LA - Mickey Shunick, 21, Lafayette, 19 May 2012 - #1

[nursebeeme]

welcome to websleuths bonbonbelle :cheer:

 

[OldSteve]

I'm a recent UL grad and this story is bothering and upsetting me in so many ways. My heart is breaking for Mickey's family (especially parents) and friends, and I keep going over the details in my mind because something is just out of place. I hear stories about abductions often but there are almost always suspicious circumstances and clues. It's so odd that there's nothing here, even with all those people scouring Lafayette. And the bike is bothering me too. Why would a kidnapper take the bike or go to the trouble of finding a really good hiding place for it?

I don't want to think BW had anything to do with it, but like Questioning said, the video sort of creeps me out. His eyes are open too wide, too "staring." And it doesn't seem like what he has to say is coming from the heart. Of course, he might just be nervous, tired, etc. But it seems like an appeal for your friend's life would be more, I don't know, animated?

:welcome: great post! Also, in first video I saw of BW there were no tears to match the facial grief. But, so be it, don't like to be so cynical...

 

[unsinkable]

Did anyone mention the possibility of 2 separate crimes? Mickey snatched off the bike and the bike abandoned. Then a second person (unrelated to taking Mickey) happens upon the bike and steals it.

Have they checked pawn shops/flea markets/etc for the bike?

I think that she could have been taken even though she was riding the bike.

ETA: I rode my bike everywhere throughout high school and college...at all hours. It hurts to read these stories b/c I had that in common with Mickey.

 

[Phobia]

I been reading and watching this closely, being that I live in Lafayette it is of high concern to me. Last thing we need is some "abductor" here in our community.

I find several things odd.

1) Why would they drive to taco bell (most likely the one by Canes on congress), yet wouldn't bring this girl home at 2am?? Seems the safe thing would of been to drive her home.

2) I thought they were all vegans?? So what did they eat at taco bell??

3) Why is he crying and asking "how could you do this!!!" Yet her family and sister have remained strong and concerned but not jumping to conclusions as quickly as he did.

4) He does not come off in any way that he would have a girlfriend. Honestly, he seems gay. There is several pictures of him with other guys that seem the same way. So the girlfriend thing comes off odd to me too.

5) Where is the location of the cell phone in all this? The very first thing I would do is trace the phone. I would think the FBI or LE would of did this first and foremost.

I also agree that the most logical route she would have took would been down past the frat houses, in front the baseball field, then out near Rouses to congress. Once she hit congress it is well lite and business after business all the way to ambassador. So the abduction or hit would almost have to take place in the Saint Street region.

Everyone getting out the bars and clubs at 2am puts her even more likely to be struck by a drunk. Also with people leaving from the strip and heading back towards the south side of town she would have some drunks passing her for sure.

I think it has to be one of these 3.

• Drunk driver, hitting her and attempting to hide what happened
• Abduction from sicko that lives around Lafayette
• Abduction from sicko carnie

I just really hope they can find her alive. This is such a sad situation and horrible to see it happen to a young pretty girl who is just getting to experience life.

 

[Phobia]

I'm guessing if he said Taco Bell its the one on Johnston by St. Mary. That is pretty close to the place (Artmosphere) they were at that night.

I forgot about the one right by campus. I think you are right.

 

[nursebeeme]

welcome to websleuths Phobia :cheer:

 

[Coldpizza]

Welcome to WS Questioning!

:welcome:

 

[JeannaT]

Looking at him in this video, I don't think there's a chance he's involved. This looks like SINCERE grief, and he just doesn't put out any "vibes" to me, of being a violent person.

That was such a very long bike ride, in the wee hours of the pitch dark morning - it just seems a stranger abducted her, to me.

http://www.katc.com/news/community-rallies-together-to-search-for-mickey-shunick/#!prettyPhoto/0/

 

[OldSteve]

Did anyone mention the possibility of 2 separate crimes? Mickey snatched off the bike and the bike abandoned. Then a second person (unrelated to taking Mickey) happens upon the bike and steals it.

Have they checked pawn shops/flea markets/etc for the bike?

I think that she could have been taken even though she was riding the bike.

ETA: I rode my bike everywhere throughout high school and college...at all hours. It hurts to read these stories b/c I had that in common with Mickey.

Interesting point... would think her bike would be damaged, but still might have been taken... checking bike shops might help in that case...

 

[pjcitizen]

Pleased to meet you, CCK. I'm in Lafayette, too. I've been following this case since the news broke, but this is my first post on the thread for Mickey.

I'm just using your post as a jumping off post, and wondering if you or others might know the answer to a question or two, or three, I have.

#1. Do we KNOW which route Mickey took home? (I am presuming she did leave BW's and head home.) I have a son who is very active with the Lafayette cyclist group, and I've been wanting to ask him this too, but he's away at work and I haven't had a chance to speak with him.

IF IF IF she went from Ryan to Congress and headed toward Ambassador Caffery, she took a well populated, busy route, and it seems to me as though she would have been spotted on her ride home. It also would not have been easy to abduct Mickey without witnesses from this well traveled route.

HOWEVER, if I were on my bike, I think I'd head from Ryan to Souvenir Gate. I'd follow that all the way thru the frat house area, Cajun Dome area, and cross College at the light. Then I'd head to the Congress/College intersection and turn left, following Congress from there to Ambassador......Souvenir Gate is a picturesque area, and much less traveled than Congress. If she took this route, it would set the scene

Both routes would take her past the carnival area, and both would take her past Lafayette High.....and both would take her past the traffic camera at the corner of Congress and Ambassador. But the Souvenir Gate would give someone a chance to abduct Mickey without witnesses.

{Snipped by me, catching up on this post so I'm not sure if anyone answered yet.}

Her friend, AS and sister CS were on Passe Patout or Good Morning Acadiana and this is the route they gave as her usual:

Ryan to Parkside to St. Mary to St. Landry, down to Frat. Row to get to the new bike path connecting to Congress and takes Congress down to Guilbeau to take a back neighborhood off of Congress to Bonair OR took Congress all the way down to Ambassador and take a left on Ambassador to her street.

 

[OldSteve]

I been reading and watching this closely, being that I live in Lafayette it is of high concern to me. Last thing we need is some "abductor" here in our community.

I find several things odd.

1) Why would they drive to taco bell (most likely the one by Canes on congress), yet wouldn't bring this girl home at 2am?? Seems the safe thing would of been to drive her home.

2) I thought they were all vegans?? So what did they eat at taco bell??

3) Why is he crying and asking "how could you do this!!!" Yet her family and sister have remained strong and concerned but not jumping to conclusions as quickly as he did.

4) He does not come off in any way that he would have a girlfriend. Honestly, he seems gay. There is several pictures of him with other guys that seem the same way. So the girlfriend thing comes off odd to me too.

5) Where is the location of the cell phone in all this? The very first thing I would do is trace the phone. I would think the FBI or LE would of did this first and foremost.

I also agree that the most logical route she would have took would been down past the frat houses, in front the baseball field, then out near Rouses to congress. Once she hit congress it is well lite and business after business all the way to ambassador. So the abduction or hit would almost have to take place in the Saint Street region.

Everyone getting out the bars and clubs at 2am puts her even more likely to be struck by a drunk. Also with people leaving from the strip and heading back towards the south side of town she would have some drunks passing her for sure.

I think it has to be one of these 3.

• Drunk driver, hitting her and attempting to hide what happened
• Abduction from sicko that lives around Lafayette
• Abduction from sicko carnie

I just really hope they can find her alive. This is such a sad situation and horrible to see it happen to a young pretty girl who is just getting to experience life.

Regarding your question 1 - her bicycle was at his house, so she was going to take it home from there.

What struck me as odd was that LE was slow to act when she was reported missing... unless it wasn't reported correctly.. saying someone left your house at 2am and didn't make it home, and that the person was also going to graduate the next day or so --- there' no way this could be a run-away needing time before investigation IMO!

ETA - this case has lots of locals - your input is much appreciated!

 

[Questioning]

Looking at him in this video, I don't think there's a chance he's involved. This looks like SINCERE grief, and he just doesn't put out any "vibes" to me, of being a violent person.

That was such a very long bike ride, in the wee hours of the pitch dark morning - it just seems a stranger abducted her, to me.

http://www.katc.com/news/community-rallies-together-to-search-for-mickey-shunick/#!prettyPhoto/0/

This was my opinion until I watched the "power of social media" video. He also seemed sincere in his radio interview but I think the short video that only mentions Mickey in the last few seconds is very off. I haven't been able to find any reliable information on what not blinking could signify, I have only been able to find info about blinking too often.

 

[nursebeeme]

vigil tonight

Lamar, the local billboard company, has agreed to put up a sign on all their electronic billboards throughout the state.”

With so many following the story so closely, the volunteer group is organizing a candle light vigil to allow those in the community the chance to show their continued support.

“I’ve met more people in the last few days than I’ve ever met in my life,” Says explained. “At times it’s overwhelming, but it’s incredible.”

The hope for the vigil is to show resolve even though little clues have been found thus far. It will be held at Parc Sans Souci on Tuesday, May 22.

“We just want to tell people that we’re not stopping. We’re not giving up.”

Although no sign of foul play has been discovered, officials tell us the case is highly suspicious.

http://www.ketknbc.com/news/community-plans-candle-light-vigil-for-missing-cyclist

 

[Phobia]

Regarding your question 1 - her bicycle was at his house, so she was going to take it home from there.

What struck me as odd was that LE was slow to act when she was reported missing... unless it wasn't reported correctly.. saying someone left your house at 2am and didn't make it home, and that the person was also going to graduate the next day or so --- there' no way this could be a run-away needing time before investigation IMO!

True, but would you let your sister/wife ride a bike at 2am all the way across town? Logically if my girlfriend was over at 2am, I would of found a way to fit her bike in my backseat of my car. Now, I have a truck and maybe BW does also, but hypothetically speaking worse case scenario he has a car you could still fit the bike in the backseat some way.

I wouldn't allow her to ride alone on a bike at 2am all the way across town. Plus both of them know bikes well enough to dismantle it to travel with.

 

[OldSteve]

Nurse - "Lamar, the local billboard company" in light of Sierra Lamar's sad outcome, that's something..

 

[bonbonbelle]

This was my opinion until I watched the "power of social media" video. He also seemed sincere in his radio interview but I think the short video that only mentions Mickey in the last few seconds is very off. I haven't been able to find any reliable information on what not blinking could signify, I have only been able to find info about blinking too often.

I don't like to overanalyze people who are grieving and under strain, but I have to agree: the "power of social media" video on FB definitely makes me sit up. I'd hate to think that someone close to her could do something to harm her, but it would certainly explain why nobody has come forward with any clues. As far as I know, no one has said they saw her biking home that night. I used to live on campus and go out downtown a lot, and I probably would have noticed a bright blonde biking on the side of the road that late (not many people do, much less girls). I'm thinking that either someone grabbed her as soon as she left his house, or BW had something to do with it. I wish they could get some conclusive evidence from traffic/surveillance cams.

 

['Ailina]

Wonder if any employed carnies suddenly quit or disappeared. Do they drive their own vehicles to get from location to location?

Wonder if the bike could be disassembled and mixed in with the fair equipment.

 

[Phobia]

Also the three main paths she would take regardless from that location would pass in several locations that have cameras.

Hotel across from Cajun Dome - Congress route
Cajun Dome & Convention Center - Souvenir Gate
Albertson's - Johnston St.


I work on Simcoe and know the quality of people that can lurk in the downtown region. I think anywhere past Bertrand she would be ok, so it seems reasonable from the Cajun Dome on back is where it had to occur.

 

[WideOpen]

http://kpel965.com/mickey-shunick-the-search-continues-in-lafayette/

In the radio interview BW is talking about the events of the evening and describes her getting ready to leave and he begins to break down a bit then regains his composure.
He says something here that caught my attention regarding her last moments;

"checked bike tires , checked mace, got out the back door, told her to be safe and that was the last we saw her.
He says, " that was the last we saw her."

Then, later in the interview he says "me seeing her leave the house" which puts it in context as no reports have her seen after this as of yet.

I assume that they were alone when she left but the above just throws me off a bit.

JMO

 

['Ailina]

I apologize ahead of time for the unpleasant thought, but would it possibly help us find her if we keep our eyes open for scavenger bird activity? Would their presence be relatively easy to detect?