VA VA - Claudine Gifford, 43, White Stone, 6 July 2014 *GUILTY*

[helpfulcharlie]

As a side story, what do Claudine's husband and her best friend from work have in common? It could affect the search effort.

Is that a legitimate question or a suggestive one? I'm not super familiar with anything they have in common other than their interest in Claudine. I do recall seeing what might have been a DUI against the best friend at some point not long after Claudine went missing. I'd like to hear what you're thinking and how it could affect the search effort.

 

[musicman]

Is that a legitimate question or a suggestive one? I'm not super familiar with anything they have in common other than their interest in Claudine. I do recall seeing what might have been a DUI against the best friend at some point not long after Claudine went missing. I'd like to hear what you're thinking and how it could affect the search effort.

It is both. Her best friend was sort of coordinating the non police search at one time. Just trying to verify local stories from the past week.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

It is both. Her best friend was sort of coordinating the non police search at one time. Just trying to verify local stories from the past week.

They obviously need some help. Maybe I'll link up with them and volunteer later in the month. Maybe I'll even bring friends.

 

[musicman]

They obviously need some help. Maybe I'll link up with them and volunteer later in the month. Maybe I'll even bring friends.

Let everyone know if there is someone that is coordinating a search effort by the public.

 

[buddyboy]

As a side story, what do Claudine's husband and her best friend from work have in common? It could affect the search effort.

What they have in common is their address---'best friend' moved in with husband!

 

[Hannahsmith]

The only thing that matters is that Claudine is found. Gossip and innuendo won't bring her back to her daughter. She deserves respect and every effort should be made to find her. It's shameful that there isn't an ongoing search organized by anyone. It doesn't matter how "hard" it is. Searches are undertaken in rural areas all the time. If I still lived in the NNK, I'd be out there looking for her. The local authorities could also learn something from the fantastic job the Charlottsville police are doing in the Hannah Graham case. Communication with the public and with the family is critical in these cases. Praying you're found one day, Claudine.

 

[Hannahsmith]

Link to today's reporting at bottom:

"A search team of about 110 people including law enforcement officers and trained volunteers was combing through fields and countryside around Charlottesville on Saturday. Searchers have been out every day since the student was reported missing Sept. 14.
Mark Eggeman, search and rescue coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said his team was focusing on 200 square miles surrounding downtown Charlottesville and had covered just under half of that ground. A law enforcement computer mapping specialist has been brought in to help the team piece together the areas it has covered into a master planning map.
"It's a lot about just trying to connect dots," he said.
A plane was taking high definition images on Saturday of areas on the west and east sides of town, which will then be scanned and analyzed with computer software. An unmanned drone was used earlier in the week to survey an area where power lines would have made it difficult to fly a plane or helicopter.
Despite the technology, the backbone of the search is still the officers trudging through fields and walking along creek beds.
"It still takes boots on the ground," said Eggeman, who's been involved in search and rescue for 30 years. "Despite what you see on CSI, and everything else, you still have to do it the old fashioned way."
Uniformed officers riding ATVs were seen combing farmland earlier this week, checking fence lines and a well. They've also ventured into some mountainous terrain, but investigators decline to share specifics about exactly where they are focusing.
With archery hunting season for deer starting Saturday, hunters also have been asked to be alert for any signs of Graham. Authorities also have asked farmers and property owners to check their land. Searchers have gotten over 3,500 tips, which are screened by detectives for usefulness.
Asked how long the search would continue, Eggeman said that searchers wouldn't consider stopping until they've met their objectives and that the decision would ultimately be led by Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo."

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/1...ue-statement-plea-for-information-107782.html

 

[musicman]

The only thing that matters is that Claudine is found. Gossip and innuendo won't bring her back to her daughter. She deserves respect and every effort should be made to find her. It's shameful that there isn't an ongoing search organized by anyone. It doesn't matter how "hard" it is. Searches are undertaken in rural areas all the time. If I still lived in the NNK, I'd be out there looking for her. The local authorities could also learn something from the fantastic job the Charlottsville police are doing in the Hannah Graham case. Communication with the public and with the family is critical in these cases. Praying you're found one day, Claudine.

Same story that I had heard and it does affect the search if she is no longer on the NNK and no one is coordinating a search. We were suppose to coordinate a kayak search after the vigil but never heard anything back.

 

[buddyboy]

Same story that I had heard and it does affect the search if she is no longer on the NNK and no one is coordinating a search. We were suppose to coordinate a kayak search after the vigil but never heard anything back.

Thank you musicman!

Not only does it affect the search effort but possibly the direction of the investigation. Although, TK certainly seems to have issues, doesn't mean he's involved with Claudine's disappearance. He could just be an easy target to implicate or perhaps he is an accomplice. We just don't know. We do know that our justice system works on the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.

There are a lot of unanswered questions. Was the newspaper article accurate about the account in the restaurant where TK overheard a conversation or was he sitting right there with Ms. Page? Were they not friends who frequented local establishments and talked on the phone, even after he was in jail? How was Claudine introduced to TK in the first place? How did TK get the husband's contact information? Had there been any contact between the husband and Ms. Page prior to him traveling to Virginia? I certainly wouldn't pick up and relocate to another state with someone I met one time at a candlelight vigil for my best friend. Call me old-fashioned! I'm not judging, just merely stating my opinion--to each his/her own!

On the other side of the coin, if I thought someone was crazy or dangerous I wouldn't get him/her involved in going to help and/or pick up my friend in another state. Additionally, if I thought someone was dangerous or a threat, I would do whatever it took to keep a friend away from them, and discourage any involvement.

For now, only Claudine and the person/s involved in her disappearance know what really happened. I only pray Claudine is hid away somewhere and will be found safe so she can reunite with her daughter.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

It could also be looked at in the other direction. Friend and husband trauma-bonding is not out of the question. And if LE has given them sufficient info to believe that there's little to no chance that Claudine was alive after that night (which is my personal belief) they may have decided to try their best to move on. I could certainly understand that, especially if you have limited resources and bills need to be paid.

 

[buddyboy]

It could also be looked at in the other direction. Friend and husband trauma-bonding is not out of the question. And if LE has given them sufficient info to believe that there's little to no chance that Claudine was alive after that night (which is my personal belief) they may have decided to try their best to move on. I could certainly understand that, especially if you have limited resources and bills need to be paid.

Yes, trauma-bonding could be another way to look at it. As far as the limited resources is concerned, why would Claudine's disappearance have any impact on their financial status?

I sure hope you're wrong about Claudine not being alive. She belongs at home with husband and daughter.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

Yes, trauma-bonding could be another way to look at it. As far as the limited resources is concerned, why would Claudine's disappearance have any impact on their financial status?

I sure hope you're wrong about Claudine not being alive. She belongs at home with husband and daughter.

I hope I'm wrong as well. I'm basing my personal belief on the seeming lack of urgency. It feels as if they know something bad has happened, based on evidence or behavior, and just don't know where to find the remains. TK said as much in his last altercation at the tiki bar. "She's dead! Do you think I killed her?" At least that's how the story goes.

As to the financial status, it has a huge impact. It's expensive to pur your life on hold to search for a missing loved one. Unless you're engaging the media and building a self-sustaining system that helps cover your expenses while you search, you're likely to lose your job, fall behind on bills, etc. It can be done, and has been done. You can transform yourself into another advocate for the missing if you have the personality for it.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

Lancaster County Sheriff's Office - facebook update:

Gifford Case Update for October 9
On Thursday, Oct. 2, investigators and VMRC conducted a search of nearby Parrot's Island, off of Topping, Middlesex County, for any signs of Gifford or clues to her current location. Nothing was found that relates to this case. There are no further developments to report at this time.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

From Lancaster County Sheriff's FB:

On Wednesday Oct. 29 Lt. E.T. Self and a member of the Virginia Marine Police conducted a 6 hour search of part of the Rappahannock River using a side/bottom scan sonar system. Lt. Self reports that approximately 20 square miles of river bottom was searched with nothing being found that relates to this case. Self also reports that aerial searches of the shoreline and river have been made from Windmill Point northward on the Rappahannock River, out into the bay, and on the eastern side of Windmill Point towards Dymers Creek. The investigators are seeking information about 2 large pieces of Gifford's luggage, both being bluish-green in color and made of fabric. Anyone with any text or voice mail messages that were received from Gifford's phone anytime on or after her disappearance is urged to contact Lt. Self if that has already not been done.

https://www.facebook.com/lancaster.sheriffs.office/

 

[CatchingClues]

First time posting a link here. Item of interest in todays's paper:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...OL-?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

 

[helpfulcharlie]

Interesting. Unlikely related to Claudine, though, based on this article:

http://www.tidewaternews.com/2014/11/08/carrsville-skeletal-remains-are-human-female/

The medical examiner present was able to determine that the remains had been there for at least two years based on the field examination, the lieutenant added

I would be very curious to see if the remains are those of Autumn Wind Day or Sophie May Rivera, though. Carrsville is only an hour or so from Newport News.

 

[helpfulcharlie]

More info on the various searches which have been undertaken for Claudine and/or her missing luggage. Also, loads of useful info regarding the DNA testing process.

http://news.fredericksburg.com/news...rch-land-sea-for-missing-northern-neck-woman/

 

[CatchingClues]

More info on the various searches which have been undertaken for Claudine and/or her missing luggage. Also, loads of useful info regarding the DNA testing process.

Snipped by Catching Clues

The missing luggage concerns me now. Surely she didn't take it to the bar with her, or did she? Anyone know? If not, then it goes back to her roommate as to why it's missing at all. JMHO

 

[cc81]

I can't believe he hasn't fessed up! There is a young lady that needs closure. The lack of local coverage is odd, even if the papers aren't published daily!

 

[helpfulcharlie]

[h=5]

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https://www.facebook.com/lancaster.sheriffs.office?

From Lancaster County's Facebook, just now:

On February 25, 2015 the local multijurisdictional grand jury returned felony indictments against James Todd Kessler in connection with the disappearance of Claudine J. Gifford. Kessler was charged with murder of Claudine Gifford and concealment with malicious intent of a dead human body. The indictments were served on Kessler by lead investigator Lt. E.T. Self. Kessler, already in custody on unrelated charges, was ordered held without bond on these charges pending his arraignment in Lancaster Circuit Court on Friday March 6. Mrs. Gifford’s family has been notified of the arrest.
The indictments were the result of an extensive investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office which began June 7, the day Claudine Gifford was reported missing. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office investigators along with assistance from several other agencies have worked on this case non-stop. Thousands of land miles were searched and hundreds of interviews were conducted, along with numerous pieces of evidence being collected and submitted to the Department of Forensic Science lab in Richmond. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the many volunteers that helped with the searches.
No additional information will be released by the sheriff’s office.