Hi Medusa!
That's a shame, Moon. I would still try to contact the reporters, or heck even retired cops that might have been involved. I have a friend who is a local reporter (to me) and he keeps extensive files on stories he has done going back to when he first started 0- and he keeps them at his home in file proof cabinets. Especially back then, if the cops told a reporter to hold up printing something, he would probably have complied, but, may still remember or have notes. Might be worth a try.
Yes. These avenues have been appropriately, pursued. The owner of the local newspaper is a business acquaintance and he and his staff have always been helpful and supportive. We thought the file had turned up, at the Sheriff's office, but it turned out to be, only copies of a couple newspaper articles. I even called an old acquaintance, who was the presiding judge, in a grand jury investigation, related to the case and he remembered seeing the file, but as far as we've been able to determine, that was the last time the file was seen. We thought the file might have been stored at the county courthouse, in Jackson Mo., where the proceedings were held, but we were told that the file would not have been kept there, it would have been returned to the Cape Girardeau Police Department.
One thing that caught my attention. The mention that two cars were seen that day - one with Alabama tags, the other I can't recall from where. Who saw these cars, and where in relation to your house/the motel - do you know?
There were actually, Three vehicles and all of those people were registered at the motel, around the corner. All the vehicles had stolen tags. Those people were known as gypsies, or travelers. They used phony names and phony identification. Back then, people did not use credit cards and the motels didn't require substantial proof of identification. The motel was just around the corner from our home and the back wall, was at the edge of our back yard. The vehicles were seen around the neighborhood. The police were never able to catch up with those people. They always seemed to stay one step ahead of the police.... not too difficult a feat, in my opinion! My folks had to do some of the investigative work, themselves. One of the vehicles, a Chevy Truck, was purchased from a dealer, in Michigan. My mom had to travel to Michigan to talk with the dealer. The couple who bought the truck, had also, purchased vehicles from him, in the past. After Beth disappeared, the couple never returned to that dealer...... not even for maintenance.... We (the family) have not given up the pursuit. An investigator is following up and running checks, on all the aliases. It's pretty easy to disappear, in this country even today, but it was especially easy, as early as the 60's.
And do you all have a list of rule outs for Bethy?
I'm not sure what you mean. If you mean a list of leads that were followed, but ruled out.... well.... No. The leads we've had to go by, are so few, there has been no need for a list. Now there is probably, a list, in her case file... wherever the heck, that is!
Ever since I heard of this case, it has touched a cord with me, I have family from the area and also, I just can't imagine what you all have gone through.
Thank you, Medusa.
All the best,
Moon
