I really like it when you show up.
Awwww thanks. You might be the only one.
I suck with maps but the path or trail leading out of the park literally goes straight to (still a maintained path) until it gets to the underpass at 321. You have to turn to the right to go back to the parking area. I really wish this area had been searched sooner.
I know we now know it was searched earlier. However, I wonder if it was searched IMMEDIATELY. Like within the first hour? The time frame when he may have just been sitting there exploring?
NEW: FBI Spokesperson: "We have seen Maddox and it is amazing that he was found. Standing next to him you can barely see him." #WBTV #MaddoxRitch
WBTV Ben Williamson on Twitter
I am so glad he was found. He's not very big. Between higher waters and debris from the rain they did get very lucky.
The boy was found partially under water about a mile away from where he was last seen, in Long Creek, near Rankin Lake Park.
It’s unclear how many days he had been in the water following his Saturday disappearance.
Amber Roberts on Twitter
Bbm
Obviously this is due to the fact that the autopsy hasn't been completed yet, so they don't know. They aren't going to give a guess, just like they won't guess at foul play or not. It certainly doesn't mean he wasn't there the whole time.
He was inserted into the investigation before that interview, no disrespect intended. He was going to be investigated regardless of the interview.
The guy could be jumping in front of it trying to sway public perception. At the end of the day, he lives in this area, has a record, and knows what the community will be thinking.
I think most people in his situation, especially with such old cases would much prefer to just stay out of it. Not want to draw attention to themselves. Absolutely, cooperate and help law enforcement but most would not want to talk to the media. The last thing they want to do is draw attention to their past.
Not everyone who speaks to the police speaks to the press. The police do not provide the press with a list of people who have been interviewed.
LE always pays attention to who inserts himself into the story by giving interviews, seeming a little "too" involved. Many predators and killers enjoy being part of the action and seeing everyone deceived. It's pretty serial killer 101 to check out who seems out of place and enjoying the attention too much.
Yes, he didn't have to speak to the press. He chose to, which is odd. I don't think he had anything to do with it. It's just more odd behavior is all.
It has rained nonstop here in East TN for two days. I hope the poor child wasn’t playing or sleeping on the creek bank when water was released from the draining of the lake. Such a sad ending.
I don't think they started draining the lake until yesterday right? They searched it earlier but hadn't drained it. They searched the area he was found multiple times before he was found. Surely they would have found him if he'd been playing there that long?
Are there any nearby drainage pipes that dump into the creek? I wonder, could he have been hiding in a drainage pipe and got caught in a surge and drowned or something, and then his body was dislodged and carried out during the heavy storm last night...
If that was the case it would cause me to look back at the tipster a little more... if Maddox actually was in a pipe. However, I don't know how they'd be able to prove that. It is very possible though that he was dislodged by the storm last night. I was a little concerned that may happen.
I understand your concern about people already blaming the father. Honestly I pray he is innocent. That said, his story just doesn't add up. Yes, they searched that area multiple times prior BUT ....who's to say that who ever murdered him (if that's the case) didn't tie him down in an effort to keep his body hidden. Then six days later the body releases gasess causing him to float some what out of the water? I don't mean to sound horrid but that's a possibility. The father and his "friend" could have easily dropped his body off prior to going to the park, then have a perfectly good excuse as to why he ended up 2 miles down a Creek six days later. It is possible. As evil as people are now a days I wouldn't eliminate any possibility until I had proven otherwise. I just can't believe the "out running" the dad and "friend" part.
What motive would a new girlfriend have to help this father cover it up?
You really think this new girlfriend and the father could keep up this lie for 6 days?
Under FBI questioning? Separate FBI questioning?
I don't think there is any chance that would happen. It's not logical. There's no motivation for it to happen. It just doesn't make sense.