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

[Indy Anna]

http://tpwhite.tributes.com/obituary/show/David-J.-Messerschmitt-102189448

How truly sad for his entire family. My heart breaks for them.

Sounds like a very close and loving family. Sounds like his relationships with his family, his wife and his in-laws were good.

It does sound like DM was set up by a prostitute, possibly for robbery. But I hope not, for his wife's sake first of all, and secondly for the sake of his nieces and nephews. How devastating it would be to learn such a dark secret about someone you love so much, and under such heartbreaking circumstances. It would add to the pain the family is already experiencing. So far we don't have any evidence that anything was stolen from DM.

IMO, the POI doesn't look at all like DM's wife.... not even the same nationality although both are Asian. I had thought at first that DM might have met his wife through his work with international clients, but another article posted here explains he met her in college. So, I think it's likely coincidence that the POI is also Asian ---OR, if DM did meet up with a prostitute, he may prefer Asian women and thus used an Asian escort service.

As for the gender of the POI, I cannot decide. If DM did meet with a prostitute who set him up for robbery, I think the woman was already in the room and the POI is a man who entered the room to commit the crime. But, I cannot dismiss the possibility the POI is a woman. Again, I believe the lumpy appearance to the POI's clothing is due to the POI stuffing his/her clothing as a disguise. Maybe just to appear stocky, or maybe to conceal a feminine figure. JMO

 

[FindHG]

In the pic in the linked daileymail article, it looks as if the wife's lip is kind of crooked at one side, and the pic of the person on the stairs has the same look to his/her lip and the nose is very similar to me. I cannot help but notice the resemblance.

IMO

This seems cold. Agree with many and appreciate all of the WSers info and thoughts. That lip feature may not be chance, too distinct, it seems to me, some relation or of similar background or something, it would seem to me, and the one exposed feature the POI goes to some length in obscuring as it waits for an elevator, to begin with, as well as when we see the POI coming around on the second flights of steps shown in the LE video. Thank you, colette.

imo, the person in the video has the waddle gait of a male with the feet turned out. The shoes were solid black and built for comfort and work and not for style.

The shoes seem new and huge. Either the steps are really small or as you see a little trip in the POI's step up after their glare into the security camera, the shoes barely fit on the steps and have no bend in them.

Why would you look directly into the camera, only cover up your face and still go through with the murder?

If it was a collusion, would a smart person leave no trail, then eyeball the deed before they pay, maybe, personal, stupid, who knows?

May be someone who doesn't believe they can be identified, even with the security cameras. Agree though, the behavior is more consistent with someone who had already done the deed and was leaving.

MOO

The only thing I would add is that might have this person been in cahoots with another person in the hall with a similar gait and outfit, no communication between them, maybe hand signals, perhaps deliberate avoidance in how they moved in relation to each other, not sure with the person in background back turned, if they may have been signaling somebody outside or just avoiding, but other camera angles LE may have may tell? This would be the hinkiest first take, on my part. Some shots below have the time stamps.

 

[DexterMorgan]

Its cold in dc so the big coat could just be to keep warm. But I agree that he may have been setup by a prostitute who was already in the room. Maybe she let the poi in while the victim was in the bathroom. Then he could have caught them rummaging through his stuff. They panic and kill him. The poi leaves first because she is already dressed plus she doesnt want to be seen with the other person. Jmo

 

[FindHG]

Its cold in dc so the big coat could just be to keep warm. But I agree that he may have been setup by a prostitute who was already in the room. Maybe she let the poi in while the victim was in the bathroom. Then he could have caught them rummaging through his stuff. They panic and kill him. The poi leaves first because she is already dressed plus she doesnt want to be seen with the other person. Jmo

Too much trouble and dumb risk for a prostitute to go to for simply robbing, seems to me. Seems somehow more possible it may be hired and untraceable people in the videos and/or personal and botched by the non-working elevator in exposing them.

 

[BrownRice]

I have a feeling this will be solved rather quickly. I assume LE will find texts and an online trail of some type of hidden life when they start to delve into his electronic history. It will be a shame he will be remembered this way (assuming he had some type of nefarious alternate lifestyle) when he had such a promising life.

 

[katydid23]

Too much trouble and dumb risk for a prostitute to go to for simply robbing, seems to me. Seems somehow more possible it may be hired and untraceable people in the videos and/or personal and botched by the non-working elevator in exposing them.

I agree that it is a lot of needless trouble if a prostitute just wanted to rob him. I think that happens often but they just drug their drink, it knocks them out and they steal their wallet etc. No need to kill the John over some cash and an iPhone.

This was more likely a hit or personal. JMO

 

[fred&edna]

(OT)

I did a quick online search to see if there might be a history of similar cases (murder setup/attorney/DC), and while the details are NOT the same, I found the 2006 murder of Robert Wone so strange/sad, I thought I'd share:

*click links below the article synopsis for more info

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...2/30/LI2008123001272.html?sid=ST2010060304782


Also, there's an entire website devoted to the case:

http://whomurderedrobertwone.com/


And, more for really inquiring minds:

http://gawker.com/5474123/the-weird-weirdos-accused-of-murdering-robert-wone

 

[colette]

(OT)

I did a quick online search to see if there might be a history of similar cases (murder setup/attorney/DC), and while the details are NOT the same, I found the 2006 murder of Robert Wone so strange/sad, I thought I'd share:

*click links below the article synopsis for more info

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...2/30/LI2008123001272.html?sid=ST2010060304782


Also, there's an entire website devoted to the case:

http://whomurderedrobertwone.com/


And, more for really inquiring minds:

http://gawker.com/5474123/the-weird-weirdos-accused-of-murdering-robert-wone

The Robert Wone murder was discussed here on WS. It is a very different case than this IMO. I am leaning toward drug sales/rip off in this case.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...d-in-friend-s-townhouse&highlight=Robert+Wone

 

[newone]

The Robert Wone murder was discussed here on WS. It is a very different case than this IMO. I am leaning toward drug sales/rip off in this case.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...d-in-friend-s-townhouse&highlight=Robert+Wone

hopefully ((from scanning the critique of ME in the Wone case)) this time ME did a thorough tox screen to see if date rape drugs were present.

 

[fred&edna]

The Robert Wone murder was discussed here on WS. It is a very different case than this IMO. I am leaning toward drug sales/rip off in this case.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...d-in-friend-s-townhouse&highlight=Robert+Wone

Thank you so much for providing a link to RW's thread here on WS. (I should have done a search for it before posting)

 

[bflocket]

This was more likely a hit or personal. JMO

There HAS to be something "up" with the killing, whether it be a personal grudge, a "hit" or something like that.

Was there (or could that have even be known to the killer) surveillance in the elevator?

The way the steps were used wouldn't be too far off for a mentally ill killer. Or a hired/personal hit if and when it came to "OH $h!t, the elevator ain't working!"

 

[colette]

Thank you so much for providing a link to RW's thread here on WS. (I should have done a search for it before posting)

I just remembered that murder, sad because no justice in that case.

 

[colette]

i was looking at that rooftop lounge, colette. but then i saw that it is closed for the season.

but there is also another restaurant. one that has good foot traffic - i was pointed there by a concierge of another hotel. It has, like most of DC, seems to be a mixed residential/tourist/businessperson hangout.

They do have a daily hosted wine hour from 5-6 PM everyday as their happy hour special.

"We'll all be there to welcome you as vintages are uncorked and you unwind with an interesting mix of new friends, setting the stage for a memorable night in Washington DC.
- See more at: http://www.donovanhoteldc.com/restaurant/wine/index.html#sthash.bGuuE7gA.dpuf

 

[colette]

New article in the Mail:

Detective Paris White told Daily Mail Online today that theft was not considered a motive because all of the victim's valuables, including his wallet, were left at the scene.
Wife was not aware husband at hotel. No updates on POI.

'We ask anyone who has information about this crime to please contact the Washington, D.C. Police Department at 202-727-9099.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...se-seeking-person-interest.html#ixzz3S1qIneg5
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[newone]

They do have a daily hosted wine hour from 5-6 PM everyday as their happy hour special.

"We'll all be there to welcome you as vintages are uncorked and you unwind with an interesting mix of new friends, setting the stage for a memorable night in Washington DC.
- See more at: http://www.donovanhoteldc.com/restaurant/wine/index.html#sthash.bGuuE7gA.dpuf

sounds like an ''interesting'' hotel. The restaurant is named after the Mandarin word for detective and the Donovan is named after the CIA founder -- the ''theme'' is spying and intrigue according to the link you provided ......

sounds like the ''backdrop'' for a Tom Clancey novel

 

[FindHG]

sounds like an ''interesting'' hotel. The restaurant is named after the Mandarin word for detective and the Donovan is named after the CIA founder -- the ''theme'' is spying and intrigue according to the link you provided ......

sounds like the ''backdrop'' for a Tom Clancey novel

The Donovan was reported to have been close to where he lived and worked, was it on the way or a detour?

"The lawyer had texted his wife on February 9 at around 7.30 pm saying he would return home in a hour - but never did."

From your link, colette. Interesting to compare the rough time of the call with, if the time stamps are correct, the activity in by the elevator, then the stairs. Seconds after the POI turns the corner, out of view of the camera, they appear in the open stair case door. Would that door normally have been open? Seems odd.

Did-woman-sneak-stairs-DC-hotel-stab-promising-young-lawyer-death-Detectives-baffled-murder-case-seeking-person-interest

By Louise Boyle / Daily Mail Online 14:30 est, 17 Feb '15

 

[south fishy]

Why would you look directly into the camera, only cover up your face and still go through with the murder?

Maybe the camera in the stairwell is obscured or disguised to look like a mirror. A (usually female) person's natural instinct is to glance in a mirror.

 

[Momoffourboys]

The Donovan hosts many LGBT events and is approved TAG hotel. It is also in close proximity to the Gay DC area in the city.

WHAT IS TAG APPROVED?

Most travel publications list any hotel or attraction that pays an advertising fee. But we wanted to take it a step further: In 1998, we launched an all-out global effort to qualify hotels based not only on their desire for gay travel revenues, but on their employment policies, services, and support returned to the LGBT community. The 2,000 TAG Approved® member properties worldwide represent the very best of LGBT-friendly hospitality.

Each TAG Approved property must...

Enforce non-discriminatory policies including "sexual orientation."
Treat heterosexual and domestic partners equally in personnel policies.
Provide LGBT diversity and sensitivity training for employees.
Empower customers and employees to be "watchdogs" of its gay and lesbian business practices.
Give back to their community.
Employ staff who reflect the diversity of their community.

http://m.tagapproved.com/tag-about

 

[newone]

The Donovan hosts many LGBT events and is approved TAG hotel. It is also in close proximity to the Gay DC area in the city.

WHAT IS TAG APPROVED?

Most travel publications list any hotel or attraction that pays an advertising fee. But we wanted to take it a step further: In 1998, we launched an all-out global effort to qualify hotels based not only on their desire for gay travel revenues, but on their employment policies, services, and support returned to the LGBT community. The 2,000 TAG Approved® member properties worldwide represent the very best of LGBT-friendly hospitality.

Each TAG Approved property must...

Enforce non-discriminatory policies including "sexual orientation."
Treat heterosexual and domestic partners equally in personnel policies.
Provide LGBT diversity and sensitivity training for employees.
Empower customers and employees to be "watchdogs" of its gay and lesbian business practices.
Give back to their community.
Employ staff who reflect the diversity of their community.

http://m.tagapproved.com/tag-about

very interesting.......perhaps this is the clue.....

 

[katydid23]

very interesting.......perhaps this is the clue.....

So let's just assume, hypothetically, that he was going to the hotel for gay trysts. How would that lead to his murder? Would he possibly have a male partner that was angry with him? OR did his wife find out and was angry?