GUILTY IL - Zachary Irvin, 22, found dismembered, East St Louis, 20 June 2010

[Belinda]

I believe I read upthread that they found his wallet and ID in the warehouse. Will go back and check.

lilalicea - Welcome. There are many here who care about Zach. I haven't posted on this thread a lot, but have been following it closely. What happened to Zach is just plain wrong. By all accounts, he was a nice young man with family who loved him dearly. It is wrong for anyone's life to end in such a way. Please accept my deepest condolences on behalf of your family. If there is any way in which we can help, please let us know.

I know Missizzy has been on top of posting the news stories and research. I believe there are a lot of odd elements at play here and the police need to dig much deeper. The arrests are not enough. They must discover why this happened and if there are other victims. I, like Missizzy, don't believe Iagulli suddenly decided to do such a thing.

 

[Belinda]

Police also found Irvin's identification and personal items inside the warehouse.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...cle_ac47182b-0b8b-5ec1-a38c-12729e4b85ee.html

 

[lilalicea]

It seems Iagulli has been all over. He has ties to NJ, FL, and Ohio. I have no idea what the connection is and am still trying to figure that out. My guess is that his photo was taken in St. Louis but I could be wrong. Portia from mydeathspace seems to know more about how long he has been in St. Louis but if you post on the site you get ignorant ramblings so I haven't even tried. I do know there are hotels that were once nice that have become run down and homes for the homeless. For a cheap rate someone could live there basically. It's almost like paying rent.
I haven't heard anything about Zach pushing a cart four days earlier. I think that was hearsay because he was only in St. Louis for a few days. His belongings were found in the warehouse along with his ID. As far as I know, they were the same clothes he was wearing when he left so he didn't take a whole lot with him. When the police found his ID they drove to St. Elmo to his mothers house and asked her where he was. She said she had not heard from him in days and was becoming worried. They told her about the body found and that his ID had been found in a nearby warehouse and asked her for underwear and shoes to collect DNA and got the dental records which made a positive match.

 

[Missizzy]

Good Morning Lila--The cart has come up a number of times, I posted some of the conflicting details upthread. It was described by LE as both a grocery cart and a "landscape cart". I'm not sure what that means. My take would be, given Zachary's newness on the street, that he would most likely just have the clothes on his back and a backpack. My guess is that he also had some cash given to him by family. Do you know if his Bible was found? Surely, he took a Bible, if only a small one. I wonder if his personal belongings include the cell phone he was given. I'm so pleased he called his father on Father's Day but saddened that he didn't get through. My guess is that even the fact that he tried must have meant a lot to his dad.

I totally agree about mydeathspace and crimecrawler. It's great to know that there are other forums for different types of posters but there's a real reason we are all here. We appreciate the the rules, the kindness and the support and empathy for the families of the victims. You'll find that many many here have been touched by crime. We take crime very personally here. I hope you share with Zachary's closest family members that there's a group of very dedicated people doing our best to sleuth out some details in this senseless crime and that our prayers are with them.

I have a question for you. Have you considered contacting a Victims Advocacy group in Illinois? There are a number of them. Crime Victims United of Oregon was unbelievably supportive of our family as we made our way through the last 12 years, following a horrible crime committed against our children.

If it's possible, could you post the places you have reason to believe that Iagulli has lived. It would be helpful as we look for possible past victims.

 

[lilalicea]

I know he lived in Bordentown NJ, possibly Carrloton Ohio and East Liverpool Ohio. I am trying to figure out why he came to St. Louis.

 

[Missizzy]

Thank you, I find a bunch of Iagullis in those areas looking at MS, Intelius, etc. I'm not sure but it seems that Dennis has children. If he's been traveling, I'm hopeful that LE has backtracked to see if there've been any similar crimes.

 

[lilalicea]

I don't think he has any children. The only reason I say this is because on his myspace he stated love children, but not for me and because he is gay. His dad has the same name.

 

[lilalicea]

Both Iagulli and Pierson changed their plea to guilty. Aug. 17th is the hearing so we will know more after.

 

[Missizzy]

Well, without getting myself in trouble, all I can say is that Dennis Iagulli has some relatives (nephews, cousins, whatever) in the Carrollton, Ohio area who share some of the same interests with him.

I am NOT accusing anyone of murder or even abuse......but a pattern of strange and abhorrent behaviors and interests.

So guilty, hmmmm. I wonder if Mr. Iagulli would be willing to divulge any transgressions of the past. This vile crime did not suddently rear its nasty head one June day. I'd very much like to know if he had somehow "courted" or lured Zachary Paul into East St. Louis. Zachary seemed very connected to family and yet something caused him to let go of that safety tether and go towards Iagulli. I'm starting to think that this was far from random.

 

[Salem]

It somewhat similar to the young man from Canada, I believe, that ended up in the hospital after his roommate tortured him. Let me see if I can find that link.

Salem

ETA: Here it is: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104767&highlight=Canada

Very sad

 

[Missizzy]

There are some similarities, Salem, but I think that there's some big differences too. We still don't know exactly why Dustin stayed with his captor. And even though the monster abused him horribly, he didn't kill him or dismember him. Thank God he had a modicum of mercy and dropped him off at the hospital.

I think Pierson and Iagulli are a pair unto themselves. I doubt that this is first time they've done this. Especially Iagulli. It sounds very much like they lured a really naive young man into their lair and killed him--who knows why. But to dismember him and burn his body? Something is really really off here.

I can only imagine how much fear this has put on the people of East St. Louis. I still find it odd that there was a police shooting range right next to this warehouse. You'd think that LE would have noticed this. From the photos and descriptions I've read, a goodly number of people were staying there. One would think that there'd be lots of foot traffic. The murder occurred on Fathers Day weekend, maybe the shooting range wasn't open then but you'd still think that if lots of people were staying in the warehouse--thus the blankets and tents, etc.--that someone witnessed something.

I just want Zachary's family to get some closure. Lilalicea, our new poster who is a family member said that Iagulli and Pierson are pleading guilty. I'll try to find the court report. Lila, if you have a link, could you post it please.

 

[Belinda]

View Case History View Pending Appearances View Assessment History

Name: DENNIS M. IAGULLI
Date Of Birth: 02/14/1969
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Ethnic Group: Unknown
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 145
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown Fines Owed: $0.00
Restitution Owed: $0.00
Bond Posted: $0.00

Felony Cases Misdemeanor Cases Other Cases
Filed: 2 Filed: 0 Filed: 0
Pending: 0 Pending: 0 Pending: 0
Last Filed: 07/16/2010 Last Filed: Last Filed:

Defendant: DENNIS M. IAGULLI - Male - D.O.B.: 02/14/1969
Includes all Pending Appearance for this Defendant


Scheduled Date / Time Appearance Detail
Tuesday August 17, 2010 at 1:30 pm Courtroom 410 - Hearing - Plea of Guilty
10CF00619 Count: 1 - Amended to FIRST DEGREE MURDER - Class M Felony - BELLEVILLE
10CF00619 Count: 2 - Amended to CONCEALMENT OF A HOMICIDAL DEATH - Class 3 Felony - BELLEVILLE

CASE HISTORY FOR DENNIS M. IAGULLI


Date Offense Case Ticket Status
07/16/2010 1 - Amended to FIRST DEGREE MURDER 10CF0061901 (Class M Felony) BELLEVILLE CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE

07/16/2010 2 - Amended to CONCEALMENT OF A HOMICIDAL DEATH 10CF0061902 (Class 3 Felony) BELLEVILLE CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE


http://www.circuitclerk.co.st-clair.il.us/icjSearch.htm

Going to see if I can find anything on Pierson.

 

[Belinda]

View Case History View Pending Appearances View Assessment History

Name: JAMES E. PIERSON
Date Of Birth: 07/12/1974
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Ethnic Group: White
Height: 6'02"
Weight: 240
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Brown Fines Owed: $0.00
Restitution Owed: $0.00
Bond Posted: $0.00

Felony Cases Misdemeanor Cases Other Cases
Filed: 4 Filed: 0 Filed: 1
Pending: 4 Pending: 0 Pending: 1
Last Filed: 07/19/2010 Last Filed: Last Filed: 06/17/2007



Defendant: JAMES E. PIERSON - Male - D.O.B.: 07/12/1974
Includes all Pending Appearance for this Defendant


Scheduled Date / Time Appearance Detail
Friday August 27, 2010 at 9:15 am Courtroom 109 - Bench Trial (Traffic/Misdemeanor)
07TR0037111 - IMPROPER ENTRY/EXIT/CON ACCESS - 4796468 - ILLINOIS STATE POLICE

Tuesday August 17, 2010 at 1:30 pm Courtroom 410 - Hearing - Plea of Guilty
10CF00616 Count: 1 - AGG UUW/VEH/PREV CONVICTION - Class 2 Felony - MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES
10CF00616 Count: 2 - UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF WEAPON BY FELON - Class 3 Felony - MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES
10CF00616 Count: 3 - FIRST DEGREE MURDER - Class M Felony - MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES
10CF00616 Count: 4 - CONCEALMENT OF A HOMICIDAL DEATH - Class 3 Felony - MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES

CASE HISTORY FOR JAMES E. PIERSON


Date Offense Case Ticket Status
07/19/2010 1 - FIRST DEGREE MURDER 10CF0061603 (Class M Felony) MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE

07/19/2010 2 - CONCEALMENT OF A HOMICIDAL DEATH 10CF0061604 (Class 3 Felony) MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE

07/16/2010 3 - AGG UUW/VEH/PREV CONVICTION 10CF0061601 (Class 2 Felony) MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE

07/16/2010 4 - UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF WEAPON BY FELON 10CF0061602 (Class 3 Felony) MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE

06/17/2007 5 - IMPROPER ENTRY/EXIT/CON ACCESS 07TR0037111 (Class P Traffic) 4796468 - ILLINOIS STATE POLICE CASE HAS PENDING COURT APPEARANCE

http://www.circuitclerk.co.st-clair.il.us/icjSearch.htm

 

[Duncan McCloud 11]

Hi all! I've just joined, but I have lurked on Websleuths for a long time.
I live about an hour from East St. Louis and was not a bit surprised to hear of this murder. I've learned a lot more about it from reading the previous posts than I was getting from the news.
To give you some background about E. St Louis, it has to be seen to believe. I travel through the main road going to the Dr. in St. Louis. That's as far as I really care to venture in, however, I have been in deeper due to a wrong turn.
East St. Louis is not a place to travel at night. By daylight, it is desolate. The parts I've seen look like a bomb went off and no one survived. There are shells of houses, factories, and businesses. Occasionally, one will notice a nicer home or business, but they seem incredibly out of place. Riding the Metro (a light rail into St.Louis), gives another look at the desolation. There are buildings that stand on one side while the other side is pancaked to the ground. Streets with grass growing up in them. Google "East St Louis photos" for some sites that have some good pics of the city. It gives a feel for the area to those who don't live close enough to experience it in real life.

 

[Missizzy]

Welcome Duncan--So glad you've joined. I've already looked at those photos and they put the blighted areas of LA and SF that I've seen to shame. It's very sad. I have to wonder what drew a young country boy to the area. I realize he wanted a job but that hardly seems to be the place to go for job-hunting. Being that a warm bed and food are usually available with family, he had to have some plan that took him into such a dangerous area.

My theory is that he really wanted to preach the gospel as he'd learned at his church. He'd been to several intense revivals and had gone forward to the altar numerous times. I can't fault his church but I would think that the pastor and other elders would have done there best to dissuade him due to the safety issue. I wonder if he really thought that he could just show up and volunteer. If he did, bless his naive heart.

Being that we've heard from family that Iagulli was in the St. Elmo area in the past, you just have to wonder if Zachary had ever met him. Maybe Zachary totally misread Iagulli and thought that he'd help him on the streets. Having had kids on the streets, I know it can be brutal. It's very much a mystery why Zachary did not listen to warnings and went anyway. It's also a mystery as to why he wasn't allowed into Larry Rice's place after his grandmother called them. I've read some very disparaging remarks about Larry Rice and his work but without being there it's impossible to know the truth. I'm sure there's two sides to the story. One thing I learned from our kids' time on the street is that if you don't have much to do or if you're lost and confused, you build on the drama. I think that's true at every level of street-living.

If you've been in that general area, can you answer a couple of questions, please. IWannaKnow posted upthread about a particular "upstairs" club only a block or so from the mission. Is this in an area primarily where the street people and homeless hang out or is there some gentrification going on ie edgy clubs, etc.? I noticed that there was an event the night that Zachary was killed. I worry that more people than just Iagulli and Pierson might have been aware of what was going to happen. Being that it seems that the warehouse was used as shelter, one has to question if there were others present when Zachary was killed. That is really disturbing.

Can I ask if you have any theories? Just a "beef" or something darker?

Once again, welcome to WS.

And to clarify for people on other forums who seem to be reading my posts; I have 14 children--11 of whom are adopted. Three of those children are on the streets. They are adults, however, and have made that choice...to a degree. My daughter who is on the streets was trafficked as a prostitute at age 18. She is severely cognitively disabled but was a gorgeous young woman. She's been missing over 3 years but I see her occasionally advertised on Craigslist. I'm in frequent contact with the FBI, Crime Victims United, the DA's office, the AG's office, the Sacramento Sheriff's Office, our local LE and the Polaris Project. I am attempting to raise people's awareness of the effects of human trafficking--for all segments of society. I'm also happen to be bedbound with a degenerative disease and attempting to continue my advocacy while flat on my back. I have dedicated my entire adult life to children in need. Trust me, I'm working as fast as I can as I am all too aware of the pain and suffering out there. I appreciate your kindness and patience.

My prayers are with Zachary's family and friends.

 

[Missizzy]

Does anyone know what will be required or asked of Iagulli and Pierson at a trial, being that they are pleading guilty?

Is evidence presented? Is there questioning of witnesses? Is motive discussed? Or is it just an open and shut case? In other words, do the facts stay sealed within the minds of those present at the murder, never to be revealed?

That scenario terrifies me as I believe there is much to learn from Zachary's death. His death should be used as a cautionary tale. It should inform us and raise our level of awareness of the dangers on the streets of our cities.

 

[Belinda]

Sometimes evidence is presented during the sentencing phase. It depends on the deal. I suspect we aren't going to see a whole lot. It disturbs me that they are rushing this through the courts and the police seem wholly uninterested in pursuing the deeper questions of this crime. I find it very odd that they are both pleading guilty at the very beginning. It strikes me that there is a reason for this. How many people immediately plead guilty? I just feel like something is off here. Unless they have video tape of the crime being committed, why aren't their lawyers fighting this? Why would their lawyers let them plead guilty right off the bat?

Welcome, Duncan!

 

[Missizzy]

Even Earl Bradley pleaded not guilty and there are hundreds of videos of his crimes. ITA, something is very off. I understand about not wanting to cause public alarm but the public needs to know the truth. Surely there is a "street-person" advocacy group which can demand more information. Letters to the editor?

I am extremely hopeful that a victims advocacy helps Zachary's family with this. If I were them, I'd want to know a whole lot more about Iagulli and Pierson and their pasts. After all, these two men changed that entire family forever.

One also needs to consider the safety of all the people who live in that area of the city. Our new poster mentioned that there are some homes interspersed among the blighted areas. No matter the socio-economic level nor the issue of having a home vs being homeless, everyone deserves to feel safe. And what about passing motorists or travelers passing through?

 

[Duncan McCloud 11]

Thank you for the warm welcome, Missizzy and Belinda!
Missizzy, you asked about the area. Larry Rice has a shelter in downtown St Louis. My husband used to live at a Rehabilitation place near his shelter. The neighborhood is rough and the main people you see there are homeless, drunks, and drug addicts. I still can't believe my in-laws sent their 19 yr old, head injured son there for work rehab. Hubby says he walked by Rice's shelter often. In East St. Louis, there isn't much in the riverfront area where the body was found. Most of the clubs are to the south of the bridges. The clubs that are actually in East St. Louis are frequently on the news due to shootings. The ones that a gentleman might actually visit are to the south of the city. I've mapped the area where the body was found and the warehouse is at on googlemaps. I'm pretty sure that the road shown in one of the Riverfront pics on the BuiltStLouis.net site is N. Front St. As far as East St. Louis is concerned, most non- citizens just stay on the main road until they get to a bridge, then cross into St. Louis or go to the Casino Queen along the riverfront.
I wonder too, if Zach was just a naive Christian who wanted to try street preaching or thought he could help someone. I'm sure he would have never come across an area as tough as E. St Louis in his life. My only other thought, and I mean it with no disrespect to the family, is that maybe he was experimenting with homosexual sex and had met Iagulli before in St. Elmo. There had to be a draw of some kind to bring him to this area and as economically challenged as this area is, a job just don't seem like it would be it.
I'm not surprised of how fast they are running this through court. The whole mindset of things in E. St Louis is "who cares". Crime is so rampant, the police, aldermen, and everyone else just don't give a rip. They've thrown up their hands and have given up. they probably just want to close the case and act like it never happened. Sad!

 

[Missizzy]

I'm sorry to be tiresome but can we go back and look at a couple of the posts that IWannaKnow posted upthread. She found a club, Rue 13, at 1313 Washington St. (at 13th), St. Louis, MO.

If one starts out at 1411 Locust St., the location of the men's shelter under the auspices of Larry Rice, you have to only walk 2 1/2 blocks to the club. Pass the club and keep heading toward the river. There are two bridges, the Eads Bridge (pedestrian traffic is permitted) and the MLK bridge (not sure here). But if one were walking from the Larry Rice's Mission, past the Rue 13 Club, and all the way over to the warehouse where Zachary was killed, it is a little less than 2 miles. I have no doubt that there are some well known shortcuts. I would assume that that path is traversed quite frequently if some live at the warehouse and eat at the Kitchen.

I find it incongruous, that in the middle of inner city blight and homelessness, there is an upscale club which hold "upstairs" burlesque shows and serves expensive drinks to the trendy crowd while people camp out in derelict warehouses only blocks away. Are there problems with muggings, assaults, car thefts? If so it sure doesn't seem to tone down the popularity of the club at all. Do you suppose that there is a slightly twisted risk factor in all this?

FWIW, the nights of the 20th and the 21st were warm dry nights. The highs those days were in the mid 90's and the low was in the upper 70's. It must have been quite bright that evening as it was only four days before the full moon. And remember, this was the solstice, so the day was at it longest for the entire year.

Here's some info on Club 13:

The Scene
"Rue 13 focuses more on lounging than dancing and uses fresh flowers, bright primary colors, and a few strategically placed mirrors to set the scene. Absent are the flashing lights and driving bass that dominate many other downtown clubs. What really sets Rue 13 apart is its sushi bar, which serves this trendiest of edibles into the wee hours. The sushi's trendiness is matched perfectly by that of the clientele. The wallets are large and the dress sizes extra small.

The Drinks
Several wines are offered, but for a place that caters to a martini-drinking crowd, the drink list is as short as the customers' skirts. House specialties carry famous painters' names and incorporate the latest craze in beverages: high-energy concoctions like 180. Because servers vie with patrons for the Most Aloof award, go to the bar for your drink."

A list and map for other clubs listed as "edgy" within that area:

http://stlouis.metromix.com/bars-an...albino-alley-washington-avenue/390917/content