Found Deceased AL - Paighton Houston, 29, left bar with 2 men, Birmingham, 20 Dec 2019 #2

[bwt42]

Seasoned sleuthers...
What determines whether LE will do a ground search in an adult missing persons investigation? I know that is might vary from county to county.
But is it triggered by an escalated status change (missing vs. in danger), available resources, etc...?
Assuming they have not done a ground search for PH, I'm wondering why that might be the case. Thanks!

You got to have some idea where to search.

 

[Happygolucky123]

Yeah, I too have been wondering for quite some time if this were a party of two; and where/whom the other co-workers were, if so; even if merely to ask them about their individual state of affairs that night.

It's also a little curious in retrospect that her place of employment/coworker would post something calling out her absence. Once you look past the "Wow, Paighton must be a great girl, in order for her office environment to seem as if it has a hole in it without her there!" flash of wonderment, considering that the last people she was purportedly seen with, were workplace acquaintances... it's a little chilling in retrospect, especially with no other seeming leads.

Also, I think LE has been very careful to phrase things as if it were possible that HSBM #1 and #2 met PH on the threshold of the Tin Roof, or just beyond the scope of the cameras, because they just don't know for certain and don't want to be more confusing.

I missed the statement about her missed work. Where can I find that?

 

[alsleuther]

If we assume that Paighton went to the co-workers condo after work to leave her car and something happened at the condo, and a coverup ensued, I think it's very likely that there was at least a 3rd person involved.

Hypothetically, if there was an accidental death, such as an OD, and the "friends" had to hide the body, I think there is a very, very high probability that it was put directly into someone's car or trunk. What kind of evidence does LE need for a search warrant of a car or condo? Can it be obtained in a Missing Persons Case, that is not technically a Criminal Case? If this "friend" does in fact have a changing story could she be charged with providing false information to LE or obstruction of justice?

 

[bestill]

Seasoned sleuthers...
What determines whether LE will do a ground search in an adult missing persons investigation? I know that is might vary from county to county.
But is it triggered by an escalated status change (missing vs. in danger), available resources, etc...?
Assuming they have not done a ground search for PH, I'm wondering why that might be the case. Thanks!

Great question! My opinion they search when they have reason to believe there is a location that leads them there. Such as phone pings, last place seen, etc... For LE to not have any searches (that we are aware of) leads me to believe they have nothing or they don't think they can find her. I don't like this, it makes me think the outcome is going to be really sad. If there were hope she could be found and was alive I think there would be searches. IMO

 

[Momma2cam]

You got to have some idea where to search.

A couple places come to mind- location of her vehicle and within the vicinity her phone last pinged. I am assuming LE knows that information and am curious about under the radar searches that may have occurred. MOO

 

[Deleted member 110058]

Great question! My opinion they search when they have reason to believe there is a location that leads them there. Such as phone pings, last place seen, etc... For LE to not have any searches (that we are aware of) leads me to believe they have nothing or they don't think they can find her. I don't like this, it makes me think the outcome is going to be really sad. If there were hope she could be found and was alive I think there would be searches. IMO

BMM
Thanks bestill! It seem a given that they would search her friend's home, their cars, the dumpsters around the bar. So since they have not (as far as we know), might this mean that we are chasing the wrong rabbit?
Might this mean that LE has no suspicion of the co-workers?

 

[sraybella]

BPD Sergeant on HLN. Just found this snippet, hoping entire transcript will be available shortly.

Birmingham Police Sergeant to anyone who may have ANY information about missing #PaightonHouston: "We want to hear from them, no matter what they saw, it may seem small and insignificant to them but could be large in this investigation."

link: Twitter

Says they’ve reviewed video and continue to do so and also asking that anyone in the location that night, please forward any video or pictures to BPD.

eta: MSM link from HLN Reporter page

 

[bestill]

BMM
Thanks bestill! It seem a given that they would search her friend's home, their cars, the dumpsters around the bar. So since they have not (as far as we know), might this mean that we are chasing the wrong rabbit?
Might this mean that LE has no suspicion of the co-workers?

Very interesting. I don't know, in my opinion LE has had to confirm every detail of what they have been told in this case which hasn't helped find Paighton. If there were a clear direction of what happened to her I think we would know, searches would have happened, pressers would have happened, witnesses would have come forward telling what they know. SAD!!

 

[squareandrabbet]

I missed the statement about her missed work. Where can I find that?

Sorry, I didn't mean that PH was missing work prior to her disappearance; I meant just after her disappearance. A coworker posted a picture of PH's empty workspace and said they were missing her after her known disappearance. Unfortunately, I can no longer find that screenshot, just people talking about it after the fact, so maybe it was deleted for being from an unapproved source:

AL - AL - Paighton Houston, 29, left bar with 2 men, Birmingham, 20 Dec 2019

 

[bestill]

BPD Sergeant on HLN. Just found this snippet, hoping entire transcript will be available shortly.

Birmingham Police Sergeant to anyone who may have ANY information about missing #PaightonHouston: "We want to hear from them, no matter what they saw, it may seem small and insignificant to them but could be large in this investigation."

link: Twitter

Says they’ve reviewed video and continue to do so and also asking that anyone in the location that night, please forward any video or pictures to BPD.

eta: MSM link from HLN Reporter page

Why didn't he correct her, the text wasn't to her mom?? Messy.

 

[sraybella]

Why didn't he correct her, the text wasn't to her mom?? Messy.

I caught that too.

The info in the screen about the text to coworker was correct, based on what has been previously reported to family.

IMO, maybe he didn’t correct her because he hasn’t been able to verify whether a text was actually sent and/ or to whom?

 

[bestill]

I caught that too.

The info in the screen about the text to coworker was correct, based on what has been previously reported to family.

IMO, maybe he didn’t correct her because he hasn’t been able to verify whether a text was actually sent and/ or to whom?

Very interesting!

 

[Peppery]

Based on what we know right this minute, I agree with you.

Hypothetically speaking, if a friend were to receive an unanticipated phone call from a family member. A story/explanation would have to be made up on the fly. Said story/explanation may have later been questioned, now the details offered start changing because they weren't well thought out.

Agreed. However, if a friend were to have the need to make up a story, one would think the previous 12+ hours would have been a good time to think of something a little more plausible. And one should hardly be surprised to receive a phone call from a family member. Unless one was completely panicking or perhaps under the influence of something. Moo

Something, or someone, definitely stinks.

 

[WildcatRunner]

BMM
Thanks bestill! It seem a given that they would search her friend's home, their cars, the dumpsters around the bar. So since they have not (as far as we know), might this mean that we are chasing the wrong rabbit?
Might this mean that LE has no suspicion of the co-workers?

They need probable cause to request a search warrant. The police can't go searching people's homes because their friend decided to take a break from life. They need something to substantiate a possible reason this person's home was involved in something criminal.

 

[chili367]

I think the original poster was speaking to the elephant in the room...the coworker told a false tale, and chose a description that didn't match the bar demographic because in their mind, black men commit crimes like this. (Please note *I* am not saying that is MY belief, but what the original poster is saying could show the character/mindset of the coworker)

Thank you. It's why I tried to avoid a direct discussion on this subject in the first place.

 

[chili367]

They need probable cause to request a search warrant. The police can't go searching people's homes because their friend decided to take a break from life. They need something to substantiate a possible reason this person's home was involved in something criminal.

As I said earlier, *if* the reports of the witness changing stories is true, there may be enough to work with here for a good DA to get a judge to agree to some investigation into this case. But the point that a person has the right to disappear and that limits LE at times is perfectly valid.

 

[stattlich1]

As of 12/27, Sergeant Johnny Williams of the Birmingham Police Department stated

1. "investigators have reviewed surveillance video from a bar where Paighton Houston was last seen and have not found anyone matching the description of the two men she is believed to have left with."
2. "officers are still trying to track down the two men and are continuing to ask the public for help."

So, unless someone can post up on here that BPD has abandoned the "two men" theory, as of 12/27 it appears that indeed, LE believes Paighton was

A. Either at the bar, or in close enough proximity to the bar to have been able to enter a vehicle with, or otherwise leave with these two men, and
B. These two men are in fact being sought by BPD.

Absence of these two men on bar video does not mean they were not there, on the premises, standing outside, or somewhere else close by. Though google may not be up to date, I've been unable to locate any outside camera's on the building housing this bar.

OR, BPD is running a disinformation tactic relative to the entire aforementioned for reasons unbeknown at this time (which I highly doubt.)

So yes, she was at the bar, and yes, she left with two men......maybe

B’ham Police: Surveillance video in Paighton Houston case does not show 2 men she reportedly left with

 

[WildcatRunner]

I don't mean this statement to sound insensitive, or like I'm making an assumption I can't speak to, so please know this is just an observation I'd like to hear others' input on, and I have no real feelings either way about.....
Trussville is what I'd call an upper class suburb of B'Ham. Incomes and housing values tend to be much higher than most of AL. I'd actually guess higher than the US average too, although that I don't know for a fact. However, the family, or anyone, has not increased the reward beyond what was offered early on. Perhaps the Houston family doesn't have the resources to do that, but given where they live, they probably have some disposable income, or access to assets. In cases like this, you tend to see the reward climb substantially.
I'm not saying what should or shouldn't happen, but it makes me curious if LE thinks a reward won't solve this and have advised against additional funds?
I know most parents would be willing to throw there last dime out if it would help bring their child home, and the Houstons very obviously care about their child.

 

[UnderTheSouthernCross]

As I said earlier, *if* the reports of the witness changing stories is true, there may be enough to work with here for a good DA to get a judge to agree to some investigation into this case. But the point that a person has the right to disappear and that limits LE at times is perfectly valid.

As well, if the co-worker changed her story, they already have her on charges of making false statements to LE. They can use that as leverage.

 

[Happygolucky123]

Sorry, I didn't mean that PH was missing work prior to her disappearance; I meant just after her disappearance. A coworker posted a picture of PH's empty workspace and said they were missing her after her known disappearance. Unfortunately, I can no longer find that screenshot, just people talking about it after the fact, so maybe it was deleted for being from an unapproved source:

AL - AL - Paighton Houston, 29, left bar with 2 men, Birmingham, 20 Dec 2019

Thanks!