Hello. Im super late to this discussion but heartbroken nonetheless. I studied this case briefly a few years ago when I first began visiting Nashville for unrelated reasons. I see that there is at least one other LEO who posted to the other thread. Im also retired LE, federal from another state. Im not a homicide investigator but have dealt extensively with violent sex offenders and studied many a case narrative in the process of tracking RSOs. Anyhow, as the anniversary of this case is in just a few days, and I happen to be in Nashville at the moment, I just wanted to chime in briefly and pay my respects.
It goes without saying that there is just no way to reliably speculate on specifics of the investigation without access to file material. But I wanted to offer my inclination as to what generally happened, because this beautiful girls terrible ending moves me in the same way as it does everyone here. I have to say that I am in agreement with those that believe the assault and homicide were most likely committed at or near the site where she was found. My belief is that this was a crime of opportunity, possibly preplanned to the extent that the killer was looking for an opportunity and found it at a Krispy Kreme in the form of young Kathy and a dark overgrown vacant lot next-door. My only deviation from the previous LEOs hypothesis is the seeming assumption that this was a crime of inner rage, precipitated by a triggering event. It may very well have been. But sometimes these acts are just committed by individuals out to satisfy their depraved soul. They are literally wired differently than most of us. Often it is a combination of that sociopathic depravity and triggering events that spell serial killer.
As to the stranger versus known person, I would say it was very likely a stranger, but of course anything is possible. Its also possible that the perpetrator locked in on her as she made her way to/from the Krispy Kreme and skating rink, and seized upon her at the first available opportunity. In terms of an organized versus disorganized crime, there are often charactaristics of both, and with what has been made publicly available about this case, is what I would describe it as having. The killer may not have been prepared at the moment but once he made the decision to act he knew what to do, and did it quickly. The using of clothing articles for gagging and tearing them into strips for restraints on the surface seems impulsive but would not likely be an effective method for a beginner in a public setting.
When I say the assault happened at that site, its not to say that he didnt get her inside of a vehicle at some point in furtherance of his plan. It may have been a part of his plan actually. However, the idea that he would have abducted her, driven to another locale, assaulted and killed her, and then brought her back to that site would be unnecessarily risky and highly unlikely. Thus, if anything took place inside of a vehicle I expect that it would have been close by. I do not believe she was taken to another location.
There are many more points to ponder and Ive blown much more wind here than I intended, given the lack of certain details. I hope to get caught up with some of the other unsolved cases before my next stay in Nashville. Theres always a possible connection. With the advancements of DNA testing and seemingly no recent developments, the inclination is to believe that the likelihood of this case being solved at this point is not particularly high. But it is higher than zero. Nashville has some very capable detectives. And its quite possible that investigators are closer than it appears. Which to me makes it VERY solvable. These are just a few of my thoughts as a current outsider and as the anniversary of this innocent little girls murder draws near. God Bless you Kathy.
