CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #5

[Micheline]

Read, the other response. LE are not focusing on the Casino, the VI is.

I was not commenting on the casino part.

 

[Nikynoo]

I was not commenting on the casino part.

This is why I asked the VI to clarify, is this LE's thoughts or the Vi's own?

 

[cricket49]

I am glad to hear LE is thoroughly investigating all leads. It looks like they have so many directions to follow.

 

[Lilibet]

Thanks for this!

Did LE advise that this person is officially a POI in their eyes or is this person a POI in your eyes?

Just trying to clarify so that thread stays on course!

I share your concern about the thread! Until we hear from LE, there is no POI, so I think we can assume this is possibly the VI’s way of not naming names. In any case, a POI is not an official term and is not the same as “suspect” so sleuthing would have to be decided by a mod if anyone is ever named a POI.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Not a good look for him IMO.
Wonder if he moved the RV to their park.

Whoa Nellie! First, RT has not been named a POI or Suspect by LE. Will he be in the future? I have no idea. Until/if there is an update from LE, I am treating him as a Victim, and with the respect that comes with that.

Do I raise an eyebrow on various aspects of this case? Sure. That is the nature of a sleuthing forum. We pick stuff apart and analyze, and discuss. We even send in great leads from time to time and contribute to closures.

As far as the Victim off in a casino, as per the report of our VI, I will say that everyone reacts differently to stress. Maybe this is his form of distraction or therapy in a very stressful situation. Maybe he has supportive cronies there, who knows. Does it look good? No, of course not.
But as I said, until/if such time as LE announces he is a POI/Suspect, I am focusing solidly on his recollection of events.

Hope everyone has a good week ahead, and that we get some answers as to what happened to this lovely lady.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Gardener1850]

Please help me add to this list of ideas for Barbara's family. Some of these have already been suggested but I think they're all worth repeating.

Submit Barbara’s case to the following for consideration:

• Search for Me Foundation
• Texas Equusearch - Report a Person Missing
• S.W.A.R.M. Volunteer Drones (Done!)
• Wings of Mercy

Add Barbara to NamUs

• The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
• Example: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Issue a family statement to thank LE and search teams for their efforts as well as the community for their continued prayers. The family urges/begs/pleads for anyone with information to come forward; reiterates phone numbers to call, etc. Examples:

• ‘Find MacKenzie and bring her home’: Lueck family makes statement
• Shanann Watts’ father gives emotional speech at news conference
• Mom of missing North Carolina teen Hania Noelia Aguilar issues statement

Who is Barbara Thomas? A friend/family member/co-worker/neighbor/pastor gives an interview NOT to discuss the case, but to humanize Barbara. This may be especially important in Barbara’s case because there continues to be confusion on SM between Barbara’s case and Sheryl Powell. Examples:

• Family, friends share stories of who Jayme Closs is
• Family friend of missing Colorado mom pleads for help in desperate search

Release new photos or video of Barbara. “BARBARA THOMAS STILL MISSING – NEW PHOTOS!” A bit sensationalistic, but I have seen this prove fruitful in generating new tips. Examples:

• FBI Releases New Photos Of Hania Aguilar, Reward Increased To $20K For Tips
• New video shows Mollie Tibbetts the day before she disappeared

Hold a Community Vigil / Prayer Service. This can also be done online, organized by the Facebook page. Examples:

• Justice for Maleah: Group holds vigil at Oyster Creek Park for missing girl
• Small town of Braymer holds large vigil for two Wisconsin brothers, men they’ve never met

Announce a “Find Barbara Thomas” Facebook page and provide the link. Examples:

• Kelsey Berreth Missing: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com
• 69-year-old Betty Alexander Missing From Sullivan

Organize and announce a Flyer Distribution Event. Coordinate through the Facebook page and request the media to publicize it. Examples:

• Find MacKenzie Lueck
• Volunteers to hold search for missing Temple duo

Announce a Reward. Examples:

• Reward Offered For Information About Missing Mother, Prisma Reyes
• Reward offered for information regarding missing Heath man
• *Contact Crimestoppers and ask if there is currently an award available

Hire a private investigator. Alternatively, pitch the story to a reporter that they interview a private investigator about Barbara’s case. Examples:

• Private investigator opens up about effort to find Lucas Hernandez
• Private Investigator in Southern Colorado weighs in on Kelsey Berreth's disappearance
• Private investigator weighs in on month-old Andreen McDonald missing persons case
• Local PI’s: Best Private Investigators near 86429 - Thumbtack

Amazing post, Pommy! This post should be stickied in the forum as things family can do when a loved one goes missing.

ETA: Maybe it can go in the resource forum? Families of the Missing-Resources, helps, tips

MOO

 

[AnnesCuthberts]

Amazing post, Pommy! This post should be stickied in the forum as things family can do when a loved one goes missing.

MOO

Agreed!

 

[Didi777]

So good to know that law enforcement IS still working on this baffling case! Thanks for the update!

 

[Nikynoo]

Whoa Nellie! First, RT has not been named a POI or Suspect by LE. Will he be in the future? I have no idea. Until/if there is an update from LE, I am treating him as a Victim, and with the respect that comes with that.

Do I raise an eyebrow on various aspects of this case? Sure. That is the nature of a sleuthing forum. We pick stuff apart and analyze, and discuss. We even send in great leads from time to time and contribute to closures.

As far as the Victim off in a casino, as per the report of our VI, I will say that everyone reacts differently to stress. Maybe this is his form of distraction or therapy in a very stressful situation. Maybe he has supportive cronies there, who knows. Does it look good? No, of course not.
But as I said, until/if such time as LE announces he is a POI/Suspect, I am focusing solidly on his recollection of events.

Hope everyone has a good week ahead, and that we get some answers as to what happened to this lovely lady.

Amateur opinion and speculation

Plus, we don't even know if it is true. Who is the VI's source for this information?

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Just as a curiosity matter, I keep seeing RT referred to as a 'victim'. This is not, as far as I am aware, terminology we would appropriate in the UK. Is it American terminology in such cases, or just WS? BT would be a victim - unless she disappeared intentionally, which seems highly unlikely - but nothing has happened to RT, per se.

Not sure til this case I have seen the word used for a family member or other in such a way, so am a bit mystified! Help me out.

 

[Hair of the Dog]

investigators are all over this case. they have so many leads theyvjave not even followed up on the info i provided them.

to all of robbies family members, please stay vigilant and most importantly stay safe. praying no one else disappears surrounding this case.

if anyone here regulars the riverside casino, or the losers lounge, please keep an eye out for POI

Is that a spot that Rob and/or Barb visited on a regular basis before Barb went missing? IIRC that is one of the older hotel/casinos in Laughlin, is that where locals go to hang out?

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Where is this casino and Losers Lounge? Are they near where they live? Obviously a LOT going on behind the scenes.

 

[GordianKnot]

Just as a curiosity matter, I keep seeing RT referred to as a 'victim'. This is not, as far as I am aware, terminology we would appropriate in the UK. Is it American terminology in such cases, or just WS? BT would be a victim - unless she disappeared intentionally, which seems highly unlikely - but nothing has happened to RT, per se.

Not sure til this case I have seen the word used for a family member or other in such a way, so am a bit mystified! Help me out.

It's a WS thing.
WS considers family members to be victims unless/until they're named as suspects...which, as we all know, often happens in these cases.

I'm sure even Chris Watts was considered a victim here at one time.

Family members are given the benefit of the doubt here until LE gives the public good reason to doubt. Erring on the side of caution is a good thing.

Having said that, we all know the statistics.

A lot of times, my main man William of Occam has to just zip his lip, sit on his hands, and wait patiently for LE to make an announcement.

JMO.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

@GordianKnot thank you.

 

[kay74]

investigators are all over this case. they have so many leads theyvjave not even followed up on the info i provided them.

to all of robbies family members, please stay vigilant and most importantly stay safe. praying no one else disappears surrounding this case.

if anyone here regulars the riverside casino, or the losers lounge, please keep an eye out for POI

Whoa, this could be nothing: could be therapy to get his mind off the case or it could be something: he lost money gambling and she was angry. Were they regulars there before? How far is it from their home in Bullhead City?

 

[topockaz]

Where is this casino and Losers Lounge? Are they near where they live? Obviously a LOT going on behind the scenes.

The Loser Lounge is at the Riverside Casino. Its a couple of miles from where they live.

 

[artsy1]

@PommyMommy , what about Tomnod? Anyone familiar with them? Tomnod - Wikipedia
Tomnod

As I understand it, they take aerial photos of an area of concern and then post them online so the public can help scan areas looking for any relevant detail. Online searchers mark which areas show something of interest, which can then be investigated more closely.

ETA: Apparently Tomnod is in the process of switching to some new but similar searching methods. Posting this anyway in case it gives anyone better ideas.

If you look at their Facebook page, they have ceased operations as of August 2. I had thought of them, too.

 

[kay74]

He's being watched, we know that. He probably knows that too.

 

[topockaz]

The Loser Lounge is at the Riverside Casino. Its a couple of miles from where they live.

My daughter and niece work there.

 

[Nikynoo]

My daughter and niece work there.

is it a bar? Nightcub?