WI WI - LAKE GENEVA SUITCASE MURDERS, Laura Simonson & Jenny Gamez - #1

[steelman]

I had the same reaction to reading that. I also saw LE removing a regular refrigerator. Also it was mentioned early on that the apartments are small and one bedroom. Where would he fit a deep freezer?

Notice in the article linked above, it says that search warrants were served on his residence, vehicle and other locations. So maybe the bodies were not kept in his house.

Maybe the freezer he was storing them in quit working. It might have been too risky to try and buy another one and have it delivered. It's not very easy to move a refrigerator into a building by yourself, especially one with stairs. Hence he thaws them out, packages them up in suitcases, and tosses them.

 

[astridxx]

I did & knew it would bring many sickos out of the closet. It also as you stated brought many newbies to the lifestyle. The books sensationalized this conduct.

SZ will make a name for himself & bringing the lifestyle more into focus! The women were posed to show complete total bondage. JMO

Slightly OT: 50sog was quite literally the worst book ever written. Ever.


We don't have an ID on the UID yet, do we?


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[ClaireNC]

It looks like the police department is trying to downplay the incident with the woman (alleged prostitute) in 2001. A new version of the story was released yesterday that is very different from earlier versions.

http://fox11online.com/2014/06/27/zelich-resigned-after-argument-with-prostitute/

A police report says a woman told officers in May 2001 that she met Steven Zelich in a bar, went home with him and tried to flee when she thought she heard him get out handcuffs.

Here is a report of the incident from 2 days ago: http://www.wisn.com/news/former-police-officer-arrested-in-suitcase-homicides/26658154#!5fGX3

Police sources told WISN 12 News that Zelich resigned in 2001 after a prostitute was found naked and handcuffed running away from Zelich's apartment near 112th Street and National Avenue.

This is very worrisome to me. The "old boys" network up to its old tricks. I hope they are not going to try to downplay the fact that this man murdered two woman and possibly many more.

 

[ClaireNC]

Another news statement that makes me worry if they are going to actually prosecute this man. (BBM):

Zelich may likely contend that these were deaths that occurred during consensual sex. Prosecutors in both Minnesota and Wisconsin say there is more work to be done before any decision is made on whether or not to file homicide charges.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/i-team-bond-set-at-$1m-in-wi-suitcase-bodies-case/145240/

I am not really up to speed on how the legal system works. Since the crimes occurred in multiple states can the FBI step in and take control? I have a bad feeling he is going to get off with just a slap on the hand.

 

[cheko1]

I'll eat my hat if she really was a prostitute. I'll bet it's LE prejudice against women involved in sex.

You would think LE would really be trying to link this all up & answer questions so they never looked so incompetent!

I agree with you she wasn't a prostitute. Just one of his old cronies from his LE days that stated yep she was a prostitute, let him go. Took the would be murderers story & it was gospel. JMO

 

[gg1]

Another news statement that makes me worry if they are going to actually prosecute this man. (BBM):


http://abc7chicago.com/news/i-team-bond-set-at-$1m-in-wi-suitcase-bodies-case/145240/

I am not really up to speed on how the legal system works. Since the crimes occurred in multiple states can the FBI step in and take control? I have a bad feeling he is going to get off with just a slap on the hand.

The abc news stuff takes his public defenders statement completely out if context. What he said was "It could be anything from premeditated homicide down to accidental death that occurred through a consensual sex-related act,” Walworth County public defender Travis Schwantes said after the bond hearing.

He said this because he had only spoken to Zelich for less than an hour, i.e, the public defender simply doesn't know what happened at this point because he hadn't had a chance to consult in detail with his client.

The FBI is already involved and what you are likely to see is prosecutors coordinate their cases in Mn and wi. There are probably 50 things he could be charged with - using a computer to facilitate a sex crime, hiding corpses, transporting corpses across state lines, hell even littering etc etc etc but they will pick between who had the strongest case, harshest sentencing prospects, worst parole outlook etc and then go from there until it's assured he never leaves jail.

 

[gg1]

You would think LE would really be trying to link this all up & answer questions so they never looked so incompetent!

I agree with you she wasn't a prostitute. Just one of his old cronies from his LE days that stated yep she was a prostitute, let him go. Took the would be murderers story & it was gospel. JMO

Actually it makes the police department look worse if she was a prostitute vs someone he found at a bar. Because then the pd should have referred him for soliciting a prostitute.

 

[DeeAnn]

My son told me those apartments SZ lived in on National are known to be very seedy with drugs and prostitutes activity. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a prostitute or a a strung out druggy willing to participate until things got crazy. Either way, the cops may dismiss it more because of the perceptions - prostitute, drugs, or alternative lifestyle. The drug addictions do make people more vulnerable to a guy like this. Disturbing

 

[DeeAnn]

With him being LE, perhaps first incident, and describing consensual alternative lifestyle, it may have been easier to dismiss. She didn't press charges, right? Of course she might not have if she had other issues/records. But, if West Allis forced him into retirement, they knew something was off about him and wanted him out.

We haven't heard much about his past as a Mequon LE either. Anyone have info on that?

Lastly, I know people who worked with SZ's sister and babysat for her kids. She lived in Mequon. They didn't know anything strange but are really creeped out.

 

[DeeAnn]

Has anyone found a copy of the police report from the 2001 incident in West Allis that was supposedly releases yesterday?

 

[ClaireNC]

The abc news stuff takes his public defenders statement completely out if context. What he said was "It could be anything from premeditated homicide down to accidental death that occurred through a consensual sex-related act,” Walworth County public defender Travis Schwantes said after the bond hearing.

He said this because he had only spoken to Zelich for less than an hour, i.e, the public defender simply doesn't know what happened at this point because he hadn't had a chance to consult in detail with his client.

The FBI is already involved and what you are likely to see is prosecutors coordinate their cases in Mn and wi. There are probably 50 things he could be charged with - using a computer to facilitate a sex crime, hiding corpses, transporting corpses across state lines, hell even littering etc etc etc but they will pick between who had the strongest case, harshest sentencing prospects, worst parole outlook etc and then go from there until it's assured he never leaves jail.

Do you know for a fact that abc news was referring to the public defenders comments when they wrote that line? Often reporters talk to officials away from the cameras, which could be the source of their information.

Was it published somewhere that the public defender only talked to Zelich for an hour? I've seen public defenders around here that spend hours with a client just to get them off a traffic violation.

So far, I don't really see any coordination between MN and WI. It is more like they are saying "it's not our jurisdiction, let the other guys deal with it." And what exactly is the FBI doing? I haven't seen any statements from the FBI. IMO they should be pleading to the public to come forward with any encounters they have had with this man. I don't see anybody looking beyond the current case into what else this "man" might have done to other woman.

I have a lot of respect for law enforcement officers individually, but the truth is, they will gang up and protect their own. They don't want to prosecute a fellow officer.

There is also a lot of blaming the victim going on here. The woman who came running out of his apartment naked and handcuffed in 2001, is a woman. Her profession shouldn't matter. If she were an accountant, would they say an accountant was found naked and handcuffed? NO...they would say a woman.

In effect, they are blaming Laura with the stuff about this being an accident that happened during consensual sex. The bits about her being an addict and mentally or emotionally disabled should not be part of the conversation.

 

[cheko1]

With him being LE, perhaps first incident, and describing consensual alternative lifestyle, it may have been easier to dismiss. She didn't press charges, right? Of course she might not have if she had other issues/records. But, if West Allis forced him into retirement, they knew something was off about him and wanted him out.

We haven't heard much about his past as a Mequon LE either. Anyone have info on that?

Lastly, I know people who worked with SZ's sister and babysat for her kids. She lived in Mequon. They didn't know anything strange but are really creeped out.

Welcome to WS!!!! :seeya:

They labeled the lady that got away a prostitute. They labeled Laura a escort. Wonder what they'll label the UID lady?

LE let Jeffrey Dahmer continue to kill how many more after he told LE it was his cousin & they'd been drinking.

 

[JezyUn]

I personally don't feel that a consensual act leading to accidental death is going to fly, considering this happened 2 times, that we know of. A one time event, "maybe". I think we need to give more credit to those working this case, I just doubt they will take everything SZ says at face value. He concealed both of these crimes far too long for an accidental scenario to be considered as fact. Just my opinion~

 

[gg1]

Do you know for a fact that abc news was referring to the public defenders comments when they wrote that line? Often reporters talk to officials away from the cameras, which could be the source of their information.

Was it published somewhere that the public defender only talked to Zelich for an hour? I've seen public defenders around here that spend hours with a client just to get them off a traffic violation.

So far, I don't really see any coordination between MN and WI. It is more like they are saying "it's not our jurisdiction, let the other guys deal with it." And what exactly is the FBI doing? I haven't seen any statements from the FBI. IMO they should be pleading to the public to come forward with any encounters they have had with this man. I don't see anybody looking beyond the current case into what else this "man" might have done to other woman.

I have a lot of respect for law enforcement officers individually, but the truth is, they will gang up and protect their own. They don't want to prosecute a fellow officer.

There is also a lot of blaming the victim going on here. The woman who came running out of his apartment naked and handcuffed in 2001, is a woman. Her profession shouldn't matter. If she were an accountant, would they say an accountant was found naked and handcuffed? NO...they would say a woman.

In effect, they are blaming Laura with the stuff about this being an accident that happened during consensual sex. The bits about her being an addict and mentally or emotionally disabled should not be part of the conversation.

Yes
http://www.gazettextra.com/20140627...iding_two_corpses_held_on_1_million_cash_bond

 

[Roselvr]

Has anyone called in a tip about Zelich's possible involvement in Racine Doe's case? Just making sure.

If not, I'll call tomorrow morning.

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/199ufwi.html

WI WI - Raymond (Racine County) - WhtFem 199UFWI, 14-25, July'99 *Graphic* - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

I would not be surprised if this Jane Doe was a victim of SZ. She died from multiple injuries and was possibly cognitively disabled alike to Laura.

We know she was abused; but was she sexually abused or recently had sex before found? I would think that they would soon know if he's responsible for her murder with all of the new testing they did.

 

[TessDeco]

This story has been on the local news here as Jenny Gamez is from Oregon. She grew up in the Foster care system and it sounds like her friends lost track of her after high school. No mention of her child. You can hear their comments at the end of this news video.

http://www.kezi.com/oakridge-mom-linked-to-murder-suspect/

 

[Roselvr]

I personally don't feel that a consensual act leading to accidental death is going to fly, considering this happened 2 times, that we know of. A one time event, "maybe". I think we need to give more credit to those working this case, I just doubt they will take everything SZ says at face value. He concealed both of these crimes far too long for an accidental scenario to be considered as fact. Just my opinion~

Why didn't he call authorities after each one? Cause he used to be a cop & knew...

 

[Judy]

I agree - a good psychiatrist will pick up on ex gf saying he was "extreme" - he turned into the perfect bf after that - (kind and giving flowers) - very sociopath. Probably didn't act and push the issue because she was living there with her children. They became roommates.

Then he targeted women that were vulnerable, (foster care, children removed) who he thought would have fewer connections and fewer resources.

On the "extreme" note - serial killers become more and more extreme to reach the desired level of sexual satisfaction. A worthy psychiatrist could speak to that.

 

[1000Sparks]

That could be an upright freezer.

The mechanic are on the bottom, so yes.

 

[steelman]

It looks like the police department is trying to downplay the incident with the woman (alleged prostitute) in 2001. A new version of the story was released yesterday that is very different from earlier versions.

http://fox11online.com/2014/06/27/zelich-resigned-after-argument-with-prostitute/


Here is a report of the incident from 2 days ago: http://www.wisn.com/news/former-police-officer-arrested-in-suitcase-homicides/26658154#!5fGX3


This is very worrisome to me. The "old boys" network up to its old tricks. I hope they are not going to try to downplay the fact that this man murdered two woman and possibly many more.

Yeah, they always scramble like that when they know a wrongful death lawsuit is just around the corner.