AL AL - Danniella Vian, 24, Mobile, 17 Jul 2018

[ptandj]

I haven’t found much info on this case - but I’m curious why they haven’t organized any search parties? Do they cops have some sort of evidence that she isn’t missing unwillingly?

It seems like search parties would be difficult in a city? Just thinking about where I live, you wouldn't be able to have a search party just traipsing through people's property and everything else is basically street and sidewalk and small public parks.

 

[Vail]

Following is everything I've dug up and can share within ToS:

Map: Danniella Vian
Tips, contact Sergeant Gillespie Mobile PD Homicide Special Unit 251 208 7211

Summary:
Mobile police are searching for a 24-year-old woman who hasn't been seen since Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Danniella Vian, was last seen Tuesday riding in a deep blue 2014 Chevrolet Cruz with a Pearl Motors paper tag at the Shell Staton on 3500 Government Blvd. Vian was believed to be wearing a Mellow Mushroom T-shirt and hat.

Vian had reportedly gone to The Dublin Pub & Eatery with a friend, and left in two separate cars to go to another venue. Along the way, Vian realized that she did not have her cell phone, and flashed her headlights at her friend’s car to alert her, before they pulled in to a gas station to look for her phone in the car.

Family members say they pulled off at that Shell station to look for the phone and decided to head back to Dublin’s to look there when they didn’t immediately find it.

The friend told family members he last saw Vian get in her car to follow him back to the bar and assumed she was driving behind him.

Players named in media*:
Danniella/Danni - missing
Tyler Thomas (TT)- ex-boyfriend and father to their 4-y/o daughter, U.S.Army
Julie Dykes Thomas (JT) - mother of Tyler, current custodian of daughter (Mobile)
Joy Vian - (JV) Danni's mother (out of state)

Timeline:
July17 - Purchased car at Pearl Motors Inc at ?
July17 - Arrived at Dublin Pub at ?
July17 - 10:45pm - Left Dublin pub with unnamed male
July17 - 11:05PM - Both cars on video at Shell Station
July17 - around 11PM last GPS location and activity on phone at Shell Station, after this there is no further activity. GPS is disabled.
July17 -11:07PM - One car leaves
July17 - 11:08PM - Another car pulls in both cars stay parked
July17 - 11:24PM - Both cars leave
July18 - Reported missing the next morning when she didn't show up for work**
July 20 - Julie Thomas confirms The Friend found Danni's phone and turned it over to police.
July 20 - Police search Danni's apartment according to Julie
July25 - Confirmed Case given to Mobile Homicide by media
July27 - Vigil held at 7:30PM Cottage Hill / Medal of Honor Park (organized by Julie)
Aug 2 - PD holds press conference

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10156718129263944

Video from Shell Station

The time stamped video shows what appears to be two cars pulling into the parking lot at 11:05 pm on July 17th.

Two minutes later, one car appears to leave. The other car stays. At 11:08, another car pulls in and both cars stay parked until 11:24 when they both leave.


Exclusive: Surveillance video may show missing Mobile mother


* Can provide link for Julie's comment if needed.
** Picture shows Danniella Vian's
** $2,000 reward offered in Danniella Vian missing person case

Danniella's background:
This is all gathered from public record and her SM
24 years old, grew up in Roswell, New Mexico
Has a 4y/o daughter C with TT
C lives with JT
TT and Danniella both have a military family and lived in Kansas previously
Went to 2 yrs of high school in KS living with a friend, after which she got pregnant and moved to Mobile with TT and family.
Broke up with TT before Dec 2016 (never married)*
Has strained or non-existent relationship with her mother
Works at PF Changs, many of her co-workers are actively sharing
Unknown where she is living

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danniella.vian.9/ (since March 2016)
• Snapchat: corareefthomas
• Instagram formerstreetkid (private)
• Twitter Danniella Vian. (@EllaBby93) | Twitter (old)

Last post was on FB July 15th when she updated her profile pic

Friends in KS and NM are posting prayers - Dani probably didn't take off back to them

*In Dec 2016 stated shes in a relationship
Danniella Vian

Phone
Phone was given to PD by The Friend
Julie Dykes Thomas

The Friend
According to JT, not considered a suspect
Julie Dykes Thomas

Observations:
There is some conflict between JT and JV and some drama over GoFundMe. I'll sit on my hands for now before sharing what I think of these two. How they regard Danniella and her disappearance provides important insight into some dynamics in Danniella's life, though.

There does not appear to be any friendly interaction between TT and Danniella since 2016.

NBC 15, WPMI - TV Mobile
Comment from RD

 

[Luckyzmom]

Oh Lord, prayers for all of you.

 

[ptandj]

@Vail Wow, really nicely done! Has it been confirmed which of the two cars that came in and out of the Shell while she was there was the friend she was out with?

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

Following is everything I've dug up and can share within ToS: [snip]

Great timeline. Thanks! So...
I always thought it didn't sound right that Danniella would signal the friend, and then that the friend would go back with her to get the phone. If I left my phone somewhere that close, I'd just turn around and go get it. And now, we're hearing the friend is the one who found the phone? I missed that. And he didn't wait around for her to come and/or didn't report her missing. Sorry. I think I know where this is headed, and I'm super sad about it.

And then there's this:
Brittney Wood's mother joins search for Danniella Vian

Chessie Wood, mother of missing Brittney Wood, reached out to JT. That is beyond weird for me. Here is Brittney's thread if you're not familiar. AL - AL - Brittney Wood, 19, Mobile, 31 May 2012 - #14

 

[Jackeee]

Following is everything I've dug up and can share within ToS:

Map: Danniella Vian
Tips, contact Sergeant Gillespie Mobile PD Homicide Special Unit 251 208 7211

Summary:
Mobile police are searching for a 24-year-old woman who hasn't been seen since Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Danniella Vian, was last seen Tuesday riding in a deep blue 2014 Chevrolet Cruz with a Pearl Motors paper tag at the Shell Staton on 3500 Government Blvd. Vian was believed to be wearing a Mellow Mushroom T-shirt and hat.

Vian had reportedly gone to The Dublin Pub & Eatery with a friend, and left in two separate cars to go to another venue. Along the way, Vian realized that she did not have her cell phone, and flashed her headlights at her friend’s car to alert her, before they pulled in to a gas station to look for her phone in the car.

Family members say they pulled off at that Shell station to look for the phone and decided to head back to Dublin’s to look there when they didn’t immediately find it.

The friend told family members he last saw Vian get in her car to follow him back to the bar and assumed she was driving behind him.

Players named in media*:
Danniella/Danni - missing
Tyler Thomas (TT)- ex-boyfriend and father to their 4-y/o daughter, U.S.Army
Julie Dykes Thomas (JT) - mother of Tyler, current custodian of daughter (Mobile)
Joy Vian - (JV) Danni's mother (out of state)

Timeline:
July17 - Purchased car at Pearl Motors Inc at ?
July17 - Arrived at Dublin Pub at ?
July17 - 10:45pm - Left Dublin pub with unnamed male
July17 - 11:05PM - Both cars on video at Shell Station
July17 - around 11PM last GPS location and activity on phone at Shell Station, after this there is no further activity. GPS is disabled.
July17 -11:07PM - One car leaves
July17 - 11:08PM - Another car pulls in both cars stay parked
July17 - 11:24PM - Both cars leave
July18 - Reported missing the next morning when she didn't show up for work**
July 20 - Julie Thomas confirms The Friend found Danni's phone and turned it over to police.
July 20 - Police search Danni's apartment according to Julie
July25 - Confirmed Case given to Mobile Homicide by media
July27 - Vigil held at 7:30PM Cottage Hill / Medal of Honor Park (organized by Julie)
Aug 2 - PD holds press conference

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10156718129263944

Video from Shell Station

The time stamped video shows what appears to be two cars pulling into the parking lot at 11:05 pm on July 17th.

Two minutes later, one car appears to leave. The other car stays. At 11:08, another car pulls in and both cars stay parked until 11:24 when they both leave.


Exclusive: Surveillance video may show missing Mobile mother


* Can provide link for Julie's comment if needed.
** Picture shows Danniella Vian's
** $2,000 reward offered in Danniella Vian missing person case

Danniella's background:
This is all gathered from public record and her SM
24 years old, grew up in Roswell, New Mexico
Has a 4y/o daughter C with TT
C lives with JT
TT and Danniella both have a military family and lived in Kansas previously
Went to 2 yrs of high school in KS living with a friend, after which she got pregnant and moved to Mobile with TT and family.
Broke up with TT before Dec 2016 (never married)*
Has strained or non-existent relationship with her mother
Works at PF Changs, many of her co-workers are actively sharing
Unknown where she is living

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danniella.vian.9/ (since March 2016)
• Snapchat: corareefthomas
• Instagram formerstreetkid (private)
• Twitter Danniella Vian. (@EllaBby93) | Twitter (old)

Last post was on FB July 15th when she updated her profile pic
View attachment 140816

Friends in KS and NM are posting prayers - Dani probably didn't take off back to them

*In Dec 2016 stated shes in a relationship
Danniella Vian

Phone
Phone was given to PD by The Friend
Julie Dykes Thomas

The Friend
According to JT, not considered a suspect
Julie Dykes Thomas

Observations:
There is some conflict between JT and JV and some drama over GoFundMe. I'll sit on my hands for now before sharing what I think of these two. How they regard Danniella and her disappearance provides important insight into some dynamics in Danniella's life, though.

There does not appear to be any friendly interaction between TT and Danniella since 2016.

NBC 15, WPMI - TV Mobile
Comment from RD

Thank you Vail.

 

[lillywhite404]

I found this thread through the Mollie Tibbetts thread. Hopefully, there will be a positive resolution for Daniella, but I don't have a good feeling about it and here's why:

Her list of goals (reported previously by MSM and attached here for ease of reference) struck me as very positive and optimistic. She looked forward to having the car so that she could (1) take her daughter to school and (2) to lessons such a dance. That does not strike me as someone who wants to run away.

The activity at the gas station seems highly unusual. Her car is seen, but I wonder if *she* is observed? If not, I would question when she actually disappeared. If she is observed, I would want to know if she left alone. It's possible someone followed her out of there.

Her phone was found on the ground outside the restaurant. Was there some type of scuffle? Did someone attempt to car jack her with the hopes of selling the car for parts? Someone who planned to steal the car would probably be aware of/learn how to disable the GPS.

I hope they have additional evidence that they aren't sharing and I pray she is ok.

*modsnip* / screenshot removed as of TOS

 

[Vail]

@Vail Wow, really nicely done! Has it been confirmed which of the two cars that came in and out of the Shell while she was there was the friend she was out with?

Based on this quote: "The friend told family members he last saw Vian get in her car to follow him back to the bar and assumed she was driving behind him."

and this:
"The time stamped video shows what appears to be two cars pulling into the parking lot at 11:05 pm on July 17th.

Two minutes later, one car appears to leave. The other car stays. At 11:08, another car pulls in and both cars stay parked until 11:24 when they both leave. "

For this to be truthful, it would mean they both arrived at 11:05 and the friend left first at 11:07 thinking Danniella was following. She didn't leave right away and by then the second car was already there, interaction occurred, and they left together at 11:24pm. The friend may not have noticed she wasn't behind him until he was already on the freeway, and had no way to contact her.

Danniella was likely following him because she did not know the way from Dublin's/campus area to wherever they were going way south of there. As such, she probably didn't know the way back either. Keep in mind this was the first day of her having a car, so it is likely she has little street knowledge of the whole city aside from the routes to the mall where she works, her friend's general living areas and the campus area where she has attended school as she has only lived there a couple years.

But where were they headed and why isn't this info disclosed?

I am hoping a local can help answer this even with speculation, because I do not see anything worth travelling to down there unless the original intent was to head East into downtown and he happened to just pull off West because it was the first easy station to get to.

Was the third car known to Danniella?

It is possible some information is being purposely left out about this third car. What if it was another friend? This would make the leaving together less weird, but imply a 3rd player that LE suspect.
Another possibility is that the first two cars are Innocent Witness and The Friend entering, Innocent Witness leaves, The Friend stays, with Danniella being the 3rd car a couple minutes later (slower, a light, etc). This fits the statements by the friend that they spent some time looking for the phone in her car before leaving together to go back to Dublin's.

Scenario 1: Danniella is separated from her friend at the station and 3rd car holds multiple perps (I would guess carjacking at this point)
Scenario 2: Danniella and friend leave together and the event occurs afterward. (I suspect accident or foul play by friend at this point)

The flashing of the lights is both weird and not weird. I know some people who are like this - the second they notice something like a phone missing, they freak out. Danniella may have thought she has to pull over ASAP and can't wait to reach their destination so flashes her lights at him. It is just too specific a thing to make up in my opinion, and because the scenario is supported by video, probably happened the way he says it did. If he is concealing anything, it is that they successfully made it somewhere. I'd like to know when he arrived back and Dublin's, retrieved the phone, and what he did when she supposedly never showed up.

The phone in the parking lot is not unusual to me - that is likely where she dropped it to begin with when leaving the pub. It is not clear if the friend actually found it that night himself, or if the pub found it and contacted him (if he left his contact info on her behalf) but he reportedly ended up with it and gave it to police. My questions are did he really find it himself and did he answer a call or text on it from her friends/family alerting him she was missing which prompted giving it to LE, or did HE contact someone himself?

Reminder: JT says he was cleared by LE. Until LE publicly states that, I am assuming he remains a POI as the last person to see her. However, if someone is witness to him returning to Dublin's at a reasonable time, that would support his story thusfar. This person is not known to her coworkers based on public comments by Danniella's friend LN on Danniella's FB, so is not a coworker.

 

[Vail]

Brittney Wood's mother joins search for Danniella Vian

Chessie Wood, mother of missing Brittney Wood, reached out to JT. That is beyond weird for me. Here is Brittney's thread if you're not familiar. AL - AL - Brittney Wood, 19, Mobile, 31 May 2012 - #14

ETA: That is weird, isn't she in prison?

I don't think the two cases are related other than the notion that Danniella could have been abducted and is being trafficked (I don't think this is it right now).

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

[snip]

Danniella was likely following him because she did not know the way from Dublin's/campus area to wherever they were going way south of there. As such, she probably didn't know the way back either. Keep in mind this was the first day of her having a car, so it is likely she has little street knowledge of the whole city aside from the routes to the mall where she works, her friend's general living areas and the campus area where she has attended school as she has only lived there a couple years.
[snip]

Great post, Vail. I hadn't thought of that. True, she may not have known her way around very well and panicked without her phone.

 

[Mominmi]

@Vail... what an excellent summary of known facts. Wish every thread had such a post. Easy to catch up.

I am leaning towards a car jacking by a career criminal who’d know how to disable gps/onstar. But I’m unsure if there was video evidence of the people in the cars.

 

[KJ's Mamu]

@Vail Awesome timeline and summary! Thanks so much for pulling that information together...it certainly allows for a clearer picture of the events of the evening. You rock!!

 

[Stunned]

Up thread they said the babies paternal grandmother and Daniella’s possibly estranged mother.

 

[Momma2cam]

How was the last GPS data on the phone at 11 pm at the shell station if the phone was in the parking lot of Dublins? (I've had a long day and feel I'm misunderstanding something. If so, my apologies).

I'm assuming LE has tracked down license plate/registration info for both vehicle owners (one presumably the friend) and they have been questioned. I'm assuming video would also show if Daniella ever left her vehicle and if anyone else entered. This should confirm or deny carjacking at least at this location. Right?

I hate to suggest this but I'm wondering if there is any history of substance use and if so, if there was a possible OD and cover up. Moo.

 

[Alethea]

Just catching up and what a bizarre case. If there was an accident - since it was her first day with a car it was my first thought - it sounds like they would have found the car by now? If this is a city, wouldn't the businesses all long the main roads have surveillance cameras? I'm guessing there's some identifiable information in the one surveillance video that was released and taken down at the request of LE. Maybe license plates? Wish they would release more information so the case would get more attention.

 

[Alethea]

I hate to suggest this but I'm wondering if there is any history of substance use and if so, if there was a possible OD and cover up. Moo.

I didn't want to bring it up but there are comments on her SM about being proud of her for turning her life around. After seeing that the surveillance footage had 3 cars I thought maybe they were meeting somewhere else for a drug deal and something went wrong. Ugh

 

[Mominmi]

I didn't want to bring it up but there are comments on her SM about being proud of her for turning her life around. After seeing that the surveillance footage had 3 cars I thought maybe they were meeting somewhere else for a drug deal and something went wrong. Ugh

Oh, this would make me even extra sad, if that’s even possible, after how hard she seemed to be working towards a better life.

 

[theides]

But where were they headed and why isn't this info disclosed?

I am hoping a local can help answer this even with speculation, because I do not see anything worth travelling to down there unless the original intent was to head East into downtown and he happened to just pull off West because it was the first easy station to get to.

Snipped for focus.

It is very common for people in Mobile that are West of I-65 to jump on I-65, take it South to I-10, and go East on I-10 when heading to Downtown Mobile (avoiding a lot of traffic lights, lower speed limits, and congestion). My thought is if they were out partying and wanted to keep the party going, they were probably headed to Downtown (Dauphin Street is the major bar/entertainment district for bar hopping and whatnot around here) and got onto I-65 to go there. It's not the most direct route, but it's a really common route to take to go Downtown around here.

 

[Tabirey]

How was the last GPS data on the phone at 11 pm at the shell station if the phone was in the parking lot of Dublins? (I've had a long day and feel I'm misunderstanding something. If so, my apologies).

I think when we hear GPS we all assume its GPS on the phone.
In this case, they are referring to the GPS in her car.

 

[SuperTmo]

How was the last GPS data on the phone at 11 pm at the shell station if the phone was in the parking lot of Dublins? (I've had a long day and feel I'm misunderstanding something. If so, my apologies).

I'm assuming LE has tracked down license plate/registration info for both vehicle owners (one presumably the friend) and they have been questioned. I'm assuming video would also show if Daniella ever left her vehicle and if anyone else entered. This should confirm or deny carjacking at least at this location. Right?

I hate to suggest this but I'm wondering if there is any history of substance use and if so, if there was a possible OD and cover up. Moo.

This stood out to me most from Vail’s summary post on page 5. On the timeline it says (going by memory here not a direct quote) that the last gps and phone activity were at Shell.

Sooo, is it possible that her friend had her phone with him in his car the entire time? Just turned it off at the gas station? It sounds like he was the one who found it and turned it in. At least one article I read said it was found the next morning. Is there any confirmation the friend went back to the bar that night?

How well did this guy know her? He didn’t think it was questionable that she didn’t show back up at the bar when she was the one who wanted to go find her phone? Did he try reaching her on social media or anything? Or reach out to anyone in her contacts to try to get it back to her? I wonder who is in the third car and if the friend is associated with them? Maybe the friend set her up to meet someone there because why else wouldn’t she have left right away after him? It sounds like a little bit of time passed before that third car came up.