CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, Bullhead City, hiking wearing bikini in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019

[katydid23]

If I am a betting woman- I'm thinking that LE doesn't believe that Barbara was ever there. I wonder if they brought in a foot print expert to check hers along the road. We have an expert on here that does that.

LE stating that they don't know how long they were separated for and how far BT was from the RV when they became separated is all telling to me. She wasn't there that day.

But if she was not even there that day, would he be taking photos? It will look even more suspicious if he took dozens of photos, and his wife isn't in any of them at all. JMO

 

[Knox]

Someone mentioned these police being tight lipped on past cases. Perhaps they aren't actually that competent? I'd like to think otherwise, but as I mentioned, the lack of anything from them is very unsettling.

San Bernadino County is the largest County in the US. I wouldn't say the Sheriff's Department is incompetent. I'm also a little biased, my BIL was a SBCSO for 20 years. He was a beat cop and also worked SAR & Boat Patrol. He passed away three years ago.
Sorry for the OT part ...

 

[ClaireNC]

Do we know they had a camera?

If you believe Inside Edition.

“They were on their way back to the camper when Bob said his wife started pulling ahead. He told her he wanted to take a picture of a rock formation and as he put his camera away, he saw her rounding a corner.”

Husband of Woman Who Vanished During Mojave Desert Hike: 'I Just Want Her Back'

I don’t know if he mentions it in the video. My internet isn’t letting me view it.

 

[dbdb11]

Do we know they had a camera?

not until verified -_-

 

[ClaireNC]

I have stupid question because I am from East coast and I am trying to imagine what a curve in the desert is like. Is the curve that sharp that you would completely lose sight of a person?

The only thing I can think of is that the trail they were following curved around a rock formation. So when she went around the other side of the rocks, she was out of his sight.

(Of course, that’s if she was even ever there.)

Edit to fix typos

 

[ClaireNC]

not until verified -_-

Are you working on getting verified? Please say yes, because you are a very valuable part of this discussion.

 

[oviedo]

The only thing I can think of is that the trail they were following curved around a rock formation. So when she went around the other side of the rocks, she was out of his sight.

(Of course, that’s if she was even ever there.)

Edit to fix typos

Would LE continue this massive week long search if they thought she was never there ? I don’t think so - something has happened I’m not sure what yet - IMO

 

[PaulR]

Do we know they had a camera?

If he had a phone, 99% it had a camera. I haven't seen a phone without a camera in a very long time.

Before my SO passed, she always had phones with good cameras, so we always used her camera to take photos.

 

[Knox]

Are you working on getting verified? Please say yes, because you are a very valuable part of this discussion.

SillyBilly said a page or two back, they are waiting on Tricia to verify him.

 

[muddlehead]

I'm never going to catch up. Has anyone mentioned this yet? Can you name another similar case where the disappearance occurred when someone so close within eyesight "just went around the corner over there" and vanished? Either BT was never there or RT's timeline/story a little suspect.

 

[dbdb11]

San Bernadino County is the largest County in the US. I wouldn't say the Sheriff's Department is incompetent. I'm also a little biased, my BIL was a SBCSO for 20 years. He was a beat cop and also worked SAR & Boat Patrol. He passed away three years ago.
Sorry for the OT part ...

I am very glad to hear the departments competence vouched for by multiple posters. And I am sorry for your loss.

Apologise as well. Reading and rereading. Sense myself beginning to vent frustration on this forum. Will check it.

Are you working on getting verified? Please say yes, because you are a very valuable part of this discussion.

yes

 

[Steelslady]

I just. don't. like this interview. I saw the first one with him outside and when he starts saying he just wants her back, he starts breaking down into a tissue. Same thing he did with the interview that happened outside. Same exact spot in the interview is when he got choked up and had to stop. There are too many extra details provided and I can't.

Husband of Woman Who Vanished During Mojave Desert Hike: 'I Just Want Her Back'

I must admit, a part of me wants to believe he isn't guilty of anything. Yet, his behavior reminds me so much of Philip Snyder. Bobbie Snider told her son that they were going to Memphis- that was a planned trip, like this one was with Barbara. So similar in their actions. That's why I just want to know when she was last physically seen in person- on video at a store, restaurant, etc, or talking on the phone to someone. This is really driving me crazy- my heart wants to believe he is innocent, but my head tells me "hold on a minute".

 

[PaulR]

I'm never going to catch up. Has anyone mentioned this yet? Can you name another similar case where the disappearance occurred when someone so close within eyesight "just went around the corner over there" and vanished? Either she was never there or RT's timeline a little suspect.

Alfred Beilhartz, Dennis Martin, and I'd argue Brian Shaffer. Maybe even Maura Murray would count, she was by her car one minute and then, nothing.

 

[PommyMommy]

I'm never going to catch up. Has anyone mentioned this yet? Can you name another similar case where the disappearance occurred when someone so close within eyesight "just went around the corner over there" and vanished? Either BT was never there or RT's timeline/story a little suspect.

Yes, Serenity Dennard. A 9-year-old in South Dakota who ran from a children's home in Feb this year and has yet to be found. MOO

 

[Didi777]

The desert isn't flat. Here's a photo that comes up on Google from the area.

Yes, some of our Southwest bushes and grasses can grow quite bushy and tall too. Like Mesquite, Joshua trees, etc

 

[muddlehead]

AB, DM, Serenity Dennard were youngsters. Shaffer at a bar at 2am. Murray a car accident. This one, to me, not similar.

 

[oviedo]

Yes, Serenity Dennard. A 9-year-old in South Dakota who ran from a children's home in Feb this year and has yet to be found. MOO

And the other hiker who’s husband went to turn the car around and she vanished -but found within a few days within 2 miles - alive and well

 

[Steelslady]

JUL 19, 2019
Search Continues for 69-Year-Old Woman Who Disappeared on Mojave Desert Hike 1 Week Ago
Authorities on Friday resumed the search for a missing 69-year-old Arizona woman who vanished exactly one week ago while hiking amid the sweltering heat in the Mojave Desert.

[...]

The search began again Friday at sunrise in the area of Kelbaker and Hidden Hills near I-40.

Search and rescue members are utilizing off-road vehicles, K-9 units and hikers to comb through the desert terrain, according to the release. Aerial support will assist throughout the day.

Crews will face challenging weather conditions, as temperatures are forecast to once again reach triple-digits.

[...]

I feel for the SAR folks- they go out in extreme weather- hot and cold. The heat out there is just brutal. My cousin jokes that they should change their water faucet handles to both "hot" on their sinks, because the cold water comes in very warm during the summer months (she lives in Arizona).

I am hoping they find something of Barbara soon.

 

[Cardinal47]

So if she just went around a rock formation then when he continued and didn't see her couldn't he shout out to her or she to him? They weren't that far apart and no noise out there!

Also does his truck/rv have tracking device?

This is just all so confusing.

 

[k-mac]

Yeah. This deceptive polygraph has me uncomfortable.

the beer and the red cap and black bikini while hiking just doesn't gel for me.
she might have been out there loitering around the RV in such attire chilling and whatever but I just can not see a woman exposing her body with no protection to dessert heat and rays for a hike??
working your tan?? sure. ON A TOWEL AT YOUR RV with a beer in your hand.

I am really surprised he hasn't gone with the old oh yeah we had a fight and she just wandered off....poof!! into thin air.
I reckon they will find her in this outfit and that's how he splans it away.

just speculations ...moo

edited to correct brain farts.