Found Deceased IN - Jacqueline Watts, 33, Columbus, 3 March 2017

[margarita25]

I don't know what happened to her of course, but I do want to point out that some people do sometimes put the safety of animals ahead of their own. I am not one of these people but am married to one. I can totally see it happening that a person of this mindset could see an animal (stray, hurt or otherwise), stop the car, maybe open the door to coax it in. But it runs off, she runs after it. It keeps running further and further from her car to the river's edge, she slips on the bank, hits her head.... Did this happen? No clue. But at this point it is as plausible a theory as any other. I really could happen.

I would have to say this my leading theory IF foul play is ruled out.

 

[margarita25]

Let me start off by saying that this is extremely tragic. My condolences to Jackie's family, friends, and pets. She was very genuine and had a kind heart. Truly one of a kind.
Additionally, everything stated in this post regarding possible motives is my opinion only and in no way meant to be presented as fact.

I am a Columbus native. I went to high school with Jackie and I lived on Riverside for a number of years. I have a background in Forensic Psychology but do not intend to present my opinion as a professional. However, I have read some comments and questions that I would like to weigh-in on.

1.) There is NO WAY this was a suicide. Jackie would not have taken her own life.
2.) It is very unlikely this case is connected to the A and L case. The demographic doesn't fit. "Similar" isn't good enough for a preferential predator. It has to be exact.
3.) There COULD be a connection between this case and the March 3, 1989 case based on an anniversary killing theory. But the 1989 murder(s) were those of a spree killer, so unless there are other victims yet to be discovered this theory is also unlikely.
4.) It is entirely possible an innocent bystander opened the passenger car door and/or turned on the hazard lights. But if not, J was either forced to leave at gunpoint/bludgeoned by someone impersonating a police officer (won't know until Monday's autopsy) or valued whatever made her leave under her own volition more than her personal belongings (more than likely her own pet and not a stray, but possible).
5.) The water near where J's body was found was much too shallow to drown this time of year and is moderate in temperature (50's) for much of March. However, it is important to note that this particular river is prone to flooding. See: Columbus Flood of 2008
6.) J could have taken four possible routes to her destination from Indianapolis. Three of which are through Taylorsville. (One from Exit 76 on I-65, one on Highway 31 to Washington St. and the other on Highway 31 to Indianapolis Road). The last route is Exit 68 on I-65 to State Road 46.
7.) There are numerous gas stations along each of these routes whereas they are located near major highways and interstates. The two closest gas stations to where her car was found are located on the corner of US 31/National Road and Washington St. (Village Pantry) and on the corner of 11th St. and Washington St. (Marathon).
8.) Noblitt Park is attached to the much more populated Mill Race Park by a series of heavily wooded trails that run alongside the river. Mostly used now for joggers, bikers and fishermen. There are some defunct train trestles back there and some park benches. Noblitt Park itself is rarely used for much of anything. There are a few fields used to practice baseball and a parking lot. Rumored to be a hangout for deviants and drug users. Before being renovated during the late 80's/early 90's into the parks they are today, the entire area used to be populated by impoverished vagabonds and drifters.
9.) The closest golf course is quite far away (at least 2 miles) from the crime scene. Not sure what this speculation is about or where it came from.
10.) Columbus has a very low crime rate. Although it is increasing due to the drug trade (Meth in particular) and a general increase in population due to an expanding job market. With that said, Riverside is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city with houses that definitely have security cameras. Whether they will be of any use is yet to be determined.

Unless deemed 'inconclusive,' the results of the autopsy will answer most, if not all the questions we have. It is just a waiting game now. But again, the tragedy of this can not be overstated. So sad.

Bringing this great post forward.

Welcome 11051605 (that's going to be hard name to remember...)

:welcome4:

 

[Hiandmighty]

This bothers me as well. Along with the fact that the car was found running. Whatever happened, it happened in an affluent area in broad daylight. I know there were nearby parks, but it still seems strange that she encountered a perp at that place and time. And as someone said (sorry don't know how to quote separate posts) I can't imagine a benign reason to leave the car running. And I am someone who has been known to do crazy things trying to rescue a dog. Something is definitely missing here.


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A local said this is a quiet street where she guessed one car and hour comes through: perfect spot for an abduction.

 

[jashrema]

My sister was taken and murdered tortured too death in a safe neighborhood... You have no idea. Statistics prove nothing...wait till you are a victim then quote that one...Your world will change...


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I am so sorry about your sister. We just lost Sierah this past July and yes your world changes BUT for the most part, others do not.
It's just the nature of the beast, the cycle of everyday life, people not directly affected go on and it becomes a vague memory to them that someone was just murdered close by. It also lulls them into a false sense of security because the perp was caught. They think "whew" he's off the streets, so they're safe again or if he's not..time goes on and people think it was an aberration, never going to happen again there, lightening doesn't strike twice kind of thing. It's sad, but true. It drives me INSANE to see young women alone, jogging, riding a bike, in deserted areas...I want to scream at them..."What are you doing???" Don't you know how quick it can happen? But I don't because it's just not the nature of people, whose lives have not been affected by random murder, to alter their lives in anyway. WE think of our lost ones every single day...generally, they do not.

Regardless, you and I know..you just have to keep getting up every morning. One day, it might not be the very first thought in my head that Sierah was tortured and murdered in a dark barn. One day.....maybe.

 

[margarita25]

Yes, it does! Indiana is such a friendly, hospitable state; however, these types of news stories does not make us look good!

I so hope this woman is safe and sound somewhere!! I'll go ahead and say it, as I'm sure it will be brought up at some point: Bloomington and Columbus are less than 40 miles apart. Not in any way saying this is related to Lauren Spierer though. But, IMO, there are a lot of missing woman/young girls from across the state.

Come home safe, Jacqueline!!

Yikes I missed this post.

 

[Hiandmighty]

Your comment does make sense to me as well. It was reported a little differently, leaving speculation.


http://www.indystar.com/story/news/...iver-may-missing-indianapolis-woman/98735796/

JMO

Yeah, that makes no sense how it is reported.... her in laws lived 2 miles from her parents who lived in the area where the car was found. Yet, it says here LE found the car first?

 

[margarita25]

I am so sorry about your sister. We just lost Sierah this past July and yes your world changes BUT for the most part, others do not.
It's just the nature of the beast, the cycle of everyday life, people not directly affected go on and it becomes a vague memory to them that someone was just murdered close by. It also lulls them into a false sense of security because the perp was caught. They think "whew" he's off the streets, so they're safe again or if he's not..time goes on and people think it was an aberration, never going to happen again there, lightening doesn't strike twice kind of thing. It's sad, but true. It drives me INSANE to see young women alone, jogging, riding a bike, in deserted areas...I want to scream at them..."What are you doing???" Don't you know how quick it can happen? But I don't because it's just not the nature of people, whose lives have not been affected by random murder, to alter their lives in anyway. WE think of our lost ones every single day...generally, they do not.

Regardless, you and I know..you just have to keep getting up every morning. One day, it might not be the very first thought in my head that Sierah was tortured and murdered in a dark barn. One day.....maybe.

( I will never feel safe again. Coming up here on the 5 year aniversary of Jessica Ridgeway's murder. )

(O/T, speaking of safety and Jessica
Celebrating Jessica Ridgeway - Inspiration for The Lassy Project - Westminster PD
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...piration-for-The-Lassy-Project-Westminster-PD

"Lassy Project is a free service that gives parents and guardians the ability to notify an entire local community about their missing child in seconds. With the single push of a button, parents can mobilize a trusted group of family, friends and neighbors immediately to help with their search.

Jessica is a daily reminder of the work done by Lassy Project staff and it’s supporters. In fact, even the new Lassy Project logo was inspired by Jessica who was always dancing and singing. Sarah remembers how she would share her new cheerleading routines every time she returned home from her junior cheerleading class with the Stanley Lake High School cheerleaders.

The megaphone, used by cheerleading teams around the world, was chosen as the logo as it is also a symbol to our communities to raise their voices and become a part of the solution. By calling out to our family, friends and neighbors and rallying our loved ones to become a part of the Lassy Project, we have the power to find lost, missing and abducted children."

 

[tomvansac]

Another driver's car bumping her car's bumper as a ploy to get her out of her car

So sad. What made her pull over? If her hazards were on, did she possibly get out to help someone?


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[Ray_of_hope]

Another driver's car bumping her car's bumper as a ploy to get her out of her car

I agree.

 

[margarita25]

So, so far LE has not commented on if there was any damage to her vehicle.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Or if Jackie was chasing a stray, she may have encountered a deviant who just happened to be around, or saw her stop and took advantage of an opportunity. MOO

 

[WebSight]

Yup, been thinking this too. Dogs running around in/near a neighborhood usually belong there. People here let their dogs out to run and assume they will come home. In a case like that, J would have been intefering with a dog's normal routine.

If I am to adopt the dog theory, then I must conclude that she came across an injured dog or hit one herself.

I, too, would never assume that a loose dog is a lost or stray dog. I can not suppose that she would think the same but it seems logical that she would be looking for signs of neglect or whatever before stopping.

But, taking into account her involvement with the rescue and care of dogs then I can imagine that an injured dog would be imperative for her to try and help.

All the more so if she accidently hit it with her car herself.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

So, so far LE has not commented on if there was any damage to her vehicle.

True, but sometimes a 'bump' won't cause any damage but will get someone out of a car. I'm reaching here... MOO

 

[tlorik]

Curious about the timeline:
Who reported her missing/late from Indianapolis? Reports say "relatives"
What time was she expected home in Indy?
What time were the pets dropped off at the parents/in-laws? Did she stay and visit? What time did she leave their house?
How long had her car been in the road?
I realize we may not know all these things yet, but I am curious about this since the car was reported and she was reported about the same time. Seems if she would have had time to get to Indy but hadn't, her car would have been in the road for 30 minutes to an hour or better - depending on how far it is from Columbus to Indianapolis (I really don't know, sorry). Seems like someone would have come along in that time and reported the vehicle, even though it is a residential neighborhood. I'm seeing an odd time gap but maybe I'm missing something?

 

[AFTM]

I am so sorry about your sister. We just lost Sierah this past July and yes your world changes BUT for the most part, others do not.
It's just the nature of the beast, the cycle of everyday life, people not directly affected go on and it becomes a vague memory to them that someone was just murdered close by. It also lulls them into a false sense of security because the perp was caught. They think "whew" he's off the streets, so they're safe again or if he's not..time goes on and people think it was an aberration, never going to happen again there, lightening doesn't strike twice kind of thing. It's sad, but true. It drives me INSANE to see young women alone, jogging, riding a bike, in deserted areas...I want to scream at them..."What are you doing???" Don't you know how quick it can happen? But I don't because it's just not the nature of people, whose lives have not been affected by random murder, to alter their lives in anyway. WE think of our lost ones every single day...generally, they do not.

Regardless, you and I know..you just have to keep getting up every morning. One day, it might not be the very first thought in my head that Sierah was tortured and murdered in a dark barn. One day.....maybe.

I am sorry for your loss also. We are kindred souls...Victims in away... I was on my way to where my sister worked that night...I pulled my car over and sat in the dark rain awhile and changed my mind about meeting her. I even remember the song on the radio as I sat there. I turned around went home and just sat there while my poor sister was being murdered....

The next day when she didn't come home I went to where she worked. Blood was everywhere. She was gone. He had taken her to an empty house to torture her some more. The details are very gruesome but he slit her throat 5 times in the end...

I am not afraid...she would not want me to live my life in fear... I will not let him destroy me too. I am aware though that evil does exist in this world...It has existed since the beginning of time. (Read your Bible). Do not deny it. But know that good will prevail.


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[Ray_of_hope]

If I am to adopt the dog theory, then I must conclude that she came across an injured dog or hit one herself?

I, too, would never assume that a loose dog is a lost or stray dog. I can not suppose that she would think the same but it seems logical that she would be looking for signs of neglect or whatever before stopping.

But, taking into account her involvement with the rescue and care of dogs then I can imagine that an injured dog would be imperative for her to try and help.

All the more so if she accidentally hit it with her car herself.

Good points. If a dog is cachectic or injured, I believe she would have stopped.

 

[margarita25]

True, but sometimes a 'bump' won't cause any damage but will get someone out of a car. I'm reaching here... MOO

Of course, sorry that post of mine was wierd, I was actually talking to myself out loud, lol, sorry about the incomplete thought, yes, indeed. Or someone came out flying into the road with a gun, opened the passenger door....

 

[Hiandmighty]

If I am to adopt the dog theory, then I must conclude that she came across an injured dog or hit one herself.

I, too, would never assume that a loose dog is a lost or stray dog. I can not suppose that she would think the same but it seems logical that she would be looking for signs of neglect or whatever before stopping.

But, taking into account her involvement with the rescue and care of dogs then I can imagine that an injured dog would be imperative for her to try and help.

All the more so if she accidently hit it with her car herself.

I agree. If there was an animal involved, it would be injured. I don't think it at all because one woman with no cell phone can't deal with an injured animal. She would call mom to come help.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

I am sorry for your loss also. We are kindred souls...Victims in away... I was on my way to where my sister worked that night...I pulled my car over and sat in the dark rain awhile and changed my mind about meeting her. I even remember the song on the radio as I sat there. I turned around went home and just sat there while my poor sister was being murdered....

The next day when she didn't come home I went to where she worked. Blood was everywhere. She was gone. He had taken her to an empty house to torture her some more. The details are very gruesome but he slit her throat 5 times in the end...

I am not afraid...she would not want me to live my life in fear... I will not let him destroy me too. I am aware though that evil does exist in this world...It has existed since the beginning of time. (Read your Bible). Do not deny it. But know that good will prevail.


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AFTM, I am without words, but I am so very very sorry.

 

[margarita25]

I am sorry for your loss also. We are kindred souls...Victims in away... I was on my way to where my sister worked that night...I pulled my car over and sat in the dark rain awhile and changed my mind about meeting her. I even remember the song on the radio as I sat there. I turned around went home and just sat there while my poor sister was being murdered....

The next day when she didn't come home I went to where she worked. Blood was everywhere. She was gone. He had taken her to an empty house to torture her some more. The details are very gruesome but he slit her throat 5 times in the end...

I am not afraid...she would not want me to live my life in fear... I will not let him destroy me too. I am aware though that evil does exist in this world...It has existed since the beginning of time. (Read your Bible). Do not deny it. But know that good will prevail.


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Oh, AFTM, thanks so much for being here...

:grouphug:

There are no words.