CANADA Canada - Ben Tyner, 32, cowboy, horse returned w/o him, Merritt, British Columbia, 26 Jan 2019 - #2

[Satchie]

Thanks, that’s very helpful! So it might be the tracker assumed Ben had ridden directly from NR however early on LE might’ve already had some type of other evidence neither he nor the general public was aware of.

I think it was a major puzzle why the horse would be where it was found, in an area being actively logged. I find this quote very interesting "Merritt RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore says other ranchers believe Tyner rode to an area known as Swakum Ridge, northwest of Merritt, searching for cattle belonging to the ranch."
Merritt-area cattle ranch identifies missing B.C. cowboy as one of its managers

I wonder who these other ranchers were.

So, given this possibility, SAR was mobilized to look and see if they could find any tracks or evidence this had happened.

Assuming someone other than Ben had saddled up the horse and taken it to this remote place, it was in order to create a false impression that Ben had ridden off somewhere on his horse. And then, the horse being found, would confirm it and suggest an accident. But I think some experienced, local people, like KR, smelt a fake set up as soon as they encountered it.

 

[Satchie]

What type of alibi are you thinking of that LE would be able to verify? In this case I think it’d be somewhat difficult for the precise time of any crime to be identified. I’m not referring to entire days, but for example within a certain timeframe.

If he was an active texter, that might pinpoint a time frame.

 

[MistyWaters]

If he was an active texter, that might pinpoint a time frame.

Yes it might. I could be wrong but I really have difficulty imagining a ranch manager, a professional horseman, cowboy and an avid outdoorsman to be the sort of person with a cellphone permanently affixed in his hand. Something also could’ve occurred at some point during nighttime or early morning when texting others isn’t quite so common.

 

[Trudie]

I think it was a major puzzle why the horse would be where it was found, in an area being actively logged. I find this quote very interesting "Merritt RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore says other ranchers believe Tyner rode to an area known as Swakum Ridge, northwest of Merritt, searching for cattle belonging to the ranch."
Merritt-area cattle ranch identifies missing B.C. cowboy as one of its managers

I wonder who these other ranchers were.

So, given this possibility, SAR was mobilized to look and see if they could find any tracks or evidence this had happened.

Assuming someone other than Ben had saddled up the horse and taken it to this remote place, it was in order to create a false impression that Ben had ridden off somewhere on his horse. And then, the horse being found, would confirm it and suggest an accident. But I think some experienced, local people, like KR, smelt a fake set up as soon as they encountered it.

Satchie, I think Gerry D is one rancher (mentioned in link above) & the NR ranch hands. Iirc an employee of NR was first to suggest Ben rode to Swakum.
I agree, experienced horse people & locals as well as Ben’s family had a different opinion.
Moo

 

[Trudie]

Yes it might. I could be wrong but I really have difficulty imagining a ranch manager, a professional horseman, cowboy and an avid outdoorsman to be the sort of person with a cellphone permanently affixed in his hand. Something also could’ve occurred at some point during nighttime or early morning when texting others isn’t quite so common.

Ben used SM frequently, was an avid photographer & enjoyed friendships around the world, in many different time zones. Moo based on msm & Ben’s SM.

 

[Trudie]

If he was an active texter, that might pinpoint a time frame.

It was implied his phone was in his house. This is backed up on the official FB page (previously linked).
If true, it surely assisted LE with a time frame.

 

[MistyWaters]

Not important. I have a firm suspect in mind, it’d be against TOS to go further.

ETA: perhaps the Crown counsel are researching Ben’s case file now.

Someone here earlier mentioned a missing body case involving three victims which was successfully prosecuted not too long ago. The Crown was able to obtain a video from a neighbouring house of the perp driving toward the home with an empty truck box and then headed the other direction with something covered by a white tarp. Later LE spent several weeks meticulously sifting ashes in a burn pit on the suspect’s farm which revealed evidence of tiny bone fragments and teeth. This is how it was proven during the triple homicide trial that the victims were deceased.

It would be interesting to know if any search warrants have been sought in this particular case. Typically some type of direct evidence of death is required in absence of a body, for homicide charges to be laid quickly. JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Ben used SM frequently, was an avid photographer & enjoyed friendships around the world, in many different time zones. Moo based on msm & Ben’s SM.

I’m not denying at all that he was connected with others by SM. But as an example, in a place the size of Merritt it’s likely to be very common for single people to go out on the town on a Saturday night and leave their cellphone at home because there no need to use GPS or google alternate destinations or communicate with a partner.

Cellphone usage can prove when someone was alive assuming it can be proven they were in possession of their cellphone. But when did a potential criminal situation occur after it was last used would still be the question.

 

[Satchie]

Yes it might. I could be wrong but I really have difficulty imagining a ranch manager, a professional horseman, cowboy and an avid outdoorsman to be the sort of person with a cellphone permanently affixed in his hand. Something also could’ve occurred at some point during nighttime or early morning when texting others isn’t quite so common.

I agree very true of the older generation, but he was 31.

If his phone was left behind, it would show his his activity history. If it was taken, it was likely turned off so it couldn't be tracked, and that'd be a precise moment that could be identified.

 

[MistyWaters]

I agree very true of the older generation, but he was 31.

If his phone was left behind, it would show his his activity history. If it was taken, it was likely turned off so it couldn't be tracked, and that'd be a precise moment that could be identified.

One thing to consider, Ben wasn’t identified to be missing until Monday only after his horse was found and LE appeared to not be certain of his activities that prior weekend.

If his cellphone communication alone proved really significant, if he disappeared either Friday or Saturday, wouldn’t someone have raised alarm bells over his disappearance sooner? Because they did not, I’d guess he kept in contact with family and friends much like most adults, whenever he has good reason to...but not constantly.

 

[MistyWaters]

I agree very true of the older generation, but he was 31.

If his phone was left behind, it would show his his activity history. If it was taken, it was likely turned off so it couldn't be tracked, and that'd be a precise moment that could be identified.

The problem might be how could it be proven who turned it off and then presumably placed it back inside his house.

 

[Trudie]

One thing to consider, Ben wasn’t identified to be missing until Monday only after his horse was found and LE appeared to not be certain of his activities that prior weekend.

If his cellphone communication alone proved really significant, if he disappeared either Friday or Saturday, wouldn’t someone have raised alarm bells over his disappearance sooner? Because they did not, I’d guess he kept in contact with family and friends much like most adults, whenever he has good reason to...but not constantly.

You can find call/text info at beginning of official FB.

 

[Satchie]

Someone here earlier mentioned a missing body case involving three victims which was successfully prosecuted not too long ago. The Crown was able to obtain a video from a neighbouring house of the perp driving toward the home with an empty truck box and then headed the other direction with something covered by a white tarp. Later LE spent several weeks meticulously sifting ashes in a burn pit on the suspect’s farm which revealed evidence of tiny bone fragments and teeth. This is how it was proven during the triple homicide trial that the victims were deceased.

It would be interesting to know if any search warrants have been sought in this particular case. Typically some type of direct evidence of death is required in absence of a body, for homicide charges to be laid quickly. JMO

I agree, also there's a big difference between the Crown prosecutor laying homicide charges as the final result of an investigation, and RCMP declaring that a case is a homicide while an investigation is ongoing and when no remains have been found...that would seriously compromise the integrity of the investigation.

I think the outcome RCMP would like to leverage is to talk the perp(s) into confessiing and leading them to the remains. It is a big priority to recover the body so the family has closure, if at all possible.

 

[MistyWaters]

You can find call/text info at beginning of official FB.

I’m not sure what you’re referring to...? This is the official Missing FB page. Is there something I’m not noticing that indicates it’s known when a crime involving his disappearance took place?

MISSING: BEN TYNER Public Group | Facebook

 

[MistyWaters]

I agree, also there's a big difference between the Crown prosecutor laying homicide charges as the final result of an investigation, and RCMP declaring that a case is a homicide while an investigation is ongoing and when no remains have been found...that would seriously compromise the integrity of the investigation.

I think the outcome RCMP would like to leverage is to talk the perp(s) into confessiing and leading them to the remains. It is a big priority to recover the body so the family has closure, if at all possible.

I agree, especially if at this point the investigation has only revealed, for example, a disgruntled employee or someone who had unjust reason to resent Ben’s hiring.

If Ben was murdered certainly the killer deserves to be prosecuted but there has to be proof over and above people’s suspicions or a perceived motive. Too many wrongful convictions have occurred in the past because of that.

I have faith the RCMP are doing their utmost to investigate this case. It just takes time.

 

[Satchie]

The problem might be how could it be proven who turned it off and then presumably placed it back inside his house.

No, it wouldn't help with that, but it might show when something happened. Though in my mind, middle of the night is a real possibility.

 

[Trudie]

No, it would help with that, but it might show when something happened. Though in my mind, middle of the night is a real possibility.

I agree, @Satchie
IMO, there’s very few that had the opportunity to commit this crime. Think about it.....
Who had access to Ben’s horse & tack?

 

[Trudie]

I’m not sure what you’re referring to...? This is the official Missing FB page. Is there something I’m not noticing that indicates it’s known when a crime involving his disappearance took place?

MISSING: BEN TYNER Public Group | Facebook

Iirc, the earliest posts mentioned communications with Ben. I haven’t read the first pages forever. Maybe posts were removed, idk.

 

[Trudie]

No, it wouldn't help with that, but it might show when something happened. Though in my mind, middle of the night is a real possibility.

@Satchie if you make a list of potential suspects, ruling out the general public, you’ll have a very short list.
IMO, we can completely rule out a stranger.
A stranger would have no knowledge of Ben’s horse, his tack or where to turn Gunny loose.
Jmo

 

[rb63]

Iirc, the earliest posts mentioned communications with Ben. I haven’t read the first pages forever. Maybe posts were removed, idk.

There was something about one of his friends that had been texting him I believe on sunday and never got a response which they said was unlike Ben.