branmuffin
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VA VA - Scott Ratigan, 24, found murdered in apartment, Arlington, 17 Jan 2020
- Thread starter scdiv
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And that would be one way in which the killer came up with to enter the apartment. If the killer knew there were no cameras on the floors above the first (I believe I've heard that in at least one YT video) then they could drop the mask and hood before knocking. This scenario would seem to reinforce the theory that Scott knew his killer.
That this happened in the middle of the day during the week is something I've found to be critical. It has been explained that Scott was home on Friday because he took a day off from work to extend the MLK three day weekend. So that raises two questions, at least, for me. One, for this person to show up at noon on a day that Scott took off, how did the killer know he would be home? Two, how did the killer know his sister or girl friend would not be there? Well, a person that Scott is expecting might answer both questions. If a meet up is planned by the killer for Saturday or any other time over the weekend and Scott says he will be home on Friday the killer simply asks if he could be there that day instead.
That, in turn raises other questions. How did the killer make contact with Scott? Phone or text or email? Hopefully, LE has checked his phone records. Of course, it could be a face to face request with no phone or email contact. How would the killer be sure that Scott would not mention it to his girl friend or sister or both? I don't have an answer for that one. Apparently this guy did not use drugs of any kind so I believe the ruse of a drug buy is very low if it existed at all. He could have been buying something from the killer as a surprise for GF, sister or parent, but he likely would have said something to one of the other non-recipients. Of course, the killer could have shown up unannounced with the ruse of 'Hey, remember what we talked about...well, I was in the area and .....'.
All of this, to me, seems to give further credence that this murder was premeditated. IOW, I don't believe this killer showed up with one non-lethal purpose and it got out of hand. He (OR she) knew when they started out that murder was the intended result.
Kittybunny
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Great analysis! Agree with all your thoughts, especially that there must have been contact of some sort prior to this encounter.
branmuffin
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I agree that Scott having the day off which was not his usual schedule suggests that arrangements were made for the perp to come over. I don't think this was a random meeting, I believe he was invited by Scott. I don't know if the murder was premeditated though.
I don't think the killer brought bleach, or a change of clothes or anything of that nature. He left in the same clothes he wore to the apartment. I find it odd that the cause of death has never been released. Without knowing how Scott died it's hard to ascertain level of violence, type of weapon, extent of injuries, etc.
Considering the initial 911 call suggested cardiac arrest it may not have been obvious that trauma was inflicted on Scott initially. Yet, we've also heard he was bleeding from the mouth, hands and neck. Hand injuries may suggest defensive wounds trying to ward off blows or knife strikes to the neck and maybe upper chest. I wonder if the injuries occurred in the bathroom and Scott actually died in the shower and his body was brought to the bed covering him up to hide his injuries. Bleach, which most people have in their homes, was used to clean up the primary crime scene (shower/bathroom).
I agree, I never thought it made sense for the killer to bring bleach with him to Scott's home. I think it was just a cleaning product stocked in the home, that the killer found and used in an attempt to clean his/her dna from the scene.
acehard
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I wounder if they checked his DNA to see if it matched. Lot of similarities
Arrest made in deadly double stabbing at Atlanta apartment
Stefhon Hamilton, 21, was taken into custody Wednesday in northwest Atlanta
acehard
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The PD and the family have been very tight lipped from the beginning. The PD posted the video 1 year later. No updates since.
In the Atlanta case, the PD immediately posted the video and within 3 weeks from the incident, they arrested the killer.
I wonder if the one year wait hasn't hindered the case. His roommate (sister?), close family, friends, co-workers or, if he goes to a local gym or bar, patrons don't recognize this guy or at least have a strong suspicion? This doesn't appear to be random so there would seem to be a motive that would point to someone.
Kaylas
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Pondering—- Scott’s murderer injured foot /leg /hamstring prior to the attack, causing the gait we see in the video. Scott’s murderer had surgery and was on medical leave from work, not able to go to the gym, etc. By the time the POI returned to his/her job and regular hang outs, the gimp,limp, odd stride was gone.
Kaylas
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The sister might have information tucked in her subconscious, that might help find Scott’s killer. (My reasoning….residing with a sibling, one picks up tidbits of info.
On the Friday before a long weekend the Sister was going to pick up a family member or friend flying into town. When planning the events for the upcoming weekend, She might have overheard conversations that Scott was having and dismissed them from her “easy to recall” memory, due to the fact it didn’t pertain to her.) Yet, the conversations or information might be recalled if a trained specialist interviewed her. In a very relaxed state, retrieval of that information might be captured.
Just as a sketch artist pulls descriptions from people, are there therapists that can pull bits of information “sibling/roommate”, in an effort to retrieve clues that can possibly lead to a suspect?
Hypnotherapy does not work for memory recall.
The family stayed too quiet and LE revealed nothing to the public. This is a very sad case. I am sure that LE is haunted by the fact it isn’t solved.
IMO…..
Could Scott’s murderer be a person that the family knows well, never considering them as a suspect?
If this doesn’t meet criteria for a post, Moderators can delete it.
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DeDee
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Hypnosis is an investigative technique often used with witnesses in order to obtain data from a person who has repressed memories. It's sort of a last attempt at discovery known of as forensic hypnosis.
I have been hypnotized in order to help me to bear trauma due to an inability to heal from traumatic experiences over which I had no control.
Hypnosis as an Investigative Tool | Office of Justice Programs
I have been hypnotized in order to help me to bear trauma due to an inability to heal from traumatic experiences over which I had no control.
Hypnosis as an Investigative Tool | Office of Justice Programs
AzPistonsGirl
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I just caught up on this whole thread from 2+ years ago to now, hoping there'd be some sort of resolution or something... so sad but also, we have all seen cases solved after years so I hope no one who loved Scott as "given up" and thinks this will stay unsolved. Cases like these are always getting "worked" to some extent IMO.
Kaylas
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Did the FBI get involved in the case?
I really feel for the family because they have not learned why their son was murdered.
typical_vacation
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Bumping for Scott
It's pretty unbelievable to me that this hasn't been solved. I live in the DC area but on the other side of the city in Maryland. Have friends who live in the Arlington/Ballston area though.
I feel people are getting too caught up in some minor points. What I gather is this person knew Scott was not working that day and would be home alone and came prepared to murder Scott. I'm guessing there are weapons and other clean-up material in that backpack. Also someone pointed out the material he is wearing seems to be waterproof/water-resistant and black both of which would make it so the blood wouldn't be visible.
I see two different scenarios:
He knows Scott well, personally. Talked/texted with Scott and found out he would be home alone so he went to the building. Gets to the building and calls/texts Scott to let him know he's there (Scott then also could have buzzed him in or maybe he slipped in behind someone). He gets to the door, possible takes off the mask/outfit, knocks and Scott lets him knowing this person is coming. Or if he doesn't remove the outfit, Scott still opens the door without checking the peephole since he knows who it is and the person is able to overpower Scott before he can realize what's going on. They fight, end up back in Scott's bedroom where Scott is killed. Then the person proceeds to clean the scene and leave.
On the one hand, I think this is more likely because the person in question would have known for certain Scott was home and home alone as he directly confirmed it with him. On the other hand, unless Scott's phone was missing after the incident, wouldn't the police be able to go through who had spoken to that day and see who knew Scott was home?
Other scenario this person does not know Scott well or even if he does, hasn't spoken to Scott that day (which would explain why police couldn't narrow down a suspect from Scott's phone). This person may have been canvassing the building or otherwise aware of Scott's movements (if it's a hitman, maybe they were hired and the person who hired them was letting them know when Scott would be home?). The get into the building, probably behind someone entering. As someone pointed out it's cold so them wearing a face mask pre-covid wouldn't be that odd-looking. They obviously know where Scott lives, go up to his apartment and presumably knock as there was no mention of a break-in. Scott, home alone, may have thought his sister forgot her keys, maybe there is a package, maybe it's building maintenance. Who knows. He opens the door without looking through the peep-hole or looks but the person is out of view. Or again, the person has removed their mask. Then the person attacks Scott, cleans up and leaves.
The question is why would anyone do this to Scott? By all accounts, he seems like a low-key guy. No evidence of drugs. This person came to his home with the sole intention of murdering him. And two + years later we have no idea why.
Hopefully police are hot on the trail and if they're not, it's probably time to release more information. DC is a big city, but also a small one. I hadn't heard of this crime until now so they obviously aren't doing a good job of publicizing it.
The backpack could be a key - it must have a company or otherwise identifying logo on it. Not uncommon here in DC but maybe a company could identify that they'd purchased that type of backpack for their employees? It also signals to me, assuming it's the killer's personal backpack, they are or were employed.
The gait is obviously going to be a key if/when they identify someone as well. It's not hugely uncommon - it looks just like the gait of someone I know (it's not him though his build is completely different lol) but very distinctive. I would assume it isn't someone Scott knows super well or people close to him would have already identified the gait.
Anyway that was a lot of text for unfortunately no conclusion. But I am going to do more research into this as this is just completely wild to me. This seems to easy to resolve...
I feel people are getting too caught up in some minor points. What I gather is this person knew Scott was not working that day and would be home alone and came prepared to murder Scott. I'm guessing there are weapons and other clean-up material in that backpack. Also someone pointed out the material he is wearing seems to be waterproof/water-resistant and black both of which would make it so the blood wouldn't be visible.
I see two different scenarios:
He knows Scott well, personally. Talked/texted with Scott and found out he would be home alone so he went to the building. Gets to the building and calls/texts Scott to let him know he's there (Scott then also could have buzzed him in or maybe he slipped in behind someone). He gets to the door, possible takes off the mask/outfit, knocks and Scott lets him knowing this person is coming. Or if he doesn't remove the outfit, Scott still opens the door without checking the peephole since he knows who it is and the person is able to overpower Scott before he can realize what's going on. They fight, end up back in Scott's bedroom where Scott is killed. Then the person proceeds to clean the scene and leave.
On the one hand, I think this is more likely because the person in question would have known for certain Scott was home and home alone as he directly confirmed it with him. On the other hand, unless Scott's phone was missing after the incident, wouldn't the police be able to go through who had spoken to that day and see who knew Scott was home?
Other scenario this person does not know Scott well or even if he does, hasn't spoken to Scott that day (which would explain why police couldn't narrow down a suspect from Scott's phone). This person may have been canvassing the building or otherwise aware of Scott's movements (if it's a hitman, maybe they were hired and the person who hired them was letting them know when Scott would be home?). The get into the building, probably behind someone entering. As someone pointed out it's cold so them wearing a face mask pre-covid wouldn't be that odd-looking. They obviously know where Scott lives, go up to his apartment and presumably knock as there was no mention of a break-in. Scott, home alone, may have thought his sister forgot her keys, maybe there is a package, maybe it's building maintenance. Who knows. He opens the door without looking through the peep-hole or looks but the person is out of view. Or again, the person has removed their mask. Then the person attacks Scott, cleans up and leaves.
The question is why would anyone do this to Scott? By all accounts, he seems like a low-key guy. No evidence of drugs. This person came to his home with the sole intention of murdering him. And two + years later we have no idea why.
Hopefully police are hot on the trail and if they're not, it's probably time to release more information. DC is a big city, but also a small one. I hadn't heard of this crime until now so they obviously aren't doing a good job of publicizing it.
The backpack could be a key - it must have a company or otherwise identifying logo on it. Not uncommon here in DC but maybe a company could identify that they'd purchased that type of backpack for their employees? It also signals to me, assuming it's the killer's personal backpack, they are or were employed.
The gait is obviously going to be a key if/when they identify someone as well. It's not hugely uncommon - it looks just like the gait of someone I know (it's not him though his build is completely different lol) but very distinctive. I would assume it isn't someone Scott knows super well or people close to him would have already identified the gait.
Anyway that was a lot of text for unfortunately no conclusion. But I am going to do more research into this as this is just completely wild to me. This seems to easy to resolve...
DeDee
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Bumping some photos of the unsub
Yes, I agree this person captured by cctv is a killer or a hired killer. The efficient murder was intentional, and planned to happen swiftly and efficiently. Killer arrives at Scott's apt. around 11am. Killer is seen leaving high rise apts via cctv by 12:20pm.
One may assume due to the status of the address of the high rise apts. that the person walked straight to Scott's door, then Scott allowed them entry. I don't think Scott saw the killer wearing the mask or jacket (maybe stowed in the backpack w/a knife? Was it a chef's knife or a Buck?).
Whatever happened on the interior, in the bedroom, was not as Scott expected. His throat was likely slashed and his chest endured multiple injuries that someone opined could be from a taser (which are extremely painful and cause immediate cramps & collapse). Blood was visible on his face.
This was a vicious murder. All business. The killer was fit for this activity. Quick as a whistle. No one reported hearing a scream. The Unsub came dressed to kill and left the same way never to be seen again. Yep. I think the Unsub has moved into another neighborhood as to lessen interest or arousal in their gait.
It was mentioned earlier in the threads that Scott enjoyed frequenting certain local bars so it's possible he knew someone from that favorite night spot of his. Perhaps it is someone familiar or connected there who has moved away since the murder.
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Perhaps the media should 're-post' this as well. Who knows, someone may have been out of town when this originally was shown in the media, and such a person, seeing it for the first time, has an "Oh @#$*!" moment. This might be a person who suspects someone they know from or seen at, say, the gym, Scott's favorite bar or other common spot.
Of course, if this was a murder committed on behalf of someone else (AKA, a hit) that might be less likely to work. But I tend to believe the presence of a hit man happens more often on TV and in movies than in real life.
I would hope that LE reviewed video footage for as far back as possible before the murder. This killer walked with purpose and without hesitation. Like they were on a mission and knew just where to go and how. I would bet they had conducted a recon on the place if they hadn't previously been there.
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