Reannan]

You are correct, Trixie, the photo has been creased, right down the middle. I had not noticed that before. Makes me wonder what other details I am not seeing. If you look near her throat at the point where the right side collar of the clothing is located, there is a small, round, brownish colored circle shape which is probably an indentation from the photo having been stored with it. It is almost like a shadow. I wish we could make out what it was.

[concernedperson]

To me she looks like Tara Calico, an almost identical, as far as features. It is definitely not Tara Grinstead.She does have defensive wounds and appears to have been slugged in the mouth.

[cdt0283]

I've google mapped this gas station Woody's Quick Stop (junction HW 39 & 29 west of Purcell). Anyways, this station is very small and appears to be "in the middle of nowhere". I remember someone else's post that mentioned this gas station is outdated and possibly still has the reel-type gas pumps. Just a note.

I think that white thing is a thin nylon type cord. You can see it's got a braided look. So it appears this girl was beaten, strangled and shot. Talk about overkill! Had to be a significant other, IMO.
The photo may have fallen out of somebodys wallet. Most gas stations are pay at the pump types. I wish we knew what size this photo is.

[laini]

I do think that is brain matter. I am going to look further, could be wrong.

To the new member who brought up bunkbed mattresses (sorry - your name is on the last page so I can't see it at the moment) - good job! Welcome to websleuths. I think you hit the nail on the head there!

[snarkymalarkey]

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=768065&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

[okietexan]

I've google mapped this gas station Woody's Quick Stop (junction HW 39 & 29 west of Purcell). Anyways, this station is very small and appears to be "in the middle of nowhere". I remember someone else's post that mentioned this gas station is outdated and possibly still has the reel-type gas pumps. Just a note.

Hi Everyone,

I went to Purcell this weekend (for those who don't know, my mom lives there) and I actually drove out to Woody's. I spoke to a clerk who was working there. She was not the one who found the picture, however, she was there when it was found by/on a gas pump. She said that the person who found it came back into the station shaking and almost being sick. I can't even imagine....it is horrible enough for us to look at here. Anyway, I told her about our group and that we were concerned. She was happy to know that others from around the world cared. I guess what we all have to realize is that Purcell is a very small town. I tried to get on my mom's internet (dial up!) and I could not even access this website. Many people, not all, but many, still live in a very small world, but Purcell is an awesome town and this is big and scary to them. SeriouslySearching, I know I told you that I had to tell my mom about this, however, I am happy to report that this young girl's photo and story was featured in last weeks' Purcell Register newspaper, so she is getting some local publicity. I still have no answers, but I can share that Woody's is in a very isolated area. There were a couple of houses and Woody's itself is a small convenience store and gas station. It is RURAL America at its finest....sorry for the long post, but like many of you, I am so worried about this whole thing....

[cdt0283]

Thanks okietexan for that. I'm glad you have some inside info.

[okietexan]

Thanks okietexan for that. I'm glad you have some inside info.

Thank you. I don't really have any inside info except that I have seen Woody's, but I may call the sherriff's department tomorrow and just make sure that someone has told them about Tara Calico. I just felt that I needed to go out there and talk to someone..... I showed my mom both Tara's pictures and the UID's picture and she saw similarities as well....this whole thing breaks my heart because I am sure this poor girl is dead. At least she has all of us to care about her.

[cenasangel]

I'm sorry guys but i think thats Tara Calico and i think she is dead. I think the killer killed her many years ago and was just leaving a paper trail for hisa own sick pleasure. Still does not explain what happened to the little boy abducted with her though.

[trixie]

Thanks for the info okietexan. Can we access that article from the local newspaper online? They may have given some info we were wondering about here.

[okietexan]

Hi Trixie,

I know that the link to the paper is purcellregister.com, however, I don't have an exact link to the article! I am sorry! My mom just told me she saw it there last week. This paper is only published weekly, I believe it comes in the mail on Fridays. I hope that helps....

[cdt0283]

I've looked on their online site and cannot find any article. It may have only been in print.


Thanks for the info okietexan. Can we access that article from the local newspaper online? They may have given some info we were wondering about here.

[teonspaleprincess]

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=768065&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

I think the nose and slight cleft chin are a lot alike, but the jawline and ears are off, but that's just my opinion.

[okietexan]

I've looked on their online site and cannot find any article. It may have only been in print.

It is a small newspaper and only distributed once a week. I will ask my mom if she still has the last issue.

[trixie]

I've looked on their online site and cannot find any article. It may have only been in print.


Yep I found it too but no article. Well at least it's good to hear this is getting some publicity. That poor girl.......

[trixie]

It is a small newspaper and only distributed once a week. I will ask my mom if she still has the last issue.

That would be excellent! Thanks!

[laini]

Aren't ears a big identifier? This photo has a pretty good shot of her ear. Looks very similar to Tara's ear.

One thing I noticed is the photo found on the ground years ago that was thought to be Tara and a boy in a van - her eyebrows are not plucked like this Jane Doe's. Of course they may not be the same person, or they could have been plucked at some point. I really feel it is Tara.

If so, her killer is out there. He is getting kicks dropping photos around - maybe even reads here on websleuths. If this is the case, I hope he drops a photo again and gets caught.

[Kellee]

I wonder if they are planning on dating the photograph paper. I was just reading up on Tara Calico and one article mentioned that LE had the photo analyzed and the film used to produce the photograph was manufactured within a certain time frame. It would be informative if that were done in this case.

[Niteowl]

sorry, just another thing thats been bugging me....

Her eyebrows - they look very clean/ neat for having been plucked, and im just wondering if they've been threaded ( a form of hair removal used by asian (pakistani/ indian) women)

I know alot of light skinned asian women and her features (nose/ chin) bear some similarities, just wondered if she could be asian/ indian.....??

Welcome jacobean, wow, two interesting ideas from you, the air/bunkbed mattress and the eyebrow speculation. Those eyebrows really intrigued me also. I had neighbors that moved here from Iran (after the Shah's rule ended). The wife and I were friends and she talked about the threading technique, and hated using the tweezers on her eyebrows. She did get someone in the Iranian community here to help her, the point I'm trying to make is that she had beautiful skin around the eye brow and lip area, not big pores that sometime come from tweezing. This woman also has very nice skin and was probably quite lovely.

[txsvicki]

On looking at the edge of the wooden frame at very top near the girls elbow, I can see the pink and green material going up as if it is sticking up. I don't know if a mattress would do that. About the eyebrows. In the 80's it wasn't stylish to have eyebrows that thin, not sure about the early 90's, but they were popular in the late 90's up to about 6-8 years ago, along with chunky auburn highlights in the hair. The colors in the comforter, the graduating tones of pink and green, the tufts in the cover, the chunky highlight look, and the thin eyebrows are still making me think about 8 years ago. I don't see any pierce areas in the ear though, so that's sort of odd for a younger woman.

[Niteowl]

Whether or not the perp was trying to imitate a particular painting or not or possibly create his own work of art I do not know but I did note that the comparison brought more clearly to mind some impressions I get from the victim pic.

1. An art painting is often posed for and I got that impression about this victim pic.
2. In an art picture the artists controls what you see and your perspective, angle of view to some degree and again I felt that this was what I see in the victim pic as well.

I see a few more things but these were my first main impressions.

I agree with your post, she has been posed for her last portrait. So if the photograph was a trophy to be kept only for himself, how did he want to remember her? I doubt that he took this picture for anyone but himself.
The (possible) entry wound turned away, blood on face not wiped off, the insect on her mouth, her peaceful appearance...what is this "artist" saying? I really want to hear your 'few more things', if you would please.

[Niteowl]

One more thing. The fabric that her robe is made of looks like velvet to me and I don't think that the large pattern is embroidered. It may be what is called burn out or over printed. check out this description, mostly last three lines.
"Burn-out - A brocade-like pattern effect created on the fabric through the application of a chemical, instead of color, during the burn-out printing process. (Sulfuric acid, mixed into a colorless print paste, is the most common chemical used.) Many simulated eyelet effects can be created using this method. In these instances, the chemical destroys the fiber and creates a hole in the fabric in a specific design, where the chemical comes in contact with the fabric. The fabric is then over-printed with a simulated embroidery stitch to create the eyelet effect. However, burn-out effects can also be created on velvets made of blended fibers, in which the ground fabric is of one fiber like a polyester, and the pile may be of a cellulosic fiber like rayon or acetate. In this case, when the chemical is printed in a certain pattern, it destroys the pile in those areas where the chemical comes in contact with the fabric, but leave the ground fabric unharmed.

Oops. Or printed, now that I've spent an hour looking at pictures of burned out velvet, the fabric on the bottom actually shows through, it has to be printed.

[txsvicki]

The design on the robe doesn't look embroidered to me either. I don't know for sure, but don't think it is from a cheaper discount store. It looks more expensive.

[trixie]

I think we need to slow down a bit here. I have been following the Tara Calico situation since the early 90's and I do not see a conection to this photo. However, authorites deffinitly should be made aware of the possibility. Sadly, I believe I just read and am not certain that Tara Calico's mother recently passed away. I do not see anything in this picture that looks like a tie. I do see an ear that looks unusally in that it appears to be very attached lobe and somewhat flush with the head. Prehaps this could be used as an identifing characteristic.

mjak

She did pass away.....

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/Jun/08/joline-gutierrez-krueger-patty-doel-waited-for/

[Reannan]

Interesting if Tara Calico's mother recently passed away; that could be trigger for why someone left the picture behind.....if it is Tara.

[LionRun]

If the woman is truly a victim of some twisted slime and then took a picture to keep as a memento/souvenir, I think he most likely dropped the picture by accident. These slimes hold onto mementos for life, generally. And, contrary to what most believe, these types usually don't want to get caught unconsciously or consciously.

Lion

[kgeaux]

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=768065&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

THere is a resemblance.....but, maybe because I just was involved in the discussions on Anna Nicole's baby's daddy (whew) I've been noticing the earlobes. Our victim appears to have a very attached earlobe---although it is hard to see with her hair partially covering it---and most of the photos of possibilities have detached earlobes. The little moles on our victim

We need to make a list of all of our observations, the ones we agree on!, about her appearance: like the fact that she has dark hair, a couple of little freckles/moles, a possible tiny cleft to the chin, attached earlobes, etc. and then we can narrow down the search quite a bit.

[kgeaux]

I think that white thing is a thin nylon type cord. You can see it's got a braided look. So it appears this girl was beaten, strangled and shot. Talk about overkill! Had to be a significant other, IMO.
The photo may have fallen out of somebodys wallet. Most gas stations are pay at the pump types. I wish we knew what size this photo is.

Good catch, trixie. I was thinking it was one of those plastic ties, but when I went back and looked, it does looked braided.....so I agree, nylon type cord.

I wonder if they are planning on dating the photograph paper. I was just reading up on Tara Calico and one article mentioned that LE had the photo analyzed and the film used to produce the photograph was manufactured within a certain time frame. It would be informative if that were done in this case.

I hope and pray they do so! I'm sure they will, it seems standard operating procedure to me. Of course this is a small LE, so maybe that won't be at the top of their priorities. But it sure would help to narrow things down if we had an actual time frame to work with.

sorry, just another thing thats been bugging me....

Her eyebrows - they look very clean/ neat for having been plucked, and im just wondering if they've been threaded ( a form of hair removal used by asian (pakistani/ indian) women)

I know alot of light skinned asian women and her features (nose/ chin) bear some similarities, just wondered if she could be asian/ indian.....??

Jacobean, you just keep blowing me away. That eyebrow does look threaded, there isn't any of the "open pore" look of a plucked eyebrow. Having that in mind, I went back to look at her once again. Poor little angel. She does appear Middle Eastern to me. Maybe that is why we are having such a difficult time identifying the robe? If it is of Middle Eastern origin, we won't find anything like it here in USA.....I notice that the pattern is continued on the arm, and honestly, I've never seen an embroidered velour/velveteen robe with the pattern down the arm here, BUT I have seen some mighty beautiful and fancy robes that my sister brought back from Abu Daubi with embroidery on the arm....Hers aren't patterned like this particular one and the embroidery includes several different thread colors, but still to have it down the arm is unusual enough to where I thought I'd mention it......and I've even seen bright, bright, bright colors in a blanket she brought back. (It's fuzzy, not nylon, so not an exact match)) All of this together makes me wonder if we are looking for a young lady of Middle Eastern decent.

[Reannan]

I believe the design on the robe or pajama top is placed there by something called "flocking". Here is a link to a robe that has a flocked pattern. If you look at the blue robe in the photo, you can see th little white "dots" in the design. I think the fabric starts essentially white, and the blue and tan colors are flocked onto it. Here is the link to a flocked robe: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2ofy8o

[Chica]

From the first time I looked at this photo, the item she is lying on reminded me of a 'strawberry shortcake' sleeping bag my daughter had as a young child (she is now 29 yo!) . . . just a thought. In the lower left corner of the 'un-retouched' photo it even looks like it could possibly be a strawberry on the blanket/sleeping bag...what do you think??

[trixie]

It does look like a strawberry but I still think it's one of those miami "pink flamingo" type of articles, you know tropical. Since there is a crease in this photo I tend to think someone carried it around with them, perhaps in a wallet. However the crease doesn't seem old because it's hard to see. Maybe it hasn't been creased too long.(Or the image just isn't coming through on our screens as to what it really looks like.) I also think she looks middle eastern. She also looks Italian or Hispanic to me. It looks to me like she has olive skin coloring. If her ears are pierced she has no earrings in and no makeup on. It seems as if she was ready for bed or even IN bed.
I also don't think she looks anything like Tara Calico. Different eyebrows, different nose.....too many differences that are obvious.

[SeriouslySearching]

Hi Everyone,

I went to Purcell this weekend (for those who don't know, my mom lives there) and I actually drove out to Woody's. I spoke to a clerk who was working there. She was not the one who found the picture, however, she was there when it was found by/on a gas pump. She said that the person who found it came back into the station shaking and almost being sick. I can't even imagine....it is horrible enough for us to look at here. Anyway, I told her about our group and that we were concerned. She was happy to know that others from around the world cared. I guess what we all have to realize is that Purcell is a very small town. I tried to get on my mom's internet (dial up!) and I could not even access this website. Many people, not all, but many, still live in a very small world, but Purcell is an awesome town and this is big and scary to them. SeriouslySearching, I know I told you that I had to tell my mom about this, however, I am happy to report that this young girl's photo and story was featured in last weeks' Purcell Register newspaper, so she is getting some local publicity. I still have no answers, but I can share that Woody's is in a very isolated area. There were a couple of houses and Woody's itself is a small convenience store and gas station. It is RURAL America at its finest....sorry for the long post, but like many of you, I am so worried about this whole thing....
:clap:Thanks so much for your help! It is good to know they aren't hiding it around there for some reason. I was beginning to wonder if OSBI had held this back for a long time or something. Did they happen so say when this was found?

It does help to get an idea of how isolated Woody's is and that tells me more this was planted instead of dropped accidently.

[fran]

Wow! I think we were on the first page the other day when I first saw this and now we're on #10. Good job taking this seriously, fellow sleuthers!

I still think that if this picture could get onto a Nationally syndicated program, NG, Greta, or especially AMW, this woman would be identified. Someone has to know who she is.

JMHO
fran

[Mr. E]

:clap:Thanks so much for your help! It is good to know they aren't hiding it around there for some reason. I was beginning to wonder if OSBI had held this back for a long time or something. Did they happen so say when this was found?

It does help to get an idea of how isolated Woody's is and that tells me more this was planted instead of dropped accidently.

I agree. If it's not off the main highway, then why would anyone leave it there, if not for someone wanting it to be seen. And if Purcell is so tiny and removed, I'm guessing the person wants the picture to be seen by someone specific.

[Chica]

I agree. If it's not off the main highway, then why would anyone leave it there, if not for someone wanting it to be seen. And if Purcell is so tiny and removed, I'm guessing the person wants the picture to be seen by someone specific.

Does the gas station have a security camera? OR, could they check their records for the evening the pic was found to see if they could identify via charge card records? It seems just about everyone uses charge cards for gas these days... It just doesn't make sense to me that someone wanted the pic found...it is just so risky these days with security cameras everywhere. Of course, if it is a serial killer, they could want the attention.

I also agree that this needs to be on a nationally televised program, i.e., Nancy Grace or Greta.

[kgeaux]

I've looked at the robe again trying to determine if it's flocked or not. Some parts look as though they are, because lots of white seems to be showing through (or else it's reflecting a flash.) If you go to the right from her chin, however, there's a line of white stitches---so we've got some embroidery. Just noticed there is a collar on the robe, too.

Interesting take on the "strawberry" Does anyone happen to have an old photo featuring the Strawberry Shortcake sleeping bag? Maybe someone could do a comparison and rule it in or out.

Also, zooming up on the "fly" it looks like a series of horizontal black lines----like stitches? I honestly can't decide what I'm looking at right there.

The "matter" at the lower left corner, when zoomed in on does appear to be organic to me, there's just something about the way it loops and curls.

[kgeaux]

Does the gas station have a security camera? OR, could they check their records for the evening the pic was found to see if they could identify via charge card records? It seems just about everyone uses charge cards for gas these days... It just doesn't make sense to me that someone wanted the pic found...it is just so risky these days with security cameras everywhere.

I agree it had to have fallen out by accident. Since it is creased, it would make sense that it could have dropped out of a wallet when someone opened the wallet to withdraw cash/credit cards.

Since the photo was found "on" or around the pump, it couldn't have been there for too long. Normal breezes would have blown it away if it had been there any significant amount of time. I hope LE ran all the credit cards used that day and tracked those people down.

It sounds like such a small place, I wouldn't think they'd have security cameras, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Reannan]

I think whoever left the picture was confident there were no security cameras either....that is why Woody's was selected as the site to display his photography. I lean towards it being left on purpose. The crease doesn't look deep enough to have been folded up in a wallet for a long period of time. It is more like it was slightly bent, perhaps placed in a box that was too narrow for it to lay flat, so it was folded, but not completely bent so that a lid could fit on the box. I would think it would be risky for a serial killer to walk around with pictures like this in his wallet. What if he got pulled over and had to provide his license, or in a car wreck? Too much risk IMHO.....but then again.....I have never been a serial killer, and thankfully, I am not prone to think like them.