General discussion #3

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I was just thinking about everything that we've learned about this situation ... all of the difficulties and ultimately the tragedy that this family has experienced. The maritial struggles, the financial struggles, the embezzlement, etc. And it occured to me that if Raven did embezzle these shoes that he was selling over his computer on e-bay, and IF his troubles spiralled out of control after that, and IF he is responsible for Janet's murder ... the image of those shoes sitting on the bench outside of the now empty house is both poignant and downright chilling. What are the chances that the only two things that would end up left behind as evidence of that family ever having lived there would be the shoes on the porch and the computer desk on the driveway? The computer that he used to list the shoes that might have been the key to starting a horrible chain of events. The computer that he sat at with his and Janet's baby, that he used to prepare home lessons, to set up his MySpace account, to write down his thoughts in his blog, etc. The computer is gone but the desk that (most likely) held it, and which contained blood spatter from Raven's beautiful wife sits by itself on that driveway.

Not that it means anything but it occured to me while I was driving, and it literally sent a chill down my spine.

 

[Thinkoflaura]

I posted the exact same thoughts last night. that it was so ironic that what stood for Janet were her shoes from her cherished sport, and what remained of Raven was the desk to the means of his " IT dreams", his computer..

Extremely disturbing.

 

[jager]

Jager -

Hi and thanks for the comments. I know this will seem like a really vague-type question, but with your dealing with Raven, especially in person, what are your thoughts about him, etc? I guess I mean, was he likable, etc.? First impressions? Your impressions, having been around him just randomly, would be interesting I think. Often time when people characterize someone they already know, ie., a friend, family, co-worker, it's not as easy to get an unbiased opinion. So anything you could provide would be appreciated. And, one other thing: did he ever talk much about Janet herself?

Thanks in advance!

As a said before, I never met Raven in person. I really don't have too much to offer as a judge of his personality for a couple of reason. One all of our emails probably only add up to a couple of paragraphs. Two I'm not really analytical when it comes to people. And finally it’s hard to remember what my thoughts of him were almost a year ago especially after reading the information on the news articles and this site. But here are my thoughts based on our correspondence, which mostly limited to motorcycles and soccer. Definitely outgoing, nice and likeable. He was a little materialistic, but really not much more than any other 25 year old male. We were a lot alike: ducatis, soccer, mountain biking, snowboarding, IT field, and the same age. He seemed to be an optimist, even more so the second time I talked to him, after he was “layed-off” as he told me (can’t blame him for lying I wouldn’t tell people either). Seemed intelligent and self motivated. Has read some of the same books I have on motorcycle riding techniques. I don’t recall him talking at Janet, he might have said something once or twice, but as I said are emails were mainly about motorcycles and some soccer stuff. I know I never said anything about my girlfriend. I’ll let you know if I remember anything better, or can dig up some old emails.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I posted the exact same thoughts last night. that it was so ironic that what stood for Janet were her shoes from her cherished sport, and what remained of Raven was the desk to the means of his " IT dreams", his computer..

Extremely disturbing.

It really is. Especially considering the vital roles that those items played in their lives and the roles that they may ultimately have played in her death if Raven is the one that did this. Very disturbing indeed.

 

[SouthEastSleuth]

As a said before, I never met Raven in person. I really don't have too much to offer as a judge of his personality for a couple of reason. One all of our emails probably only add up to a couple of paragraphs. Two I'm not really analytical when it comes to people. And finally it’s hard to remember what my thoughts of him were almost a year ago especially after reading the information on the news articles and this site. But here are my thoughts based on our correspondence, which mostly limited to motorcycles and soccer. Definitely outgoing, nice and likeable. He was a little materialistic, but really not much more than any other 25 year old male. We were a lot alike: ducatis, soccer, mountain biking, snowboarding, IT field, and the same age. He seemed to be an optimist, even more so the second time I talked to him, after he was “layed-off” as he told me (can’t blame him for lying I wouldn’t tell people either). Seemed intelligent and self motivated. Has read some of the same books I have on motorcycle riding techniques. I don’t recall him talking at Janet, he might have said something once or twice, but as I said are emails were mainly about motorcycles and some soccer stuff. I know I never said anything about my girlfriend. I’ll let you know if I remember anything better, or can dig up some old emails.

Thanks for the insights (somehow I overlooked that you had never met in person! duh!)... Regardless, I always think it's interesting to get other people's take or impressions of someone they've just met ( or even just corresponded with in your case). Again, as I said in an earlier post, I think every little bit helps when trying to put together the portrait of WHO a person really is...

And, I have to agree: if I had just lost my job due to criminal charges, I doubt I would mention that little tidbit to anyone either!

Again, thanks for taking the time to respond! I appreciate it...

 

[golfmom]

You know every day I come to this board and think we can't possibly wring anymore out of this case without the media or LE releasing information.

Every day our supersleuths at websleuths prove me wrong.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[anneshirley]

As a said before, I never met Raven in person. I really don't have too much to offer as a judge of his personality for a couple of reason. One all of our emails probably only add up to a couple of paragraphs. Two I'm not really analytical when it comes to people. And finally it’s hard to remember what my thoughts of him were almost a year ago especially after reading the information on the news articles and this site. But here are my thoughts based on our correspondence, which mostly limited to motorcycles and soccer. Definitely outgoing, nice and likeable. He was a little materialistic, but really not much more than any other 25 year old male. We were a lot alike: ducatis, soccer, mountain biking, snowboarding, IT field, and the same age. He seemed to be an optimist, even more so the second time I talked to him, after he was “layed-off” as he told me (can’t blame him for lying I wouldn’t tell people either). Seemed intelligent and self motivated. Has read some of the same books I have on motorcycle riding techniques. I don’t recall him talking at Janet, he might have said something once or twice, but as I said are emails were mainly about motorcycles and some soccer stuff. I know I never said anything about my girlfriend. I’ll let you know if I remember anything better, or can dig up some old emails.

jager,
Welcome to the boards. Thanks for sharing your insights!

 

[anneshirley]

As a said before, I never met Raven in person. I really don't have too much to offer as a judge of his personality for a couple of reason. One all of our emails probably only add up to a couple of paragraphs. Two I'm not really analytical when it comes to people. And finally it’s hard to remember what my thoughts of him were almost a year ago especially after reading the information on the news articles and this site. But here are my thoughts based on our correspondence, which mostly limited to motorcycles and soccer. Definitely outgoing, nice and likeable. He was a little materialistic, but really not much more than any other 25 year old male. We were a lot alike: ducatis, soccer, mountain biking, snowboarding, IT field, and the same age. He seemed to be an optimist, even more so the second time I talked to him, after he was “layed-off” as he told me (can’t blame him for lying I wouldn’t tell people either). Seemed intelligent and self motivated. Has read some of the same books I have on motorcycle riding techniques. I don’t recall him talking at Janet, he might have said something once or twice, but as I said are emails were mainly about motorcycles and some soccer stuff. I know I never said anything about my girlfriend. I’ll let you know if I remember anything better, or can dig up some old emails.

Jager,
I do have one question for you. There's been a lot of discussion on Raven's sexuality (see the "Personality Factors" thread for more info). As a stranger to Raven, did you ever feel like he was hitting on you (even if it were electronically?). SOme have said that he was flirtatious with both men and women. I was just wondering if you had that experience-through your email chats.
I apologize if this sounds immature, but since you had some contact with him, I think you have more insight than we're taking advantage of.

 

[LvsAMystry]

Great info on the soccer equipment, I thought the issue had been stolen money so it's interesting to learn it was actually merchandise. I bet Golfmom is right that he sold this stuff on ebay. Too bad we can't get a history.

I've been trying to track down the actual soccer game -- I believe, and this is without tracking back to look, that MissYouJanet said he left the house about 7:30 PM and returned about 10:30 PM. If that's the case, I'm going to assume a playing time of one hour, another hour or so to account for warmup, possible late start, chatting, change afterwood, which leaves the last hour for r/t of 30 mins each way. Within those parameters, I tried to look for a league that had a game that fit the timeframe.

I first found the North Carolina Adult Soccer Assn, of which his friend, Daruis Ejlali, is President. NCASA

From there, I looked at the links of clubs/leagues that were in the geographic area that made sense timewise. You can view this info on the "Where to Play" link at top of homepage. Once looking at the different areas and deciding which made sense geographically, I then looked at each club/league to see whether any played the night of the murder. The only one I found is TASL. If you go to schedule, you will see the Coed Section C plays on Tuesday nights. There were two games (so 4 teams) that had a game at 8:30 PM on that night, which fits. I wish I could confirm one way or the other, but this is the best I could come up with.

Interesting. I posted the above yesterday, and decided to do some more poking around tonight and cannot get into the NCASA website, or even the main site for nc soccer, www.ncsoccer.org, that contains the link to NCASA. Can anyone tell me if they can access, not sure if it's my browser or what, but strange.

 

[Chica]

Interesting. I posted the above yesterday, and decided to do some more poking around tonight and cannot get into the NCASA website, or even the main site for nc soccer, www.ncsoccer.org, that contains the link to NCASA. Can anyone tell me if they can access, not sure if it's my browser or what, but strange.

Most peculiar . . . I got in yesterday, but not today!!

 

[LvsAMystry]

Most peculiar . . . I got in yesterday, but not today!!

I just tried with my aol browser, it also came back stating website not responding. Hmmm, maybe my bad for posting the friend's name affiliated with the org? If that's the case, at least we know we've caught some attention.

 

[ewwwinteresting]

Tips can be emailed directly to Detective Bennie Bradley:

[email protected]

If anyone has a tip that needs to be passed along to LE and does not feel comfortable emailing directly, just pm me and I'll help pass the information along confidentially.

But, it is best if you have information to contact the detective directly yourself.
:blowkiss:

Can the tip be: How about some help from the public, the media, a reward fund???

 

[misterallgood]

What follows is the latest comment by a reader of the Dark Side, my true crime weblog, about Raven and Janet Abaroa. It is both illuminating and unsurprising all at once:

Raven and Janet Abaroa were members of my LDS ward about one and a half to two years ago. In other words, we attended church together. I have never seen Raven play soccer and I don't know enough about it to judge talent and skill levels in that sport. However I have played college basketball and coached basketball and know basketball skills quite well. Raven would often play basketball at church, sometimes organized, sometimes not. He was a terrible basketball player and clearly viewed himself as much better than he was, and he was competitive in an unhealthy way. What does this have to do with the murder of Janet? Perhaps nothing, but Raven displayed a terrible temper and was an absolute maniac on the court. He was very, very physical yet never felt he committed a foul. On the other hand he would call a foul even when he was practically untouched rather than admit to any errors in his game.

The last time I saw Raven was during a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. All day long he had been very physical and obnoxious when finally an opponent he was guarding swung an elbow to his jaw that dropped Raven to the floor. He was not totally unconscious but lay on the floor for several minutes while waiting for his head to clear. No one cheered out loud yet all of the competitors were glad for the hit - quietly laughing, giving "high fives" and so forth, and hardly anyone seemed concerned for his health. The tournament was stopped and never resumed because of Raven's out-of-control behavior. Raven also gave a talk during a sacrament (Sunday service) meeting in which he admitted to having problems with his temper. I did not spend enough time around him to see the materialistic side that others have portrayed of him but it would be consistent with my observations. One other interesting note, any time I saw Raven and Janet together he was completely dominant. She hardly spoke a word in his presence. I have not convicted Raven in my mind although, based on his behavior, and on their interaction as a couple, I can believe his rage made him capable of this horrific act. I hope I am wrong and I look forward to some resolution in this case.

​

As do we all.

Mr. A.

 

[lauriej]

re: the soccer game of tuesday nite..april 26th...

...a poster ( i belive golfmom) had credible info from a source that raven played in a 'pick-up' game that nite...

...Luvsamystery posted :
LvsAMystry

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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 86


Great info on the soccer equipment, I thought the issue had been stolen money so it's interesting to learn it was actually merchandise. I bet Golfmom is right that he sold this stuff on ebay. Too bad we can't get a history.

I've been trying to track down the actual soccer game -- I believe, and this is without tracking back to look, that MissYouJanet said he left the house about 7:30 PM and returned about 10:30 PM. If that's the case, I'm going to assume a playing time of one hour, another hour or so to account for warmup, possible late start, chatting, change afterwood, which leaves the last hour for r/t of 30 mins each way. Within those parameters, I tried to look for a league that had a game that fit the timeframe.



I first found the North Carolina Adult Soccer Assn, of which his friend, Daruis Ejlali, is President. NCASA

From there, I looked at the links of clubs/leagues that were in the geographic area that made sense timewise. You can view this info on the "Where to Play" link at top of homepage. Once looking at the different areas and deciding which made sense geographically, I then looked at each club/league to see whether any played the night of the murder. The only one I found is TASL. If you go to schedule, you will see the Coed Section C plays on Tuesday nights. There were two games (so 4 teams) that had a game at 8:30 PM on that night, which fits. I wish I could confirm one way or the other, but this is the best I could come up with.

........................the TASL site has 2 "pick'up" games played on tuesday nites...

......http://www.triangleadultsoccer.org/

...one at 5 p.m...@ NCSU.....(tuesdays)
...the other @ 6:30 @ wooten meadows.....(tuesdays)

........both of these are in raleigh, approx. 20 miles from durham...

...so, about a 40 minute drive for sure...( there and back ).....not close enough to sneak away unnoticed during the game....or game break....

........as said above..(luvs post ).the co-ed league had tues. nite games (and on april 26th, )at 8:30.....also played in raleigh...

...i WISH LE would give out even a tid-bit of info.....time of death would be significant............the actual game raven played in would be nice.........

....p.s......................LOTS to catch up on today on here..............Excellent digging done ! GREAT ebay info..........!

 

[golfmom]

Can the tip be: How about some help from the public, the media, a reward fund

Sure seems like we're upside down here.

 

[golfmom]

re: the soccer game of tuesday nite..april 26th...

...a poster ( i belive golfmom) had credible info from a source that raven played in a 'pick-up' game that nite...

Great info on the soccer equipment, I thought the issue had been stolen money so it's interesting to learn it was actually merchandise. I bet Golfmom is right that he sold this stuff on ebay. Too bad we can't get a history.

I've been trying to track down the actual soccer game -- I believe, and this is without tracking back to look, that MissYouJanet said he left the house about 7:30 PM and returned about 10:30 PM. If that's the case, I'm going to assume a playing time of one hour, another hour or so to account for warmup, possible late start, chatting, change afterwood, which leaves the last hour for r/t of 30 mins each way. Within those parameters, I tried to look for a league that had a game that fit the timeframe.

..........!

My source didn't say whether it was a pick up game or not, just that Raven played in more than one league. I've googled myself silly trying to find a game and confirmation and we did uncover some promising leads, but have no way to confirm which game he played.
:doh:

 

[SouthEastSleuth]

Wow, somehow just seeing the program from the funeral itself just overwhelms me with sadness. As much as we all dig into this case for whatever tidbits of info we can uncover, I think it's always good to be reminded of Janet herself at each turn. Thanks for posting that Golfmom!

 

[golfmom]

Wow, somehow just seeing the program from the funeral itself just overwhelms me with sadness. As much as we all dig into this case for whatever tidbits of info we can uncover, I think it's always good to be reminded of Janet herself at each turn. Thanks for posting that Golfmom!

I so appreciate the source that sent that along to me. Sometimes, there just aren't the words to express ... it really brings forward what we're doing here.

BTW, SES welcome to the boards! Talking about making a splash, you are an awesome sleuther!

 

[golfmom]

Just a suggestion, so we don't inundate the detective with emails, I think it would be a good idea if we worked out a system to consolidate information that we feel he needs.

My thoughts were ...

1. That our regular websleuthers could by consensus decide what material to send along. Just bounce it off those that you usually bounce things off of and we'll use each other as a check and balance to make sure that the material we send along is meaningful.

2. Those who have a personal connection to the case, should contact Detective Bradley directly if they have anything.

3. Those who are new here and do not have a direct connection to the case but feel they have information that needs to be passed to LE, please seek out the guidance of some of our more seasoned posters. I'm sure any of us will be happy to help.

Let me know what ya'll think!

 

[curious1]

Wow Golfmom. You are an early riser!

Here are a few things I want to toss out, just thinking out loud.

Theory 1:
-Raven has affair
-Woman develops fatal attraction
-Embezzlement not a factor

Theory 2:
-Raven has affair
-Woman becomes obsessed
-Woman finds out about embezzlement charges, fears he will be taken away from her
-Woman thinks Murdered Wife = Sympathy = Raven not being taken away

Just my little 'ol brain chugging away. :crazy: