Found Deceased IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 #30

[distracted]

I was just thinking. I believe her school starts on Monday or pretty soon. I know someone whose daughter goes there and she is already at school, from out of state.

I would hope that might stir up some movement in this case, with activity back at school, maybe someone will remember something Mollie said or did. I guess it could be my wishful thinking school back in session would trigger something or someone.

My friends daughter was in an overseas program the last two semesters so was not actually on the Iowa campus or I would ask her for info.

Rob Tibbetts goes home, Mollie's family "returning to day-to-day lives"
Mollie's dad dropped the boys off at college before he left to go back to CA - Mollie's school. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for everyone.

The article also answers a question I've had since he announced that he would be returning to CA - whose idea was it? The answer is that LE has coaxed the family to return to their day-to-day lives while they continue to work the case. He is going home reluctantly.

I believe this request by LE is indication of a change in the direction of the investigation.

 

[DocBrew]

Police are not positing anything about routes. They have not released any information about her route, and are requesting tips about 5 specific locations.

I said "seemingly positing", which to me means one can infer with the data points given that they likely feel that 385th St is the road taken out of town. That's the most likely way one gets from 3 to 4, after all, so I don't think that's too big of a leap to say whomever did this likely used that route out of town.

UNLESS - it is the exact opposite of our theory and she was taken on her swing back around through town on her way home, and the truck stop was the end point. But that doesn't make any sense with the dots given and assuming they are sequential.

I am happy to move the numbers around to posit a different theory than the one I proposed. Suggestions?

I don't think there are any other ways to move those around where they will make any chronological sense with the information we have. I think there is only way to interpret the sequence if it is indeed sequential, and we have no reason to believe it is not. But to be fair, I suppose it's possible - however slightly - that he didn't hit all of those dots while on his initial outing.

JMO

 

[kkdj]

Rob Tibbetts goes home, Mollie's family "returning to day-to-day lives"
Mollie's dad dropped the boys off at college before he left to go back to CA - Mollie's school. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for everyone.

The article also answers a question I've had since he announced that he would be returning to CA - whose idea was it? The answer is that LE has coaxed the family to return to their day-to-day lives while they continue to work the case. He is going home reluctantly.

I believe this request by LE is indication of a change in the direction of investigation.

How about LC? Is she still home?

 

[MsBetsy]

2 things I want to bring up
1 iPhone batteries are notoriously bad and her funning a fitbit would drain even faster, young girls on social medial all the time most of there phones are near dead at night and on the charger
2. Mollie running hard would have raised her heart rate high, anxiety will not take heart rate up more when you are that high. So doubtful she could have had a heart rate spike.

I'm thinking she would have charged her phone as soon as she got home, as it was likely getting low, before she went running 2 hours later. As for the fit bit, I'm not so sure that's accurate . I would still think there would be a difference. Especially if she was in a car for a bit before it may have spiked. I'm sure there are others that are much better experts on that subject, so what do I know

 

[otto]

I think the carwash is of interest primarily because it has the most cameras of any of the town's businesses. MOO.

... and still, all those cameras do not seem to be enough to identify a suspect one month in. It's quite likely that Mollie is not on any of the car wash CCTV.

 

[Deleted member 227095]

Please keep in mind that the red dots are exact, the labels are mine based on information we know about Mollie. We know that there was a ping 10 miles SE of Brooklyn, and we know that there is a red dot 10 miles SE of Brooklyn. Additionally, we know that farms were searched in nearby Guernsey. That's how we know the digital signature (ping) in most likely on point 5.

If you have a different opinion, please let me know. I'll map it right away for comparison.

How do we know that it was a ping 10 miles SE of Brooklyn (I thought in earlier threads there was alot of debate about why LE spent so much time at the pig farm area and there was alot of debate as to whether it was it because of tipline or because of digital footprint?). I don't think LE ever explained the how or why of the pig farm or Guersey searches AFAIK. The point 5 location is easy to research in terms of property ownership etc. but I don't think any of this info can be posted on here due to TOS issues? Right? In looking at this map when it was originally posted it seemed that LE specifically said it wanted to speak to people in the area of any of the red dots. What do we know about the area around point 5 that can be discussed with violating TOS? I also wonder if point 5 was included by LE as a specific message to the perp and that only the perp understands what happened in the region of point 5. Speculation on my part.

 

[distracted]

How about LC? Is she still home?

I'm drawing a blank on those initials. lol

ETA: Okay, I know who it is now. The article doesn't mention her at all.

 

[otto]

The investigator who told the neighbor may have been a local, then when FBI joined the investigation came to realise no information about the case is to be released to the public.

Point 5 and the "ping" 10 miles SE of Brooklyn have nothing to do with a neighbor.

 

[MsBetsy]

All smart phone batteries are bad, IMHO. However, because the Fitbit app only syncs every so often, it isn't as hard on the battery as other apps.

My daughter brings her portable charger whenever she is going somewhere for the whole day. She has the IPhone7.

 

[kkdj]

I'm drawing a blank on those initials. lol

Mollie's mom

 

[distracted]

Mollie's mom

No mention of her in the article.

 

[MsBetsy]

How about LC? Is she still home?

I'm not sure where else she would be. Was she supposed to go somewhere?

 

[Al Hoffman]

Ah, yes, I have seen that before, several times. Thank you. It makes no sense, though, because Fitbits don't ping. They communicate with an app on a phone or other device using Bluetooth technology. So if LE obtained Fitbit data, it probably came from the Fitbit app on her phone.

You have to consider the source. This guy is a cop, not IT. This does not mean that he's stupid, just that his vernacular is not as nuanced as yours. I know that Fitbits don't ping, you know that they don't ping, and all the cop cares about is that it leads him to MT! You have to accept that 'Fitbit pinged' is a euphemism for: "we were able to geolocate a position based on Fitbit tracking data downloaded from the cloud". What you said.

 

[kkdj]

I'm not sure where else she would be. Was she supposed to go somewhere?

Well Dad went home to CA. their sons went to College. I just wondered if she went anywhere maybe needing a little time away.

 

[ChuckMaureen]

Rob Tibbetts goes home, Mollie's family "returning to day-to-day lives"
Mollie's dad dropped the boys off at college before he left to go back to CA - Mollie's school. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for everyone.

The article also answers a question I've had since he announced that he would be returning to CA - whose idea was it? The answer is that LE has coaxed the family to return to their day-to-day lives while they continue to work the case. He is going home reluctantly.

I believe this request by LE is indication of a change in the direction of investigation.

If indeed RT and family have 'returned to living their lives' because LE coaxed them to doing so, makes me wonder for how long LE has concluded MT is not coming home/alive, what is the definitive information.

There could be other reasons why LE wants the family away from the heart of the investigation but it seems odd. LE in McCleary, WA never told Lindsey's mother to 'go live your life'. Lindsey's mother would have pitched a tent in the sheriff's office if that occurred.

Maybe LE is aware the weight of the investigation is severely affecting the general health of the family and it is in their best interest that LE coaxed them to removed themselves from the immediacy of the situation... this is the only explanation that makes full sense to me (moo).

 

[otto]

I said "seemingly positing", which to me means one can infer with the data points given that they likely feel that 385th St is the road taken out of town. That's the most likely way one gets from 3 to 4, after all, so I don't think that's too big of a leap to say whomever did this likely used that route out of town.

UNLESS - it is the exact opposite of our theory and she was taken on her swing back around through town on her way home, and the truck stop was the end point. But that doesn't make any sense with the dots given and assuming they are sequential.

I don't think there are any other ways to move those around where they will make any chronological sense with the information we have. I think there is only way to interpret the sequence if it is indeed sequential, and we have no reason to believe it is not. But to be fair, I suppose it's possible - however slightly - that he didn't hit all of those dots while on his initial outing.

JMO

Perhaps not, but at this time police are particularly interested in those 5 spots between 5 and 10PM only on July 18. In their request for information about people changing behavior, they are interested in anyone who was MIA up until the early morning of July 19.

The carwash may have happened after Mollie's disappearance, but it is also a point of interest on July 18.

 

[Jaclin]

im not sure she didn't just walk off. I am less and less thinking this as time goes.... but at the risk of sounding crazy am I the only one that has had a horrific day come home and just for a moment thought I don't have to do this...I could just go put my purse and shoes in the house and toss my phone and drive off into the sun set? obviously there is more complications to this to actualy do it though.

I think that if she really wanted to leave her life she would have just stayed on campus or in an apartment off campus instead of returning to her hometown. Also, for the first 21 years of my life I wanted to leave my life every time my parents fought, but doing that requires money.

 

[MassGuy]

You have to consider the source. This guy is a cop, not IT. This does not mean that he's stupid, just that his vernacular is not as nuanced as yours. I know that Fitbits don't ping, you know that they don't ping, and all the cop cares about is that it leads him to MT! You have to accept that 'Fitbit pinged' is a euphemism for: "we were able to geolocate a position based on Fitbit tracking data downloaded from the cloud". What you said.

That’s true, and exactly why the FBI is involved here. This is something that is new to the experience of a small, local, law enforcement organization.

 

[RMT953]

I had to skip ahead from the last thread where TIP Electric Coop was discussed as I feel like I can never get caught up with the speed of this thread at times. I think it was kkdj that mentioned the amount of work in IA or something to that effect. Sorry if I don’t have the correct person or if this has already been mentioned. I’ve been quiet in most pages ever since I was involved with Lucas Hernandez as it was local to me and pulled on every last one of my heart strings. However, this was mentioned and something that I actually have knowledge in. Is there a Verified Construction Insider? Only kidding. Lol.

To answer the question if there is lots of construction work in IA - there’s more than you can imagine. I am a Recruiter for a construction staffing company over the Midwest Area and I can’t hire employees fast enough. Just on Friday I hired and have 22 new guys that are all headed either to IA or SD for work starting Monday. Electricians and Millwrights mainly at the moment. Which made me start thinking a couple of different things. T.I.P Electric Coop is connected to other towns within what I could find on the website as District 2. Off the top of my head I can’t remember all of the locations that are covered in District 2 outside of Brooklyn and Grundy but have listed the other locations that are part of District 2. Bare with me. I promise that I am getting to my point...

DISTRICTS & BOARD | Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

Central Iowa Power Cooperative
Consumers Energy
East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative
Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative
Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative
T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative

A couple of the main things that made me start thinking are as follows:

1. It would not be odd to have employees go from site to site and kind of float around depending on the needs/amount of work in different locations. It could be that T.I.P Rural Electric in Brooklyn is “home base”. If that’s the case then an employee could have to go back, drop off the work van, time cards, clock out, etc. Electricians if working direct for a company have pretty set schedules. So say that normal end time for the day is 6-6:30 but working 45 min or so outside of Brooklyn that puts them back in town around 7:15ish. They would need to possibly have the van/truck checked for supplies, restock for the next day, turn in time, etc. Probably would be done at 7:30-7:45 or so daily. If that was the “normal” time that Mollie went for her run being right next to DJ’s house it would be easy to know her routine. They wouldn’t need access to the exterior cameras. After a pretty short time they would know that is when she typically runs. They could even get to know a person or at least make them seem familiar enough to say hi, maybe throw up a familiar wave, get to know someone by first name. They also would be able to tell when the others who live in the house are traveling. Once establishing the ability to make small talk perhaps. “Hey Mollie. How’s your summer? Any vacations coming up? Oh, everyone is gone getting some work done before the big trip to the Dominican? Stuck with the dogs again? When are they all coming back?” This person could have become obsessed with her during this period of time. When being kind and saying hi or throwing up a quick wave as she jogs off he could have thought she was into him. Created a fantasy of them running away and being together. These guys work a lot. Trust me. Some days I feel like Dr Phil when they call to chat.

2. Not all construction laborers have past criminal history but over the last year being in my position I have found that a lot do. A lot. Sometimes after being in prison going into a specialty trade is their only option if they can’t find work. Please understand that I am not saying ALL by any means. I have some with and some without prior criminal history. We don’t run full background checks at the time of employment. It usually comes up when you are working with bigger clients and they require it on their end. Some check only 5 years prior and some are 7 or 10. Just depends. Stuff still gets missed though and honestly maybe he never has gotten caught and doesn’t have a record. We don’t know.

My point is someone working at the Coop could easily establish a routine with Mollie. Depending on how long he has been there, if he is even local - could be a traveler and not originally from Brooklyn but working a longer duration getting per diem. In a town like Brooklyn I’d think that you’d know plenty of people and the ins and outs of the town. Most of my guys right now are road warriors. I have 125+ currently working and 90% are on the road. It’s where they make money.

Not gonna lie - I have had employees get weird on me before and not in the same state claiming they were going to come to KS to take me to dinner or wanting me to send a pic of myself so they could put a name to a face or looking me up on SM to the point that I was looking over my shoulder after comments were made and kind of freaked me out. Some I have terminated because they became obsessed and wouldn’t leave me alone. They’re lonely.

Sorry this is so long. IMO there is a ton of work going on in IA and surrounding states that it should be looked at. Des Moines isn’t far from Brooklyn and it is one of our busiest offices out of 180+ over the US. They are so busy with work, hard to get all of it filled. End of rant. Construction just happens to be an area that I actually know. Haha. And now thanks to cases like this it makes me wonder about all of my employees...

 

[Mr. Obvious]

Well Dad went home to CA. their sons went to College. I just wondered if she went anywhere maybe needing a little time away.

I think the youngest son is a HS Senior.