Fran,
Now that I am reading further in the threads, I see that you originally echoed the same geographic concern WAY back there. Have you thought any further about it or uncovered anything else?
~db
P.S. I apologize for the mess I made in Post # 12. Posting is obviously not one of the things I do best!
I saw your post after I posted. Oh, don't aplogize for anything, LOL. I've been here for ages and still don't know how to use 1/2 the functions.
I have company from out of town so haven't been able to spend too much time on this. But I do notice that they have changed the target areas, a lot!
They're moving away from the Great Lakes and traveling the South and Eastern portion. But they're also hitting Mi 1, Pa 1, Ia 1, and so on. Not sure yet how it works. Two, maybe three groups.
Southern gang
On 11/01/07, Justine Gaines, Duluth, Ga, and next possible 11/09/07, Kyle Fleischman, Charlotte, NC
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/duluth+ga/charlotte+nc/
I have another possibility in Fl, 01/27/08, Tim Chipley, Carrollwood, Fl, from NC.
Another straight shot, double 'missing dated,' 11/09/07, indicates to ME there's at least two groups.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Charlotte+NC/tampa+fl/
Eastern gang
IF you take, say 11/09/07, Matt LaCrosse, Bangor, Maine, and next possible connections, 11/30/07, James DeVine, Manhattan, NY,
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/bangor++me/manhattan+ny/
Almost a straight shot.
Then from NY, to 12/07/07 Gabriel Smith, Ludington, Mi.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/manhattan+ny/Ludington+mi/
Basically what you see are straight roadway drives from one to the other. I'm not clear if it's two or three groups, or more?? You could take it south, east, midwest, it all could fit, IMO. OR.......two groups which would mean the East is combined with the midWest, and very busy.
This is all just speculation, of course.
I liked the way everyone was discussing the other night with the possibility of being connected to the monestary, my thinking of possibilities. ALSO, they need to be sure and analyze ALL of, especially the students computers and cell phones. LINKS!? Possible.
Specific targets? Maybe some! Something like Geocaching? The 'happy face' is the proof it was the participant?
Cell phones found NOT with the bodies. The student they're looking for now, they were trying to find him by his cell phone, but they said it must be OFF.
PS.......ONE common thing I found with THREE is one was from Ireland, one had three or more Irish tatoos, and another was pictured in a hat with an Irish clover....coincidence? or the fact they are PERHAPS Catholic Irish?
PPS......What about a priest? Could these students and young people be FORMER victims and had never told anyone???????hhmmmmmmmmmm..................