LA - Mickey Shunick, 21, Lafayette 19 May 2012 - #31

[Darcyline]

If any of my loved ones are ever missing the first place I am going after LE is here. Everyone here has given such amazing advice to family members or friends who have missing loved ones. I have also observed members actively still working cases that are long, long cold and only a lone family member is still looking.
However, I can see how someone unfamiliar with Websleuths may be suspicious of it or not deem it necessary. My mom basically thinks all websites are evil and scams so I am not sure if I was missing if she would be receptive to this place (or even know how to get here or sign up).

Anyway, I am hoping they are about to arrest someone or know what happened. It would explain the deafening silence.

 

[RTC]

Search "Delta innerside toolbox". This is just one brand, there are several. I also researched fuel transfer tank because to me ther looks like a cable or pump hanging on the side. I do wish we had one more shot past the road sign. I think the yellow hue is a reflection and the box is probably chrome or white.

 

[quueenie]

So that truck has 4 ft of space between the wheel wells and you can fit sheet rock on the flat with the gate down. That's a nice truck. There is something about the square shape of the wheel well that looks like it comes out a little (a lot?). I would like to see an image of the toolbox package over the passenger side rear wheel well.

My husband is a photographer and I brightened this pic. I'm not sure, but it looks to me like a back sliding glass.... Do the Z71's have those?

 

[fleurdenola]

Way back in thread #1 when I posted "Attractive, petite gal riding a bike alone at 2am what could go wrong there! "
Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - LA LA - Mickey Shunick, 21, Lafayette, 19 May 2012 - #1

It was mentioned "The bike community in Lafayette is HUGE, so it's not uncommon to see people on their bikes at all times of the day and night."

At the time I then thought for sure someone from the biking community would have seen something suspicious that night or in the days/weeks prior to Mickey's abduction that would lead to finding the perps.. Sadly, this doesn't seem to be happening...

OldSteve, this is not directed at you. Rather, it is dieected at all active sleuthers.

At this point, I have got to re-mention an argument I made earlier. The biking community of Lafayette is not huge! It is a small (when compared with the total population), close knit community. Lafayette is not bike friendly. It is so un bike friendly that an intensive study around the lack of bike friendliness in Lafayette and how it could become more bike friendly was completed early this year by the city government. I posted the link to this study in earlier threads and it is easily found on Google.

I love the Lafayette community for its passion for family, neighbors, and all the "good things in life," but I have been astounded at what a deceiving picture of the community has been painted in this case. From the emphasis on the huge bike community to the insistence that riding through that area wasn't a risky venture to the insistence that Lafayette was a small, sleepy town until events that occurred in the last decade that shall not be named pushed hoodlums into the community and lead to its demise. There are a lot of factors at play here, and the true environment and history of Lafayette are easily researched. The city has lots of amazing things going for it, but theres lots of bad mixed in there too. And there has been for a while. Painting a picture that simply doesn't exist is only going to lead sleuthers down a skewed path.

 

[De2385]

Know me or not, it's not like I'm some random person off the street. Im a Private Investigator. I'm not going to "accidentally" give out information that would compromise a case. I do know how to handle an investigation. How to handle it discreetly while at the same time sharing enough information to keep the public interested and involved. This whole case has been about "the power of social media" and spreading the word far and wide and I did just that. /rant over

So how is everyone?

Running from fire.

 

[quueenie]

I totally agree. Where I live in south Louisiana, I have actively looked for trucks matching the DWTIQ, and in several weeks, I've only seen one. I tried to get a picture of it on I-12 East in BR, near the Airline Highway exit. I almost wrecked trying to get a pic with my phone. Just my luck, the darn thing froze up and by the time I was able to get a pic, the truck was out of sight. Grrr. I do think it would be easy enough for the LE to find the truck if they wanted, so what gives? Yeah, 4x4s are much more common.

Sunday, I was returning home from Breaux Bridge and utilized the Old Breaux Bridge Highway. This is not a usual route for me, but I was going to my moms before home. Anyway, sitting at the stop sign at Lake Martin Road was a DWT, he turned two cars ahead of me, and I tried to follow, but had small children with me. I tried to get a pic too, but that didn't work out to well That area would be a very good area to search!

 

[cajngrl02]

OldSteve, this is not directed at you. Rather, it is dieected at all active sleuthers.

At this point, I have got to re-mention an argument I made earlier. The biking community of Lafayette is not huge! It is a small (when compared with the total population), close knit community. Lafayette is not bike friendly. It is so un bike friendly that an intensive study around the lack of bike friendliness in Lafayette and how it could become more bike friendly was completed early this year by the city government. I posted the link to this study in earlier threads and it is easily found on Google.

I love the Lafayette community for its passion for family, neighbors, and all the "good things in life," but I have been astounded at what a deceiving picture of the community has been painted in this case. From the emphasis on the huge bike community to the insistence that riding through that area wasn't a risky venture to the insistence that Lafayette was a small, sleepy town until events that occurred in the last decade that shall not be named pushed hoodlums into the community and lead to its demise. There are a lot of factors at play here, and the true environment and history of Lafayette are easily researched. The city has lots of amazing things going for it, but theres lots of bad mixed in there too. And there has been for a while. Painting a picture that simply doesn't exist is only going to lead sleuthers down a skewed path.

I have wonered how people have painted Lafayette as such a sweet, little town. I have lived here all my life, and have always heard of all kinds of crimes. I worked with the Sheriif's dept and saw with my own eyes that crime that was being denied in this city. I still work in the criminal justice system and see what goes on. I think so many people want it to be just this sleepy town, but in their own circles. The city's neighborhoods are divided as to where some grous of people can only see what's happening in their little are.
I do love living in this area, but small town politics and mentality are STRONG here.

 

[cajngrl02]

Know me or not, it's not like I'm some random person off the street. Im a Private Investigator. I'm not going to "accidentally" give out information that would compromise a case. I do know how to handle an investigation. How to handle it discreetly while at the same time sharing enough information to keep the public interested and involved. This whole case has been about "the power of social media" and spreading the word far and wide and I did just that. /rant over

So how is everyone?

Been missing you here, even though I mainly pop out when I feel I can contribute. Thank you again for all of the GREAT work you put into this case. I've already passed your name along to others for if they ever need your services.
I do hope you will be around and look forward to hearing more from you!

 

[fleurdenola]

I would also like to emphasize that "bike friendly" means a lot more than people feeling compelled to ride a bike. If bikes have to "share the road," then the most important factor in bike friendliness is that drivers of motorized vehicles on those roads are both aware and respectful of riders on those roads.

At the end of the day, bikes are vulnerable. Being an experienced cyclist helps you avoid accidents of your own fault. But the second an unaware driver overtakes you from behind, drifts into your path, or turns into you? The vehicle will win every time.

I am by no means suggesting that's what happened to Mickey. I just wanted to make sure we all kept in mind that experienced cyclist or not, experience wasn't going to protect her from an irresponsible driver.

 

[Artis]

I had fallen behind on this thread and finally got somewhat caught up. For whatever its worth, I too would like to thank ACI for the way he has conducted himself. He has given selflessly to Mickey's cause in blood, sweat and tears. Throughout it, I thought he was able to walk a fine line of engaging us here to think through different possibilities or scenarios while maintaining a professionalism such that he would not hinder or impede any investigation. My thanks, however, go beyond what he has done to try to bring Mickey home.

I did not see the comments made by the Shunick family directed to him and I won't go looking for them. Suffice it to say that it was probably out of character for them such that, despite what they're going through, they still saw fit to post a public apology. I could never begin to put myself in the Shunick's shoes. I have never been remotely close to a case such as this. Others have put into words much better than I can what their family is experiencing. Because of that though, I would never fault the family for anything they say or do.

Where my additional thanks to ACI comes in is with how you have responded to those statements, along with being asked to remove or reduce your "web presence". I felt and still feel a lot of the same frustrations that others have expressed and it would have been easy to attack the family in response, if for no other reason than to defend ones self. However, ACI didn't do that, and like it or not ACI, there are many people in the world who would not have handled it as you have. For that, I thank you.

At the same time, I hope you do NOT reduce your web presence. I find your posts to be thought provoking, honest, and with the right amount of levity at the right times when dealing with such a heart wrenching issue. Like I said, I do not fault the family for what they say, but in this instance I do not agree with them. If you have been asked not to have an active role in the investigation, there is no reason for you not to have a "web presence" particularly here at WS.

As I have seen written many times, those are just my thoughts and my opinions.

I second all that you've said. I wouldn't wish the Shunick's hell on anyone and have total compassion for them. ACI is a class guy who gave freely for Mickey. I like his web presence.

That's it.

 

[aussie_girl88]

It seems to be a common feeling of frustration amoungst us WS. I said I was taking time out but 5 hours later I did myself here again. Weeks later and still no answer. Mickey is in our thoughts most of the day we want Mickey home. I wish this would take a new angle, I wish they would alert us if the DWT has been ruled out. Random thoughts keep coming to my head I just wish something was left. What about the maise spray? And can you identify if it has been sprayed at all? I guess that would be a clue to whether she was taken against her will or then we go to she may have known the perp. Sorry if that sounds stupid. I've gone over every possible idea, and I'm thinking we need to head away from the DWT for the moment cause that hasn't got us anywhere praying for Mickey

 

[De2385]

Finally, caught up with reading

I have been praying for some sign that leads to Mickey for ..well, a while now. IN our local paper today was a photo and article about a woman on a bicycle hit by a DWT!! The tire rim is bent, the article says mangled but it's not. My photographer friend who took the photo said there were no broken pieces of the bike, no scuff marks on the pavement. The white lines you see in the photo are chalk marks, not drag marks. Witnesses say she was screaming on the ground but witnesses told my photographer friend there was no blood. Possibly a broken bone..So....
"they" implies ONE or MORE persons
1. I think Mickey was hit by the truck or vehicle on accident
2. I think they were drunk, high, no insurance, license suspended or wanted...
3. I think instinct said take her to the hospital, picked up her and her bike
4. I think she had head injuries or was screaming about them going to jail (she is sassy)
5. I think they drove to whiskey bay right then if she didn't make it or they suddenly got scared of jail. I think they went there at night because they aren't afraid of whiskey bay at night, it's a great place to go unnoticed I think they threw the bike in because it shows she was hit and likely had evidence of the vehicle that hit her. (hope the water didn't wash it away and LE has it)
---------------------------------------------
I think that Mickey died hitting her head, "en route to the hospital" or whiskey bay and was not conscience and they threw her in too with the bike, and she is downstream.
I think the family hopes she has amnesia, held captive and they are nursing her injuries and will release her when she can walk/talk on her own. I think they have to hope, I did. I was lucky to have my husband back after he went missing in 1990 before the internet and was found-he had amnesia, in a hospital 3000 miles away. Odds are against them.

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/police-117362-truck-hit.html

Exactly what I thought happened all along, same kind of injury sustained to bike, bike falling in much the same way.

 

[Jkg005]

I'd like to think LE is "on the case" and close to an arrest...but seeing how all we have seen them do is return to WB (even if they deny it is to look for Mickey I believe it is) and if that is their main clue, then I really don't think they know anything more than we know, other than perhaps if she made it another block or two down the road.

IMO knowing that she made it four more feet would mean that regardless of who sees it or who doesn't see it that neither she nor the bike is under the DWT

 

[cluciano63]

IMO knowing that she made it four more feet would mean that regardless of who sees it or who doesn't see it that neither she nor the bike is under the DWT

I believe LE did say (to someone who called and asked) that no, she is NOT under the truck, many weeks ago, and it has not stopped people from seeing her there, so it does not seem to matter...people will see or believe what they want to believe.

I think it is possible LE saw her further along but perhaps at a point where no other vehicles were in the frame, so there was no point in showing the public.
But even so, I am not at all sure it gave them anything to go on and that is why I think they can't quite stay away from WB.

 

[Artis]

Mahouston69, that bike pic sure is interesting.

What happened to your husband that he ended up with amnesia 3000 miles away?! Thank GOD you found him!

 

[De2385]

OldSteve, this is not directed at you. Rather, it is dieected at all active sleuthers.

At this point, I have got to re-mention an argument I made earlier. The biking community of Lafayette is not huge! It is a small (when compared with the total population), close knit community. Lafayette is not bike friendly. It is so un bike friendly that an intensive study around the lack of bike friendliness in Lafayette and how it could become more bike friendly was completed early this year by the city government. I posted the link to this study in earlier threads and it is easily found on Google.

I love the Lafayette community for its passion for family, neighbors, and all the "good things in life," but I have been astounded at what a deceiving picture of the community has been painted in this case. From the emphasis on the huge bike community to the insistence that riding through that area wasn't a risky venture to the insistence that Lafayette was a small, sleepy town until events that occurred in the last decade that shall not be named pushed hoodlums into the community and lead to its demise. There are a lot of factors at play here, and the true environment and history of Lafayette are easily researched. The city has lots of amazing things going for it, but theres lots of bad mixed in there too. And there has been for a while. Painting a picture that simply doesn't exist is only going to lead sleuthers down a skewed path.

Triple thanks!

 

[De2385]

I would also like to emphasize that "bike friendly" means a lot more than people feeling compelled to ride a bike. If bikes have to "share the road," then the most important factor in bike friendliness is that drivers of motorized vehicles on those roads are both aware and respectful of riders on those roads.

At the end of the day, bikes are vulnerable. Being an experienced cyclist helps you avoid accidents of your own fault. But the second an unaware driver overtakes you from behind, drifts into your path, or turns into you? The vehicle will win every time.

I am by no means suggesting that's what happened to Mickey. I just wanted to make sure we all kept in mind that experienced cyclist or not, experience wasn't going to protect her from an irresponsible driver.

Right! This is the take away from this situation. No matter how this ends, the end result should be that Mickey and other riders are not safe.

If nothing else, this should be utilized to insure it never happens again. Make safety a priority in every community. Make bike paths that are well lit and far enough away from traffic that riders are safe. Make bike paths continue the entire length of the street, do not cut them off half way down or make them less wide.

If you are not a rider, you might be like my sister and say "such and such street" has a great bike path. I go home, look at it and think it's scary and narrow I'd still be riding at a mad sprint.

If anything, I think no matter what Mickey Shunick should have a foundation much like Susan B Komen.

That's all.. until we can start it, I wait for her safe return.

 

[Jkg005]

I believe LE did say (to someone who called and asked) that no, she is NOT under the truck, many weeks ago, and it has not stopped people from seeing her there, so it does not seem to matter...people will see or believe what they want to believe.

I think it is possible LE saw her further along but perhaps at a point where no other vehicles were in the frame, so there was no point in showing the public.
But even so, I am not at all sure it gave them anything to go on and that is why I think they can't quite stay away from WB.

Do you know if they have ever stated that the bike is not under the truck?
So praying for the day when Mickey is told how desperately everyone was trying to find her!

Please if anyone has any information about what happened to Mickey free your soul and report it to authorities so she can come home. Praying for you to have the strength to make things right.

 

[Mahouston69]

Mahouston69, that bike pic sure is interesting.

What happened to your husband that he ended up with amnesia 3000 miles away?! Thank GOD you found him!

I thought the photo was telling to. I imagine Mickey's bike looked the same.
Husband and I married young- 20- I got pregnant right away, money was tight and he was under a a lot of stress. I came home from work, made dinner and he never came home from work. He had gotten paid that day- so- his mother thought he left me and disappeared on his own. His Dad was chief of police and every time I made a missing persons report, he took it out of the system. She didn't want him hunted like an animal. She was a loon.

One week before Christmas, 1990, they found his car in the parking lot of a grocery store, about 2 hours from my house. I drove there the minute I heard and got there before police. No extra bags, no wallet, keys in the ignition. They didn't do anything with it.. they didn't believe foul play. My father in law, was ten minutes behind me, and drove the car back to his house 2 hours away.

Not a word for two more months, one night the phone rings and it is a PI from San Francisco, asked if I knew a man with curly blonde hair 20-25, who might be related to me. I started crying and screaming yes, and they had found him wandering around a church first of December and didn't know who he was. Put his face in all the papers, and He had cuts and bruises on his head. They had no idea how he got there and he had no ID. He was in the hospital and then a half way house. They hypnotized him and got last 7 digits of our phone number. Took them weeks to call every single area code with that number in the U.S. He also thought maybe his name was Eric Green. (we were naming our son Derick and his favorite color was green) It wasn't..It was Michael. The one in Nebraska worked. He flew home a week later, our son was born a week after that. I was so thrilled to have him home and safe. Unfortunately, a lot of psychological help..six years later, my husband overdosed on antidepressants. It was overwhelming for him to never fully get his long term memory back.

I am so thankful for the P.I. that spent all his off time finding his family. I hope Mickey's family uses every resource available to them. I pray for them every day.

: ETA : At one time I was able to find the link to the archived article in the SF Examiner on Dec 2, 1990. I can't find it now, so I took a horrible photo of the one I still have in a keepsake box with my Ipad. Resolution isn't very good but you can see the title etc..

 

[Trista_mb]

Finally, caught up with reading

I have been praying for some sign that leads to Mickey for ..well, a while now. IN our local paper today was a photo and article about a woman on a bicycle hit by a DWT!! The tire rim is bent, the article says mangled but it's not. My photographer friend who took the photo said there were no broken pieces of the bike, no scuff marks on the pavement. The white lines you see in the photo are chalk marks, not drag marks. Witnesses say she was screaming on the ground but witnesses told my photographer friend there was no blood. Possibly a broken bone..So....
"they" implies ONE or MORE persons
1. I think Mickey was hit by the truck or vehicle on accident
2. I think they were drunk, high, no insurance, license suspended or wanted...
3. I think instinct said take her to the hospital, picked up her and her bike
4. I think she had head injuries or was screaming about them going to jail (she is sassy)
5. I think they drove to whiskey bay right then if she didn't make it or they suddenly got scared of jail. I think they went there at night because they aren't afraid of whiskey bay at night, it's a great place to go unnoticed I think they threw the bike in because it shows she was hit and likely had evidence of the vehicle that hit her. (hope the water didn't wash it away and LE has it)
---------------------------------------------
I think that Mickey died hitting her head, "en route to the hospital" or whiskey bay and was not conscience and they threw her in too with the bike, and she is downstream.
I think the family hopes she has amnesia, held captive and they are nursing her injuries and will release her when she can walk/talk on her own. I think they have to hope, I did. I was lucky to have my husband back after he went missing in 1990 before the internet and was found-he had amnesia, in a hospital 3000 miles away. Odds are against them.

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/police-117362-truck-hit.html

Wow! This looks so close to how her bike would be if it is her bike in the picture! Do you know where the woman landed?!