Found Deceased TX - Vanessa Melson, 29, Grapeland, 17 June 2015 *Arrests*

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😔rest in peace Vanessa. I really thought she was going home to her babies😔
 
Link to the local newspaper, the Grapeland Messenger:

"Melson, a 29-year old Grapeland resident and mother of three, had been missing since mid-June and efforts to locate her whereabouts were underway. According to a source, a member of the law enforcement community, a body was found early on Tuesday, July 7.

The source said a person of interest had led them to the area of what appeared to be a shallow grave and after a brief investigation, cadaver dogs were called in.

According to the source, investigators have developed information concerning a person of interest identified as Robert David Mobley, 34 years of age, from Elkhart. Mobley was seen with Melson prior to her disappearance."

http://www.messenger-news.com/body-found-outside-of-grapeland/
 
Another update:

"The chief deputy estimated the body of Melson had been at the location near CR 1737 for several days, but cautioned “… that’s just a guess.”

The owner of the land where Melson’s body was found is not involved in the investigation, Shearer stressed. “He was contacted and actually gave consent to go out on the land, before we used the cadaver dogs. We had information there was a body out there. So, they (law enforcement officials) went out and talked to the property owner. It’s 80 some odd acres and a couple of deputies went out there walking around to see what they could find. They were unable to find a grave and they contacted TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) about using their cadaver dogs. The TDCJ Officials brought them (the dogs) up and within 20 or 30minutes, the dogs went straight to the site.”

http://www.messenger-news.com/authorities-release-identity-of-body-found-in-shallow-grave/
 
Bootsctr said:
Link to the local newspaper, the Grapeland Messenger:

"Melson, a 29-year old Grapeland resident and mother of three, had been missing since mid-June and efforts to locate her whereabouts were underway. According to a source, a member of the law enforcement community, a body was found early on Tuesday, July 7.

The source said a person of interest had led them to the area of what appeared to be a shallow grave and after a brief investigation, cadaver dogs were called in.

According to the source, investigators have developed information concerning a person of interest identified as Robert David Mobley, 34 years of age, from Elkhart. Mobley was seen with Melson prior to her disappearance."

http://www.messenger-news.com/body-found-outside-of-grapeland/
Click to expand...

Not very good reporting IMO. A person of interest led LE to a shallow grave. LE did not name the POI. Then, investigators have info on a POI, Robert Mobley. Can't find him. Then, this article states that "drug activity" could be related to her death. Based on what? http://www.myeasttex.com/news/local-news/body-idd-as-that-of-missing-etx-woman
 
Sulamith said:
Not very good reporting IMO. A person of interest led LE to a shallow grave. LE did not name the POI. Then, investigators have info on a POI, Robert Mobley. Can't find him. Then, this article states that "drug activity" could be related to her death. Based on what? http://www.myeasttex.com/news/local-news/body-idd-as-that-of-missing-etx-woman
Click to expand...

Not sure what they are basing "drug activity" being related to her death. Would toxicology reports be back this soon? I don't think so. The POI has a drug history. Sentenced to 5 years for possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He had admitted to being involved in a drug trafficking ring which distributed meth to the East Texas area. He and 8 others were indicted by Tyler Grand Jury.

http://www.oilfieldfamilies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7-3-22.png

Perhaps drug paraphernalia was found at the scene, or the autopsy is turning up some evidence. Will have to wait on official cause of death. Hard to believe they are letting Grapeland PD handle the case... They will have some great help with the Texas Rangers though.

IMO, it went down like this:

1. VM left with POI. No word from her for 2 weeks.
2. Tip called in regarding someone picking up male walking on the road in the area with shovel.
3. The land where she was found is owned by a known drug user's mother.
 
Well, color me confused too:

Melson death ruled homicide

1. Melson's body was found after a tip was received by the Grapeland Police Department.

2. Chief Shearer reported that while the informant was not able to give an exact location, he was able to give them an approximate vicinity.

3. He noted that the landowner, who does not live on the property, is not considered to be involved in this case.

4. Chief Shearer said that the sheriff's office is still working with this informant who has been able to share other credible information for this case.

5. According to Chief Shearer, there is not “person of interest” or “suspect” in this case at this time.

6. The scene is still in the custody of the HCSO and is being processed. The home located in the vicinity of where the body was found is vacant and has not been occupied by the owner of the house/property.

7. The sheriff's office believes at this time that this was an isolated incident.

8. While this case is considered a homicide, the cause of death has not yet been determined.

http://www.palestineherald.com/news...cle_1e208174-25c4-11e5-bff4-37ca27d53d1e.html
 
Father of victim: 'I forgive them' <-------- Note the use of them. So more than one suspect? "It was not uncommon for Vanessa to go weeks without talking to us," Jeff Melson said. "She always uses facebook so when she did not use it for several days, I knew something was not right."

Jeff Melson said Vanessa had a couple of hard years but was trying to get back to Houston and be with her children.

"That was a goal of hers, and of ours too," Melson said.

Jeff Melson said he has been through a lot of emotions but is ready to move on.

"Until today, I didn't understand it," Melson said. "I have seen people do it in court but I have never understood why they would forgive them, until it happened to me. Some people especially some of the family might be like, "Serious, really; you forgive them. Why shouldn't I? I would want to be forgiven. I am a Christian, I am taught to not judge, because we will all be judged."

Melson was a mother to three. Her father said the children are with another family member in the Houston area.


Read more: http://www.kpho.com/story/29503571/...ody-found-that-of-missing-woman#ixzz3fOODYtsK

He's a bigger person than I. Not sure I could forgive quite so easily.
 
Father of victim: 'I forgive them'

Chief Deputy Shearer said it could be days before an exact cause is known.

"I would like to get the cause soon," Chief Deputy Shearer said. "Tomorrow would be great, but it could be a couple of days. The body was decomposed all over."

He said there are persons of interest being interviewed.

http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/sto...ner-confirms-body-found-that-of-missing-woman
 
Just to add, I was bred, born and raised in this area. Only lived in one other area besides here. For years there have been rumors that a "serial killer" lives amongst us. Gives me cold chills. Not sure what that means. We don't have a number of unsolved murders in this county. So, does that mean if there is a serial killer he hunts elsewhere and then comes back home to roost for a while??? Yikes! I'm ready for an arrest in this case. I'm nervous and will be until the person or persons who did this are behind bars.
 
Arrested it looks like on July 10:

Offender Name: ROBERT DAVID MOBLEY
Offender ID:719146 Date of Birth:09/16/1975Age: 39 Race: White Gender: Male
Custody Status: In Custody Location of Offender: SMITH COUNTY JAIL

Smith County, Texas
Jail ID 326542
US MARSHALL'S SERVICE
Confined 07/10/2015 04:00pm

Defendant
Mobley, Robert David
P.O. Box 338
Elkart, Tx 75839
White Male 5' 7" 200 09/16/1975
Hair Black
Eyes Hazel
SO# 169633

Cause Charge
Issuing Authority Disposition Bond Fine
FED FEDERAL DETAINER
999
http://judicial.smith-county.com/Sc...RV/JailSearch?action%3Dview&track%3D300255415

Mug shot: http://judicial.smith-county.com/Ju...th_2/WEBSERV/4296719/JAIL/326542/034665596708
 
Bootsctr said:
Arrested:

Offender Name: ROBERT DAVID MOBLEY
Offender ID:719146 Date of Birth:09/16/1975Age: 39 Race: White Gender: Male
Custody Status: In Custody Location of Offender: SMITH COUNTY JAIL
Click to expand...
Guess that alibi didn't check out!
 
Bootsctr said:
Father of victim: 'I forgive them' <-------- Note the use of them. So more than one suspect? "It was not uncommon for Vanessa to go weeks without talking to us," Jeff Melson said. "She always uses facebook so when she did not use it for several days, I knew something was not right."

Jeff Melson said Vanessa had a couple of hard years but was trying to get back to Houston and be with her children.

"That was a goal of hers, and of ours too," Melson said.

Jeff Melson said he has been through a lot of emotions but is ready to move on.

"Until today, I didn't understand it," Melson said. "I have seen people do it in court but I have never understood why they would forgive them, until it happened to me. Some people especially some of the family might be like, "Serious, really; you forgive them. Why shouldn't I? I would want to be forgiven. I am a Christian, I am taught to not judge, because we will all be judged."

Melson was a mother to three. Her father said the children are with another family member in the Houston area.


Read more: http://www.kpho.com/story/29503571/...ody-found-that-of-missing-woman#ixzz3fOODYtsK

He's a bigger person than I. Not sure I could forgive quite so easily.
Click to expand...
Reading this I kinda get the feeling she had a drug/past drug issue. Maybe that's why the issue of drugs was brought into case. JMO.
 
Yes, drugs could be in the scenario considering the last person she was seen with was/is a meth dealer. I just hate to see him back on the street AGAIN. Vanessa's death should not be in vain.

"When we name a suspect, we'll be sure to let you know because I want his face plastered all over the place," Chief Deputy Shearer said.

http://www.kpho.com/story/29503571/...ody-found-that-of-missing-woman#ixzz3fOODYtsK

Guess I'll just have to wait until they name a suspect... :waiting:
 
Well, this is kind of interesting:

Arrest Made In Double Homicide

PALESTINE &#8211; After several interviews and a meeting with the Anderson County District Attorney&#8217;s Office last week, the Palestine Police Department (PPD) has charged Kevin Birdow, 35 of Palestine, with the early morning shooting deaths on June 20 of Timothy Owens and Ashely Quinn.

Quinn was the cousin of Vanessa Melson, a Grapeland resident who went missing in mid-June of this year. Melson&#8217;s body was discovered on County Road 1737 on July 7 buried in a shallow grave. When questioned, Captain Muniz confirmed the women were relatives but explained that there is no indication at this time the murders are connected.

Melson&#8217;s murder is being investigated by the Houston County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, the Grapeland Police Department, and the Anderson County Sheriff&#8217;s Office.

http://www.messenger-news.com/arrest-made-in-double-homicide/
 
Bootsctr said:
Well, this is kind of interesting:

Arrest Made In Double Homicide

PALESTINE &#8211; After several interviews and a meeting with the Anderson County District Attorney&#8217;s Office last week, the Palestine Police Department (PPD) has charged Kevin Birdow, 35 of Palestine, with the early morning shooting deaths on June 20 of Timothy Owens and Ashely Quinn.

Quinn was the cousin of Vanessa Melson, a Grapeland resident who went missing in mid-June of this year. Melson&#8217;s body was discovered on County Road 1737 on July 7 buried in a shallow grave. When questioned, Captain Muniz confirmed the women were relatives but explained that there is no indication at this time the murders are connected.

Melson&#8217;s murder is being investigated by the Houston County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, the Grapeland Police Department, and the Anderson County Sheriff&#8217;s Office.

http://www.messenger-news.com/arrest-made-in-double-homicide/
Click to expand...

I thought the Rangers were looking into her murder also. I would be looking at Birdow right about now since Mobley was released. What is an ACSO warrant? " 2:35 a.m.- Officers arrested Ashley Quinn on an ACSO warrant on the 2000 block of South Sycamore Street."

http://www.palestineherald.com/news...cle_4115928c-cc1e-11e4-98a1-7f09d42e6224.html
 
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