WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, Wenatchee, 9 Feb 2010 - #15

[sockmonkey]

Wow! This is very serious Chelan! I have heard of the "good ole boy" network here but never knew if it was real or rumor. It's terrible enough to have this happen to your daughter, but to have it covered up is horrendous!
Was there any recourse through the State Attorney General? Has anyone heard anything from any of the big names that were written to? (Nancy Grace; Greta; Oprah, etc. )

I totally agree that we have a problem with our LE here in wenatchee. I am currently learning so much about the corruption within our LE in chelan county that it makes me sick.

 

[Aquariun Sun~]

This morning I had the thought that perhaps LE could be manipulating the public to some extent with lack of information or inconsistent information to gain a mounting public frustration that would result in an eventual outcry for justice that would be beneficial for them to have a greater possibility for a specific kind of conviction. I am still unconvinced myself that anyone began the day on February 9, 2010 with the idea to commit the murder of MC.

 

[flyonthewall]

Alt.theory-

Great data pertaining to the level of the lake! Excellent job!:woohoo:

You are correct that water cannot be compressed...but if the dam above (Rock Island) is releasing water, it will create a swell/wave (barely perceptible; but present!) that would have a minimal effect on level.

I personally am not going to crunch the numbers to add/subtract elevation....but be aware that there may be small differences and this would account for them. :waitasec:

With respect to the addresses; Crescent Bar uses a Quincy zip code. Zip codes cover areas that cross other boundaries - i.e., county lines. I believe that it is population based.

Trinidad is not an incorpoated municipality and generally refers to the houses near SR 28 on the plateau. Once you leave the plateau and drop down near the water, those homes are refered to as Crescent Bar.

Excellent work by all! I am about 10 pages behind and still catching up, but wanted to check the newest posts first!

 

[ajfa]

It's not my best theory and it also doesn't match up with some of those same description of feet in the "RIVER" water. IIRC, the RUMOR of her appearing dry is one of them? How could she be dry if her feet were in the water, yet only 11 hours before the reservoir was a foot higher in level. While this foot I don't think would have caused the body to float, I'm pretty sure it would have got all clothes wet, if not from being covered in an extra foot of water, at least from absorption of water. Would the clothes appear dry after 10 or 11 hours of water receding, (the water level started it major recess at 7 am only 7 hours before body was found)? MOO

BBM

In my opinion, if the clothes were wet because of floating or absorption, then they would not be completely dry 10 or 11 hours later, especially since the air temperatures would have been cool (Highs in the 50's; lows in the 30's IIRC). Plus with the body lying on the clothes, I would think that at least underneath the body the clothes would still be wet, if not damp.

If the clothes were dry, I suppose that could be a case for the body not actually being in the water, except for the feet. But then even if the feet were in the water, wouldn't there be some absorption if her shoes/boots were still on?

MOO

 

[del rio]

I passed right over this post. Sorry bout that.

The location you have marked is my second choice, based on this photo of disrupted gravel at precisely where you have your red x. In my opinion, it's a very real possibility that that's where her body was found.

That image is on the shore at almost a right angle from the shore fronting CB.

If you look at the sat pic that metalsmith posted, you get a better idea of where that photo is... there's no stream there. Whether you agree or disagree with metalsmith's location of the body, his overhead photo is a good one. I had seen that excavation photo earlier, but it really really sank in when he posted his speculative location. SOMEONE dug something there...and it must have been significant enough for the media to make a photo.

. . . . RESPECTFULLY OMITTED . . . .

QUOTE]

(Bold Letterind Added, above)


A couple comment regarding the photo/video attached to your post:

(1) “the disrupted gravel / excavation site” is NOT where Metalsmiths has her red X—it is at least 70 yards southeast of Metalsmiths’ red
X;


(2) there is definitely a stream right there (Baird Springs);

(3) the supposedly “disrupted gravel” is NOT an “excavation site”—it’s a creek bed (Baird Springs);

(4) there’s no crime scene tape—there’s merely a washed-up log; and

(5) the “disrupted gravel / excavation site” is located well within Grant County.


So, if this was a crime scene, then Grant County Sheriff’s Office would be part of the Task Force. And, if this was the murder scene, then Grant County would be prosecuting the criminal charges (let’s all fervently pray that never happens!).

 

[del rio]

I decided to go do a little field trip yesterday, went to Super Wash on 5th & Wenatchee Ave. Washes have gone up recently they range from $5-8, I selected the $8 wash and it took only 4 minutes from start to finish. I observed that I was in plain view of the Banner Bank where I suspect they have surveillance cameras BUT when I went to the other Super Wash location on Wenatchee Ave near Dusty's Burgers they have a car dealership behind them and face a brick wall - don't think it looked like any cameras at that location.

If MC was asking for assistance with coins, she was most likely using the vacuum system vs. the car wash which takes bills or debit cards. MC rarely had spare cash, unless she had her lunch money. She did not regularly use her debit card. I have to agree with JV, car washing was not a priority for her.

I don't think MC's car went through the car wash that day for the following reasons:
a) The car is filthy dirty; during the winter months when it can go for long periods without washing it and traveling back & forth to Orondo on a daily basis;
b) MC didn't much care about washing the car, but when she did it was usually at Jet Pro Car Wash on Wenatchee Ave across from Les Schwab. RC took MC there to practice when she was learning to drive about 12-18 months ago;
c) The windshield was already cracked and the wiper was in disrepair, but not a problem - windshields get replaced in Spring in NCW and when budget allows;
d) If MC needed to vacuum her car out, she would do that at home in Orondo;
e) It would be very difficult to attack someone in the car wash and trade seats with them in 4 minutes in virtually plain sight;
f) MC was extremely timid with those she does not know well; it appeared like a bit of arrogance when it was really shyness. I can't imagine her letting a stranger in her car under any circumstances;
g) There are SEVERAL cars like MC's in this community; I noticed before & after this tragedy. You only have to drive a short distance to see a car just like hers.

I think someone might be confused about what they saw that day? Some of this is SPECULATION; some first hand knowledge. IMHO it just doesn't fit. :twocents:

Gone Too Soon, based upon the highlighted passages above, is it safe for me to assume that MC was residing primarily (if not solely) with RC?

 

[jgk10414]

It's not my best theory and it also doesn't match up with some of those same description of feet in the "RIVER" water. IIRC, the RUMOR of her appearing dry is one of them? How could she be dry if her feet were in the water, yet only 11 hours before the reservoir was a foot higher in level. While this foot I don't think would have caused the body to float, I'm pretty sure it would have got all clothes wet, if not from being covered in an extra foot of water, at least from absorption of water. Would the clothes appear dry after 10 or 11 hours of water receding, (the water level started it major recess at 7 am only 7 hours before body was found)? MOO

Alt, published reports and Puf's timeline (map) show 12:45 MC was found.

 

[jarethamarie]

Whew! Finally caught up!

Thanks so much to the awesome sleuthers (Alt, flyonthewall) and their water level info... Given that, I would speculate that MC was not fully placed in the water at any time (especially if there is any merit whatsoever to the "dry clothes" rumor).

In my mind, that leaves two possibilities:

1) She was placed purposefully or coincidentally with her feet in the water; or

2) She was more or less "dumped" there (sorry, MC... You deserve no such treatment), and her feet accidentally fell into the water as a matter of carelessness.

My thoughts on the first... Scripture tells us Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Perhaps our perp has a messiah complex? Or perhaps there was evidence on her boots the perp wanted to wash away (construction mud?).

Seems to me if it was intended to be a symbolic "foot washing," the perp would have removed her boots. Maybe that's just my twisted opinion, but still...

As far as 2) goes, if her body was carelessly spilled into its resting place, it would lend credibility to the theories that a wheelbarrow or other carrying device was utilized, then tipping MC out.

That said, if she was, in fact, IN the duck blind, I don't see that being a careless "tipping out" and leaving scenario.

All of the above is entirely speculation and MOO MOO MOO.

 

[alt.theory]

Alt, published reports and Puf's timeline (map) show 12:45 MC was found.

I remember that. I was stretching the time-line of the water level out because LE is the one who stated the feet were in the "water". Douglas County LE didn't arrive until almost 2 pm. Doesn't really matter too much as the water level was the same the previous hour and nearly the same back until noon, (going by the elevation as measured at the dam)

As for the people who found the body, yes that would be one less hour for the clothes to appear dry, (if I even remember that RUMOR correctly).

 

[WenRes]

I remember that. I was stretching the time-line of the water level out because LE is the one who stated the feet were in the "water". Douglas County LE didn't arrive until almost 2 pm. Doesn't really matter too much as the water level was the same the previous hour and nearly the same back until noon, (going by the elevation as measured at the dam)

As for the people who found the body, yes that would be one less hour for the clothes to appear dry, (if I even remember that RUMOR correctly).

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/feb/13/weve-got-to-find-this-monster-sheriffs-spokesman/

Here is the article stating " was found about 12:45 p.m. "

 

[alt.theory]

Alt.theory-

Great data pertaining to the level of the lake! Excellent job!:woohoo:

You are correct that water cannot be compressed...but if the dam above (Rock Island) is releasing water, it will create a swell/wave (barely perceptible; but present!) that would have a minimal effect on level.

I personally am not going to crunch the numbers to add/subtract elevation....but be aware that there may be small differences and this would account for them. :waitasec:

I did think about that. And the outlet data for Rock Island Dam, like most dams during Feb. had no water sent over the spillway, (data comes from same page Wanapum Dam info was on). Any "surge" would have been from the outlet from power generation, (QG = discharge from power generation) Here is that info too for the same time frame as before -- while MC was missing. I also attempted to pick out each surge's start, high, and end), which might have created a type of wave that could have effected water levels at the CB property.

Rock Island Dam (RIS means Rock Island Dam)

QG="Outflow Discharge from Power Generation (KCFS)"
(From definitions of abbreviations page)

Units KCFS = (1000 cubic feet per second)

//RIS/QG//IR-MONTH/HRXZZAZD/

09FEB2010, 1500; 89.50 (Tuesday 3 pm - MC goes missing)
09FEB2010, 1600; 20.20
09FEB2010, 1700; 11.20
09FEB2010, 1800; 54.40
09FEB2010, 1900; 137.30 (Tuesday 7 pm - start of "surge")
09FEB2010, 2000; 144.80
09FEB2010, 2100; 155.10 (Tuesday 9 pm - high of "surge")
09FEB2010, 2200; 143.30
09FEB2010, 2300; 109.50 (Tuesday 11 pm - end of "surge")
09FEB2010, 2400; 50.40
10FEB2010, 0100; 29.70
10FEB2010, 0200; 6.60
10FEB2010, 0300; 10.50
10FEB2010, 0400; 21.70
10FEB2010, 0500; 36.70
10FEB2010, 0600; 45.20
10FEB2010, 0700; 79.90
10FEB2010, 0800; 126.40 (Wednesday 8 am - start of "surge")
10FEB2010, 0900; 149.60 (Wednesday 9 am - high of "surge")
10FEB2010, 1000; 141.90
10FEB2010, 1100; 149.00
10FEB2010, 1200; 139.50
10FEB2010, 1300; 139.50
10FEB2010, 1400; 126.90
10FEB2010, 1500; 113.50
10FEB2010, 1600; 112.20
10FEB2010, 1700; 108.20
10FEB2010, 1800; 108.70
10FEB2010, 1900; 102.60
10FEB2010, 2000; 110.90
10FEB2010, 2100; 108.60 (Wednesday 9 pm - end of "surge")
10FEB2010, 2200; 99.90
10FEB2010, 2300; 90.60
10FEB2010, 2400; 69.20
11FEB2010, 0100; 82.50
11FEB2010, 0200; 63.50
11FEB2010, 0300; 16.70
11FEB2010, 0400; 5.90
11FEB2010, 0500; 11.90
11FEB2010, 0600; 31.00
11FEB2010, 0700; 45.30
11FEB2010, 0800; 91.50 (Thursday 8 am - start of "surge")
11FEB2010, 0900; 100.00
11FEB2010, 1000; 118.90
11FEB2010, 1100; 122.90
11FEB2010, 1200; 123.40 (Thursday noon - high of "surge")
11FEB2010, 1300; 118.50
11FEB2010, 1400; 117.30
11FEB2010, 1500; 106.70 (Thursday 4 pm - end of "surge")
11FEB2010, 1600; 82.00
11FEB2010, 1700; 52.10
11FEB2010, 1800; 55.30
11FEB2010, 1900; 84.60
11FEB2010, 2000; 110.50 (Thursday 8 pm - start of "surge")
11FEB2010, 2100; 119.20 (Thursday 9 pm - high of "surge")
11FEB2010, 2200; 105.60 (Thursday 10 pm - end of "surge")
11FEB2010, 2300; 81.10
11FEB2010, 2400; 34.00
12FEB2010, 0100; 8.50
12FEB2010, 0200; 6.40
12FEB2010, 0300; 12.20
12FEB2010, 0400; 50.30
12FEB2010, 0500; 26.90
12FEB2010, 0600; 23.50
12FEB2010, 0700; 68.40
12FEB2010, 0800; 135.10 (Friday 8 am - start of "surge")
12FEB2010, 0900; 141.30 (Friday 9 am - high of "surge")
12FEB2010, 1000; 139.70
12FEB2010, 1100; 133.80
12FEB2010, 1200; 109.70 (Friday noon - end of "surge")
12FEB2010, 1300; 68.60
12FEB2010, 1400; 42.10
12FEB2010, 1500; 75.30
12FEB2010, 1600; 93.20
12FEB2010, 1700; 98.30
12FEB2010, 1800; 77.30
12FEB2010, 1900; 78.20
12FEB2010, 2000; 61.40
12FEB2010, 2100; 72.50
12FEB2010, 2200; 100.80
12FEB2010, 2300; 40.90
12FEB2010, 2400; 16.40
13FEB2010, 0100; 22.30
13FEB2010, 0200; 75.80
13FEB2010, 0300; 56.30
13FEB2010, 0400; 38.40
13FEB2010, 0500; 39.30
13FEB2010, 0600; 37.50
13FEB2010, 0700; 61.30
13FEB2010, 0800; 64.30
13FEB2010, 0900; 76.10
13FEB2010, 1000; 52.30
13FEB2010, 1100; 82.80
13FEB2010, 1200; 85.80
13FEB2010, 1300; 81.10 (Saturday 1 pm - body found)
13FEB2010, 1400; 70.20 (2 pm Douglas County LE arrive at CB)

MOO follows -- When compared side-by-side, the changes/"surges" in outflow at Rock Island Dam seem to coincide consistently with the elevations level from Wanapum Dam which I posted previously.

So, it appears to me MOO that, (at least without use of the spillway), there is not so much a "surge" wave that effects the level of the reservoir, but a constant rising and lower of the entire reservoir level. If the elevation at the lower dam seems to show the effect of the outflow surges, than, I believe, the level in front of the Crescent Bar property would also show the near same effect, (or is that Affect? I never seem to get it right).

If the Rock Island spillway had been in use, a type of wave "surge" might form depending on how quickly they allowed water over the spillway. But I think the water from generator use doesn't appear to create the necessary quantities rapidly enough to create a "surge" that isn't also immediately shown in measurements at Wanapum Dam. ("Immediately" because water cannot be compressed.)

This data came from here. After sniffing around here and here.

Interpretation of this data is MOO and was ONLY used to further SPECULATE on the potential for a "surge" type wave effecting water levels at the CB property. IMO, the actual fluctuation of reservoir level in front of the Crescent Bar is better shown in the previously posted data of the "elevation at the forebay to the powerhouse". Of course, feel free to come to your own conclusions and tell me/us what you think.

ETA: Sorry about the yellow... that's hard to read - and no, I'm not going back and fixing it...

Again ETA: I've posted up more data on the potential for a water "surge" off the CB property here.

 

[WenRes]

Just looking back at old WW articles and I found this statement...
It (MC's body) was found by someone walking along the beach about 12:45 p.m. Saturday. At the time, said Chelan County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Moore, it appeared the body had been put there by someone

Bolded and underlined by me, what does that mean "at the time"? Like, that is what they thought at first but now they know something different?
Here is the article if anyone would like to take a look. http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/feb/14/investigators-say-body-is-mackenzie-cowell/

 

[jarethamarie]

Good catch, WenRes! I, too, wonder what that means.

OT, but relevant - does anyone else have trouble quoting posts via Blackberry? Those wigmakers might as well be following ME at this point!

 

[WenRes]

Here is another quote taken from the same article. There was talk earlier in the thread about Mc's living situation.

She is the daughter of Reid Cowell of Orondo and Wendy Cowell of Wenatchee. Mackenzie, a senior at Wenatchee High School, lived part time with her mother in Wenatchee and part time with her father in Orondo, said Hanah Rasmussen, her friend from the Apple-Ettes dance team at the high school. Rasmussen spoke of her friend in the present tense.

“She loves both of her parents and has a good relationship with both of them,” she said.
Bolded by me.

 

[scandi]

I remember that. I was stretching the time-line of the water level out because LE is the one who stated the feet were in the "water". Douglas County LE didn't arrive until almost 2 pm. Doesn't really matter too much as the water level was the same the previous hour and nearly the same back until noon, (going by the elevation as measured at the dam)

As for the people who found the body, yes that would be one less hour for the clothes to appear dry, (if I even remember that RUMOR correctly).

Hi Alt, I believe it was a local poster who said her body was so well hidden in the foliage that one would have tripped over her body before seeing it.

I don't think the scene on that bank would allow for her to be that well hidden and still have her feet bobbing in the water. Even allowing for the raise in the water level if it had reached the line of foliage, her feet would have to be sticking out beyond the foliage to be in the water and would be visible.

Plus the hikers wouldn't have spotted the body if it were hidden, and to just see bobbing feet from a distance doesn't sound probable to me. I think we can put that RUMOR to rest, don't you?

Hi Babynurse, Have you read somewhere about her body being dismembered? Thanks

 

[scandi]

I have a question about the CB house. The neighbor noticed lights on in the house, or someone did. Did they ever see a car parked there? And is it an assumption that the perp parked his car in the garage?

Was there any evidence of breaking into the house or did this person have a key, or just walk in if it was not locked up.

Thanks

 

[ajfa]

I have a question about the CB house. The neighbor noticed lights on in the house, or someone did. Did they ever see a car parked there? And is it an assumption that the perp parked his car in the garage?

Was there any evidence of breaking into the house or did this person have a key, or just walk in if it was not locked up.

Thanks

I am not aware of a neighbor seeing lights on in the CB house, but back on page 17 of this thread (link below) a poster observed yesterday that lights were on in the spec house, a house built by WC in Wenatchee that sits unsold and empty.

Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Found Deceased WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, missing 2/9/10, Orondo/Wenatchee #15

 

[Miss Optimism]

I have a question about the CB house. The neighbor noticed lights on in the house, or someone did. Did they ever see a car parked there? And is it an assumption that the perp parked his car in the garage?

Was there any evidence of breaking into the house or did this person have a key, or just walk in if it was not locked up.

Thanks

I think you may be mistaking this with the spec house. Someone mentioned seeing light on inside that house recently. AFAIK, there has never been a time when someone has noticed lights on inside the CB house. We don't know where the perp's car was parked at the CB house and we don't know if it was broken into, but it doesn't appear to have been broken into, IMO. There aren't any noticeable broken windows, from the video and pictures we saw taken the day MC was found.

 

[greydiggity]

Metalsmiths, Have you had the opportunity to shoot pics in the CB area before?, or do you mainly stay in the Wenatchee area?

 

[jarethamarie]

If the CB house was not broken into but entered by other means, my bet is on:

- a real estate agent with a multiple key to open the lock box

- another person who, through whatever means, had a key to the actual door lock

- a person who premeditated entry and had access to the house before MC went missing and "rigged" a window or door to not close all the way or lock, thereby providing access later

It would be interesting to know if the CB house had an alarm system that needed a bypass code. Agents showing the home would get that code, as would contractors/subs who needed access for work, renters/tenants, prior owners...

Who else?

Granted, we don't even know if the house was entered, much less through what means.

Did I read that LE removed evidence from the CB "house?" Or did I hallucinate it? If so, would that imply INSIDE or AROUND the house?

As always, the above is MOO and wild speculation.