UT - Suicides or Serial Killer's Victims? Three Utah bodies found in burning cars

[ginan69]

The detective on the case hasn't said anything about any transactions, to be honest, I don't think Greg had a debit card. Greg was about 250 lbs -- all muscle. If he were to go into a convenience store to buy 2 propane tanks, I think someone would have noticed. I am wondering if you can tell where the propane tanks were purchased or filled last??? It is so frustrating -- I live in Illinois -- so far away. My brother hasn't volunteered with children for quite some time. He was involved with the Special Olympics and he worked at Wasatch Canyons and Copper Hills(?) in Salt Lake, both working with children, but that was about 10-15 years ago. When I hear anything else, I will for sure let you know. I do know that they ID'ed my brother by the license plates. He was burned so badly, they didn't even realize there was a body until they started really looking into the car. This is all so shocking.

 

[SuziQ]

The detective on the case hasn't said anything about any transactions, to be honest, I don't think Greg had a debit card. Greg was about 250 lbs -- all muscle. If he were to go into a convenience store to buy 2 propane tanks, I think someone would have noticed. I am wondering if you can tell where the propane tanks were purchased or filled last??? It is so frustrating -- I live in Illinois -- so far away. My brother hasn't volunteered with children for quite some time. He was involved with the Special Olympics and he worked at Wasatch Canyons and Copper Hills(?) in Salt Lake, both working with children, but that was about 10-15 years ago. When I hear anything else, I will for sure let you know. I do know that they ID'ed my brother by the license plates. He was burned so badly, they didn't even realize there was a body until they started really looking into the car. This is all so shocking.

Thank you for answering my questions. I can't imagine what you and others in the same situation are going through.

 

[SuziQ]

Suicide-by-fire extremely rare
April 6th, 2009 @ 6:00pm
By John Hollenhorst

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=6079313

 

[SuziQ]

I'm local to this case and have been thinking of what to describe about the areas the bodies were found in.

In Lorin's case, Spruces campground is not really remote as it is not used much at that time of year. Mainly only skiers would be driving by Spruces to and from the resort. Cross country skiers would use Spruces and I think they did report the scene. SLCounty Sheriffs do patrol there quite often.

In Greg's case, the area is far from anything. I mean you'd have to walk a good 7 miles to something. But a few hundred feet over is I-80, and I-80 is well traveled at all hours. I-80 and 1-15 are the major highways through Utah. IIRC, a passing motorist on I-80 reported the fire.

In Zach's case, the area is seriously remote. However, in areas like that, it's not unusual to have backpackers all over hiking and mountain bikers biking. We love our 4WD's here. For as remote as the area is, there is probably alot of activity, especially before the weather gets too hot.

 

[SuziQ]

There's new information about a man's body found in a burned-out car in southern Utah. KSL 5 News has learned victim appears to be Zachary Ruble, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Utah whose home was Maysville, Ky.
(more of what we already know at the link)

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=6082898

 

[KY Sleuth]

I haven't heard. We know it was also used at 2 am that morning. I would guess for gas considering the time between the 2 stops. They were unable to use dental records due to the extreme burning of the body. They are now trying for DNA and hope something comes from that. If DNA doesn't prove anything, I don't know where they will go from there.

And I definitley don't believe it was suicide and his parents will never go along with that. There were no signs that this would have been a possibility.

There has to be some evidence that they are not releasing that links these 3 cases. It is just to coincidental and to many likenesses for them not to be connected. And who says the 3 have to have anything in common for some psycho to be on a random killing spree.

I also agree with with you on the possibility of another vehicle involved. Surely they casted tire tracks to determine this. If it is in such an isolated area, surely there weren't that many sets to look at.

We are praying he was knocked out and left somewhere, and hope those prayers don't fall on deaf ears.

Thanks.

 

[SuziQ]

Ky Sleuth, I actually know a dentist that does dental comparisons and they are very spot on. I mean they are absolutely conclusive even in extreme heat. This is very unusual. ETA: think about plane crashes etc.

I can't express enough how horrible I feel for what you and others are going through.

 

[colette]

There was an incident a few years ago where a lady had gone to a grocery store to trade in a propane tank. Someone saw her light a cigarette with the tank in the back seat and there was an explosion and fire. This was an accident not a suicide. Accidents can happen but 3 of them? Were there propane tanks in all 3? Did the victims smoke? Just thinking.

 

[KY Sleuth]

Thanks for all of your information. Where we go from here I don't know. I live 6 hours away from Zach's parents and can only offer my prayers at this time. I hope and pray they do not let this go as a suicide. There is no way Zach would ever take his own life...he enjoyed life to much. My son and Zach were best friends and this has been very hard on all of us.

There has to be someone who saw or knows something. Like you I would like to see the surveillance tapes of the 2 stops he made along the way. Surely they show something. It would be out of character for Zach to pick up a total stranger.

He was so outgoing, fun to be around, and loved a good practical joke. He and my son went to Philmont Scout Ranch together a few years ago and the stories that have been told are unforgettable. Zach was the type of person that would ponder over a problem or situation and then go after alternate solutions for a good outcome. Never negative.

 

[Cap Mstr]

deleted

 

[MeoW333]

It's important that we find out the backgrounds of these men who were murdered. The killer seems organized enough committing arsons to cover the act itself and destroy evidence. It is possible he is working out of a delusion. Perhaps as a young man he was in a youth group himself and was mistreated, and perceives all that work with youth groups as "bad". The victims seem to have worked with youth groups. We need to find some common denominators among the victims to see how the killer is choosing them.
My prayers to the families and friends of the victims.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

The detective on the case hasn't said anything about any transactions, to be honest, I don't think Greg had a debit card. Greg was about 250 lbs -- all muscle. If he were to go into a convenience store to buy 2 propane tanks, I think someone would have noticed. I am wondering if you can tell where the propane tanks were purchased or filled last??? It is so frustrating -- I live in Illinois -- so far away. My brother hasn't volunteered with children for quite some time. He was involved with the Special Olympics and he worked at Wasatch Canyons and Copper Hills(?) in Salt Lake, both working with children, but that was about 10-15 years ago. When I hear anything else, I will for sure let you know. I do know that they ID'ed my brother by the license plates. He was burned so badly, they didn't even realize there was a body until they started really looking into the car. This is all so shocking.

I sincerely hope that the two tanks have not been burned completely up and I find that doubtful. They usually will not completely disintegrate no matter what has happened or how hot the fire gets. Each of these containers have their own identification and can be traced back to the manufacturer but also to the store that had possession of those tanks and had them to be rented. The forensic examiners will also be able to tell if either of them had a faulty valve where the propane could leak or build up too much pressure.

It is rare that people are hurt from these type of propane cannisters because they are constantly being tested, however; it does happen from time to time and the explosion can be ferocious, like a bomb going off due to the extreme psi pressure in the cannister. Propane has a low flammable probability than other gases and it would still need to have an igniter. Like someone lighting a cigarette or maybe if the tank's valve stem blew out it struck something metal starting a spark when it hit whatever it may have hit. They have very high tech chemical examiners that will know all about the cannisters and would be able to determine if they were the cause or not.

I am not saying this is what happened but I do think they need to look closely at the two large cannisters and I am sure they are doing so.

But why would he need two of the larger ones? That is the part I don't understand. I could understand maybe if he had taken a small gas cooker and had a small cannister that fits those. Could he have been taking them back to the store for a friend that had had a cookout?

My heart and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry this has happened. He seems to be a wonderful young man who loved people and life.

imo

 

[Cap Mstr]

deleted

 

[fran]

This college student went missing on 3/06/09, last seen drinking at a bar.

Connected?

fran


Burned body of college student found inside SUV

HOUSTON (Map, News) - The burned body of a 25-year-old University of Houston student was found inside a sport utility vehicle two weeks after he disappeared.

The body of Mohammed Marfani was discovered Tuesday by the SUV's owner and a friend, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<full article at link>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://www.examiner.com/a-1913915~Burned_body_of_college_student_found_inside_SUV.html

 

[lilllbird]

OhMyGosh!

Connected?

fran


Investigation Continues Into Body Found In Burned Out Car

Posted: 8:12 PM Apr 5, 2009
Last Updated: 2:32 PM Apr 6, 2009
Reporter: Wendy Enneking
Email Address: wendy.enneking@wkyt.com


CRAB ORCHARD, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky State Police report the discovery of a body inside a burning car.

Police said the Lincoln County Fire Department responded to a reported car fire in Crab Orchard before dawn Sunday and found the remains in a car along Ky. 39 North.

Troopers said the person's identity wasn't immediately evident and the cause of the fire wasn't known, according to The Courier-Journal.

An autopsy will be conducted in Frankfort.


http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/42504782.html

The owner of the car found burned in southern Utah is originally from Maysville, KY? That's about two hours north of Crab Orchard. Coincidence?

 

[Cap Mstr]

deleted

 

[SuziQ]

well he lived in paducah ky for is younger years and then moved to maysville ky im not sure when maybe ky sleuth will remember

Thank you for joining us here and for sharing info. I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[KLM]

delete

 

[SuziQ]

KLM, thank you for joining us and I'll be saying prayers for Zach's parents and grandmother. The comment about the pic is very curious. I'm hearing an official ID for Zach might come this afternoon. I'm still puzzled over the dentals not working out. It sounds like LE wants to keep things hush hush, which is not a bad thing...but it means we have less info to work here.

 

[SuziQ]

KLM, do you know where the convenience store is located? A friend of Zach's previously posted the purchase was not long before the SUV was seen on fire. Can you state what the family is feeling about what happened?

It's ok if you don't feel comfortable and don't give out info sensitive to the investigation.