Hi a new member, so forgive obvious mistakes. I have been reading the Lea Croucher case details for the last two years. But now feel I have information that will help others.
It’s a doubly tragic case. Its difficult to believe Lea has gone away by choice, for all the reasons already suggested. I feel for her family and hope its possible to find out what happened and who is responsible.
I live overlooking Furzton Lake on one of the routes she could take going to work. I know the area well so I hope that may help understand some of the issues raised by others.
Some of the following was reported to LE when they visited doing house to house and more recently.
· The fairground at the North end was in the last stages of being dismantled.
· Parks Trust landscaping staff trimming bushes and trees on the East side from 8 am to 4 pm from 13th to 15thFebruary.
· Fishermen were set up all day on the lake fronting sections of West side.
· Suspicious behavior by a driver. Reported to LE, prior to Valentines day.
Hotel
· Re: the hotel, when Search and Rescue units arrived and they met LE each day in the Hotel Car park, so that was an area they knew well. I am not sure if Trailing dogs were used or if it was too late to pick up a scent by the time the search was underway.
· Those that work in Davy Avenue often use the Hotel as it’s their nearest Bar/Restaurant . So not a place for a clandestine meeting. But still a good place to meet up for a quick meeting with nothing to hide.
The lake search with Sonar was being carried out three days after Lea went missing and took several days.
Understanding the locations.
There is some confusion about locations of witnesses so the attached map will help. Importantly, it shows three of the four Car parks. These are often not shown on other maps. Reading the following while looking at the map will help for the future.
The North end has a long bridge at one end and Hotel at the other.
It’s the end with Watling street behind it. No housing on that end.
East side is from Loxbear Drive, from where its partly lakeside footpath, to various offices and the Hotel.. There is a secluded car park near a bird feeding platform.
The West Side is all housing, but with a lakeside pathway, there is a small car park off of Lynmouth Cresent, but directly overlooked by a number of houses.
The Pavilion car park is not shown, but by zooming in you can see the Pavilion and its Playing field where the wide river flows out of the lake between the North and East end. Its next to the Redway from TellyTubby Hill. The end of this car park nearest to the lake is secluded. Houses overlook this area but are screened by trees which are bare in February.
Travel times
To check some of the suggested travel times from on-line map apps. I have walked 4 of the potential routes Lea may have used. Comparing the times I took to the missing 14 minutes. Averaged these from Brisk to medium speed walking.
East side route
Last sighting was at TellyTubby Hill. Its near the small Tesco store, which has an exterior ATM (Cash) machine. This is the only one near the route Lea would take each day. LE would know if she used it.
From here there is a straightforward Red Route going North, that many walk each day. This pathway leads down to the Pavilion Car Park. Walking time 9 minutes to that Park. Continuing onto the Watling Street car park took a total of 13 minutes and onto the Hotel 19 minutes via this route.
West side Route
To my surprise the West route was much quicker. From TTH down Loxbear Drive and along the footpath to the Hotel was 14 minutes, and only 11 minutes to the Feeding station Car park. See Map.
This is another Car park that’s not been mentioned and is not busy in the mornings.
Clearly it depends on who and why the phone was turned off. So it could be turned off in between these parks or the Hotel.
Unless a car simply drew up and offered a lift or it was a taxi, these Car Parks are the only places where any sort of argument might not be noticed. Also places where a meeting might be arranged not taking Lea too far off of her normal route.
All these Car parks would require Lea to leave pathways at the request of another. The area is busy. Every morning Dog Walkers, Runners, and workers use the paths, virtually at the same time each day. That’s why it’s a surprise more witnesses were not found.
Red Routes.
There are some interesting Red Routes, shown on the Car Park Map. These are cycle routes that go under roads and used by walkers as well.
We know Lea used these in a different location the day before she disappeared. One in particular runs along the side of the hotel, under Watling street and an easy route to Davy Avenue. But again not a pick up point and too many people around.
I liked threads by Holy Hunter, Zaj and Stewlb. Maybe too much focus on one individual who, if he was at work all day has a cast iron alibi at least for himself.
An area that jumped out was parents reporting her mood changed from around September 2018 becoming more short tempered. That’s 5 or 6 months from her disappearance. What can happen to a 19 year old to make them more moody? Was Lea still going to her classes or not so physically well at that time? I feel there must be a reason for her mood swings that’s not yet explained.
Its possible turning off her phone was to avoid her family knowing where she was going given their concerns about relationships. But on the last occasion that seems unlikely given she was on the way to work and it has not been turned back on.
· Areas I would be interested in are. Details/ Transcripts of the Aylesbury court case. Upon what evidence were threats made.
· A more exact location where all sightings and changes to the phone were made.
A key one is the recent TTH sighting. DCI Andy Howard when reporting the TTH sighting on TV was standing next to the Children’s play area which is part way down the Red route towards the Pavilion, which would be a clear indication of her route that day. Or was it just a nice place to do the filming?
Any local information required I am here to help.
Sorry so lengthy but lots of information.
