My main theory since the doorbell video was released - the killer or driver was a teen-age minor, driving a car belonging to a parent. The parent refused to cooperate with police when contacted, hired a good attorney. Without enough evidence, the case is stalled. No license number on security video, no search warrant. I had that impression from the sound of the engine of the truck as the killer cruised up to the Barraza's house and beyond. The "gunning of the engine", on and off, like someone unaccustomed to driving the truck and not able to press the gas to a slow, continuous speed. Someone without a lot of driving experience or at least not much with that vehicle.To poke holes in my scenario this would only work if the killer and owner of the truck were the same. It even might work if the killer is the spouse or child of the owner. But if this was a rental, a truck on a dealer's lot, a truck in for repairs with parts on order or someone caring for a deployed military member overseas, this wouldn't likely work. (On that last one I've had someone look after my vehicle while I was deployed. Twice.) As we've looked at this it isn't a very common truck. It makes me wonder if the killer was even the owner of the truck.
Good observation. So someone likely not familiar with this truck. Child, other relative, truck from a maintenance garage, rental, off a sales lot or simply borrowed from another individual. IF a son or daughter, we have an individual(s) with a suspicion of the crime if not definite knowledge. Then the other options above are someone who uses the truck without the knowledge of the owner.My main theory since the doorbell video was released - the killer or driver was a teen-age minor, driving a car belonging to a parent. The parent refused to cooperate with police when contacted, hired a good attorney. Without enough evidence, the case is stalled. No license number on security video, no search warrant. I had that impression from the sound of the engine of the truck as the killer cruised up to the Barraza's house and beyond. The "gunning of the engine", on and off, like someone unaccustomed to driving the truck and not able to press the gas to a slow, continuous speed. Someone without a lot of driving experience or at least not much with that vehicle.
It might be the same if the killer had borrowed the vehicle from someone else, a friend.
I agree with you.If someone from the 501st was a suspect from the beginning surely LE investigated that and moved away from that theory? No?
With a manual gearstick (How I miss my old car ...sigh) You have to push the clutch down, put into gear, then to drive off you start releasing the clutch as you start pushing down the gas with your other foot, eventually releasing the clutch. You push down the clutch every time you change gear. If you do not engage it while in park, you will not be able to go from park, to first gear, and start driving.IMO, when viewing the video it appeared there is an accomplice in the truck because while the killer is outside of the truck there is revving/engagement of the clutch (of the truck's engine). I'm not familiar with a clutch or how to drive them but why is it necessary to engage the clutch while in park? I suppose to keep it from stalling out? Why take such a risky truck to kill someone?
Gosh, its been 15 years since I have driven a "stick" car.I'm not familiar with a clutch or how to drive them but why is it necessary to engage the clutch while in park? I suppose to keep it from stalling out? Why take such a risky truck to kill someone?
I think this is an interesting thought - and one I've also had from time to time. What if Elizabeth was not the ultimate target but killing her would hurt someone else. In my scenario, I had thought that perhaps her father had an enemy and that enemy chose to punish him by murdering his daughter.Perhaps this angle has been explored before. This is just me thinking out loud and throwing some ideas up in the air.
Did her husband have any enemies? Had he or his family pissed someone off in a way that would make them want to take out revenge on them. Doing so in such a way to hurt him on a personal and emotional level (because they perhaps experienced the same somehow). Making his wife a target for this revenge.
Perhaps Elizabeth was the victim, because the husband was not there. He had left for work. The killer arrived. His car is gone, but his wife is there out front. The killer saw the yard-sale signs nearby and started a conversation to see if this really was her and not someone else. She confirmed it. So the killer picked her instead of him.
Did anyone watch?Investigation Discovery: On the Case with Paula Zahn![]()
Rosemary and I interviewed with Paula Zahn and her team on June 7, 2022. They interviewed quite a few people close to her and the case.
UPDATE October 28, 2022
On Sunday October 30th, at 9PM CST the On the Case With Paula Zahn show about Liz will air. The show is on Investigation Discovery Channel.
Special Note: The episode description may be wrong on your channel guide - but here is the correct information:
S25 E8 · A Fairy Tale Ruined New 60 min · Oct 30, 2022
I think it starts in 1 hour- 9 pm CSTDid anyone watch?
Oh ok. For some reason I thought it was yesterday.I think it starts in 1 hour- 9 pm CST
I think it starts in 1 hour- 9 pm CST