US Virgin Is - Sarm Joan Lillian Heslop, 41, British, aboard vessel Siren Song, St. John, 7 Mar 2021

[Midwestmom2019]

I messed up something in posting in the above quote. Sorry.

 

[Mandalas]

Hi @Mandalas. Imo, yes.

Recent prior posts give more info on a major drugs operation. This would explain why the FBI is in USVI but not why they have an interest in SH's disappearance. It could mean there is a connection.

MOO!

Ok, I see. So there may well be a link, especially if RB was say involved in the supply chain of high volume or specialist stuff.

 

[MsMarple]

I was surprised to learn that currently the only legal marijuana allowed on the islands is restricted to those who carry medical marijuana cards. Apparently it isn't difficult for locals or tourists to obtain a card and there's a bill currently sitting stuck due to infighting over the details that would legalize the drug for all.

I maybe could see a profitable business in mj or harder drugs like meth or heroin. Or even something like selling untaxed cigarettes which can bring in big money.

However, I really don't see a criminal syndicate kidnapping and harming Sarm in order to send a message to or seek revenge upon RB. For one, why risk a murder charge; even a crooked USVIPD officer in cahoots with the syndicate would have trouble sweeping murder under the rug IMO.

Two, what would it accomplish? Scaring off a contact who might very well turn on his associates anyway, no matter what they threaten seems like bad business. After all, RB is free to leave the area and sail/fly to safer harbor. Why not kidnap/kill him instead?

So for now my top speculative scenario remains that someone with a violent personality once again took their anger out on an innocent woman. MOO.

 

[Pitkin]

I was surprised to learn that currently the only legal marijuana allowed on the islands is restricted to those who carry medical marijuana cards. Apparently it isn't difficult for locals or tourists to obtain a card and there's a bill currently sitting stuck due to infighting over the details that would legalize the drug for all.

I maybe could see a profitable business in mj or harder drugs like meth or heroin. Or even something like selling untaxed cigarettes which can bring in big money.

However, I really don't see a criminal syndicate kidnapping and harming Sarm in order to send a message to or seek revenge upon RB. For one, why risk a murder charge; even a crooked USVIPD officer in cahoots with the syndicate would have trouble sweeping murder under the rug IMO.

Two, what would it accomplish? Scaring off a contact who might very well turn on his associates anyway, no matter what they threaten seems like bad business. After all, RB is free to leave the area and sail/fly to safer harbor. Why not kidnap/kill him instead?

So for now my top speculative scenario remains that someone with a violent personality once again took their anger out on an innocent woman. MOO.

Agree wholeheartedly @MsMarple

Do you have any thoughts on why has LE held back from investigating this most obvious scenario? Or why the FBI is involved?

Moo.

 

[MsMarple]

Agree wholeheartedly @MsMarple

Do you have any thoughts on why has LE held back from investigating this most obvious scenario? Or why the FBI is involved?

Moo.

Sadly, I have no clue as to why LE hasn't pursued bringing RB in for questioning or applied for a search warrant; everything the LE spokesperson has said about not having probable cause goes against everything I've read about in other missing cases.

I get that Sarm is an adult and so it's a bit harder to determine whether or not there's been foul play but given that she hasn't been been heard from or used her phone or credit cards (that we know of) and given that she disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the middle of the night I'm at a loss to understand.

As for the FBI's involvement it doesn't seem unusual to me and frankly there's been no word on what exactly they're doing to find Sarm anyway. I'm more surprised the Coast Guard wasn't more insistent about searching the boat, especially in light of the link you provided upthread regarding vessel searches.

 

[everybodhi]

I was surprised to learn that currently the only legal marijuana allowed on the islands is restricted to those who carry medical marijuana cards. Apparently it isn't difficult for locals or tourists to obtain a card and there's a bill currently sitting stuck due to infighting over the details that would legalize the drug for all.

I maybe could see a profitable business in mj or harder drugs like meth or heroin. Or even something like selling untaxed cigarettes which can bring in big money.

However, I really don't see a criminal syndicate kidnapping and harming Sarm in order to send a message to or seek revenge upon RB. For one, why risk a murder charge; even a crooked USVIPD officer in cahoots with the syndicate would have trouble sweeping murder under the rug IMO.

Two, what would it accomplish? Scaring off a contact who might very well turn on his associates anyway, no matter what they threaten seems like bad business. After all, RB is free to leave the area and sail/fly to safer harbor. Why not kidnap/kill him instead?

So for now my top speculative scenario remains that someone with a violent personality once again took their anger out on an innocent woman. MOO.

I agree with you that the most likely scenario.. “remains that someone with a violent personality once again took their anger out on an innocent woman”, and I would add it’s usually someone who knows her intimately, not a stranger. Especially when one has a history of DV. jmo
I’m just trying to imagine a scenario where they would choose not to search that boat the night. What’s the point of charging “obstruction of boarding” and “safety violations”? Why did the coast guard even bother to bring the cops on the second try, just to write citations? Do these citations affect his ability to make money running charters? That lawyer can’t be cheap.
Maybe, there could still be another investigation at play here, as has been suggested. Something else important to VI LE and FBI, and who knows who else, that they aren’t willing to give up, maybe something big they already invested a lot of time and money that doesn’t have anything to do with SH missing. /speculation
One thing’s for sure, (I mean for sure jmo), LE knows where he is and are tracking him.

 

[KING Charles]

The Independant newspaper updated on Sarm today, unfortunately there is nothing new that we don’t already know. At least it keeps her disappearance highlighted.

Yahoo is now a part of Verizon Media

 

[Pitkin]

Sadly, I have no clue as to why LE hasn't pursued bringing RB in for questioning or applied for a search warrant; everything the LE spokesperson has said about not having probable cause goes against everything I've read about in other missing cases.

I get that Sarm is an adult and so it's a bit harder to determine whether or not there's been foul play but given that she hasn't been been heard from or used her phone or credit cards (that we know of) and given that she disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the middle of the night I'm at a loss to understand.

As for the FBI's involvement it doesn't seem unusual to me and frankly there's been no word on what exactly they're doing to find Sarm anyway. I'm more surprised the Coast Guard wasn't more insistent about searching the boat, especially in light of the link you provided upthread regarding vessel searches.

Hi @MsMarple I'm interested to hear your further thoughts on the FBI's involvement. I'm from UK and don't have a clear understanding of the FBIs role in US LE.

According to press reports cited on this thread, the FBI is either 'supporting' this case or 'monitoring' it.

Either way, are you saying that this is routine for the FBI in missing person cases in the US?

I may need to re-think my theory....

 

[MsMarple]

Hi @MsMarple I'm interested to hear your further thoughts on the FBI's involvement. I'm from UK and don't have a clear understanding of the FBIs role in US LE.

According to press reports cited on this thread, the FBI is either 'supporting' this case or 'monitoring' it.

Either way, are you saying that this is routine for the FBI in missing person cases in the US?

I may need to re-think my theory....

I'm saying it's not unusual here in the U.S. for the FBI to provide support in missing cases. For example, two current cases that the FBI is involved with come to mind immediately: Maya Millete and Suzanne Morphew. In both Maya's and Suzanne's cases the focus is on domestic violence being the reason they are missing.

So even though we view the FBI as federal-based there's no stipulation that they only look at federal or interstate crimes. Often they are invited to help by local LE.

IMO it's possible the FBI was called in to conduct background checks on RB (and Sarm) or others or for potential forensics. IMO it's also possible they were investigating possible trafficking or as some here suspect, drugs and/or arms activity. Or maybe just to give advice on the investigation.

I haven't seen any mention in msm about the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) or ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency) or ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) working with local LE but again that doesn't mean investigators are ignoring the possibilities.

IOW we know very little about the investigation right now and can't conclude anything based on the cooperation of one agency. All we can do is speculate until something breaks. MOO.

 

[Pitkin]

I'm saying it's not unusual here in the U.S. for the FBI to provide support in missing cases. For example, two current cases that the FBI is involved with come to mind immediately: Maya Millete and Suzanne Morphew. In both Maya's and Suzanne's cases the focus is on domestic violence being the reason they are missing.

So even though we view the FBI as federal-based there's no stipulation that they only look at federal or interstate crimes. Often they are invited to help by local LE.

IMO it's possible the FBI was called in to conduct background checks on RB (and Sarm) or others or for potential forensics. IMO it's also possible they were investigating possible trafficking or as some here suspect, drugs and/or arms activity. Or maybe just to give advice on the investigation.

I haven't seen any mention in msm about the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) or ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency) or ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) working with local LE but again that doesn't mean investigators are ignoring the possibilities.

IOW we know very little about the investigation right now and can't conclude anything based on the cooperation of one agency. All we can do is speculate until something breaks. MOO.

Thank you so much. Happily, your insight leaves my speculative scenario intact, though it does open other possibilities.

It's always good to keep an open mind....

 

[everybodhi]

I'm saying it's not unusual here in the U.S. for the FBI to provide support in missing cases. For example, two current cases that the FBI is involved with come to mind immediately: Maya Millete and Suzanne Morphew. In both Maya's and Suzanne's cases the focus is on domestic violence being the reason they are missing.

So even though we view the FBI as federal-based there's no stipulation that they only look at federal or interstate crimes. Often they are invited to help by local LE.

IMO it's possible the FBI was called in to conduct background checks on RB (and Sarm) or others or for potential forensics. IMO it's also possible they were investigating possible trafficking or as some here suspect, drugs and/or arms activity. Or maybe just to give advice on the investigation.

I haven't seen any mention in msm about the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) or ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency) or ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) working with local LE but again that doesn't mean investigators are ignoring the possibilities.

IOW we know very little about the investigation right now and can't conclude anything based on the cooperation of one agency. All we can do is speculate until something breaks. MOO.

All of those agencies have offices in USVI and work directly and within local LE departments, as in all US territories.

United States Department of Justice
United States Attorney’s Office
Serving the people of the
United States Virgin Islands
Welcome to the District of the Virgin Islands. Our mission is to protect and serve the citizens of the Virgin Islands through the vigorous and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States. We strive to defend the national security, improve the safety and quality of life in our communities, and protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.
District of Virgin Islands
“St. Thomas lies forty nautical miles east of the island of Puerto Rico. Federal law enforcement agencies currently on assignment in the U.S. Virgin Islands are, DHS CBP Air and Marine, DHS CBP Office of Field Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) maintains a small port security staff on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix.
The Virgin Islands Police Department in St. Croix has four officers that are designated “Blue Lightning Officers” that are supervised by DEA St. Croix. Blue Lightning is a federally funded project. It provides funding for training and overtime for state and/or local officers. The project certifies state/local officers to enforce specified federal laws and regulations. Blue Lightning Officers work under close supervision of their supervising agency. In the Virgin Islands an extensive vetting process identifies viable candidates.”
https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/f...order-Protection-USVI-and-CNMI-Activities.pdf

 

[MsMarple]

Thank you so much. Happily, your insight leaves my speculative scenario intact, though it does open other possibilities.

It's always good to keep an open mind....

I hear ya. While my current goto speculation is that this is a domestic violence case I can appreciate that there may be more to Sarm's disappearance. I remember a case from maybe 10 years ago where a husband and wife were jet skiing on a lake that was divided by the U.S. and Mexico. "Pirates" attacked them and shot the husband. Until an eyewitness spoke up everyone accused the wife of shooting her husband. Eventually a member of a Mexican drug cartel was arrested.

So anything can happen. But for now my hinky meter is pointing to the most common cause. I wish something would move this case along.

 

[Mandalas]

Thanks @Pitkin and @MsMarple for your insights and open discussion about this. I for one personally find it educational to understand the possible motivations of the different LE bodies in this case, being a bit of a layperson with limited experience myself. But beyond that, on a simpler level, such exchanges help to keep the dialogue around the case fresh, authentic and relevant. I really appreciate it anyway!

I'm not sure why I'm so hooked on this case, but I am.... Those of you who have been sleuthing for many more years can probably give a window of insight into why we're drawn in by some cases more than others. A psychological field day I imagine! Not for this forum of course, as that would deter from the case. Another conversation for another day ...

Waiting patiently for some breakthrough in this case.

 

[JuicyLucy]

I'm not sure why I'm so hooked on this case, but I am.... Those of you who have been sleuthing for many more years can probably give a window of insight into why we're drawn in by some cases more than others. A psychological field day I imagine!

SBM

I agree! There are some cases that just feel like they have your name on them, right?

 

[Mandalas]

SBM

I agree! There are some cases that just feel like they have your name on them, right?

Absolutely! I think the sense of community around the sleuthing also influences how I feel about a case. Hey ho. Let's continue to hope for news about Sarm.

 

[MsMarple]

Did anyone look at Sarm's personal FB (not the missing page) early on? I think I did but not for a week or so. Anyway, the only things posted are a cover pic and some "liked" FB pages. I remember wondering if she had more content that she deleted before she went missing. Or if someone else deleted stuff after.
Sarm Heslop

 

[Lucy6226]

Did anyone look at Sarm's personal FB (not the missing page) early on? I think I did but not for a week or so. Anyway, the only things posted are a cover pic and some "liked" FB pages. I remember wondering if she had more content that she deleted before she went missing. Or if someone else deleted stuff after.
Sarm Heslop

It's probably locked down to friends only. So there wouldn't be much to see publicly. Everyone should have their FB on this setting imo

 

[MsMarple]

It's probably locked down to friends only. So there wouldn't be much to see publicly. Everyone should have their FB on this setting imo

That makes sense. I was mainly interested to see if anything changed after Sarm went missing but you're right, we could just be looking at her page with her privacy settings. Hopefully the FBI has already checked her social media accounts for any anomalies. I don't have IG so I can't look at that account.

 

[Midwestmom2019]

I hear ya. While my current goto speculation is that this is a domestic violence case I can appreciate that there may be more to Sarm's disappearance. I remember a case from maybe 10 years ago where a husband and wife were jet skiing on a lake that was divided by the U.S. and Mexico. "Pirates" attacked them and shot the husband. Until an eyewitness spoke up everyone accused the wife of shooting her husband. Eventually a member of a Mexican drug cartel was arrested.

So anything can happen. But for now my hinky meter is pointing to the most common cause. I wish something would move this case along.

Finding her body would help tremendously. But I’m pretty certain she’s not buried on land, anywhere.

 

[Cuoco7]

Finding her body would help tremendously. But I’m pretty certain she’s not buried on land, anywhere.

Sadly, I agree. There was a dinghy which gives a very wide-range of deep water options.