Morf, good 1st Episode and introduction. Looking forward to May and the episodes.
Some things regarding the gas in the Mazda being low:
- Mazda was filled up on Friday
- We don’t know how much driving JB did on Friday and Saturday, prior to going out Saturday night with Tracie
- JB was living with her Dance Teacher, who lived off of Hwy 431, North of the Circle, so if she drove into Dothan, inside the Circle, on Friday & Saturday to meet friends or do errands, this would use a fair amount of gas.
- it has been posted in these threads, that JB did meet a friend for dinner on Friday night; I don’t know the specifics of where and who
- the Saturday night destinations with Tracie would have used a fair amount of gas as well
This brings me to what we know as the possible Destination/Timeline Saturday with Tracie:
- Somepoint on Saturday: JB drove to see Tracie at JC Penney to confirm the plans for that evening - JB would pick Tracie up when her shift at Penney’s ended, go to Tracie’s house so she could change, head out for the night from Tracie’s house. The plan was for JB to spend night at Tracie’s house.
- 1st Stop: 10:00 pm leave Tracie’s house - headed to Haleburg Field Party/Haleburg, AL - This was planned, they had a handwritten map on a napkin with directions to party. Jana, JB’s dance school friend was involved in this party and told JB it was in honor of JB’s Birthday. They get lost trying to find Haleburg and the party and give up trying. They go to a gas station in Headland. It’s later confirmed by police that JB and Tracie did not show up to this party by those who did attend.
- 2nd Stop BP Station in Headland (no longer BP, believe it’s currently a Citgo) This is probably somewhere around 10:30 - Police know about call to Jana so probably have time of call. A few key things happen here:
* JB calls Jana’s House from payphone, does not speak with Jana, however speaks with Jana’s sister
* A Girl, who knows both JB & Tracie, later tells police, she overheard JB telling another boy at the station, that while they were trying to find the Haleburg Party, they made a wrong turn up a dirt road/drive and ran into 2 boys in a pickup truck ( who may or may not have been shirtless) who chased them and followed them. JB and Tracie were frightened by this.
* JB and Tracie talk to their friend from Northview, Bookie, who was with another group in a car. They tell Bookie they were going to the Haleburg Party but couldn’t find it. They give the napkin map to Bookie. JB asks Bookie how to get to Midland City from Headland. Bookie gives them directions. The girls leave in the direction he told them to go. Bookie and his group leave and eventually find the Haleburg Party and attend the party.
* A law enforcement officer, who was on patrol that evening, later confirms seeing the girls and the Mazda at this gas station while he was passing by. Don’t know if officer gave a time.
- 3rd Stop - Field Party in Skipperville - This comes from an episode of the podcast “Fear Based Life”, which featured Veronica Silver Producer/Director of “Shined Rabbit” documentary. She stated other people at party confirmed JB and Tracie were there, but only for short time. Depending on what route the girls took from Headland to Skipperville, this was probably approximately 11:00 to 11:15.
-4th Stop - Big/Little in Ozark - the Store is closed
* 11:38 pm Tracie calls her Mom from the payphone and tells her they got lost and are in Ozark but will be coming home. Also per the “Fear Based Life” episode, Tracie asks her Mom if they can stop in Midland City to meet 2 boys at a gas station. Tracie’s Mom says yes, but that is the only stop and it should be short.
*Mrs Merrit and her daughter - There have been discussions in these threads on what specifically JB asked Mrs Merrit.
1 version is that JB wasn’t really lost she just wanted to know quickest way back to Dothan and asked Mrs Merrit either, what is quickest way to 231 or what is quickest way back to Dothan
2 version is Some believe JB was lost and asked Mrs Merrit how to get to Dothan
Either way, Mrs Merrit gave them directions to Hwy 231
* White Truck - this truck was on the security camera video from the camera inside the Store. Ozark PD says they found the owner and driver in Delaware. They questioned the driver and looked at the truck. Chief of Ozark PD says they were satisfied it was not involved nor was the driver.
I believe this is the account of their destinations that night which can be corroborated. There could have been other stops which are not known at this time.
That was a lot of driving which would have bearing on if the Mazda gas was really lower than it should be. I don’t know the avg. MPG of a 1993 Mazda or the total miles they drove that night, but I’m sure someone could come up with a guestimation. Also, I don’t know if it’s ever been specifically stated as to what the gas gauge indicated, regarding the amount of gas left, other than the general it was low.
