8:00 am Press conference
(sorry it's out of order)
Good morning. I'm Sgt Bargoa. I'll give you an 8:00 update here. As many of you have seen,
we are conducting the investigative briefing at this point. Present at that briefing are the assistant chief in charge of the investigation as well as the supervisors and commanders in charge of the investigation. They are meeting with all the detectives present as well as the detectives that were on their shift throughout the night. That information...at this point as well as collective information throughout the investigation will be shared. We expect that to be done, probably within the hour, and then the detectives will continue to follow up on the leads. We had a few leads that we wanted to follow up in the daytime hours, follow up on those leads, as well as any other leads that came up through 88-CRIME or 911 this morning.
To recap what occurred last night is the search warrant of the home was completed approximately 1:30.
That information from the search warrant is being shared with the investigators that are coming on duty right now. We will be in contact, if we haven't been already, with the family to allow them to come back to the home and help them do that. The incident commander in charge of the investigation is considering as to whether or not they are going to open up the street to the house right now and evaluating that, there should be some answer on that today at a later time here. A big part of the day here is this briefing that's occurring. This is going to decide if any other search is to continue as well as the course of our investigation here and what resources we're going to call in. Those resources being the other agencies to work with today. I'm open for any questions you may have. I know it's pretty much the same summary but I'll take some questions.
Q: Just talk about the timing...more and more time goes by and...
A: We're aware of the timing that occurs, but that's even more important now to proceed cautiously to be aware and share our communications with our investigators to be thorough. That's a big part of this briefing this morning is to pass that on. Throughout this whole investigation we're following a system, and instant command system and that's done on major incidents, and what that requires is that everyone gets briefed in a systematic way on and off duty here. And it's for that very reason you asked about. It's vital that everyone has the communication, lines of communication and the information passed on. These investigators that are coming in this morning they need to know all the information so they follow up on those leads and get the most out of those leads, the most potential amount of information out of those leads.
Q: What are the chances to find her 4 days after she's gone missing
A: Well that's our goal, it remains the same, so we are focused and the best chance is to continue on and keep marching on the way we are.
Q: We haven't heard any mention about ...are they still around or
A: They're available to us, we aren't currently using them right now, but they are a resource that's available.
Q: Are they being used in the search?
A: No that's personnel, hands-on personnel are conducting that search.
Q: Who, besides the family, is the last person to see Isabel and when was that?
A: That's certainly something we wouldn't give up there. We know that we gave up the information prior to that she was with the family at the point that she was put to bed there and with the family member when she was discovered (missing) and went out and reported at that time.
Q: Was she in school on Friday?
A: I don't know, we can find out and let you know.
Q: I have a question about the dogs. Why was the SAR dog brought into the house because if she lived there wouldn't there be hits all over the place?
A: The FBI provided us with those dogs and they have specialties. There's a protocol going into that. That's an investigative decision we have. It was a systematic decision at that time. I wish I could tell you why but for the same reason that other information can't be released, we need to not release that at this time.
Q: What are those specialties?
A: I'm not the one that's available to answer that questions. We'll look into whether or not we can get a representative that's more knowledgeable to give you those answers.
Q: on Friday night, Saturday morning where were the dogs inside, outside?
A: Um, the family situation there when they went to bed, the dogs were there and it was like any other night for that family.
Q: Do the dogs go into the house, talking about different dogs.
A: We utilized both of those dogs
Q: How many dogs does the family have?
A: I know they have several, as to the number, I don't know the number, but there were more than one dog there.
Q: Did the family report hearing the dogs barking through the night
A: That information would be subject to the same type of information that we are going to withhold at this time.
Q: do you expect the landfill search to end today?
A: That's our hope in the afternoon sometime. Approximately 2 or 3 is what we're looking at.
Q: Are there persons of interest, suspects.
A: It's the same status. We're continuing on with the same goals. The primary goal is the recovery of Isabel in a safe way. That's gonna be our first goal. The second goal is to continue on and maintain the integrity of the investigation so we can have a successful resolution to that. If needed that would be the prosecution of this case.
Q: Will there be any extra security for the family with all the media attention.
A: I can tell you that the assistant chief in charge of the investigation is considering that, I've heard him contemplating what needs to be considered. That decision hasn't been fully made yet.
Q: Are you expecting any drastic changes to come out of the briefing...
A: I think there will be some investigative changes and there will be a lot of work to be done, yes, as to whether or not you'll see them first-hand or the community will see that, I don't believe so. But a big part of this is those leads that we're getting from the community, from the media reports on this and those are what the detectives are following up on. And as you know there have been over a hundred each a day so that's a big component of this. We just ask the community's cooperation that they keep the leads coming towards us.
Q: What kind of information are you getting? What kind of details
A: Well I casn tell you they come. There is an investigative supervisor in charge specifically of those and they weigh them out and the assign them and each one is looked into. The very ones could be general in nature, they could be something that might not be relative to this investigation, but relevant to another agency or another investigation and we ensure that those are done. I know personally there was some information given to another agency to look into and we've had the most cooperation from all the law enforcement and other agencies around here.
Q: Prior to Friday night had there been any concerns by neighbors, did they tell you about any suspicious vehicles, people...
A: I don't think there's anything outstanding. What's important that we know is that as the investigation proceeds, we do go back and look at the information that may seem that it was covered, it didn't make a difference but the cumulative information we have now it may help make more sense now. So today will be part of that, reviewing those leads once more. It's a tedious task, but to say that something that didn't seem important on day one may be important now with collective information we have.
Q: Is this strictly TPD, or is the FBI still involved and the other agencies?
A: Yes, we have representatives of the US Marshals here and we have scheduled briefings throughout the day with other agencies.
Q: Has anyone with those leads thought they'd seen Isabel?
A: I think you reported on that, specifically the apartment complex, yesterday, that was one, that's a good example of that. Others have been looked into and eliminated. I would say, that I know of, two specifically that have been eliminated at this point.
Q: ...Surveillance cameras, have you guys had a chance to get your hands on any of the surveillance cameras?
A: That, as you know as part of the investigations, will always be looked into. And that's constantly looked into as information comes out. As to what we have in hand and when we have it and timelines and things like that, once again, I have to ask for your patience on that. That would be a vital part of any investigation, very important part. So therefore, the second goal would be to have, maintain the integrity of the investigation. For that reason, whatever we have on that we wouldn't be releasing at this point.
Q: We saw some evidence being taken out of a car from here, can you confirm that is the Celis's family car? And what evidence is being removed from the car.
a: I know throughout the investigation evidence has been taken, as to what exactly I'd have to look into that and get back to you.
Q: There are two sex offenders within the area, have they been spoken to?
A: We have talked to several within the area, surrounding area of the home, and we do have knowledge of speaking to them and we do have first hand information of where they were and what they were doing at that point.
Q: Has the family been questioned..
A: To be honest, the dialogue we are having with the family, I don't have the numbers on that. We continue to have their cooperation. So there's an open dialogue
Q: have you been questioning them?
A: I think every time we time to them, there's a dialogue and questioning of them.
Q;
A: That would be something the family does on their own, I don't have that information.
Q: Have you obtained or are you in the process of obtaining, any other search warrants...
A: That search warrant that was completed at 1:30 this morning was the last search warrant. The investigation continues. There is the possibility certainly is that there is the opportunity to get more search warrants. There are no more currently. That was the last
Q: The target of that investigation what we call the fruits of instrumentality, that part of the investigation, we'd be withholding that until we know the collective value of that.
Q: I know yesterday you asked the family and they released a brief statement about talking to the media.
A: I don't know of that, they asked us to pass on that written statement there. They are aware that that is something they have available there.
Q: do you have all the information of the specific leads, do you anticipate a break in the case?
A: That's a question I couldn't say. I'd say the movement is to stay with our protocols. Histrocally through investigations that's how you are successful. I know that conducting investigation of all styles that that's the way you have success..
Q: ?
A: That's our number one goal. That is our number one goal right now and we are going to continue on that path.
Q: ?
A: We can follow up on that and we'll continue on the same schedule so at 10:00 the next briefing.
I think a safe call would be probably 9:00.
Q: Will you have the information from that briefing at 10:00.
A: No, but there will be something to give out at 10:00.
(sorry it's out of order)
Good morning. I'm Sgt Bargoa. I'll give you an 8:00 update here. As many of you have seen,
we are conducting the investigative briefing at this point. Present at that briefing are the assistant chief in charge of the investigation as well as the supervisors and commanders in charge of the investigation. They are meeting with all the detectives present as well as the detectives that were on their shift throughout the night. That information...at this point as well as collective information throughout the investigation will be shared. We expect that to be done, probably within the hour, and then the detectives will continue to follow up on the leads. We had a few leads that we wanted to follow up in the daytime hours, follow up on those leads, as well as any other leads that came up through 88-CRIME or 911 this morning.
To recap what occurred last night is the search warrant of the home was completed approximately 1:30.
That information from the search warrant is being shared with the investigators that are coming on duty right now. We will be in contact, if we haven't been already, with the family to allow them to come back to the home and help them do that. The incident commander in charge of the investigation is considering as to whether or not they are going to open up the street to the house right now and evaluating that, there should be some answer on that today at a later time here. A big part of the day here is this briefing that's occurring. This is going to decide if any other search is to continue as well as the course of our investigation here and what resources we're going to call in. Those resources being the other agencies to work with today. I'm open for any questions you may have. I know it's pretty much the same summary but I'll take some questions.
Q: Just talk about the timing...more and more time goes by and...
A: We're aware of the timing that occurs, but that's even more important now to proceed cautiously to be aware and share our communications with our investigators to be thorough. That's a big part of this briefing this morning is to pass that on. Throughout this whole investigation we're following a system, and instant command system and that's done on major incidents, and what that requires is that everyone gets briefed in a systematic way on and off duty here. And it's for that very reason you asked about. It's vital that everyone has the communication, lines of communication and the information passed on. These investigators that are coming in this morning they need to know all the information so they follow up on those leads and get the most out of those leads, the most potential amount of information out of those leads.
Q: What are the chances to find her 4 days after she's gone missing
A: Well that's our goal, it remains the same, so we are focused and the best chance is to continue on and keep marching on the way we are.
Q: We haven't heard any mention about ...are they still around or
A: They're available to us, we aren't currently using them right now, but they are a resource that's available.
Q: Are they being used in the search?
A: No that's personnel, hands-on personnel are conducting that search.
Q: Who, besides the family, is the last person to see Isabel and when was that?
A: That's certainly something we wouldn't give up there. We know that we gave up the information prior to that she was with the family at the point that she was put to bed there and with the family member when she was discovered (missing) and went out and reported at that time.
Q: Was she in school on Friday?
A: I don't know, we can find out and let you know.
Q: I have a question about the dogs. Why was the SAR dog brought into the house because if she lived there wouldn't there be hits all over the place?
A: The FBI provided us with those dogs and they have specialties. There's a protocol going into that. That's an investigative decision we have. It was a systematic decision at that time. I wish I could tell you why but for the same reason that other information can't be released, we need to not release that at this time.
Q: What are those specialties?
A: I'm not the one that's available to answer that questions. We'll look into whether or not we can get a representative that's more knowledgeable to give you those answers.
Q: on Friday night, Saturday morning where were the dogs inside, outside?
A: Um, the family situation there when they went to bed, the dogs were there and it was like any other night for that family.
Q: Do the dogs go into the house, talking about different dogs.
A: We utilized both of those dogs
Q: How many dogs does the family have?
A: I know they have several, as to the number, I don't know the number, but there were more than one dog there.
Q: Did the family report hearing the dogs barking through the night
A: That information would be subject to the same type of information that we are going to withhold at this time.
Q: do you expect the landfill search to end today?
A: That's our hope in the afternoon sometime. Approximately 2 or 3 is what we're looking at.
Q: Are there persons of interest, suspects.
A: It's the same status. We're continuing on with the same goals. The primary goal is the recovery of Isabel in a safe way. That's gonna be our first goal. The second goal is to continue on and maintain the integrity of the investigation so we can have a successful resolution to that. If needed that would be the prosecution of this case.
Q: Will there be any extra security for the family with all the media attention.
A: I can tell you that the assistant chief in charge of the investigation is considering that, I've heard him contemplating what needs to be considered. That decision hasn't been fully made yet.
Q: Are you expecting any drastic changes to come out of the briefing...
A: I think there will be some investigative changes and there will be a lot of work to be done, yes, as to whether or not you'll see them first-hand or the community will see that, I don't believe so. But a big part of this is those leads that we're getting from the community, from the media reports on this and those are what the detectives are following up on. And as you know there have been over a hundred each a day so that's a big component of this. We just ask the community's cooperation that they keep the leads coming towards us.
Q: What kind of information are you getting? What kind of details
A: Well I casn tell you they come. There is an investigative supervisor in charge specifically of those and they weigh them out and the assign them and each one is looked into. The very ones could be general in nature, they could be something that might not be relative to this investigation, but relevant to another agency or another investigation and we ensure that those are done. I know personally there was some information given to another agency to look into and we've had the most cooperation from all the law enforcement and other agencies around here.
Q: Prior to Friday night had there been any concerns by neighbors, did they tell you about any suspicious vehicles, people...
A: I don't think there's anything outstanding. What's important that we know is that as the investigation proceeds, we do go back and look at the information that may seem that it was covered, it didn't make a difference but the cumulative information we have now it may help make more sense now. So today will be part of that, reviewing those leads once more. It's a tedious task, but to say that something that didn't seem important on day one may be important now with collective information we have.
Q: Is this strictly TPD, or is the FBI still involved and the other agencies?
A: Yes, we have representatives of the US Marshals here and we have scheduled briefings throughout the day with other agencies.
Q: Has anyone with those leads thought they'd seen Isabel?
A: I think you reported on that, specifically the apartment complex, yesterday, that was one, that's a good example of that. Others have been looked into and eliminated. I would say, that I know of, two specifically that have been eliminated at this point.
Q: ...Surveillance cameras, have you guys had a chance to get your hands on any of the surveillance cameras?
A: That, as you know as part of the investigations, will always be looked into. And that's constantly looked into as information comes out. As to what we have in hand and when we have it and timelines and things like that, once again, I have to ask for your patience on that. That would be a vital part of any investigation, very important part. So therefore, the second goal would be to have, maintain the integrity of the investigation. For that reason, whatever we have on that we wouldn't be releasing at this point.
Q: We saw some evidence being taken out of a car from here, can you confirm that is the Celis's family car? And what evidence is being removed from the car.
a: I know throughout the investigation evidence has been taken, as to what exactly I'd have to look into that and get back to you.
Q: There are two sex offenders within the area, have they been spoken to?
A: We have talked to several within the area, surrounding area of the home, and we do have knowledge of speaking to them and we do have first hand information of where they were and what they were doing at that point.
Q: Has the family been questioned..
A: To be honest, the dialogue we are having with the family, I don't have the numbers on that. We continue to have their cooperation. So there's an open dialogue
Q: have you been questioning them?
A: I think every time we time to them, there's a dialogue and questioning of them.
Q;
A: That would be something the family does on their own, I don't have that information.
Q: Have you obtained or are you in the process of obtaining, any other search warrants...
A: That search warrant that was completed at 1:30 this morning was the last search warrant. The investigation continues. There is the possibility certainly is that there is the opportunity to get more search warrants. There are no more currently. That was the last
Q: The target of that investigation what we call the fruits of instrumentality, that part of the investigation, we'd be withholding that until we know the collective value of that.
Q: I know yesterday you asked the family and they released a brief statement about talking to the media.
A: I don't know of that, they asked us to pass on that written statement there. They are aware that that is something they have available there.
Q: do you have all the information of the specific leads, do you anticipate a break in the case?
A: That's a question I couldn't say. I'd say the movement is to stay with our protocols. Histrocally through investigations that's how you are successful. I know that conducting investigation of all styles that that's the way you have success..
Q: ?
A: That's our number one goal. That is our number one goal right now and we are going to continue on that path.
Q: ?
A: We can follow up on that and we'll continue on the same schedule so at 10:00 the next briefing.
I think a safe call would be probably 9:00.
Q: Will you have the information from that briefing at 10:00.
A: No, but there will be something to give out at 10:00.
lease:
