CA CA - Bob Harrod, 81, Orange County, 27 July 2009 - #18

[zwiebel]

It is really odd about Cathy's case.

If I look through 182 pages of the OC DA's case records, I might find a next hearing date amongst them.

ETA: And she doesn't have a thread here.

 

[SweetT]

I think we do. Or, I think I know who daughter was suggesting was abusing him. I think she deliberately did not name this person for fear of the legal consequences.

I haven't seen any documents/reports around from SS, confirming they found Bob was abused though, and Bob didn't seem to agree he was abused. I believe the 'abuse' in this context refers strictly to Bob giving away relatively small (in terms of his total fortune) amounts of his own money away to a woman and her family that he and his first wife had known for years.

Frankly, I wish he'd given her every cent he had. I think he would still be alive now if he'd done so. And I think Fontelle would still be his wife, but she'd have a husband by her side, rather than a missing one.

OK so no confirmation that he was abused by anyone even though I admit that person is still suspect in my eyes..
Is it possible that when the housekeeper sent son in law into home and he was upstairs a bit long that he was possibly staging and arranging things? Possibly he could have unmade the bed so it appeared Mr Harrod had slept there not knowing that Mr Harrod always made the bed.. I think he did not expect her to come when she did.. Mr Harrod would not leave without his glasses and why were they downstairs on the kitchen table? Why would he have taken them off downstairs? At night I lay mine by my bed.. Once I get up they're on all day long.. That would imply someone else put them on the table I would hope they did DNA testing on them?

 

[travelbug]

OK so no confirmation that he was abused by anyone even though I admit that person is still suspect in my eyes..
Is it possible that when the housekeeper sent son in law into home and he was upstairs a bit long that he was possibly staging and arranging things? Possibly he could have unmade the bed so it appeared Mr Harrod had slept there not knowing that Mr Harrod always made the bed.. I think he did not expect her to come when she did.. Mr Harrod would not leave without his glasses and why were they downstairs on the kitchen table? Why would he have taken them off downstairs? At night I lay mine by my bed.. Once I get up they're on all day long.. That would imply someone else put them on the table I would hope they did DNA testing on them?

I really like it when we have fresh eyes looking at this case. You have made excellent points regarding the bed and the glasses. The events following the family meeting until the arrival of Agnes, the next day, hold the answers to this case. We do, however, know that Fontelle spoke to Bob by phone after the meeting and LE has confirmed a conversation between Bob and an unknown person on the morning of his disappearance. The only information we have regarding the period of time following that conversation comes from family members and may not be reliable.

 

[zwiebel]

There was confusion over the glasses too. Bob's children said they didn't know 'how many pair he had' and so didn't know if he had taken them or not. Although the very first media reports when I think only youngest daughter JuM had spoken to media, had said Bob's glasses were missing, I think.

I'll have to go back and check that though.

I know it has never been confirmed how many pairs of glasses were left in the house, but one pair has been pictured sitting on Bob's kitchen table after he disappeared, beside some mail.

 

[zwiebel]

Downed power lines and high winds have led to a fire in Placentia. There's a red flag alert today. I hope it doesn't get as bad there as it is in other parts of the country - I am so saddened at the mounting death toll from tornadoes.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/tuesday-611786-winds-weather.html

 

[zwiebel]

OK so no confirmation that he was abused by anyone even though I admit that person is still suspect in my eyes..
Is it possible that when the housekeeper sent son in law into home and he was upstairs a bit long that he was possibly staging and arranging things? Possibly he could have unmade the bed so it appeared Mr Harrod had slept there not knowing that Mr Harrod always made the bed.. I think he did not expect her to come when she did.. Mr Harrod would not leave without his glasses and why were they downstairs on the kitchen table? Why would he have taken them off downstairs? At night I lay mine by my bed.. Once I get up they're on all day long.. That would imply someone else put them on the table I would hope they did DNA testing on them?

Friday 31st July (Bob disappeared Monday), Det. Loomis was still saying, "Harrod's car and glasses are at the house.'

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/31/local/me-missing-groom31

So it was sometime after Friday, I guess, that suggestions began that he might have taken a pair with him.

I think Friday was the day son in law was first interviewed, coincidentally?

 

[travelbug]

Downed power lines and high winds have led to a fire in Placentia. There's a red flag alert today. I hope it doesn't get as bad there as it is in other parts of the country - I am so saddened at the mounting death toll from tornadoes.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/tuesday-611786-winds-weather.html

Yep, our power has been down for a couple of hours. Actually, compared to what other parts of the country are experiencing we are fortunate. Our weather is pleasant even without power. My relatives in the midwest and east have been dealing with freezing conditions, flooding and tornadoes. Our primary concern is fire damage related to the Santa Ana winds. The smallest spark can result in the loss of lives and property. You are so kind and considerate Zweibel, thank you for thinking of others.

 

[zwiebel]

Thank you for posting an update - I've been so worried about Placentia!

 

[zwiebel]

It's surprising the number of homes in the midwest that don't have storm shelters or basements - I wish there could be a national move to have people install something like the low cost Anderson air raid shelters of WW2.... though I'm not sure they were ever used in the US?

Here is some info and pics. After the war, most people dug them up again and used them as garden sheds. Including my grandpa. Waste not, want not.

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/war/shelters.htm

 

[travelbug]

It's surprising the number of homes in the midwest that don't have storm shelters or basements - I wish there could be a national move to have people install something like the low cost Anderson air raid shelters of WW2.... though I'm not sure they were ever used in the US?

Here is some info and pics. After the war, most people dug them up again and used them as garden sheds. Including my grandpa. Waste not, want not.

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/war/shelters.htm

I remember the shelters (I'm old)... My father built one at our home during the early 1940's. In rural areas a lot of people also had "root or storm cellars", they were small spaces, of similar size to the shelters, dug underground and used to store home canned provisions, potatoes, "root" vegetables, etc. They also proved useful for tornado and storm protection. One of the problems throughout much of the area known as "tornado alley" is the proliferation of modular and/or mobile homes. I don't recall seeing anything similar during my trips to the U.K. They are designed like a trailer (you may think of them as a caravan), but they are house sized and stay in one place. They provide a lovely and affordable place for a family to live, but they are not attached to the ground in the same manner as a house and often have metal or lightweight wood walls. During storms, hurricanes and tornadoes, they are easily blown down and/or lifted and then dropped by the wind. Frequently, a large number of them will comprise a community and the entire area will be destroyed. Here in CA they fare quite well in nearly any area because our weather is more predictable, but in storm prone regions they can be problematic.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014...ace-for-strong-thunderstorms.html?sp=/99/164/

 

[zwiebel]

There are much smaller versions of those mobile homes in England, but they've had a lot of bad publicity over the years because of the way a few disreputable park owners have operated the leases. Many of the victims of malpractice have been elderly.

That set me thinking if Bob had ever witnessed a tornado in MO, and if the calmer weather of OC was one of its attractions for him.

I think he might well have done, as Missouri accounts for 6 of the worst tornadoes in US history. They were all before Bob was born though, except the last which was in 2011. I suppose there were many less serious ones though, as he was growing up there.

http://stormaware.mo.gov/tornado-facts-history/

Bob was so lucky in a way - avoiding serious illness or injury for 81 years, including during the Korean war. It just makes it doubly outrageous somehow, that harm befell him in the quiet confines of a suburban home in Placentia. It should never have happened and whoever did it just must have left some clues and evidence. I just hope it's not too late for investigators to find them.

A determined prosecutor will be a help too, of course.

Which reminds me - the Seal Beach killer (according to his lawyer's latest statement) is going to plead guilty tomorrow, without OC prosecutors agreeing to drop the death penalty option.

 

[zwiebel]

BBM

OK so no confirmation that he was abused by anyone even though I admit that person is still suspect in my eyes..
Is it possible that when the housekeeper sent son in law into home and he was upstairs a bit long that he was possibly staging and arranging things? Possibly he could have unmade the bed so it appeared Mr Harrod had slept there not knowing that Mr Harrod always made the bed.. I think he did not expect her to come when she did.. Mr Harrod would not leave without his glasses and why were they downstairs on the kitchen table? Why would he have taken them off downstairs? At night I lay mine by my bed.. Once I get up they're on all day long.. That would imply someone else put them on the table I would hope they did DNA testing on them?

I wanted to say, I think DNA would be hugely problematic in Bob's case; in any context except on a murder weapon or binding found on his body. Police think he was probably murdered by someone in his close circle, and it appears everyone in his close circle had probably been to his house. So I think any person's DNA found there would be very weak evidence of a crime?

There was at least one full, forensic search of Bob's house but it took place sometime after his disappearance. no details have been released of what evidence - if any - it revealed.

 

[zwiebel]

Not sure how it's come about, but Dekraai, the Seal Beach Salon killer of 8, has entered a guilty plea - without the DA's Office budging in their determination not to take the death penalty off the table.

http://ktla.com/2014/05/02/accused-seal-beach-salon-shooter-expected-to-plead-guilty/#axzz30aIuvEyT

I'm not deluded and have seen the criticism of the OC DA's office flying about, but as far as Bob's case is concerned, I am reassured by the determination demonstrated there. If investigators can only find enough evidence, I'm convinced the current DA will back a prosecution to the hilt.

 

[Simply Caustic]

Do you think that the person(s) responsible for Mr. Harris's disappearance will be charged for their role in this case?
I always wonder what the general consensus is, among those most involved with the case here on WS.
Hiya Zwiebel! What are your thoughts?
Although I WANT criminal charges to be brought upon the guilty party or parties...I just don't feel confident that it's imminent.

Simply Caustic

Via Kindle, like a true Amazon junkie

 

[zwiebel]

It seems so unlikely, doesn't it? But then almost every one of the recent cold cases brought to trial recently in OC, seemed like they'd never be solved.

I just have the strongest feeling Bob's case will be resolved one day. It will certainly be interesting to see who finally faces charges, and I shall certainly follow any trial - along with people from across the US and all corners of the globe, I suspect.

 

[zwiebel]

An update on the body found in Gorman was expected by now, because the dentals were expected to take a couple of weeks. I can't find anything though.

I wonder if it is just a backlog, identity still hasn't been established....or if the victim's identity is being withheld for investigative reasons?

 

[zwiebel]

Thinking of cold cases - one of the killers of 90 year-old Josephine Kelley of San Bernardino was due for sentencing May 2nd, but I can't find anything about that, either. I'll keep looking. That murder happened back in 2005.

San Bernardino DA's office have posted about some other cold cases they are asking for help with too.

http://www.sbcountyda.org/ServicesInformation/ProsecutingCriminals/ColdCaseUnit/WeNeedYourHelp.aspx

 

[zwiebel]

The one good thing about cold cases is investigation techniques often catch up with the crime. Just looking at those SB cold cases - I bet the suspect wanted for the 1989 killing of Esperanza Poindexter never dreamed that one day a cctv picture of him could be shared, copied and viewed again and again by hundreds of thousands of social media users across the US.

I think someone's likely to recognize him soon, despite the time that's passed.

* The SB DA's Office seem to be improving its website every week - OC's going to have to race to keep up!

 

[zwiebel]

Do you think that the person(s) responsible for Mr. Harris's disappearance will be charged for their role in this case?
I always wonder what the general consensus is, among those most involved with the case here on WS.
Hiya Zwiebel! What are your thoughts?
Although I WANT criminal charges to be brought upon the guilty party or parties...I just don't feel confident that it's imminent.

Simply Caustic

Via Kindle, like a true Amazon junkie

I like your avatar.

 

[zwiebel]

Whenever I think California cases couldn't get any stranger, something else crops up. Just look at what's been going on in Humboldt County today.

http://lostcoastoutpost.com/2014/may/4/homicide-suspect-ben-carter-gives-his-side/