The 3rd and final attack, location, and scene is quite perplexing.
I have yet to talk about it, except briefly, but have given this date intense thought. However, far too many details still are unknown to me/us.
One must ask "Why did it take place *there*??"
Here are some of my thoughts. There are certainly other reasons/possibilities, but this is how I see it at present.
1. It's not at all an ideal concealed location. In fact, after viewing both 1971 and present aerial views, it is unbelievably "out in the open". Night darkness was the "only" aid in concealment. Weather records show clear skies and temp of 27° at 6 PM down to 25° at 9 PM. Very cold, but clear, with light snow on the ground. Regarding the location Bill was found on the night of his murder, it is a somewhat concealed area. The area is located across the streets (railroad track side) and situated somewhat behind the house. It is a very dark area, no street lights, no porch lights would be on that side of the house. It was a cold night (windows and doors shut). The families living in those houses are used to hearing the trains go by and had probably have been accustomed to tuning out any outside noises.
2. If I was to guess the age range of the perp(s) based on this final day alone, I'd have to say between the ages of 17 to 19. However, when I consider details of the entire case, from the 1st attack forward, I'd have to expand that age range to also include those much older, possibly up to 30 yrs old. But an age range of 20 to 30 is very unusual for this 3rd crime scene, and the acts on this day leading to Bill's death.
This final crime scene "screams" immaturity, youthful risk taking, and one that is highly likely 17 - 19 years old.
3. How many perps?
Was it one perp on this date or two,, or three. I believe two, because one person alone faced far too many obstacles in so short a timeframe.
a.) Bill had to be either overpowered (or dominated) to be led away from right at his home. One is insufficient, two is needed. Three perps = too "noticeable", plus we never heard of 3 prior, according to Bill's statements.
b.) Two perps can keep a secret. Three perps never.
4. Why "THERE"?? (cont'd)
Besides immaturity and risk taking in excess, my thoughts are glued to those railroad tracks, but more in particular, the area both on the other side of the RR tracks and especially what seemingly is a semi-wooded area just to the east, where it appears (from 1971 aerials) that 5 sets of tracks makes a split (3 turn to the north, 2 continue to the east). This V-shaped semi-wooded area is the land between the split RR tracks, just east of the crime scene.
Everything in the area has always been entirely residential, hence many potential witnesses. The only area secluded and free of witnesses is across the tracks, especially the wooded area just down the tracks to the east.
When I was that age range, we also had similar RR track setups like this.
The perps, with Bill, headed in that direction from the get-go, and they already just crossed the outer-most residential line. Now WHY kill Bill within sight of those 3 houses on the outer-edge of the Park & Buena Vista Blvd in plain sight, when you are now at the start of the "no-witness" zone across the tracks? See my comments above. The area where Bill was found is out of sight from any of the houses.
I believe their original intention was to go across the tracks, likely to the wooded area just east. I believe "something" abruptly stopped that plan (possibly some resistance from Bill?).
The following goes "beyond" the scope of this case, but I added my thoughts:
If they had made it to the wooded area, it's quite likely, due to the family's relatively quick search for Bill, that it would have ended as assuming Bill was forcefully taken away by vehicle. It is also highly doubtful anyone would search that wooded area until much later, as most ppl probably would have assumed Bill was abducted by vehicle if Bill could not be found by foot searching around the nearby neighboring homes, due to short time frame in which he vanished. Likely, in that case, he would not have been found until 1 to "?" days later. The pathway of the railroad tracks would provide a quick getaway for the murderer(s). After killing Bill, they could have walked down the tracks, avoiding anyone out looking for Bill.
5. The knife left at crime scene:
I saw it in the YouTube video, but it only showed a small portion of the blade and riveted wood handle. It appeared to be a common looking large kitchen "chef's" knife, very similar to those manufactured by Chicago Cutlery brand.
One that's not easily toted in a pocket, but can be slid in a belt for very temporary carry. I hate to ask this of Bob, but must: Was there any missing knife of this sort from the family home? I would surely think LE had already asked that of the family, back then. No knives were missing from our house, that the LE did check.To leave it at a crime scene is either:
a). Dropped in a rush to get away fast. Perhaps they heard Bill's searchers yelling his name.b). Dropped by someone so unknowing how much evidence it could possibly provide.
c). Dropped intentionally, to deceive direction in the investigation.
6). Beer bottle at crime scene:
Originally, due to location, I felt it highly unlikely it to be unrelated to the perp(s) or the murder. Typically RR track areas and areas at the outside edge of neighborhoods are common for discarded bottles and various litter.
However, after I saw it briefly in the video, I saw it looked clean/clear (no dirty film) and also had absolutely no snow or ice on it's surface. I believe it snowed lightly within that past 24 hrs, so therefore it is highly likely this was in fact left by the killers. That bottle is typically a "fingerprint haven". Was there any word they got prints off that or anything? IIRC, you may have said no or IDK, before?
