Very interesting topic. I still think he's a non-local who searched for an isolated area without cameras and where a victim was easily trapped. I believe he may have had more than one location picked out and simply waited for an opportunity to present itself at any of them, while he was there hunting.
We tend to give the criminal too much credit and assign the result to his absolute intention. That is malarkey. They have no idea how anything will unfold, including how the victim(s) will react. They have to make a series of calculations along the way, many in very short time frame. Then either go or abort. I guarantee in the EAR case that DeAngelo went home furious time and again when his original target didn't happen for any number of reasons, including something innocuous like a car parked where it had never been parked during his reconnaissance.
But if Bridge Guy did know the Monon High area previously, instead of discovering it recently online, then absolutely there is great chance he remembered it from the pre-State Road 25 and Freedom Bridge days, and merely operated accordingly on February 13th, 2017, just as he would have 10 years or more earlier. That aspect is seldom if ever discussed.
I know it applies to me on my vacations throughout the country. I like to revisit former spots from trips with my parents decades ago. Frankly I always want to the areas look and function the same as from my memory. If that is not the case I take note of it but I always proceed the same way I would have. I approach from the angle that contains the memories. I park in the comfortable spot, even if it means a longer and more strenuous walk. I traipse and photograph along the familiar path. Only if they physically prevent me from doing what I want to do, then I make annoying adjustments.
Otherwise:
* I agree with the comment that law enforcement press conferences only happen when they are seeking information from the public. Great point. It is the reason I almost hope it doesn't happen on the anniversary or any time soon. Less can be more. The remarks in that recent law enforcement video interview were so pathetic and inept I almost hope they were intentionally that way, to allow impression of befuddlement and nothing going on behind the scenes. How else can I interpret repeated use of such biggies as, "We just need one tip," and "I'm convinced it's a combination of the two sketches."
Nobody can be that bad. At least I hope not. I'd love for Doug Carter to announce an arrest one day while describing everything they had to do to maintain face while it was taking shape.
* Carter was absolutely describing both the Delphi and Flora cases when he said, "Either one..." It was not a slip up or a nod toward multiple offenders in Delphi. It was pure Doug Carter lingo... blending topics and dispensing confusion as a rule. You have to listen to him with translation in mind
* Both podcast series are valuable contributions. "Scene of the Crime" is like an enhanced audio timeline with some new material. "Down the Hill" is put together from a larger company so naturally they have more resources, and devoted them to visiting Delphi for local interviews, ones that are weaved together toward what everyone was thinking at a given time
* Carter was absolutely describing both the Delphi and Flora cases when he said, "Either one..." It was not a slip up or a nod toward multiple offenders in Delphi. It was pure Doug Carter lingo... blending topics and dispensing confusion as a rule. You have to listen to him with translation in mind
I tend to lean toward this killer having been a resident from several years ago or a frequent visitor to a relative in the area. If this was when the killer was in, say, middle school, current residents may not recognize him from the sketch.I have always believed this is the way it happened. No one the girls knew. If he were a local person, LE would have found him in these three years. It could very well be someone who moves around and can make a quick assessment of the area and the victims before making his move. This is why I am leaning more towards a serial killer or one in the making.
For the record, I still think there could be a connection to the murders of the Evansdale IA cousins, Elizabeth Cook and Lyric Collins, after MJK was eliminated by LE.
When I read your post, it reminded me of Gary Michael Hilton, another serial killer, who used the same sort of methods to find and abduct his victims. In three cases where he was convicted, GMH found his victims in the forests of the Appalachian Trail from NC to FL. He also tortured his victims before murdering and beheading them. There are many other victims he may have killed. At least he's in prison now on death row.
But there are more killers out there that may use this same method. Here is a link to GMH threads in the WS Serial Killers forum where you can read more about him.
Gary M Hilton
I tend to lean toward this killer having been a resident from several years ago or a frequent visitor to a relative in the area. If this was when the killer was in, say, middle school, current residents may not recognize him from the sketch.
That said, I have to concede that while this killer has extensive knowledge of the trail area, it is not that difficult an area to become that familiar with. Having grown up hunting and hiking in woods and swamps in Louisiana, Arkansas and Georgia and played Capture the Flag in the woods, I could have become familiar with that area in one day trip. With Google Maps now, it is even easier. Someone who has hunted, trapped, was into wildlife photography or the sport of orienteering could have learned the area as well. Add in that someone with basic infantry training in the Army or Marines would likely have this skill set. Although, and I can't really point to any evidence why I believe this, I seriously doubt this killer was in the Army or Marines or any military service.
I tend to lean toward this killer having been a resident from several years ago or a frequent visitor to a relative in the area. If this was when the killer was in, say, middle school, current residents may not recognize him from the sketch.
...I can't really point to any evidence why I believe this, I seriously doubt this killer was in the Army or Marines or any military service.
From the podcast, “Scene of the Crime”, Robert Ives, then the Carroll County prosecutor, says
“There is a lot of crime scene evidence. Some of it is somewhat odd. But I will say that any crime scene tends to have odd facts about it. I mean, in real life obviously people don’t kill other people all that often. And this crime scene there is a lot of evidence. There’s a lot of unique facts and, honestly, I’m shocked and I promise you the police are shocked that this wasn’t solved in a day or two. This crime scene was physically strange but that’s for the police to decide and determine what to release and not to release. I’ve said that before. It was very odd.”
I found this pretty interesting. The part about the crime scene being “physically strange” and then immediately talking about the police making the decision about releasing evidence made me think that Ives felt there were things at the crime scene that, if released, someone in the public might identify. Whether that would be actual physical objects or how something was done(an odd way of tying something perhaps) we don’t know. This only makes me believe even more strongly that more evidence needs to be released. Do I think that will happen? No. Maybe at the 30 year anniversary. Just my thoughts.
So I've read there's no way to enhance the video of BG. But I just read/saw this and it gave me hope. Technology is ever changing.
Someone used neural networks to upscale a famous 1896 video to 4k quality (Updated)
I think because that was where the girls were dropped off?I've been listening to both podcasts and I think this one is better:
https://www.downthehillpodcast.com/
One thing I found interesting from episode 2 was the expansion of the crime scene that day... from the area that the bodies were found to the bridge (probably from the photo/video/audio) and to the trail head. Does anyone have thoughts on why the trail head was included?
So you think it's that simple? Just the first place that they were alone that day? Even though we're not aware of anything criminal taking place until they were at the South end of the bridge?I think because that was where the girls were dropped off?
We just don't know. Perhaps the crime did begin there. Did BG started stalking them at that point? I'm just guessing, and I've always leaned toward the idea that he saw them dropped off and that's what started the ball rolling. Hard to say!So you think it's that simple? Just the first place that they were alone that day? Even though we're not aware of anything criminal taking place until they were at the South end of the bridge?
I've been listening to both podcasts and I think this one is better:
https://www.downthehillpodcast.com/
One thing I found interesting from episode 2 was the expansion of the crime scene that day... from the area that the bodies were found to the bridge (probably from the photo/video/audio) and to the trail head. Does anyone have thoughts on why the trail head was included?
That's the direction I was heading in as well... I'm not sure how they'd know that though. Maybe some of the girls chatting talked about the guy they saw at the trailhead? Or maybe they took a selfie that we haven't seen and he was in it? Just wondering b/c I'd never heard that mentioned as part of the crime scene before.I need to re-listen to the podcast but didn't Carter say something like, he could guarantee that BG stood at that trailhead gazing at, I think, trail signage? Possibly if they had access to Libby's phone that early on and the recording indicated some initial contact between the girls and BG that occurred at the trail head,or something that referenced the trailhead, they included it for that reason?
Quoted bbmI've been listening to both podcasts and I think this one is better:
https://www.downthehillpodcast.com/
One thing I found interesting from episode 2 was the expansion of the crime scene that day... from the area that the bodies were found to the bridge (probably from the photo/video/audio) and to the trail head. Does anyone have thoughts on why the trail head was included?
So you think it's that simple? Just the first place that they were alone that day? Even though we're not aware of anything criminal taking place until they were at the South end of the bridge?