Found Deceased WA - Cheryl DeBoer, 54, Mountlake Terrace, 8 February 2016 #5

[otto]

It looks like Mountlake Terrace is a fairly crime ridden area. If people aren't already on their guard there, I'm not sure what good a police warning would be.

http://www.areavibes.com/mountlake+terrace-wa/crime/

Police are investigating a homicide, they have warned the community to be cautious and mindful, and their objective is to discover what actually happened to Cheryl de Boer on the morning of Feb 8. Curiosity amongst us sleuthers is not a priority. Protecting the integrity of the investigation is a priority. It can be frustrating when we want to know the ending before it has been written.

 

[steelman]

Would it be helpful, or harmful, if it was confirmed that it was a random attack?

Police have clearly communicated that people need to be cautious, pay attention, park in well lit areas. Let's suppose that police confirm that it was a random attack. What would it change? Police have already warned the community to be careful. Saying that again shouldn't make any difference.

From all outward appearances, as well as views voiced by her son, this woman was snatched off the street and murdered. The people that live there locally want this person arrested and locked up, post haste.

This case entered a black hole shortly after she was found, and it remains there to this day. There seems to be no urgency what-so-ever on the part of law enforcement. Why not? Are there so many random killings in that town that the police department has become nonchalant about it ? I imagine the local population would find that a little bothersome. Another thing they find bothersome is feeling like targets everyday while walking to the transit center.

This wouldn't be the first police department that treats the citizens as if they have no right to know anything. These guys aren't worried about random attacks by psychopaths......they carry big guns in order to deal with that problem. The average commuter doesn't.

So far:

No cause of death.
No manner of death.
No toxicology reports.
No word on a person of interest.
No word on a suspect.
No indication at all on how she ended up in that culvert.
No indication that anyone is in custody.
An M.E report that was heavily edited, inconclusive, and barely a report at all.
A blanket warning issued hesitantly, only after a media blitz, telling people to be aware of their surroundings......a warning that would apply 365 days a year.

The cops in that town owe the citizens better than this, whether they think so or not. Quit hiding behind the word "investigation" and tell people what the hell is going on. If you have no idea what happened, then tell people that......at least then they'll know where they stand and can make decisions accordingly. If the police force was as protective as they claim to be....Cheryl would have never ended up in that ditch, now would she ?

This happened one block from the police station.

 

[mrsgladyskravitz]

Stryker, et al,

When her work day was over, what time did Cheryl "typically" return to MLT Transit Center ? Did her carpool use a private automobile, or "Community Transit" Vanpool vehicle?

It's a beautiful afternoon up here in MLT, so I took a little drive to MLT Transit Center. During my visit, I observed: Carpool, vanpool and bus commuters being picked up by private vehicles.

This scenario, caused me to wonder if perp. stalked, Cheryl's every move. Did they watch as she exited her carpool at day's end? Did they watch or follow her ascend the handful of stairs, to trail through Veteran's Memorial Park? Did they make her acquaintenance as a trail walker (on pathway through Veteran's Memorial Park) between MLT Transit Center and 58th Ave W? It's possible the perp was fully aware of Cheryl's routine at both start and end of her daily commute.

Perhaps Cheryl was one of several targets perp. had on their radar?

Additionally, I believe there's significance to discovery of Cheryl's body on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day.

The thoughts above are offered for contemplation. Your comments are always welcomed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[Yvettea]

As things have unfolded, I tend not to see this as a random crime. Perhaps LE also believes this was "personal" putting other MLT residents out of risk.

 

[DatelineFan]

Steelman, I usually agree with everything you post. I really respect your insights. This time I think I have to disagree. I just don't see how law enforcement has not shown urgency. I don't think we truly know. Perhaps I feel this way because I've been on the other side of things? But I don't believe they're not doing everything they can to solve this.

I guess we'll find out in due time.

 

[steelman]

Steelman, I usually agree with everything you post. I really respect your insights. This time I think I have to disagree. I just don't see how law enforcement has not shown urgency. I don't think we truly know. Perhaps I feel this way because I've been on the other side of things? But I don't believe they're not doing everything they can to solve this.

I guess we'll find out in due time.

I didn't say they aren't doing everything they can to solve it. I'm saying that they aren't talking to the media, the public, or the family.
Every article I see posted in here is at least 3 weeks old, many of them older than that.

Why no updates at all from law enforcement ?

Another thing, everybody knows that even in toxicology tests, they have what is commonly referred to as "preliminary results". Many of these tests are done within hours or days after samples are submitted for testing. The results are available as soon as the test is completed. Granted, it may take a few weeks before all of these tests are compiled and issued in a final report, but the results of those tests are available a long time prior to that report. It's funny how lots and lots of detectives can get "preliminary results" from the lab at the beginning of a murder investigation, but the guys there in Mountlake Terrace "send it off" to the lab and then go silent.

We see cases after case in here go cold after being told that LE is attempting to protect the integrity of the investigation by being close-lipped. What integrity is there to preserve when the investigation yields no results ?

 

[DatelineFan]

Steelman, I'm not quoting for space, but maybe I misinterpreted what you meant by "no urgency whatsoever on the part of law enforcement." I took that to mean that you don't think they're acting with urgency, which to me says they aren't doing everything they can.

I guess I don't feel that they owe the media or the public anything besides solving the crime in a thorough and timely manner. It takes time. And Stryker did say that the family has more information from LE than we do.

I wasn't trying to argue with you at all. I understand your frustration and concerns, I guess I just don't see it as being as problematic as you and others do.

 

[cs2012]

I'm not too sure that Pickard and Co. are gong to be able to stall this case for very much longer. Just reading the comments on here, it's pretty obvious that people are getting antsy for information, especially the locals.

I have little doubt the tox reports are already back, we're going on 5 weeks since she was found in the culvert. They aren't going to advertise they're back though, not until they're forced to. The second it is known that the "tox" reports are back, (the very reason given for this ridiculous delay), people in the community are going to want answers.......NOW.

It was stated by the M.E. that samples were being sent off to see if there were any drugs or alcohol in her system.
Question: If she was murdered, what the hell difference does that make ?

Stall, stall, stall. I think these guys are completely stumped and they refuse to admit it.

maybe theyre trying to build up as much evidence against the perp as possible and to dot all their is? or to find out her actual cause of death whether its drugs/alcohol or strangulation or drowning or what because maybe its not 100% evident? maybe this m.e. is not the type to say undetermined or to go back and fix things he would rather be 100% sure before saying something. or..maybe they are stumped. the snohomish county medical examiners office main guy was fired a while ago and there was a huge thing about it in the newspaper, so they are probably wanting to make sure they do everything 100% and dont appear confused by going back and changing cause of death or saying undetermined then changing it. they probably also don't want to mess with the victim's family and say one thing and upset them, then say another.

 

[cs2012]

I didn't say they aren't doing everything they can to solve it. I'm saying that they aren't talking to the media, the public, or the family.
Every article I see posted in here is at least 3 weeks old, many of them older than that.

Why no updates at all from law enforcement ?

Another thing, everybody knows that even in toxicology tests, they have what is commonly referred to as "preliminary results". Many of these tests are done within hours or days after samples are submitted for testing. The results are available as soon as the test is completed. Granted, it may take a few weeks before all of these tests are compiled and issued in a final report, but the results of those tests are available a long time prior to that report. It's funny how lots and lots of detectives can get "preliminary results" from the lab at the beginning of a murder investigation, but the guys there in Mountlake Terrace "send it off" to the lab and then go silent.

We see cases after case in here go cold after being told that LE is attempting to protect the integrity of the investigation by being close-lipped. What integrity is there to preserve when the investigation yields no results ?

it better not go cold. as a former member of a nearby community, and family member of someone who lives in nearby community, i would be pissed if no new good details are released and they didnt get down to the bottom of it and they just let it go cold. seriously.

 

[steelman]

Let me see if I can spell this out a little clearer.

Law enforcement knows how Cheryl died. Whether it was a murder, a suicide, a fall, a boating accident or a combination of all four.

They know how she died.

How come you don't know how she died ? How come I don't know how she died ? Why doesn't the community and the public know how she died ?

I'm not asking for the name of a suspect or his home address. I'm not asking for them to reveal who a person of interest might be.
I'm not asking to know what evidence they gathered. I'm not asking who the witnesses are and who saw what.

How did she die ?..............................Pickard .........what's so hard about that question ?

 

[Terrace12]

Let me see if I can spell this out a little clearer.

Law enforcement knows how Cheryl died. Whether it was a murder, a suicide, a fall, a boating accident or a combination of all four.

They know how she died.

How come you don't know how she died ? How come I don't know how she died ? Why doesn't the community and the public know how she died ?

I'm not asking for the name of a suspect or his home address. I'm not asking for them to reveal who a person of interest might be.
I'm not asking to know what evidence they gathered. I'm not asking who the witnesses are and who saw what.

How did she die ?..............................Pickard .........what's so hard about that question ?

I agree! I would like to know because I live here!!

 

[TweebieDirt]

This scenario, caused me to wonder if perp. stalked, Cheryl's every move. Did they watch as she exited her carpool at day's end? Did they watch or follow her ascend the handful of stairs, to trail through Veteran's Memorial Park?

I was interested in this quote from son Eric in MLT News:

“Once she met a homeless person at her bus stop in Seattle. The weather was getting cooler and she noticed a man without a coat, or sleeping bag. She asked if he would like a coat and sleeping bag. He said yes, so my mom told him to meet her at the bus stop the same time the next day. The following day he was waiting and my mom handed him a sleeping bag and jacket..."

She sounds like a kind and generous person, but I'm worried that this could have been how she met her demise. Do we have an identity of this man with the sleeping bag and jacket? I am curious as to how many interactions she had with transient persons, if any of them had drug addiction issues, if any of them made further requests/demands from her, and if any of them have been questioned by police.

 

[Starry Night]

Steelman, your passion is admirable, your attention to detail is astoundingly profound and intelligent, however, with all due respect, I disagree with your current observations regarding Cheryl's death.
I think our poster 'Dateline' has the best take on this case.

 

[dizzychick]

As things have unfolded, I tend not to see this as a random crime. Perhaps LE also believes this was "personal" putting other MLT residents out of risk.

I believe that too and perhaps they are just waiting to get the goods on this person.

 

[dizzychick]

JMO, but I have seen in other cases where some of the locals start hounding the media.
The media then starts bugging the police for answers and etc. I've seen it work and I've seen it not work.
I think with the sense of fear that is present in MLT, locals have a valid point of at the very least knowing just how safe they are.

sounds good to me, if I lived over there I would be on them like white on rice. Someone planned this IMO and found a way to strike her down w/o the public seeing this and then dumped her close by proabably at night to make it look like a random crime. Do we have any stats on the homeless killing a peep and covering their tracks so well ? I just dont buy this was done by a stranger

 

[DatelineFan]

Let me see if I can spell this out a little clearer.

Law enforcement knows how Cheryl died. Whether it was a murder, a suicide, a fall, a boating accident or a combination of all four.

They know how she died.

How come you don't know how she died ? How come I don't know how she died ? Why doesn't the community and the public know how she died ?

I'm not asking for the name of a suspect or his home address. I'm not asking for them to reveal who a person of interest might be.
I'm not asking to know what evidence they gathered. I'm not asking who the witnesses are and who saw what.

How did she die ?..............................Pickard .........what's so hard about that question ?

I think they know, too. But I think it's reasonable not to tell us yet, if they are trying to get through an investigation. I don't think they would hold back for the hell of it.

 

[Beesknees]

I too am frustrated with the lack of information. Mainly with the profile of this victim who didn't lead a ruleless life, didn't present risk factors and didn't mix with the wrong people.

I believe that this investigation is much more difficult than we can think. I too believe the perp/s had big worry to cover their tracks and police was mislead with the times of the events plus the fact that despite Cheryl being so close to home and so close to her usual living areas, it took one week for her to be found. If the police was mislead from the beginning more mislead they were after a week of a person in water. Lots of DNA lost and difficult to prove the date of death.

Unfortunately this is going to be a difficult investigation but, as so many before this is NOT the perfect crime. I so hope for Cheryl, her family and all the ones who want to see justice for her.

As for the danger for anyone around MLT, I don't think there is any special danger related to this crime. At all.


ETA - I believe the police may even have a suspect or suspects. The problem is to prove the crime and they have to detail and prove it consistently.

 

[DatelineFan]

Steelman, your passion is admirable, your attention to detail is astoundingly profound and intelligent, however, with all due respect, I disagree with your current observations regarding Cheryl's death.
I think our poster 'Dateline' has the best take on this case.

Yep, Steelman is by far one of my favorite posters here!

And thank you. I really don't know anything for certain. I just see some parallels with what I went through. There are also some things that are very different. Time will tell.

I'm just as anxious as everyone else for answers, that's for sure!

 

[1&2&3]

It is one of two things. The PD is really stumped and scrambling to find pieces to put together or they are watching a POI and waiting for him to make a wrong move.

For legal purposes, the PD is waiting on the toxicology report to rule out suicide. All they need to do is ask us, the majority of us have ruled suicide out! LOL.

 

[Beesknees]

It is one of two things. The PD is really stumped and scrambling to find pieces to put together or they are watching a POI and waiting for him to make a wrong move.
For legal purposes, the PD is waiting on the toxicology report to rule out suicide. All they need to do is ask us, the majority of us have ruled suicide out! LOL.

excuse me for the bold...

I tend to believe in this! Would only add him or her!