This is similar to the link upthread that indicates a reward fund was started, but this version seems to have been orgininally published in 2005 and then reprinted in 2010 ... If I understand it correctly. It seems, then, this could be a cold case that LE revisits from time to time? And that can only be good news.
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publishe...picId=100020825&docId=l:1255005458&isRss=true
This version tells how Barbara's home was checked in mid August. Her cars were in the garage, her keys, wallet, Id were found in the home. The ceiling fan was running, the TV was on, and a screen in the back of the house had been popped out. This is similar to what I've read elsewhere, but with a little more detail--and it suggests to me that Barbara was surprised by an intruder/s lurking in her home and forced to go with him/them. Had she left voluntarily, I don't think she would have left her wallet, keys, ID ... if it was warm enough to be running the ceiling fan (mid August in CA, probably hot), I don't think she'd leave the TV running.
It doesn't say that the house was ransacked or that the wallet had been rifled. It doesn't indicate that big items were missing. The first LE on the scene could probably not tell on first glance whether anything was missing--that would have to involve someone who knew her coming into the home to attempt an inventory.
If the abductor was a friend or lover, they probably would have knocked and been let in by Barbara, with the trouble starting after entry. Unless this was a former friend or lover, or possibly a stalker--someone she distrusted or had fallen out with and would not voluntarily let in.
It's possible that robbery was the motive, it's possible that money was taken from her wallet and the articles are just not saying so--but these don't seem likely scenarios to me. I'm thinking--
1) A stalker or angry former boyfriend.
2) A wrongdoer who'd been found out by Barbara who was concerned she would report the crime ... something like embezzlement, fraud ... a seemingly respectable person whom she caught out.
3) A psychopath who happened to be skulking through backyards trying windows and Barbara's just happened to be the one in which he could poke out a screen, and thus she became the chosen victim.
If the killer is someone she caught out, then I'd expect that sooner or later the wrongdoer would have been found out. Someone doing a crime like embezzlement or fraud isn't going to go on getting away with it for 5 years ... sooner or later victims are going to come foreward.
If it was a psychopath who took advantage of an opportunity in finding he could get through her window, then there would be other vicitms. It seems to me in the articles I've read so far, this Pico Riveria area seems to be a bit "high crime," but some of the crimes mentioned have related to gang activity and drug trafficking. It doesn't seem like anything like that would lead to Barbara.
Right now I'm learning toward a stalker/disgruntled boyfriend.
Will try to search some more tomorrow. 'Nite all.
