GUILTY DC - David Messerschmitt, 30, murdered in Washington hotel room, 9 Feb 2015 #1

[FindHG]

I absolutely agree.

Yes, seems like overkill on that score, thus it does seem like it may have been "planted by a killer" as you suggest StephanieH, I too agree, to distract from a motive, maybe, or is this over thinking it? Most places that sell those items have cameras. A lack of David being seen or known to buy them would say something. He may not have had the time or inclination to have wanted to go out of his way to buy any such items, he may have just been careful to pick his time, who else is at the counter. I used to work in a pharmacy as a kid, the one thing that stood out like a flashing light, were people coming in for such items. They waited until there was nobody around to see them pay. That seemed normal. Private stuff. Well over 30 yrs ago too, but there was one young man, who'd come and buy two big boxes of prophylactics regularly, no hesitations, and put it on his family account. Ahead of their time, I thought.

 

[bflocket]

Yes, seems like overkill on that score, thus it does seem like it may have been "planted by a killer" as you suggest StephanieH, I too agree, to distract from a motive, maybe, or is this over thinking it? Most places that sell those items have cameras. A lack of David being seen or known to buy them would say something. He would not seem to have had the time or inclination to have wanted to go out of his way to buy any such items, he would have just been careful to pick his time, who else is at the counter. I used to work in a pharmacy as a kid, the one thing that stood out like a flashing light, were people coming in for such items. They waited until there was nobody around to see them pay. That seemed normal. Private stuff.

I don't know about the "planting" of the lube and stuff, but little about this whole deal seems to make much sense. But, like you sorta said, these were "embarrassing" (and/or very private) things that I don't think he would have gotten "loudly" or what-have-you and would try not to be noticed getting them. And even if the other person brought them, DM likely may have intended to use them too.

 

[Sweetgrits]

BBM I've been staring at that word too. I did find that there are some sports shoes called "Roc Outs" (http://www.amazon.com/Rocawear-Mens-Shoes-Black-rm1208-980/dp/B00K0XNLK8). Could that be it?

Here again is the link to the warrant for others who want to strain their eyes http://www.scribd.com/doc/256207246/Search-Warrant-Affidavit-Donovan-Hotel-Homicide

Could the word after enema be razor?

 

[charminglane]

I thought it was Rockports, as in shoes.

 

[FindHG]

Could the word after enema be razor?

Looks like an R, O, L, O and maybe mints? It could be an A and and Z instead after the R.

I thought it was Rockports, as in shoes.

That was the first thing I thought when I saw "roc outs" here

 

[Concerned Mama]

Could the word after enema be razor?

I was thinking that was a possibility, too, but only up to that jumbled up mass at the end that looks like three letters plopped on top of one another! I'm a teacher, so I'm usually rather good at deciphering poor handwriting, but this has me stumped.

 

[TTF14]

I don't know about the "planting" of the lube and stuff, but little about this whole deal seems to make much sense. But, like you sorta said, these were "embarrassing" (and/or very private) things that I don't think he would have gotten "loudly" or what-have-you and would try not to be noticed getting them. And even if the other person brought them, DM likely may have intended to use them too.

Those items could also easily be purchased online, shipped to the office, and stored in the office.

I think this might have been a hit. Someone found out that DM was soliciting gay sex online, didn't like it, created a fake account to lure him, hired a hit man/woman.

Can't really understand why anyone would be dumb enough to murder someone in a hotel with cameras, though.

 

[jennapuppy]

I was thinking that was a possibility, too, but only up to that jumbled up mass at the end that looks like three letters plopped on top of one another! I'm a teacher, so I'm usually rather good at deciphering poor handwriting, but this has me stumped.

I noticed that the letter A was capitalized in all other words, so I think it probably isn't the word "razor". It's a mystery.

 

[FindHG]

Those items could also easily be purchased online, shipped to the office, and stored in the office.

I think this might have been a hit. Someone found out that DM was soliciting gay sex online, didn't like it, created a fake account to lure him, hired a hit man/woman.

Can't really understand why anyone would be dumb enough to murder someone in a hotel with cameras, though.

They may not have been planning for a broken elevator or a stairwell camera, slow to react to the situation, so yes, let's hope the POI was dumb enough to be caught.

 

[CookieM]

I noticed that the letter A was capitalized in all other words, so I think it probably isn't the word "razor". It's a mystery.

First letter definitely an R. Second letter is definitely an E. Followed closely with a C. That's as far as I've gotten...

 

[TTF14]

First letter definitely an R. Second letter is definitely an E. Followed closely with a C. That's as far as I've gotten...

Why do you think second letter is an E? All Es elsewhere are capitalized.

 

[CookieM]

Why do you think second letter is an E? All Es elsewhere are capitalized.

It is capitalized. Enlarge it really big and you will see he makes his E's first with a top down stroke continuing to the right, like making an L with one motion, then the adds a middle short stroke left to right and a top stroke across the top. The bottom of his E's are always rounded almost to the point of looking like C's, but then he has straight top strokes on all of them. This E is just smushed against the next letter, which I think is a C.

 

[wendle83]

This case really does remind me of why I love Websleuths so much. From reading the media reports thus far, I just assumed he was living a double life, was meeting with another male at the hotel room, the male or someone else shows up, stabs him in the back when they get there, and robs him of his cash. But, your theories definitely seem viable as well. We'll see if this case ends up being as cut and dry as it outwardly seems.

 

[Danaya]

Those items could also easily be purchased online, shipped to the office, and stored in the office.

I think this might have been a hit. Someone found out that DM was soliciting gay sex online, didn't like it, created a fake account to lure him, hired a hit man/woman.

Can't really understand why anyone would be dumb enough to murder someone in a hotel with cameras, though.

Maybe he didn't go there planning to kill, only rob the victim. He thought that since victim was soliciting gay sex online, he wouldn't be reported. Things didn't work out. Maybe the victim told him he was a lawyer and threatened him. Maybe perp was expecting money in the wallet and only found the cards.

Another idea I read was that the cameras in the hotel--the one the perp looks into--are actually disguised as mirrors. In a high class hotel, this makes it look less conspicuous, more elegant.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Those items could also easily be purchased online, shipped to the office, and stored in the office.

I think this might have been a hit. Someone found out that DM was soliciting gay sex online, didn't like it, created a fake account to lure him, hired a hit man/woman.

Can't really understand why anyone would be dumb enough to murder someone in a hotel with cameras, though.

I think this is the most plausible scenario, and I agree this was a premeditated hit. I don't think the items were planted, I believe the victim brought them in anticipation of their use.
As to why anyone would be so dumb to do this in a hotel with cameras, I would say $ was the motivation.
I would also say that this appeared to be someone who has done this before. They looked very efficient and determined in their movements.

 

[Danaya]

I think this is the most plausible scenario, and I agree this was a premeditated hit. I don't think the items were planted, I believe the victim brought them in anticipation of their use.
As to why anyone would be so dumb to do this in a hotel with cameras, I would say $ was the motivation.
I would also say that this appeared to be someone who has done this before. They looked very efficient and determined in their movements.

Exactly. So many random murders occur just because of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time. People on drugs tend to act erratic and not think of long term consequences.

 

[radiator]

Yes, seems like overkill on that score, thus it does seem like it may have been "planted by a killer" as you suggest StephanieH, I too agree, to distract from a motive, maybe, or is this over thinking it? Most places that sell those items have cameras. A lack of David being seen or known to buy them would say something. He may not have had the time or inclination to have wanted to go out of his way to buy any such items, he may have just been careful to pick his time, who else is at the counter. I used to work in a pharmacy as a kid, the one thing that stood out like a flashing light, were people coming in for such items. They waited until there was nobody around to see them pay. That seemed normal. Private stuff. Well over 30 yrs ago too, but there was one young man, who'd come and buy two big boxes of prophylactics regularly, no hesitations, and put it on his family account. Ahead of their time, I thought.

I think it's highly unlikely anything was "planted." The items on the search warrant are pretty standard for a gay male hook-up scenario. I also don't think a clerk at any CVS or Rite-Aid in DC would blink an eye at these purchases, he wouldn't have had to be surreptitious in any way. Alas, I think he just met up with the wrong person and I do hope that person is apprehended.

 

[TTF14]

It is capitalized. Enlarge it really big and you will see he makes his E's first with a top down stroke continuing to the right, like making an L with one motion, then the adds a middle short stroke left to right and a top stroke across the top. The bottom of his E's are always rounded almost to the point of looking like C's, but then he has straight top strokes on all of them. This E is just smushed against the next letter, which I think is a C.

I see what you mean I think. If it is "REC" I think it is probably receipt/receipts.

 

[Danaya]

Guys. Check this out. Happened literally a block away in 2013.

A 69-year-old gay man said he was assaulted and robbed by someone claiming to be a male escort and three accomplices on May 28 in a room at the Capital Hilton Hotel rented by the alleged escort. The man, who spoke only on condition that he not be identified, said he responded to an ad placed by the man claiming to be the escort on the site Rentboy.com. He said he called a phone number listed in the ad and the person answering the phone arranged for him to meet the escort at a room at the Capital Hilton.

See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013...-by-escort-at-d-c-hotel/#sthash.cQpBxpIs.dpuf.

 

[charminglane]

I just feel in this day and age how can you want sex that badly to put yourself in harms way?