CO - Jessica Ridgeway, 10, Westminster, 5 Oct. 2012 - #23

[mck16]

I suspect AS reign of violence began around 12 or 13, probably beginning with pets.
I would bet by the time he was treated for perversions someone knew his perversions included inflicting pain. The treatment was not successful and he continued to accelerate his perversions. Who knows what all his parents kept trying to help with correcting him. I also wonder just how much his younger brother has witnessed. Could be he was even threatened if he told anything. I don't know just wondering. I think that household was probably tense due to AS.
Jmo

I can't for the life of me think of a good reason to be bringing younger brother to court. It is obviously very upsetting to him. Unless it is in some way a preventative measure. e.g. If you do this or that this is where you are going to be. Harsh I know, but jmo.

 

[otto]

Well the above linked article says similiar description. Shaving your head for teens in CO is common. And don't forget the attacker on the jogger at Ketner Lake wore a baseball cap. As for the athletic built, these are kids giving descriptions. Everyone looks bigger to them especially when they are scared. I also remember reading an article that the suspect in the Ketner Lake Jogger attack was said to be attractive looking.

IMO----MOO

The jogger that was attacked described Austin as brown haired.
The incident with the boy involved an athletic bald man, possibly 6' tall, without facial hair.

Austin is not bald and, in many pictures, he has facial hair.

 

[otto]

I can't for the life of me think of a good reason to be bringing younger brother to court. It is obviously very upsetting to him. Unless it is in some way a preventative measure. e.g. If you do this or that this is where you are going to be. Harsh I know, but jmo.

The family is going to have to deal with this for the remainder of their lives, and it seems that they've made a decision that the somewhat younger brother should know the facts. I see no reason to find problems with that. The alternative, keeping him sheltered and in the dark, would likely cause more problems, as he would be the victim of false information, rumor and speculation that Austin is responsible for all crimes in Westminster during the last five years.

 

[kkdj]

I can't for the life of me think of a good reason to be bringing younger brother to court. It is obviously very upsetting to him. Unless it is in some way a preventative measure. e.g. If you do this or that this is where you are going to be. Harsh I know, but jmo.

I understand what you mean. However I can also see that the brother may have felt that he needed to show for his brother or even more than that be there for his mother.
Jmo

 

[tlcya]

I suspect AS reign of violence began around 12 or 13, probably beginning with pets.
I would bet by the time he was treated for perversions someone knew his perversions included inflicting pain. The treatment was not successful and he continued to accelerate his perversions. Who knows what all his parents kept trying to help with correcting him. I also wonder just how much his younger brother has witnessed. Could be he was even threatened if he told anything. I don't know just wondering. I think that household was probably tense due to AS.
Jmo

I agree with much of what you've posted. Particularly about AS most likely ceating a very tense husehold. And agree, it is lkely younger brther as witness to some very odd behavior by AS in the months years leading up to now.

I can't for the life of me think of a good reason to be bringing younger brother to court. It is obviously very upsetting to him. Unless it is in some way a preventative measure. e.g. If you do this or that this is where you are going to be. Harsh I know, but jmo.

I think I am following kkdj's line of thought and don't think it is beng suggested that AS broher be hauled into court.

 

[Confusion]

I doubt that many people will agree with me, but I really don't see AS as a sociopath - a very sick minded person, but not a sociopath. There are a few things that just don't fit that label for me. For one thing, he doesn't seem to be all that charismatic, which is a common characteristic of one.

People have said he was intelligent, and friends thought he was charismatic, but it seems like most people described him as strange, quiet, weird, etc.

I don't believe he and his brother would be as close if he was truly a sociopath. It seems like little brothers and sisters are almost as commonly abused as pets by people with no conscience, but his brother seems to genuinely care about him and doesn't seem to have accepted it readily.

He doesn't seem to be much good at lying. I don't see a true sociopath confessing to his mother to start out, and immediately admitting to the murder and other things once questioned. Being a believable liar is a big trait of sociopaths, but it seems like almost nobody has believed much of anything he's said (other than that he's guilty!)

To me, he seems more like someone who is fairly high on the Autism spectrum, but has other severe issues along with it. The signs I see are: not knowing proper social cues, becoming obsessed with subjects of interest, appearing "odd" to people who don't know him well (and to some who do), not spending time doing age appropriate activities, spending time with younger kids (especially girls, because he seems to have more in common with them), the stare is fairly common in someone who is trying to force him/herself to look people in the eye, sometimes a vacant stare can actually aim at another person and feel uncomfortable.

My guess is that he has some form of PDD, along with anxiety, depression and/or some other mood disorder, OCD, and probably some form of psychosis. I believe he knew what he did was wrong, but I'm not sure how much he cared, I really wouldn't be surprised at all if he were to plead guilty. I'd like to say that I feel sorry for him, but any chance of that flew out the window the moment his fantasies became reality.

 

[mck16]

I agree with much of what you've posted. Particularly about AS most likely ceating a very tense husehold. And agree, it is lkely younger brther as witness to some very odd behavior by AS in the months years leading up to now.



I think I am following kkdj's line of thought and don't think it is beng suggested that AS broher be hauled into court.

I know what you both are saying. It is just not something I would do. jmo

 

[b2alicia]

Just a thought...and no data at all to back it up..and feels iccky...

But when we heard the report of the younger brother crying in court, could it also have been from relief? At some point , I wonder about AS at home alone with his brother. Somehow I'm thinking that the easiest outlet for AS's urges might be right there at home. A weaker younger smaller brother, instructed "don't say a word."

Just pure speculation and MOO.

 

[TnVolsFan]

The jogger that was attacked described Austin as brown haired.
The incident with the boy involved an athletic bald man, possibly 6' tall, without facial hair.

Austin is not bald and, in many pictures, he has facial hair.

I agree- going from bald to growing his hair as shaggy and long as AS's is in his mug shot would be difficult, I have a sibling I accuse of being part YETI who shaves his head and even for him it would take a while to get that much hair grown, he's gone as long as the time period between the attacks w/o shaving his head and it's no where near as thick and long as AS's.

I think someone speculated the attempted abduction on the boy might have been someone previously in the military who was experiencing PTSD brought on by the sight of children w/'guns'-- that is more plausible to me than AS-- but that's JMO....

 

[tlcya]

I doubt that many people will agree with me, but I really don't see AS as a sociopath - a very sick minded person, but not a sociopath. There are a few things that just don't fit that label for me. For one thing, he doesn't seem to be all that charismatic, which is a common characteristic of one.

People have said he was intelligent, and friends thought he was charismatic, but it seems like most people described him as strange, quiet, weird, etc.

I don't believe he and his brother would be as close if he was truly a sociopath. It seems like little brothers and sisters are almost as commonly abused as pets by people with no conscience, but his brother seems to genuinely care about him and doesn't seem to have accepted it readily.

He doesn't seem to be much good at lying. I don't see a true sociopath confessing to his mother to start out, and immediately admitting to the murder and other things once questioned. Being a believable liar is a big trait of sociopaths, but it seems like almost nobody has believed much of anything he's said (other than that he's guilty!)

To me, he seems more like someone who is fairly high on the Autism spectrum, but has other severe issues along with it. The signs I see are: not knowing proper social cues, becoming obsessed with subjects of interest, appearing "odd" to people who don't know him well (and to some who do), not spending time doing age appropriate activities, spending time with younger kids (especially girls, because he seems to have more in common with them), the stare is fairly common in someone who is trying to force him/herself to look people in the eye, sometimes a vacant stare can actually aim at another person and feel uncomfortable.

My guess is that he has some form of PDD, along with anxiety, depression and/or some other mood disorder, OCD, and probably some form of psychosis. I believe he knew what he did was wrong, but I'm not sure how much he cared, I really wouldn't be surprised at all if he were to plead guilty. I'd like to say that I feel sorry for him, but any chance of that flew out the window the moment his fantasies became reality.

Thank you, for throwing out an alternate theory on AS personalty profile. You pose some interesting ideas and I apprecite the food for though.

I will chew on this a bit while I nurse my fever. Hope to see you on here later to discuss further.

 

[nikb]

REALLY. You don't see any links between a very hostile, aggressive rapist that was driving a dark colored JEEP CHEROKEE. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/dna-likely-found-in-boulder-sexual-assault
and the attempted choking of an 8 yr. old boy 1 mile from and on the same trail leading to Ketner Lakehttp://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_21820103 These are not coincidences. It was him.

More charges wll be added on before ARS goes to trial.

MOOOO

I wasn't saying I don't see any possibility of a connection. I think there's a possibility. I was saying that I have been amazed how many murders/abductions/attempted abductions people have been thinking AS was involved with. I hope it's true because that means he's in jail and everyone's relatively safer! But I also fear that people might have a false sense of security if he's NOT the one responsible for all of these things.

 

[nikb]

Sigh. Those who want to believe AS responsible for crimes he has not yet been linked to will not be persuaded otherwise.

Likewise, thoose of us who do not feel that is the case, lacking any evidence to the contrary, will also not be persuaded otherwise.

In those instances, it is best to simply agree to disagree.

We are all agreed that AS is one sick twisted personality.

MOO IMO and all that jazzy jazz

Thanks for the reminder tlcox. I'm late replying because I'm catching up but you're right. Agree to disagree. I'll do that.

I definitely agree about him being very sick and twisted. Haven't seen anyone disagree with that point yet.

Hopefully we'll find out the truth about the rest some day.

ETA: just saw Confusion's post about another possibility related to PDD. Thanks Confusion for throwing out that idea and possibility. I think you have a very good thought in mind.

 

[jillycat]

REALLY. You don't see any links between a very hostile, aggressive rapist that was driving a dark colored JEEP CHEROKEE. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/dna-likely-found-in-boulder-sexual-assault
and the attempted choking of an 8 yr. old boy 1 mile from and on the same trail leading to Ketner Lakehttp://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_21820103 These are not coincidences. It was him.

More charges wll be added on before ARS goes to trial.

MOOOO

No description of the suspect in one case, and in the other, an attractive athletically built suspect with a shaved head who was between 5'6 and 6 feet tall.

But, definitively, "it was him"?

 

[borndem]

When Sigg was arrested, on October 24, police were still looking for the crime scene. After he was arrested, we haven't heard any more about it ... just like we didn't hear any more about a search for clothing after the backpack was discovered. They told us to forget about what she was wearing and focus on her facial features. In this case, they put the tip line on answering service.

They searched the house, found DNA remnants and human remains ... and heaps of other evidence. The transfer out of juvenile court will likely be challenged because it seriously impacts the sentence. Other than that, he has confessed, so it's really only a matter of sentencing ... isn't it?

For the family, it is important that her remains are returned to them. For investigators, they have all the evidence they need for a conviction. The justice system in Colorado seems to work, so I'm guessing Austin will never again see the light of day without it being blocked by concrete walls and solitude.

Good post, Otto -- and let me thank you again for your useful, helpful and amazing visual scenes of the house and its interior. The super sketch of the crawl space, basement, etc., was especially helpful to me.

Sounds like it should only be a matter of sentencing, as you say Otto, unless the case is bogged down by an insanity plea or a "diminished capacity" plea if that is a valid plea in CO -- no idea; or by some loss or error in obtaining the evidence. But as for an evidence problem, I think that would be next to impossible since, IMO, all LEO's who were in on this case -- from top to bottom -- were very likely as careful and legal-minded as humanly possible due to the nature of this case. And although I'm sure they have more evidence than we know, even the evidence that we do know is very solid -- a confession is so rare, and we've got one here. And you can't argue with DNA, IMO.

So now we're in for the long wait until trial... Does anyone close to the area know what the usual "lag time" (please excuse this inaccurate and inapt term) is for criminal cases in Adams/Jefferson counties?

 

[nikb]

I doubt that many people will agree with me, but I really don't see AS as a sociopath - a very sick minded person, but not a sociopath. There are a few things that just don't fit that label for me. For one thing, he doesn't seem to be all that charismatic, which is a common characteristic of one.

People have said he was intelligent, and friends thought he was charismatic, but it seems like most people described him as strange, quiet, weird, etc.

I don't believe he and his brother would be as close if he was truly a sociopath. It seems like little brothers and sisters are almost as commonly abused as pets by people with no conscience, but his brother seems to genuinely care about him and doesn't seem to have accepted it readily.

He doesn't seem to be much good at lying. I don't see a true sociopath confessing to his mother to start out, and immediately admitting to the murder and other things once questioned. Being a believable liar is a big trait of sociopaths, but it seems like almost nobody has believed much of anything he's said (other than that he's guilty!)

To me, he seems more like someone who is fairly high on the Autism spectrum, but has other severe issues along with it. The signs I see are: not knowing proper social cues, becoming obsessed with subjects of interest, appearing "odd" to people who don't know him well (and to some who do), not spending time doing age appropriate activities, spending time with younger kids (especially girls, because he seems to have more in common with them), the stare is fairly common in someone who is trying to force him/herself to look people in the eye, sometimes a vacant stare can actually aim at another person and feel uncomfortable.

My guess is that he has some form of PDD, along with anxiety, depression and/or some other mood disorder, OCD, and probably some form of psychosis. I believe he knew what he did was wrong, but I'm not sure how much he cared, I really wouldn't be surprised at all if he were to plead guilty. I'd like to say that I feel sorry for him, but any chance of that flew out the window the moment his fantasies became reality.

Very good post and thanks for suggesting another possibility. I also recall the one article where a former friend or classmate said he was "egotistical," and I've seen that happen with kids who are autistic/high functioning. With some kids anyway once they learn something it seems they really latch onto it and are pretty insistent about it, which can come across as egotistical especially if other social cues are a bit off. I don't have a link, sorry - this comes from my experience working with autistic children, and in particular being told not to teach the girl I primarily worked with silly songs with nonsense words (i.e. Mairzy Doats), because she might become convinced that a nonsense word was a normal word, associate it with something, and get insistent with her classmates which could then cause her more social problems.

It's an interesting thought, Confusion.

 

[human]

I doubt that many people will agree with me, but I really don't see AS as a sociopath - a very sick minded person, but not a sociopath. There are a few things that just don't fit that label for me. For one thing, he doesn't seem to be all that charismatic, which is a common characteristic of one.

People have said he was intelligent, and friends thought he was charismatic, but it seems like most people described him as strange, quiet, weird, etc.

I don't believe he and his brother would be as close if he was truly a sociopath. It seems like little brothers and sisters are almost as commonly abused as pets by people with no conscience, but his brother seems to genuinely care about him and doesn't seem to have accepted it readily.

He doesn't seem to be much good at lying. I don't see a true sociopath confessing to his mother to start out, and immediately admitting to the murder and other things once questioned. Being a believable liar is a big trait of sociopaths, but it seems like almost nobody has believed much of anything he's said (other than that he's guilty!)

To me, he seems more like someone who is fairly high on the Autism spectrum, but has other severe issues along with it. The signs I see are: not knowing proper social cues, becoming obsessed with subjects of interest, appearing "odd" to people who don't know him well (and to some who do), not spending time doing age appropriate activities, spending time with younger kids (especially girls, because he seems to have more in common with them), the stare is fairly common in someone who is trying to force him/herself to look people in the eye, sometimes a vacant stare can actually aim at another person and feel uncomfortable.

My guess is that he has some form of PDD, along with anxiety, depression and/or some other mood disorder, OCD, and probably some form of psychosis. I believe he knew what he did was wrong, but I'm not sure how much he cared, I really wouldn't be surprised at all if he were to plead guilty. I'd like to say that I feel sorry for him, but any chance of that flew out the window the moment his fantasies became reality.

I think you are right!

The sociopath did not fit for me either because of the charming, charismatic. He is not that person

 

[borndem]

Hi all. I live just less than a mile from both Jessica's house and the perp's house, and I just wanted to thank you all for the discussion here. This has been a difficult time in our community for sure, but it's comforting to know how many others care about this case. I have been lurking here for a couple weeks but just registered yesterday. I've been afraid that people will begin to forget this case once the news dries up (gag order, time between court dates, etc.), but I am encouraged that there are forums like this one that are keeping the case current and on our minds. I'll try to contribute if I can, especially in regards to anything that would be considered "local" knowledge. Thanks.

Welcome, Eireannach!!



​

 

[tlcya]

No description of the suspect in one case, and in the other, an attractive athletically built suspect with a shaved head who was between 5'6 and 6 feet tall.

But, definitively, "it was him"?

Perhaps could have contained the words "I feel strongly" or "I am convinced" prior to that pronouncement, for clarity's sake. But to give the poster credit, she did end that post with

My
Own
Opinion

We were all newer members at one point. I try to extend to those who are now the same courtesy and benifit of the doubt some very patient veterans extended to me way back when

 

[Eireannach]

Welcome, Eireannach!!

Thanks!

 

[Confusion]

I'm going to go back to my thoughts about PDD as a part of the problem - possibly because it's something I'm more familiar with than the psychopathic personality!

I know that my son (who has Asperger's) has a real fear of being angry with me. In his mind, anger is more or less permanent and it's hard for him to accept that someone can love someone and be angry at them at the same time. Because of that, he'll find hundreds of things to blame his anger/irritation/frustration on when I say or do something that bothers him. He's almost 30, lives alone (about 6 blocks from me) and is fairly independent, but he still depends on me for a lot. I handle his money/pay his bills, make his appointments when needed, let him call any time he's bored or lonely, and a lot of little things. I think that in his mind, he believes that if he shows anger toward me that I'll stop having anything to do with him, and he's afraid of what would happen then.

I wonder if AS is like that with his mother too. If he was close to her BF that was with them, it may have upset him when she broke it off with him - I believe I read that it happened in May. If he was feeling anger toward her for it, he may have looked for someone else to transfer the anger to. If he also idolizes his brother (like my son does his), he would not be an acceptable scapegoat. I can see him going after the jogger to act out some of his anger, and getting even more depressed/angry when he failed. I've been trying to find when it was that he and his girlfriend most recently broke up too. If it was within the past few months, it may have been another catalyst for what he did to Jessica.