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

[arthurgolden]

This site has been a real eyeopener for me.... I notice that there seem to be more women than men... and some of the stories y'all are telling - thanks... it's sensitizing me more to these issues.

Ditto. The story many, many threads ago--I apologize for forgetting who told it--where a poster was walking around UL's campus and a guy made a grab for her shook me to the core. I thought, "Holy ****! This stuff really happens to people??"

 

[Backwoods]

A cooler.. you mean for camouflage? So as to make it easy to put in a boat without suspicion??

Yes, that's what I meant. Could be some other sort of container, too -- but water and boats and fishing, well ... cooler just came to mind.

 

[fairest of them all]

I have a .38 and and a shotgun wishin a mf would.....

Right on! Make my day! Wouldn't blink!

 

[slowlybutshelly]

Should we consider posting these maps that chicken fried has made showing MS route at places that already have MS fliers? i.e. like coffeeshops etc?

 

[HolyDiver221]

I don't think the article implied that the bike was dismantled. I think they just listed parts that might contain DNA or fingerprints.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

Just curious. I know nothing about these police stuff....

from intuition, I would think crime would go up while school is out....because people sticking around without much to do etc. I could be wrong...

statistically..is crime up or down between semesters?

 

[slowlybutshelly]

Agreed. Either the perp knew her, or had seen her route. Either way, I believe she was targeted. I think that outweighs the chance of a drunk driver.

I do not necessarily think MS was targeted before the evening took place. Here is why: I have driven the area a lot the last few days just trying to get a sense of what could have gone wrong and why.

Here is what I think happened: Parkside drive is nearly invisible (on the left or right) to anyone going toward ST landry from university; and can only be spotted on the right going from st landry down university IF ONE KNOWS THE ENTRANCE. If someone does not know this entrance either from google mapping (preplanned killer) or being a local; then the entrance on the right of university to parkside drive is virtually invisible.

Given that, I think it highly probable a local had either
1. kept things in a truck for opportune scenario and was waiting..
or
2. decided an hour beforehand to drive the town looking for bad things to do.

If followed down Versailles, it was from someone who zipped onto parkside while cruising university ( no MS in mind then) and decided to hang out on parkside. I stopped on parkside today and just sat there; it would be easy to have car lights turned off, watching ahead and then see MS and say 'ok let's go'; thus the lights and white truck seen turning rt onto versailles. I doubt if anyone would notice a white truck following a block behind a biker and at 2 am. He could have then followed her to St Landry - St Julien.

I find it hard to theorize that Perp was stalking in front of church on versailles or st john as these places have cameras. A.C.I. and chickenfried there is a lawyers office the first left building as you turn right onto parkside from university. The lawyers office actually faces university but when you travel down parkside you see there is an entrance on parkside as well. It is obscure, but I suffice it to say there may be cameras there also. Has anyone gone by there to ask? They might have video of said white truck on parkside; and then we would really know she was being followed.

 

[Northside neighbor]

Empty space. Huge, eerie vacant lot. i think it is or was a bus parking lot or something.

Also medical office building(with no cameras, which will change soon)& residential area.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

I think neighborhood, I really do.

Doesn't look like I'm giving up on the perp-on-foot possibility any time soon.

I am thinking very local; like cemetery worker. There are tons of construction workers in the area by BOUCANNIERS (BBQ joint) on left before getting to university. I drove by today and saw lots of construction workers focused on their work. A.C.I and chicken fried.The church on st john must have cameras too! Has anyone thought of asking the church to review cameras from around the cemetery on parkside and university?

I keep thinking maybe the PERP did not want MS or CS but someone else; so any other blonde girls in the area need to be extra careful and change their routines.

I sincerely hope the PERP does not have internet access and is reading these sites! Now I see why the govt wants an internet site for govt traffic; and another site for all else. Kind of makes sense now.

 

[JennMonkey]

I heart you Bessie. Idk why. I just do.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

I agree with you 100% Your thoughts are mine. It was someone on her route who planned this. Find an isolated concentration of population on her route at 2 a.m. and you'll get closer to the perp. Not too many choices.

Smart people and bicycle riders in general change their routes often. Why did not MS? I change routes in my car for god's sake; that being said in this small town everyone seems to know about everyone else's modes of transportation. SOmeone at a coffeeshop that I study with helped me jump my car and then next you thing you know he is asking me about my car and showing me pics of new cars I should get. (retired P.I.) lol.

Makes me feel that in addition to changing my bike route, I should change my car every few years. Now I see why GOVT (FBI) drive around in black sedans and unmarked white vehicles. lol.

I feel like I have been on a summer internship reading these threads.

 

[arthurgolden]

Just curious. I have been a perpetual student all my life and know nothing about these police stuff....

from intuition, I would think crime would go up while school is out....because people sticking around without much to do etc. I could be wrong...

statistically..is crime up or down between semesters?

Depends on the school (student pop. lives on campus or mainly commuter?), type of crime, and whether it's the winter or summer break. I have no expertise on this issue, but the reports are easy to find, as are annual statistics. Just a sample set...

LSU: https://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/lsupd/daily-crime-log/
SELU: www.selu.edu/admin/police/blotter/index.html
UNO: http://s2.uno.edu/unopd/UNOPDApplications/CrimeLog.aspx
ULL: http://police.louisiana.edu/crime-log/index.shtml

In terms of overall crime, involving anything from open containers to murder, I don't see any major peaks or valleys that are consistent in any of the above universities. The stats actually seem to be pretty uniform for the most part. Less activity in January, steadily increasing and then plateauing in March, and holding steady for much of the year, with maybe a little bit more activity in October or November. That's my own interpretation of the numbers I looked at. With each of those sites, you can find an annual report parsing out many murders, how many burglaries, how many medical emergencies, etc. for a more nuanced explanation. Hope this helps.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

You go!

No it is not weird! I befriended MS that way and so did a lot of other people after this happened. She needs HUGS and lot of them and she is open to them. Please go give her a hug! She did not plan on being a celebrity and is just a GREAT GAL. needing hugs....

 

[slowlybutshelly]

This is also the way I'm leaning, minus the idea of obsession/stalking. It seems like Shunick followed her route at unpredictable times, and would require any potential stalkers to sit around, waiting for hours for something that may or may not happen. Stalkers are usually a little more proactive than that, and would probably have followed her during more routine patterns (home, work, school, etc).

Honestly, I don't wonder if people are projecting a lot of ideas about her disappearance because of Shunick's age and gender. 50 year-old men go missing and there's not much speculation about whether or not they were snatched by a lovesick admirer- even though that's sometimes the case. While it's obviously a possibility with Shunick (and really, ANYTHING is possible), it's certainly not a given.

Maybe these security guards talk; maybe they are related and know one another. Would not surprise me at all if this security guard talked to other security guards. Even though chickenfried is adamant about this security guard not being involved; I am not so sure there is not a security guard - net like the cajun-net. I would not be surprsied if she was in town being and being covered up.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

LCG was sears and the Grand theater was a drive in; that dates us.

 

[Mr. Noatak]

My opinions only, no facts here:

More about the surveillance camera pic.

I agree with the authorities that this is a Chevy Silverado Z71. There has not been a lot of change in this model over the years, but from the overall appearance of the surveillance camera pic, I think this may be a 2011 model. It looks fairly expensive, with most of the options.

Regarding a question by Artis and an answer by JurysOut about the vertical steak on the white truck in the original surveillance camera pic- the distortion in the original pic is both vertical and horizontal. I believe this steak is actually the raised fender mold that encircles the wheel on this model. Due to distortion, this mold surface appears further to the rear than it should in the original surveillance pic.

Remember that the driver is represented by only a couple of pixels on the original pic. So, it cannot factually be said whether the driver is male or female or stocky or skinny. What I did to define the driver was look at images of this model from the same angle without a driver; then I looked for pixels that might represent the driver on the surveillance camera pic. I admit that every time I look at the original pic I visualize a beefy guy in a white t-shirt, but this is just the way my particular brain cells view this. As for a passenger, I think I am only seeing the seat back cushions on the passenger side.

In the security camera pic, on the wheels, it looks like the holes are spaced about 70 degrees apart. So I overlaid 5-hole wheels (mags) on the original image. There is more than one type of five-hole wheel and I tried to pick the wheel design that best matches the blurry original image.

Since many posters had trouble reading the text on my first image, I am re-posting it here with larger text of an appropriate color. I am now examining the camera image that shows a white truck going in the opposite direction.

 

[Artis]

The guard related a poignant story about another guard confronting Mickey about cutting across a part of the lot, coming up from St. Mary one time, asking why she was out so late by herself because it wasn't safe... and Mickey talked back, saying, "well if it's so dangerous, then what are you doing out here at 2 a.m. then? The guard told her, "because we can go inside if we need to. Mickey laughed it off and rode away. Both guards are pretty upset, the one guard told me, especially that one, because she said she wished somehow she could have gotten through to Mickey how unsafe it was. Mickey's friends swarmed the grounds looking for her, and the cops went through the hopital and parking structures with a a fine-tooth comb.

Oh, man. The guard who warned her must have about gone into shock upon hearing that she disappeared. Horrible.

 

[wenderella]

If you were going to take the time to dismantle the bike...would you leave all the pieces together?

 

[wenderella]

This is helpful from LA PD-exact wording of their updates
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jim Craft, Chief of Police
900 East University Ave.
P.O. Box 4308
Lafayette, LA 70502Contact: Cpl. Paul L. Mouton
Public Information Officer
Office: (337) 291-8617
Fax: (337) 291-8665
[email protected]

Date: 6/1/2012
Time: 11:55:00 AM


UPDATE XI: Search Continues for Missing Lafayette Woman
Lafayette, LA – Beginning at 7:00 pm this evening, an answering machine will record all tips regarding the Mickey Shunick case for those persons who call 337-291-8633. The number of tips received by the Lafayette Police Department has decreased and it is no longer feasible to answer the tips line 24 hours a day. The tips line will be answered Monday through Friday during normal business hours by detectives. During weekends and after hours, the messages on the tips line will be checked periodically by an investigator.

UPDATE X: Second Search of Whiskey Bay Conducted
Original Release: May 31, 2012 @ 1:45 pm
Lafayette, LA – On Wednesday investigators returned to the area were the bicycle was located and re-examined the area with sonar. Images recorded on the sonar equipment were reviewed and sparked the operator’s interest. Divers from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office were called in to conduct the search beneath the water, but nothing of evidence value was located. The investigation remains ongoing.

UPDATE IX: Two Vehicles of Interest Ruled Out
Original Release: May 30, 2012 @ 11:00 am
Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Police have identified the operators and occupants of both the older model 4-door car and the white 4-door pickup truck with the bed cover, which were captured on surveillance video. Investigators have ruled out any involvement by these individuals and they offered no additional clues for the investigation. Investigators continue to seek information on the newer model white Z-71 pickup truck. The investigation remains ongoing.

UPDATE VIII: Condition of Bike Released by Detectives
Original Release: May 29, 2012 @ 3:30 pm
Lafayette, LA – Detectives with the Lafayette Police Department have released the condition of Mickey Shunick’s bike as it was found. The bike was found to be submerged except for a small section of the frame. The bike’s rear tire was found to be damaged. It is currently being processed by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Detectives are hopeful that forensic experts can find evidence on the frame, handle bars and handgrips that were recovered at the scene.

UPDATE VII: Search at Whiskey Bay Discontinued
Original Release: May 28, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
Lafayette, LA – As of noon, Lafayette Police have discontinued the search of the area surrounding where Mickey Shunick’s bike was found. Investigators were unable to locate any other significant evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.

UPDATE VI: Bike Found Beneath Whiskey Bay Bridge
Original Release: May 27, 2012 @ 3:00 pm
Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Police are confirming that Mickey Shunick’s bike has been found beneath the Whiskey Bay I-10 Bridge at Exit #127. Some local fisherman located the bike and notified police through the tips line. The entire area and the river are being searched for clues and evidence. Police are asking the public to remain out of the area so that law enforcement officials can search. The case remains under investigation.

UPDATE V: Additional Vehicles Sought in Search for Mickey
Original Release: May 26, 2012 @ 5:30 pm
Lafayette, LA – Detectives have provided an updated picture of the initial vehicle of interest and the pictures of two additional vehicles that were in the area during the same time frame when Mickey Shunick was last captured on surveillance footage. The first truck (Picture1) drove from the area that Mickey had traveled. It is evident from the new photo that the vehicle has a bed cover and tinted windows. The second truck (Picture2) is a white 4 door Chevrolet Z71 that traveled in the same direction of Mickey on St. Landry Street. The third vehicle (Pictures 3 &4) is an 80’s or 90’s 4 door vehicle with body work on the rear right quarter panel. Detectives are interested in locating the vehicles and speaking with the occupants to obtain further information on the case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the tips line at 337-291-8633.




Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4

UPDATE IV: Mickey Captured on Video, White Pickup Sought
Original Release: May 25, 2012 @ 6:40 pm
Lafayette, LA – Detectives were able to identify a bicyclist believed to be Mickey Shunick traveling on Versailles Blvd and Saint Landry Street. At approximately 1:47 am the bicyclist is captured on Versailles Blvd traveling towards St. John Street. She then traveled on St. John Street and crossed over University Avenue, continuing west on St. Landry Street where she was captured on video at approximately 1:48 am. Investigators are seeking information regarding a white newer model four door pickup truck, which was captured on video after Mickey Shunick traveled on both streets.



UPDATE III: Police Request Citizens to Search Video
May 24, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
Anyone with information about the case of the pickup truck is encouraged to call the tips line at 337-291-8633 or Crime Stoppers at 337-232-TIPS.
Lafayette, LA – Detectives with the Lafayette Police Department are asking business owners and those residents with video surveillance equipment to review footage from May 19, 2012, between the hours of 1:30 am and 3:30 am. Being that there is no confirmed route that was taken by Mickey Shunick on her bike, she could have been possibly captured by equipment not checked by police. Anyone finding any footage of interest is asked to call the tips line at 337-291-8633.

On Friday, May 25, 2012, a press briefing will be held at the volunteer center on St. Mary Street at 3:00 pm to discuss any updates in the case.

UPDATE II: Police Continue to Seek New Information
Original Release: May 23, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
Lafayette, LA – Police continue to receive tips and follow up leads in the case of Missing Michaela “Mickey” Shunick. There is no new information pertaining to the case. The investigation continues.

UPDATE: Police Open Tips Line for Information on Missing Woman
Original Release: May 21, 2012 @ 6:15 pm
Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Police have established a “Tips Line” for citizens to call with information pertaining to the case of the missing woman, Michaela “Mickey” Shunick. Those citizens with information about the case are encouraged to call 337-291-8633. Detectives with the Lafayette Police Department will be monitoring the phone for at least the next 24 hours.

Search Continues for Missing Lafayette Woman
Original Release: May 21, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
Lafayette, LA – Detectives with the Lafayette Police Department continue to search for clues which would assist them in locating Michaela “Mickey” Shunick (21). Shunick went missing after leaving a friend’s residence in the 100 block of Ryan Street at approximately 2:00 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012. She was wearing a pastel, multi-colored striped shirt, light wash skinny jeans and grey shoes. Shunick departed the residence on a black Schwinn bicycle with gold handle bar grips and wearing a brown leather backpack purse. It is believed that she was going to her residence near the intersection of Ambassador Caffery Parkway and Congress Street. Shunick is described as a white female, blonde hair, 5’1” tall and 115 pounds.
The Louisiana State Police and the FBI have offered their resources and assisting in the investigation. Below is a photo of Michaela Shunick and the bicycle she is believed to have been riding when she went missing.
Detectives are asking anyone with any information about the case to contact the Lafayette Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS.

 

[Artis]

My opinions only, no facts here:

More about the surveillance camera pic.

I agree with the authorities that this is a Chevy Silverado Z71. There has not been a lot of change in this model over the years, but from the overall appearance of the surveillance camera pic, I think this may be a 2011 model. It looks fairly expensive, with most of the options.

Regarding a question by Artis and an answer by JurysOut about the vertical steak on the white truck in the original surveillance camera pic- the distortion in the original pic is both vertical and horizontal. I believe this steak is actually the raised fender mold that encircles the wheel on this model. Due to distortion, this mold surface appears further to the rear than it should in the original surveillance pic.

Remember that the driver is represented by only a couple of pixels on the original pic. So, it cannot factually be said whether the driver is male or female or stocky or skinny. What I did to define the driver was look at images of this model from the same angle without a driver; then I looked for pixels that might represent the driver on the surveillance camera pic. I admit that every time I look at the original pic I visualize a beefy guy in a white t-shirt, but this is just the way my particular brain cells view this. As for a passenger, I think I am only seeing the seat back cushions on the passenger side.

In the security camera pic, on the wheels, it looks like the holes are spaced about 70 degrees apart. So I overlaid 5-hole wheels (mags) on the original image. There is more than one type of five-hole wheel and I tried to pick the wheel design that best matches the blurry original image.

Since many posters had trouble reading the text on my first image, I am re-posting it here with larger text of an appropriate color. I am now examining the camera image that shows a white truck going in the opposite direction.

Hi, again, to you. I, too, felt that dark line was the camera and not a shadow from the sign. Looking forward to your next analysis.