That Google map of Mickeys route really puts things into perspective. I can only imagine what the non locals are going through on this thread, having to work out and keep up with all these streets that are brought up in this case. A very special thanks are definitely in order for Circa for drawing it up for us. If you arent a local, it should really help you to see the layout of the section of town where Mickey was riding that night.
With that stated, allow me to say that as a lifetime resident of Lafayette, in my opinion, the route she chose that night (considering the report that she was apparently tired and wanted to get home somewhat swiftly) was absolutely ridiculous. Its completely baffling and even though I thought it from day one, I hadnt spoken upon the issue in this forum until now. After viewing Circas map of the route a minute ago, I had to post and just say how utterly weird of a choice the route she took was (if, indeed, she was actually going home). Im willing to bet anything that anyone, local or foreign to Lafayette, when given a map of Lafayette and the starting point and alleged ending point for Mickeys trip, when queried, would certainly suggest taking a right onto Parkside, heading a mere few hundred feet to take a left at Congress Street: the street you are to eventually turn off of roughly four miles later. Its one of the main streets in Lafayette and quite simply, that route is the easiest, quickest, and most efficient by far.
Instead
she takes an immediate left onto Parkside?? Thats a more than just a little peculiar. Its a lot peculiar. But wait, it gets even weirder and even further from Congress Street than that. Then, instead of continuing straight down Parkside at the next three way junction, or taking a quick right, both of which would have shot her out onto University Avenue (the street she later crosses over and is seen immediately afterwards on surveillance in front of the Circle K on the corner). Instead, she goes even further out of her way and takes a left at that junction, putting her going toward St. John Street, and even deeper into the sketchy territory of downtown Lafayette afterhours. At St. John Street, she presumably takes a right and we see her shortly thereafter finally getting to and crossing University Avenue. Essentially, she took two turns completely away from easy access to Congress Street, the road that her presumed final destination (home) was off of. I dont know many locals who this route would compute with. This is all assuming that she would eventually link back up with Congress Street at some point (either via one of the Saint Streets, Cajundome Boulevard, or if she took another back route behind Cajunfield, Bertrand Drive) to get to her house, which, in case youre keeping score at home, once again, is off of Congress Street; the same street that she was less than a block away from to begin with at the start of her trip.
The route she took isnt just a little off. Its a lot off. The time she wouldve ended up adding on when comparing the route she wouldve ended up taking given her last known location to the more direct route I would estimate as being pretty significant; as in at least fifteen minutes or more, significant. This may not seem like much, but if were led to believe that Mickey was tired, not feeling up to par, and had to get home and rest before her brothers graduation the next morning, why add that extra time and effort to the already long four mile bike ride youre having to undertake? One could argue that for some reason, she thought the route she took was safer, but I honestly cant see why she would. Granted, Congress Street venturing into downtown Lafayette might not be classified as the safest area in town, but at least you can rely on there being street lights at constant intervals along the entire way, as well as a good share of locals travelling on the road so you arent always alone. And considering she was heading directly into what I would consider the sketchiest part of her would-be journey (dark and desolate St. Landry Street to even darker and more desolate Coliseum Road), I simply cant believe that argument holds any water.
All this leads me to wonder: where was she really heading? Was she really heading home? Or was she possibly going somewhere else? Obviously, there is the text she received just before leaving BWs. Could that have been from her next actual destination? One could throw the theory out there that MS possibly had a secret friend with benefits that she intended on seeing late that night that nobody knew about. I know both men and women that can keep a secret like that from even the closest of their friends. It would make sense to tell BW that she wasnt feeling well and wanted to go home as not to hurt his feelings, considering she knew he may have had feelings for her. It might also make sense, given this theory, for her to turn off her own phone before heading out so that no one bothered her while she was there and would probably think she was home sleeping if they called or sent her a text. He may be afraid to come forward given the circumstances, or, if he even exists, he might have already come forward as the sender of the last text and to clear his name. This bit of information is one of many that LE could be keeping to themselves. Its also just a theory; and only one of hundreds, Im sure. Or she couldve simply been going somewhere that she just didnt want BW or anyone to know about. One could argue that she was heading toward Johnston Street and had intentions of meeting her friends, who would most certainly still be at Mels Diner, likely casually eating and in no rush at 2:00 in the morning, as are most of the Diners patrons that wander into there for late night meals. But if that were the case, wouldnt she either invite, or at the very least, tell BW upon her departure?
Im just trying to make sense out of her initial route that led to the heinous circumstances and events that she would run into along her journey. Its really hard to do.
Still hoping for closure for Mickeys friends and family, and for her to still be alive and strong at the moment you and I are reading this.
These were all my own opinions.
Thank you both!
