CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #2

[Tillicum]

Since BT's nephew agreed that the bikini and beer description is accurate from his experience through the years, I wonder if there were times when she was approached before, that influenced RT's speculation that she was abducted?

 

[PaulR]

Search dogs aren't as effective in the heat: Family-Disaster-Dogs: Temperature and Scent affects Working Dogs

 

[MsBetsy]

Ok..one theory from the husband is that she was abducted. Please don't take this the wrong way,but why?? Ransom?? Sex??? She is beautiful for her age,but c'mon. Most stranger abductions seem to be of much younger women. JMO

Actually many stranger abductions are by serial killers and age does not necessarily play a role. Some have a preference but many do not.
I hope this is not what happened, as the chances of her being found alive are very low. Imo

 

[Lilibet]

[bbm]

what does that mean? lying? exaggerating?

Not sure how the OP meant “chumming the waters,” but Google says...

Chumming (American English from Powhatan)[1] is the practice of luring various animals, usually fish such as sharks, by throwing "chum" into the water.
Chumming - Wikipedia

There are plenty of meanings for chumming or “chum the waters” , but it all depends on the context. The expression may be used to mean “churn the waters” or to make the waters muddy.
BBM

Bird enthusiasts often “chum the waters” by dumping fish to attract seagulls and other sea birds that they, then, try to identify.

Still, in the world of fishing, “chum the waters” or chumming means dumping bait or something into the waters to attract fish.
Chumming the Water: What Does it Mean?? iOutdoor Fishing Adventures

 

[Mountain Misst]

[bbm]

what does that mean? lying? exaggerating?

Chummy is casting bait onto the water in order to attract victims/prey. Is a fishing term. Chumming - Wikipedia

In English lingo - a chum is a friend. (He is my chum) I can still remember it being used before 'mate' became the norm in my neck of the woods.

 

[PaulR]

Also on dogs and them being able to detect scents, this page is illustrated nicely: How Scent and Airflow Works

It looks like the dogs were brought out during what they call "looping plumes" - what do others think?

 

[MsBetsy]

[bbm]

what does that mean? lying? exaggerating?

It means throwing bait into the water to attract fish or other animals, as far as I know.
Not sure what this guy could be fishing for, though.

 

[Mountain Misst]

I have to wonder if the financial outlay for BT to travel o/s was a motive for the disappearance when we have RT under our grill.

 

[mickey2942]

From the first MSM article/post by havasunews & nixle stating "20 miles from I-40", everyone copying/pasting, thank you TatianaBarbie post #73 for making this a non-issue...7.2 miles from I-40 I'll accept. Thank You Curiousobserver post #154 for Hidden Hills AREA, also Artsy1 post #686 for the dispatch call log to Hidden Hills.

Keep in mind the overall length of the "Dually" pick up truck coupled to 5th wheel trailer of 31 to 35 feet on 2 axle frame with MANEUVERABILITY. Note the 2 screenshots: 1 on East side of Kelbaker Rd. at Hidden Hills Rd. & 1 on West side of Kelbaker Rd. on a sharp bend in road. Too risky to take dirt road any distance off Kelbaker Rd. I find NO ROCK FORMATIONS on the east side of Kelbaker along with being twice the distance to the base of hills compared to the west side of Kelbaker having incredible R.F.s and well within a 2 mile round trip walk. My first choice of a parking spot is on the west side of the Rd. but conflicts with "cross the Hwy", so H.H. Rd. has to be the location if RT isn't lying about anything.

Agree. That area is pretty flat. I couldn't even think of any "rock formation" that you wouldn't see someone coming up behind you, as in another truck. The area is so isolated, that when you see a vehicle, you do actually notice it, and usually remember the type, and color.

 

[Lilibet]

It means throwing bait into the water to attract fish or other animals, as far as I know.
Not sure what this guy could be fishing for, though.

Maybe @Handsome Sailor can stop by and let us know how RT might be “chumming the waters” by mentioning the bikini and beer. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[PaulR]

I have to wonder if the financial outlay for BT to travel o/s was a motive for the disappearance when we have RT under our grill.

She would have already bought tickets though.

 

[MsBetsy]

Maybe @Handsome Sailor can stop by and let us know how RT might be “chumming the waters” by mentioning the bikini and beer. Inquiring minds want to know.

Maybe the implication is that it is a red herring?
Still doesn't make sense, though. Unless the husband is "fishing" for attention but I highly doubt that is the case.

 

[artsy1]

July 21st - The search for Barbara Thomas, age 69, is continuing in the area of Kelbaker/ Hidden ... from SBSD - Colorado River Sheriffs Department : Nixle

UPDATE #9
Sunday, July 21st, the search continued today for Barbara Thomas.
Search and Rescue members from throughout the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department were deployed into the field this morning just after sunrise. K9 units, members certified in cave searches, rope climbing and desert terrain ground searchers were utilized today.

The search has been suspended for the day due to extreme temperatures. No evidence of Barbara was located today.

BBM

ETA: So search called off between noon and 1 pm PST

 

[Handsome Sailor]

Maybe @Handsome Sailor can stop by and let us know how RT might be “chumming the waters” by mentioning the bikini and beer. Inquiring minds want to know.

It strikes me that those details would not be necessary for a media interview and reflect poorly on B in an oblique way. Muddying the waters to draw attention away from himself.

 

[kay74]

I want to know how busy this road is at this time of the year, typically.

The thing about burglars is, for the most part they just want to steal your stuff and sell it. They're really not interested in abducting or killing people. Yes, I am sure there are exceptions. However, with no sign of a break in or anything missing, I am going to vote 'highly unlikely' on burglary.

Abduction - hmmm. What would be a motive for abduction? Ransom? Blackmail? Obsessed individual? Nutcase? What makes abduction unlikely IMHO is the timing. If RT's account is accurate, BT was not gone from his sight long, and was within ~1/2 mile of the RV. The abductor had to have happened upon her at precisely the moment they were separated. Again, highly unlikely IMHO, but not beyond the realm of possibility IF there was a motive. Many of us were surprised by the McStay case.

And going back to square one, I want to see proof that BT was ever there that day. Did anyone see her leave? Did they stop for gas? MOO

BBM True unless one was approaching their trailer and saw her.

 

[Lilibet]

It strikes me that those details would not be necessary for a media interview and reflect poorly on B in an oblique way. Muddying the waters to draw attention away from himself.

Yes, I wondered if you meant “muddying the waters.” Thanks!

 

[Kapua]

Also on dogs and them being able to detect scents, this page is illustrated nicely: How Scent and Airflow Works

It looks like the dogs were brought out during what they call "looping plumes" - what do others think?

Thanks for the link, great reading. I am very interested in the different types of search dogs. In the two cases I followed most closely, the dogs were extremely helpful. I always ask, "did they bring search dogs?" And yes, I know that they are not infallible, nor are their handlers. But I'd sure like to know what their best guesses are. MOO

 

[PaulR]

She would have already bought tickets though.

Also flights to China are cheap - I've flown nonstop from here to Shanghai for $600.

 

[mrstfs]

Here’s what I’m struggling with.... in the interviews, RT jumped right to abduction, not anything such as she might have wondered off looking for rocks, it would be like her to get disoriented etc.... so it’s hard for me to have a theory like that if her own husband doesn’t. IMHO, an out of the blue abduction doesn’t make sense to me either. MOO

 

[MsBetsy]

Here’s what I’m struggling with.... in the interviews, RT jumped right to abduction, not anything such as she might have wondered off looking for rocks, it would be like her to get disoriented etc.... so it’s hard for me to have a theory like that if her own husband doesn’t. IMHO, an out of the blue abduction doesn’t make sense to me either. MOO

Nothing really makes sense.
I think he came to the conclusion that she was abducted after both he and LE had searched and found no sign of her.
Also the fact that she must have crossed the highway must have led him to the conclusion that she may have come in contact with a passing vehicle. Imo