CO CO - Kelsey Berreth, 29, Woodland Park, Teller County, 22 Nov 2018 - #3

[cluciano63]

LE often asks for DNA early on in a case, just to get it if they can, and to see who agrees.

 

[natsound]

And I want to say someone posted yesterday that the press conf. was announced 24 hours in advance, not one hour.

If I missed a police press conference regarding my missing fiancee, I would hold my own.

 

[Denvergirl]

I just saw the CBS this morning interview with the mom. She says it's unlike KB to just up and leave her daughter behind, but then says she believes she will be found 100% ok. I wonder if she's in denial or knows something that we don't know yet. It just seems odd.

 

[Gardener1850]

I'm curious if she had or was wearing an engagement ring.

She is a 7th Day Adventist and they don't believe in wearing jewelry of any kind, not even wedding bands. So she would not have had a ring even if she was engaged. Her mom does not wear one either.

 

[Steelslady]

This case is strikingly familiar in terms of trajectory, behavior, things LE is saying/not saying.

It appears this case is following the same pattern as other domestic homicide cases:

• Boyfriend/Fiance/Husband is the last person to see the missing female alive.
• Female disappears but LE is either not called right away or not called at all, and it's someone else who finally calls to report the woman missing some days or weeks later.
• Significant other won't talk to media & says that will take focus off of finding missing person.
• Significant other won't attend any event with female's family.
• Significant other blocks woman's family from seeing child/children.
• Significant other sometimes retains criminal defense attorney.
• Phone pings or texts or other misleading info are part of the situation.
• LE says the public is not in danger (big hint here).
• LE says things like, "no suspect or person of interest has been named." Standard verbiage. It means they believe they know who's involved but they're not saying publicly, and won't until they have to or until there's an arrest.

And, as is usual, the public will *not* be told much and this is by design. The public is not entitled to details of an investigation no matter how much case followers demand it. All work is done to preserve the integrity of a case, protect the case for future litigation, and not give anything away that will make a future criminal indictment and trial compromised. Following a criminal case means understanding you'll get very little information from investigators and you'll learn patience or else be constantly frustrated. That's how it goes.

When the family or LE asks for leads, tips, they're talking about someone actually seeing something themselves, or actually hearing something from someone close to the victim.

Great post, and we have indeed seen all of the above numerous times. The only thing that is throwing me off is her cell phone pinging in Idaho. Something seems off!

 

[LietKynes]

The gist of the LE message: “you’ll have to ask him.” Repeated more than once for emphasis. And with long, pregnant pauses when PF’s name was mentioned in conjunction with the investigation. Hardly seems subtle. I thought the message underneath the PR message was quite clear

Emph. mine

Somehow I've the feeling that this PF is not wanting to talk to reporters, nor anyone else.
I think there was a brief video clip on the DM that showed a reporter trying to speak to him as he was getting into a vehicle with his daughter... and he ignored the reporter.

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnew...colorado-mother-intensifies/story?id=59710951
Thankful the FBI is involved.
They can get search warrants, and rule people in,or out,and get to the bottom of this.

 

[Bill Carson]

I am finally catching up on this case and just wanted to address something from the previous thread...someone made a comment about how innocent people don't need attorneys. I won't offer speculation against anyone that's against TOS, but re: the attorney bit, there's no way I'd talk to the police without an attorney if something like this was near me. Whether I was guilty or not, those close to the victim are always under suspicion and I've seen way too many true crime shows to attempt questioning without legal advice. I don't care if lawyering up made me look guilty or not. I'd do pressers, coordinate searches, and talk to anyone who wanted to question me-but if LE was present, my attorney would be as well.

With that said, I believe that someone close to her has a lot of answers that are currently sought. And, unfortunately, I don't believe she's alive.

No way I'm going to keep up with the posting today. But I agree with you 100%. I would not go into the den of the police headquarters interrogation room without a lawyer. I hadn't been following Watts for quite some time, but I spent probably 30 minutes last night watching some of the interviews in that case. I cannot imagine being subject to--especially as an innocent person--that kind of questioning and flat out dishonesty. It is the job of police to find the truth, of course, but many times they just want to get a confession and "solve" the crime. Yes, if it was me who was the SO, I would have a hard time saying 'no' to 'answering some questions' and 'being helpful'---that's the trap. But if a family member or client asked me whether to speak to the police, then I would never recommend that someone go into an interview--ESPECIALLY when we are talking about something as serious and dangerous as when a person has turned up missing--without a lawyer. The investigators will humor and cajole you to get you to open up, and even make you feel guilty if it works. Their playbook has a thousand techniques, and you have to be very, very careful. Again, ESPECIALLY if you are innocent.



And to add one more thing, most people don't know this, but in Colorado police can ask you a million incriminating questions and they don't have to read you your Miranda warnings unless you are in custody. So a common technique is for the police to call you on the phone and start asking things, and you think that can't use it against you because you haven't been Mirandized, but you'd be wrong about that.

 

[dgfred]

Emph. mine

Somehow I've the feeling that this PF is not wanting to talk to reporters, nor anyone else.
I think there was a brief video clip on the DM that showed a reporter trying to speak to him as he was getting into a vehicle with his daughter... and he ignored the reporter.

He may be scared of digging a hole that he will be placed in... everything he would say would be scrutinized and dissected. He might slip up somehow if he is indeed involved. We are excellent sleuthers as we have seen before.
Plus... every Colorado criminal likely saw the great canyon C.Watts made for himself. He was sunk... everyone knew what had likely happened just from those interviews.

 

[Bill Carson]

Also, I “suppose” there’s an extremely remote chance that she went to Idaho and came back...and then disappeared. Since no 1 checked her house for quite some time. But because there were no later phone pings, it seems far more likely she made the cinnamon rolls on Thanksgiving Day or the following day to me. And it seems like once they start checking traffic cameras and cameras around her neighborhood, that the police will have or already have a firmer timeline than we do.

I fear that they lost a lot of security camera recordings because of the delay between when she was last seen and when they really started investigating. You can note on the WPPD timeline that they didn't call CBI until 12/4, so it took a couple of days there before they decided to really (really) investigate. These small towns in Colorado all use CBI's investigative division when a serious crime is committed. I'm sure they checked at the house on 12/2 and nobody was home and there was no evidence of foul play, so they waited a while longer to see if she would come home. People do have the right to go away without telling people, after all. I'm sure that CB and PF had to convince them to some extent that this was different somehow.

 

[K9Enzo]

Just a hunch here, but I believe she left on her own her own accord. People who walk away from their lives certainly do it without taking vehicles & personal belongings. Yes, even walking away from their children, regardless of the age. Planning to do this would take some planning. I would also imagine the time leading up to when you leave, you do normal things. I certainly hope she's alive.

 

[bestill]

Bets on him showing up tonight with the baby for the vigil?

 

[allboys]

I am puzzled as to why DNA was requested and obtained. There's no evidence that Kelsey is no longer with us. Maybe an envelope was sent and they do not know who sent it. There was supposed to be a search warrant on Kelsey's house (trailerhouse?) There was also a welfare check. The police supposedly need the owner's permission to enter a house. I think there may be something in this phase of the investigation that is critical. The only reason for wanting DNA is to check it with another DNA. It just seems too early in the investigation to obtain DNA unless they have some DNA they want to match it to.

The Woodland Park Police Department is to provide a liaison between the police and the public. Obviously there are some questions they cannot answer, but they can confirm if they only gave Patrick one hour's notice.

I would think this is normal (good) practice since as someone else already mentioned, SO is always POI, whether LE indicates officially or not. Just as an example, his DNA could be compared to samples taken from places where PF’s should most likely NOT be found. (Touch DNA on KB’s steering wheel, driver’s seat etc.) JMO. MOO.

 

[happyday]

I remember seeing these articles & several others when my daughter expressed interest in applying to CSU Pueblo. I told her her she'd be better off in Boulder!
I just think it might be relevant since Kelsey worked in Pueblo. Seems violent crime is through the roof due to gang and black tar heroin problems.
Might be worth considering since she spent a lot of time there.

Why Pueblo has the highest per-capita homicide rate in Colorado – The Denver Post

Report: Pueblo ranked most violent city in Colorado

 

[adb1025]

Emph. mine

Somehow I've the feeling that this PF is not wanting to talk to reporters, nor anyone else.
I think there was a brief video clip on the DM that showed a reporter trying to speak to him as he was getting into a vehicle with his daughter... and he ignored the reporter.

It fits his established pattern of behavior. Everyone grieves differently and I’m in no position to judge anyone ever. But in relationship to the investigation he has missed a press conference, at no point reported her missing, has only done one thing publicly at all regarding the disappearance of KB and that’s retain a lawyer. Those are pieces of evidence that suggest that either PF is being helpful behind the scenes...not a conclusion that seems in any way to fit with LE’s tone at the press conference. Or that he just isn’t concerned.

 

[Curiousobserver]

I fear that they lost a lot of security camera recordings because of the delay between when she was last seen and when they really started investigating. You can note on the WPPD timeline that they didn't call CBI until 12/4, so it took a couple of days there before they decided to really (really) investigate. These small towns in Colorado all use CBI's investigative division when a serious crime is committed. I'm sure they checked at the house on 12/2 and nobody was home and there was no evidence of foul play, so they waited a while longer to see if she would come home. People do have the right to go away without telling people, after all. I'm sure that CB and PF had to convince them to some extent that this was different somehow.

Its easy to go missing for a few hours to set up a rouse like sending a fake text. Its much harder to go missing for almost an entire day to drive 600 miles each way to do that. The people around you notice, you leave breadcrumbs. LE is looking for those breadcrumbs right now with the FBI. Those texts are the best chance they have right now.

 

[bestill]

Just a hunch here, but I believe she left on her own her own accord. People who walk away from their lives certainly do it without taking vehicles & personal belongings. Yes, even walking away from their children, regardless of the age. Planning to do this would take some planning. I would also imagine the time leading up to when you leave, you do normal things. I certainly hope she's alive.

I don't think she left on her own. I think she had a really nice life going on, a beautiful baby, exciting career, new home, etc...I do hope she is alive too!

 

[kirkassoc]

Idk that answer, but, I thought it was interesting in that interview something about KB buying a tree for only her and the baby. To me, it was an odd comment if KB was engaged and the 3 were a family.
Edit: I went back and watched it again and the mother thought the three were going to go and buy a tree together.

I got the feeling she was "distancing" herself from him when she gave the baby her last name and not his. But, with her job, I imagine she would have to depend on "daddy" sometimes. I just don't feel she was that connected to him. MOO, JMO

 

[Bill Carson]

I agree.

If we are being fair, there is so much we don’t know that the outcome may be something we never discussed.

For example, Kelsey could (hypothetically) have a new love interest her mom was not aware of. Perhaps she went off on a weekend trip with that guy and was met with foul play...or perhaps when she returned to pick up the baby, her fiancé refused and they got into an argument.

Not saying these are likely, but just pointing out the range of possibilities that are out there in the absence of more facts.

And it is also possible that she decided to make a surprise visit to family, texted at Gooding or somewhere thereabouts that she wouldn't be back to work and wouldn't be picking up the baby for a few days, and then her car slid off the highway into a ravine and she hasn't been found yet.

So yes, there are a ton of possibilities, many of which don't include foul play. I think it statistically more likely that she might have been suicidal than foul play. (JMO, as a matter of statistics alone, not having anything to do with the facts of this case). And then there could be random bad people out there that snatched her away, and we have no idea how to look for people like that.

But I still have hope that she will turn up well. Let's hope for that.

 

[PrairieWind]

I am on the fence in this case. Stuck on the fence, with several possible scenarios looming....

Possible scenarios:

1. KB got upset, or fed up, and voluntarily left home, to sort things out.

[a] she is off grid for now but is OK

OR she ran into the wrong people and things went bad

[c] she ended her own life

2. Someone close to her , made her 'disappear '

3. A random predator made her disappear in an opportunity attack





I am still leaning towards number 2, but 1 is also possible

I think all 3 of these are certainly possible. Like you, I believe 2 is the most likely, with fiance' the most likely. But I am far from convinced here. Not reporting her missing for so long is odd, but I can think of possible reasons. The phone in Idaho is perplexing thing for me.