This is the "Liquid Nitrogen" of all unsolved FW cases. Also FWPD "Kryptonite." I have not been able to inspire FWPD to investigate the things that should have been done and can still be done. Even ruling something OUT is useful. From an air-conditioned cubicle the data and records that exist in the case file could put this or that to bed. When you eliminate what "could" have happened, one by one, by one...you end up with what happened. Applying the scientific method is a useful approach no matter the problem that needs to be solved. Compounding FWPD's lack of imagination and creativity - there is a family member that has been a bottleneck in communication - the self-appointed spokesperson for the families, who I trusted to be acting on behalf of everyone. I came to realize not only was that not the case - he destroyed his credibility over and over and over with LE. I was the person with no skin in the game, a mountain of insight - the next-best thing to an eye-witness, better in some ways. He burnt down bridges faster than I could build them. Me - obsessed with finding the girls; this person obsessed with looking for them. Important distinction. So, anyway - about "Kryptonite." In the late 90's, with all the excitement over the potential of DNA, federal grants were handed out for the asking. Every major city was funded to create, within the homicide division, cold case units. The best trained people all over the country, former FBI, detectives coming out of retirement - very exciting! From the wrongly convicted to the victim's family that had nothing left but hope; a great deal of justice was achieved. FWPD had 3 detectives staffing that new "Cold Case" department. Doesn't sound like much, but it was. Before that - if a detective wanted to work on an old/dead investigation, he asked, and was allowed to. In every case, these "assignments" had to fit around primary duties. Off-duty time was the only uninterrupted time. No support, assistance or resources available. Impossible. Anyway, that special funding petered out around 2002. These cold case detectives were no longer able to spend all their duty hours drilling down in a focused way. One detective in homicide has been designated as the "Cold Case" person ever since. No one wants to announce there really is NO cold case division. He would do his best, between taking on new cases, getting called to scenes. A title and responsibility without the time or tools. Personally, I suspect homicide has a burner phone they play hot potato with. The last Cold Case detective I spoke with "retired" less than a year into the job. Sounded young to me. What made this case FWPD "Kryptonite" was a press conference called by the original unit where; in front of all 3 families, and the world they strongly implied they were on the verge of a major break in the case. When I watched this in 2009 I knew. Don't tell me they are testing the letter and envelope for DNA? Of course they were. This at a time when results were 9-18 months out. They banked on proof of nothing. Somebody lied? So what? I guess they thought somebody would crack and confess. Their Perry Mason moment was never coming. Insurmountable egg on their face. Either what I have described is true OR they were abducted by aliens. If FWPD solves this case - it will happen when the aliens return them...but only if the aliens deliver them to the steps of the downtown headquarters. There is no political will to work on this case. That's why I've decided to assemble something to present to AG's office. This case needs to be heard by a grand jury - before everyone dies. If suspect dies, it will be closed for good. Sorry for such a long answer, but there are no simple questions.
If justice can be found this side of heaven; what kind of person would I be if I just threw up my hands and said "Oh, well"? I can't quit until I'm sure everything I can do is done. We have a brand new Cold Case detective - Jeremy Rhoden. Hope he's allowed to do his job. Pass him the burner phone.