GA - Tara Grinstead, 29, Ocilla, 22 Oct 2005 #1 *Arrests*

[Trino]

The article makes it appear as though he's been successful in helping to solve other crimes. It would seem that LE/GBI would welcome his input, and maybe they are, but you never know about "stepping on someone's toes" in a situation like this.

 

[concernedperson]

Investigative psychologist joins search for Tara Grinstead

A former police officer who is now an investigative psychologist hopes to vist Ocilla Thursday through Sunday will change the focus of the investigation into missing school teacher, Tara Grinstead.

http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_066214310.html?keyword=topstory

 

[docwho3]

Investigative psychologist joins search for Tara Grinstead

A former police officer who is now an investigative psychologist hopes to vist Ocilla Thursday through Sunday will change the focus of the investigation into missing school teacher, Tara Grinstead.

http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_066214310.html?keyword=topstory

That is very interesting. I hope they find new evidence.

 

[concernedperson]

That is very interesting. I hope they find new evidence.

Me too, doc. This is long in the coming. I believe this to be a solvable case if only the right people would come forward or the right people could bring them forward.

 

[Bobbisangel]

It would be wonderful if this case got solved. It's hard to believe that nothing has been found...not a clue. I wonder what ever came of that glove they found in her front lawn? Maybe a new set of eyes will see something that everyone else has missed. My money still rides on the ex-boyfriend...they just haven't proven it yet.

 

[all4tara]

http://www.wmaz.com/news/local_headlines.aspx?storyid=23725

"Dr. Maurice Godwin is a former police office who now specializes in psychological, geographical and environmental profiling"

"Friday he spent the day examining Grinstead's home for evidence other investigators overlooked"

"Godwin found fingernails, suspicious spots on the floor and an opened window in Grinstead's room"

 

[petra]

After five months, and with so many people in and out of the house, including Nancy Grace and crew.....I am amazed that an open window and spots on the floor could be directly related to Tara's disappearance.

I sure hope some answers are found soon.

 

[less0305]

After five months, and with so many people in and out of the house, including Nancy Grace and crew.....I am amazed that an open window and spots on the floor could be directly related to Tara's disappearance.

I sure hope some answers are found soon.

And honestly how much of that evidence would be allowed in court now that everyone and their brother has been through that house?

 

[concernedperson]

And honestly how much of that evidence would be allowed in court now that everyone and their brother has been through that house?

None. I would imagine if someone was affiliated with LE and had something to do with this crime evidence contamination would be a welcome thing.

 

[dulcinea]

I wonder if the "suspicious spots" are thought to be blood. In that case it could prove to be evidence if it can be typed and identified, but an open window? I think it's great if someone else wants to go back over the scene and try to find things that might have been missed. This has proven to be very valuable in other cases, even when there was lots of contamination. However, all of the new "evidence" must be taken with a grain of salt and I'm afraid that it might cause false hopes.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

I hate to be negative but my finger nails break occasionally and I don't always find them on the floor until I sweep. I have a bone colored carpet.

How many fingernails did they find? Were they real nails, fake nails, the press on type? She seemed to be very well kempt, so I would guess she had her nails done on a regular basis. Maybe I am wrong. Just guessing.

 

[all4tara]

http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4619580

Ocilla--While the search for Van Streat Junior, has come to a tragic end, Tara Grinstead's family, continues to search for answers into her disappearance.

It's been nearly five months since Tara was last seen, and police still don't know what happened to the former beauty queen.

Now the family is taking the search into their own hands, by bringing in their own investigator.

"I've found what appeared to be two blood stains," says investigator Maurice Godwin is determined to find out what really happened to Tara Grinstead.

"That needs to tested and lifted for presence for human blood. So I've marked that there. You can't over look anything," says Godwin.

He examines every inch of Tara's house, especially the bedroom where he believes Tara's struggle with her attacker began.

"A broken nail with a dot was found right there. I found it in the little crevice right there," says Godwin.

Underneath Tara's bed, Godwin discovers broken pieces from Tara's lamp . "That doesn't appear to be done with a hand or anything that appears to have been thrown or picked or somebody hit and knocked it and broke it," says Godwin.

As Godwin lifts back parts of Tara's covers, he reveals more signs of a possible struggle.

"A foot has caught that somehow, enough to bend that whole metal piece there," says Godwin.

From the bedroom, Godwin believes her attacker then forced Tara from her house and into her own car.

"I believe her car was driven to a location, and I believe she was killed in that location and later on her car was brought back early Sunday morning," says Godwin.

A latex glove was found in front of Tara's house, Godwin believes belonging to her attacker.

"I think they have law enforcement background. A lot of people commit a lot of crimes but they don't where latex gloves," says Godwin.

Godwin also examinesTara's carport for finger prints as well as well for more blood stains. "This is a reddish brown stain, that needs to be swabbed up, and test for human blood," says Godwin.

As the former police officer continues to question people in the area, and search for clues, he won't stop until he brings justice and closure to Tara's family.

"I'm staying on this case until I see the individual responsible for this crime sitting on death row," says Godwin.

Godwin is currently trying obtain cell phone records of certain people of interest in the case. Through a method called triangularization, he can pinpoint where a call was last made.

 

[concernedperson]

Thanks for the article. This is indeed interesting info and it seems Dr. Godwin has breathe new life into the investigation. His opinion is certainly shared by many of us and he seems as determined to see this case to the end.

ETA: Be sure and look at the video as it shows the possible blood stains and the way the lamp was broken and the bed bent.

 

[englishleigh]

I would hope whoever did this is getting very, very nervous. This guy is going to solve the case, I would bet on it.

 

[Montanagirl]

I'm usually a glass-is-half-full kinda gal, but I am sceptical about what this guy will be able to achieve. I don't like to believe in LE conspiracies and I think the fact he was able to find 'spots that may be blood' in her bedroom and car port just reeks of conspiracy-theory to me. As someone already pointed out, everyone and their little brother have been in and out of her house and I'm afraid no evidence they find now would stand up in court. And this guy may actually hinder rather than help if he starts putting people's backs up.

I think she will be found, but my theory is that she hurt herself dor whatever reason. JMO and take it for what it's worth.

 

[all4tara]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica]As posted on Court TV today........

As of 11:30 am today, Irwin county Sheriff Donnie Youghn is blocking K-9 searchers from searching land around Tara's ex-boyfriend, Marcus Harper's, home. Tara's family has obtained landowners permission. This land does not belong to Harper or his mother Nancy Redman. Redman and Harper called Sheriff Youghn to get this search stopped. Tara's family was given a tip last week about gunshots being heard in this area the night Tara disappeared. There is an opened deep well on this property in question and the landowner wants K-9's to search it, as well as two abandoned house on her property. Her property joins the Redman property where Harper lives wih his mother at 219 Green Road in Ocilla[/font]

 

[concernedperson]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica]As posted on Court TV today........

As of 11:30 am today, Irwin county Sheriff Donnie Youghn is blocking K-9 searchers from searching land around Tara's ex-boyfriend, Marcus Harper's, home. Tara's family has obtained landowners permission. This land does not belong to Harper or his mother Nancy Redman. Redman and Harper called Sheriff Youghn to get this search stopped. Tara's family was given a tip last week about gunshots being heard in this area the night Tara disappeared. There is an opened deep well on this property in question and the landowner wants K-9's to search it, as well as two abandoned house on her property. Her property joins the Redman property where Harper lives wih his mother at 219 Green Road in Ocilla[/font]

I was just coming to post this. This is extremely worrisome. I don't understand how the sheriff could halt a private search on private property that the landowner wanted searched. The FBI needs to get involved immediately.

 

[jodierenee]

Sheriff knows one of his "boys" (another cop) is possibly involved and dosen't want a scandal..

I really despise people who abuse their authority and have no semblance of justice and equality.

He's probably afraid of making himself look bad because i'm sure he knows more than he's letting on. If so, he should go to jail with the rest of them!

 

[all4tara]

I really hope there is an explanation here. I have been told that there were mini-searches going on this weekend and that Harper and his mother were following people and taking pictures and making a scene. SOmeone said Harper had a gun at one point. I do not know whats true and whats not at this point. Sounds like someone got their feathers ruffled or is scared people are getting to close to something.

 

[concernedperson]

I really hope there is an explanation here. I have been told that there were mini-searches going on this weekend and that Harper and his mother were following people and taking pictures and making a scene. SOmeone said Harper had a gun at one point. I do not know whats true and whats not at this point. Sounds like someone got their feathers ruffled or is scared people are getting to close to something.

I believe some of this is true. A poster I correspond with told me of an incident at her work place. She had searched before and was vocal about it. (She found a bone that she thought was human)She had planned to search this past weekend but scratched it.

I think Harper is feeling the squeeze. LE down there may not be helping him but they sure aren't working this case. The family is using their resources for PI's, Dr. Godwin and private forensic testing.