AK - Samantha Koenig, 18, Anchorage, 1 Feb 2012 - #2

[ak81]

I would be surprised and disappointed in the owners if they routinely had the girls take out the trash alone at night while closing. That would be bad form, imo. They could easily pack it in a closed garbage bag and it be thrown out in the am. The girls should not have to leave the premises until they have a ride waiting for them outside.

I worked in a small beachside boutique when I was in college. We were given safety rules like that. When we locked up at 7pm, which was dusk, we left together, straight to our cars. And they paid us a bonus if we had a male friend pick up up at the end of the shift.

Well, in the winter it's dark here by 3:30-4pm.. and it doesn't get light until 10am so that probably has to be taken into consideration. And these places aren't isolated.. I don't think dumping the trash before getting in their car and leaving would normally be considered that dangerous. I mean, in most cases, they ARE leaving alone, in their own vehicle.
I don't think this was a random abduction. The guy knew her and was waiting specifically for her.

 

[bdawk20]

I have to wonder if she even took the trash out at all. It has been stated since the beginning that she had not cleaned up before she left. I know that doesn't necessarily mean the trash wasn't taken out, but it seems like something you would do last, after you cleaned up.

 

[bdawk20]

Well, in the winter it's dark here by 3:30-4pm.. and it doesn't get light until 10am so that probably has to be taken into consideration. And these places aren't isolated.. I don't think dumping the trash before getting in their car and leaving would normally be considered that dangerous. I mean, in most cases, they ARE leaving alone, in their own vehicle.
I don't think this was a random abduction. The guy knew her and was waiting specifically for her.

I think you are right about this, moo...

 

[bdawk20]

I am not "on" Sam's "Help Find" page on fb, but I do read it, and I just have to say that for people that are supposedly wanting to help find her, they can be a little rude, shall we say? Today someone asked if Sam was wearing any jewelry when she went missing (seems like a decent question to me), and was answered with "Just keep looking for that face that's etched in our minds".....like she's going to walk by one of them in a mall. Seems like they could have at least said they didn't know if they don't. Then a guy on there posted some obscure something about "being back doing what you know I do", and when someone said "huh?", he replied "You must be new here". IDK, it just seems like they are interested in getting the word out and collecting money, but not in "dealing" with anyone or showing some common courtesy. I've noticed it before looking at that page, but today it just got under my skin, I guess.....


jmo

 

[ak81]

I am not "on" Sam's "Help Find" page on fb, but I do read it, and I just have to say that for people that are supposedly wanting to help find her, they can be a little rude, shall we say? Today someone asked if Sam was wearing any jewelry when she went missing (seems like a decent question to me), and was answered with "Just keep looking for that face that's etched in our minds".....like she's going to walk by one of them in a mall. Seems like they could have at least said they didn't know if they don't. Then a guy on there posted some obscure something about "being back doing what you know I do", and when someone said "huh?", he replied "You must be new here". IDK, it just seems like they are interested in getting the word out and collecting money, but not in "dealing" with anyone or showing some common courtesy. I've noticed it before looking at that page, but today it just got under my skin, I guess.....


jmo

I noticed that too.. they don't seem to like a lot of direct questions. I pushed for an answer on why a description of her clothing wasn't immediately released or printed on the very first fliers they made, but I basically got ignored. You're just supposed to keep "positive" and not rock the boat, I guess. There are just SO many discrepancies...the owner at first saying her belongings were not left behind.. then they said she DID leave everything and the cops were holding it all--which doesn't make sense at all. They kept saying they had no reason to suspect anything bad had happened that next morning, no red flags. But if her stuff was there, the shop was a mess, alarm wasn't set.. seems like a HUGE red flag to me! The first thing you'd think they'd do is call her dad, her home number, to find out what happened. Instead things didn't get reported until way later. Does NOT add up. I tried emailing the admins on the page to ask more direct questions, but I wasn't given any answers. It's really frustrating.

 

[Snowbunny]

I noticed that too.. they don't seem to like a lot of direct questions. I pushed for an answer on why a description of her clothing wasn't immediately released or printed on the very first fliers they made, but I basically got ignored. You're just supposed to keep "positive" and not rock the boat, I guess. There are just SO many discrepancies...the owner at first saying her belongings were not left behind.. then they said she DID leave everything and the cops were holding it all--which doesn't make sense at all. They kept saying they had no reason to suspect anything bad had happened that next morning, no red flags. But if her stuff was there, the shop was a mess, alarm wasn't set.. seems like a HUGE red flag to me! The first thing you'd think they'd do is call her dad, her home number, to find out what happened. Instead things didn't get reported until way later. Does NOT add up. I tried emailing the admins on the page to ask more direct questions, but I wasn't given any answers. It's really frustrating.

The fact that the cash register was short on cash, along with everything else should have sent immediate red flags up. We see no searches what so ever planned, but yet the family is busy raising money for a reward. I said it earlier that as long as someone in the know sees those funds continue to grow why should they come forward with their information as long as the pot keeps getting sweeter? It just irritates me to no end how these families of missing persons rake in all this cash but yet there's no searches planned, nothing. They need to put a cap on that reward fund so if there is someone who knows something would come forward and claim it rather than sit there and watch that fund grow bigger each passing day. They could use the rest of the money for a private detective or something.

 

[Knox]

Hi guys. I wanted to point out that the fb page you are talking about has many family members posting and reading there. The page is more of a support platform than an investigative one. Here at WS there is a forum called Information and Support. If a family member has a missing loved one and joins WS, they are encouraged to post there and not out here in the main forum. Many of the things we discuss would be hurtful for them to read. Here is Sam's I&S thread [ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161854"]AK AK - Samantha Koenig - 18 years old - Anchorage - 1-Feb-2012 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community[/ame]


I understand what you are saying though and for many of us who would like answers it's frustrating. I'm actually surprised someone has not set up a Justice for Samantha Koenig facebook page yet. It could be set up as a private or group page which is easier to moderate.

Since there have been no advances made in her case, I have not posted lately. Still hoping Sam will be found safe.

 

[cluciano63]

I guess the reward fund thing becomes automatic in these cases now...it gives people a feeling they are doing something. Although I can't recall a case, offhand, where it really helped to locate the person. If no one is asking for ransom, I am not sure that anyone will ever come forward...if they know something, they are likely guilty in some way, IMO. Anyway, I am always a little hesitant about private reward funds, and what becomes of the money. But that is JMO.

 

[ak81]

Hi guys. I wanted to point out that the fb page you are talking about has many family members posting and reading there. The page is more of a support platform than an investigative one. Here at WS there is a forum called Information and Support. If a family member has a missing loved one and joins WS, they are encouraged to post there and not out here in the main forum. Many of the things we discuss would be hurtful for them to read. Here is Sam's I&S thread AK AK - Samantha Koenig - 18 years old - Anchorage - 1-Feb-2012 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community


I understand what you are saying though and for many of us who would like answers it's frustrating. I'm actually surprised someone has not set up a Justice for Samantha Koenig facebook page yet. It could be set up as a private or group page which is easier to moderate.

Since there have been no advances made in her case, I have not posted lately. Still hoping Sam will be found safe.

But what's strange about the FB page is that there was a big issue with the first one that was up, done by a woman representing Seeking the Lost, and she ended up taking it down because she was deleting posts she thought were harmful or negative. Sam's dad became very upset and told her not to delete anything.. that you never know what might be a tip (even though some comments just appeared to be rumors or bad things about Samantha). He was adamant that all posts be left alone, no matter what they said. The woman finally just shut the whole page down rather than continue to deal with the criticism from James and Sam's friends. So you would think they would be encouraging some real discussion on the case.. questions that might actually lead somewhere..

 

[ak81]

We see no searches what so ever planned, but yet the family is busy raising money for a reward... It just irritates me to no end how these families of missing persons rake in all this cash but yet there's no searches planned, nothing. They need to put a cap on that reward fund so if there is someone who knows something would come forward and claim it rather than sit there and watch that fund grow bigger each passing day. They could use the rest of the money for a private detective or something.

I did see it mentioned that they supposedly had sign-up sheets at the fundraiser (SamStock) for people to volunteer for future planned searches, but it hasn't been brought up since on the page (that I've seen, anyway). I think all that was a smoke screen, of sorts.. I'm convinced that APD (and Sam's dad) know who has her. What he said to another family member in the comments after his last big FB rant indicates that he even has an idea WHERE they have her, and that he wants to move now, but APD is being more cautious. This big fundraiser seems like a last big push for a pay-off big enough to get her home. Those closest to her seem to know she's alive, there was a celebratory feel to the whole SamStock thing.

 

[ak81]

People have been speculating about Juggalos and/or motorcycle gangs being involved in this.. I never even heard of Juggalos until this case but I did a search on Facebook for "Juggalo Anchorage" and came up with a LOT of stuff... not all of it seems violent but some is scary. I've been cross-referencing friends of Sam's and who I think is Dwayne on Facebook (since no one seems to know his last name), and have found a few different Juggalo connections, but nothing that really stands out. BUT I did come across this on Chris Bird/Whyte Tyson's YouTube page on the comments under one of his videos:

<modsnip>

He's been taking a beating with those comments under his videos since the abduction and usually has a comeback, but he didn't to that one (that I could see).. and now his whole family is moving back to North Carolina in less than a month. Strange. I just wonder if the moving is because of threats like this on Chris, and what people might really know. I looked up the Dollars gang (I'd never heard of them either) but I couldn't really find much, other than they're supposed to be pro-civil rights, colorless, for good... I don't know. Is anyone else familiar with this?

 

[cluciano63]

I did see it mentioned that they supposedly had sign-up sheets at the fundraiser (SamStock) for people to volunteer for future planned searches, but it hasn't been brought up since on the page (that I've seen, anyway). I think all that was a smoke screen, of sorts.. I'm convinced that APD (and Sam's dad) know who has her. What he said to another family member in the comments after his last big FB rant indicates that he even has an idea WHERE they have her, and that he wants to move now, but APD is being more cautious. This big fundraiser seems like a last big push for a pay-off big enough to get her home. Those closest to her seem to know she's alive, there was a celebratory feel to the whole SamStock thing.

Seems very strange to me, when LE knows she was taken at gunpoint, to delay as long as this to make an entrance, so to speak, if they really have an idea where she is. Every moment would be one more of potentially fatal danger to her. If the family/friends seem to know something, than clearly there is some sort of retaliation going on here, IMO.

 

[Joe Friday]

Seems very strange to me, when LE knows she was taken at gunpoint, to delay as long as this to make an entrance, so to speak, if they really have an idea where she is. Every moment would be one more of potentially fatal danger to her. If the family/friends seem to know something, than clearly there is some sort of retaliation going on here, IMO.

BBM

To my knowledge it has never been released exactly what type of weapon was displayed. (knife, gun, club, bat)

My feeling from what I have read about what LE has released is they know some kind of weapon was used but either did not want to release what it was or didn't know themselves for sure..

If anyone has a link to what kind of weapon LE has said was used, could you please post it.

TIA

 

[Janeumayer]

BBM

To my knowledge it has never been released exactly what type of weapon was displayed. (knife, gun, club, bat)

My feeling from what I have read about what LE has released is they know some kind of weapon was used but either did not want to release what it was or didn't know themselves for sure..

If anyone has a link to what kind of weapon LE has said was used, could you please post it.

TIA

"Samantha Koenig, 18, who police say was abducted at gunpoint from her espresso stand, had filed for a restraining order against a man."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57372411-504083/missing-alaska-barista-samantha-koenig-filed-for-restraining-order-against-man-prior-to-abduction/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

 

[sfbaynancydrew]

I've also been not commenting due to lack of new information. I'm not impressed with how this case has been handled to be honest.

One thing I thought I'd bring up that I haven't seen mentioned yet is her cell phone. Why haven't they triangulated it's whereabouts that entire night? If it was ringing, it was on, if it was on, it can be tracked. We had a case here in the Bay Area where a family got lost up in the Oregon mountainside. The police were pretty useless and the family used their own funds to pay to have the cell phone location found and they hired a helicopter to fly over the area and the family was found (unfortunately the father had died looking for help ). And their phone had died! Even with a weak, weak signal the fact it was ON and RINGING all night says it was somewhere and that it can be located.

It also bugs me about the tape. Immensely. We've heard that at first it didn't appear she was coherced. Then we hear there was a gun. Then we hear there is something disturbing that alarmed the owners (without being told WHAT that was). Then we're told, well the identity of the perp is obscured...yet the video has enough resolution to tell that there is a pickup across the street with a person sitting in it oblivious? That's pretty high res for a security camera.

Not to mention the whole were her things left there, were they not...the Facebook drama over the webpages. The family's hostility to outsiders trying to help, etc.

I'm starting to feel taken for a ride.

 

[isamom]

Hi, I am new to this website so forgive me if I post something I shouldn't, I am learning.
Her Facebook Page is open for discussion. The only reason why a post may get hidden is if it uses foul language or names people because of assumption. People are welcome to post, share their thoughts and such. Usually there has to be a very good reason for a post not to show up.
Regarding the question no one answering what she was wearing, there was a post from someone saying they had been asking and no one answered. But that has been posted so many times on the page. It is also stated in the flyer, most all the flyer s on what she was wearing, so I guess someone must have missed that, or not looked at the flyers.
The family was upset with the original page due to the fact that the admin of the first page was blocking people, including family members, would not allow or approve many posts, and was rude toward Samanthas father.
Her official page has over 4,500 likes and it has been a huge blessing.. people from all around the world showing support. Sometimes people want answers that cant be answered. As much as we all wish it was that easy to know everything it is not. I am on the page and in my opinion have not found anyone being rude. There have been a couple people post comments that should not be posted but other then that I have to say it has been a great page and gives the most up to date information. People also have to understand that APD and FBI do not release all the information. So sometimes things do get misunderstood but usually if that happens it has been fixed right away, like with the purse.
Hopefully someone will come forward and Samantha can get home safe and soon to her family. That's what we all are praying for.

 

[ak81]

Regarding the question no one answering what she was wearing, there was a post from someone saying they had been asking and no one answered. But that has been posted so many times on the page. It is also stated in the flyer, most all the flyer s on what she was wearing, so I guess someone must have missed that, or not looked at the flyers.

I was posting the question (on the FB page) about a description of her clothes way in the beginning, before it was ever put on the fliers. I kept asking why a description wasn't in the news articles or in statements from APD. It just seemed that would've been something they mentioned immediately, with the very first report. Even if they weren't going to release the video, or still shots from it, they could've still let people know what she was wearing when she was last seen on the video. They FINALLY put it on the fliers, and word started spreading through her page of what she was wearing, but to my knowledge, it still hasn't been officially reported by APD or the press. Just seems strange. Seems like a very important thing to leave out.

 

[Jersey*Girl]

Samantha's MY profile:

http://www.myyearbook.com/members/19615331

 

[Jersey*Girl]

I've asked this before thinking maybe I missed something, but I made sure to check posts & I'm still coming up empty - What is the make & model of Sam's cellphone and who is her carrier? Have police or family released this info & I'm just overlooking it? If not, then why hasn't it been released? What would be the purpose of not releasing this info? I have to be overlooking it...right?

 

[katydid23]

Hi, I am new to this website so forgive me if I post something I shouldn't, I am learning.
Her Facebook Page is open for discussion. The only reason why a post may get hidden is if it uses foul language or names people because of assumption. People are welcome to post, share their thoughts and such. Usually there has to be a very good reason for a post not to show up.
Regarding the question no one answering what she was wearing, there was a post from someone saying they had been asking and no one answered. But that has been posted so many times on the page. It is also stated in the flyer, most all the flyer s on what she was wearing, so I guess someone must have missed that, or not looked at the flyers.
The family was upset with the original page due to the fact that the admin of the first page was blocking people, including family members, would not allow or approve many posts, and was rude toward Samanthas father.
Her official page has over 4,500 likes and it has been a huge blessing.. people from all around the world showing support. Sometimes people want answers that cant be answered. As much as we all wish it was that easy to know everything it is not. I am on the page and in my opinion have not found anyone being rude. There have been a couple people post comments that should not be posted but other then that I have to say it has been a great page and gives the most up to date information. People also have to understand that APD and FBI do not release all the information. So sometimes things do get misunderstood but usually if that happens it has been fixed right away, like with the purse.
Hopefully someone will come forward and Samantha can get home safe and soon to her family. That's what we all are praying for.

Thank You. Great first post. :welcome::fireworks: