MN - Jacob Wetterling, 11, St. Joseph, 22 Oct 1989 - #4

[SpringThyme]

Couldn't find a scientific answer to your questions, but most of the stuff I read said musical or mathematical abilities are often seen. Some notable musicians have been diagnosed with it. I mostly found a lot of personal stories.

Maybe music is soothing, as this person with Aspergers says.

http://aspergersthealien.blogspot.com/2011/05/importance-of-musicautism-aspergers.html

Here is forum that teachers with Aspergers discuss their struggles.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt225969.html

Here is a list of some accomplished people with it. One is a college professor.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...1103/have-you-met-my-seven-aspergers-teachers

I do think there is an important distinction between pedophiles who abduct and those that don't. I think it makes sense that many just simply don't need to. They are skilled manipulators who can discredit kids because of their status and/or they target vulnerable kids. Even if they do hurt the kids to avoid getting caught, they don't necessarily abduct or even kill them. Many threaten them, family members, etc and use physical abuse or animal abuse to back up the threats. They, over time, emotionally dominate the victims into silence.

The person who can't gain the trust of parents, who would set off red flags, who would not be allowed to coach or baby sit, would have to steal a child.

The person who enjoys the terror of the victim as he/she is being abducted, the thrill of stealing, and and total control to inflict pain, would kidnap/murder to fulfill those sadistic fantasies.

Whoever is responsible for abducting Jared and Jacob, within 9 months apart, would not have stopped with them IMO. I think looking at related crimes: 11 or so year old boys abducted at gun point, anywhere, would be so important to look at.

 

[human]

Bill Gates feels he has Aspergers.

Pervs do not start out killing, but they advance to it often to cover up their crime, especially if they have been busted. They do not want to get caught again.

They are the most model of prisoners.

This may have been a crime of opportunity. Being home alone.

as far as the music goes, it is one thing to listen to accomplished musicians. It is another thing to listen to kids who are learning.

 

[JerseyJo]

Remembering a voice over all of those years? That would be amazing especially under the fear conditions.

And someone cannot disguise a voice? I would think a music teacher would have real skills in understanding sound production

I seem to recall Aaron and/or Trevor stating the abductor had a low gravelly voice (the Cold Springs victim as well). I believe in the 911 call placed by the baby sitter's Dad, Aaron either told the 911 operator that the abductor sounded like he had a "cold" or the voice was "low".

DR has a very distinct speech pattern , not anything that I would describe as intimidating. Wouldn't be that much of a stretch to lower his voice to disguise it and sound more threatening.

 

[JerseyJo]

Bumping for Jacob...

How many people have immediate access to a ski mask and a gun?

Perhaps the better question would be, what type of people have access to a ski mask and a gun?

I for one don't.

I would assume tools of the trade for a kidnapper traveling in their vehicle, trolling for children.

Or possibly someone that could "run" home in a reasonably short time and immediately return to the abduction site.

Was it really a gun for that matter? Perhaps a Starter's Pistol?

 

[ELOCsoul]

So I think we know the information that DR had told LE from the beginning, but otherwise kept to himself - about the two cars he saw in his driveway that day, up by the house.

But, DR said he didn't want to go public with the info because he didn't trust the media, and because he didn't want to tip off the real kidnapper.

I wonder what DR thought he would be tipping off the kidnapper to? Surely the kidnapper, if he was in the cars, already realized that DR or whomever in the house could have seen them drive into his yard. What exactly did DR suspect the kidnapper would do or change if / when he went public with that info? I don't understand how he thinks the kidnapper would react in a negative way once that info was released? I don't see a logical downside to going public with that information from the beginning, other than feeling he would not be believed.

 

[human]

Bumping for Jacob...

How many people have immediate access to a ski mask and a gun?

Perhaps the better question would be, what type of people have access to a ski mask and a gun?

I for one don't.

I would assume tools of the trade for a kidnapper traveling in their vehicle, trolling for children.

Or possibly someone that could "run" home in a reasonably short time and immediately return to the abduction site.


Was it really a gun for that matter? Perhaps a Starter's Pistol?

It might have been a black nylon stocking as well.

Apparently, DR's mother had black nylons even though he said she did not. They were seen hanging on a bathroom rod .

As far as the gun, it could have been anything. The power of suggestion under fear is amazing. Try it yourself sometime on some friends

 

[human]

So I think we know the information that DR had told LE from the beginning, but otherwise kept to himself - about the two cars he saw in his driveway that day, up by the house.

But, DR said he didn't want to go public with the info because he didn't trust the media, and because he didn't want to tip off the real kidnapper.

I wonder what DR thought he would be tipping off the kidnapper to? Surely the kidnapper, if he was in the cars, already realized that DR or whomever in the house could have seen them drive into his yard. What exactly did DR suspect the kidnapper would do or change if / when he went public with that info? I don't understand how he thinks the kidnapper would react in a negative way once that info was released? I don't see a logical downside to going public with that information from the beginning, other than feeling he would not be believed.

Good points.

Why not believed in the beginning of all of this? He is a teacher.

At that time, teacher's did not have a big track record as pervs.

His family is very well respected in the community.

So you are right. What exactly was the problem?

I wonder how his relatives feel having that last name.

They are very prominent and respected in the community.

Must be hard especially for the younger generation

 

[MysteryMaven]

I am a new poster to this case. I had never heard of it before, and it has to be one of the most terrifying cases I've read about. Just a couple of things:
1. I watched the more recent tv news interview with DR.
Who responds "Oh.". When a police officer tells you a child has been kidnapped at the end of YOUR driveway? I would have probably dropped to my knees in horror! I would have been so terrified that I would have wanted a police escort parked in front of my house for safety. He didnt' seem too concerned at the time of the abduction and doesn't seem too concerned now, except for himself.
2. Nowhere in DR's tv interview did he express any concern for Jacob Wetterling. No empathy about what could have happened to him. He just wants the case solved so he can clear HIS name. Nice guy!
3. DR just does not act any sort of normal after the abduction. He goes into his home, goes to bed, and then proceeds to go to work the next day. He even mocks the police for not noticing that he had many large boxes in his car that they let him pull away with in the morning. Again, no concern that a child was taken at the end of his own driveway.

So did he commit the most un-traceable crime ever or his he the most unlucky(and callous) person ever? Which is it?'

4. Other suspects: There are so many other suspects, but only DR has been named as POI. However, to give DR a break, how well were these other suspects investigated? Were any of them re-investigated? But, none of them AFAIK have had their gravel pits dug up because they told the cops that would be a great place to dispose of a body.

I've tried to remain objective about DR, but he himself almost makes it too easy to point the finger.

 

[SpringThyme]

I think DR is very strange and does not come off well in interviews at all. Also, he had plenty of opportunity. Just puzzled that there is no whiff of any other victims before Jared and Jacob or after of any kind. Doesn't fit any pattern I have read about with these type of guys.

Is this because A) He is not the right guy B) His victims are not in MN C) He is victimizing in a different way, like BTK. He had an outlet for power and control at his job and used his trophies as a substitute.

 

[human]

I think DR is very strange and does not come off well in interviews at all. Also, he had plenty of opportunity. Just puzzled that there is no whiff of any other victims before Jared and Jacob or after of any kind. Doesn't fit any pattern I have read about with these type of guys.

Is this because A) He is not the right guy B) His victims are not in MN C) He is victimizing in a different way, like BTK. He had an outlet for power and control at his job and used his trophies as a substitute.

I am sure the FBI is looking at any cases that are the same across the US.

The problem is that they are not the same.

First one, one child in a fairly public area.

Jacob, with more than one child in a isolated area.

Jared , let go. Jacob?

Jared-gun?

Jacob- said there was a gun, but no way of knowing for sure.

So, the perp could still be working with different methods.

Or, the perp could be getting his jollies in a different manner.

Until he is caught, we will not know.

 

[human]

This is a really long article but very good

http://lightingtheirwayhome.wordpre...tober-22-1989-usmcc000001-updated-05-04-2013/

 

[SpringThyme]

This is a really long article but very good

http://lightingtheirwayhome.wordpre...tober-22-1989-usmcc000001-updated-05-04-2013/

Very thorough article.

 

[human]

DR is into chorus as well.

That means he is very capable and knows how to change voice.

 

[human]

Here is an article where a reporter asks DR if he did not hear all of the sirens and the helicopters.

He says that he was asleep.

He was awake to see the kidnapper's car, but he was asleep 5 minutes later, apparently .
The police arrived within 6 minutes of the call.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_15424697

 

[ELOCsoul]

Here is an article where a reporter asks DR if he did not hear all of the sirens and the helicopters.

He says that he was asleep.

He was awake to see the kidnapper's car, but he was asleep 5 minutes later, apparently .
The police arrived within 6 minutes of the call.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_15424697

Very interesting indeed, how did you find this article? - I've never come across it in all my googling.

I believe it the police were at the Wetterlings within 6 minutes - hard to say when they finally got to the DR driveway. It was documented that it was almost 2 hours later that the police were by the woodpile.

I wonder if anyone else can confirm there were sirens. Bell's comment regarding sirens could be an assumption on his part - or maybe it was common knowledge in the area?

 

[human]

I googled DR (full name) car and it came up. There are other interesting articles as well.

I was trying to find where it said he saw the car and when.

There is another article out there that said that he put his head out the window and told LE he was tired and it was not worth his time to search.

I cannot find that one, but it was in the St. cloud paper I believe shortly after the crime.

There are so many quotes by him out there that are so different.

Realistically, have you ever heard of police cars speeding without sirens. That would be so dangerous.

 

[shergal]

I found a link I hadn't seen before with some interesting comments by Patty Wetterling:

"She said the latest development (article was from 2007) suggests that someone living near the abduction site took Jacob, giving less credence to previous theories that someone in a car had driven off with him.
Wetterling called the development "significant" and said authorities "have reason to apply pressure, but not too much pressure" to a local man who has been interviewed by investigators."

"Wetterling said Wednesday that authorities told her they recently reviewed the 911 call, in which Trevor described the scene.
"It's very clear there was no vehicle," said Wetterling, who was away from home with her husband at the time of the abduction. "He said he didn't see a vehicle. He didn't hear a vehicle. He didn't hear a car door slam."

I also found this much further down on that page..

(Sheriff) Sanner said the driver (Kevin) told authorities that in 1989 he had given his name and explanation for being there to an officer at the abduction scene.

http://s10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/ar/t9066.htm

 

[human]

I do not call the Tom Thumb the abduction scene.

It is exactly as I recall. Kevin said he saw the officer where the bikes were.

So many different stories by Kevin and DR

 

[KeepHopeAlive]

I wonder if anyone else can confirm there were sirens. Bell's comment regarding sirens could be an assumption on his part - or maybe it was common knowledge in the area?

Bell wasn't there, so unless someone told him that there were sirens, I think it would have to be assumption on his part.

 

[human]

Here are the laws. So unless the LE was ambling along to a kidnapping, I think it is safe to assume that there were lights and sirens

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/pr...cy Vehicle Operations/EmergVehOpsFactsMSP.pdf