Found Deceased KS - Lucas Hernandez, 5, Wichita, 17 Feb 2018 #2

[mistivon]

You guys rock explaining the issue with divers. I forgot some states have weather....where I live it's sunny and 70 all year round (ugh).
Thanks!

 

[swanniee11]

I am not sure if this is allowable by the rules due to the site source, but I saw the Zillow posting of the new house (assuming bought by the now landlord), and the marketing blurb states a fully fenced backyard. So a 5 year old got out the back door, and also a gate, and wandered off? That makes me even more skeptical.

I agree, I saw pictures from news outlets that showed a fenced back yard but I wasn't sure if it was completely fenced or not. This has me wondering as well. I wonder what kind of lock was on it or where the handle was set.

 

[RoyalsGal8]

Hey Everyone. There are a couple of questions/ideas being floated I just wanna address.

First, the question of why isn't LE searching the water. I suspect they are not searching the water because it would be impossible for someone to deposit a body in them without someone noticing. As I recall of the parks they have searched thus far, the ponds/lakes have been fairly exposed to the public with no real way of someone dropping a body without being noticed.

Second, the question of if some sort of natural debris led LE to the parks. It is possible but I find it doubtful. In most small geographical areas, like Wichita, the local species of trees, bushes and grasses will all be the same. Since Wichita is located in a fairly cold climate the diversity of naturally occurring floral species is going to be limited, in other words, you don't find a lot of different species of anything in colder areas. This means that what you find on the north side of town you're going to find all over town, there is no real way to differentiate them without using complicated and time consuming genetic analysis and even then you won't find much of a difference between a tree on the north side of town and the same species of tree on the east side. Same thing goes for soil, soil tends to be homogeneous in a highly developed area like Wichita. If they were searching areas outside of the city I'd say "sure, maybe soil led them there" but even that is doubtful since you can't tell the difference between types of soils just on sight unless they are vastly different (e.g. loamy soil versus sandy soil versus clay). I've been working in the dirt for close to 20 years and I still have to use charts and a hand lens to differentiate between so types of soil.

To answer your first point— No, not all of these lakes are out in the open. The first area searched (Great Plains Nature Center) is actually very secluded in areas. It is a “wetland” park. So water is very accessible throughout the entire park. There is plenty of wooded areas as well.

Second— the species of plants are relatively the same across town. But like I mentioned previously, Great Plains focuses on wetland wildlife which you won’t find in your back yard.

Also, who said Wichita is cold?! I have been pregnant during our summers where it isn’t unusual to have weeks of 110+ temps! I wish I lived in a cold area!! Hah!


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[Pamela_Brewer]

These are all excellent possibilities of why they may be focused on a park. Thanks for brainstorming them!

But the tip was from a tipline so does that mean someone was at her home and saw something like these things, recognized the possible importance, and called LE?

And still...if he was at the park assumably from evidence such as this, Why oh Why aren't they checking the bodies of water there? I'm sorry, I just can't figure out why the water is not being searched. Just because dry soil or dry anything is found that relates to a park doesn't mean he didn't end up in the water...

I'm guessing that somehow they think he has been buried somewhere?
Perhaps a need for cadaver dogs in the coming days?
MOO

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[Inthedetails]

These are all excellent possibilities of why they may be focused on a park. Thanks for brainstorming them!

But the tip was from a tipline so does that mean someone was at her home and saw something like these things, recognized the possible importance, and called LE?

And still...if he was at the park assumably from evidence such as this, Why oh Why aren't they checking the bodies of water there? I'm sorry, I just can't figure out why the water is not being searched. Just because dry soil or dry anything is found that relates to a park doesn't mean he didn't end up in the water...

Maybe the tip was from someone who spoke to stepmom and remembered her saying something about the park, but didn't have specifics, as conversations with neighbors or shop clerks, etc. are usually just passing comments.
Speculation, brainstorming, not fact.

jmo

 

[sony12]

Just for reference when those of us who live in the area talk about the Great Plains Nature Center that is basically the same park as Chisolm Creek. THe Nature Center is just the northern section and Chisolm Creek is the southern section. You can take trails that go from one end to the other.

 

[haven71]

Maybe the tip was from someone who spoke to stepmom and remembered her saying something about the park, but didn't have specifics, as conversations with neighbors or shop clerks, etc. are usually just passing comments.
Speculation, brainstorming, not fact.

jmo

If I "lost" someone in a park on purpose though, I wouldn't make any passing references to the place, that's for sure. At least not on purpose. There's always those Freudian slips though!

 

[DAnthrplgst]

To answer your first point— No, not all of these lakes are out in the open. The first area searched (Great Plains Nature Center) is actually very secluded in areas. It is a “wetland” park. So water is very accessible throughout the entire park. There is plenty of wooded areas as well.

Second— the species of plants are relatively the same across town. But like I mentioned previously, Great Plains focuses on wetland wildlife which you won’t find in your back yard.

Also, who said Wichita is cold?! I have been pregnant during our summers where it isn’t unusual to have weeks of 110+ temps! I wish I lived in a cold area!! Hah!


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Regarding Great Plains Nature Center, I thought someone said further back in the comments that you can't get onto the Center grounds after closing. Is that incorrect?

 

[sony12]

I'm guessing that somehow they think he has been buried somewhere?
Perhaps a need for cadaver dogs in the coming days?
MOO

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I seriously doubt anyone would have buried a body in any of these parks. Though you can find locations to have a bit of privacy at the Nature Center definitely not enough though to cover up a crime. THey would be much more likely to drive out into the country to bury it than to do it in any of these parks.

 

[flute4peace]

Hey Everyone. There are a couple of questions/ideas being floated I just wanna address.

First, the question of why isn't LE searching the water. I suspect they are not searching the water because it would be impossible for someone to deposit a body in them without someone noticing. As I recall of the parks they have searched thus far, the ponds/lakes have been fairly exposed to the public with no real way of someone dropping a body without being noticed.

Second, the question of if some sort of natural debris led LE to the parks. It is possible but I find it doubtful. In most small geographical areas, like Wichita, the local species of trees, bushes and grasses will all be the same. Since Wichita is located in a fairly cold climate the diversity of naturally occurring floral species is going to be limited, in other words, you don't find a lot of different species of anything in colder areas. This means that what you find on the north side of town you're going to find all over town, there is no real way to differentiate them without using complicated and time consuming genetic analysis and even then you won't find much of a difference between a tree on the north side of town and the same species of tree on the east side. Same thing goes for soil, soil tends to be homogeneous in a highly developed area like Wichita. If they were searching areas outside of the city I'd say "sure, maybe soil led them there" but even that is doubtful since you can't tell the difference between types of soils just on sight unless they are vastly different (e.g. loamy soil versus sandy soil versus clay). I've been working in the dirt for close to 20 years and I still have to use charts and a hand lens to differentiate between some types of soil.

I suspect they are searching the parks because of the tip received and/or because the parks would probably be the best hiding spot for a little body. While going into the water would be a chore, especially with it being winter, hiding a body in underbrush or even a shallow grave would be easy to accomplish. But even a shallow grave I have my doubts, with it being winter I'm sure the ground is probably frozen solid up in Kansas this time of year.

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!

I'm not knowledgeable enough to be able to speak to the frozen ground, but I can say that it hasn't been sub-freezing consistently this winter. It was warm last week with highs up to 70 on Sat.

Currently, though, I can't imagine divers could get in even if they wanted to. Certainly not without a very specific target/location.

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[sony12]

Regarding Great Plains Nature Center, I thought someone said further back in the comments that you can't get onto the Center grounds after closing. Is that incorrect?

You can. There is a backway in but you would have to do it on foot. Generally it is used for people that are jogging or people who are hooking up and going to the nature center to have sex at night.

They do close the gates at night though so you can't drive in after hours.

 

[Philigumbo]

http://ksn.com/2018/02/19/family-of-missing-5-year-old-speak-out/

Link with the parents interview about his fear of water and loving fishing. Just FYI.

 

[Pamela_Brewer]

I seriously doubt anyone would have buried a body in any of these parks. Though you can find locations to have a bit of privacy at the Nature Center definitely not enough though to cover up a crime. THey would be much more likely to drive out into the country to bury it than to do it in any of these parks.

I don't think he is either.
I'm not sure what LE are doing or why.
I am hoping that I will understand at some point in the near future!
IT DOES make me wonder if someone hasn't found some video footage of interest!
These days cameras are everywhere!
MOO

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[haven71]

I'd more bet on IF stepmom made a reference to going to the park or being at a park in passing or even to another relative that perhaps the tip is being investigated because stepmom is denying any comments about being there or going to any of the parks to LE. In other words, she'd be withholding information which is very suspicious.

 

[flute4peace]

You guys rock explaining the issue with divers. I forgot some states have weather....where I live it's sunny and 70 all year round (ugh).
Thanks!

That's what it was here on Sat. So drastically different conditions now.

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[Henry2326]

Feb 20

The parents of Lucas Hernandez's stepmother have issued a statement regarding the little boy's disappearance.

"We just want Lucas home safe. We are asking for everyone's prayers and support. We would like to thank everyone that have been so supportive," reads the statement.

Tuesday afternoon, Wichita police and investigators from the FBI were back in the neighborhood where the five-year-old was last seen.

His step-grandparents acknowledged the fact that everyone wants answers and wants to know where the little boy could be.

"We know everyone is anxious for answers, as are we. Please understand that this has turned our lives upside down and we ask that our privacy is respected. Even though law enforcement hasn't been able to provide much information to the public, please trust that they are doing everything in their power to bring Lucas home."

http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Po...search-for-missing-Wichita-boy-474598043.html

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[Henry2326]

Feb 20

Davidson says the search for the boy expanded to Chisholm Creek Park and Dr. Glen Dey Park in northeast Wichita and Harrison Park in south Wichita.

Davidson did not provide exact locations where police are searching Tuesday, but he did say winter weather would not halt search efforts.

These searches have included the department's mounted unit, canines and even drones.

He says about 100 people are working the case of the missing boy at any time. This includes officers involved in physically searching for Lucas as well as personnel receiving tips and pursuing potential leads from them.

"Those tips are invaluable," Davidson says. "Those tips are helping us in our investigation."

Davidson says Lucas' family is cooperating in the investigation, He says it is "premature" to go into details of the investigation beyond information about Lucas and did not discuss the nature of past contacts the Wichita Police Department has had with the boy's family.

http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Po...search-for-missing-Wichita-boy-474598043.html

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[Tippy Lynn]

The issues with divers today specifically is the cold, snow, rain, and ice. It’s my understanding Friday is the soonest for better diving conditions.

I live in MN and divers do recovery dives in our lakes when frozen. When I say frozen I’m saying with ice that’s a foot or more thick.

 

[RoyalsGal8]

Regarding Great Plains Nature Center, I thought someone said further back in the comments that you can't get onto the Center grounds after closing. Is that incorrect?

There are small gates that close, but that doesn’t stop someone from getting in if they want in. Let me see if I can find a picture.

This is so completely morbid that I hate saying it.. but it is not uncommon for there to be people with large wagons in the park. You could sneak a body in during the day if you really wanted to.

The park is quite spread out. On a normal day there (which I am there often) you may only see a hand full of people pass by. The further back you go the less people you see as parents with small kids don’t make it too far before the kids are tired.


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[mistivon]

Feb 20

The parents of Lucas Hernandez's stepmother have issued a statement regarding the little boy's disappearance.

"We just want Lucas home safe. We are asking for everyone's prayers and support. We would like to thank everyone that have been so supportive," reads the statement.

Tuesday afternoon, Wichita police and investigators from the FBI were back in the neighborhood where the five-year-old was last seen.

His step-grandparents acknowledged the fact that everyone wants answers and wants to know where the little boy could be.

"We know everyone is anxious for answers, as are we. Please understand that this has turned our lives upside down and we ask that our privacy is respected. Even though law enforcement hasn't been able to provide much information to the public, please trust that they are doing everything in their power to bring Lucas home."

http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Po...search-for-missing-Wichita-boy-474598043.html

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That's weird to me. I think I would be saying, "Ask me anything. Let me tell you all about my baby and his life."