diege, Welcome! You will not be judged here, I'm fairly certain of that. First, my heart goes out to you & your family. I cannot fathom what it's been like. I'm sorry there has been such a tear between Rusty and others in the family. I suppose something like that can be understood to a point but when it fails to be productive for any reason, it's time to mend it. I hope, especially for your parents' sakes, it can and will be.
I'm glad you cleared up the mess about the polygraphs. Like others, I wish the missingtrio site had fuller, more accurate or more updated info on it. I know people get busy and all but the site would be a good spot for full & complete info.... a good record, if you will, that may be helpful. I think that info should be published there. I hope it will be soon.
I hope this doesn't get misunderstood - having you come read here & post is like a breath of fresh air for this thread! It felt very mired down for a long time... like it would spin it's wheels and never get anywhere. We all appreciate it very much that you've come here.
Something that continues to nag at me is William Ted Wilhoit. Named a suspect in the Carla Walker case.
http://www.justiceforcarla.com/thesuspect.shtml The numerous crimes that took place in the area in that time period and his repeated troubles with the law give a timeline of sorts that could line up for these girls disappearance. I read the (very long) synopsis at this page:
http://www.justiceforcarla.com/thecase.shtml and noted that the retired detective mentions comparing Wilhoits handwriting to the note recieved and it was decided it was not a match. Tho that may not necessarily mean he had nothing to do with the girls disappearing it seemed to squash the idea that Wilhoit was connected. I'm wondering if indeed there was anything else that lines up with Wilhoit's timeline or crimes... if it was looked into further than just the handwriting of that note? (on the case page it indicates that two of the mom's (doesn't say which ones) and Rusty had contact with this retired detective John Terrell)
I guess with Wilhoit my thinking is this... if I had something more substantive than "no it's not his writing"... then I'd be able to mark him off a mental list and focus elsewhere (should "elsewhere" ever present itself somehow).
I look forward to reading anything you care to share. I hope you'll feel welcome here.