FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #32

[sadnpod]

again I have no reason to doubt you sadnpod, but this is why I harp on the issue of taking what even those close to the case have to say with a grain of salt. I don't think you purposely mislead us but a lot of what you post is how you see things. Many here take EVERYTHING you say as fact and repeat them as fact.

Again I respect you and think you have a kind and caring soul and would never mislead, but chit chat happens and sometimes even those with the best of intentions make mistakes.

Jmo

Again, I totally agree with you Kimberly... everything I post is from my perspective... and I dont mean to imply anything is a fact, only what I saw from my mind.. and I dont even believe everything I think. I appreciate it when you remind everyone of this... really I do.

 

[houndstooth]

Was it the Sheriff's wife? Nevermind, I see that Sad said "Sheriff" but the post above that by Sunshine says Sheriff's deputy". I wish we had strikethrough here!

"I've been crying since day one," said Amanda Wendorff, a co-organizer of the fundraiser. "When it's a child, it just touches a community."

Wendorff, the wife of a Clay County Sheriff's deputy, has four children of her own. She urged people at the carnival to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious — underscoring the fear that is running deep in the community.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/25/national/main5420298.shtml

I actually had a bit of an exchange with the wife of the deputy sheriff there in my own inimitable way! lol. She told how it came about and that they did just as you say. They asked DT, and she was good with it. I told her I thought it seemed a little soon for that kind of thing considering she was just found and not even buried yet!! Could it not wait a decent interval if it was necessary? I told her it seemed to be a lot of pressure to put on the children at this time to do this. But.....well you know how it went from then up to now.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Again, I totally agree with you Kimberly... everything I post is from my perspective... and I dont mean to imply anything is a fact, only what I saw from my mind.. and I dont even believe everything I think. I appreciate it when you remind everyone of this... really I do.

wow I always hoped you weren't too offended. You are one of the few that appreciates my constant requests for fact/rumor checks. Lol
I really have hoped you didn't feel attacked by them. I'm so glad to know you don't because I never meant it that way.

I just find it keeps the thread more "real" that way. So members and guests know when they read what should be taken as fact and what should be taken as insider info that could possibly be swayed by bias. Not saying you do that just trying to make a point.

Thanks so much for your response.

 

[Noway]

Did they not fingerprint and photograph many children during this first fundrasier (like Child Find or a similar organization)?

Or is that my hallucination?

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Ok goodnight y'all! Alarm will be sounding in 5 hours and 6 minutes. Have a great night.

 

[sorrell skye]

Thank you for answering my question, Sad. I would have interpreted his shaking of the head as a "no" as well. And if I (I, meaning me, personally) was in doubt as to his response, I would have asked for clarification, or at least a verbal "yes' or "no". I'm not implying you were wrong for not doing so, just stating what I would have done - that's just the kind of person I am. You strike me as the same kind of person - someone who wants answers, especially when it involves something as serious as the murder of an innocent little 7 year old child.

It seemed that you were not in doubt by what he meant when he shook his head, since you posted about it on the forum as an indication that he meant "no", she wasn't compacted by the garbage trucks.

In my experience, funeral home personnel are very skilled @ communicating with the family members of the deceased. I truly appreciate the job they perform. They know how to communicate clearly and compassionately.

 

[sadnpod]

Did they not fingerprint and photograph many children during this first fundrasier (like Child Find or a similar organization)?

Or is that my hallucination?

Whew...at least we share another hallucination.. so maybe theres hope for my fuddled brain! BTW I like your new avatar... I want some! Sorry for the confusion (why I should find the link before running my fingers)

Goodnite all... once again...maybe tomorrow...

 

[Noway]

Goodnight Sad ... maybe tomorrow.

 

[sadnpod]

Thank you for answering my question, Sad. I would have interpreted his shaking of the head as a "no" as well. And if I (I, meaning me, personally) was in doubt as to his response, I would have asked for clarification, or at least a verbal "yes' or "no". I'm not implying you were wrong for not doing so, just stating what I would have done - that's just the kind of person I am. You strike me as the same kind of person - someone who wants answers, especially when it involves something as serious as the murder of an innocent little 7 year old child.It seemed that you were not in doubt by what he meant when he shook his head, since you posted about it on the forum as an indication that he meant "no", she wasn't compacted by the garbage trucks.

In my experience, funeral home personnel are very skilled @ communicating with the family members of the deceased. I truly appreciate the job they perform. They know how to communicate clearly and compassionately.

BBM.. you are right sorrell, normally I would have asked. And if I had a do over I would have asked alot more questions. But it was so emotional and both of us had tears running down our faces. I didnt think I was in doubt when I posted it, but looking back Im just not sure. I wanted to believe she wasnt compacted, so that might have swayed what I thought he answered with the shake of his head. They were wonderful and professional. I hope I havent implied anything differently.

 

[sorrell skye]

LE will act as a gopher if it gives them access to someone they want to talk to, observe, etc... In the first few days of our situation LE was around and very helpful in areas they didn't need to be. Probably partially human compassion, and probably largely invited access to the inner sanctum of family interactions. I am almost positive I gave my MIL's clothing to an officer. Someone came to the house to get them, we didn't go to the funeral home with them that I know for sure.

BBM

Thank you for your post, impatientredhead. What you have shared is very helpful & telling.

An LE vehicle was observed & reported @ the victim's family residence for quite awhile after the body was found.

 

[Kateyes]

So many of the posts on this latest thread focus on why DT did not view Somer's body, and I would like to add a thought I had about that. For a moment, let's say that we know for a fact that the trash compactor did not cause any damage to Somer's body, especially her head and neck. What then could be the reason that LE advised DT not to view Somer, if indeed LE did advise her of that? Another possibility could be that she was strangled with a rope, or whatever, and that the object used to strangle her was left on her neck. I don't want to be too graphic, but since her body was not found immediately (such as it could be if a strangulation occurred due to suicide) then a large amount of swelling could have occurred, as well as other things too graphic to describe. Maybe the damage to the body caused by the method of the murder would have been too gruesome for viewing by anyone other than LE and the funeral directors. In addition to strangulation there are other ways in which the homicide could have been carried out - gunshot, etc. It is horrible, and just writing this makes me sick to my stomach. But, my point is that is could have simply been the condition of the body itself, and nothing about DT or any family member that resulted in the advice not to view the body. Just speculating on another possibility. While I find it maddening that nothing much is known I applaud LE for keeping their investigation so tight to the vest.

 

[sorrell skye]

BBM.. you are right sorrell, normally I would have asked. And if I had a do over I would have asked alot more questions. But it was so emotional and both of us had tears running down our faces. I didnt think I was in doubt when I posted it, but looking back Im just not sure. I wanted to believe she wasnt compacted, so that might have swayed what I thought he answered with the shake of his head. They were wonderful and professional. I hope I havent implied anything differently.

The death of a loved one is always an extremely emotional time. Having experienced the death & burial of both my parents and a 7 year old niece (not to mention the loss of a few close friends to cancer in the very recent past), I completely understand how the shock of the event can affect one's thinking processes.

Nevertheless, I feel I must ask - if you weren't certain as to what the funeral home person's response meant in terms of yes or no, or whether or not you interpreted it as a "no", why did you post it on the forum? Now here we are, a month after those posts, formulating our various hypotheses, partly based on information you yourself have provided.

We have all relied on your personal information, and have appreciated it.

But if your interpretations or information cannot be relied upon as factual, then perhaps the post I made in the recent past regarding family members following LE's wise advice about not discussing this case (especially on a widely read internet crime forum) should be reviewed.

I'm not saying this to attack you. I am just extremely confused at this point, after following this case (and everything you have said) for over two months.

Because now I'm being told that what has been posted in the past is merely an interpretation.

I mean no offense. I hope my confusion is understood.

 

[sorrell skye]

Sad - I want to assure you that I'm not doubting you personally, or what you have posted or experienced. I have appreciated your posts & insights regarding your experience these past two months. I also appreciate the emotional circumstances in which you are involved - I know it's not easy for you.

IIRC, Tricia herself posted on these threads in your support when you first joined. As far as I'm concerned, that's good enough for me.

Nevertheless, since you were welcomed with such open arms by Tricia, IMO, it behooves you to be worthy of those open arms, don't you think? I mean, you wouldn't want to embarrass Tricia and give her reason to regret her decision, would you?

So I have a question for you - who were the other passengers that rode in the van from the church service to the grave site? You don't have to name them specifically (it's none of my business who they were).

I'm asking this because you have stated in previous posts that ST, two friends of his (one being ST's girlfriend) from NC, yourself, and "tight jeans guy" (who "crashed" the funeral) rode in the van. Do I have this information correct? If not, please correct me. I am only seeking to understand and to keep everything straight, especially since I seemed to have been mistaken regarding other information.

As I stated before, I have no reason to doubt you. I simply need clarification. I have been confused regarding other posts you have made. Sometimes I'm a total dunderhead, and misinterpret what someone says.

Members here have come to trust you & your experience and perspective.

ETA: Was there anyone else who hitched a ride?

 

[CarolynV]

Trying to catch up.

I may be wrong but don't they use the date a person is found as the date on death cert and tombstone?

I say this because it bothered me with Shaniya's too. Her date of death is listed as the day she was found. And we know she died before that day because the perps were already in jail by that day.

Does anybody know if they normally use the date a body is found as the official date of death on paperwork?

Hi everyone. My ex-husband died and was not found for two weeks, we know when he died, because he did not show up for work; they did not use that day on his death certificate, they used the day that they found him and removed him from his home.

 

[ChickenPants]

was reading from the first thread, when news came out....lots of comments...here is one:
How far is a 7 year old going to run? how long is she going to hide? If the father had her he would have notified the police by now I am sure! EVERYONE REMEMBER SHE IS 7!!!! The girl and boy across the street from me walked home from school with her, to gano/debarry then they go separte ways! She does not remember any fight with a friend! So is the sister placing blame on a friend? Was the fight really with the sister and now this has happened and she doesnt want to get in trouble? Sorry but that is how kids think! There were already two different stories given the first one is that the kids were running home and Somer got left behind and then she never showed up at home. Then here comes some arguement with a friend and she hit her and took off? or was the arguement with the sister? As the friends already went the other way, I know this because they were at my house tonight! Even if the fight was with the sister, its not the sisters fault however she needs to tell exactly what happened. i know kids lie so they dont get in to trouble, i have two of them.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/21342995/detail.html

This bothers me a lot. The police must have interviewed all of these kids, right? So why it hard copy news - and mom also repeating the version - of the so-called fight with the friend, hitting with backpack, etc. As other posters have said, it doesn't fit with the image of the fun-loving hugging child...

Read again the two versions of the story and then add the other one mom added on TV where "Samuel lagged behind..." and who did what and who walked where or ran ahead when to where? It's pretty crucial, IMO the only fact that everyone agrees on is the Gano area where she was allegedly last seen. Can somebody study this and come up with any other theories of what might have happened? If these other kids are telling the truth and Abby is not, why would she lie so consistently that her version is the official truth now? Or why would the other kids lie?

 

[camcneishg]

This bothers me a lot. The police must have interviewed all of these kids, right? So why it hard copy news - and mom also repeating the version - of the so-called fight with the friend, hitting with backpack, etc. As other posters have said, it doesn't fit with the image of the fun-loving hugging child...

Read again the two versions of the story and then add the other one mom added on TV where "Samuel lagged behind..." and who did what and who walked where or ran ahead when to where? It's pretty crucial, IMO the only fact that everyone agrees on is the Gano area where she was allegedly last seen. Can somebody study this and come up with any other theories of what might have happened? If these other kids are telling the truth and Abby is not, why would she lie so consistently that her version is the official truth now? Or why would the other kids lie?

I so agree with you....this is all too confusing...too many stories...too many directions. Lets hope all of the kids were interviewed by LE the next day....IIRC, DT states something about LE talking to the other kids, but that she did not know the outcome of it....I also recall DT saying that she had sent the kids to stay with family during the first few days, but then again....I do see AT at the vigils, even singing at one of them.....If I were 10 years old, and I saw my mother going thru this pain, such as at the vigils....I could not hold myself together enough to sing....MO....was it ever figured out who the little girl at the benefit concert that sang "you are my sunshine" was?

 

[ChickenPants]

I
have one foot in the shower and one out here. I just found this on FOX News clicked Somer Thompson. Things never seen before. Mom seen carrying white dress (funeral) and other quotes, etc., if you want to read.

On a previous article (FL) I just read, it said donations could be made to Vystar to help family with funeral expenses. I thought funeral home donated them?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569398,00.html

IF LE was seen carrying the dress, Diena gave it to them, meaning...

What about the neighbor (friend of Thompson family) who says they all watch out for everybody and "if there was a stranger (hanging around) they all would have noticed? Does that mean somebody she knew grabbed her?

Finally, where does reporter get info that Diena raced home and joined the others in the search? We know she didn't race home, and we're talking about how she stayed in the house.

My question is: Who did the reporter interview for this article besides pulling info out of the MPR and possibly LE? Since the area was crawling with reporters? Did the reporter interview mom? Lastly, she denied interview with but went on National TV and why is this? Confusion, confusion.

 

[ChickenPants]

The thing about the fundraising ... it does not seem to be the family that is organizing these many fundraisers. It's other people.

And yes, the family is participating at various levels and the money is going (in many cases) to Diena/Thompson Family. But whose ideas were they? Is there a common link between all of these?

ETA
Do these people contact Diena first and say "We want to do a fundraiser for you and your family. We'd like to ___________" and have you and your children and any family and friends _________________.

Does Diena have a chance to say, "How sweet of you, but really, there have been so many fundraisers for us. Why don't you donate the money to ___________, a very wonderful organization that helps _____________!"

A personal example: When the lady at church I knew (not intimately) lost her daughter in that accident, I talked to the priest about doing something like a musical scholarship concert in her honor. He actually got ANGRY and said: (don't remember the exact words) "You people need to just leave this woman alone for a while." I was hurt. I waited until I thought it might be a suitable time and contacted her. She did say she thought it would be appropriate and thanked me. BUT SHE DID NOT KNOW IF SHE COULD HANDLE BEING AT THAT CONCERT. She did come, stood back in the wings where I was and cried the whole time, looked like she aged 10 years ... so sad.


Noway, you are a smart lady. Imagine DT on tv or elsewhere saying "you know, we are so poor, and I appreciate y'all so much...we are so broke...I don't know how we are going to pay for all of this...."

Or saying what you have kindly set forth above. Somewhere someone posted that DT must authorize all fund raising. Also, if she was that concerned, she could take those funds and ask that they be channeled to something else. There's always the "in lieu of flowers or personal donations, family requests that you send money to ________" and that is usually AT funeral time and NOT TWO MONTHS AFTER. DT could have at any time (especially on the last interview when she was so sad for the dad of Shanyia) said, "people have been so kind to me....I know this poor father needs help...can you please send money to him?" Or donate to AMW for missing children? XO

 

[ChickenPants]

so sorry for your family. That's just horrible. What a gruesome way to leave this earth.

Sounds to me like the funeral director had the familys best interest at heart and was willing to stand up for what he knew was right.

You are probably right. I would add, however, it is possible that he was in communication with the LE and was treating this as a homocide, in which case they prob. have strict protocols about public or even family viewing? I'm thinking about what the above poster said, that the perp was insisting on looking at the woman...it is sad and very bizarre. Death, funerals are tough enough without all of this coming into play. How I cope is to remember that while all of this is going on, little Somer is not "there"...her soul is gone. The body is a shell....or like my son said when he was little "she's leaving her cocoon so the butterfly can come out." Hard to dwell on beauty when the case is unsolved, though.

 

[ChickenPants]

The death of a loved one is always an extremely emotional time. Having experienced the death & burial of both my parents and a 7 year old niece (not to mention the loss of a few close friends to cancer in the very recent past), I completely understand how the shock of the event can affect one's thinking processes.

Nevertheless, I feel I must ask - if you weren't certain as to what the funeral home person's response meant in terms of yes or no, or whether or not you interpreted it as a "no", why did you post it on the forum? Now here we are, a month after those posts, formulating our various hypotheses, partly based on information you yourself have provided.

We have all relied on your personal information, and have appreciated it.

But if your interpretations or information cannot be relied upon as factual, then perhaps the post I made in the recent past regarding family members following LE's wise advice about not discussing this case (especially on a widely read internet crime forum) should be reviewed.

I'm not saying this to attack you. I am just extremely confused at this point, after following this case (and everything you have said) for over two months.

Because now I'm being told that what has been posted in the past is merely an interpretation.

I mean no offense. I hope my confusion is understood.

I totally understand especially under TOS trying to stick to facts only why people are asking for clarification from SAD, 4Mer, etc., and there are some whacks on board who actually pretend to be close to families, know things, crazy people getting their kicks off throwing things out there, etc., etc.

That said, I have no reason to believe that these people who claim to be close to family past or present have are in any way not telling the truth about everything they are aware of. How much stronger can I put it? They are human beings who are subject to little mistakes about a word or two here or there (God, just look at the MPR and the media mistakes) SAD during a very emotional time...feeling conflicted about the parents, trying to be fair and balanced. They are closer to this little girl than any of us. I just feel sometimes like they are interrogated as suspects. Yet, when some of us do a "virtual" interrogation of DT (or CPC who nobody is looking at here) we don't fare so well...I mean, SAD is interrogated more than DT.

Why would Sad and 4mer and all of those in the OP area be subject to such scrutiny? I would much rather put all of my time and energy into revisiting scenes with reference to some hinky, low-life people are still out there living comfortably while the little girl is dead, whether compacted or not, never having the joy of twirling in that white dress....MO I want to thank everyone, even the skeptics who ask the hard questions. But when we ask a poster, Why would YOU say this or that or how do YOU know or YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WOULD ACT, or use the word YOU it becomes personal, and in my experience it hurts. A little. For a while. Then back on the sleuth.

Thanks and I am not talking about anyone specific here.