Man caught digging grave-search on for victim

[SuziQ]

A witness who found a man digging what looked like a fresh grave in Northwest Washington County called 9-1-1 as he held the man at gunpoint Thursday, and police were looking for a possible victim.
(more at link)
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011708_news_grave_digger.314ac28c.html

[Taximom]

That's bizarre. Hopefully he hasn't killed anyone yet. :eek:

I do believe people are getting better at noticing suspicious behavior and doing something about it! Yay for that landowner!!

[SuziQ]

Here is an article with a better pic. Yep, it looks like a grave.

http://www.katu.com/news/13879007.html

[LionRun]

Wow, I sure hope that if it was a grave that man was digging that LE can get to the bottom of it.

Lion

[SuziQ]

This is a legit concern!

The Washington County Major Crimes Team helped try to determine if anyone close to Karel has been harmed or may be in danger if he is released. They have contacted family members, business associates, and other known associates. At this point they have been unable to locate any possible victim.
Thompson said deputies were eager to hear from anyone who might know of a specific explanation for the hole. He said they also want to know whether there is reason to believe someone would be in danger if Karel makes bail and is released.
http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2008/01/after_man_arrested_for_digging.html

[Taximom]

I'm wondering if he wasn't just preparing to kill someone. Digging the grave in advance. He's a handyman and has access to a lot of people, I bet. Maybe someone ticked him off. Maybe it was for his wife. :eek: Very scary indeed.

[SuziQ]

Maybe someone owed him money. The possibilities are endless! I too think the grave was someone not killed yet. Or I hope that!

[Bobbisangel]

When someone is digging a grave it is pretty obvious that they have plans for it. I sure hope that they don't let that man out of jail until they figure it all out. If they give him bail they are setting someone up to be murdered.

[nanandjim]

Here is an article with a better pic. Yep, it looks like a grave.

http://www.katu.com/news/13879007.html
I would be sleeping with one eye open if I were this guy's wife or business partner. :eek:

[Reannan]

He said he was looking for evidence of Mt. St. Helen's ash??? How stupid!

[lisag]

When someone is digging a grave it is pretty obvious that they have plans for it. I sure hope that they don't let that man out of jail until they figure it all out. If they give him bail they are setting someone up to be murdered.

Unfortunately, without much to go on -they wont be ablet ohold him for long....
I would scared chitless it I was in any way associated with this guy!

[kgeaux]

A witness who found a man digging what looked like a fresh grave in Northwest Washington County called 9-1-1 as he held the man at gunpoint Thursday, and police were looking for a possible victim.
(more at link)
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011708_news_grave_digger.314ac28c.html

My mind is just boggled---the witness was armed?

Here is an article with a better pic. Yep, it looks like a grave.

http://www.katu.com/news/13879007.html

YUP, that's a grave.

[close_enough]

Here is an article with a better pic. Yep, it looks like a grave.

http://www.katu.com/news/13879007.html

:eek: definately a grave....creepy!

[reb]

but realistically,, how long can they really hold him..??

[SewingDeb]

Probably not for long. Anyone who associates with him had better be on high alert.

[Filly]

This guy lived in a bunch of different places in Oregon. There's only one person associated with him on a search and that's an older woman around his age. Looks like she moved to the Carolinas too. "Volcanic Ash"? He said he was looking for volcanic ash? O.K.

[pedinurse]

You know what, there have been many times that I have wanted to kill hubby, but have thought... I'd get caught diggin the grave!!
This is a great deterent!! LOL!!

[Filly]

You know what, there have been many times that I have wanted to kill hubby, but have thought... I'd get caught diggin the grave!!
This is a great deterent!! LOL!!

All ya'd have to say is you were looking for volcanic ash, Pedinurse, come on. Looking at that hole is creeping me out. I like how the guy who caught him made a citizen arrest. Now, who was he gonna put in there?

[pedinurse]

Down here in Missouri, volcanic ash sounds like a GREAT excuse! I am sure the cops would totally buy it! LOL! Sounds like they are buying it up there too!!! not!

I wonder if he was digging the grave first and THEN going to kill the person. Otherwise, I think he would have been armed already. That is why I think he didn't pull a gun or knife on the guy who held him at gunpoint.

[snarkymalarkey]

...like GMH, one has to wonder how many other times this guy has dug graves (and filled them) in the past WITHOUT getting caught.
Seems these old guys get careless as they get older.

[SeriouslySearching]

...like GMH, one has to wonder how many other times this guy has dug graves (and filled them) in the past WITHOUT getting caught.
Seems these old guys get careless as they get older.That was my first thought, too!! It definitely seems premeditated. The scary part is he could have been going out to find a random victim. They need to dive headfirst into this guy's past and whereabouts.

[drumstick]

I hope they searched this guy's warehouse, basement, vacant houses near his residence, second vehicle, anyplace he could have stashed a victim.
It doesn't have to be someone he is connected to. He could be another Hilton that hasn't been caught until now.

:(

[Filly]

Latest is that LE says indeed it's a grave, but nobody this dude knows or is related to is missing. They are asking for a higher bail. I hate to think it's some poor prostitute or something nobody is looking for. He's no spring chicken and I bet that wasn't easy to dig that grave. I mean volcanic ash search.http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/01/19/news/doc47919fcdb5296518183465.txt

[SewingDeb]

It was suggested on Crime and Punishment forum that perhaps he had some bad medical news and dug it for himself. That would be really strange.

[Filly]

It was suggested on Crime and Punishment forum that perhaps he had some bad medical news and dug it for himself. That would be really strange.

If that was the case then why did he lie about the volcanic ash search? I can see if he wanted to take his life if he was sick, but digging a grave for yourself? I couldn't find but one relation to him and that woman moved from Oregon. So, maybe nobody would care if he expired, but digging your own grave? How would ya cover yourself up even if you did end your own life? Naw, I don't buy that theory, but interesting.

[Filly]

Was just checking and there were two young girls missing on the same day from Portland, Oregon. Not sure of the logistics, but the guy did live there at one time. I pray it's not one of them he was digging that hole for. Quite a few missing from earlier dates as well in the vicinity. Please don't let it be them.

[SewingDeb]

If that was the case then why did he lie about the volcanic ash search? I can see if he wanted to take his life if he was sick, but digging a grave for yourself? I couldn't find but one relation to him and that woman moved from Oregon. So, maybe nobody would care if he expired, but digging your own grave? How would ya cover yourself up even if you did end your own life? Naw, I don't buy that theory, but interesting.

That's what I asked, Filly. Also, why dig it on someone else's property? Something's really screwy with this guy but I think he has an intended victim and it's not himself.

[Filly]

That's what I asked, Filly. Also, why dig it on someone else's property? Something's really screwy with this guy but I think he has an intended victim and it's not himself.

Yeah and he's plenty frightening looking. Hoping the bail is raised and they keep him. Oh yeah you are right. Even if ya wanted to bury yourself why on someone elses property? I'm kind of thinking he already has a victim and it's somebody nobody would look for. Why wouldn't he have brought the body along though. Maybe if they offer a reward somebody will come forward about his lifestyle. Then they can go from there.

[SewingDeb]

Yeah and he's plenty frightening looking. Hoping the bail is raised and they keep him. Oh yeah you are right. Even if ya wanted to bury yourself why on someone elses property? I'm kind of thinking he already has a victim and it's somebody nobody would look for. Why wouldn't he have brought the body along though. Maybe if they offer a reward somebody will come forward about his lifestyle. Then they can go from there.

Oh, I hope they will offer a reward. I think they already went up on his bond to $20,000 but that doesn't seem like enough unless he is indigent.

It's scary that there are two missing very recently in that area.

[Filly]

Oh, I hope they will offer a reward. I think they already went up on his bond to $20,000 but that doesn't seem like enough unless he is indigent.

It's scary that there are two missing very recently in that area.

Yes, SD two endangered runaways, but heck maybe an old grandpop looking guy offered help. I'm sure LE is looking into that. I hope they find them girls. No, I PRAY they find them. Volcanic ash he says he's looking for.

[SewingDeb]

I'm praying for them too.

All I can say to the volcanic ash story is yeah, right. He couldn't come up with anything better than that?

[txsvicki]

I wonder if the guy is a serial killer who has never been suspected? Hope the authorities are thoroughly checking to see if he could be responsible for any missing or murdered women or children.

[mom3dd]

we had a neighbor once that buried his dog in our back yard we all had 2.5 acres and all the kids saw the dog get hit on the street really traumatized then this yahoo is out behind our house not his. people are so strange

[SuziQ]

(snips)
A man accused of digging what appeared to be a grave in rural Washington County will stay in jail as police investigate, a judge ruled Tuesday.
***
Attorneys for Karel tried to have him released Tuesday, saying he had already spent more time in jail than if he had been found guilty on the trespassing and criminal mischief charges he was arrested for.
The judge called it “an unusual” case and set a release hearing for next week.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_012208_news_grave_digger.314ac28c.html

[SuziQ]

Yes, SD two endangered runaways, but heck maybe an old grandpop looking guy offered help. I'm sure LE is looking into that. I hope they find them girls. No, I PRAY they find them. Volcanic ash he says he's looking for.

Do you have a link or names? I would be very interested in reading about them. Maybe there is a connection.

[Filly]

Suz, I thought I saved the link, but obviously didn't. It wasn't on Missing People in Oregon I know that. Maybe missing children. One was right around the time they caught the guy and one a little before. When I get a chance I will definately look for it for you. I'm sorry about that. I checked again also and it looks like he lived in Ravenna, NE at some point and North Augusta, SC. I'll check on them names again. I may have even found them on WS looking under missing people.