While the theory that this was a random sexual assault gone bad is entirely plausible it seems to me there are several holes in this scenario. I can see no reason why the perp or perpetrators waited so long to do their evil deed. Sherrill was available for whatever purpose they had in mind long before the girls arrived.
Recently I learned that human trafficking is something on the order of the second most prevalent crime after drugs which greatly surprised me. For all we know the women (most likely the girls) could have been taken out of the country and taken overseas where they still remain if not dead.
http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/893
I would also call attention to the unusual fact that Suzie's car was parked off the driveway (as seen in the "48 Hours" program) although there was more than adequate room on the north side of the driveway to have parked fully on the pavement. And then we have to wonder why her car was pointed to the east when according to Sherrill's car the driveway was clear to have driven in from the east side of the driveway since we can be reasonably certain they came in from Glenstone. It has come up from time to time the belief that the crime scene was staged. I'm not necessarily going there but I wonder about the vehicle placement. Suzie must have driven in there hundreds of time and surely knew where the driveway was. But someone who had not might have been in a hurry and missed the driveway and drove onto the grass. We do not know for a certain fact the girls actually arrived at the home. It would seem to be the case but cannot be definitively proven beyond an absolute certainty.
Just some random thoughts that come to mind.
Mule...since youve followed this case since really the beginning, Id like to backtrack on the 48 Hours program. Since we have some newer folks lurking, it might be interesting to point a few observations out.
As Ive said before, this was 48 Hours and not 60 Minutes. Although Mr. Rather may have fronted this program, its not in that genera. This is more about storytelling and capturing emotion. It does that, as you can feel the initial despair and the emotional drain on everyone, including the detectives. But, a few observations...
- Little talk about the timeline, which as I understood was established early, although it may have fluctuated through time.
- No mention of the obscene calls.
- Little account for the next day and the circus environment of the house and delay in calling law enforcement.
- Outside family and associates no mention of any suspects, I take it the likes of Garrison and Cox were not serious considerations at the time.
- Local lady spotting a van being driven by Suzie, tell police under hypnosis. Didnt know that, is that porch lady ? That colors my thinking a bit there, 20 years later thats about all I know of her.
- Not clear how serious LE gave credence to the psychics. I have heard it said that they can be sensitive to subtle hints which many may ignore
- A few little curious things...about Sherill; no mention of her varnishing work that night, the late night phone call with her friend (and who that was)
A note about the First Responders, many who are really close friends. I have been critical of those actions that next morning/day. However, I can see a 'reasonable person standard argument for it. As the accounts all state, Jannelle was a long time close friend of the two girls, with the attachments waning and strengthening through time. Janis McCall states in the program, about the next day, ...with the understand of getting together 8:30 AM the next day to go to Branson... or to that effect. I dont know how she would know that unless Stacy had told her that the day before, it sounds more like the story from Jannells account of that next morning. When Jennell went to the open house, purses and cars there, stayed awhile (Im unclear how long), called a few people, nobody knew anything, she concluded they left on their own to Branson. In personality behavior to all involved, this was not unusual. If it were my apartment in Springfield and you have a unit unlocked, with my wallet on the table and car outside, thats a cue to call 9-1-1. My doors were unlocked one time...when I walked through them. Pick up the mail in line of site of my place in the middle of the day, apartment locked. When I would change plans, in the non cell phone world when I lived in Springfield, MO circa mid-90s, I would AWALYS call someone to tell them of my changes. But, were not talking about me.
I have come to believe these people were far more laid back, casual, carefree and less structured than I. Which, has no polarity in their characters whatsoever, its merely an observation which I believe goes a long way to explain these conclusions and behaviors I find so foreign. I know other people like this as well, in fact I dated a young lady when I lived there, close to Suzies age who was VERY much like this. I dont think Sherill was quite like this, if nothing else being older and a parent. Lets remember who made the call to LE, Ms. McCall, a parent as well.
While Im still not comfortable with the excessive delay and what I perceive as aloofness and lack of seriousness with the discovery, I think taking the personalities into consideration will help in explaining those behaviors by those who knew the women well, as weve been told. I belive theres more to this part of the story, but that may never come forward.