Snipped by me:
The question was posted about why LE were at the house where AJ was found. The LE response has been that they discovered the house through investigation,no further information than that. I am speculating that the tip about the car was reported at some point and LE was following up on that tip. The tip could have been fresh or old, but I think that's what lead them there.
I don't think the tip came AFTER AJ was found, but before.
But, of course, it's all speculation as we don't know what brought LE to the house. My point in posting is to examine what was the hint that led LE to the house, not to call out any witnesses in particular.
JMO.
My point in posting was to also speculate about what led LE to that particular house. I realize they claim information came out during the investigation, but I am wondering if their appearance on the scene of the house simply jogged the memories of residents in that neighborhood about the Dodge Caravan.
I'm speculating here, also--maybe it was and maybe it wasn't a tip about the Dodge Caravan that led LE to the Franklin house.
If the information about the Dodge was never given to LE as a tip and it simply "jogged some nearby resident(s) memories" only when LE appeared there, then what else could possibly have led LE there?
Here's just one of a number of possibilities:
1.) Vacant houses are often used by people as "party houses," especially if they are in isolated/hard to see locations. Possibly individual(s) who partied there in the past saw AJ at one (or more) parties there--even if she was never seen using drugs?
Possibly AJ had been to a party there even just after coming home from school for Spring break. Most students like to relax with friends during school breaks--even if for AJ that simply meant some music and companionship without the knowledge of any adults.
Other possibilities:
2.) LE were made aware of--or already knew of--some connection or association Wes, DH, or another adult known to AJ had with the house.
3.) Some combination of #1 and #2--we can't rule out adults being involved in partying with younger adults. The unorthodox living situation at AJ's Norfolk home may lend itself to this scenario. Possibly the lines were blurred between parenthood and friendship between some adults and their children?
4.) Other activity noticed at the Franklin home before or after AJ's disappearance which didn't involve suspicions about the Dodge Caravan, but perhaps a completely different activity that was reported as unusual to LE.
5.) The actual owners (The Stokes family in NY) having checked on their home after AJ's disappearance and reporting a possible break-in (or anything unusual) at their home, whether or not they even had AJ in mind when making a report. It isn't unusual for owner's or agents on their behalf to check-in occasionally on properties they own.
6.) Neighborhood children playing in or around the property telling/showing their parents something they heard, saw, or found there. Neighborhood parents may have called LE about it.
7.) Someone who was actually in a dark-colored Dodge Caravan deciding to come forward and report being on the Franklin property, which doesn't necessarily mean they were guilty of anything.
I'm sure there are many more possibilities (including the neighbor sighting of the Caravan in March) that may have led to LE presence at the Franklin home. Simply brainstorming possibilities a bit here.
Another thing: I wonder if LE were able to locate any imprints (tire tread, footprints, etc.) on the property itself? I'm actually curious about all possible evidence they found--along with the unfortunate obvious, of course.
Yes MK--that explains a lot. Thank you for your most helpful response, and may I say: so happy you (and others) are still with us! :woot: