CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #8

[Auntie Cipation]

Thinking back to the Kelsey Berreth case, and the Kenzie Lueck case as well, there was a lot of focus on cell phone pings determining where various people had been.

It's curious to me that it's not been mentioned here. Of course RT is not a POI so there's no reason to make that information public. But I presume/hope the data has been gathered just the same, for whatever clues it can provide.

And depending on just how empty that road is, haven't we been told in other cases that LE can request all phone numbers that pinged off the nearest tower during X time period? Any abduction theory or for that matter a good samaritan theory of someone giving her a ride would incline towards that being useful data.

I trust that LE is doing their job, but so many of the reasonable theories would have resulted in her having been found already, that it's hard not to let the mind go to other scenarios.

IMO MOO

 

[Kapua]

But would he just have left her there? Out in the open? Possibly.

Most perps make at least a minimal attempt to conceal. IMHO.

 

[Nikynoo]

So if you are a loving husband, and your wife disappears while you are both out for a nice walk in the desert, why would you not be constantly trying to tell the world she is missing and ask for people's help in finding her? After the first interview that we've all seen where RT says he thinks she's been taken, why has there been no further tv interviews, no press coverage for ages. Nothing since mid July in the media except Barbara's son Matthew's interview in August.

We've all followed enough missing persons cases in the media and also on here to know that a distraught family or loved one is going to do as much as they can to put the message out there, photos, flyers, interviews, TV/Radio/Press etc.

As far as we know RT has gone to ground, and there has been nothing from any of his family either.

Only two reasons for this.

1. He's been advised by LE to say nothing for fear it could jeopardise the investigation.

2. He knows she's dead.

I suspect that he was advised by his lawyer not to:

1. do further interviews;
2. go to the site; and
3. have a social media presence.

I also suspect that this advice is why the said lawyer is no longer representing him. Though to be fair, I would issue the same advice.

 

[LietKynes]

But would he just have left her there? Out in the open? Possibly.

Good points.^^^

As far as Erin's case... the perp knew it was better to conceal her by throwing her down a deep mine shaft.
Thus eliminating discovery by buzzards, coyotes, or other hikers.
Pretty sure Erin's killer is not the only one to know this.

As far as RT's lawyer frantically trying to bring Barbara back home... I'd like to see some evidence of this.
Who knows ? Maybe he's out there 24/7 handing out flyers and doing some searching himself ?
I'd have to say RT's 2nd lawyer, as the previous one is no longer representing RT.
Assuming he has retained a new lawyer.

 

[Nikynoo]

Good points.^^^

As far as Erin's case... the perp knew it was better to conceal her by throwing her down a deep mine shaft.
Thus eliminating discovery by buzzards, coyotes, or other hikers.
Pretty sure Erin's killer is not the only one to know this.

As far as RT's lawyer frantically trying to bring Barbara back home... I'd like to see some evidence of this.
Who knows ? Maybe he's out there 24/7 handing out flyers and doing some searching himself ?
I'd have to say RT's 2nd lawyer, as the previous one is no longer representing RT.
Assuming he has retained a new lawyer.

I suspect LE would like to see this too!

 

[Lilibet]

We've all followed enough missing persons cases in the media and also on here to know that a distraught family or loved one is going to do as much as they can to put the message out there, photos, flyers, interviews, TV/Radio/Press etc.

There’s always the initial flurry of activity, but MSM decides what stories it covers and assigns reporters. So no matter how persistent family is, coverage may not continue unless something new happens or it’s a slow news day. That being said, I have the same question about what RT is doing. But I have known cases in which families did nothing and they weren’t guilty of anything except press phobia (not RT’s problem).
JMO

 

[10ofRods]

So...since the post giving a time for the photo has been deleted (I sure can't find it), we're back to a larger set of theories.

Between the sighting at the convenience store and the 911 call, there are 6.5 hours.

My assumption is that LE has pictures showing they were, at least, in the desert. The pictures probably show the Granite Hills and include the 360 photo which shows a parking lot (and would be conclusive as to where someone was standing when the photo was taken). We just don't know when it was taken.

No need to hide a body if the death was by natural causes.

 

[GordianKnot]

What if he didn't have to drag her, but instead walked with her out to a particular location, a la Erin Corwin?

Ah, the Erin Corwin case.

Yes, I think it would absolutely be easier to walk someone out to a deserted mine location like Erin's killer did.

I wonder if the SBSCO has consulted with Doug Billings, the expert who helped them locate Erin's remains out in that desert.
Untapped gold mine was site of Erin Corwin body
SABBM:

The cave team was assisted by Doug Billings, a cave and mine specialist, who cataloged mines to assist in the search for Erin. Billings said Monday that detectives showed him an area where they believed Erin may be found, then he drafted a map of the mines in the region, highlighting the mines that were most likely places to try to hide a body.

"There was so much evidence pointing in so many directions, I decided I was going to catalog every mine within a reasonable area," Billings said.

More than 100 mines were explored as part of the search for Erin, but many of these mines were searched before detectives showed the cave team where to prioritize. The sheriff's department used some form of electronic tracking — likely pings from a cell phone — to zero in on the area
_____________________________________

Without Doug Billings' help, there's no telling whether or not the SBSCO would have found EC, but it's abundantly clear to those of us who followed that case closely that the SBSCO was tenacious and committed in their search for EC.

@dbdb11 , do we know what led LE to the gas station to speak to the employee and obtain the video surveillance of RT there that morning? Did RT tell LE they stopped there on their way? Had he mentioned it to Barb's family and her family passed the info on to LE?

If not, it could have been cell pings that directed LE there.

I'm convinced the SBSCO knows a whole lot more about BT's disappearance than they're sharing.

JMO.

 

[Stripehaven]

CA - CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #7

@MassGuy - can you expand your theory a little? I think the 'where' would be somewhere in the desert, but, would the location need to be accessible by vehicle or at least near to where a vehicle can be parked. A dead body would be hard work to move, especially in the heat, yes? Likewise, digging a grave would also be difficult in that heat? So, on this basis, where would be a good place to hide a body, that is accessible to a vehicle.

I am sure that you have already a scenario in your head, would be grateful for you to share!

I’m not MassGuy but I think there was time to establish their presence st Kelbaker via photos (no need even to alter the time stamp), hop back in the truck to continue on to their planned camping spot, spontaneously stop a couple of miles farther along the way for a walk/photo opp, then be back at Kelbaker by 3:00 or so.

 

[Midwestmom2019]

BBM

That's true.
Maybe they will crack this case ?
Pretty sad if it takes an insurance co. to figure out the truth.

They hire the best bc they pay WAY more than local LE. If it’s big, the more they will pour into the investigation. If he hasn’t applied for it yet, the investigators will have a harder time after 5 years.
Unless the agent snaps to it and reports the death.

 

[al66pine]

Life Ins Policy (hypo only) Payment to Beneficiary? When, How?

They hire the best bc they pay WAY more than local LE. If it’s big, the more they will pour into the investigation. If he hasn’t applied for it yet, the investigators will have a harder time after 5 years. Unless the agent snaps to it and reports the death.

@Midwestmom2019 Thanks for your post. On last sentence of post, not sure if I am following correctly or if am misinterpreting/misunderstanding. OP or anyone, pls help?
Q: Is post saying - if life ins agent who initially sold/wrote policy on BT's life [a hypothetical policy only, we don't know if one or exists], does not report to life ins co. unusual/suspicious circumstances of BT's disappearance, that life ins co would ---
- have no reason to know of those circumstances,
- so would not investigate BT's disappearance/death 5 yrs from now,
- so would promptly pay death benefits to beneficiary (5 yrs from now)?
Thx in adv.

 

[PaulaDC]

CA - CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #7

@MassGuy - can you expand your theory a little? I think the 'where' would be somewhere in the desert, but, would the location need to be accessible by vehicle or at least near to where a vehicle can be parked. A dead body would be hard work to move, especially in the heat, yes? Likewise, digging a grave would also be difficult in that heat? So, on this basis, where would be a good place to hide a body, that is accessible to a vehicle.

I am sure that you have already a scenario in your head, would be grateful for you to share!

If you do it on the spot, no need to move it.

 

[Kittybunny]

I don't understand why media hasn't requested the release of the 911 call. It's like they have no interest in this case. Maybe we could all contact that Indiana news station that interviewed Barb's son and request an update on the case and possible 911 release?

Oooh great idea. 911 Calls are always so telling.

 

[LietKynes]

Oooh great idea. 911 Calls are always so telling.

Agreed.
I would like to hear this.
Mainly for voice inflection, but also what exactly was said.
LE have released other calls, why not this one ??

 

[GordianKnot]

They hire the best bc they pay WAY more than local LE. If it’s big, the more they will pour into the investigation. If he hasn’t applied for it yet, the investigators will have a harder time after 5 years.
Unless the agent snaps to it and reports the death.

Only LEOs can obtain search warrants, though.

Insurance investigators working for private companies or businesses cannot do that.

I think the ability to obtain and execute search warrants is critically important here in BT's case.

If there IS any type of insurance angle to this case, a good insurance investigator
would likely be able to help LE uncover it.

JMO.

 

[cazador]

"They thought I was Being deceptive" RT

My own initial thought when I first watched him speak to reporters about the lie detector.

"Divorce"

That One word that causes change in Everything...

But every picture I have seen shows a loving and happy couple in retirement enjoying life..
Except for her son who makes a direct accusation. But that IS his mom.
dbdb11 just wants the truth.
One more family member made a comment early on that Barbara is her children's Grandmother.
No other family members speak a word For or Against.

So I stick to my thought that she had a heat stroke and dropped and needs to be found.

 

[Ninety5rpm]

Unless it was overcast (unlikely in the desert in July), any photo allegedly taken at a certain date/time can be verified by finding the exact location (from RT's info, background scenery, particular plant characteristics, etc.) and comparing shadows in the photo to what they should have been on that date/time at that location.

 

[K9Enzo]

Agreed.
I would like to hear this.
Mainly for voice inflection, but also what exactly was said.
LE have released other calls, why not this one ??

Request it under FOIA.

 

[Twistinginthewind]

If BT fell down a steep slope miles distant from where they were walking when RT said she disappeared, and perished from the fall and/or heat, would her death be considered 'natural causes'?

If there was no proof that anyone was with her or caused her to fall or left her alone and incapacitated or dead on purpose?

Just wondering in terms of 'COD-speak' if her body is found at the bottom of a ravine, mine, canyon rim, rockslide, rock formation, etc., and no evidence can be found as to why or how she fell, if 'natural causes' would be on the coroners' certificate, or something else like "mechanical failure" (medical term meaning someone tripped or fell) or "unknown", and how these different CODs may affect payout on any life insurance policy in BT's name?
MOO

 

[Ninety5rpm]

So I stick to my thought that she had a heat stroke and dropped and needs to be found.

Given the area and the alleged place where she was, had she had a heat stroke and dropped, RT would have found her, let alone the search parties.