CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #11

[al66pine]

Respectfully, not sure why you're bringing another case into Barbara's thread ? This has everything to do with Tyler's case; and nothing at all about Barbara's case. This belongs in Tyler Davis' thread.

@LietKynes
I'm not Leney, but this presser is interesting imo in that---
1) per Leney, LE had not previously disclosed to the public the other organizations who had assisted in the investigation.
2) Maybe Leney is seeing LE on BT's MisPers case, like LE on Tyler's case. MisPers since Feb 2019 in Columbus OH. LE has been tight lipped. At presser, showed map of ~ 6-8 city blocks where he walked I think from cell pings, and went missing alone, drunk at ~ 3:30am. Thin air. LE has done missions w SAR teams, 3 or more. See vid for details.
Reporter asked about evidence found along the victim's walking path specifically, detective said (my paraphrasing) ~ We have not found evidence but we are looking for evidence.
^ in this regard, like LE on BT's case. I might have missed something else Leney wanted to point out.
jmo

 

[Gigi3]

@LietKynes
I'm not Leney, but this presser is interesting imo in that---
1) per Leney, LE had not previously disclosed to the public the other organizations who had assisted in the investigation.
2) Maybe Leney is seeing LE on BT's MisPers case, like LE on Tyler's case. MisPers since Feb 2019 in Columbus OH. LE has been tight lipped. At presser, showed map of ~ 6-8 city blocks where he walked I think from cell pings, and went missing alone, drunk at ~ 3:30am. Thin air. LE has done missions w SAR teams, 3 or more. See vid for details.
Reporter asked about evidence found along the victim's walking path specifically, detective said (my paraphrasing) ~ We have not found evidence but we are looking for evidence.
^ in this regard, like LE on BT's case. I might have missed something else Leney wanted to point out.
jmo

I agree that in regards to LE being silent in this case is somewhat similar to Barbara’s.
However, his wife has been very vocal about finding her husband even though some of the public has put her through the wringer! Also, they have more than just the word of the spouse that he was indeed there that night. Sadly, I do feel as though Tyler is most likely dead due to misadventure. MOO

 

[Gigi3]

What exactly do people expect to be gained by offering a reward in this case?

Information maybe? It might be worth a shot. I know normally rewards are not effective, but if you could get the money why not? MOO

 

[rosesfromangels]

Information maybe? It might be worth a shot. I know normally rewards are not effective, but if you could get the money why not? MOO

They do it to keep the story alive in the media

 

[Gigi3]

They do it to keep the story alive in the media

Good point! And another great reason to put out a reward in this case. Whatever it takes to keep Barbara’s face out in the public IMO.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Has a “missing” social media page been set up for Barbara?
One that is specific to her?

 

[GordianKnot]

Information maybe? It might be worth a shot. I know normally rewards are not effective, but if you could get the money why not? MOO

If one of my immediate family members went missing in the desert, I'd offer as big a reward as I could muster for any private drone search that led to the discovery of their remains.

JMO.

 

[PommyMommy]

Has a “missing” social media page been set up for Barbara?
One that is specific to her?

I don't know of a page but I haven't checked lately. There is a FB group, though. MOO

 

[al66pine]

Financial Info?
We don’t know as fact, much, if anything, about financial situation of RT and/or BT.

For example, hypothetically,
1) Maybe he and/or she or they had no debt, and he and/or she or they had $20 million in assets.
or
2) Maybe their only assets were the house, truck, RV, boat, plane, and maybe all those assets were security for loans, and maybe all payments are 90+ days in arrears, and maybe creditors are in processing of repossessing all.
or
3) Maybe somewhere in between these ^ extremes.

Making assumptions about their financials could lead us to faulty assumptions about motives and/or suspects, w no basis for conclusion. jmo

 

[shanadk]

Does anyone know the name /location of Barbara's kennel, where she left her dog that morning around 8:00?
I can't find it anywhere. Thanks

 

[Cherwell]

I understand the need for flyers, appeals for information, even a reward in cases where the missing person has disappeared in a populated area. Scenarios like went to visit a friend and never arrived, or went out shopping and never returned, those kind of situations. But I can't really see what good they would do if she is simply lost in the desert. There is little to no chance that anyone saw her.

 

[shanadk]

I feel like speculation about "what Robert Thomas is doing", is a moot point, unless he is a POI .
Pretty sure that San Bernardino LE keep an eye on what he's doing.
They never lost Chase Merritt, did they?

 

[Gigi3]

I'm not certain that RT has not placed flyers in Las Vegas or other areas. JMO

Well... as a matter of fact, we flew to Vegas a few weekends ago, and I kept my eyes peeled for ANY flyers/signs of Barbara. We found none
For some reason, this case really has a hold on me. I check the thread daily wether I post or not just hoping that she’s found! MOO

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Well... as a matter of fact, we flew to Vegas a few weekends ago, and I kept my eyes peeled for ANY flyers/signs of Barbara. We found none
For some reason, this case really has a hold on me. I check the thread daily wether I post or not just hoping that she’s found! MOO

Maybe you missed some or some were taken down. Or maybe he has posted flyers in other areas. JMO

 

[al66pine]

Has Capital?

Good questions !
Apparently RT had some capital as he owns several recreational accessories.

@LietKynes Hello.
Generally speaking recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes, 5th wheels, travel trailers; boats (sail, motor, fishing, jet, ski, etc.), motorcycles, snow-mobiles, ski-doos, ATVs etc. are depreciating assets, that is, decreasing/losing value over time, because of age, wear, or market conditions (Ditto most of our cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, etc, tho we generally do not consider them rec vehicles).

Some buyers are able to make these purchases only by borrowing against them as security. We can say a person 'owns' a given vehicle (and that person's name appears on the title or registration documents, w lender's name as a lienholder), but in some/many situations,practically speaking, a bank, credit union, or other lender has a greater financial interest in the asset than buyer, at least for a large part of life of the loan.
Just saying, a person w multiple rec vehicles sitting in driveway, garage, storage, or at marina, etc. does not mean imo that person has capital. jmo. ymmv.

 

[10ofRods]

Has Capital?

@LietKynes Hello.
Generally speaking recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes, 5th wheels, travel trailers; boats (sail, motor, fishing, jet, ski, etc.), motorcycles, snow-mobiles, ski-doos, ATVs etc. are depreciating assets, that is, decreasing/losing value over time, because of age, wear, or market conditions (Ditto most of our cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, etc, tho we generally do not consider them rec vehicles).

Some buyers are able to make these purchases only by borrowing against them as security. We can say a person 'owns' a given vehicle (and that person's name appears on the title or registration documents, w lender's name as a lienholder), but in some/many situations,practically speaking, a bank, credit union, or other lender has a greater financial interest in the asset than buyer, at least for a large part of life of the loan.
Just saying, a person w multiple rec vehicles sitting in driveway, garage, storage, or at marina, etc. does not mean imo that person has capital. jmo. ymmv.

Although, a person (like Barbara) who sold real estate and then paid a good sized down payment for her/their house in Bullhead City can be presumed to have equity (unless they took it all out of the house). However, public documents do not show such an event. Instead, public documents show that the house is worth more in equity than some people's houses. So that's a clue that there's "capital."

Also, our VI has mentioned that Barbara had inherited "millions." My guess is that they owe nothing on the truck and RV, but purchased it outright, as so many people in their age group (who have the means) will do. Otherwise, that money is just sitting in a bank somewhere.

I'd be willing to contribute to a fundraiser to get a cadaver dog onto the scene. I think a lot of people would and if handled properly in Bullhead and Needles, enough could be raised. I see more people posting from Needles on other forums, probably because they worry about crime being so close to their city.

I've asked before whether anyone knows about how long cadaver scent traces can be found in deserts, I have no idea. I know that they've been able to scent cadavers under water after many years, but that's not the same situation as this one.

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Although, a person (like Barbara) who sold real estate and then paid a good sized down payment for her/their house in Bullhead City can be presumed to have equity (unless they took it all out of the house). However, public documents do not show such an event. Instead, public documents show that the house is worth more in equity than some people's houses. So that's a clue that there's "capital."

Also, our VI has mentioned that Barbara had inherited "millions." My guess is that they owe nothing on the truck and RV, but purchased it outright, as so many people in their age group (who have the means) will do. Otherwise, that money is just sitting in a bank somewhere.

I'd be willing to contribute to a fundraiser to get a cadaver dog onto the scene. I think a lot of people would and if handled properly in Bullhead and Needles, enough could be raised. I see more people posting from Needles on other forums, probably because they worry about crime being so close to their city.

I've asked before whether anyone knows about how long cadaver scent traces can be found in deserts, I have no idea. I know that they've been able to scent cadavers under water after many years, but that's not the same situation as this one.

What if BT donated the majority of the alleged inheritance to charity and she retained only a small amount? It could all be gone. JMO

 

[10ofRods]

I understand the need for flyers, appeals for information, even a reward in cases where the missing person has disappeared in a populated area. Scenarios like went to visit a friend and never arrived, or went out shopping and never returned, those kind of situations. But I can't really see what good they would do if she is simply lost in the desert. There is little to no chance that anyone saw her.

There are so many organizations that go out into the desert, though. If the facts as we know them are correct, she went missing near a research center and near a major Mojave attraction (Granite Peak). ATVers, climbers, rock hounds, photographers, archers, star gazers, mountain bikers, hikers, drone clubs and others all go out there, and many are organized. In fact, I'm in touch right now with a friend from a nearby city (former LE) who is thinking about taking 2 other people out there to search. Would be better if organized, don't you think?

The "good" would be finding her body. At this point, for some of us, that's a major goal as I've stated previously. It would do some people (our VI and others) a world of good if she is found. And if she is "simply lost" then she can't be impossible to find. There are all kinds of known techniques for remapping a search under these circumstances and I'm guessing that *some* of the SAR volunteers would be interested in applying those techniques. However, regular individuals who are familiar with the desert are the ones most likely to find her body, IMO. This doesn't mean that her next of kin should just leave it all up to fate, they can encourage the rest of us to keep working on the case. If in fact the next of kin (RT) wanted some help in this sad task, I could definitely put him in touch with various searchers (as can many people here on WS).

If it's the cost of these kinds of things that is daunting, there are people who specialize in organizing fund raising for missing persons.

I'm not saying RT has given up (perhaps he's grief stricken and devastated). But he has family too, younger people around him who could help give structure and incentives to a search for Barbara.

Some people feel it's not that important to search for a dead person, but many many others still want to help. Seeing her before she went missing isn't that important now, but finding her is still important.

 

[al66pine]

"Removing Name" from a Joint Acct?

.... I inherited money from a relative (through a will) and I chose to put some of it into a joint account with my husband. If I disappeared, he could draw on that account. (1) He'd need a death certificate, though, to remove my name from the account. Same thing with our joint checking and savings.
(2)....what would happen if he were suspected of doing away with me, though...

@anneg re a/c Joint Tenants w Right of Survivorship*
In ^ hypothetical case w one acct-holder (you) disappearing, as you say, husband "could draw on that account" presumably for purposes you & he as a couple had agreed on, until you/MisPers returns. That is intended consequence of you transferring inherited $ from your name alone to JTWROS w husband.
At time of a/c opening, likely you (and he) signed an account holder agreement/document, spelling out terms and conditions of withdrawals, deposits, various fees, account termination, etc. Try reading it.

(1) But ^ transfer can lead to unintended consequences. In an acct titled/registered in names of two ppl as "Joint Tenants w Right of Survivorship" some (most?) banks, credit unions, etc, allow either of the two a/c holders to withdraw entire balance from a/c, and then also permit person making withdrawal to open a new a/c (could be in his/her name alone) and deposit to new a/c. New a/c might be at same bank, CU, or another. Or could deposit to existing a/c in single name.
Practically speaking this has the effect of 'removing' the MisPers' name from JTWROS a/c, but without a death certificate. This withdrawal-and-deposit sequence is a classic pre-divorce move, which also happens in non-marital contexts, sometimes w someone on death bed.

(2) Generally speaking, verrrrry generally when a wife is missing/absent, husband has the
same legal authority re JTWROS a/c as when she is not missing/absent, jmo. Ditto, vice versa.
------------------------------------------------------
* See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concurrent_estate.
^ Not legal advice. JME ^ based largely on ~20 years of home office employment in legal/compliance dept w financial institutions operating in 40+ states, as well as specialized training in related legal issues. In ^ circumstances, action of banks, credit unions, etc is dependent on federal & state laws, account holder agreements, bank or credit union policies, etc., etc., etc., etc.

 

[PaulaDC]

RT could not touch her inheritance unless she specifically willed it to him. It does not fall under community property. If she willed it to her child, they would receive it in whole.

Amateur opinion and speculation

If she put it in a joint account it's fair game.