General Discussion

[christine2448]

This thread is for general discussion.

Please continue here.

[SeekingJana]

I know this is going against the popular grain here, but one of the things that I find interesting and inspiring about Tara Grinstead's case is that she is only declared " Missing" on the official posters. LE has not declared her " Missing- Endangered" like they did with my distant relative Jana Witt nor have they added any other information than what was initially released.

Until the people who KNOW what is what, GBI, releases specific and unequivocal information to the contrary, I choose to hope that Tara Grinstead is just what the authorities say-missing. I don't know where she is, or why she is missing, but that's not for me to know.
She has a family who will miss her and love her on this Mother's Day and I think we owe them the respect of honoring what LE has said about Tara.. she is MISSING.

I am aware of the snippets of possible foul play and rumors of this and that which have divided those who care about Tara for years, but rumors and innuendo do not a death make.
What if you or I were missing from our regular home, workplace, hangouts, pets, but still alive? Would we want people labeling us as dead? Murdered? Have us mouldering in the dark south Georgia soil when we aren't?

I've thought long and hard about this and I think that to declare Tara Grinstead dead is wrong on many levels. We must deal with the case facts first of all.
The case facts are that she disappeared and that the only things missing are her purse and keys.

Chico said in the new Tara TOS that it was OK to post theories and speculate, and that some of us will change our minds as time goes on...
I have changed my opinion from that of " probably dead" to simply " missing".. not in her usual place, and missed dearly by those who love her.

Tara is an amazing young woman and I pray for the best possible outcome for her.

Maria

[RememberTara]

Here is a link to an FBI VICAP flyer for Tara Grinstead. In the poster it says " Investigators suspect that her disappearance may be the result of foul play."
To me, that sums up LE's point of view that Tara Grinstead is a victim of foul play.


http://www.fbi.gov/filelink.html?file=/wanted/vicap/grinstead_tara.pdf

[christine2448]

Investigators suspect that her
disappearance may be the result of foul play.


to believe to be guilty, false, counterfeit, undesirable, defective, bad, etc., with little or no proof: to suspect a person of murder.

[Trino]

What if you or I were missing from our regular home, workplace, hangouts, pets, but still alive? Would we want people labeling us as dead? Murdered? Have us mouldering in the dark south Georgia soil when we aren't?

Sorry, but I just cannot accept "just missing." If I were voluntarily missing and did not wish to be labeled as "mouldering in the dark south GA soil," I would contact authorities, as I believe Tara, being an honest person, would do.

Is it possible that Tara may be being held against her will and cannot contact authorities? Sure; anything is possible. But, while this has happened in a few high profile cases, most persons missing this long do not have a positive outcome.

"Just missing" IMO is a way of saying we don't want to discuss the possibility of Tara no longer being alive. The realities of this case must include the possibility that she is no long with us and must include suspects in her abduction and possible murder.

Implying "just missing" says we don't know where she is with no room for discussion, which is what Websleuths is all about.

[believe09]

My understanding is that for the first week or so, the feeling "on the ground" was that she was returning. I am paraphrasing a post of docwho3's, but in the past VICAP alerts have been issued for people who were missing of their own volition, but the circumstances of their disappearance were suspicious to what was known about the person to the date of their disappearance.

I have no firm belief on this case yet, simply because weeding though all of the data has not provided me with a clear picture.

Why did she have so much money in her car; was that a common thing for her?

[RQ5]

My understanding is that for the first week or so, the feeling "on the ground" was that she was returning. I am paraphrasing a post of docwho3's, but in the past VICAP alerts have been issued for people who were missing of their own volition, but the circumstances of their disappearance were suspicious to what was known about the person to the date of their disappearance.

I have no firm belief on this case yet, simply because weeding though all of the data has not provided me with a clear picture.

Why did she have so much money in her car; was that a common thing for her?
I was told and do not know for sure if it is fact ///but what was discussed early on is that Tara loan the money to one of the pagenet contestent for a dress and was paid back at the pagenet..

[believe09]

I was told and do not know for sure if it is fact ///but what was discussed early on is that Tara loan the money to one of the pagenet contestent for a dress and was paid back at the pagenet..

Ahhhh!!! Now that would make a whole lot of sense!!! I will dig into it from that angle-thank you!!!

[WindChime]

By JACK WILKINSON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/05/06


Ocilla — Tara Grinstead is still missing, and yet it seems she's everywhere.

In the Irwin County Senior Citizens Center on Fourth Street, a large banner over the entrance reads: "Missing: Tara Grinstead." Inside, as two elderly women play ring toss while others eat lunch, Linda Fletcher answers the phone in a tiny room that serves as the volunteer Tara Command Center, taking tips or dispelling the latest, wildest rumor.

On the corner of West Park and Alder, the porch and front yard of Grinstead's small white rental house are still festooned with Halloween decorations ("Beware! Creepy Hollow!"), and a "Happy Birthday" streamer that was strung below the living room window Nov. 14, Tara's 31st birthday.

A teddy bear donning a "Teachers for Tara" T-shirt sits in a white folding chair. All this, cordoned off by yellow police crime scene tape stretched from pine tree to pine tree.

And, at Irwin County High School, where some students and faculty wear "FindTara.com" buttons, an enormous yellow banner hangs in the cafeteria. It's covered with handwritten wishes from students, including this from one of the many kids whose lives were touched by the popular, charismatic and vivacious American history teacher and former beauty queen:

"Come Home Soon, Chris P. — a/k/a 'Changed Man.' "

It's been more than three months since Grinstead disappeared, yet her presence is almost palpable in this small South Georgia town.

Last seen leaving a friend's cookout the night of Oct. 22, Grinstead was reported missing Oct. 24 when she didn't show up at school Monday morning.

"That day, nobody talked in the halls; nobody did anything," said Whitney Royal, a senior who took Grinstead's U.S. history class. "It was like the school was dead, because she wasn't here."

Despite several extensive searches by law enforcement and volunteers and smaller expeditions by family and friends, despite reward money that has now reached $200,000, the whereabouts of Grinstead remains a mystery.

Her disappearance has brought national attention to Ocilla, a town of 3,270.

CNN's Nancy Grace and Fox's Greta Van Susteren each have broadcast live from here, interviewing family members who have criticized the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement. That attention helped fuel rumors.

It's also left Wendy McFarland, Grinstead's teaching colleague, emotionally conflicted during each search for her friend.

"On one hand, you pray to God to find her," McFarland said. "On the other hand, you pray to God you don't find her. It's very conflicting. We have to find her, for the family, the school, the community, her friends. Good, bad or ugly, we need a resolution."

For Anita Gattis, Grinstead's older sister who's become the family spokeswoman, it's all "indescribable.''

"Sometimes, it's like this is a little snow globe at Christmas, with people and a little village, and it's like it's someone else's life. It's not. It's my family," she said.

The family — including Gattis' husband, Larry, a doctor whose practice is a little more than an hour away in Hawkinsville, their son Gabe, 13, and her mother, Connie — insist that Tara didn't simply leave town or disappear on her own.

"She was six weeks away from getting her third post-graduate degree, which would've upped her pay by about $10,000," said Anita Gattis. "And, she'd never do that to our mother."

Asked if she thinks her sister is still alive, Gattis nodded. "I've always been very adamant about that," she said. "Tara's a survivor and a fighter. She's one of God's good angels, and he wants her to still be on this earth."

Gattis feels her sister left with someone she knew on the night she disappeared. Her house was locked but her car, a pearl white Mitsubishi 3000 GT, was unlocked and in the carport, with $100 in the console and clay on the tires.

"Tara never left her car unlocked, and never drove on dirt roads," Gattis said.

"There was no struggle in the house. Tara was a singer; that was her talent in pageants," Gattis said of her sister, thrice crowned Miss Tifton and a contestant in several Miss Georgia pageants. "If someone was removing her, she'd project her voice. And she took self-defense. She'd go out kicking and screaming and fighting."

Myrtle and Joe Portier, the elderly couple who live next door to Grinstead, never heard any noise that October night.

Grinstead had spent the day at home, helping several of her students primp and prepare for the Miss Georgia Sweet Potato pageant that evening in nearby Fitzgerald.

"We thought she was home the whole time, with her car in the carport," said Myrtle Portier, who is very close to Grinstead. "We didn't realize until Monday morning, when she had no lights on."

Grinstead was taking graduate courses three nights a week at Valdosta State University and would turn on a lamp in the front corner room of her house, a signal to the Portiers that she was safely home.

"It does seem to be kind of an overwhelming and baffling case," said Ocilla police Chief Billy Hancock. "We've had missing persons before but usually those turn up in a few days — usually juveniles who come back to their homes."

More than three months later, Grinstead is still missing.

"I'm very pleased with the search, but not so pleased with the investigation," said Gattis.

She said her family, which has hired a private investigator and consulted psychics, wants more information from the GBI.

"It is still a very active investigation," GBI spokesman John Bankhead said. "We work on it daily. We've got leads we're pursuing. In a case like this, the family members get upset because it's not resolved. We want it resolved.

"There have been allegations by the family that we've mistreated them or dropped the ball," Bankhead said. "We understand their issues. We're doing everything we can to find out where she is."

Among the people investigators first interviewed were an ex-boyfriend of Grinstead and a former student.

Some friends and colleagues of Grinstead said they believed she'd unsuccessfully tried to reconcile with the boyfriend.

Lately, more rumors have taken hold. According to Gattis, "Last weekend, it was that the GBI surrounded my husband's office and took him out in handcuffs. Last Monday's was that I was arrested because I had murdered Tara and Larry had covered it up."

In a story on the CourtTV Crime Library Web site, Larry Gattis said he was questioned by investigators about rumors of a possible affair with Grinstead. If that were true, Gattis was quoted, "I wouldn't be alive right now. If you know my wife, I'd be pushing up daisies somewhere."

Instead, Gattis and his wife say they continue to push the investigation whenever possible.

On Park Street, Myrtle Portier cares for her neighbor's historically named pets: Dolly Madison, a year-old German shepherd, and a cat named Herman Talmadge. At Irwin County High, they're all trying to carry on as best as possible.

"She was — she is, I don't want to use the past tense — a very dear friend," Sandy McClurd said, her eyes quickly welling up.

McClurd, 57, a public relations specialist for the school system, said she and Grinstead quickly bonded despite their age difference.

"It was almost like we'd known each other a long time," said McClurd, who has purposely avoided walking by room 622 — Grinstead's old classroom — since her disappearance.

McClurd said Grinstead — who gave her phone number out to many students — felt every senior girl should attend the senior prom and bought some their prom dresses. Some paid her back $5 a week; others, $5 a month. It didn't matter.

"And I can't tell you how many yearbooks she's purchased for seniors," McClurd said.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/0205metteacher.html?imw=Y

[believe09]

Great find, WindChime!! Clearly there is a discrepancy on the amount of money in the car. (Gattis said 100.00 in the above article and then 300.00 on Montel Williams-montel was filmed 2 months after this article was written.)

So I guess it comes back to why there was either 100.00 or 300.00 dollars in the car and the reason she had it....

[christine2448]

Reading up on POI's..doing some searching.

I don't ever recall reading about 2 students, another besides AV, messing with Tara..?

At least two of her students had tried to create relationships with Grinstead at Irwin County High. Anthony Vickers, a former student of Grinstead’s, had been arrested after he was found at her house one night. He was investigated, and his parents’ property searched, but nothing was found. Another student, who remained unnamed, had been removed from her class after police found he was responsible for a series of threatening phone calls to Grinstead.

LINK (http://www.sundaypaper.com/More/EditorsBlog/tabid/138/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1306/Default.aspx)

[believe09]

Reading up on POI's..doing some searching.

I don't ever recall reading about 2 students, another besides AV, messing with Tara..?

At least two of her students had tried to create relationships with Grinstead at Irwin County High. Anthony Vickers, a former student of Grinstead’s, had been arrested after he was found at her house one night. He was investigated, and his parents’ property searched, but nothing was found. Another student, who remained unnamed, had been removed from her class after police found he was responsible for a series of threatening phone calls to Grinstead.

LINK (http://www.sundaypaper.com/More/EditorsBlog/tabid/138/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1306/Default.aspx)

Yikes-she sure inspired some interesting behaviors in the people around her...I remember reading this, and I have to believe that this kid was pretty well vetted by GBI...I have no proof of that, lol.

The question for me is what would get Tara out of her bed after having apparently retired to it, where if a struggle ensued it seems to barely have disturbed anything in her house...or at least if things were disturbed it is hard to attribute it to anyone other than her cat, or people searching through her clothing....she didn't cry out, since she was 15 feet from the nearest house and had a big strong voice....It wasn't a call on her cell phone or landline...at least not one that has been discussed in the press. If someone came to her door, they risked being viewed by at least the Poirer's...something caused her to take her purse and keys, but not her cell phone. To possibly lock the front door, but to unlock her car-did she take something out of her car? I wonder if she didn't take her phone because the battery needed to be charged....this is assuming she went voluntarily with whomever might have stopped by.

So maddening!!!

[RQ5]

Did Everyone Fall Off The Earth Or What ????

[LillyRush]

Did Everyone Fall Off The Earth Or What ????

I don't know, but I asked about John David Anderson because I honestly have no idea who he is (other than an Ocilla cop) or why he fell into the POI category and no one answered.

[docwho3]

I am still out here reading. I just have not had anything new to add yet. And I was also waiting to see how this new version of the case discussion goes.

[believe09]

Snip
Van Zant said the similarities between the cases brought investigators on the Grinstead and Kesse cases together and the CBS crew followed Georgia investigators to Florida. An e-mail from CBS claims that investigators uncovered a clue that they believe is essential to solving the cases, but neither Van Zant nor Rothwell would comment on that subject.
Snip

Essential to solving the cases? So they are linked-amazing!!!!!

http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_179194729.html

[Esah]

I'm glad that they are checking all possibilities, but I can't imagine a connection between these two cases. I just hope some real facts come out of the program tomorrow night. Things that will clear up at least a few things for us all.

Maybe this info will bring someone in the background of each case, to the forefront and talking to authorities. Something that will be pursuasive enough to break a long held silence.

[Trino]

Snip
Van Zant said the similarities between the cases brought investigators on the Grinstead and Kesse cases together and the CBS crew followed Georgia investigators to Florida. An e-mail from CBS claims that investigators uncovered a clue that they believe is essential to solving the cases, but neither Van Zant nor Rothwell would comment on that subject.
Snip

Essential to solving the cases? So they are linked-amazing!!!!!

http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_179194729.html


Oscilla is so small that I have difficulty believing an outsider could slip in and out of the town w/o being seen. He would have had to hang around long enough to know where Tara lived or would have had to follow her, neither of which seem to me to be logical.

[believe09]

I came in late to the special, but did not see any reference to the clue that might solve the "cases' as referred to in the article. Good to know that they got a good DNA sample off of the glove and it does not match anyone they collected from. Of course the question now becomes who did not provide samples, I guess, or was the person double gloved.

IIRC the glove was matched to the senior center-the same center that is now being used, or was being used as a command post...

[gaia227]

I came in late to the special, but did not see any reference to the clue that might solve the "cases' as referred to in the article. Good to know that they got a good DNA sample off of the glove and it does not match anyone they collected from. Of course the question now becomes who did not provide samples, I guess, or was the person double gloved.

IIRC the glove was matched to the senior center-the same center that is now being used, or was being used as a command post...

Hi Believe - I watched from the beginning and they certainly never mentioned a clue that tied the two cases together. It is a tantilizing little piece of information though isn't it? I wish they would have made it a two hour special so they could spend an hour on each woman instead of just 30 minutes but either way it is great to see the huge publicity a show like 48hours gives to a case. My fiance had not heard of Tara or Jennifer......and I was like really? I thought everyone knew who Tara and/or Jennifer were.....he kindly reminded me that a lot of people do not frequent places like websleuths and watch Nancy Grace/Greta, etc.

[christine2448]

I do not think the 2 cases are related, similar, not related. JMO.

I think we could find A LOT of cases that we could say have very similar circumstances.


Question, just because ICRS, Tara's keys/purse/phone...found or not? Same w/JK? Again, I don't think the cases are related, just curious about this detail. Please remind me? :D

[angelwngs]

I do not think the 2 cases are related, similar, not related. JMO.

I think we could find A LOT of cases that we could say have very similar circumstances.


Question, just because ICRS, Tara's keys/purse/phone...found or not? Same w/JK? Again, I don't think the cases are related, just curious about this detail. Please remind me? :D

Tara's keys and purse were and are still missing. Her cell phone was found in her home attached to its charger.

If I remember correctly, JK's cell phone keys and purse were missing with JK and to my knowledge have not been found.

[PandaJ]

Sorry to just chime in here, but I watched the special last night, and IIRC they had teams from both the Kesse case and the Grinstead case meet for a couple hours to discuss a possible link. At the end of the meeting, they said there was no luck, and that with the Kesse case it seems like more of a stranger abduction, and that with Grinstead, it looks like it could have been someone she knew.

jmo

[believe09]

Hi Believe - I watched from the beginning and they certainly never mentioned a clue that tied the two cases together. It is a tantilizing little piece of information though isn't it? I wish they would have made it a two hour special so they could spend an hour on each woman instead of just 30 minutes but either way it is great to see the huge publicity a show like 48hours gives to a case. My fiance had not heard of Tara or Jennifer......and I was like really? I thought everyone knew who Tara and/or Jennifer were.....he kindly reminded me that a lot of people do not frequent places like websleuths and watch Nancy Grace/Greta, etc.

Thank you Gaia!

[trixie]

I think it's a huge step in Tara's case in knowing that the male persons DNA is not in the database, nor is it matched to anyone tested so far. Elimination is just another way if figuring out whodunnit. Also they have a fingerprint that isn't in AFIS. That's important to know. This guy probably has never been arrested nor has he ever worked for the civil service in any capacity nor is he a doctor or nurse or CNA nor is he a serviceman or LE. All of those types of jobs and careers require fingerprint cards on file. Elimination is very important, IMO.
I think the biggest message LE wanted to get out by releasing that new info last night was to let anybody out there who might suspect somebody or might have some info but don't think it would be enough for LE to put the guy away , LE wanted them to know THEY HAVE HIS DNA and FINGERPRINTS!! They WILL put him away so it's ok to come forward. Nobody knew they had that solid evidence before last night. I think there is great hope that this case wil be solved now. I think Tara was beautiful and I've followed this case from a distance but I think now it will heat up. I'm praying it will at least.

[Darlene733510]

I wonder if they took DNA samples from any of the men she worked with at the school? You never know these days where evil lurks.
I think there is a possibility that the person who did this is someone respected within the community, and they
think they will never be suspected or questioned. In small communities like this too many are related, and are not willing to speak up in fear of retaliation.

[trixie]

I wonder what was going on with that married police officer from another town nearby? Neighbors said they saw him leaving her home in the late hours sometimes. But since he's LE I know they must have eliminated him. But I mean, were they having an affair? Did wifey find out?

[gaia227]

Oh yeah, I would THINK that LE would request DNA/fingerprints from everyone she worked with at the high school. I would also explore the possibility of jealousy/envy stemming from her pagaent affliations. I could see another female who isn't as successful or pretty or talented as Tara who was also in the Pageant circuit becoming obessesed with her and not in a good way.

[Darlene733510]

I am also wondering if whoever took Tara could be a female. Maybe they need to start with the DNA of a certain persons GF.
I thought it odd that they said the glove came from the Senior Center(or did I get that wrong?). Could it be smeone older who visited in the area and became fixated on her?

[Deborah1012]

I'm sure this means nothing but I noticed that the number on Tara's room at the school and the number on Jennifer's parking space were very similar. Both had 622 in them though Jennifer's parking space number had four digits.

[trixie]

I am also wondering if whoever took Tara could be a female. Maybe they need to start with the DNA of a certain persons GF.
I thought it odd that they said the glove came from the Senior Center(or did I get that wrong?). Could it be smeone older who visited in the area and became fixated on her?

Well anyone working with seniors would have to give fingerprints so I doubt it would be a worker there. However anybody could steal those gloves from there. They said it was the same senior citizen center they set her her headquarters at. Weird coincidence, I guess. I just wonder how they know that glove came from that place. You buy those by the box. Maybe CSI could match them to one of the boxes there. And was it a Senior Citizens Center or was it like a convelescent home for the elderly? i guess i need to do a lot of backtracking and read up on this case.

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Well, I must admit I was a little surprised by this revelation and the emphasis they were giving to it. Although I haven't followed that case that closely, I thought maybe the glove was too obvious there; rather, that it might have been a plant. (If they aren't so sure a struggle happened in her home, and she may have left on her own accord with someone, or to meet someone someplace else, then why would there be a glove on the grass there?)

No matter, LE did great and they've got the DNA needed in the future, in hopes they'll get a match and haul someone in for further questioning. I hope they get the info they need. I'd love to see the showing of her case bring in the tip and info they need.

[trixie]

I'm sure this means nothing but I noticed that the number on Tara's room at the school and the number on Jennifer's parking space were very similar. Both had 622 in them though Jennifer's parking space number had four digits.

I would think at this stage everything means something until it doesn't, KWIM? That's a nice catch, I didn't notice it. It seems like Jennifers was like 6223 or 6222 something that close.

[trixie]

I am also wondering if whoever took Tara could be a female. Maybe they need to start with the DNA of a certain persons GF.
I thought it odd that they said the glove came from the Senior Center(or did I get that wrong?). Could it be smeone older who visited in the area and became fixated on her?

Well what I find interesting about that too is that i think the person in the video walking past Jennifers gate looks like a female. She looks like she has her hair tucked up underneath her hat. They say "it's" between 5'3 and 5'5". The only thing that looks male on "it" is the feet as they are kinda big but it also looks like she is wearing shoes too big for her. It looks to me like they're too long up at the toe. But that is Jennifers case. So, ?????No wonder LE is going crazy over thses cases.

[RememberTara]

I am also wondering if whoever took Tara could be a female. Maybe they need to start with the DNA of a certain persons GF.
I thought it odd that they said the glove came from the Senior Center(or did I get that wrong?). Could it be smeone older who visited in the area and became fixated on her?

I pulled up all the references to glove from the show. I think you misunderstood something that was said. I hope I didn't miss any.

But maybe most disturbing was a latex glove, found laying in the front yard.

Rothwell's initial impression? "It appeared that Tara may have left on her own. However, we had a glove, a latex glove that we couldn't explain. That glove indicates foul play to us."

Investigators sealed the house, and took Tara’s car and the glove in for processing. Then they started reconstructing her last known movements.


Ever since Tara disappeared, the GBI has refused to name any suspects in the case, and has remained tight-lipped about any evidence they have, until now: Rothwell says that latex glove could be a significant piece of evidence.

Just days after Tara went missing, Rothwell sent the glove to the GBI crime lab in Atlanta. Trace evidence specialist Larry Peterson wasn't optimistic. "It's my experience from past cases that latex gloves like this had a relatively low rate of success," he explains.

But in this case, investigators caught a lucky break: against all odds, investigators had recovered DNA-male profile DNA-from the glove.

In Ocilla, Ga., the unsolved case of Tara's disappearance now hinges on finding a DNA match to that glove found outside her home.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/30/48hours/main4219397.shtml

[RememberTara]

There is a video of an interview by phone between Greta and Agent Rothwell

http://www.foxnews.com/ontherecord/index.html

[murdershewrote]

I though he said the print would need to be manually matched because it isn't clear enough to match thru the computer (paraphrasing here)...so I'm not getting why he is confident the case is going to be solved. I guess with the DNA they can eliminate alot of people.

[docwho3]

I have not yet read all the info released but what I have been able to read so far has not yet made me turn the corner to believe foul play has for sure taken place. We (the public) always knew that if she left her car behind that Tara must have had some help in leaving. Since there are 2 sexes the odds were at least 50% that the helper would be a male.

What we (the public) don't yet know for certain is whether or not that help was against her will or in accordance with her will.

The glove has been a piece of evidence since the beginning and we always knew it might have DNA or a print, although until now neither was confirmed by L.E.

What I find interesting is that the print and DNA is not readily identifiable as being local, especially to those known to be closest to Tara.

If Tara is a runaway it would mean she found an unknown to assist her, somoene not known to be a regular person in her home life.

If she was a crime victim it could mean a stranger abduction or use of a "clean up" person to help after a crime had happened. But here again we (the public) run into the lack of any released evidence of a crime, such as blood stains or evidence of a clean up of a crime such as attempted bleaching out of stains or wiping of prints from some surfaces where the should be prints.

I still find myself asking where is evidence a crime happened? Yes we have a glove and it has prints and some DNA according to what I have read and watched in a Greta interview but do we have evidence of a crime?

IF this were a crime by a local and was not planned and the perp called in an unknown person to "clean up" the situation that would mean someone had to have access to a male that was not one of the 150 or so tested later including known locals but yet who was close enough to this sort of out of the way location to be called in and do the clean up and exit on very short notice. While having access to such a mystery helper on such short notice is possible it seems unlikely, especially in light of the alleged alibis that have been said to have checked out BUT if a crime occurred and if it was actually planned it might make more sense as to why an unkown was so readily available to do a "clean up" and why alibis were so handy. . . . .but here again I run into one bothersome question. Do we have evidence of a crime having taken place? Without such evidence we are only a little closer to solving the case because of the DNA and the print but not closer to proving it was infact a crime case.

If L.E. is sitting on evidence of foul play and yet gave interviews where they stated there was no evidence of foul play only they can say if that was best for the case but it certainly makes it harder on the public to look at things and make any sense of it all.

At this point we know the name of the missing person. We know someone probably "helped" her leave home. We now know that person was a male (if the meaning of the glove evidence has been interpreted correctly). What we don't know is whether she left with this male willingly or as a victim of foul play.

The glove does speak to a certain presence of mind which seems a little unusual if the whole thing were unplanned (whether unplanned runaway or unplanned crime) and I find that interesting too.

[Ruflossn]

At this point we know the name of the missing person. We know someone probably "helped" her leave home. We now know that person was a male (if the meaning of the glove evidence has been interpreted correctly). What we don't know is whether she left with this male willingly or as a victim of foul play.

I am wondering if Tara left willingly and then things went awry. The person she left with went back to her residence to clean up any evidence of his ever being at her house. I would look at anyone who had easy access to latex gloves. I wear latex gloves everyday (due to my profession) there are a million different brands and companies that supply the product. I hope that LE has worked to find the origin of the glove. I would look at every dental office, medical office, retirement home, daycare, nursing home in the area. That glove will (hopefully bring an end) to this mystery.

[trixie]

I thought there was evidence of a struggle or something of that nature in her bedroom and an overturned lamp, alarm clock knocked off on the floor and othere things i can'y remember right off the top of my head. Also wasn't the seat in her car positioned back as if a larger person were driving and forgot to move the seat back up to where she would have had it? Oh I truly believe there is evidence of a crime here. You DO have to taake into accoount what those who know her best have to say and they all say she would never just walkoff. I guess I'm failing to understand why you don't see any evidence of a crime and why you think she would just walk off.

[Ruflossn]

Hi Trixie~
The paragraph below I copied and pasted from the post made by Docwho3.

At this point we know the name of the missing person. We know someone probably "helped" her leave home. We now know that person was a male (if the meaning of the glove evidence has been interpreted correctly). What we don't know is whether she left with this male willingly or as a victim of foul play.

I have not reviewed the evidence on this crime for quite awhile. I do remember something about the car seat.................. I have no idea if Tara left willingly or not. I tend to believe not. I DO think the glove will be the break that LE has needed to bring justice to this crime. I think the fact that DNA and finger prints not being in the system, speaks volumes. Do you have any other thoughts on this case?

Sorry for the confusion on my earlier post.

[concernedperson]

There is a video of an interview by phone between Greta and Agent Rothwell

http://www.foxnews.com/ontherecord/index.html

In addition to DNA found on the glove belonging to a male I wonder if other evidence is on the glove that links Tara's disappearance with the glove wearer? Something of Tara's...it sure sounds like it in the interview.

[LillyRush]

I wonder if they took DNA samples from any of the men she worked with at the school? You never know these days where evil lurks.
I think there is a possibility that the person who did this is someone respected within the community, and they
think they will never be suspected or questioned. In small communities like this too many are related, and are not willing to speak up in fear of retaliation.

I would imagine that her co-workers would also have their fingerprints on file, since they have to do a complete background check for all school staff. I think that would even cover school volunteers.

I'm wondering about Valdosta State where she was going back for the graduate program. Did they ever end up checking out any possible connection down there? I think that was one of the things her family mentioned they had to do on their own, talk to people at VSU.

[Esah]

Does anyone know if any of the poi's are trained in martial arts?

[Esah]

What has happened here is too much control. It was meant to clean house and restore the focus on Tara, but it also took away the freedom to post. No one knows what to say anymore because it may get deleted.

I understand what the intention was. It was meant to create a whole new energy, but by deleting hundreds of well thought out posts along with the detrimental ones, it made our time here feel futile. It has made it hard to know what is and isn't up for a discussion. The rules are clear and yet they seem to overshaddow. Windchime said in the other thread that anything is up for a discussion. Let's see.

Perhaps you are tired of trying, but Tara is still out there somewhere, and the perp is probably pretty smug since this board has died. It must have been a huge thorn in his side at one time. Let's really tick him off and start talking about this case again. Let's dig up stuff that we missed the first time. But in order to do this we are going to have to forget about our past upsets and start over.

Pretend for just a minute that your loved one is missing. It would hurt for you to come on here and see no discussion taking place. The list we have here is a good one. Pick the ones you know about and start a discussion. Maybe you have a thought that never got discussed. Please think about it and post it.

This site is a great place to come for intelligent discussion.

So please, Let's talk! For Tara's sake.:)

[browneyedgirl]

What has happened here is too much control. It was meant to clean house and restore the focus on Tara, but it also took away the freedom to post. No one knows what to say anymore because it may get deleted.

I understand what the intention was. It was meant to create a whole new energy, but by deleting hundreds of well thought out posts along with the detrimental ones, it made our time here feel futile. It has made it hard to know what is and isn't up for a discussion. The rules are clear and yet they seem to overshaddow. Windchime said in the other thread that anything is up for a discussion. Let's see.

Perhaps you are tired of trying, but Tara is still out there somewhere, and the perp is probably pretty smug since this board has died. It must have been a huge thorn in his side at one time. Let's really tick him off and start talking about this case again. Let's dig up stuff that we missed the first time. But in order to do this we are going to have to forget about our past upsets and start over.

Pretend for just a minute that your loved one is missing. It would hurt for you to come on here and see no discussion taking place. The list we have here is a good one. Pick the ones you know about and start a discussion. Maybe you have a thought that never got discussed. Please think about it and post it.

This site is a great place to come for intelligent discussion.

So please, Let's talk! For Tara's sake.:)

Hi ya, Esah - I've missed chatting with you. I agree with your post whole heartedly and I'm willing to get back at the task at hand and refocus on bringing Tara home to her family and friends.....

So what shall be our first topic?.......

[browneyedgirl]

I wonder if it has ever been reported what exactly led Tara to be concerned about MH behavior during their beach trip in July/August?

I know that once they returned from the trip, Tara was expressing concerns to LG and others.

Anyone know?

[Esah]

Thank you Browneyedgirl,

I think I have forgotten more than I remember on this case. Can you refresh my memory with what happened at that time? Was that when Tara emailed her BIL about being afraid of MH? I'm not sure.

[Mysterylover]

At this point we know the name of the missing person. We know someone probably "helped" her leave home. We now know that person was a male (if the meaning of the glove evidence has been interpreted correctly). What we don't know is whether she left with this male willingly or as a victim of foul play.

I am wondering if Tara left willingly and then things went awry. The person she left with went back to her residence to clean up any evidence of his ever being at her house.

I would look at anyone who had easy access to latex gloves.

I wear latex gloves everyday (due to my profession) there are a million different brands and companies that supply the product.

I hope that LE has worked to find the origin of the glove.

I would look at every dental office, medical office, retirement home, daycare, nursing home in the area.
That glove will (hopefully bring an end) to this mystery....

LE carry latex gloves and some also go to retirement homes.

Let's hope LE checks anyone, neighbors, Le, ambulance drivers, everyone at the bar-B-que and especially the person that called Tara so many, many times that night.
Check out everyone that works or visits old age homes.

[Mysterylover]

I wonder if it has ever been reported what exactly led Tara to be concerned about MH behavior during their beach trip in July/August?

I know that once they returned from the trip, Tara was expressing concerns to LG and others.

Anyone know?...

I do not know..

What I do know is: someone had BAD intentions that night and were 'wise' enough to be prepared, by wearing the rubber gloves.

[LillyRush]

I never even realized that Tara had gone to the beach with Marcus. Did they really? I thought that they had gradually been spending less and less time together and had only gone to one movie that summer? Or, at least, that's what I remember Marcus saying in his Greta Van Susteren interview.

[Esah]

Letsthink, we can't assume that the glove was used to adbuct Tara. That glove could have been dropped any time between late Saturday night and when JP found it, monday morning. Someone might have had a reason to go back into Tara's house to cover up the abduction. Perhaps to set the lamp back on the night stand or plug the clock back in, make her bed look slept in, and most importantly to carefully remove any evidence that they were there. IMO only a very trained person could think of everything when it comes to erasing evidence.

The GBI did say that the glove found, had a connection to Tara. What that connection is, still remains to be known by us.

I still feel that the taking of Tara was not premeditated. But I do feel that more than one person needed to go to her house after she was abducted for some reason. And needing gloves was a part of their visit.

I didn't think of this until now, but maybe the gloves were also used to drive Tara's car back to her house.

[LillyRush]

Esah, That is a good point about using the gloves to drive her car back to the house. That would certainly explain the lack of prints, other than Tara's, in the car. That also could explain why the glove ended up being left behind in the yard, if the person was quickly running away from the scene after parking her car and not paying attention to anything else other than getting out of there.

Is it possible that Tara had a supply of these gloves in her own house? Of course, that would point to someone who would have known where to find that type of thing within her home. But, that would explain why they are connecting them to Tara - instead of just thinking it's some random thing that got blown into her yard - and then from there they just need to figure out who the guy is who left dna on those gloves. Of course, the possible bitemark that SuziQ saw on there is obviously another way they could have made a connection.

Also, I don't think these gloves are necessarily tied to any particular occupation. I mean, they can be..but they can also be purchased by almost anyone. Sometimes they even get donated to places like food banks or other large volunteer events where people are serving things to the public.

[Esah]

You bring up some very good points Lily. Especially that of the supply of gloves possibly being from Tara's house and that being the connection to them.

I googled 'latex gloves' one day and found that there are many different types. One kind in particular, stood out to me it's the type that has no powder residue inside, (which is for easy on and off). It says it is used by surgeons and crime scene investigators, to name a few, so that it doesn't leave a residue. It would corrupt the gathering of information by its own powder. If there was a residue in the glove and the person was swabbed for this powder it could have easily connected them to the scene.

This would mean that the person who had it, had knowledge of how important this evidence at a crime scene would be. It still leaves the door wide open as to who could have held the glove but interesting still.

[Mysterylover]

Esah, That is a good point about using the gloves to drive her car back to the house.

That would certainly explain the lack of prints, other than Tara's, in the car.

That also could explain why the glove ended up being left behind in the yard, if the person was quickly running away from the scene after parking her car and not paying attention to anything else other than getting out of there.

Is it possible that Tara had a supply of these gloves in her own house? Of course, that would point to someone who would have known where to find that type of thing within her home. But, that would explain why they are connecting them to Tara - instead of just thinking it's some random thing that got blown into her yard - and then from there they just need to figure out who the guy is who left dna on those gloves. Of course, the possible bite-mark that SuziQ saw on there is obviously another way they could have made a connection.

Also, I don't think these gloves are necessarily tied to any particular occupation. I mean, they can be..but they can also be purchased by almost anyone. Sometimes they even get donated to places like food banks or other large volunteer events where people are serving things to the public.....

IF Tara's car was driven back to her house, and parked, did the guy straighten-up her house, then get in another vehicle that had been left there and leave or walk to his house?
Any person that would have the 'nerve' to drive the car back with rubber gloves, clean her house, would have to know her very well...that was NO stranger...

someone knew HOW to cover-up a murder scene....DNA and evidence.

Was the rubber glove dropped between her car and the house OR on 'his' way leaving the property?

[Esah]

The glove was found in the opposite direction of the driveway. It was a few feet from the front door step and towards the next door neighbors house. Not easily visible by someone walking up to the front door from the driveway. Meaning it was not in that normal path. Am I making sense? :)

Also, it was that neighbor that found the glove.

[gaia227]

Okay, please don't flame me for posting this. Someone posted this link in the Maura Murray thread and I read the reading on Tara. I am VERY skeptical of these kinds of things but I still can't help but find it a little bit interesting to read.......

http://forensicastrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/tara-grinstead.html

On a more realistic note regarding the glove - how certain can we be that the glove was not blown into the yard or was just discarded there carelessly?

[concernedperson]

Okay, please don't flame me for posting this. Someone posted this link in the Maura Murray thread and I read the reading on Tara. I am VERY skeptical of these kinds of things but I still can't help but find it a little bit interesting to read.......

http://forensicastrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/tara-grinstead.html

On a more realistic note regarding the glove - how certain can we be that the glove was not blown into the yard or was just discarded there carelessly?

Thank you very much for the link. I found it very interesting as well and will pass it on to others that may be able to help. I have also printed it out to reread when time permits as I may have some comments myself.

The glove was discarded probably unintentionally/accidently. GBI has connected the glove to Tara's disappearance so we can assume there is her DNA or other forensics that identify Tara to this glove as well as the unknown DNA belonging to a male.

[angelwngs]

Okay, please don't flame me for posting this. Someone posted this link in the Maura Murray thread and I read the reading on Tara. I am VERY skeptical of these kinds of things but I still can't help but find it a little bit interesting to read.......

http://forensicastrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/tara-grinstead.html

On a more realistic note regarding the glove - how certain can we be that the glove was not blown into the yard or was just discarded there carelessly?

Very interesting, indeed. Thank you, gaia.

[Trino]

I thought the glove had no match yet, except male. If the match turns out to be non-local, I think there's a case, but if it's local, hey, the wind could have blown it there. IMO a local wouldn't be convicted on a glove match.

[concernedperson]

I thought the glove had no match yet, except male. If the match turns out to be non-local, I think there's a case, but if it's local, hey, the wind could have blown it there. IMO a local wouldn't be convicted on a glove match.

No match as of the 48 Hours showing in July 2008 (that I know of) although it was male DNA. I understand what you are saying about a local and the wind blowing. I kinda think it was similar to what Gaia posted on her link but that is just a guess.I think this was a "little help from your friends" kind of disappearance and it certainly doesn't preclude a local from orchestrating the disappearance. Just my experience with this case and lots of input from locals and others. JMO.

[ZooKeeper]

Well, we know of one person who was there that night, because he left a business card. It's been a long time and I will have to find a link, if no one remembers that. Also, we know who was at the houses that night. As for the glove, who knows, but LE has had it for a long time and I don't see any results yet.

[concernedperson]

Well, we know of one person who was there that night, because he left a business card. It's been a long time and I will have to find a link, if no one remembers that. Also, we know who was at the houses that night. As for the glove, who knows, but LE has had it for a long time and I don't see any results yet.


I believe you are speaking of HD but he wasn't there until Sunday night/Monday AM after Tara hadn't answered any phone calls all throughout the day on Sunday. He was in contact with Tara's mother and left a business card at that time.

Tara was last heard from on Saturday night/Sunday AM and the last known people to see her were the BBQ/cookout attendees at the Davis house.

When you say "we know who was at the houses that night" which night and whose houses?

[ZooKeeper]

Your right, but I believe that we don't know exactly when Tara went missing. I have read everything a dozen times but not recently and you know what they say about the mind being the first thing to go. But it does seem to me so many things could have happened. She was last seen at the cook out, and then not reported missing until Monday morning when she didn't show up for school. That does not mean she went missing for sure Friday night does it? This case is so close to my heart and the one that brought me to first SM and from there I found a link to WS where I have lurked every since. I will pull out my info, and reread my notes. I do pray that one way or another Tara will come home. I'm glad for your interest in this case, and for all the others who have kept it going on this site.

[RememberTara]

Your right, but I believe that we don't know exactly when Tara went missing. I have read everything a dozen times but not recently and you know what they say about the mind being the first thing to go. But it does seem to me so many things could have happened. She was last seen at the cook out, and then not reported missing until Monday morning when she didn't show up for school. That does not mean she went missing for sure Friday night does it? This case is so close to my heart and the one that brought me to first SM and from there I found a link to WS where I have lurked every since. I will pull out my info, and reread my notes. I do pray that one way or another Tara will come home. I'm glad for your interest in this case, and for all the others who have kept it going on this site.

The cookout was Saturday night. Tara was last seen around 11 PM Saturday night when she left the cookout.

[concernedperson]

The cookout was Saturday night. Tara was last seen around 11 PM Saturday night when she left the cookout.

Zookeeper, RT has the correct info. Tara went missing Saturday night/Sunday AM not Friday or Sunday night PM or Monday AM. The time frame for her missing is after 11 PM Saturday night but before Sunday afternoon.

[Esah]

Okay, please don't flame me for posting this. Someone posted this link in the Maura Murray thread and I read the reading on Tara. I am VERY skeptical of these kinds of things but I still can't help but find it a little bit interesting to read.......

http://forensicastrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/tara-grinstead.html

On a more realistic note regarding the glove - how certain can we be that the glove was not blown into the yard or was just discarded there carelessly?

Gaia, thank you for this link. I found this information of Caroline's to be very interesting. She did a lot of work on it too. I have asked her if she could answer a few more questions. One of them being 'when will Tara be found?' As accurate as I feel much of her interpretation was, I would be interested to know what time frame she sees Tara being found in.

[ZooKeeper]

Sorry, You are right about the day, I knew it was Sat night, just miss posted that..Thanks for setting me straight.

[ZooKeeper]

My point in the post was that from the time TG left the cookout until the time she did not report to school, we have no clue what happened. She could have stopped somewhere, met someone for a few minutes, had someone waiting for her at home, we just don't know. We do know that HD was at her house on Sunday night early Monday morning, a very long way from home, his business card was in TG's front door, he said he left it there so that she would know he had been there. He may have given one to FG later, he was also more than a "childhood" friend. I'm not saying he was involved in anything that happened to TG.

I know TG was a good person, but she also had a private life. And I won't post anything that puts her in a bad light. I believe someone harmed her, I don't know who, but I do hope that soon there is closure in this case. Of course this is JMO,

[Judelize]

Tara was becoming a problem to her ex. She was doing the emotional breakdown thing and even involved his parents. She would not accept that he had moved on. Sounds like she wanted to rattle him and his teen girlfriends little world as well. Therein lies the answer, as far as I am concerned. Tara was becoming a problem to you know whom, and had to go. Problem solved.

[Esah]

Hi Judelize,

How would you like us to respond to your post? It will get the dander up in some and a high five in others. But surely you thought of this when you made such a specific statement.

I wish it were that simple. It would make the case an open and shut one. But it isn't shut and three years have gone by. Why do you think no one has been arrested yet? Not trying to sound like a smart a$$, just asking.:)

It could very well be as simple as you think, and many will agree with you too. Since LE is leaning towards two people being involved in Tara's disappearance, would you say the second is this teenager, or a friend or even a hired gun? Whose dna do you think is on this glove? And do you think the gloves' owner will be the missing link in a convinction?

[My2CentsWorth]

Is there a known POI that fits the description given in the "chart" it was very interesting. I'm new to this site I live near TG's hometown and am fascinated with all of these kind of stories glad I found this site.

[Judelize]

Hi Esah

My statement was not intended to appear specific or get the dander up in some. I should perhaps have added "in my opinion". This is how I have felt since the case started. I have bottled up my views for 3 years, and after eventually joining, could not resist voicing my opinion. Chances are very good I am wrong. I don;t think we will ever know (don't you just hate that). If there was a second person involved I would lean towards 'friend". Probably the 'friend's" DNA. This would be the missing link in a conviction..I think. Thanks for your patience and response fellow sleuther!

[Esah]

Thanks Judelize and for what it's worth, I agree with your first scenario. Until we get more info, that is where I think most of us are leaning. It just seems to be the way most of the cases like this one, end up.

One thing that still bothers me about Tara's ex, MH, is that if he was so trained in many different areas, ie Military and Le, why wasn't he front and center on the searches? He could have been there as a friend and do what friends do in a situation like this. Just because AG said something to him, that most likely ticked him off, should not have even have ruffled that guys feathers. To those of us on the outside, it looks like she scared him off. For a guy with a macho ego, why didn't he prove her wrong or just not care what she said and be there anyway? I just don't know the answer, but it makes me think worse things about him. JMO

And Tara bought a new door lock, the week she disappeared. Why? What could be the reason for that? She only mentioned to a friend that she bought the lock. She did not elaborate on why. I could easily guess why, but I could just as easily be wrong too.

Welcome My2CentsWorth! glad you found us. Perhaps you will have the fresh new set of eyes that Tara's case needs!

[My2CentsWorth]

Thanks for the welcome! We are fast approaching the 3 year mark and as far as talk of the case in Hawkinsville you just don't hear much about it anymore.(sadly) I think it is all a shame. The biggest "rumor" in the small town was that LG the BIL was involved. To what extent?, who knows. All I know is H'ville is a small town with "small town" morals and he and other married men that she could have been envoled with had all the motive they could need, "their reputation". My thought and it's just that a thought has always been that she could have been pregnant, just found out, & told who ever the father was, and he happened to be married. This could have caused a major disturbance in a married man's life and reputation to the point he thought he had to "get rid of her". JMO What do ya'll think? Like I said I'm new here this theory may have already been discussed.

[concernedperson]

Thanks for the welcome! We are fast approaching the 3 year mark and as far as talk of the case in Hawkinsville you just don't hear much about it anymore.(sadly) I think it is all a shame. The biggest "rumor" in the small town was that LG the BIL was involved. To what extent?, who knows. All I know is H'ville is a small town with "small town" morals and he and other married men that she could have been envoled with had all the motive they could need, "their reputation". My thought and it's just that a thought has always been that she could have been pregnant, just found out, & told who ever the father was, and he happened to be married. This could have caused a major disturbance in a married man's life and reputation to the point he thought he had to "get rid of her". JMO What do ya'll think? Like I said I'm new here this theory may have already been discussed.

I would say that rumor was floating in Ocilla vs. Hawkinsville. But that is just my opinion. I also think that the Ocilla "market" loves to point out that Tara dated several people. She professed her love for one over and over but it was unrequited and he was an Ocillian and had a rocky relationship with Tara for several years. The last weeks before her disappearance this person played heavily in her daily actions trying to get him to respond to her. Alas, it didn't happen the way she wanted as there is no happily ever after.

[My2CentsWorth]

In my first post I questioned if we know of any POI that fits the discription given by the astrology person (sorry if I offend anybody, don't know what to call her) in her chart. The part where she mentions it to be a light haired, broad shouldered man who's spine may be distinct with his shirt off? Do you have any ideas

[Esah]

In my first post I questioned if we know of any POI that fits the discription given by the astrology person (sorry if I offend anybody, don't know what to call her) in her chart. The part where she mentions it to be a light haired, broad shouldered man who's spine may be distinct with his shirt off? Do you have any ideas

That's a good question My2. I don't know of anyone.

[Esah]

I read somewhere that TES (TexasEquusearch) is coming back to Ocilla. This is great news! I don't know of a date yet. If I find out, I will post it here. But they must have a good reason for doing one at this point in time. My mind is spinning with speculation as to why they would be returning to search, but I am so glad that they are coming. I read too, that they need donations. I went to their website and it is quite easy to donate there.

[My2CentsWorth]

AWESOME!! Great news Esah! You are right that is VERY interesting. They must know a little something we don't for them to be comming back. Thanks for posting. My child goes to school in Hawkinsville and I have several friends that work there I will see if there is any new "buzz" around the school.

[Esah]

Thanks My2, I would like to know anything local that we can find out about this.

[Esah]

I am sad to report that TES is not coming to Ocilla after all. The person who originally shared this has since found out that it is not the truth. They have apologized for sharing it without substantiating it first. But I am sure that many of us would have done the very same thing as she.

Tara is out there and it is my fervent belief that she will be found. We will not give up.

So lets just think of something. A new look at old details. Another look at newer details, such as the glove and a second person involved in Tara's disappearance. Tara deserves our attention and our prayers, so lets keep both going.

[My2CentsWorth]

That's too bad. You are right though Tara still needs our attention, she is out there somewhere and somebody knows where!!

[concernedperson]

Tara's case is featured on the front page of CNN online. It is a Nancy Grace cold case synopsis. This is helpful to keep Tara's name out there and hopefully generate new tips. Someone knows what happened to Tara and where she is.

It would be great if a couple of these tidbits we have heard lately are getting the perp (s) nervous. Maybe one of them will slip up?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/30/grace.beauty.missing/index.html

[hellolovely]

I didn't realize the results from the glove testing were inconclusive....

[concernedperson]

I didn't realize the results from the glove testing were inconclusive....

Unidentified male DNA and something that links Tara to the glove. This was all reported in the 48 Hours episode and an interview conducted by Greta Van Susteran given by GBI SAC Gary Rothwell in July 2008. GBI hasn't ruled out third party involvement. Maybe they found a match recently...wouldn't that be wonderful!!!!

[Esah]

Tara's case is featured on the front page of CNN online. It is a Nancy Grace cold case synopsis. This is helpful to keep Tara's name out there and hopefully generate new tips. Someone knows what happened to Tara and where she is.

It would be great if a couple of these tidbits we have heard lately are getting the perp (s) nervous. Maybe one of them will slip up?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/30/grace.beauty.missing/index.html

Thanks Concernedperson, for this link. And for keeping up with Tara's case. There aren't many of us left.

[Esah]

I don't have anything to add really, just thinking about Tara this morning. The 3rd anniversary of her disappearance will be on October 22nd. I cannot imagine why it has taken this long to find her.

Would you please take a brief moment each day and ask for God to put His light around this case and bring it to a close?

[lobo34]

It's been 3 years ago today since Tara was last seen. Tara, you are still in the thoughts and prayers of many, and we have not forgotten you.

Please everyone, light a candle for Tara, she is forever in many of our hearts.

[Trino]

I, too, remembered. This is also the date that Jacob Wetterling disappeared 19 years ago.

[Esah]

Dearest Tara,
It doesn't seem possible that you have been gone three years. Some say that we are no closer to finding you today than we were three years ago, but I feel that we are much closer. Because if time is the only reason for us not finding you yet, then we have three less years to wait.

Bless you for all that you experienced that fateful day. I pray that your heart is filled with God's infinite love and that you have found his peace as well.

I also pray for those whom you loved, who are still here and who still don't know what happened to you. They also need to receive our prayers for peace and love, and most of all an understanding of God's Divine timing. One of the mysteries in this case.

I am praying for the person who changed the course of your life that day. That he will see the light of wisdom shining on what he did to you and that he will make things right by what he did to you.

Last of all, I am praying for the people who are working diligently at the GBI and local LE in solving Tara's case.

God Bless all who continue to help find Tara.
Esah

[Tammie63]

When this case first happened I never dreamed that three yrs later we would still be looking and wondering what exactly happened to Tara.
Like you Esah, I pray that local LE and GBI are lead to the person responsible for this and that there will be justice for Tara.

[s_finch]

Dearest Tara,
It doesn't seem possible that you have been gone three years. Some say that we are no closer to finding you today than we were three years ago, but I feel that we are much closer. Because if time is the only reason for us not finding you yet, then we have three less years to wait.

Bless you for all that you experienced that fateful day. I pray that your heart is filled with God's infinite love and that you have found his peace as well.

I also pray for those whom you loved, who are still here and who still don't know what happened to you. They also need to receive our prayers for peace and love, and most of all an understanding of God's Divine timing. One of the mysteries in this case.

I am praying for the person who changed the course of your life that day. That he will see the light of wisdom shining on what he did to you and that he will make things right by what he did to you.

Last of all, I am praying for the people who are working diligently at the GBI and local LE in solving Tara's case.

God Bless all who continue to help find Tara.
Esah

Beautifully said.

[concernedperson]

Beautifully said.

Esah is a beautiful person and one,in all this tragedy, I am proud to have known. I know I can pick up the phone and call her and she will always be receptive. I know that when I start to pull my hair out over this case, she will be the calming guiding light and make me get focused again. Most of all I know that the journey to find Tara is not a lonely one....it isn't lonely at all.

Tara, if you are listening, we will never stop looking for you and what happened to you. Hours, days and years but we will never stop.

[Esah]

Thank you CP for such nice words.

Tara is filling my mind this morning. I have been to a few other sites just reading, but something is nagging at me that I just can't shake. So I figured that if I just start writing, maybe it would surface.

I don't want Tara to fade away and become a cold case. I made a promise to her, spiritually, that I would stay with her until she was found. This is taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but I couldn't close this door even if I tried. And honestly, I have tried three different times. Times when I felt spent and hopeless against the lack of real movement in her case. But something always happens when I try to close this door. Tara reaches out to me each time. Out of the blue someone will email me and ask me about Tara's case, or it may be a phone call, or it is just that God fills my heart with a new sense of courage to keep trying. The result is that I am still here after 3 years.

Sometimes, as I read others' posts, who have been here the same length of time, I think of what keeps them going too. I know that God must be working through their hearts as well. Tara is being blessed in so many ways. It is important that we don't forget that.

For a while, I thought that I was just a mediocre psychic. I mean, how could I keep missing the only detail that really matters in this case? That being where she is. But now I have come to realize that I am doing the best I know how to and that God has a perfect ending to this that none of us are yet to be privvy to. Some days, like this one, I find my self saying to God "Today seems like a good day to bring her home. Please let it be today". When it doesn't happen, I know that it will come, even if it's not today.

If Tara's family are reading this today, I want you to know that I feel that Tara is truly an angel. Because in my opinion, only an angel could capture so many people's hearts and keep us thinking about her every day for this long. And she will keep a light in our hearts long after she is found. That's what angels do.

In closing, I dont' know if I am any further along, then when I started this post, but maybe you will feel Tara too and that will just be enough for today. Just to know that she is with you and thankful for all that you are doing.

[sariebell]

I can't believe it's been 3 years. I followed this case from the beginning, for I have been to the area where she lives and I teach school. I guess I just wanted some resolution for her poor soul. We have to keep the case on the fore front or else it will be relegated to the back burner.

[browneyedgirl]

Esah - what a beautiful post above. All so true that it brings a tear to my eye. Tara has been on my mind alot lately too. I know the 3rd year anniversary just occured on the 28th and that her birthday is arriving soon, 11/14, so I guess thats why she is on my mind lately.

I find myself having thoughts about her abducter/murderer and how he is coping with these anniversaries approaching. I wonder if Tara is still haunting his dreams? I would like to be able to agree with the poster who stated that they are not going to declare Tara dead, just missing...but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be true to my heart by stating that as fact, I do believe that Tara has met her demise and my prayer is that we are able to find her this year and bring her home.

[concernedperson]

Esah - what a beautiful post above. All so true that it brings a tear to my eye. Tara has been on my mind alot lately too. I know the 3rd year anniversary just occured on the 28th and that her birthday is arriving soon, 11/14, so I guess thats why she is on my mind lately.

I find myself having thoughts about her abducter/murderer and how he is coping with these anniversaries approaching. I wonder if Tara is still haunting his dreams? I would like to be able to agree with the poster who stated that they are not going to declare Tara dead, just missing...but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be true to my heart by stating that as fact, I do believe that Tara has met her demise and my prayer is that we are able to find her this year and bring her home.

I do believe Tara is dead and that this occurred sometime after 11 PM on the 22nd of October. I have gone back and forth for three years over this. I do believe that she was abducted from her home probably around 1 AM and she was lured by someone who sold her a story. The unknown DNA male.

I also think I know who is behind this and it doesn't matter what his excuses/alibis are. He only cares about himself and his needs for whatever time. He is just like every other abuser/murderer we see daily it is just that he is getting away with it longer than I would like or Tara's family would like.

His last girlfriend dissed him for a firefighter which was a good choice on her
part. This may have saved her life.

[browneyedgirl]

I do believe Tara is dead and that this occurred sometime after 11 PM on the 22nd of October. I have gone back and forth for three years over this. I do believe that she was abducted from her home probably around 1 AM and she was lured by someone who sold her a story. The unknown DNA male.

I also think I know who is behind this and it doesn't matter what his excuses/alibis are. He only cares about himself and his needs for whatever time. He is just like every other abuser/murderer we see daily it is just that he is getting away with it longer than I would like or Tara's family would like.

His last girlfriend dissed him for a firefighter which was a good choice on her
part. This may have saved her life.

HI CP. Its been so long since weve been here at the same time that I miss chatting with you. I agree with your post entirely, as I have always in the past. I do believe that Tara is gone from this earth and that she is with her mother in Heaven. Im glad that her mother finally has the answers that she longed for in life.

I hope that this will be the last birthday she has to spend alone in an unmarked grave. I hope by this time next year, she will be in a place where her family can visit with her.

I also hope that this will be the last year that her murderer is able to escape justice. I hope this time next year we will be gearing up for his murder trial.

How is the local gossip there? Anything being said at all or is it just a horrible memory fading from minds? I google the local news weekly but, nothing really ever in print, not that there ever has been. Just wonderin what was being said around town?

Im glad to know that his gf got rid of him before he wiped her off the face of the earth, too. I bet that didnt go over well with his arrogance. Do you think she was involved in anyway with Tara's plight? i have always wondered if they didnt show up at the BBQ that night? I dont know, the more I go over this case, the more it seems Im chasing my tail.

Ill look forward to maybe being able to run into each other on the board.

[Esah]

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I managed to get sick and didn't get to go to Grandmother's House for dinner! Since my whole family weren't feeling much better than me, my mom and dad brought all the fixins over and we ate very good food. I was thankful for a caring family.

I think about Tara's family at every holiday and how hard it must be for them to get together and enjoy themselves. Even though Tara would want them to be happy, I'm sure it's hard to just the same.

So many times in the past three years, I have tried to re-invent my search for Tara. Try to start over or look at old details in a new way.

I used to have a thread this site that I would post directly to "the person who took Tara'. It was very therapeutic to me to be able to tell this annonymous person what I thought of them and try so many times to encourage them to come forward. I miss that thread but after all that I have said to them, I dont' think that there is much more that I could say to them that would make any more difference than the other posts. I think it just made me feel like I was doing something when nothing else was happening.

Whether I am posting a message to this man publicly or not, I am still doing it in prayer every day. So please keep Tara's case in your prayers. I have seen the power of prayer displayed so many times in my life, and well... we simply don't know how our prayers will work. We just need to know that they do work.