CANADA - Lucas Fowler, Australian & g/f Chynna Deese, American, murdered, Alaska Hwy, BC, Jul 2019

[LadyL]

RSBM

Especially since they've already leaked the cause of the deaths to the media, which RCMP has not revealed and would normally keep secret as they investigate.

WHATTTTTTTTTT

 

[otto]

WHATTTTTTTTTT

New South Wales police released the fact that the couple was shot. The families released the fact that the murders were brutal and victims were unrecognizable.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

This is such a tragedy! Chynna and Lucas looked like the perfect couple - so happy in all the photos I have seen. And I luv the photos where they are wearing matching sweaters!

To travel together so extensively and still be so in love says a lot about the two of them. Also the idea that they could be experiencing van troubles and not be upset, just hang out beside the road and have an impromptu picnic, just chillingly while the van cools down. I know I would not be so mellow under those circumstances.

Lucas had an electric smile and Chynna looked so happy and content. RIP.

 

[zecats]

They were experienced travellers, but were they aware of, and did they abide by, local law? Maybe stalled vehicles in the USA and Australia can be partially parked on major highways and they didn't know better. I'm just speculating that an altercation may have started with someone stopping because of almost hitting the van - and things went south from there.

With the broken window, it seems like the suspect was determined to confront the couple.

If they were seen sitting in a ditch beside the van, it's possible there was no room to pull over farther. I see your point though. I've been witness to people losing their temper for something equal to or less than that. When someone thinks they are in the right and another person messes with that, watch out.

 

[otto]

That's a possibility, but none of the other witnesses who drove by mentioned the van parking situation was a problem. I'm sure the victims were aware of the problem, but were unable to move it farther off the road. Remember, they were very experienced travelers, having been to many countries and probably encountered many dangerous situations. They probably thought they would be able to start the van soon, but the killer returned before they could get it started.

JMO, the killer may have been triggered by and targeted these young people for other reasons. I'm sure we'll learn more as the situation develops.

The woman who was driving with relatives mentioned that she did not stop and offered several reason:

• it was not safe
• there was oncoming traffic in both directions
• her vehicle was full

I'm assuming that she felt it was unsafe to stop on the side of the highway because of the traffic, and not because she and her relatives were afraid of a couple of hippies in a van.

 

[zecats]

RSBM

Especially since they've already leaked the cause of the deaths to the media, which RCMP has not revealed and would normally keep secret as they investigate.

It's not just RCMP. There is a case on here with a woman murdered in her apartment during her time home for lunch, and LE refuses to give cause of death, even though stating it's a homicide. Neve sure of the reason behind that, except the usual of preventing false confessions.

I'd say normally LE here in the US is a bit more forthcoming than in Canada. Not for me to judge.

ETA The murder occurred in NJ

 

[PaulR]

The woman who was driving with relatives mentioned that she did not stop and offered several reason:

• it was not safe
• there was oncoming traffic in both directions
• her vehicle was full

I'm assuming that she felt it was unsafe to stop on the side of the highway because of the traffic, and not because she and her relatives were afraid of a couple of hippies in a van.

Or she simply feels guilt for not stopping, even though she wasn't responsible.

 

[otto]

If they were seen sitting in a ditch beside the van, it's possible there was no room to pull over farther. I see your point though. I've been witness to people losing their temper for something equal to or less than that. When someone thinks they are in the right and another person messes with that, watch out.

I don't think anyone can argue that they could park the vehicle half on the highway because they wanted to use the shoulder for a picnic.

Some people see the world as black and white, they expect everyone to respect the autonomy of others. Motor vehicle regulations require that a stalled vehicle has to be immediately removed from the highway. Creating a driving safety issue could be a trigger for some people - road rage is a well known thing.

Alternatively, maybe someone assumed that the vehicle was abandoned and intended to steal things. When the suspect encountered the couple, perhaps the suspect shot them to avoid arrest.

 

[LusciousLeRoy]

If they were seen sitting in a ditch beside the van, it's possible there was no room to pull over farther. I see your point though. I've been witness to people losing their temper for something equal to or less than that. When someone thinks they are in the right and another person messes with that, watch out.

I’m guessing this is right. Often the real story is quite simple.

- couple takes road trip. Van breaks down and protrudes onto road
- guy almost hits it and gets out to yell
- he returns to his car to get a gun
- shoots them and moves them into a ditch so they’re less likely to be visible
- guy drives off believing they deserved it for being idiots

All of this with insurance and permits and mental illness may just be noise.

 

[zecats]

I don't think anyone can argue that they could park the vehicle half on the highway because they wanted to use the shoulder for a picnic.

Some people see the world as black and white, they expect everyone to respect the autonomy of others. Motor vehicle regulations require that a stalled vehicle has to be immediately removed from the highway. Creating a driving safety issue could be a trigger for some people - road rage is a well known thing.

Alternatively, maybe someone assumed that the vehicle was abandoned and intended to steal things. When the suspect encountered the couple, perhaps the suspect shot them to avoid arrest.

Well yes to picnic, but I meant that maybe they were unable to pull over any farther or the van would have been in the ditch. Now if there is a shoulder on this road, then I understand the problem.

 

[zecats]

[/B]
I don’t think we will learn much more info from the RCMP as they are very tight lipped about their investigations compared to other countries...even after an arrest. Hopefully, they will release a sketch of the person who was seen with the couple.

I'd think they'd have to in order to gather tips.

 

[Snoop Sister]

I'd think they'd have to in order to gather tips.

Yes, agreed...I meant to have the word ‘soon’ in respect to releasing a sketch...my error.

 

[otto]

Well yes to picnic, but I meant that maybe they were unable to pull over any farther or the van would have been in the ditch. Now if there is a shoulder on this road, then I understand the problem.

I think they could have pulled off the road. Green line is where grass starts, red line is where shoulder starts.

 

[dotr]

Jul 21, 2019
The shattered family of murdered Australian Lucas Fowler are now in Canada, supporting a growing investigation to find the killer who shot dead their son and his girlfriend on the side of a remote highway. Latest: 7news.link/aFoMTU

 

[al66pine]

I think they could have pulled off the road. Green line is where grass starts, red line is where shoulder starts.

View attachment 194329

@otto
Thank you very much for posting pic of van w colored lines marking shoulder, etc.
In commenting earlier about safer spot, I thought van was muuuuuuch further off road already. From ^ pic, pretty clear to me now that it was not. Hardly any place to move van from road.

Sorry, too late to edit my earlier post.
Edit ^: fix tpyos & rgamrer. LOL.

 

[afitzy]

RCMP press release says they received a call at 7:19AM and went directly to the scene. It must have been someone driving by who realized that something was wrong.

If they were seen sitting in a ditch beside the van, it's possible there was no room to pull over farther. I see your point though. I've been witness to people losing their temper for something equal to or less than that. When someone thinks they are in the right and another person messes with that, watch out.

Absolutely agree that some road rage reported encounters have been horrific! But to go from road rage to bodies that don't qualify for open casket seems like a long leap IMO. The testimony of Chynna brother about the state of his sisters body was heartbreaking to read and listen to. Perhaps this was a road rage incident but the damage to the bodies of the victims surpasses this level IMO.

 

[Snoop Sister]

I think they could have pulled off the road. Green line is where grass starts, red line is where shoulder starts.

View attachment 194329

Yes, I think they were on the shoulder of the road (slightly). And, it is a busy highway especially during the summer months...hence this could lead to potential problems especially at night.

 

[afitzy]

Jul 21, 2019
The shattered family of murdered Australian Lucas Fowler are now in Canada, supporting a growing investigation to find the killer who shot dead their son and his girlfriend on the side of a remote highway. Latest: 7news.link/aFoMTU

Very interesting that this report started off with the statement, "No mobile service and about as desolate as it gets". Still looking at cell coverage along the Alaska Hwy.

 

[otto]

@otto
Thank you very much for posting pic van & w colored lines marking shoulder, etc.
I commenting earlier about safe spot, I thought van was muuuuuuch further off road. From ^ pic, pretty clear to me now that it was not.

It was a simple oversight, but it might have been enough to push someone over the edge.

 

[afitzy]

DBM