WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, Wenatchee, 9 Feb 2010 - #6

[*Intrigued*]

The passenger,in MC's car, at the car wash might be someone who has changed his appearance since that day. Whether or not LE knows Passengers's identity, they may be still looking for him, and can't find him because he looks different, now, than he did on Feb. 9. Maybe MC just met Passenger on the internet, and thought she could trust him?

I personally think (if there is in fact a video) that if LE didn't know who the passenger's identity they would have released it to the public hoping someone knew who he was. I think they know who was with her... And I am still not convinced that the person that was with her at the car wash is her killer.

 

[Miss Optimism]

At a Wenatchee Business function, a member reported to be a renter next to the CB house where body was found. She knows WC and felt compelled to go look upon hearing the body was in fact MC. This local business woman was there, saw the body, was with the police while waiting for the Grant County Police Dept. to arrive. She stated there was a bag over MC's head so she was unable to see damages. Only one arm was cut and there was no blood. She speculated that whomever did this possibly tried to push her out into the water but it was caught on something and did not allow it to float away. I don't know if her speculation was from info. she received from the police there or her opinion. This being said, I agree and do not feel that her body went through the dam.

I thought that the police said they couldn't confirm the identity of the body because of the damage done? If only one arm was cut, that isn't extensive damage... has anyone else heard this? Even though the LE haven't announced her cause of death, I was thinking it would have either been from blunt force head trauma or internal bleeding from the stab wounds. It doesn't sound like she had a lot of stab wounds now, however.

What do others think?

 

[ChuckMaureen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RabtW6Pn95k

Can anyone figure out which one was MC? She "should" be in this....:waitasec:

My best guess ... I circled whom I believe to be MC on the attached screen capture:

 

[pufnstuf]

According to the way I was told these thefts took place no distraction would be needed. It was as simple as setting/hiding things places throughout the store and..... Sorry. With all the new readers I don't want my source to read and think I am ratting them out. I'm just trying to clear things up in any way I can, or at least provide some reasons why this is so unlikely.

Sorry I keep shooting holes in this theory lol. You can smack me! :slap:

The guy who was busted for the thefts was putting stuff in the garbage chute, and then after he'd get off work, he'd pull around and load the stuff up. Sounded like a one-man operation by a stupid criminal.

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/feb/23/tools-leave-store-via-garbage-chute/

 

[freshgreens]

I thought that the police said they couldn't confirm the identity of the body because of the damage done? If only one arm was cut, that isn't extensive damage... has anyone else heard this? Even though the LE haven't announced her cause of death, I was thinking it would have either been from blunt force head trauma or internal bleeding from the stab wounds. It doesn't sound like she had a lot of stab wounds now, however.

What do others think?

Although this is what I heard she saw...I'm not convinced 100% and won't be until the truth comes out and is announced to everyone from the police. The police seem to be keeping a lot of details from the public for a reason so I'm not really sold on anything I hear that isn't public knowledge at this point. I just thought I would put it out there.....

 

[AutumnRose]

I thought that the police said they couldn't confirm the identity of the body because of the damage done? If only one arm was cut, that isn't extensive damage... has anyone else heard this? Even though the LE haven't announced her cause of death, I was thinking it would have either been from blunt force head trauma or internal bleeding from the stab wounds. It doesn't sound like she had a lot of stab wounds now, however.

What do others think?

Well, it is RUMORED that there was a bag over her head. So, initially they wouldn't have seen the damage. Not sure when the bag was removed? Probably at the autopsy, so as to save any evidence. speculation

 

[*Intrigued*]

I thought that the police said they couldn't confirm the identity of the body because of the damage done? If only one arm was cut, that isn't extensive damage... has anyone else heard this? Even though the LE haven't announced her cause of death, I was thinking it would have either been from blunt force head trauma or internal bleeding from the stab wounds. It doesn't sound like she had a lot of stab wounds now, however.

What do others think?

I have never heard that she had stab wounds. It was more an attempt to dismember her. The reason they could not immediately identify her body is because her face was unrecognizable due to beating. That is what I heard. This has not been confirmed by LE of course.

I did also hear that she had a bag over her head so yes, that would be the first reason she could not be identified. I would imagine they didn't want to disrupt the crime scene until the proper people arrived.

 

[Miss Optimism]

I have never heard that she had stab wounds. It was more an attempt to dismember her. The reason they could not immediately identify her body is because her face was unrecognizable due to beating. That is what I heard. This has not been confirmed by LE of course.

So, where did the "rumored" construction tools come into play? I also thought that del rio had speculated that something sharp was used in her murder. What are you guys thinking the cause of death will be? Just in your own opinions, of course.

 

[pufnstuf]

I thought that the police said they couldn't confirm the identity of the body because of the damage done? If only one arm was cut, that isn't extensive damage... has anyone else heard this? Even though the LE haven't announced her cause of death, I was thinking it would have either been from blunt force head trauma or internal bleeding from the stab wounds. It doesn't sound like she had a lot of stab wounds now, however.

What do others think?

Just found this. Says the FAMILY confirmed it was Mackenzie, and this article was posted the day after she was found. Two days before her autopsy. I am wondering if anyone in the family did go view her body to make an ID?

Snipped from the article:

Kathy Nelson, a longtime friend of Cowell's family, said the family confirmed the body is that of MacKenzie, of Orondo, although Douglas County's sheriff authorities said it could be a day or so before they will issue a public ID.

The sheriff's office is calling the death a homicide.

"We're all devastated," Nelson said.

Nelson said Cowell and her friends spent many afternoons at the Nelsons' Orondo summer home hanging out by the swimming pool. The outgoing teenager was involved in a number of community activities, attended cosmetology classes at the Academy of Hair Design after school and was a member of the Apple-Ettes Dance Team.

On Friday night, more than 200 people gathered in Wenatchee for a candlelight vigil in her honor.

"She was a bright, happy girl — a typical girl — and completely busy," Nelson said.

Nelson said even after Cowell hadn't returned home by her 8 p.m. curfew Tuesday, "I completely felt she was OK. She's strong, fit and she can think her way out of situations. I never imagined this is how this would have ended."

snip/

Nelson said the family became concerned when Cowell didn't make curfew. About two hours later, a homeowner in Pitcher Canyon in the Squilchuck area of Chelan County, many miles from Cowell's home, reported an abandoned 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix near their driveway.

Authorities then began searching for her.

"We are thinking maybe she trusted someone," Nelson said. "Her car being where it was makes no sense. There's no way she would have driven up there."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011077689_cowell15m.html

 

[James Vic]

There are hundreds of reasons why police may want to confirm identification of a body. Here are four that I believe may be more plausible than others.

1. Identifiable features were damaged intentionally by murderer.
2. Identifiable features were damaged by nature.
3. Police did not want evidence released so relatives were not asked to confirm identification.
4. Police wanted to control information.

All most instantly police confirmed that it was her then retracted the statement until testing was complete. Right now, only the police know the true cause of death. If they had other people help with identification the chance of a leak would have increased. It is safer for them to confirm identify in a lab. I think the reason could be one or even all of the reasons I have listed.

 

[Nancee Drue]

So, where did the "rumored" construction tools come into play? I also thought that del rio had speculated that something sharp was used in her murder. What are you guys thinking the cause of death will be? Just in your own opinions, of course.

I think I read the tools were used after the death.

 

[Nancee Drue]

the second from the right, in the end pose?


Yes, that is what I thought too.... seeing her in live shots, even when I viewed the video at the academy... kinda gives me the willies. This is all SO sad.

I just looked and had an overwhelming feeling of sadness.

 

[Sherlock_9]

So, where did the "rumored" construction tools come into play? I also thought that del rio had speculated that something sharp was used in her murder. What are you guys thinking the cause of death will be? Just in your own opinions, of course.

Rumor and Speculation alert I too have heard about the bag on her head- have heard it from several sources. Heard about multiple stab wounds that may have been cause of death. Heard about the body being cut up something awful upon discovery.

When I state "I have heard" I'm not referring to on internet- I'm referring to community members I have spoken with.

Another thing I heard- yesterday actually- was that WC, in speaking to a friend of a friend was rather quiet about the entire deal and inferred that she and they (LE) knew who was responsible.

Again, rumor and could be way off... Really, from the time of the sighting at the boat launch until she was found, we do not know what happened or who was involved.

Ok- enough Rumor and Speculation

I'll tell you- watching that Applette video is saddening. To think about a vibrant young woman in that video, now gone, just sad. And yes, I think that is her standing 2nd to the right at the end of the video.

 

[*Intrigued*]

So, where did the "rumored" construction tools come into play? I also thought that del rio had speculated that something sharp was used in her murder. What are you guys thinking the cause of death will be? Just in your own opinions, of course.

This is going to be a bit graphic...

I think she was either strangled or hit over the head. I still do not think it was all premeditated but maybe. I think after it happened the killer panicked and knew he had to make it look like the murder was more brutal to divert attention away from them. I heard from a fairly reliable source that the construction tools were used in the attempt at dismemberment. Again, all strictly MOO

 

[alt.theory]

A reason for these short texts could be this. IMO: Someone mentioned that Mackenzie may have broken up with this guy recently. She texts him with "hey, what's up" and he texts back with "hey" and nothing else because she's hurt him and he doesn't want to communicate a lot with her, he probably doesn't want to seem hung up on her or anything. She didn't respond again because the person she was meeting showed up.

That could very well be the reason not to text or call the boyfriend back. But then why is this also the end of all texting and calls? Was she driving out of the boat launch area and encountering traffic or did she already have someone with her she was chatting with? (I like that last one).

On another note: if possible male passenger suspect was coming across the pedestrian bridge from East Wenatchee, wouldn't that be the closest parking lot to pick the person up at? Whose from East Wenatchee? Who had reason to be in East Wenatchee?

 

[greydiggity]

I'm not sure I'm on board with the theory of the possible involvement of the two "R" brothers, but there appears to have been a warrant from Pierce County to Chelan County on 2/11/10:

http://www.mansontribune.com/content/view/1438/2/

I know that one of the brothers (who may go by a middle name?) was RUMORED to be from Puyallup, if the obit on the woman found in the lot (suspected OD) is actually related to the brothers.

Again, speculation, rumor, unsubstantiated, etc.

Does anyone know the date that the CR brother was taken into custody?

I find this interesting... seems that everything involved with this case has been pulled on the manson village tribune. Days are not printed or items have been unavailable. This warrant arrest for this day that potentially involves the "R" brother intrigues me. There is no mention with details in the lower portion that describes the information. I know someone listed when the "R" brothers were incarcerated, does anyone have a link to that?

 

[alt.theory]

A truck probably could back right down but they would run over all of that brush which didn't seem to be run over. I think its a greater possibility that the person stopped at the driveway, where the tread marks were and then drug the body or wheelbarrowed it down to the shore. I think that is the significance of the bright spray paint going from the driveway, around the pond and back into the brush.

If we are including an accomplice for moving the car up Pitcher Canyon in the theory, the accomplice could have helped carry body down towards river too. Therefor no drag marks, but no wheel-barrow needed either.

 

[girlfawkes]

So, where did the "rumored" construction tools come into play? I also thought that del rio had speculated that something sharp was used in her murder. What are you guys thinking the cause of death will be? Just in your own opinions, of course.

The current "believable" source of the theory that sharp items or tools were used in the commission of her murder or after the fact, is that LE went to at least one local hardware store and another local business that sells sharp items. Of course, LE seeking information of this sort may be unrelated, but I doubt it. I am not aware of any other recent crime that would send them in this direction. LE seeking information from the hardware store I heard here, the other business I know an employee of and they told me about it. The hardware store was supposedly "tools", the other business was pictures of a weapon-type knife set and something that looked like kitchen shears.

I have no idea on COD, but I do believe sharp items were used at some point.

 

[alt.theory]

Strictly my hunch, but I think in this case a car wash may have just been a car wash... which is why I also speculate that MC did NOT drive her car up the dusty PC road - she wouldn't have driven her newly-washed car up a road that would have covered it in dirt and dust. JMO, of course.

Ok, I am of the understanding that the car was only driven a few yards into a dirt "driveway" but pavement was very close by. Police said footprints went to pavement and stopped, (we actually aren't told how far that is).

I quoted "driveway" because from google earth and pictures at WW of where they show vehicle left, it does not look to be the main "driveway" of the residence.

 

[Liz]

I don't know who owns it, but I saw WC diving it this week. She was at the Orondo park/boat launch. Got out of the truck and walked over to the new dock/ramp.

This post has been on my mind, since I read it, and I decided to just go ahead and ask about it. Do you (or anyone) have any thoughts as to why she might have been there? I can't stop wondering *why*.