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I'm Bill Comeans' oldest brother. I've been reading some of your comments. Got questions? I might be able to answer. Bob
I don't know if this has been corrected yet, but there are several comments about why Mr. & Mrs. Comeans would let their son out and about after he'd been attacked twice. He was given a can of mace which he was to have on him at all times. It was found at his side. A knife was also found at the scene. I believe that knife was used as a threat to get him to leave the safety of his front yard.
Based on statements from family members and the investigating detective, Billy Comeans was a "perfect student, perfect kid, perfect citizen". Maybe he knew something about people who weren't so perfect (theft ring, drug sellers, cheating scandal, etc.) who were afraid "Mr. Perfect Citizen" would rat them out.
I think Chicoliving is working on verification. Hope it's a quick process, I've got a bunch of questions!!
This is such a strange case.
Just me, but I doubt a serial killer or thrill-killer would attempt to murder the same person three different times (if we believe that the prior two attacks are related, which by all accounts and common sense, they are). They would simply move on to another victim.
The fact that Bill was targeted multiple times makes me believe (a) he knew his attacker and (b) they had a very distinct reason (at least in their mind) for choosing Bill as their victim.
Strange, strange, strange case.
I'm Bill Comeans' oldest brother. I've been reading some of your comments. Got questions? I might be able to answer. Bob
WARNING: This is a brainstorming post. I am really tired (and still sick!) but have started listing out the 4 theories that we have thrown around and arguments for and against each theory. I'm hoping that I have at least formed complete thoughts but please add, edit, etc.
Bullies
Pro
- Notes were found in BC's locker at school which would presumably only be accessible to students/ staff
- BC described his attackers as white, early 20's (could be older teens)
- Parents believed he was bullied and at least one article said they felt bullies were responsible
Con
- Three attacks, one being fatal seems to be an extreme level of bullying; very risky, especially if BC were abducted from his yard or porch.
- We assume that students with an aqua/ turquoise car would have been ID'd as the color would be very identifiable.
- BC could not identify his attackers but if he went to school with them he probably could have (unless he did not ID them on purpose.)
Thrill/ serial killer
Pro
- Possible similarities with known serial killer (age of victim, MO, active in early 80's)
- Behavior of multiple attacks points to someone psychopathic/ sociopathic
Con
- It would be unusual for a random attacker to attack the victim more than once.
- Very unlikely that this type of killer would leave threatening notes in a locker
Accidental/ autoerotic asphyxiation
Pro
- Seems to be the opinion of investigators
Con
- Weather and setting would be an unusual place for such activity
- Doubt the ability of someone to strangle themselves without some kind of device (meaning strangling without hanging.)
- Lack of evidence that we believe would be present in an autoerotic situation
- Valium in BC's system. Unusual choice for a person to take prior to sexual behavior.
BC was a witness/ needed to be "silenced"
Pro
- Explains determination/ persistence of assailants.
Con
- Seems unlikely that he would report the attacks but leave out details of who he thought it might be.
I like this. Thanks! I hope you feel better -- it's been a week for you, right? Not fair.
My only addition would be to think about whether the profiles/motives of both killers has to be the same. I could see a bully/thrill partnership, as well as a silence/thrill partnership -- IOW, one with a motive against BC, one with a motive to kill. Plausible? Unsure. I find it hard to always remember that we are talking about two attackers, so I'm just trying to keep it out there.
Yes, a week! So unfair. I hope you are all better.
Yes, there are so many possibilities with the two killer scenario. Three of the four theories above could all have worked with two killers but the thing that just gets me so stuck is the three attacks. I just can't wrap my brain around TWO people being so reckless/ psychopathic or whatever, that they risked being caught 3 times without one of the pair saying, "Hey man, I'm not doing this again." Right??
Multiple attacks only works for me if this is a bullying or revenge situation so if that person was the ringleader and partnered up with someone who just absolutely had no conscience (thrill killer), and was more of a follower, then I could definitely see how what your suggesting could happen.
I'm Bill Comeans' oldest brother. I've been reading some of your comments. Got questions? I might be able to answer. Bob
I'm Bill Comeans' oldest brother. I've been reading some of your comments. Got questions? I might be able to answer. Bob
Welcome, Bob! Congrats on the quick verification. I am sorry we are meeting under these circumstances, but hope the process will yield some leads about your brother's death so that your family can get some answers. We are all appalled by the disrespect these two attackers showed for his life -- as well as what they put him through during the last months of his life. I will throw a few Qs into the thread-o-sphere before I go to work and then check in again this evening:
- The night Bill was attacked by the elementary school, was he taking an unusual route home? Or was it family policy to stick to roads, rather than say take the path along the RR tracks or a shortcut through people's yards?
- Was Bill or anyone else in the household taking valium on a doctor's orders at the time of his death?
- In terms of what you know about the police investigation, has LE ruled out any known offenders that you are aware of?
- Have you noticed any factual errors in our understanding of the case?
- The bowl of ice cream that was so poignantly described in your family's Twitter feed: Was Bill eating that on the porch the night he disappeared? If so -- and if he was not taking valium by prescription -- was the ice cream ever tested for the presence of a drug?
- Did Bill first receive notes in his locker before or after the first attack? Where I live, 9/5/79 -- the first Wed. after Labor Day -- would have been the first day of school. Did you all start earlier? I am just wondering if someone unrelated could have subsequently written those notes to play on his fear about the attack.
- Were you aware of any cars in the neighborhood or at the high school like the one Bill described?
There will be no shortage of questions here, so please just take a break from us when you need to. In the meantime, we'll do our best for you.