NY NY - Michael Taus, 24, West Islip, 18 June 2010 - Missing After Blind Date - Page 8

Indy Anna · #**176** 04-17-2012, 10:14 AM

Today's the first I've read about MT's disappearance. There's some very good insight on here. I think Mamacita's theory is especially credible. I guess I will add mine. All along, I've thought about this happening so near the water and someone mentioned the many boats in the area. I was imagining Michael going to a yacht party for his date. Since his father helped him pick out his clothes, maybe this particular party was supposedly more formal than those he was accustomed to. I think it would be likely that he was invited to bring Romeo along to a yacht party.

But, I'm imagining the party to be a ruse. Perhaps Michael's blind date belonged to a ring of thieves. The plan was to burglarize Michael's home and they couldn't do that with Romeo there. So, maybe there were only two or three people on the yacht, or maybe just his date, when Michael arrived. Michael was then given a drink which was drugged. Once he was unconscious, Michael's date or an accomplice removed his keys from his pocket. They didn't bother to take his charge cards, knowing they could get caught using them. After they were miles from shore, they tossed Michael overboard. Romeo may have instinctively dove into the water after Michael, or maybe someone tossed some food into the water to lure him in, too.

That scenario would explain why there has been no sign of either Michael or Romeo - not even traces of blood, I assume. The thieves would have free access to Michael's home and car. I wonder if any valuables (besides Michael and Romeo) are missing from their home? The ring of thieves may have used the car during burglaries. It would be interesting to know if there were any burglaries committed in the area the car was found, around the same time? The burglars may have left the car running for a quick getaway, but had to escape in another direction to avoid detection; or, if a getaway driver remained inside the car, maybe he quickly fled on foot when he saw LE approaching. If these are the actual circumstances, those people would certainly not want a missing man's vehicle found in their possession.

The reason why Michael's disappearance, as with the disappearances of adult males in general, does not receive the same attention as similar cases involving women and children may relate to societal stereotypes. Men are perceived as protectors; strong, invulnerable. Family members may feel embarrassed for their loved one who somehow proved vulnerable, especially if they believe their loved one suffered an ill fate at the hands of a female. Thus, family members may prefer to avoid publicity.

Just some thoughts. All MOO.

Wanting2Help · #**177** 07-12-2012, 11:07 AM

Bumping for Michael and Romeo

Its been over 2 years, where could they be? His mom is still posting on FB...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/142643139095291/ (you have to log into FB to view)

I know its been mentioned before but could he have been a victim of the LISK?

WI1987 · #**178** 08-06-2012, 05:40 PM

Another month ... where's Michael Taus? I will keep bumping this thread until he is found, dead or alive.

He is a year older than me and lived just blocks away from where I type this. I want to know what happened to him.

WI1987 · #**179** 11-24-2012, 09:10 PM

It's now almost December 2012 ... Michael Taus is still missing (as far as I know anyhow).

ktgirl · #**180** 11-24-2012, 10:28 PM

I had never heard of Michael's case. I am a proud pet parent like Michael and often take my dogs with me when I go places.

The cases where people and their dogs go missing especially touch me- and there seem to be more than you'd expect (a more recent example- Kathleen Haley- she and her boxer have both been missing from Newport News since 9/1/12-

VA VA - Kathleen Haley, 37, Newport News, 1 Sept 2012 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

).

Some of you have referenced the LISK. I don't know much about that case but I thought all of his (I'm going to assume its a he for the time being) victims were women. Are there any known male victims of the LISK?

LotusPawprint · #**181** 11-24-2012, 11:49 PM

This is also the first I'm reading of this very frustrating, sad, and baffling case. I've read and re-read the thread and looked for recent news and there's nothing to be found. Like others who have posted here, I have a West Islip connection (or had one), a close college friend who is born & raised in WI, and is about the age Michael should be now. I couldn't find anything indicating where Michael went to high school, if not the public schools there is a private school where my friend went. I may have to reconnect with him to see if he knew MT or knew of him.

It appears that LE hasn't commented at all regarding this case asking for help or leads, releasing any information in quite some time. The last official word from Suffolk Cnty Police was what? Over a year ago? Have they not found anything at all? Did the forensics from his car and computer search show nothing at all? Cell phone pings provided no info? His dog was never seen? For something to happen to a solid young man and a pitbull with no witnesses and no trace is pretty significant. His car detailing business + him being a young man makes me think he may have had techy gadgets like GPS in his Jetta... was there ever information released that there were signs of robbery? I can't recall reading if his wallet, ID, credit cards, etc were missing or found.

I apologize for not quoting the post but shortly after Michael went missing, a WS'er called Suffolk PD to inquire about the case and reported back here on the thread.. .again I'm sorry for not including that in my post here. It was the most information we've been able to obtain from authorities yet it was perplexing. I wonder if it would be appropriate to inquire with them again to see if the case is still being worked or if it's gone cold... I hope it's still active and I hope Michael's family gets the answers they deserve.

The dog's presence in this case is particularly strange and upsetting to me, as a dog lover. It raises so many additional questions. It could be worth sending the JVM show an email about Michael's story, as if the case isn't puzzling enough on its own after 2 1/2 years, she may take particular interest in the dog being a dog lover herself.

Seifert79 · #**182** 11-28-2012, 02:41 AM

Speaking as a local, there seems to be a general lack of follow-up in recent cases. In Islip alone, there was an 18 year-old male murdered in November of last year. At the beginning, there was a lot of local media coverage of him as a missing person...once he was recovered, the local news reported it to be a homicide. Since then, there have been NO follow-up stories as to potential suspects, etc. Last week, Newsday reported a 48 year-old man found dead of suspicious circumstances in his driveway, also in Islip. This story also has not been followed-up on in the press. I'm not sure if resources are tied up investigating the local Gilgo/Craigslist homicides on Ocean Parkway, no idea how the system works? I can tell you that many locals have expressed frustration with the lack of media follow-up on stories involving violent crimes (especially!) I find it hard to believe Suffolk P.D. (highest paid in country) are neglecting to investigate these cases, but who knows?!?!

inspctrgadget · #**183** 12-18-2012, 03:14 PM

Does anyone know what specific dating sites Michael Taus used? I know that it was reported that he was using "several". Match.com was one that was mentioned, but not the one I'm interested in.

I'm looking at ties to a certain "Crew" that I've discovered as being associated with a certain online dating site and another local homicide. I read the comment from the Newsday article and the word "crew" stuck out like a sore thumb, since that's what these guys refer to themselves as. If you have any idea how I can acquire this info, please let me know.

Jbrown324320 · #**184** 01-02-2013, 02:08 PM

looks like he was on a few, one being match.com. I took this quote from the first page of this thread

Taus’ parents said their son had been on several social networking sites during the third week of June.

"I always used to tease him whenever he was going out on a date with a girl from Match.com,” said Taus.

Jbrown324320 · #**185** 01-03-2013, 01:39 PM

Walton Ward went missing from Indianapolis Indiana bar after a blind date from okcupid.com didn't show on 10/23/12. He was found in the white river the next day.

rickyv · #**186** 01-03-2013, 02:42 PM

@ktgirl yes, one of the LISK victims was an Asian male

LotusPawprint · #**187** 01-03-2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspctrgadget

Does anyone know what specific dating sites Michael Taus used? I know that it was reported that he was using "several". Match.com was one that was mentioned, but not the one I'm interested in.

I'm looking at ties to a certain "Crew" that I've discovered as being associated with a certain online dating site and another local homicide. I read the comment from the Newsday article and the word "crew" stuck out like a sore thumb, since that's what these guys refer to themselves as. If you have any idea how I can acquire this info, please let me know.

bbm - is there one site you're considering or you're looking for that info?

I can do some searching but I'm wondering if his profile(s) would still be up or if LE might have taken it down during the initial investigation.

WI1987 · #**188** 03-31-2013, 05:32 PM

Almost April 2013 - approaching 3 years now.

I cannot believe this guy just *poof* vanished from my town just blocks away from where I am typing this. Someone knows something, please talk the police. I cannot even begin to imagine what his mother is going through, as a 25 year old guy I can only think of how my parents would feel and it hurts. Even if he is dead I wish that his family can have closure.

WI1987 · #**189** 05-19-2013, 07:49 PM

May 19th now.

I cannot locate the Facebook page for him (Looking for Michael Russel Taus or something along those lines) ... has it been taken down? Does this mean Michael has been located?

WestCoastLady · #**190** 05-19-2013, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI1987

May 19th now.

I cannot locate the Facebook page for him (Looking for Michael Russel Taus or something along those lines) ... has it been taken down? Does this mean Michael has been located?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/142643139095291/

Here's the Finding Michael Taus facebook page, but there's not been a post in almost a YEAR. And there are only 5 members....

WI1987 · #**191** 05-20-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastLady

https://www.facebook.com/groups/142643139095291/

Here's the Finding Michael Taus facebook page, but there's not been a post in almost a YEAR. And there are only 5 members....

Thanks! For some reason I couldent find it last night.

Ive communicated with his mother in the past (most recently in early 2012), I feel horrible for her. I can't even begin to imagine what this is like for her.