Respectfully curious - what makes you think she was murdered? I don't think that at all and am wondering if I am missing something. I get the feeling that it was an accidental OD and they hid her body. I feel that way b/c of all of the rumors and the fights and other things among this group - certainly seem like a big rowdy party crowd. I've read lots of scuttlebutt about her circle and drugs, etc. from students/peers. However I have not read one comment from a student who's suspicious that she was killed. At this point, I really only have rumors to rely on since LE is so quiet, but I guess I put some stock in those b/c lots of people seem to know her crowd. So what makes you feel otherwise? Thanks.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/foul_play_possible_cops_disappearance_YzZLYOMxL3uF7rs12wK30N
Spierer, 20, was reported missing last Friday afternoon. Lt. Bill Parker said Tuesday that she was last seen by a male friend walking home to her apartment in downtown Bloomington at around 4:30 a.m. Friday. He said foul play is suspected.
This news report is dated June 7.
Could suggest case is possibly murder.
But what would be the motive?
JW may have committed a "crime of passion." However, given that he was probably a member of the group which confronted CR at 5 North the following morning, this scenario seems unlikely.
Earlier in the case, some member of this circle was suspected of being an FBI informant. Can't remember which one. Does anyone else remember this discussion?
Let's assume that some members of LS's social circle were using illegal drugs. Then, it follows that they were obtaining these substances from certain people active in this business locally. Of course, they may have had multiple sources, but let's assume that there was at least one particular group selling the drugs in the Smallwood neighborhood.
When we consider the path of CS and LS that night, they seem to be moving along quickly given the reports that they were impaired.
[ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6698438&postcount=25"]Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - IN IN - Lauren Spierer, 20, Bloomington, 03 June 2011 - #7[/ame]
Bar to Smallwood: 3 minutes.
Smallwood to 10th: 6 minutes.
Through the alley: 3 minutes.
The shoes & cell were left at the bar; the key & change purse were left in the alley. The loss of necessary items implies a sense of urgency. Even her companion did not notice or stop to pick up her belongings.
JMO: they seem as if they are fleeing in fear of something. IOW they are not laughing, chatting and having a nice relaxing stroll. They are impaired but still “making their way along” to their destination.
MB staying up all night; maybe due to deadlines for papers, but also could indicate vigilance.
Another poster here suggested that JR’s/LS’s 4:15 am call to DR was to find out
what was going on.
Could the students have been threatened by the drug-dealing group?
Say that CR & LS were drugged and robbed in the bar by the drug-dealing group. They flee to Smallwood to get off the streets. Therefore, the drug-dealing group does not normally have a presence inside the Smallwood building. However they encounter a group of other students, and an altercation results. Then CR is assaulted. Again, they flee. MB takes a very protective attitude toward CR (indicating a fearful situation).
The implication is made that the reason LS goes to JR’s place is to party some more; but seems more likely that they were afraid that something was going to happen, and maybe JR’s was safer. Even if she did ask if MB wanted to "party," maybe she meant it as “do you need to take some drug to stay alert in the face of danger?” rather than did he want to take some drug as a recreational experience.
LS is also reported to have expressed urgency to leave JR's alone at 4:30 am, despite being slightly drunk per JR.
Was LS afraid of this group in the days leading up to her disappearance? Might be interesting to know what other students had heard about the drug-dealing group.
The background emotion seems to be fear. But when did the fear start? Did the drug-dealing group threaten anyone? Did the drug-dealing group blame them for something? Maybe a deal went bad, and they (correctly?) believed that one of the students was an informer. Or did they want to make an example of someone to keep the students quiet?
The drug dealing group probably didn't target LS specifically, but may have used her as a way to take a hit at someone else or at the students generally.
Could have been retaliation for a large drug bust. Did someone get sent to prison as a result of a student report of criminal activity? LS could have fit the demographic.