GUILTY Spain - Denise Thiem, 40, U.S. traveler, Astorga, 4 April 2015

[ZaZara]

MAIN SUSPECT ARRESTED

La Nueva Crónica
http://www.lanuevacronica.com/detie...tar-relacionado-con-la-desaparicion-de-denise


Members of the National Police have arrested early in the afternoon of Friday the main suspect in the disappearance of American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, as some police sources have confirmed this medium, although there has been no official confirmation. From this Thursday a large operation tracks the vicinity of Castrillo de los Polvazares, a location where the main suspect has a farm house and land, an area that is completely cordoned off.

According to police sources, they have been working for several days on the trail of the suspect and this Thursday several agents toured the Camino between Astorga and El Ganso to ask the cooperation of citizens showing a photo of the man to the locals. They did not know his whereabouts but confirmed that he walked daily several kilometers of the road (from Castrillo de los Polvazares to Santa Catalina de Somoza) the area where the trail of Denise Pikka Thiem was lost. At least, the day of her disappearance, last April 5, the pilgrim had reported that she would cross the stretch linking Astorga and El Ganso, with obligatory passage through that area.

The detainee is being held in the offices of the National Police of Astorga.

Moreover, and according to some sources present in the area, the full-scale operation working in a wide area that is cordoned off, it has begun to retreat this same Friday afternoon. For now, the reasons for the withdrawal are unknown.


BBM

 

[ZaZara]

MIDDLE-AGED MAN ARRESTED HAS BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE A JUDGE


El Pais
http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/09/11/actualidad/1441990465_823538.html


Police have arrested in Asturias a suspect in the disappearance on the Camino de Santiago of the pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, of whom the whereabouts are unknown since the week of 1 to 4 April this year. The arrest was carried out at five o'clock in the afternoon in a location in Asturias that the police sources we consulted have not specified. In addition, this has happened at the same time as hundreds of policemen and soldiers were combing the stretch of the road between the Leonese towns of Astorga and Castrillo de los Polvazares.

The detainee is a middle-aged man, who has already been brought before a judge of Asturias. This judge has ruled that, for now, tracking will be stopped in the affected area until the suspect is questioned and eventually may provide clues to help locate the missing woman. The agents are combing the wells in the area, based on the conviction of the police that the pilgrim has died. However, this has not been officially confirmed.


BBM

 

[ZaZara]

SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED IN AN ALBERGUE

Update of earlier report

El Pais
http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/09/11/actualidad/1441990465_823538.html

The arrest was made at fivo o'clok in the afternoon in an algbergue in a place in Asturias, very near to Galicia, that the police sources we consulted have not specified.


BBM


In the forums there was a rumour (?) that the police feared the suspect would pass himself off as a pilgrim, hiding among the other pilgrims on the Camino. This was mentoned by persons who spoke with the police in an albergue in a different region. (Also, the suspect would have both an Irish and a Spanish ID.)


According to this latest news, there may well be truth in the rumour.

 

[ZaZara]

ARRESTED MIGUEL ANGEL M.B. OF 39 YEARS ALLEGEDLY ADMITS KNOWING WHERE REMAINS OF DENISE ARE



Faro de Vigo
http://www.farodevigo.es/espana/2015/09/11/detenido-desaparicion-peregrina-astorga/1312058.html

Agents of the National Police have arrested on Friday in the Asturian town of Grandas de Salime, near the border with Lugo, a man in connection with the disappearance of Denise Thiem, the American pilgrim who disappeared last April in the region of Astorga (León) while she was hiking the Camino de Santiago, police sources reported to Europa Press.

Sources have indicated that the detainee is Miguel Angel MB, 39 years of age, who after being arrested in Grandas de Salime in the southwest of Asturias, has confessed that he knows where the body of the pilgrim is.

The detainee is a resident of the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares (León), in the municipality of Astorga, and, according to neighborhood sources, lives outside in a wooden house almost in the mountains, between the village and Santa Catalina.

In this regard, a spokeswoman for the Pilgrims Hostel of Castrillo, speaking to Europa Press, explained that the suspect, who is not a native of Castrillo but came to live there about three years ago, lives alone and has a farmhouse with a garden and a well.


BBM


:rose:

 

[ZaZara]

SEARCHES WILL CONTINUE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MAN NOW ARRESTED

El Bierzo Digital
http://www.elbierzodigital.com/caso...-la-desaparicion-de-denise-pikka-thiem/103182


The detainee owns one of the pieces of land on which the investigators were looking for the woman. There he has a cottage and orchard. The search works will continue in the presence of the arrested man.




As seen on tv and published by El Bierzo Digital

 

[ZaZara]

"A VERY UNSOCIABLE PERSON WHO SHUNS CONTACT WITH THE NEIGHBORS"



La Voz de Galicia
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...peregrina-astorga/00031441986809104468533.htm


A man was arrested this afternoon as the main suspect in the disappearance of Denise Thiem, the American pilgrim of whom the trail was lost in early April while she was walking the Camino de Santiago. Near the place of arrest bones have been found, although the investigation ruled out for the moment that might belong to Denise. The man, M.A.M. B., 39, has confessed that he knows where the body of the pilgrim is. For this reason he has been transferred to Astorga by helicopter where he arrived about 18:45 hrs on and has been brought before a judge.

The arrest occurred in Grandas de Salime near the Asturian border with the province of Lugo, when he was in a bar and he did not resist. The arrested man is a resident of the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares (León), in the municipality of Astorga, and, according to local sources, lives outside in a wooden house almost in the mountains, between the village and Santa Catalina. The man mysteriously disappeared a few days ago, after the start of the operation searching for the pilgrim. According to information from Diario de León he might be linked to other episodes of harassment to other female pilgrims. He is single, and has no driving license, therefore he travels by bike.

A spokeswoman of the Albergue of the Pilgrims of Castrillo, speaking to Europa Press, explained that the suspect, who is not a native of Castrillo but came to live there three years ago, lives alone and has a farmhouse with an orchard and a well. The local woman says his arrest is not surprising since, as has been well reported, the police has had clues about him for years "he left the house to go to the female pilgrims who passed through here and they say that he called them names. A person who lives there on the mountain that way makes me think twice, also because it is said that he has a very bad temper! "

Several locals confirmed that plainclothes officers had shown them a picture of the man now arrested, whom they also described as "a very unsociable person who shuns contact with the neighbors," and who lives in a remote house away from the village. A villager has told Diario de León that "we distrusted him", while other locals tell about the strange behavior of the man, "sometimes he came at night wearing a balaclava through that way there (pointing towards the cemetery) and returned home, he is a scruffy person you'd have to be careful with . " "If he did it, how did he get away with the corpse? Because he has no car ... " another local asks.

The man owns one of the terrains in which investigators were searching for the woman. The searches will resume early tomorrow morning.


BBM

 

[kevmoley]

Arrest made in Arizona woman missing in Spain
Harold Heckle And Alan Clendenning, Associated Press 12:52 p.m. MST September 11, 2015

MADRID — A suspect was arrested Friday in the disappearance of an Arizona woman missing since April from a famed Christian pilgrimage route in northern Spain, a Spanish security official said.

The arrest came as about 300 Spanish officers searched the area where Denise Thiem, 41, of Litchfield Park west of Phoenix, was last seen April 5 in the town of Astorga. It lies on the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, also called the St James Way, which ends at the Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The official did not disclose further information about the suspect and spoke on condition of anonymity because of rules preventing the official from being named.

Spanish TV showed footage Friday of officers at a small apartment building taking away the suspect, a bearded man who appeared to be in his 30s. He was not identified.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news.../arrest-spain-missing-arizona-woman/72083872/

 

[ZaZara]

BODY OF DENISE HAS BEEN FOUND


http://leonoticias.com/frontend/leonoticias/base.php


Located at the last minute following the indications of the main suspect, the body of Denise Pikka Thiem


BBM


:rose:

 

[ZaZara]

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...witter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=twgen


BODY OF DENISE WAS FOUND ON THE FARM OF THE SUSPECT

 

[ZaZara]

SUSPECT CHANGED OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EUROS AT A BANK A FEW DAYS AFTER THE DISAPPEARANCE

El Pais
http://politica.elpais.com/politica.../1441990465_823538.html?id_externo_rsoc=TW_CM

The body of the American pilgrim missing on the Camino de Santiago on April 5 was found Friday on the farm of the main suspect in Astorga (León), according to the police. Suspect number one, who was on the list of the National Police in order to solve the disappearance of the American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, was arrested Friday in an albergue in the Asturian town of Grandas de Salime, on the border with Galicia. Miguel Ángel MB, 39, was arrested by agents 162 kilometers from the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares, Astorga (León), where he lives in a remote manufactured home away from the town center and from which he fled without a trace the last week. Police is holding little hope of finding her alive.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, they have accumulated strong evidence to the contrary: the police have sent a saw with biological remains for analysis and have confirmed that a few days after the disappearance the suspect changed over a thousand dollars for euros at a bank.

His departure alerted investigators who had been following his steps since the trail of the American tourist was lost near a church of Astorga on April 5, Easter Sunday. She herself told several witnesses at the time that she planned to hike the stage of 14 kilometers of the Pilgrim's Route to the town of el Ganso, where she intended to pass the night in an albergue. She was never heard of again.


BBM

 

[ZaZara]

DECOMPOSED CORPSE FOUND

http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/09/11/actualidad/1441990465_823538.html

Police have found this Friday a completely decomposed corpse on the farm of the main suspect in the disappearance of the missing American pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago, according to police sources.

Police suspect that these are the remains of the missing pilgrim.


BBM

 

[dotr]

My heart goes out to Denise's family and many friends, at last this beautiful woman can return home.

 

[Muy Curioso]

I have mixed feelings. But I think the sadness prevails.

 

[ZaZara]

I have mixed feelings. But I think the sadness prevails.

Mixed feelings. Sad feelings. Strangely, most of my thoughts go out to the pilgrims, friends who were with Denise on Easter morning. I cannot stop thinking about the Italian pilgrim with whom she went to mass and after that they were watching the Easter procession together. That must have been beautiful.
If only ... So sad.


Rest in Peace, sweet Denise. You were a pilgrim on your way to forgiveness, the doors of heaven will open for you and no questions will be asked. You will be welcomed as you are.


:rose:

 

[Satchie]

Very, very sad for Denise and her family. But it is a relief that she has been found and that the man has been arrested.

 

[ZaZara]

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE COURT


Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Castilla y León

TSJ Castilla y León ‏@TSJCyL

El Juzgado Nº 2 de Astorga ordena la detención de un hombre relacionado con la muerte de #DeniseThiem.

Court No. 2 of Astorga orders the arrest of a man related to the death of #DeniseThiem.





"In the absence of relevant proof, the body without life that was found appears to be that of the American pilgrim"



:rose:

 

[quietwun]

Thanks so much for posting all these recent updates.

Few words...so sorry for her family who searched so fervently. Easter Sunday, obviously significant to Denise. Unthinkable.

I am always amazed at the work behind the scenes, the tips etc that we know nothing about, until it is solved.

RIP Denise. Your pilgrimage is complete.

 

[Lumberjill]

This is so sad. Just today I sat down to read pages of this thread. I was making notes, learning, getting up to date, ready to get involved. So sad. RIP, Denise.

 

[ZaZara]

REMAINS OF DENISE HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO PONFERRADA FOR FORENSIC ANALYSIS

LeonNoticias

http://www.leonoticias.com/frontend...em-Es-Trasladado-Al-Anatomico-vn184018-vst469


The body of Denise Pikka Thiem is already in the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Ponferrada. Barely an hour after agents of the National Police, with the indications obtained after arresting the main suspect in the case, located the body of the woman, the remains were transferred to the berciana capital for identification.

It was one o'clock in the early hours of Saturday when the body arrived at the offices of the Forensic Anatomical Institute of Ponferrada, located in the Hospital del Bierzo, where at present the forensics are working on its identification and aim to clarify the causes of the death of the American pilgrim.

The body has been located, according to sources of the investigation, on the farmland of the man arrested, located between Santa Catalina and San Martin de Agostedo, located far from his habitual residence. The agents transferred to the area have located a body in an advanced state of decomposition and a complicated identification is expected.

From early Saturday on several policemen guard the entrance of the Anatomical Forensic Institute where several employees of Funeral La Encina also have arrived.


BBM


San Martin de Agostedo is located south of Santa Catalina de Somoza, the distance from San Martin de Agostedo to Castrillo de Polvazares (north of Santa Catalina) where the suspect lives, is 6 kms, maybe 5 kms to his house. This makes one wonder if Denise did take a small detour from the Camino in order to visit Castrillo de Polvazares or if she never left the main trail of the Camino.

It has been mentioned by some sources that the suspect used to harass female pilgrims on his bike as well.

 

[ZaZara]

MINISTER OF INTERIOR TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE IN ASTORGA


LeonNoticias
http://www.leonoticias.com/frontend...splaza-A-Astorga-Y-El-Caso-De-vn184016-vst469


The Minister of Interior, Jorge Fernandez Diaz, will travel this Saturday to Astorga, where he will give details about the disappearance of the pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem in a press conference.

The location of the body allows to determine that the death was violent on the dates that contact with the pilgrim was lost, in the hours of the afternoon of Sunday April 5.

Miguel Angel Munoz, a resident of Castrillo de los Polvazares, is currently the main and only suspect in the case, although the investigation in this aspect has not been closed.


BBM



Jorge Fernandez Diaz was the one who out of the blue told that there were leads and he hoped that one of them would bear fruit When nothing happened, that appeared be just one of those things that politicians say, because politicians will say anything. Apparently, he was right all along. I apologize humbly.