CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #5

[rkendmar]

If I lived in the vicinity, I'd be most curious about whether LE was conducting any searches along the highway(s) toward Las Vegas. Maybe a red cap or a thermal drink mug with beer residue might be found, turning the search in that direction (perhaps intentionally so). IMO

IIRC, although RT was the one who came up with the abduction theory, a reporter was the one who brought up the possible destination of Las Vegas.

Searching the roads traveled by RT & BT from their home in Bullhead City, AZ to the search site might be useful, IMO.

 

[dbdb11]

Very strange that her son has not made any appeal or press interviews.

her son has been quite 'vocal' and has been making efforts to contact press and media. many here know some of his claims are... lets say they might present trouble for networks to air.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Maybe she wasn't wearing a red cap or carrying a thermal drink mug. MOO

Entirely possible, but I was following the line of thought that suggested those things had been mentioned for a reason, so that when found might appear to lead the investigation in a certain direction.

Searching the roads traveled by RT & BT from their home in Bullhead City, AZ to the search site might be useful, IMO.

I agree. But I also don't discount Vegas no matter who said it first. It IS the biggest city in the region and a reasonable place to hide if that was the intent.

 

[dbdb11]

Very strange that her son has not made any appeal or press interviews.

according to her son, he is working very closely with case detectives. they haven't shared anything much with me, details wise, and have never tried to reach out to me, despite me leaving messages for them almost daily. i finally spoke with detectives this past week and we have open communications that is one way ie. they dont really respond besides to acknowledge reciept of messages.
maybe my cousin has had better luck communicating with them.

 

[PommyMommy]

Ha Ha, OT, but I just noticed your avatar. (GordianKnot) Tried to quote, but did it incorrectly.

Just use the reply button. That way, we will know who you are responding to. MOO

 

[deugirtni]

1. Nobody to the best of OUR knowledge has seen that truck/RV at that or any other location prior to the 911 call. IMHO, it's something a person might remember driving past.

2. Robert is 72.

3. LE has stated that no evidence of Barbara was found at that location. I don't believe there's been any mention of the dogs picking up a scent, specifically.

4. No neighbors, to the best of my knowledge, have been interviewed.

I'm thinking if it would have been *so* simple as an explanation for what happened, to have been picked up as a result of BT crossing the highway to get to the truck/RV and being seen by an abductor, then it should have been just as simple for the other 99% of 'regular' drivers (the ones without desires to take random people) on the road to have seen the truck/RV? Have LE posted pics of that truck/TV in the 'missing' poster(s)? Have they asked for anyone seeing the vehicle(s) to come forward?

I often hear about dog searches and that the dogs came up with nothing, but the explanation is often that the area had been compromised by hoards of people already out searching. In this case it is a remote area with presumably *nobody* around in that exact area during the time between RT and BT being there, to when she disappeared... is there anything about the terrain that would prevent a search dog's success? (I've never followed a desert search before)

That is interesting that no neighbours have come forward to say anything at all? Normally news people are all over the place and quite intrusive in asking people for comment, and especially if the victim's spouse had stated he was the prime suspect and had failed a lie detector? I mean, even if the neighbors didn't know them, people usually will come on the news and say 'we didn't know them, they stuck to themselves', or whatever.. or 'lovely couple, BT such a great person', etc.

The thing about no mention of friends around, nor cellphone, nor online presence (even if just to keep up with relatives in another country!) is disturbing. She certainly doesn't seem like an 'old' 69, and she is said to have at least a brother and a son?

 

[deugirtni]

Another thing is... and I don't mean to be offensive in any way.. but someone earlier had mentioned the unlikelihood of being picked up along the highway, because out of x number of vehicles driving past there at that particular time in the first place, only x percent of them would potentially have that type of proclivity to abduct a random adult female for nefarious purposes... but add to that already-very-very-very-low percentage, it would also have to be one that would be content to abduct an elderly woman for that purpose.. I realize that BT is a stunning woman and apparently had the bod to don a bikini, but alas, she is still 69 years old. Even if she appeared to be 20 years younger, how often is it that a 50 year old woman gets picked up by a random abuser, in comparison to a young woman?

The fact that the spouse is seeming to latch onto the theory of someone taking her because she may have appeared to be a bikini-clad party-girl ready with beer in-hand, is also disturbing to me, because often I find that jealous-husband-types will often accuse men of being interested in their women, giving her the eye, flirting, etc., and sometimes also blame the woman for why other men seem interested.. when in reality, it may be mostly in their heads, attributed to sheer jealousy and personality-type. jmo, of course.

 

[Kapua]

Entirely possible, but I was following the line of thought that suggested those things had been mentioned for a reason, so that when found might appear to lead the investigation in a certain direction.

I agree. But I also don't discount Vegas no matter who said it first. It IS the biggest city in the region and a reasonable place to hide if that was the intent.

Steven Capobianco said that Charli Scott was following him as they returned home from their special spot near Nua'ailua Bay in separate vehicles. He said that he lost sight of her headlights further on, at Twin Falls. He, too, suspected that someone had abducted her after the time he last saw her. In fact, she never left Nua'ailua Bay alive. Having followed that case avidly, I look for corroboration of a story, particularly when it's along the lines of "she turned a corner, and vanished". People do not vanish. BT is somewhere. We need a solid, corroborated timeline of where she went when she left her house. MOO

 

[rosesfromangels]

Another thing is... and I don't mean to be offensive in any way.. but someone earlier had mentioned the unlikelihood of being picked up along the highway, because out of x number of vehicles driving past there at that particular time in the first place, only x percent of them would potentially have that type of proclivity to abduct a random adult female for nefarious purposes... but add to that already-very-very-very-low percentage, it would also have to be one that would be content to abduct an elderly woman for that purpose.. I realize that BT is a stunning woman and apparently had the bod to don a bikini, but alas, she is still 69 years old. Even if she appeared to be 20 years younger, how often is it that a 50 year old woman gets picked up by a random abuser, in comparison to a young woman?

The fact that the spouse is seeming to latch onto the theory of someone taking her because she may have appeared to be a bikini-clad party-girl ready with beer in-hand, is also disturbing to me, because often I find that jealous-husband-types will often accuse men of being interested in their women, giving her the eye, flirting, etc., and sometimes also blame the woman for why other men seem interested.. when in reality, it may be mostly in their heads, attributed to sheer jealousy and personality-type. jmo, of course.

Nefarious rapist types aren’t so choosy; anyone will do. Although I agree Barb is gorgeous. I don’t subscribe to the abduction theory, but I do believe she might have been hit by a vehicle and taken.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Cherwell]

Nefarious rapist types aren’t so choosy; anyone will do. Although I agree Barb is gorgeous. I don’t subscribe to the abduction theory, but I do believe she might have been hit by a vehicle and taken.

Unless they were followed and targeted.
And re nobody talking to the press, it's almost like there's a media blackout, which does make one wonder.

 

[deugirtni]

her son has been quite 'vocal' and has been making efforts to contact press and media. many here know some of his claims are... lets say they might present trouble for networks to air.

Are you able to elaborate on that a little more? Would that be because the son may be prone to say things about a possible suspect which could then risk the networks being involved in a defamation lawsuit, or.. because the son bashes the networks for perhaps being intrusive into the lives of victim families, or.. ?

 

[PommyMommy]

I'm thinking if it would have been *so* simple as an explanation for what happened, to have been picked up as a result of BT crossing the highway to get to the truck/RV and being seen by an abductor, then it should have been just as simple for the other 99% of 'regular' drivers (the ones without desires to take random people) on the road to have seen the truck/RV? Have LE posted pics of that truck/TV in the 'missing' poster(s)? Have they asked for anyone seeing the vehicle(s) to come forward?

I often hear about dog searches and that the dogs came up with nothing, but the explanation is often that the area had been compromised by hoards of people already out searching. In this case it is a remote area with presumably *nobody* around in that exact area during the time between RT and BT being there, to when she disappeared... is there anything about the terrain that would prevent a search dog's success? (I've never followed a desert search before)

That is interesting that no neighbours have come forward to say anything at all? Normally news people are all over the place and quite intrusive in asking people for comment, and especially if the victim's spouse had stated he was the prime suspect and had failed a lie detector? I mean, even if the neighbors didn't know them, people usually will come on the news and say 'we didn't know them, they stuck to themselves', or whatever.. or 'lovely couple, BT such a great person', etc.

The thing about no mention of friends around, nor cellphone, nor online presence (even if just to keep up with relatives in another country!) is disturbing. She certainly doesn't seem like an 'old' 69, and she is said to have at least a brother and a son?

BBM

Yes, the temperature. Dogs get heat exhaustion too. MOO

Hero dog dies from exhaustion after saving 7 people from earthquake rubble

ETA: We have a thread here to ask questions about SAR K9's. It hasn't been active recently but may have some answers.

K9 SAR Questions & Answers - Ask the Pros!

 

[Kapua]

Another thing is... and I don't mean to be offensive in any way.. but someone earlier had mentioned the unlikelihood of being picked up along the highway, because out of x number of vehicles driving past there at that particular time in the first place, only x percent of them would potentially have that type of proclivity to abduct a random adult female for nefarious purposes... but add to that already-very-very-very-low percentage, it would also have to be one that would be content to abduct an elderly woman for that purpose.. I realize that BT is a stunning woman and apparently had the bod to don a bikini, but alas, she is still 69 years old. Even if she appeared to be 20 years younger, how often is it that a 50 year old woman gets picked up by a random abuser, in comparison to a young woman?

The fact that the spouse is seeming to latch onto the theory of someone taking her because she may have appeared to be a bikini-clad party-girl ready with beer in-hand, is also disturbing to me, because often I find that jealous-husband-types will often accuse men of being interested in their women, giving her the eye, flirting, etc., and sometimes also blame the woman for why other men seem interested.. when in reality, it may be mostly in their heads, attributed to sheer jealousy and personality-type. jmo, of course.

My own mother has been mugged by purse snatchers - three times. Generally, older people are victimized for money. (I'm sure there are exceptions, but I don't have time to Google). Which is why, IF she was 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the road and heading toward the road, I would think a nefarious person or persons would have wanted to break into, and perhaps abscond with, that nice truck and RV. It is highly suspicious to me that they would take her and not break into the truck. MOO

 

[Lilibet]

Unless they were followed and targeted.
And re nobody talking to the press, it's almost like there's a media blackout, which does make one wonder.

Sometimes LE will ask the media and family not to comment while they are investigating. I know of one case, Stephanie Warner, in which that happened. In that particular case, the request for witnesses seeing the vehicle came some time later, after LE had narrowed down a time frame...a little late for most people’s memories. It was very frustrating. Unfortunately, none of these precautions led to an arrest or a body six years ago.

OR - OR - Stephanie Warner, 43, Ruch, 4 Jul 2013 - #1

 

[chihuahua]

I'm not quite to B's age range yet, but let's just say I'm "in the autumn range" myself.

I have many friends who are her age, some of them in controlling relationships.

I have safe-sheltered some before. And this is just to say that if any of them came up missing, despite the circumstances, I would have spoken to the media by now. You don't have to have your name, or even your face displayed on TV. There are ways.

Why? I would not be able to sleep at night if I didn't. And the first thing I would do is tell LE anything I could possibly think of about my friend's daily life. Like in every situation, if someone knows something, heard anything, has even what they think might be a clue, say something.

This is jmo and all of that. I realize fear in all its' forms are often the deterrent to LE getting the info they so desperately need.

Chi

Where is Barbara?
www.wetip.com

 

[deugirtni]

BBM

Yes, the temperature. And, dogs get heat exhaustion too. MOO

Hero dog dies from exhaustion after saving 7 people from earthquake rubble

ETA: We have a thread here to ask questions about SAR K9's. It hasn't been active recently but may have some answers.

K9 SAR Questions & Answers - Ask the Pros!

But I mean... if dogs were called in to this remote area where the couple was *known* to have been, and hardly any people had trampled the grounds afterward, and presumably the dogs would have started at that place so wouldn't have been hot or exhausted yet, why wouldn't they have been able to catch BT's scent at least at the point where RT said they were at? I just wondered if there was something about the ground/dirt that would preclude a dog from being able to smell in that area.

 

[CaseyLPC]

I don't know if these were special hot weather dogs or not, but I have read that high temps can impact the scent trails and cause the dogs to have a hard time. I can't remember what thread I read that on, but it was on WS.

 

[chihuahua]

I'm super busy right now, so I will amend my above thoughts this way.
The only reason, IMO, that a friend wouldn't speak for a missing friend, is if they were in a situation where they themself felt controlled. Like, as is often the case for women, their husband, boyfriend etc was the main reason for the friendship in the first place.
I also know that family visits by the "victim" are often allowed, even if very long distances. Generally, they are allowed to fly.
Because in my vast experience with these situations, the family generally is clueless as to what really goes on.
Not saying BT was in such a situation, but due to the media silence so far, it seems to be leaning that way to me.
and that is just my opinion,
Chi

 

[PommyMommy]

But I mean... if dogs were called in to this remote area where the couple was *known* to have been, and hardly any people had trampled the grounds afterward, and presumably the dogs would have started at that place so wouldn't have been hot or exhausted yet, why wouldn't they have been able to catch BT's scent at least at the point where RT said they were at? I just wondered if there was something about the ground/dirt that would preclude a dog from being able to smell in that area.

Not that I'm aware of. @K9Enzo is quite knowledgeable about SAR dogs, IMO. Maybe he/she can chime in. MOO

ETA: Also, @Trackergd is a SAR Search Manager.

 

[?mysterian?]

<snipped by me>. The thing about no mention of friends around, nor cellphone, nor online presence (even if just to keep up with relatives in another country!) is disturbing. She certainly doesn't seem like an 'old' 69, and she is said to have at least a brother and a son?

Why is that disturbing?

Maybe she preferred to keep in touch via telephone/letter/private email rather than online. Not everyone maintains a visible online presence, IMO. Some people still prefer to live their lives without (too much) intrusiveness from the Internet, IMO. Unless/until someone comes forth and enlightens us about a lot of things, we won't know.

ETA: quote snipped by me