CA CA - Bob Harrod, 81, Orange County, 27 July 2009 - #14

[zwiebel]

Worse thing of all, imo, is the silence. The silence from Jem (son-in-law), AH, (grandson), and Bob's daughters, when it comes to appeals to find their father, and raise the profile of his case. That silence started within days, in some cases, and has never been broken.

 

[Cubby]

Well, it might just be that silence has now become the calm before the storm.
Next week, Bob's case air's on ID Disappeared!

 

[Seajay]

If they were all that happy that their Dad found a second love in his twilight years, they didn't carry that happiness very long. They should be treating their stepmother better, since she did nothing to them but love their father. She isn't even a threat in the will now since Bob disappeared before he could change that. Being nice costs them little to nothing.

 

[MaryNo]

Respectfully snipped by me.

I've wanted to meet her since this whole thing started. Elderly abuse never sits well with me. She has been through the wringer with this family, and outsiders who comment without knowing the story. I am so far beyond READY for this case to be solved, and Fontelle to have the peace she deserves.

I have a truckload of respect for Fontelle :rose: I can't understand why people continue to sling chit at her!

I can't wait to read about your meeting! I imagine her to be a pint-sized powerhouse :rose:

I met Mrs. Harrod and perhaps that makes me even more sensitive to allegations leveled at an elderly woman who lost her late in life chance at romance. I will post more one day about what I observed when I met her but recalling her steely resolve to find her husband and to get justice for him, in the face of being in a town far from anyone she knows, in a home in which she may not be very safe, surrounded by people who may have been involved in her husband's murder, who have tried to get her out and to stop her from being the lone voice in his family, crying for answers, well, it absolutely sickens me that anyone could even hint at something evil to do with her.

She is an older lady who should be enjoying a whirlwind chance of a lifetime romance, not sitting in a scary, empty, stripped home, resolutely seeking justice for the man she loved.

 

[Montjoy]

I have a truckload of respect for Fontelle :rose: I can't understand why people continue to sling chit at her!

I can't wait to read about your meeting! I imagine her to be a pint-sized powerhouse

Unfortunately, I've never met her. But everything I've seen or read about her commands profound respect. We're talking about a humble and formidable person who deserves better, particularly in light of the aspersions cast against her. And it does my heart good to see so many posters who recognize these qualities -- this community of caring people likely helps many of us sleep better at night (if and when we do).

 

[zwiebel]

Talking of people not sleeping much has given me an idea.

Would it be possible does anyone think, or a good idea, to ask the scanners if they can scan Bob's programme on the night?

I'm just thinking they are the only ones who could possibly keep up and post updates as the show airs. This thread might be quiet when the show's on, and it would be really good for those of us who cannot watch on the night to be able to pop down there and grab some pointers for discussion up here.

I don't know, what does anyone think? Patience isn't my strong point so the idea of sitting here waiting to see what the programme says is getting to me a 'little bit'.

 

[zwiebel]

Slightly off-topic but we have been talking about Texas and I really wanted Oriah to know;

The Texans are taking over SAR operations in England, and are probably putting Prince William out of a job!

It has certainly caused a bit of a kerfuffle over there, but I guess if you want people able to face up to pressure and criticism, with stoicism and determination, Texas is probably the place to find them.

Or Missouri.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/26/uk-search-and-rescue-bristow

 

[tamild]

I've seen Disappeared before. Several times, in fact, but I was never familiar with any of the cases they covered beforehand. Does anyone know how accurate they are?

 

[zwiebel]

The producers seem to get a lot of access to the cases they cover, as well as interviews with people concerned (when they are willing, of course). I would think ID TV's expertise in this arena would prevent them making too many massive mistakes, although of course they can't legislate for people who are interviewed, and choose to lie.

I suppose running interviews with people who may have been less than truthful can be very enlightening though. As can the notable absence of any people very close to a case, I would have thought.

Are you going to be able to watch on the night, tamild? I can't get it here, but I'm hoping to order the episode from Amazon the next day.

 

[zwiebel]

Just had a thought - has anyone let dreamweaver know we have a date for the show?

 

[zwiebel]

Answering myself, yes, they have. I did.

Someone else asked for a reminder too. I can't recall who though.

 

[Cubby]

For me this case hinges on the heated family meeting regarding the money and Bob's disappearance the next day.

I remember people asking me what made me so sure Casey Anthony was guilty and I would say "31 days." Sometimes it is just that simple, imo.

It isnt a coincidence, you know. Bob disappeared the day after a brawl over his money and before he could follow through on his own wishes to add Mrs Harrod to his accounts. His last known alive was reported by a family member. His family has vigorously pursued his money, but not so much his person. And then there is that very strange reward offered years after the fact rather than right a way....IIRC the first excuse offered for the run on the trusts was so that money could be freed up for a reward.

uh huh.

Using this post as a spring board. In addition to the timing between the heated family meeting and Bob's disappearance, daughter JuM posted on her community forum that foul play was suspected the day following his disappearance, when according to Det. Loomis police were still thinking Bob had just gone off to cool off and were hopeful he'd be home Wednesday.

JuM announced foul play before LE did. That right there leaves me with no doubt JuM knows more than she has shared with police.

 

[zwiebel]

But in her TV interview the morning after Bob went missing, the reporter says JuM thinks her Father might have dementia, so implying he might have wandered off.

This is really confusing. I wonder how long apart the posting and the TV interview were, and which came first? Surely the dementia/wandered off and the foul play theory are in direct opposition to each other? What could have caused JuM to come up with either of those theories?

JuM's hubby, last known person to have seen Bob - also seems to have done this too. He's reported to have said he thought Bob had:
become ill
gone to see a neighbour
possibly been the victim of someone driving a suspicious car

I think it is reasonable to assume that, despite their different theories, both JuM and her husband JeM, had a fair idea that something bad might have happened to Bob. Yet neither bothered to report him missing or search for him that day and night.

Why not?

 

[zwiebel]

OT - Guilty. Stephen Seddons, sole beneficiary of his parents' will (not anymore) and a very cruel man, has just lost all the money he hoped to gain, and his freedom.

I have been waiting quietly for that verdict for a while now. Hope you don't mind me sharing.

http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/art...conman-stephen-seddon-facing-life-in-jail-for

ETA So chilling. He took 3 bullets with him that day, but the disabled nephew Grandparents cared for was in respite care that day.

 

[tamild]

The producers seem to get a lot of access to the cases they cover, as well as interviews with people concerned (when they are willing, of course). I would think ID TV's expertise in this arena would prevent them making too many massive mistakes, although of course they can't legislate for people who are interviewed, and choose to lie.

I suppose running interviews with people who may have been less than truthful can be very enlightening though. As can the notable absence of any people very close to a case, I would have thought.

Are you going to be able to watch on the night, tamild? I can't get it here, but I'm hoping to order the episode from Amazon the next day.

I have my DVR set to record it. I WANT to watch it as it airs, but what I want has very little to do with what actually happens. I swear, my friends/family have built-in radar that goes off whenever I sit in front of the TV. I honestly can't remember the last time I was able to watch TV in real time!

 

[tamild]

I hate asking this stuff, because I'm sure you all have covered it already. If I get too annoying, by all means, let me know!

I was looking at the "Poison Pen" letter.
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8058947&postcount=752

Needless to say, his phone call has been the primary cause of a sizeable rift amongst the sisters ever since January.

Huh? Does this mean that the sisters were fighting amongst themselves? Also, it goes on to say that Paula took the blame because she was trying to give him a heads-up. Who is "him?" Bob or JeM?

BTW-where were the sisters during the suspected time of Bob's disappearance?

TIA!

 

[zwiebel]

ETA
In ref to tamild's post about Disappeared.

I know that feeling. There is one radio programme I listen to every night, at the same time. I have done for years. Yet it seems the only time Mr Z doesn't interrupt me in the middle of it is when he's distracted by football, or cricket, on the TV.

I think most of our posters here are going to be able to see it, anyway, so all the info will quickly get posted, I'm sure. We're bound to get a lot of guests when the show airs, and hopefully quite a few of them will be interested enough to join Bob's thread, and tell us (me!) all about it.

I am trying to be calm and optimistic here, because i'm sure I'm going to burst a blood vessel on the night, waiting for people to let me know if the narration's back in, etc, etc.

 

[zwiebel]

I hate asking this stuff, because I'm sure you all have covered it already. If I get too annoying, by all means, let me know!

I was looking at the "Poison Pen" letter.
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8058947&postcount=752


Huh? Does this mean that the sisters were fighting amongst themselves? Also, it goes on to say that Paula took the blame because she was trying to give him a heads-up. Who is "him?" Bob or JeM?

BTW-where were the sisters during the suspected time of Bob's disappearance?

TIA!

It does seem to imply Bob had caused a fight amongst the daughters. I wouldn't be surprised if they did squabble, as I get the impression they all have tempers.

The 'him' refers to Bob. What the 'heads-up' means, heaven only knows. A warning Bob would face consequences if he didn't satisfy their demands? A warning someone was becoming very angry with him?

Grandson complained of the two eldest daughters stopping work after Bob disappeared and they became co-conservators of the estate. So I am presuming at least two of them were at work, as it was Monday. I believe youngest daughter did - or does - work too. I haven't seen any references to where they were or what they were doing that day though. Except for eldest daughter's 11-12 call to Bob.

As for grandson who lived a block or two away, if you're wondering - I haven't the foggiest.

 

[tamild]

It does seem to imply Bob had caused a fight amongst the daughters. I wouldn't be surprised if they did squabble, as I get the impression they all have tempers.

The 'him' refers to Bob. What the 'heads-up' means, heaven only knows. A warning Bob would face consequences if he didn't satisfy their demands? A warning someone was becoming very angry with him?

Grandson complained of the two eldest daughters stopping work after Bob disappeared and they became co-conservators of the estate. So I am presuming at least two of them were at work, as it was Monday. I believe youngest daughter did - or does - work too. I haven't seen any references to where they were or what they were doing that day though. Except for eldest daughter's 11-12 call to Bob.

As for grandson who lived a block or two away, if you're wondering - I haven't the foggiest.

Trying to wrap my brain around it all...
In January, RB decided to coordinate an effort to draft a letter that was to represent the interests of all three sisters. PB tells Bob about it, and Bob picks up the phone and flips out on JeM. Everyone is angry at PB for giving Bob a heads-up.

I wonder if this event had anything to do with Bob passing out 15k each and telling them to leave him alone.

 

[Cubby]

I hate asking this stuff, because I'm sure you all have covered it already. If I get too annoying, by all means, let me know!

I was looking at the "Poison Pen" letter.
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8058947&postcount=752


Huh? Does this mean that the sisters were fighting amongst themselves? Also, it goes on to say that Paula took the blame because she was trying to give him a heads-up. Who is "him?" Bob or JeM?

BTW-where were the sisters during the suspected time of Bob's disappearance?

TIA!

I think we have to tie some pieces together here. I don't know if you read the summary of the Disappeared show that aired in Australia, but in it the oldest daughter Paula mentions discovering Bob was gifting money to the hairdresser while doing/filing his 2008 taxes.

Daughter JuM posted about Bob pushing them away around Christmas, his not acknowledging his grandson or great grandchildren and we know from CA Exile that Bob had given each of his daughters 15K and asked them to leave him alone for 6 mo's.

All three of the above events happened at about the same time. I believe at this same time a call was made to Adult/senior protective services which was closed based on Bob dismissing them and his being of sound mind.

I suspect Paula giving Bob a heads up had to due with Roberta's "earlier January attempt" to coordinate a demand letter after discovering the gifts to BL. The letter itself explains Roberta's efforts, in her own words.

As a beneficiary, I am trying to obtain copies of all documents related to the estate, living trust, will, bypass trust and reports concerning the bypass trust of our mother, Georgia M. Harrod.

My earlier January attempt to coordinate preperation of a letter requesting these documents on behalf of all three sisters in agreement, resulted in our father contacting my brother-in-law and launching into a lengthy and totally uncalled for angry tirade! Needless to say, his phone call has been the primary cause of a sizeable rift amongst the sisters ever since January.

I understood this to mean Paula contacted Bob to give him the heads up on the demand letter Roberta was preparing on behalf of the sisters 'in agreement' at which time Bob placed an angry call to Jeff probably telling him to keep his wife out of Bob's business.

Bob's daughters have always stated these actions were on behalf of Bob's best interest, but clearly they were unwelcome actions based on Bob's response.

And this brings me back to Det. Radomski stating he believes that answers to Bob's disappearance lay in the battle over the estate. We know from Roberta's own words above this battle began in December of 2008 or January of 2009.

January of 2009 was certainly a pivot point in this battle over the estate. A lot happened that month.