ATTACHMENTS: Photos from Fox2 news of the body site and possible map locations of the body.
This is my first post. I've been following this thread for days -- read every single post on 17 of the 27 pages. Honestly, if I keep reading every post, I don't think I'll
ever catch up to the point of actually writing my own observations and questions. So,
please forgive me if what I'm about to write has been posted on pages 18-27 (as of this morning).
First, I'm not taking a crack at this from the POV of cracking the code. I'm approaching this from a level that might give insight to help others (more experienced) crack the code... or answer questions that might assist in deciphering the notes.
1) The first and most obvious question is
WHY is the FBI involved at all? I've read several explanations about local LEOs asking for help. But, I don't buy it. My personal opinion is that Ricky McCormick is the potential victim of a serial killer (but
not Travis).
2) IF he wrote in a cryptic code since he was a kid, where are other examples of his coded writings? I can't believe there are none.
Alternative answer: The code is
not Ricky’s at all, but that of a serial killer. Ricky was a victim of the serial killer, which explains why the notes was on his body and why there are no other examples of his writing in code. It would also give a
very good reason for the FBI to be involved (think Zodiac).
Seriously -- some smalltime hood, who died under semi-mysterious circumstances, writing in code, is
not a matter for the FBI to concern itself with. Even after an autopsy & toxicology report, there is no significant evidence of foul play. There is a bigger picture... and I think it's serial murder.
3) What else was found on his body? Did they find more notes, blank paper, a pen? Did he have a wallet? Was his cash gone? Since he was identified by his fingerprints, that suggests either his "head wound" was a facial wound and/or his wallet/ID was gone (or he didn't carry any).
4) One point of news articles that puzzles me (and I have not seen anyone else mention it) is the disparity between the accounts of who found Ricky McCormick's body. Early reports say "
A woman found McCormick's body early Wednesday near Highway 367, west of West Alton."
Another news article says a
farmer found the body. The Washington Post says
two fishermen found the body "
along a cleared path that served as an access road for farming equipment". So, which is it? Or do they all somehow describe the same individual, a female farmer who was going fishing? Maybe not a major point, but an oddity, just the same.
Now, a few observations about the notes themselves:
a) Notes are circled from top right, down to the left, then back around. Does that suggest anything?
b) Note pages are two different sizes, and the paper types are different -- suggesting they may have been written at different times.
c) Something was pressed against the "Notes" page, causing an impression and smudging of the ink. What else was in McCormick's pocket(s)?
And the biggest two mysteries to me...
If McCormick was seen 5 days before his body was found... and LE believes the notes were written up to 3 days before his death, they have to surmize McCormick was killed or died within 2 days of his body being found. Do the math. So, what is the hold back?
Where do they get the idea the notes were written up to 3 days before his death? Why not two weeks? Or, the day before, even? Something's fishy in that bit of disclosure.
Lastly, if McCormick died 2 or even 3 days before his body was found, normal decomposition would not be such that the cause of a wound would be indeterminate. Decomp doesn't occur that fast. Not to be gross, but if animals had been involved, that would change things. Otherwise, I don't think we are getting the full story on the CoD or the condition of the body when found.
But, here's the link to the video:
