Found Deceased KY - Savannah Spurlock, 22, left 'The Other Bar' with 2 men, Richmond, 4 Jan 2019

[Vocalities]

I believe there are things people can do to lessen the chances of something bad happening to them.

Well of course. That's not the issue.
People lock their front doors and try to be aware of their surroundings. The point is that somebody that has been harmed doesn't deserve it just because people view them or their behavior or their actions as "risky." It doesn't diminish the impact of the crime. And because people of all kinds are victimized, despite their best efforts, one could argue that "lessening your exposure to harm" is an invisible safety net.

 

[iluvmua]

I believe there are things people can do to lessen the chances of something bad happening to them.

This is true but it is possible that SS knew these guys in some way.

Maybe she felt safe with the guys.

Jmo

 

[bwt42]

Well of course. That's not the issue.
People lock their front doors and try to be aware of their surroundings. The point is that somebody that has been harmed doesn't deserve it just because people view them or their behavior or their actions as "risky." It doesn't diminish the impact of the crime. And because people of all kinds are victimized, despite their best efforts, one could argue that "lessening your exposure to harm" is an invisible safety net.

Then reducing your exposure to harm is useless.

 

[flashy09]

I am confused about a few things.

I had a first cousin go missing - a 37 yr old man - and within 24 hrs there were helicopters and a grid search led by LE. Foul play was not even suspected, at least not too much degree. This was in a much wealthier county than Garrard...although perhaps my family paid for it, I am not sure. What is the normal protocol regarding searches for missing people?

Has there even been a true grid search, not just public volunteers? Any tracking dogs?

 

[Vocalities]

Then reducing your exposure to harm is useless.

It isn't though. I don't believe things are that black and white. There's just only so much you can do and judging a person from a safe distance is all too easy.

 

[cluciano63]

I am confused about a few things.

I had a first cousin go missing - a 37 yr old man - and within 24 hrs there were helicopters and a grid search led by LE. Foul play was not even suspected, at least not too much degree. This was in a much wealthier county than Garrard...although perhaps my family paid for it, I am not sure. What is the normal protocol regarding searches for missing people?

Has there even been a true grid search, not just public volunteers? Any tracking dogs?

There seems to be no standard procedures...more of a case by case response jmo. If they know for certain where a person was last seen, they may do foot searches etc. sometimes police do these without making it public.

 

[Vail]

So it would seem the friend did not actually leave, considering they all went to the bar in one car, and Savannah's mom saw the female in the backseat over FaceTime when they were on their way back.

 

[NoeticSoul]

This is true but it is possible that SS knew these guys in some way.

Maybe she felt safe with the guys.

Jmo

bbm Seems like it, since she didn't alert her mom of anything on FT that early morning/evening when they spoke last. moo

 

[jULIA_bEE]

So it would seem the friend did not actually leave, considering they all went to the bar in one car, and Savannah's mom saw the female in the backseat over FaceTime when they were on their way back.

As far as I’m aware, her friend did leave early. It’s possible SS told her she’d Uber back to her car or to the other friends apt.

I’m not sure it was a female that her mom saw. It could’ve easily been the guy with long hair and she just mistook him for a female. She did say she couldn’t see them clearly. Or, there was a random female and she’s never been mentioned again. I haven’t seen anything else about her which makes me think she didn’t see a female in the car.

 

[Vail]

As far as I’m aware, her friend did leave early. It’s possible SS told her she’d Uber back to her car or to the other friends apt.

I’m not sure it was a female that her mom saw. It could’ve easily been the guy with long hair and she just mistook him for a female. She did say she couldn’t see them clearly. Or, there was a random female and she’s never been mentioned again. I haven’t seen anything else about her which makes me think she didn’t see a female in the car.

Thank you for clarifying The media not mentioning her or that she was questioned etc did make it sound like the friend wasn't there but the description of the people in the car was confusing! Makes sense if one of the guys has long hair.

 

[Grapey]

I believe there are things people can do to lessen the chances of something bad happening to them.

So she deserved it then, if it turns out she was murdered? She's less of a victim?

Not sure I'm understanding your point...if there is one...

 

[rsd1200]

So it would seem the friend did not actually leave, considering they all went to the bar in one car, and Savannah's mom saw the female in the backseat over FaceTime when they were on their way back.

I don't think the female in the back seat was the same female that SS left home with. SS's mother didn't seem to know the people in the vehicle, but, the light probably wasn't the best, either.

 

[idfinch]

Well of course. That's not the issue.
People lock their front doors and try to be aware of their surroundings. The point is that somebody that has been harmed doesn't deserve it just because people view them or their behavior or their actions as "risky." It doesn't diminish the impact of the crime. And because people of all kinds are victimized, despite their best efforts, one could argue that "lessening your exposure to harm" is an invisible safety net.

Then reducing your exposure to harm is useless.

I'm sorry but I'm not following. I agree with Vocalities. There isn't any absolute guarantee that if you do X, then you will be safe. If you do Y, then you will be harmed. Therefore reducing your exposure to harm is always helpful.

That doesn't mean that horrible things don't happen to people who are doing nothing "wrong" in the eyes of public scrutiny or judgment, like shopping or going to church in broad daylight or sleeping in their own homes. Nor does it mean that people who engage in so-called risky behavior will always be crime victims.

Your odds might be better one way or the other, but you can't 100% guarantee safety in any situation that involves the random deviant behavior of others.

 

[bwt42]

So she deserved it then, if it turns out she was murdered? She's less of a victim?

Not sure I'm understanding your point...if there is one...

Didn't say she deserved it. <Modsnip-not victim friendly >

 

[newshound6]

Nobody is denying "I believe there are things people can do to lessen the chances of something bad happening to them." at all,obviously that's true. Likewise,the statement "Then reducing your exposure to harm is useless." seems like an insincere wisecrack or an intentional misunderstanding of people who call out victim shaming.

What I said and what I think others are saying is that abuse,violence,brutality, predatory behavior etc... are always the fault of the person who does these things.Speaking for myself, I could be out at 3AM see a naked,wasted woman carrying a duffle bag with a million dollars in it and my first reaction is to help this person to safety-I presume most people here would do the same.Men are thinking human beings who make choices, not a bunch of crocodiles automatically acting on some predatory instinct.Blaming female victims for men's bad behavior normalizes violence.

 

[Deleted member 202271]

So she deserved it then, if it turns out she was murdered? She's less of a victim?

Not sure I'm understanding your point...if there is one...

I think bwt42 has a wonderful point, in fact. When I was young and attended MOCSA (metro org to counter sexual assault) in Missouri, that statement was one of their standard catch phrases. They repeatedly taught us ways to minimize risk. Simple things like not drinking too much or smoking pot at strangers' homes, making sure at least one responsible person knew where we were at all times, riding buses in pairs when possible (Kansas City buses were very dangerous places back then), always asking for escorts in parking garages, etc.

It's not saying anyone "asked for" anything to point out that there's a lesson we all can learn at times like this. I use news stories to educate my kids, making sure they know that there's plenty they can do to avoid dangerous situations. You can't 100 percent eliminate the dangers of life, but by being careful of where you are and who you're with when you drink alcohol (if u drink at all), being sure to have a plan for what will happen if you drink too much, staying connected electronically and personally to responsible adults you know and respect, and much else, we all can lessen our chances of being victimized.

MOCSA and groups like it around the US teach this lesson every day to thousands of people. It's not victim-blaming at all. It's just common sense that helps us stay alive and unharmed in what might otherwise be situations with horrible outcomes.

Huge percentages of crimes against women and men occur when victims are inebriated. It's a fact, and a very helpful one. Learning the stats in MOCSA caused my sister and me to change a few of our behaviors for the better.

The SS case, no matter how it turns out, is a lesson for many of us. No victim "deserves" any of the bad things that happen to them. But that is not to deny the very real fact that everyone, of all ages and genders, can learn a few basic techniques and behaviors in order to avoid, minimize and elude violent/dangerous situations.
-AC

 

[newshound6]

No one at all believes that common sense safety measures are pointless -all the guidelines about sobriety and plans etc.. are great ideas. What I wish is that instead of constant suggestions about how women can protect ourselves I heard just as many admonitions for males to quit violating women, instead, even here on websleuths which I know is a victim advocacy community there is plenty of questioning of the probable victim's decisions.I also wonder why there have been derisive statements here and on other message boards about Savannah Spurlock "being a mother of 4, and what was she doing out at the bars at that hour"??? What is that about?? I am not unaware that lots of crazy and shady things go on late at night after drug and drink filled evenings but it always seems to come back to the "she was asking for it" response when girls become victims of violence.The violent person is at fault.

 

[bwt42]

Nobody is denying "I believe there are things people can do to lessen the chances of something bad happening to them." at all,obviously that's true. Likewise,the statement "Then reducing your exposure to harm is useless." seems like an insincere wisecrack or an intentional misunderstanding of people who call out victim shaming.

What I said and what I think others are saying is that abuse,violence,brutality, predatory behavior etc... are always the fault of the person who does these things.Speaking for myself, I could be out at 3AM see a naked,wasted woman carrying a duffle bag with a million dollars in it and my first reaction is to help this person to safety-I presume most people here would do the same.Men are thinking human beings who make choices, not a bunch of crocodiles automatically acting on some predatory instinct.Blaming female victims for men's bad behavior normalizes violence.

"Then reducing your exposure to harm is useless" was not an insincere wisecrack. I copied a quote from a poster that said "lessening your exposure to harm" is an invisible safety net.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I believe there are things people can do to lessen the chances of something bad happening to them.

Absolutely true that one can do some things to lessen the chances of harm. That isn't the issue here IMO.

A young mother is missing and this is a victim friendly site, so with these things and some compassion in mind, it would be nice to focus on the facts of the case.

 

[girlhasnoname]

As far as I’m aware, her friend did leave early. It’s possible SS told her she’d Uber back to her car or to the other friends apt.

I’m not sure it was a female that her mom saw. It could’ve easily been the guy with long hair and she just mistook him for a female. She did say she couldn’t see them clearly. Or, there was a random female and she’s never been mentioned again. I haven’t seen anything else about her which makes me think she didn’t see a female in the car.

Do you know if there has been any information released about the vehicle they towed in connection to the people LE spoke to?