CA CA - Skip, 55, & Joni Tillman, 51, La Canada, 7 Feb 2000

  • #221
Found a newspaper advertisement in the Kentucky Advocate July 1 1984 for a Company selling investment CDs (can't link as paid site)
The co is E.F. Hutton it list a Skip Tillman as the contact and Assistant Vice President
Wikipedia has a long interesting article about the company
More at link

Check kiting scandal
In 1980, several Hutton branches began writing checks greater than what they had on hand at one bank, then making a deposit in another bank equal to the amount it wrote at the first bank. This strategy, known as "chaining", is a form of check kiting. "Chaining" gave Hutton the use of money in both accounts until the checks cleared. In effect, Hutton was giving itself a free loan that also did not carry any interest. Thomas Morley, who was in charge of getting the firm to better manage its cash, wrote a memo to Hutton's president, George Ball, saying that this practice netted one branch an extra $30,000 per month. Ball sent the memo out across Hutton's network of regional sales managers, with the note, "A point well remembered—and acted on."[4] Over the years, Hutton shuffled money in this manner between 400 banks (mostly small rural banks), gaining the use of an estimated $250 million a day without paying a penny in interest. Whenever something was amiss, Hutton questioned the bank's procedures.[5]

The scheme worked for almost three years until officials at the Genesee County Bank in Batavia, New York, discovered that the large deposits made by Hutton's four-person office there were far more than the office's banking requirements. They also discovered that the checks Hutton was using to make the deposits were drawn on two Pennsylvania banks. When Genesee officials learned that Hutton did not have enough money in the Pennsylvania bank accounts to cover the checks, they stopped honoring Hutton checks. One of the banks involved, United Penn Bank (now part of Citizens Financial Group), asked the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to investigate. In 1984, the matter was forwarded to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, who opened a federal criminal probe.

Thought I'd post now and will try to delve deeper to see if I can confirm the connection.
 
  • #222
Found a newspaper advertisement in the Kentucky Advocate July 1 1984 for a Company selling investment CDs (can't link as paid site)
The co is E.F. Hutton it list a Skip Tillman as the contact and Assistant Vice President
Wikipedia has a long interesting article about the company
More at link

RSBM

I think this is different Skip Tillman (an investment broker currently living in Kentucky).

http://brokercheck.finra.org/Individual/Summary/446992
 
  • #223
  • #224
Thankyou, I know the Kentucky angle didn't fit but was worth looking into.

BBM Absolutely! We don't know who nor what might be connected until we look.
 
  • #225
Thank you i will forward this on. Thank you, I thought the well had truly run dry. For most purposes that would be great. As to catching someone it would leave us at a dead end.

Found a newspaper advertisement in the Kentucky Advocate July 1 1984 for a Company selling investment CDs (can't link as paid site)
The co is E.F. Hutton it list a Skip Tillman as the contact and Assistant Vice President
Wikipedia has a long interesting article about the company
More at link

Check kiting scandal
In 1980, several Hutton branches began writing checks greater than what they had on hand at one bank, then making a deposit in another bank equal to the amount it wrote at the first bank. This strategy, known as "chaining", is a form of check kiting. "Chaining" gave Hutton the use of money in both accounts until the checks cleared. In effect, Hutton was giving itself a free loan that also did not carry any interest. Thomas Morley, who was in charge of getting the firm to better manage its cash, wrote a memo to Hutton's president, George Ball, saying that this practice netted one branch an extra $30,000 per month. Ball sent the memo out across Hutton's network of regional sales managers, with the note, "A point well remembered—and acted on."[4] Over the years, Hutton shuffled money in this manner between 400 banks (mostly small rural banks), gaining the use of an estimated $250 million a day without paying a penny in interest. Whenever something was amiss, Hutton questioned the bank's procedures.[5]

The scheme worked for almost three years until officials at the Genesee County Bank in Batavia, New York, discovered that the large deposits made by Hutton's four-person office there were far more than the office's banking requirements. They also discovered that the checks Hutton was using to make the deposits were drawn on two Pennsylvania banks. When Genesee officials learned that Hutton did not have enough money in the Pennsylvania bank accounts to cover the checks, they stopped honoring Hutton checks. One of the banks involved, United Penn Bank (now part of Citizens Financial Group), asked the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to investigate. In 1984, the matter was forwarded to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, who opened a federal criminal probe.

Thought I'd post now and will try to delve deeper to see if I can confirm the connection.
 
  • #226
Thank you i will forward this on. Thank you, I thought the well had truly run dry. For most purposes that would be great. As to catching someone it would leave us at a dead end.

tamijt4, thanks to fred&edna looking into this - it isnt a lead, sorry
 
  • #227
:bump: ing up - found a few items to add to the timeline - don't know if tamijt4 is still around....

Tillman Timeline as of January 24, 2017

February 6, 2000, Sunday were reported missing by a friend who last saw them in Pasadena on Feb. 6th, according to Sgt. Mike Lenihan of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. From http://articles.latimes.com/2000/feb/19/local/me-430 “The Tillmans returned home from dinner with friends Sunday, Feb. 6, shortly after 9p.m. Joan Tillman put her husband's clothes in the wash, and she changed in to a robe. She was still wearing the robe when her body was discovered, and detectives found her husband's dinner clothes in the dryer, said Karol Eller, a friend from Simi Valley. Detectives also found the sliding glass door unlocked, something the organized Joan Tillman would not allow, Duerrstein said.”

February 7, 2000, Monday
Tillmans’ appointments are missed and calls go unanswered. A man walking his dogs along a wash in the remote area Feb. 7 discovered a dead dog. He called the number on the dog's collar and, after learning Teddy belonged to the Tillmans, who had not been home in days, he alerted deputies at the Yucaipa sheriff's station. Homicide detectives found the makeshift grave near the dead dog and exhumed the bodies. Bodiesf ound in a wash in one shallow grave at Fifth Street and Oak Glen Blvd in Yucaipa on Feb. 9[SUP]th[/SUP]. Per tamijt4, daughter of Skip, only the collar was found per post #24. See post for further info.


February 8, 2000, Tuesday Friends are worried and call police. A deputy went to the scene Tuesday but found no sign of foul play and nothing apparently missing. Newspapers were in the driveway, their Jaguar was in the garage, and their 2000 Dodge Durango and dog were gone. Eller said he assumed they had gone on a trip. From LATimes article above on Feb. 6[SUP]th[/SUP].

February 9, 2000, Wednesday “Authorities identified two bodies found near Yucaipa on Feb. 9 as Harold `Skip'' Tillman (an Accountant), 55, and his wife, Joan “Joni”, (homemaker), 51, both of La Canada Flintridge on Bramblewood Road, a spokesman said. The Tillmans recently had moved to the neighborhood from Glendale (October, 1999), where they had lived for 12 to 15 years. From link on Feb. 6[SUP]th[/SUP].
Also “The following day, Eller and one of the Tillmans' Sunday night dinner companions decided to go into the house. As the deputy had said, the house looked undisturbed. But Eller noticed the bed covers had been turned down as if the couple had been preparing to go to bed. Sliding door unlocked. Eller listened to their phone messages and heard the call from the man who had found the dog (actually dog collar?). Eller called him and explained the situation.” Also found in the grave a sheet matching the Tillmans’ bed sheet, also green paper towels and a green hand towel that matched items in the home. Investigators at the crime scene near the dog’s body found blood in the roadway and than located the graves. Cause of death is strangulation. Skip was possible stabbed in neck.

February 11, 2000, Friday On Feb. 11, the Tillmans' new silver Dodge Durango was found in Van Nuys, parked near Community Street and Haskell Avenue. “We would like to talk to anyone who saw this vehicle between Sunday night, Feb. 6, and the time it was found on Friday, Feb. 11,'' Lenihan said. (Link for Feb. 6 thru Feb. 11 notations: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/NEIGHBORS+STUNNED+BY+KILLINGS.-a083421496)

March 10, 2000 Half-brother of Joan Tillman cleared in slayings. “The mysterious killings probably were not the result of a random home invasion. Investigators have lifted fingerprints from the Tillmans’ Dodge Durango,which was found abandoned in Van Nuys. But that hasn’t given police any leads so far.” From http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2000-03-10/news/export50011_1_investigators-detectives-half-brother

September, 2008 A cold case squad is reinvestigated cold case from 2000. The only lead is from a caller that saw two men in the wash a few days before bodies were discovered. White male, late 30s, early30s, long brown or black hair wearing a baseball cap. No description on second man. Driving a green Ford Bronco. Link: http://abc7.com/archive/6398238/

February, 2012 New Leads Found in old Murder
http://www.latimes.com/tn-vsl-0201-new-leads-found-in-la-canada-murder-story.html
A dozen years after La Cañada residents Harold “Skip” Tillman and his wife, Joni, were found buried in remote graves, investigators say they have new developments regarding the murders, but are staying tight-lipped about any details. “There are some things that we’re working on, but it’s not anything I can divulge right now,” said Det. Ryan Ford of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Homicide Division. “It’s definitely a case that we have open and we’re actively seeking out additional leads and information.” [….] The murder stumped homicide investigators until 2008, when the cold case division took over the investigation. Four years later ,the case is moving forward again, according to Ford. For Lt. Rick Ells, who was one of the four detectives who worked the case when it reopened in 2008, the murder investigation was one tha tstarted in a promising fashion but quickly ran out of steam. [….]Ells said that the case was a tricky one for San Bernardino Sheriff’s detectives to handle because of the tenuous connection between where the Tillmans lived and where they were buried. “The thing that’s difficult about that case, there’s really no nexus to our county,” he said. “The victims weren’t from here, and I don’t think the perpetrators were from here.”

August, 2015 – new detective/investigator on the case, per tamijt post #134.

November, 2015 Post #210 by tamijt:
Finally back on after PC crash, then browser wouldn't allow me to respond here. I have sent out various questions and waiting for reply's to post. Requested an LA Assessors office search for properties in my dad (skip) or his lawyer(kaye)'s name and was turned down. I will have to go in person or pay a bond for that information and can't afford o start doing that without some confidence there is something to be found. One good friend that was not close with his "new friends" (totske) has died, his lawyer (kaye) and who knows who else. New information that opens up many more thoughts is the knowledge that Skip had threatened or attempted suicide. After watching too much crime TV this gave me the thought that maybe my dad had attempted to have himself "taken out" and it went horribly wrong. Or attempted to have it look like they were kidnapped or left the country. A wild thought, but anything is truly possible. I thought I read something about someone using their credit cards but can't seem to find that. As I type this I am back to being stuck and frustrated. Without answers from police and the ability to go to LA my options are narrowing again.
[….]
I had one response from emails sent to the people mentioned in one news article about the story being on their psychic show. He said it was the production company who pulled the plug and nothing went further. They had no say in the matter, network decisions to go another direction, no further info available.


December,2015 Post #215 by tamijt:
I just sent an email to SB LE asking if they had considered anyone else. Also stated that I was not thrilled to have believed there was only one suspect (Hayes clothing designer). I sent the various leads I have had help finding here. They answered about a year ago saying new LE on cold case. He said he would answer my questions after looking at the case. That was with regard to their personal effects. 6 months later they replied with the same email answer. Literally replied by copying his first email and sending it back. I have stated I was concerned they don't want this solved and asked why they wouldn't let psychics any further access and why they refuse to contact the shows on Crime TV, no response.

I was told they had planned to move out of state (there is a quote somewhere on here about his new CPA license in another state) and they found the house so the move was delayed I suppose. I get the feeling there was a lot of back and forth on moving as things transpired or were resolved. Pending court cases etc.

I sent emails to all of the names mentioned in your quoted article except 1 female. I only received one response on

11/2/2015 Hi Tami -
I’m afraid I don’t have any helpful news for you.
I was part of a production company that was shooting a pilot for potential tv series and the Tilman case was one of the cases that were focused on.
The pilot wasn’t picked up and no further work was initiated for the production or the investigation.
I’m sorry I don’t have more information for you.
I wish you luck in your search and my prayers are with you.

James H(affner)

[….]
I finally just unleashed a half crazy, way too long email to the current detective assigned to the cold case. I received n email back asking for my phone number. I was afraid he was going to have me committed or tell me they were just done, or done talking to me. He finally called and was rather pleasant. Explained that inviting a cold case show into the case would basically leave them with all of their "cards on thetable". So no matter what else they have, they have the details of that night, what they were killed with, etc. I had not spoken to a detective in years in person, so a phone call was nice. He seemed to get my "instincts" like feverishly calling that fateful night and not even really knowing why I was so upset or frantic until after the fact.


February, 2016 found a Redditt thread about the case:
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/44govg/abductionmurder_in_ca_2000_skip_and_joni_tillman/

:dunno:
 
  • #228
I am still here! Thank you for being here too. Nothing new has transpired. back to LE not returning calls or emails nothing new to find or report. I lost my mother in may and her side of the family, or what is left has decided to make that worse than I could have imagined. Cancer, Leukemia and basically heart failure from the onslaught of chemo. We had began a bit of trail through history about my dad which I will describe more later just for stories sake. So that thought process ended with her. A friend of a friend of Joni's (his wife) (very short version) ran into a friend who is "psychic" who stated "she spoke to Skip and Joni and they are fine and very sorry for what they put people through", there was an apology to me I guess, and then they were said to have stated "whoever did this to us will never be caught, just know we are sorry, and move on with your life's and be happy". I had hoped someone could just ask them who did it? through such a resources but not so far. More soon and thanks for looking in and not giving up. I haven't, yet.
 
  • #229
Thank you again for the great timeline and all of the work and effort here. In short, recently, a friend of a friend (keeping short and can expand on later) ran into a friend who is known to be able to contact people who have passed, she had revealed that she Skip had spoken to her (and possibly Joni will have to read again)and said they should just move on with their lives, that he was sorry, and that the killers would never be brought to justice. I was immediately taken back as I was told he apologized to me and to everyone for the mess. That they were together and fine.

I am still in contact with one of the psychics from the "america's psychic challenge" (think I have that correct) who I contacted years ago and was the first person to talk to me about the case when no one else would. Turns out she is rather "famous" and I, despite constant desire to probe for more answers, am respectful of her and her livelihood, so I will most likely be paying her for her services to see if I can find any more answers. I believe in such abilities and such instincts are what led to me calling my dad's house the evening of the murder and leaving so many messages I became suspect for a time.

Anyway, nothing more from me. Dealing with my mother passing and my family keeping me from being there and now stealing everything she left. Surviving through almost losing my right leg and on the mend. Life doesn't just stop the way I would like it to so things can get done.

My resources are improving so I will try to get to CA soon. Have researching some property records and then who knows what after a visit to the Sheriff, but will surely keep you all updated.

Nothing more from the LE, I think they were quick to contact me previously due to a personal visit with the Ellers, but our conversation that I shared with LE must not have proven to be as interesting as they hoped as contact has again gone cold. I looked at the growing stack of business cards I have from detectives that has been reduced to writing the name of the new one on the back of an old card.

Seems hard to believe they have nothing to go on. I will never understand how you murder 2 people and a dog and don't leave DNA evidence all over the place.
 
  • #230
:bump: up for Skip and Joni!
 
  • #231
Hi tamijt4,
I can't stop thinking how alike the scetch of the suspect is compared to the dentist Dr Damian Newheart (Nye) . It is known they had dealings through a business arrangement so shady dealings of any kind could have been happening.. Dr Newheart would have DNA on file now that he is incarcerated,I think there could be enough suspicion to run his against the crime scene DNA,--at least to start a rule out list. Do they have any suspects at this point? So frustrating how they have kept you in the dark. Ok rant over :)
 
  • #232
I had not looked at that possibility. I had thought about him for a brief moment and am unsure if they ever even considered him. I thought the drawing looked more like a young dark haired foreigner from who knows where. I will have to look closer. Thanks for still thinking of us.
 
  • #233
DAMIAN LOREN NEWHART
Located at: Florence - High USP

Release Date: 08/06/2019


He was referred to in all the Press billings and Wanted Posters as the "rolled sleeves bandit" because he rolled his white sleeves up.

Here is his photo:

http://www.ocweekly.com/content/printView/6471899
 
  • #234
I sent a note like I always do to the LE handling the cold case. Unsure if he even reads them but I still send them anyway.
 
  • #235
  • #236
Hi tamigt4, hope your doing ok. I think of the Tillman’s often, not sure if I have asked before but have you a copy of the autopsy report? It could have important information eg. If any drugs had been in their system. Not thinking they are users more thinking they could have been drugged or injected? Sorry if this has been asked before just popped into my head and didn’t have time to re read the whole thread.
 
  • #237
Hi tamigt4, hope your doing ok. I think of the Tillman’s often, not sure if I have asked before but have you a copy of the autopsy report? It could have important information eg. If any drugs had been in their system. Not thinking they are users more thinking they could have been drugged or injected? Sorry if this has been asked before just popped into my head and didn’t have time to re read the whole thread.
Thank you for asking. I had not asked for that. Amazingly I just finally got the the form to request a death certificate. One of those things that gets forgotten waiting for people to send you a copy and they never do. I will put it on my list of things to do.

My dog died in October, I almost passed last March and my husband just had major heart failure. My big break was going to come when we could get to CA for vacation and some poking around but that is on the way back burner now.

I had just posted on their wall that I was sorry I couldn't do more, and never anticipated that 17 years later there would still be no arrest or leads much less the possibility that I may not live to see this through either but here we are.

I will request it from the police or ask how I might get it and thanks for asking again. I do believe things happen for a reason and love that there are people who are "provoked" to do things and listen besides myself. will report back with what i find.

I was told on a couple of occasions that my fathers spinal cord had been pierced to subdue him, but will look into that report as we never really know what is spoonfed to us and what is known information truly.
 
  • #238
:bump: up for Skip and Joni!
Thank you. I guess I was just home from the hospital and missed this. Sometimes it just takes one person caring to make a difference. Thanks for thinking of us.
 
  • #239
New to this thread! Tamijt4, do you know why family friends would be part of their will and not his own daughters? What were these friends like? Could they have benefited from the murders?
 
  • #240
Also, who was this Jackie person and why was she so cruel to you? And it seems as if even though you were estranged, police would’ve let you know about the murders sooner, esp since you were frantically calling their house that day? I’m so sorry you have gone through so much. You are one tough cookie!
 

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