I have been so focused on this case I missed the details of another mysterious death involving water, and this happened very close to home. Four months later the police have few clues and no leads. There are some similarities to EL, and I am not saying that they are at all related. I am especially looking at LE handling of info and what might be a similar outcome with EL if death is not determined accidental.
The other case:
12/11/12
Victim: 23 year old college student Julia Niswender (JN)
Location: Body found in her bathtub in unnatural position.
Autopsy findings: No visible signs of trauma. No sexual assault. Cause of Death inconclusive pending toxicology results.
1/29/13
Death ruled homicide by LE based on toxicology reports.
Other things to note: Victim was very active on social media and had recently traveled (although not alone).
Odd thing: She lived in an apt complex converted into dorm style living but had private bedroom and bath. No sign of forced entry and no one heard any crashes or struggling.
4/10/13 Family reveals more details of her death against wishes of LE because no progress is being made in the investigation. Cause of death is drowning and family will not reveal whether she was found nude or dressed.
At this point, LE has interviewed 100 known to the victim with nothing to go on and Homeland Security's Cyber crime group is now involved.
Anyway, I was mostly interested in what info LE released and involvement of media since this case was more obviously homicide. LE would reveal absolutely no details on the case and did not attempt to clear up any contradictory reports by media like where the body was found or whether clothed or not.
Even after toxicology report, LE still would only say "homicide" feeling even cause of death too sensitive to release. Media treatment was essentially the same as EL, everything went quiet while toxicology report was pending. It seems then that this might support that in EL's case they are merely protecting info in the event it is ruled homicide, and they are doing a darn good job of it.
If EL's death is determined to be a homicide and drowning is cause of death (if they reveal that), the creepiest things about both are how did could happen in both cases without any sort of commotion or detection. Wouldn't there be screaming or lots of grasping or flailing going on? Sorry to be so graphic. No suspect drugs were detected in JN's case. I just cannot imagine how this could happen undetected inside a dorm when college was in full session?
Anyway, I am sharing this why I don't know, insomnia, or just to fill space and time. Also there is a reward in JN's case, but even less to go on clue wise. However, you never know who might have an idea that helps. Also, JN's college put up this nifty media coverage page on their server to help with the investigation. Nice idea.
Here are is a link to the media page:
http://www.emich.edu/investigation/media.php
Julia Niswender on Websleuths:
http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193180&page=20