Found Deceased CO - Gannon Stauch, 11, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, 27 Jan 2020 **ARREST** #40

[DearPrudence]

Using your theory as a jump off point... here's my tentative speculation on the matter.
(Assuming the high mileage on the rental car is accurate.)

She could have headed out at her earliest possible moment on the Tuesday AS returned to Colorado and used the rental car to retrieve Gannon's body. Then she could have driven right along that very same route she would take days later to move to SC. Her purpose would be to meet a person at an agreed upon place along the route being about 400-plus miles from CS. At that meeting spot, Gannon is transferred into his vehicle and LS then heads back to CS.

This would be someone she's known personally for some time or was "carrying on with" via internet for quite some time. She complained about being alone too much due to AS's service commitments, didn't she? That's the classic excuse for having some guy in the wings, imo. She could have told him a winding-in-circles-story of how Gannon had died by accident. Now, she had to run from CS asap because,
"Nobody will believe it was an accident. The pressure on me is too great."

Expecting her to be forever grateful for his help; he agreed to help her.

He then returns to his home state of Florida with Gannon in his vehicle trunk and he drops Gannon off the Escambia River Bridge and then continues on to his home.... (or military base, as the case may be.)



When she gets that little detail out of the way, she heads back to CS and moved out of her "family home" with HH and went to a motel. She would not have been met warmly by AS and LH because she would have no good excuse for her absence for the hours spent missing. Nobody would believe she had been driving around CS for that many hours looking for Gannon. She could be guaranteed that she would be not welcomed in the home... and that is exactly what she wanted. Planned it, imo. Maybe even came in with an attitude or just obviously lying to insure they'd make her leave. She needed time alone without "nosey people like AS and LH" observing her following through on her last minute plans before heading out to SC.

Some days later, on her way to SC, she took the same route with moving van and the 2 cars / 5 people because she planned on stopping in to see that same man she met to help her dispose of Gannon.

After entering Florida, she splits off with everyone and takes the red car to go on along on her own for her visit. The rest go on ahead to SC using the other car and moving van. On her way, she, too, would pass over the Escambia River Bridge but she has no stop to make because Gannon is already under the bridge.

That could be the "conspiracy."
Because, for one thing, I'm having a hard time picturing traveling in 3 vehicles with 4 other people. They would all become aware, imo... stopping for gas and meals and hotels... opening and closing car doors, etc. I think the odor of a deceased person could not be kept hidden from anyone for long on a trip of that length. But, I don't doubt she would have tried it if she thought it was the best plan. And, some have commented that maybe a few did know before hand or later what was going on. That's very possible, too.

Just another theory and I don't know if I believe it myself. But, it does answer some of the questions I've had. All speculation though.

Perhaps her accomplice was paid to "deliver a package".
And perhaps the road crew finding GS was not serendipity. I have a feeling they were directed to that area, or all had been notified to BOLO for remains.
Lastly, MOO, if it were that easy to dispose of remains by feeding them to alligators in Florida I think Casey Anthony, even lazy as she was, would have tried that. So I don't feel the location of the suitcase was an attempt to have contents consumed by gators.

 

[MirandaElle]

96051804-B6-CB-418-E-8790-E0564322-A5-C3
We just visited the bridge where someone had left a beautiful blue cross for Gannon. We left another one along with a blue Sonic heart that my 11 yo daughter made for him. It was really peaceful at this spot. I tried to take a picture in relation to the bridge so that anyone who wanted to visit could easily find it.
It was on the west bound lane, almost to Pensacola. It was right before you get to the “Entering Escambia County” sign.

Edit: I am having issues posting the picture. I’m working on it now, sorry!

Edit 2: That top link is to the picture. I’m sorry if I did that wrong.

 

[GordianKnot]

she left crumbs everywhere she went. at what point does LE stop chasing leads? 600, my oh my, and with latest developments, do they just move forward. Does painting a complete picture become absolutely necessary? I don’t know the answers to these ?’s

I just rewatched DDA Allen's press conference after the discovery of GS's body, and he pointed out the fact that the investigation continues all the way up to the trial:

El Paso Sheriff's Office: Human remains found in Florida 'tentatively identified' as Gannon Stauch

A couple of quotes from Michael Allen that stood out to me:

"And please understand, this development does not mean the investigation comes to an end.
This still remains a very active investigation."

Also, final question from the Q & A session at the very end of the pc:

Reporter: "Do you think anyone else was involved?"

DDA Allen: "I'm not going to get into that right now."

 

[Pink2017]

Absolutely right.

I cannot imagine the lives these 3 children led while under the "care" of TS.

We don't know a single thing HH did or didn't do. She has not been named by LE as an accomplice or having anything to do with what went on. Her mother is a murderer who had no problem killing a child.

If I'm her daughter, I gotta think twice about saying no to Mama.

We will see in time what happened, but for now, HH is a minor child and should be treated as such.

MOO

DBM

 

[jillycat]

Absolutely right.

I cannot imagine the lives these 3 children led while under the "care" of TS.

We don't know a single thing HH did or didn't do. She has not been named by LE as an accomplice or having anything to do with what went on. Her mother is a murderer who had no problem killing a child.

If I'm her daughter, I gotta think twice about saying no to Mama.

We will see in time what happened, but for now, HH is a minor child and should be treated as such.

MOO

No matter what the age of family in the home or in the immediate circle, LS is the only perpetrator.

If she had help in Florida, that could change.

 

[ShHolmz]

can someone link me to the witness list? I can not find it. TIA!

Thanks to @oviedo for your fabulous timeline!
Find list under Complaint and Info section

20CR1358 The People of the State of Colorado v. Letecia Stauch
Date Document
03/12/2020 Complaint and Information
03/12/2020 D1 Notice of Representation and Demand for Notice of any Nontestimonial Identification procedure sought pursuant to Crim P 41 1
03/12/2020 D2 Notice of Invocation of all Statutory Case Law and Constitutional Privileges
03/12/2020 D3 Motion to Limit Pretrial Publicity
03/12/2020 D4 Motion for Preservation of Physical Evidence
03/12/2020 D5 Motion for Preservation and Production of Law Enforcement Notes Recordings and other Evidence
03/12/2020 D6 Motion for Immediate Production pursuant to Protective Order of any and all Warrants and Arrest Affidavits
03/12/2020 D7 Defense Objection to Motion to Unseal forthwith the Affidavit of Probable Cause in Support of Arrest
03/12/2020 D7 Exhibit 1 to Objection to Expanded Media Coverage
03/12/2020 D7 Exhibit 2 to Objection to Expanded Media Coverage
03/12/2020 D7 Exhibit 3 to Objection to Expanded Media Coverage
03/12/2020 D7 Objection to Expanded Media Coverage
03/12/2020 Entry of Appearance
03/12/2020 Exhibit 1 to Motion to Unseal
03/12/2020 Exhibit 2 to Motion to Unseal
03/12/2020 Exhibit 3 to Motion to Unseal
03/12/2020 Exhibit 4 to Motion to Unseal
03/12/2020 Motion to Unseal Forthwith the Affidavit of Probably Cause in Support of Arrest
03/12/2020 O1 Order Re Pretrial Publicity
03/12/2020 O2 Procedure for Filing Motions and Responses
03/12/2020 O3 Decorum Order
03/12/2020 O4 Order Granting request for Expanded Media Coverage for One Pool Camera for Filing of Charges to occur on March 11 2020 at 4 00 pm
03/12/2020 Order re Expanded Media Coverage
03/12/2020 Order to Seal Arrest Warrant
03/12/2020 Register of Actions from February 28 2020 to March 12 2020
03/12/2020 Request for Sealing of Arrest Warrant[/QUOTE]

 

[GordianKnot]

Honestly I can’t wait until DA Allen gets up and recounts the sheer number of times that LS lied during the investigation. Anybody care to guess how many times?

BBM:

If he tried to do that, this trial would go on longer than OJ Simpson's.

Michael Allen could save everyone in the courtroom a lot of time and recount the instances where LS told the truth in the investigation, instead.

That could be captured in a single sentence:

"TS said she was the last person to see Gannon."

Once you've said that, you've said it all as far as any truth coming from those evil, lying, treacherous duck lips.

JMO.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Nothing new here, I just like this sentence:

Although Stauch told CrimeOnline she had nothing to do with Gannon’s disappearance, Colorado Springs Deputy District Attorney Michael Allen said during a court hearing earlier this month that authorities have over 600 pieces of evidence against her.
‘Absolutely devastating time’: Father releases statement after Colorado boy Gannon Stauch is found dead in Florida

When I read things like this, all her charges and all the search warrants, it convinces me this idea that she was a "true crime" follower, is entirely baloney.
I think that originally came from her FB (which has since been deleted) but either way, it's almost like she wanted to be caught.
Such an evil woman, she deserves to rot in a cage for the rest of her natural life.

 

[LeBlack]

So I wonder when she stashed the suitcase away in a Uhaul, or storage unit for several more days til she left for FL. Did she do it during that 4 hour trip or bring him home with her and move it later. Wouldn’t the family smell his body if she hauled it into house or left it in truck.

She must have left it somewhere overnight at least til she could shift it to the rental car for the 450 mile trip. Did cops or AS or other family members go inside the house the night she reported him missing? If not she probably stuck him in her closet. I guess we known now why she rented the car so early the next day.

In a suitcase in the trunk or back of moving van.

https://www.hunker.com/12233266/what-are-normal-refrigerator-and-freezer-temps

GS family and LE may not be the only thing getting warm when TS decided it was time to leave Colorado

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/colorado-springs/80903/january-weather/327351

 

[SleuthBee]

Any other person in TS's household may have known right from wrong etc and may be accountable for their behavior, but until you have lived with a person like that and for those many years and have first knowledge of what it takes to literally survive I ask for compassion for them. When I got out of my house at age 18, out of the isolation, out of the hate, out of the fear of setting my step mother off, I couldn't believe how the the rest of the world lived in love and kindness and support of one another. I say lets give them all a break, they lived in a world that most of us cannot be imagined. MOO MOO MOO

@Rosiebones , your understanding and ability to offer compassion is what makes the world a better place. And I hope you will understand that I grew up with a mother much like TS. I survived my childhood, and that is no understatement.

However, I was left to deal with the consequences of choices made by my mother. And through taking responsibility, I was strengthened to overcome and build a much better life for myself.

Realizing TS's manipulation, it was HH that called Leigh and knowingly lied to deceive her into believing TS hospitalized, suicidal and pregnant. Her deceitful behavior is unacceptable, and I can no longer extend HH blind innocence. I cringe to imagine the behavior modeled by TS. But left unchecked, HH may become a new version of TS.

Until I learn otherwise, I stand firm that HH was a victim of TS's manipulation. But I will not give HH a pass for any actions that knowingly facilitated, concealed or participated in the crimes committed against Gannon Stauch. She is not 11, she is almost 18 and she knows right from wrong. I really hope to realize that now, HH will do the right thing.

ETA: corrected bad grammar

 

[AnnaGrace]

96051804-B6-CB-418-E-8790-E0564322-A5-C3

We just visited the bridge where someone had left a beautiful blue cross for Gannon. We left another one along with a blue Sonic heart that my 11 yo daughter made for him. It was really peaceful at this spot. I tried to take a picture in relation to the bridge so that anyone who wanted to visit could easily find it.
It was on the west bound lane, almost to Pensacola. It was right before you get to the “Entering Escambia County” sign.

Edit: I am having issues posting the picture. I’m working on it now, sorry!

Edit 2: That top link is to the picture. I’m sorry if I did that wrong.

Beautiful! Thank you so much for this.

 

[Feistyomi]

LS is likely in the prison library every chance she gets, seeking legal writings related to items pertinent to her own case.

Her to do list:

Create a list of the injustices LE engaged in.
How to sway public opinion.
How to create a murder mistrial.

You know, things like how to create a hung jury. Proving she's had an unfair trial. How to have trial moved elsewhere.

Not to mention, likely upcoming false allegations toward the very family members, and friends, who we know are not involved.

Gannon...

I hope they revoked all her privileges,
library, showers, etc...she did attack a LEO
But I do get your point... a cell w/ 4 walls of unbreakable mirrors...

Perhaps her accomplice was paid to "deliver a package".
And perhaps the road crew finding GS was not serendipity. I have a feeling they were directed to that area, or all had been notified to BOLO for remains.
Lastly, MOO, if it were that easy to dispose of remains by feeding them to alligators in Florida I think Casey Anthony, even lazy as she was, would have tried that. So I don't feel the location of the suitcase was an attempt to have contents consumed by gators.

GANNON

ONLY in the similarities that SHE does not thoroughly research and complete homework...

 

[HaikuMommy]

BBM

Where do we have any proof RD told her his camera could see her driveway? It's pretty unclear at least to me
what RD ever said to TS or when he said it.

But let's say he was just being a good neighbor the night GS disappeared or the day after. And rather than reviewing the footage himself (what I would have done in his situation since he knew GS) RD goes over to the Stauch house and asks TS (or TS and AS if it was later Tues) "do you want to review my security footage?" Why would he say "it shows your driveway."? Obviously no one thought GS drove away. The driveway is important now but it wasn't then and there would have been no reason for RD to mention it.
JMO

In this link there’s an embedded Nancy Grace interview with audio of RD:
‘He could barely walk’: Gannon Stauch neighbor confirms security footage dates after stepmother’s murder arrest [EXCLUSIVE UPDATE]
RD’s exact words to the media were: “I went over to his house and I was like, ‘hey I have a camera that I can see if anyone came by and picked him up’ and first thing SHE said was ‘no, he went the other way, he didn’t come toward the house’ so I didn’t think anything of it.”
Since he knew his video camera showed the front of their house, including driveway, where someone would come and pick up Gannon, she had to understand what he meant as well for her to say “no, he went the other way.” (Thru gate in back?) She was trying to make it seem futile to search the video because she knew what it would show — and she’d be screwed if they saw her come home alone.

ETA: No wonder AS cried and said “she lied” when the video showed her leave with Gannon and come back alone. I bet AS was standing right next to her (since RD says “I went to HIS house”...) when RD made the offer and she pooh-poohed it, saying he left the other way. Suddenly realizing his boy wasn’t coming back, and she not only did it but brazenly lies to keep him from finding out. The betrayal must have hit him hard.

 

[MsBetsy]

I just rewatched DDA Allen's press conference after the discovery of GS's body, and he pointed out the fact that the investigation continues all the way up to the trial:

El Paso Sheriff's Office: Human remains found in Florida 'tentatively identified' as Gannon Stauch

A couple of quotes from Michael Allen that stood out to me:

"And please understand, this development does not mean the investigation comes to an end.
This still remains a very active investigation."

Also, final question from the Q & A session at the very end of the pc:

Reporter: "Do you think anyone else was involved?"

DDA Allen: "I'm not going to get into that right now."

Yes, that last statement made me think they are investigating other people to rule others out or because they think they may have been involved.

They did not say they were 'confident that the perpetrator acted alone," as they have in other cases.

It may just mean they have not ruled out that possibility yet.

At the very least, I think there may be some close to her who at least knew TS was responsible and did not come forward.

Imo

 

[MtnMama]

Thanks for this. I'm also not an attorney. I am a paralegal and worked on criminal cases for several years. I agree about the likelihood of LS attending the next hearing via video for the reasons above as well as the coronavirus. I imagine most defendants are appearing via video right now whenever possible. MOO

Yes. It was discussed on one of the local CO news stations this am. They even had to close the main courthouse in Denver as an attorney that recently worked in several courtrooms there tested + for CoVid. They said most courthouses in CO are currently working out plans for how to continue hearings & trials via video.

The wheels of justice will continue to roll, maybe just a little slower in our new reality.

 

[ab01]

BBM:

If he tried to do that, this trial would go on longer than OJ Simpson's.

Michael Allen could save everyone in the courtroom a lot of time and recount the instances where LS told the truth in the investigation, instead.

That could be captured in a single sentence:

"TS said she was the last person to see Gannon."

Truth.

JMO.

Ha! I was meaning more of a powerful statement like LS lied this many times(insert number). Not actually account every single instance. But point taken and the statement you have recounted will be very powerful indeed.

 

[crhedBngr]

Here for Gannon.

 

[pepper 34]

Someone asked about latent fingerprints. How about finding latent prints in a rental vehicle that the FBI / LE has already proven, by GPS records, was driven through the state of Florida on the appropriate dates in question? ...And that you just know the FBI / LE has already done a latent print check on... Just one of the 600 pieces of evidence that the prosecution has, imo.

 

[jgarris]

I don't believe anyone else is involved and in MOO - I hope no one else is, both for the closure for Gannon's parents as well as the open and shut trial it'll be on T. Having a second trial for another individual would be awful.

 

[The Night Watchman]

No matter what the age of family in the home or in the immediate circle, LS is the only perpetrator.

If she had help in Florida, that could change.

If someone in the family assisted in any way, they are co-perpetrators and should be prosecuted accordingly. It would be tragic but that is what should happen.

Regardless on how a family member (if any) or anyone close to TS got to where they are in life, to actively participate in a horrific crime against a child- they have become like TS.