GUILTY CA - Michelle Hoang Thi Le, 26, Hayward, 27 May 2011

[Carpe Pacem]

Thank you. I didn't realize how much I was affected until today - as soon as the chaplain came I teared up and continued to tear up for the next hour. It's not good to hold this stuff in, seems like the only place where I can process and think about it is here.

Maybe the nurses have a better handle on this kind of stuff, I don't know. I don't work for Kaiser, I'm an outside contractor who works on the same floor and unit. I am not in the medical field.

It was the same at the university I worked at for years. Anything unpleasant was downplayed to a crazy extent. We had strict orders not to comment to anyone outside of the university asking questions about certain events, but to refer them to a particular liason. This, unfortunately seems to be the way of the world.

It's a sign of your goodheartedness that you care so much. I, too, would rather be compassionate than become hardened.

Hope your little one was fine at the vigil. My own two-year-old grandbaby would've been quiet and happy if he could ride on my hip throughout. Thirty pounds gets heavy pretty fast though.

Hope you can distract yourself from this for a while, and give your mind a break.

 

[Columbo]

Gosh, and here I was thinking this was a case that Le was handling well and would have solved quickly. Now I don't know what to think.

But I think it stinks that Kaiser acts like nothing happened, please carry on. There are good reasons lots of people are skeptical of big corporations, all about money, never about people...

bolded by me.

Same here, cluciano63. I didn't realize that the family found out it was now considered a homicide from the television. That's terrible. I thought perhaps they just didn't want to accept it because it's so hard to accept such news about your own relative.

The way Kaiser is handling it really stinks. Just so typical.

 

[slowpoke]

Maybe the police are not that close to solving this case? Statements by Sgt. Steve Brown with the Hayward Police Department, from the article linked:

“With every interview, every piece of evidence, every statement, every analysis, every evaluation we have before us, it causes us to make different turns in the road,” Brown said. “It’s a really, really complex investigation.”

“Everybody wants answers now, as do we. Everyone wants evidence returned, as do we,” Brown said. "The unfortunate part is that we don't have any witnesses to this."

On the family's continued devotion to finding Le alive:
“We totally understand. It’s our hopes that we’re wrong… that she will come home,” Brown said.

http://burlingame.patch.com/articles/police-call-michelle-le-case-very-complex

 

[DLynn]

Maybe the police are not that close to solving this case? Statements by Sgt. Steve Brown with the Hayward Police Department, from the article linked:

“With every interview, every piece of evidence, every statement, every analysis, every evaluation we have before us, it causes us to make different turns in the road,” Brown said. “It’s a really, really complex investigation.”

“Everybody wants answers now, as do we. Everyone wants evidence returned, as do we,” Brown said. "The unfortunate part is that we don't have any witnesses to this."

On the family's continued devotion to finding Le alive:
“We totally understand. It’s our hopes that we’re wrong… that she will come home,” Brown said.

http://burlingame.patch.com/articles/police-call-michelle-le-case-very-complex

It's ironic they have a lack of witnesses. No one as far as I know have been questioned at the hospital. If I were the LE I would be going out and asking lots of questions from both hospital staff, the neighbors and adjacent store owners. I find it hard to believe that no one saw anything. It's too busy of an area, and the longer this lack of questioning goes on the shorter peoples memories of something odd they seen that day will diminish. It's been 2 weeks today.
Just my humble opinion.

Tomorrow Mark Klass is supposed to come down and work with the family. I'm so glad because they need a guide right now. It broke my heart to see mostly young people at the vigil giving updates - it seems like they are trying to handle this on their own. Their mother died 12 years ago, and I don't know how many extended older family they have in the area.
My mothering instinct came out full force wanting to help the family, especially the brother. He was so grateful for the support and help.

Hopefully Mr. Klass can help them work through this on how to do searches, consoling them and giving them advice on their next steps.

 

[marie-chantal]

I think a gun was used but not in the garage. If someone sticks a gun to your ribs and says 'get in the car', most people would do it out of fear.
GE could have then made Michelle get down on the floor of the passengers side or even made her get into the trunk, and shot her later when nobody was around to hear.
I think a gun was used though.

This makes me wonder about the set-up of the parking garage. How do cars enter and exit? Is there an arm with a machine where you push a button for a ticket upon entrance? When exiting, is there a cashier booth? Or is this a free parking garage?

The reason I ask is that if there was a cashier booth, and if the suspect paid the cashier upon exiting, then there is a chance that the cashier might have noticed something. Does anyone know how this parking garage is set up?

 

[Columbo]

It's ironic they have a lack of witnesses. No one as far as I know have been questioned at the hospital. If I were the LE I would be going out and asking lots of questions from both hospital staff, the neighbors and adjacent store owners. I find it hard to believe that no one saw anything. It's too busy of an area, and the longer this lack of questioning goes on the shorter peoples memories of something odd they seen that day will diminish. It's been 2 weeks today.
Just my humble opinion.

Tomorrow Mark Klass is supposed to come down and work with the family. I'm so glad because they need a guide right now. It broke my heart to see mostly young people at the vigil giving updates - it seems like they are trying to handle this on their own. Their mother died 12 years ago, and I don't know how many extended older family they have in the area.
My mothering instinct came out full force wanting to help the family, especially the brother. He was so grateful for the support and help.

Hopefully Mr. Klass can help them work through this on how to do searches, consoling them and giving them advice on their next steps.

bolded by me.

Depending on when Michelle's car was left parked on the street, I still think someone could have seen it being parked there. If it was the middle of the night, maybe there wouldn't have been anyone observing, but there seem to be apartments and homes all around, and you'd think someone must have been looking out the window or standing on the sidewalk. Maybe too many cars are coming and going in that area, so no one takes much notice unless something is really amiss.

 

[Columbo]

This makes me wonder about the set-up of the parking garage. How do cars enter and exit? Is there an arm with a machine where you push a button for a ticket upon entrance? When exiting, is there a cashier booth? Or is this a free parking garage?

The reason I ask is that if there was a cashier booth, and if the suspect paid the cashier upon exiting, then there is a chance that the cashier might have noticed something. Does anyone know how this parking garage is set up?

bolded by me.

Good question! I found this online, but it says no price information is available. That makes me think it must have a person taking money at the exit. Maybe staff have purchased some kind of parking permit so they get a cheaper rate and exit without stopping at a pay booth. http://en.parkopedia.com/parking/garage/kaiser_permanente_hayward_medical_center/94545/hayward/

 

[jedi]

I've been in one of the garages and it does not have any ticket machines. You can come and go like at malls with parking garages. I don't know about the other garage across the street.

There was a kidnapping yesterday in the same city. A man was allegedly kidnapped and probed in the rear at gunpoint.

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_18247837?source=rss

HAYWARD -- A man told police that he was forced into a vehicle by three men and sodomized with a metal object while he was out for a walk Wednesday night near the intersection of Western and Sunset boulevards.

The 37-year-old man, who lives in the area, had gone out to smoke a cigarette around 10 p.m. when a large gray four-door pickup truck sped up to him and two men got out, one brandishing a revolver, police said.

 

[Columbo]

I've been in one of the garages and it does not have any ticket machines. You can come and go like at malls with parking garages. I don't know about the other garage across the street.

There was a kidnapping yesterday in the same city. A man was allegedly kidnapped and probed in the rear at gunpoint.

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_18247837?source=rss

HAYWARD -- A man told police that he was forced into a vehicle by three men and sodomized with a metal object while he was out for a walk Wednesday night near the intersection of Western and Sunset boulevards.

The 37-year-old man, who lives in the area, had gone out to smoke a cigarette around 10 p.m. when a large gray four-door pickup truck sped up to him and two men got out, one brandishing a revolver, police said.

Thanks for your input on the parking garage.
As far as that kidnapping--Oh, ugh. How horrible and frightening. Hayward used to be pretty safe-- now, I don't know. Lots of crimes happening.

 

[DLynn]

bolded by me.

Depending on when Michelle's car was left parked on the street, I still think someone could have seen it being parked there. If it was the middle of the night, maybe there wouldn't have been anyone observing, but there seem to be apartments and homes all around, and you'd think someone must have been looking out the window or standing on the sidewalk. Maybe too many cars are coming and going in that area, so no one takes much notice unless something is really amiss.

It is a residential area, lots of townhomes and apts. I would think someone had seen something.

And as for the garage, the same. It's a hospital lot, employees and patients coming and going.

My concern is that the Hayward PD is dropping the ball (I hope I'm wrong)Understaffed, investigators on vacation, stretched resources. There are MANY unsolved crimes in Hayward...

 

[infamous]

My guess is if Hayward LE is doing their job. They are probably waiting to hear from the FBI to finish up their forensic analysis of the crime. Since they did mention the FBI is helping them with that. Maybe they have some suspects in mind and are going to match up some DNA samples.

But the 3 people who took vacation when this case showed up made things seem odd with the Hayward LE. Haven't they watched 48 hours? The LE on that show do not take vacation during the first 48 hours. Seriously though, not joking...

 

[DLynn]

bolded by me.

Same here, cluciano63. I didn't realize that the family found out it was now considered a homicide from the television. That's terrible. I thought perhaps they just didn't want to accept it because it's so hard to accept such news about your own relative.

The way Kaiser is handling it really stinks. Just so typical.

I messaged Michelles brother today and encouraged him to go to Kaiser where his sister disappeared and ask to speak to the management. I told him to ask for their cooperation and help in looking for Michelle by urging employees that want to help, can help by passing out flyers.

I've been in the visual communications field many years, and I think the least I can do is give him some ideas on how to get more visibility.

It would be hard for Kaiser to turn him away if he went there for help. If they didn't help him it would certainly not look very good on their part, would it?

My kids are the same age as Michelle and I'd be knocking doors down everywhere around the area if they disappeared.

The poor brother, he seems like a shy kind of kid (says this about himself even) and I can't imagine him having to go through this.

I'd like to see Kaiser take some initiative here. I mean gosh, she worked there through her school and she disappeared from their hospital!! If it was a patient you better believe heads would be rolling right now!!!

Not just some counselor in there for a bit to "talk about it". Yeah right, she didn't even know the latest news that the girl was supposedly murdered in the da$n lot!!

Some reward money from them, copies of flyers, support, anything would be welcome at this time!!:banghead:

 

[cluciano63]

I messaged Michelles brother today and encouraged him to go to Kaiser where his sister disappeared and ask to speak to the management. I told him to ask for their cooperation and help in looking for Michelle by urging employees that want to help, can help by passing out flyers.

I've been in the visual communications field many years, and I think the least I can do is give him some ideas on how to get more visibility.

It would be hard for Kaiser to turn him away if he went there for help. If they didn't help him it would certainly not look very good on their part, would it?

My kids are the same age as Michelle and I'd be knocking doors down everywhere around the area if they disappeared.

The poor brother, he seems like a shy kind of kid (says this about himself even) and I can't imagine him having to go through this.

I'd like to see Kaiser take some initiative here. I mean gosh, she worked there through her school and she disappeared from their hospital!! If it was a patient you better believe heads would be rolling right now!!!

Not just some counselor in there for a bit to "talk about it". Yeah right, she didn't even know the latest news that the girl was supposedly murdered in the da$n lot!!

Some reward money from them, copies of flyers, support, anything would be welcome at this time!!:banghead:

If Mark Klaas is coming to see them he will give them all kinds of help, whatever they need, on how to deal with media, organize searches, get flyers made up, etc...do you know when he is expected? I think he will be a huge help to this family.

 

[DLynn]

If Mark Klaas is coming to see them he will give them all kinds of help, whatever they need, on how to deal with media, organize searches, get flyers made up, etc...do you know when he is expected? I think he will be a huge help to this family.

I believe it's Sunday. I'm so glad he is coming to help them. They need it and from a person that has experienced something tragic in his own life that understands.

I have never lost someone in my family that way, the worst thing was when I lost my 2 year old son for 10 minutes in a crowded park over 20 years ago. That was the worst 10 minutes of my life...and this family and all others that never find out, and wait, and months or years go by, I cannot imagine the agony.

Thank God for people like Mr. Klass that use their tradegy to help someone else. Without people like him these families would have no one that understands their true heartbreak.

I'm going to a B-Day party tonight in Hayward, I have my Michelle shirt on. I'm going to take a break from this but continue to do my own little part. It's not much but hey every little bit helps.

 

[infamous]

The more I think about this case the more I don't understand why would the "killers" move her car down the street from the garage. Did they need to get to their car that was parked on that street? The LE mentioned other suspicious cars parked next to Michelle's. Why didn't they just leave Michelle's car where it was parked?

I'm sure they knew of the risk of being seen by driving her car out with all the cameras at Kaiser. And I'm sure they knew the risk of parking her car down the street in a residential area. Why did they move her car? It was 7pm and people are coming home from work all around the bay area. I'm sure someone saw something.

It's puzzling what could've happened.

 

[ladybug]

I grew up in Hayward, near the Kaiser- not that long ago. I refuse to live there now and don't even take my children to see the places important to my childhood. That city is not safe. It's been plagued by gangs and a growing crime rate for over 20 years. They just received a grant from the state to combat gangs: http://www.calgrip.ca.gov/documents/Calgrip_Grantees_12172010.pdf

I'm not saying that Le's disappearance is gang-related per-say, but it did take place in an area where a) People are likely to keep to themselves- "I saw nothing. I heard nothing. I'm not involved."; and b) You've got a PD that's got a million other cases just as bad to deal with.

And if HPD is anything like it was 15 years ago, it's very plausible they didn't take her disappearance seriously in the beginning. I had a childhood friend who, at about age 12 or 13 disappeared. HPD told her parents she had probably run away and would show up in a few days. A few days later, she was murdered by her "boyfriend". Completely preventable.

 

[Mommy3]

Hi Everyone, first post here -

We are at the vigil in San Diego tonight - very sad.
We live just down the road and my husband actually went to the same high school as both Michelle Le and GE - but graduated before they were students there.

I would guess there were about 50-70 people. All the local news crews were there as well.

Here are a few pictures that I took

Here is a copy of the flyer that was being handed out - I assume by family members

 

[bessie]

Welcome to Websleuths, Mommy3. Thank you for sharing the photos.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle and her family, and everyone lending support to her loved ones and working to bring Michelle home. raying:

 

[TravelingBug]

Hi Everyone, first post here -

We are at the vigil in San Diego tonight - very sad.
We live just down the road and my husband actually went to the same high school as both Michelle Le and GE - but graduated before they were students there.

I would guess there were about 50-70 people. All the local news crews were there as well.

Here are a few pictures that I took

You weren't kidding about them all being there! Wow! Good for San Diego media to show up and get publicity out about Michelle!

Here's a report from KFMB's (8) reporter who was there at the vigil.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/14886106/friends-wont-give-up-on-finding-michelle-le-alive


And here's from KGTV (10): http://www.10news.com/news/28203300/detail.html

 

[slowpoke]

"A team of 35 investigators scoured about 30 square miles of canyons, fields and hills in southeastern Alameda County on Friday, but came up empty-handed in a search for missing nursing student Michelle Le."

http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_18251351