TX TX - Julie Moseley, 9, Mary Trlica, 17, Lisa Wilson, 14, Fort Worth, 23 Dec 1974 - #3

[Mysteries1974]

When are they going back to retrieve the two cars that didn’t get lifted completely?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

When are they going back to retrieve the two cars that didn’t get lifted completely?

Divers will return to the lake in a few weeks to try and retrieve the second car and a third vehicle that family members of the missing girls believe might have evidence leading to the whereabouts of Rachel Trlica, 17, Lisa Renee Wilson, 14, and Julie Moseley, 9, who went missing on Dec. 23, 1974, after shopping at what was then Seminary South Shopping Center on 4200 South Freeway.

“We’ve got a VIN number off the Corvair and we’re still trying to track down its owner,” said Rusty Arnold of Edgecliff Village in a telephone interview Thursday. Arnold was 11 when his sister, Rachel Trlica, disappeared.

“The car did not have any evidence linking it to my sister or the other girls,” Arnold said.

Forensic experts spent several hours looking over the Corvair, which took divers about two hours to pull out of Benbrook Lake Saturday morning near Longhorn Park.
Clues to whereabouts of girls missing since 1974 elude family, volunteers

 

[tlonnie60@yahoo.com]

they are saying Saturday October 13 th

 

[Mysteries1974]

Ok thank you for the responses!

they are saying Saturday October 13 th

Divers will return to the lake in a few weeks to try and retrieve the second car and a third vehicle that family members of the missing girls believe might have evidence leading to the whereabouts of Rachel Trlica, 17, Lisa Renee Wilson, 14, and Julie Moseley, 9, who went missing on Dec. 23, 1974, after shopping at what was then Seminary South Shopping Center on 4200 South Freeway.

“We’ve got a VIN number off the Corvair and we’re still trying to track down its owner,” said Rusty Arnold of Edgecliff Village in a telephone interview Thursday. Arnold was 11 when his sister, Rachel Trlica, disappeared.

“The car did not have any evidence linking it to my sister or the other girls,” Arnold said.

Forensic experts spent several hours looking over the Corvair, which took divers about two hours to pull out of Benbrook Lake Saturday morning near Longhorn Park.
Clues to whereabouts of girls missing since 1974 elude family, volunteers

<modsnip - quoted post removed>

 

[Mysteries1974]

I’m thinking the second car is the one that holds evidence.

 

[raven9860]

I’m thinking the second car is the one that holds evidence.

I truly hope so. The family deserves answers.

 

[Mysteries1974]

I truly hope so. The family deserves answers.

Yep this case is very old and some of the parents of the girls are still alive. It will be amazing if they get closure after all of this time.

 

[Parksestx]

Granted this was nearly 20 years ago, but this statement is intriguing:

"We can say that they were at one point seen with one individual, but we believe there was more than one involved," Boetcher said.



Thursday, Mar. 29, 2001 at 22:46 CST New details renew search in 1974 case; more witnesses, technology revive quest to find 3 girls last seen at mall By Deanna Boyd Star-Telegram Staff Writer
FORT WORTH -- For 26 years, Rayanne Moseley watched investigators come and go as they looked into the 1974 disappearance of her daughter and two friends from
a Fort Worth shopping mall. By the time one would become familiar with the case, that officer would be promoted, moved or swamped with other work, and a new investigator would be assigned.
"It's kind of like the football you reach down to pick up and then kick it just before you pick it up," Moseley said. "I think it's been kicked around enough already."
Responding to those complaints, Police Chief Ralph Mendoza assigned homicide Detective Tom Boetcher and major case Detective Ronald Prioleau to that case exclusively in January.
At a news conference Thursday, the detectives detailed new developments in the case, including 20 new witnesses, some of whom saw 9-year-old Julie Ann Moseley, 14-year-old Renee Wilson and 17-year-old Rachel Trlica at the Seminary South mall Dec. 23, 1974, the day they disappeared.
"That, combined with DNA evidence and the way DNA is collected and processed since this case was originally investigated, makes for a better outcome," Boetcher told reporters, declining to elaborate on the DNA evidence.
Two days before Christmas 1974, Julie Ann Moseley called her mother at work and begged to go shopping with Wilson and Trlica.
Moseley gave in, a decision she said will haunt her the rest of her life. She never saw her daughter again.
When the girls didn't return home by 4 p.m., family members went searching for them. They found only Trlica's locked car, containing packages but still parked at the mall, now called Town Center Mall.
Police believed that the girls had run away. A handwritten note, addressed to Trlica's husband, that arrived in the mail a day later initially seemed to confirm that.
"I know I'm going to catch it, but we just had to get away," it read. "We're
going to Houston. See you in about a week." But the handwriting raised questions about whether it was written by Trlica. Her family members are convinced that it was not. Detectives said Thursday that an analysis of the letter could not determine who wrote it.
While initially the letter was thought to have been mailed from Eliasville in Young County, the U.S. Postal Service has determined that it was mailed in Fort Worth, Boetcher said.
Boetcher said detectives believe that the girls left the mall with someone they trusted.
"We can say that they were at one point seen with one individual, but we believe there was more than one involved," Boetcher said.
Detectives have narrowed the number of suspects to "under five," he said.
Detectives believe that after leaving the mall, the girls encountered "foul play and met up with some unfortunate circumstances," Boetcher said.
The detective would not speculate whether he believes that the girls are dead, but said police had sent about 150 letters to coroner offices in a five- state area, inquiring about any unidentified female remains discovered since 1974.
Of 40 responses received, Boetcher said, the department has learned about 10 or 11 unidentified females, including seven bodies uncovered years ago in New Mexico.
Prioleau said officers are taking DNA samples from members of the girls' families to determine whether the remains might be those of the girls.
It's a frustrating case, Boetcher and Prioleau acknowledge. In the 26-year span, some witnesses have died, moved or married and changed their names. Some of those who have been located and have been reinterviewed have clouded memories of that day.
But the detectives remain confident they are on the correct path, a sentiment echoed by some members of the girls' families who attended the news conference.
Rusty Arnold, Trlica's brother, listened intently to the detectives while sitting next to Rayanne Moseley. Arnold, who was 11 when his sister disappeared, said he is encouraged by the detectives' efforts and hopes an arrest will be made.
"I owe Mr. Mendoza a world of thanks," Arnold said. "I feel like they have done in the last three months more than any other officers or detectives have done in the whole 26-year investigation."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the homicide unit a (817) 877- 8225.

 

[steverogers]

Granted this was nearly 20 years ago, but this statement is intriguing:

"We can say that they were at one point seen with one individual, but we believe there was more than one involved," Boetcher said.



Thursday, Mar. 29, 2001 at 22:46 CST New details renew search in 1974 case; more witnesses, technology revive quest to find 3 girls last seen at mall By Deanna Boyd Star-Telegram Staff Writer
FORT WORTH -- For 26 years, Rayanne Moseley watched investigators come and go as they looked into the 1974 disappearance of her daughter and two friends from
a Fort Worth shopping mall. By the time one would become familiar with the case, that officer would be promoted, moved or swamped with other work, and a new investigator would be assigned.
"It's kind of like the football you reach down to pick up and then kick it just before you pick it up," Moseley said. "I think it's been kicked around enough already."
Responding to those complaints, Police Chief Ralph Mendoza assigned homicide Detective Tom Boetcher and major case Detective Ronald Prioleau to that case exclusively in January.
At a news conference Thursday, the detectives detailed new developments in the case, including 20 new witnesses, some of whom saw 9-year-old Julie Ann Moseley, 14-year-old Renee Wilson and 17-year-old Rachel Trlica at the Seminary South mall Dec. 23, 1974, the day they disappeared.
"That, combined with DNA evidence and the way DNA is collected and processed since this case was originally investigated, makes for a better outcome," Boetcher told reporters, declining to elaborate on the DNA evidence.
Two days before Christmas 1974, Julie Ann Moseley called her mother at work and begged to go shopping with Wilson and Trlica.
Moseley gave in, a decision she said will haunt her the rest of her life. She never saw her daughter again.
When the girls didn't return home by 4 p.m., family members went searching for them. They found only Trlica's locked car, containing packages but still parked at the mall, now called Town Center Mall.
Police believed that the girls had run away. A handwritten note, addressed to Trlica's husband, that arrived in the mail a day later initially seemed to confirm that.
"I know I'm going to catch it, but we just had to get away," it read. "We're
going to Houston. See you in about a week." But the handwriting raised questions about whether it was written by Trlica. Her family members are convinced that it was not. Detectives said Thursday that an analysis of the letter could not determine who wrote it.
While initially the letter was thought to have been mailed from Eliasville in Young County, the U.S. Postal Service has determined that it was mailed in Fort Worth, Boetcher said.
Boetcher said detectives believe that the girls left the mall with someone they trusted.
"We can say that they were at one point seen with one individual, but we believe there was more than one involved," Boetcher said.
Detectives have narrowed the number of suspects to "under five," he said.
Detectives believe that after leaving the mall, the girls encountered "foul play and met up with some unfortunate circumstances," Boetcher said.
The detective would not speculate whether he believes that the girls are dead, but said police had sent about 150 letters to coroner offices in a five- state area, inquiring about any unidentified female remains discovered since 1974.
Of 40 responses received, Boetcher said, the department has learned about 10 or 11 unidentified females, including seven bodies uncovered years ago in New Mexico.
Prioleau said officers are taking DNA samples from members of the girls' families to determine whether the remains might be those of the girls.
It's a frustrating case, Boetcher and Prioleau acknowledge. In the 26-year span, some witnesses have died, moved or married and changed their names. Some of those who have been located and have been reinterviewed have clouded memories of that day.
But the detectives remain confident they are on the correct path, a sentiment echoed by some members of the girls' families who attended the news conference.
Rusty Arnold, Trlica's brother, listened intently to the detectives while sitting next to Rayanne Moseley. Arnold, who was 11 when his sister disappeared, said he is encouraged by the detectives' efforts and hopes an arrest will be made.
"I owe Mr. Mendoza a world of thanks," Arnold said. "I feel like they have done in the last three months more than any other officers or detectives have done in the whole 26-year investigation."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the homicide unit a (817) 877- 8225.

It's hard to believe this article is so upbeat about solving the case and here we are 17 years later.

 

[steverogers]

That one person they were referring to is more than likely the false claim made by security guard Hutchins.

 

[Parksestx]

You may be right. Wish we knew for sure.

 

[Via Marple]

Granted this was nearly 20 years ago, but this statement is intriguing:

"We can say that they were at one point seen with one individual, but we believe there was more than one involved," Boetcher said.



Thursday, Mar. 29, 2001 at 22:46 CST New details renew search in 1974 case; more witnesses, technology revive quest to find 3 girls last seen at mall By Deanna Boyd Star-Telegram Staff Writer
FORT WORTH -- For 26 years, Rayanne Moseley watched investigators come and go as they looked into the 1974 disappearance of her daughter and two friends from
a Fort Worth shopping mall. By the time one would become familiar with the case, that officer would be promoted, moved or swamped with other work, and a new investigator would be assigned.
"It's kind of like the football you reach down to pick up and then kick it just before you pick it up," Moseley said. "I think it's been kicked around enough already."
Responding to those complaints, Police Chief Ralph Mendoza assigned homicide Detective Tom Boetcher and major case Detective Ronald Prioleau to that case exclusively in January.
At a news conference Thursday, the detectives detailed new developments in the case, including 20 new witnesses, some of whom saw 9-year-old Julie Ann Moseley, 14-year-old Renee Wilson and 17-year-old Rachel Trlica at the Seminary South mall Dec. 23, 1974, the day they disappeared.
"That, combined with DNA evidence and the way DNA is collected and processed since this case was originally investigated, makes for a better outcome," Boetcher told reporters, declining to elaborate on the DNA evidence.
Two days before Christmas 1974, Julie Ann Moseley called her mother at work and begged to go shopping with Wilson and Trlica.
Moseley gave in, a decision she said will haunt her the rest of her life. She never saw her daughter again.
When the girls didn't return home by 4 p.m., family members went searching for them. They found only Trlica's locked car, containing packages but still parked at the mall, now called Town Center Mall.
Police believed that the girls had run away. A handwritten note, addressed to Trlica's husband, that arrived in the mail a day later initially seemed to confirm that.
"I know I'm going to catch it, but we just had to get away," it read. "We're
going to Houston. See you in about a week." But the handwriting raised questions about whether it was written by Trlica. Her family members are convinced that it was not. Detectives said Thursday that an analysis of the letter could not determine who wrote it.
While initially the letter was thought to have been mailed from Eliasville in Young County, the U.S. Postal Service has determined that it was mailed in Fort Worth, Boetcher said.
Boetcher said detectives believe that the girls left the mall with someone they trusted.
"We can say that they were at one point seen with one individual, but we believe there was more than one involved," Boetcher said.
Detectives have narrowed the number of suspects to "under five," he said.
Detectives believe that after leaving the mall, the girls encountered "foul play and met up with some unfortunate circumstances," Boetcher said.
The detective would not speculate whether he believes that the girls are dead, but said police had sent about 150 letters to coroner offices in a five- state area, inquiring about any unidentified female remains discovered since 1974.
Of 40 responses received, Boetcher said, the department has learned about 10 or 11 unidentified females, including seven bodies uncovered years ago in New Mexico.
Prioleau said officers are taking DNA samples from members of the girls' families to determine whether the remains might be those of the girls.
It's a frustrating case, Boetcher and Prioleau acknowledge. In the 26-year span, some witnesses have died, moved or married and changed their names. Some of those who have been located and have been reinterviewed have clouded memories of that day.
But the detectives remain confident they are on the correct path, a sentiment echoed by some members of the girls' families who attended the news conference.
Rusty Arnold, Trlica's brother, listened intently to the detectives while sitting next to Rayanne Moseley. Arnold, who was 11 when his sister disappeared, said he is encouraged by the detectives' efforts and hopes an arrest will be made.
"I owe Mr. Mendoza a world of thanks," Arnold said. "I feel like they have done in the last three months more than any other officers or detectives have done in the whole 26-year investigation."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the homicide unit a (817) 877- 8225.

I would think that "one individual" seen with the girls was not any one of the "under five" suspects, otherwise the individual/suspect would have been arrested already. Or at least the suspects list would have fallen to one.

 

[Ozoner]

I would think that "one individual" seen with the girls was not any one of the "under five" suspects, otherwise the individual/suspect would have been arrested already. Or at least the suspects list would have fallen to one.

"Under five" could mean one, two, three, or four.
-
It may well be that the list has been narrowed to one but that the police don't want to tip their hand.
-
<modsnip - discussing non-POIs as suspects>

 

[raven9860]

I would think that "one individual" seen with the girls was not any one of the "under five" suspects, otherwise the individual/suspect would have been arrested already. Or at least the suspects list would have fallen to one.

Do we even know how many are on a current suspect list? If there even is a current suspect list? Or more likely, they're somewhere in a stack of files covered in years of dust.

 

[Via Marple]

"Under five" could mean one, two, three, or four.
-
It may well be that the list has been narrowed to one but that the police don't want to tip their hand.
-
<modsnip - discussing non POIs as suspects>

If TT was that "one individual" seen by a witness at the mall with the girls, don't you think he would have been arrested already? That would be damning evidence, especially he said he wasn't there.

 

[Via Marple]

Do we even know how many are on a current suspect list? If there even is a current suspect list? Or more likely, they're somewhere in a stack of files covered in years of dust.

FW Cat said a while ago, she had been in touch with the current detective. And the one (RIP) before. No idea what the suspect list looks like now. I assume there is no significant progress..

 

[raven9860]

Has anyone seen the back of the envelope?

<modsnip - rumor>

The envelope looks like it was opened along the crease. Possibly with a letter opener. I'd like to see the back.

 

[Ozoner]

If TT was that "one individual" seen by a witness at the mall with the girls, don't you think he would have been arrested already? That would be damning evidence, especially he said he wasn't there.

No, I don't think TT was the "one individual"--(why don't they just say "person"?)-- seen with girls. I think that was a reference to the security guard mentioned by Hutchins--but I think LE doubts the reliability of the report. I don't agree with the assumption that the "one individual" seen with the girls would automatically be the prime suspect, especially if LE doubted the legitimacy of the sighting. The "individual" would be someone they'd have to try to eliminate, and they may have already done that.

 

[raven9860]

There are 2 people that could clear up a lot of the questions and misinformation. Tommy and Debra.

It's REALLY simple answers that could make a difference.

What car did TT drive to work and home on December 23rd?

What was his demeaner the day of the disappearance and in the following days?

What was both Tommy's and Debra's movements on December 23rd and 24th?

When Debra went back to the house to retrieve the envelope, where was it located?

What was the condition of the back of the envelope?

Those are just a very few of the questions that I cannot find answers. And they are REALLY simple, fundamental, 101 questions.

I don't know if Debra still reads here... Good grief, for all we know Tommy is here... but these are simple questions. Mind you, the answers may not be so simple, but not having those answers only leads to more rumor and suspicion.

 

[flute4peace]

There are 2 people that could clear up a lot of the questions and misinformation. Tommy and Debra.

It's REALLY simple answers that could make a difference.

What car did TT drive to work and home on December 23rd?

What was his demeaner the day of the disappearance and in the following days?

What was both Tommy's and Debra's movements on December 23rd and 24th?

When Debra went back to the house to retrieve the envelope, where was it located?

What was the condition of the back of the envelope?

Those are just a very few of the questions that I cannot find answers. And they are REALLY simple, fundamental, 101 questions.

I don't know if Debra still reads here... Good grief, for all we know Tommy is here... but these are simple questions. Mind you, the answers may not be so simple, but not having those answers only leads to more rumor and suspicion.

Well said.