That stretch of the river is actually a resevoir, and, as such, its level varies day to day. Since at least January of this year, the river level has been extremely low. On February 13, there was a "beach."
So, don't rely on that Google Earth image too much.
If the reservoir is highly controlled, would they allow water up enough to flood the area where the body was, thereby the killer might have thought it would float away?
Speculation follows:
I'm still going with "Dexter" theory on body disposal. (1) Deep water is nearby. (2). Body close to shore but still an attempt was made to keep it hidden, (as opposed to simply driving it into the many, many heavily wooded areas which surround Wenatchee). (3). Rumors of some type of an attempt at dismemberment.
More speculation (fair warning it gets graphic)
If we also speculate that the killer used the "Dexter" approach to the
murder as well. -- (1). It would have started with a drug injection to the neck knocking victim out. {I believe the show even mentioned what type of drug Dexter was using and what method he used to acquire it.} (2). Unconscious, the victim would then be moved to a room wrapped in plastic sheeting, {very similar to those plastic
painter's drop-clothes}, (3). The neck would be cut, severing the carotid artery. {very little torture or pain would every be inflicted upon the victim} (4). Dexter would then dismember the body and bag each piece in yet more plastic. (5). Everything with evidence would also be bagged for disposal at sea, {"Dexter" is a cable television show based in Miami}.
Obviously much of the above is incorrect for our situation. But if this rumor of a "bloody footprint"
*** being found is correct, (
highly doubtful at this point), then police quite possible
have found the murder scene but with a room wrapped in plastic, there would be almost zero evidence left at this location, -- except for maybe a footprint when the suspect left the plastic covered area.
We know where the body ended up. But where would someone get rid of at least 3 large garbage bags of plastic sheeting - my first thought is burning but the plastic would be saturated with blood, so that could almost be ruled out.
The above is ALL speculation,
based almost entirely upon a television show and
NOT the MC murder.
***Someone asked one of the previous posters who commented that police found a "bloody footprint" for some kind of confirmation as to how they heard about it. As far as I know, that question hasn't been answered. I will ask again, where did the rumor of police finding a "bloody footprint" start?