Considering this is normally one of the lowest crime areas in the city, I felt LE was being entirely appropriate. Not instilling panic, yet telling people to keep their doors locked.
What are they (LE) supposed to do with a crime such as this? (not being snarky, I think they're damned if they do and damned if they don't) While geographically spread out over several miles, these beach communities are a very tight group of people, a place where everybody knows everybody's business and everyone looks out for each other.
Knifings in the past have been thought to be weapons of opportunity or crimes of passion. They are not quick or clean or quiet, although I guess anyone who plans such a murder can pretty much expect to find a weapon in any kitchen. But why was this person in their house that night? Why were the H's murdered, while their son looked on and their daughter stayed in her room? No one has come up with a plausible reason or even how he managed to randomly be in their neighborhood. If it was in fact random.
This attack does not sound random to me. Random brings a weapon, not knowing where or when the attack will take place. Random is sloppy, leaving a trail like Hansel and Gretal's breadcrumbs. Random doesn't leave witnesses. There is nothing random here.
(Snipped for space by me)
Thanks Missmybaby. Don't worry, I didn't think you were being snarky! It's a valid question. I think that most people in the area are nervous and taking precautions, regardless of what LE says, but one lady may not have and now she is dead also.
My problem is that LE early on said the Husteds were targeted. If they did NOT have information to suggest that, some may have dropped their guard if they thought there wasn't a random killer on the loose. But, I don't know what LE knew or didn't at the time of the statement.
I'm still thinking it was random. A mentally disorganized killer who kills when the "opportunity" presents itself, or a regular old serial killer. It's just the feeling I get. Like I said early on, I could be wrong, but it's my intuition right now.
You mentioned that it would be hard to reach the home but the beach that backs up to the Husted's home is not gated, to my knowledge. You can reach pretty much any home from the beach, whether or not they are in a gated community, again, to my knowledge and from what I have observed of the So.Cal coast. There is a campground very close and there were reports about a guy being seen at that campground carrying a motorcycle helmet, although I'm sure lots of bikers camp there, so that, in and of itself, is not remarkable.
Let's see what further information comes out in the next couple of days. I hope there are no more murders. Even though I'm two hours from Ventura, I have been extra careful lately in keeping my doors locked, just in case. I vividly remember the Night Stalker (II) case. One of the murders was near my neighborhood. Maybe that's why I'm having the vibe I have with this case.
Either way, what a senseless tragedy and horrific crime. I can't imagine what the kids are going through. Especially the little boy.
