Found Deceased WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, Orondo/Wenatchee - 9 Feb. 2010 - #19

[Salem]

There is an update in the Mackenzie Cowell case: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2...cks-fresh-tip/

This article indicates that Mackenzie's immediate family is OFF LIMITS. As always, full names are not allowed at WS and initials are to be used for all those under discussion.

Speculation, including theories that involve WC (mom), RC (dad) or Mackenzie's brothers will not be allowed.

Sleuthing of individuals that have NOT been named by LE or mainstream media will NOT be allowed.

Also - rampant rumors will not be allowed. If a local wishes to post a rumor, they will be required to provide a connection to the facts of the case as related by LE or mainstream media.

If in doubt - ask a mod before you post.

And Welcome back to Mackenzie's thread,

Salem

[pufnstuf]

Thanks, Salem and PTBs.

I just want to say that I'm relieved to hear that no one in the family is suspected and that none of the family's property is considered a part of the crime scene.

Now, about that hairpin turn...

I am assuming that this is the turn being discussed in the recent news article:

[pufnstuf]

One thing I found perplexing about the article:

Jones said that they got a tip about the hairpin turn a month ago, and had been working a MONTH to determine the veracity of the tip.

Wouldn't it have taken less time just to go to the site and look it over? A month is a long time to spend trying to verify a tip.

Jones said the tip came into investigators about a month ago and task force members have been working since then to determine the validity of the tip.

[justiceformackenzie]

Yes, that's the spot they are referring to I believe.

[Chili Fries]

Originally Posted by pufnstuf

One thing I found perplexing about the article:

Jones said that they got a tip about the hairpin turn a month ago, and had been working a MONTH to determine the veracity of the tip.

Wouldn't it have taken less time just to go to the site and look it over? A month is a long time to spend trying to verify a tip.

Puf, I'm sure they went to the site and looked it over. Determining the veracity may involve trying to figure out whether anything they found at the turn is pertinent to the case. They could have found all kinds of garbage, like stuff you would see at the side of any road, which led to more samples being sent to the crime lab. Getting lab results back takes time.

[Nancee Drue]

In a month's time, is it possible that many people were in the area, unknowingly walking on possible evidence?

[crystalgenie]

This is so sad. MC is dead and the LE apparently doesn't have any suspects. She was a 17 year old that was still in highschool so her social circle can't be that big. If this was a random attack the perp is in the wind and if it wasn't, I'm glad I don't live in Wenatchee. I doubt it was random but the clock is ticking and I'm afraid this is going to be another, Washington state, cold case.

[Liz]

Link to Mackenzie Cowell Timeline with thanks to pufnstuf:

Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Found Deceased WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, missing 2/9/10, Orondo/Wenatchee #16

Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Found Deceased WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, missing 2/9/10, Orondo/Wenatchee #16

COWELL HOMICIDE TASK FORCE

Chief Criminal Deputy Robbin Wagg - Task Force Commander
Captain Doug Jones - Public Information Officer
Task Force Command Center 509–888-4226
Public Tip Line 509-663-9911 (This is the number to call IF you want to collect that big reward money!)
Crime Stoppers 509-888-4280 (See below for more info)
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-34328-Seat...lines-Examiner

A little more on LE Task Force Members:
Deputy Robbin Wagg, Chief Criminal Deputy Douglas County Sheriff's Dept - Task Force Commander
Captain Doug Jones - Wenatchee Police Dept - Task Force Spokesman

OTHER AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (that have been involved and/or mentioned in this case):
Harvey Gjesdal - Douglas County Sheriff
Tom Robbins - Wenatchee P.D., Chief of Police
Mike Harum - Chelan County Sheriff
Jerry Moore - Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Chief of Administration

Local News Media Links:
Wenatchee World News: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com
Go Lake Chelan: http://www.golakechelan.com/index.php
Quincy Valley Post Register: http://qvpr.com
Manson Village Tribune: http://www.mansontribune.com
Chelan Radio KOZI: http://www.kozi.com/

Some UPDATES:
Sheriff Mike Harum Has MacKenzie Cowell Case Update (3-30-10 podcast)
http://www.golakechelan.com/?name=Ne...icle&sid=10464

4-14-10 Press Release from Captain Doug Jones, Public Information Officer
Cowell Homicide Task Force:
http://www.examiner.com/x-34328-Seat...her-cell-phone

5-17-10 Press Release Information from Captain Doug Jones, Public Information Officer
Cowell Homicide Task Force:
http://www.kpq.com/modules.php?name=...ticle&sid=2241


Miscellaneous links of interest::
CHELAN COUNTY REGIONAL JAIL INMATE LIST:
http://www.co.chelan.wa.us/crj/data/ccrjpop.txt
WA Courts - Search Case Records:
http://dw.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa...pt&flashform=0
WA Dept of Licensing Inquiries:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/...y/Default.aspx


Crime Stoppers Tip Line
(509) 888-4280
Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday

Crime Stoppers Reward - $7,000.00
Those who wish to remain completely anonymous may contact the Crime Stoppers line at (509) 888-4280 between 7am and 5pm Monday through Thursday to provide information regarding the case. If the information leads to an arrest and the filing of criminal charges, a reward of up to $7,000.00 cash will be immediately paid to the anonymous informant.

Another reward, now at $47,000, is for people willing to be interviewed by police and who call the RiverCom tip line at (509) 663-9911. The reward would go to the person or persons who provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Mackenzie’s killer.

Reposting this info as general reference.

[Tripod]

Bump up for MC.

[Kenon]

Well too scared to say anything on this thread. Just have to wait and see what happens. Just think Le has no information and this will be a cold case. Pretty sad.

[kingsnake]

Originally Posted by Kenon

Well too scared to say anything on this thread. Just have to wait and see what happens. Just think Le has no information and this will be a cold case. Pretty sad.

Sad is right. I could use a few other words too. So: four months later and it seems that all LE has are debatable facts and solid rumors. So many possibilities/scenarios have been considered on these threads as well, some with amazing amounts of thought & attention to detail.

I've been thinking about this as a possibility:
Mackenzie might have randomly stumbled upon (maybe literally) a vagrant/drifter who just happened to be using the unoccupied house as a temporary shelter. Could it be that she startled them? Maybe she posed a threat to who whoever just happened to be "laying low" in that CB house for the time being? I know that her phone is a key element here, I don't know how exactly to address that... Regardless, someone fast and powerful took action, then tried to hide her body in the one place that (in their mind) erodes evidence quickly-the river. If they knew the area better her body might never have been found. Afterward... they split, moved on, hit the road, whatever.

I was thinking about when I lived in California several years ago; the LA Times an an article about the THOUSANDS of parolees with violent histories throughout the country who were homeless (sex offenders in particular, some who were tired of being run out of neighborhoods/half-way houses). They blew off their probation agreements and opted for life as a vagrant. Some had really violent histories (someone forgot to throw away the key), yet traveled anonymously from state to state.

Anyway, if that isn't depressing enough...

At least this thread is up again.

[DairyGirl]

(May 19) -- In hopes of catching a killer, authorities in Wenatchee, Wash., are now pushing a $47,000 reward in the case of a 17-year-old high school student found brutally murdered three months ago.

"We're following up on a number of leads but would like to see if there's anything else out there," Wenatchee Police Detective John Kruse told AOL News. "We're hoping the publicizing of this reward money will loosen some tongues and generate some tips that we haven't heard yet."

http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article...iller/19482387

[Canadian4]

The reward of $47,00 might be an incentive for someone holding on to information, but it says it will be paid if the tip leads to the arrest AND conviction of a suspect. Conviction could take a long time and someone with info might want to tell what they know and get out quick with the help of reward money.
Thinking about it further though, the crimestoppers reward of $7,000 paid upon the arrest of a suspect could be enough for someone to tell, lay low till a trial and testify to collect the $47,000. I'm rambling. Sorry if this offends anyone.

[LLLindsayy]

Seattle: Mackenzie Cowell 3-month investigation update
May 19, 10:32 PM
Seattle Headlines Examiner
Isabelle Zehnder

May 19, 2010 - The Cowell Homicide Task Force has issued a press release with a three-month investigation update.

The update was provided by Captain Dough Jones, Public Information Officer for the Cowell Homicide Task Force.

3-month Investigation Update:

It’s been just over three months since the body of Mackenzie Cowell was located along the Columbia River at Crescent Bar in Douglas County.

The Cowell Homicide Task Force continues to work diligently on the case with a full complement of detectives from the partner agencies; Douglas County, Chelan County, East Wenatchee Police Department, Wenatchee Police Department.

The local FBI office remains available as needed to assist.

*snip*

The task force will remain intact and operating out of the Wenatchee Police Department until such time as the leads and related work load decreases—as of this time we are not at that point.

To date investigators have followed up on over 430 leads and have conducted nearly 750 interviews.

The task force continues to work closely with the crime lab but will not release results of crime lab work in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

In recent weeks investigators have followed up on tips leading to additional information and the May 13th search of a Crescent Bar location near where Mackenzie was found possibly related to her murder.

*snip*
More at link...
http://www.examiner.com/x-34328-Seat...igation-update

[Tricia]

Everyone please remember you can't post a picture from a news story without permission of the paper.

Sometimes pictures are posted without permission and left up only because I do not see them or I don't get a complaint.

Please keep this in mind in the future.

Thanks,
Tricia

[Tricia]

Originally Posted by Kenon

Well too scared to say anything on this thread. Just have to wait and see what happens. Just think Le has no information and this will be a cold case. Pretty sad.

I want you to know that we have over 25 thousand members and over 5 million posts.

Most of our thousands of posters have no problem in posting. They do it every day and many times each day with no problem.

It is a very simple formula.

No name calling, no attacking the poster, no false accusations, no spreading of unsubstantiated rumors.

If you post something as fact you must back it up with a link if asked.

It is just fine to speculate, to toss around ideas and possibilities. I am not talking about these things.

It's only hard if you want to post something that is not allowed.

[LLLindsayy]

Originally Posted by Tricia

Everyone please remember you can't post a picture from a news story without permission of the paper.

Sometimes pictures are posted without permission and left up only because I do not see them or I don't get a complaint.

Please keep this in mind in the future.

Thanks,
Tricia

Tricia,

Are there any photos we are allowed to post?

Thanks.

[B Buzz]

Originally Posted by Chili Fries

Puf, I'm sure they went to the site and looked it over. Determining the veracity may involve trying to figure out whether anything they found at the turn is pertinent to the case. They could have found all kinds of garbage, like stuff you would see at the side of any road, which led to more samples being sent to the crime lab. Getting lab results back takes time.

The Wenatchee World article:,http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2...cks-fresh-tip/ said officers used metal detectors in their search of the road curve site. I wonder if they searched beyond the road? Maybe the tip was about the missing phone or, even, a weapon? When law enforcement stated that None of Mackenzie's family or their properties were involved. To me, the persons or properties Not included in that statement are interesting.

[Nancee Drue]

MC's mother was interviewed on KIRO TV, today. Check it out on KIRO.com.

[pufnstuf]

Originally Posted by Nancee Drue

MC's mother was interviewed on KIRO TV, today. Check it out on KIRO.com.

Thank you so much, Nancee...

Here is the link...found it after a bit of searching.

http://www.kirotv.com/video/23626752/index.html

One thing she said that gave me hope: investigators have a good bit of evidence, but are waiting on the right tip to solve this.

Otherwise, I'd have little hope that they could solve it... just glad that there's evidence that could point toward someone if the right tip comes in.

[Liz]

Here is a snippet and link from KIRO's printed piece:

Wenatchee Slaying Victim's Mother Issues Plea

"I know that you out there know who did this, and it's important for my family and I for you to bring that person forward," Wendy Cowell said. "You owe it to Mackenzie's honor, and to us and to this community that she affected in such a positive way."

http://www.kirotv.com/news/23626611/detail.html

[Liz]

Originally Posted by DairyGirl

http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article...iller/19482387

David Lohr, who wrote the above article for AOL, posted on the Mackenzie Cowell Memorial FB page on Tuesday, May 18th, asking for any family or friends to get in touch with him to discuss the article he was writing. (Click "Just others" to get Lohr's post to show up.)

Lohr may have heard from family, if he had posted it on the facebook page, Celebrating the life of Mackenzie Nicole Cowell

[Tricia]

Originally Posted by LLLindsayy

Tricia,

Are there any photos we are allowed to post?

Thanks.

Hi LLLIndsayy,

My apologies. I was just told that was a press release you posted. Since it linked back to a news article I thougtht that what it was.

You can post a whole press release with any photos included in the release.

If it was a press release please go ahead and post the whole thing including the picture.

Again my apologies.

Tricia

[orondo]

I watched the video of WC on kiro, and I was literally was rolling in tears....I am so so so happy that MC's immediate family was cleared. Thank you WS for opening another thread, I am new to WS.

I was watching a show on Investigate Discovery (most evil) and it was a segment on Gangs, this female gang member became and informant she was part of MS13 gang, and when the gang got word that she was an informant they lured her down to a body of water to go fishing, and they stabbed her and beat her to death and her body was laying next to the water. She was not sexually assaulted either. Her Best Friend, a male, was convicted of the murder. Just a suggestion, not pointing fingers but this was very similar to MC case.

I have full trust and hope in LE now, I believe they are going to crack this case wide open very soon....Evidence is the key to solving this horrific crime. I wonder if they have created a profile of the killer or killers? Criminal Profiling is also a good source to catching a suspect.

RIP MC!

[Mendara]

Originally Posted by Liz

Here is a snippet and link from KIRO's printed piece:

Wenatchee Slaying Victim's Mother Issues Plea

"I know that you out there know who did this, and it's important for my family and I for you to bring that person forward," Wendy Cowell said. "You owe it to Mackenzie's honor, and to us and to this community that she affected in such a positive way."

http://www.kirotv.com/news/23626611/detail.html

This broke my heart.