Landfill Searches

[BeanE]

Web Posted: 02/12/2010 12:00 CST
Rain halts landfill search for Baby Gabriel


“The excavation has been suspended for the day because of the inclement weather,” said San Antonio Police Department spokeswoman Sandy Gutierrez. “But we hope to resume Friday.”

snip

“The problem isn't just the rain coming down, but whether there's a stable foundation for our excavator,” she said.

snip

“Right now, we're waiting for the Zachry crews to finish their part,” said Yantis spokesman Paul Basaldua. “We hope to start sometime next week, pending weather. If it continues to rain, it's harder to sift through that material because it becomes more compacted and claylike.”


http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/84136547.html

 

[not_my_kids]

I know this is sort of an obvious question, but how can they even be sure what area they needed to cordon off? Are they just assuming that she would have used a dumpster at the hotel or is there more info that they got straight from her that leads them to that one area of the landfill?

 

[DairyGirl]

I know this is sort of an obvious question, but how can they even be sure what area they needed to cordon off? Are they just assuming that she would have used a dumpster at the hotel or is there more info that they got straight from her that leads them to that one area of the landfill?

That is my concern, too. If she did do what she said, how do they know where she did it. The obvious answer would be her motel but why would she do it in such an obvious place?
ETA I know they are also looking for evidence, too, from when she stayed at the motel.

 

[kappy50]

I'm confused about this whole process...I was very upset about the Detective that said it it would not have matter if we started the search the day of or 45 days later....I personally, think it would have...not that is not a direct quote, please, I hope I am not in trouble.....

 

[YellowSubmarine]

I'm confused about this whole process...I was very upset about the Detective that said it it would not have matter if we started the search the day of or 45 days later....I personally, think it would have...not that is not a direct quote, please, I hope I am not in trouble.....

This is what bothers me, too. IF EJ did kill Gabe as she said, there's a good chance he'd be in that landfill. IF EJ gave him away, it is very likely there is evidence in the landfill. Either way, wouldn't LE rather they uncover something right away? If Gabe is there, they have put the family through pointless searching and hoping. If they could have unearthed some evidence pointing to who has him, that too, could have saved pointless - not to mention expensive - searching. It just seems them dragging their feet is a little bit of a slap in the face to the family. I hope hope hope they have good reason to be doing so and that Logan and his family are aware of the reasons.

 

[not_my_kids]

I think it matters a lot when they search. It should have already been done. Any expert or medical examiner or judge or prosecutor or defense attorney will tell you that.
There are things that have been lost in the delay, even if it's only certainty that they found all the evidence they could.
ETA: I am just a wee bit annoyed at LE in this case, can you tell?

 

[DairyGirl]

Unfortunately, if I had to guess I would say that the Smiths had a lot to do with the delay in the search of the landfil. I really think that LE thought they would lead them to an alive Gabriel and with all their media appearances it sure seems like they were leading people down a rabbit hole. If they had been quiet from the beginning I think the landfil search would have started a lot earlier.

 

[LogicalMinds]

The fact is that there are allllll these missing people in this country...and yet landfills are ONLY searched when there is credible reason to search them

In the Lori Hacking case, it was a confession and they knew which dumpster....but it still took such a long time

In Somer's case, they did the search right away and did find her

but usually LE does NOT do a landfill search unless they have reason to do so from what I have seen...it must be terribly hard and dirty and even dangerous

I think if and when they do this search it will mean that LE has information that they have not yet given the public....eyewitness, some info on the "green backpack" perhaps, or whatever??

I do agree that the whole "Tammy" business has made this "murky" and confusing...all along I have felt that the real answers lie with Elizabeth....all the adoption, the smiths, the other stuff is just window dressing that deters many from the real truth....there is one person who KNOWS for sure what happened to little Gabe...and that person is Elizabeth

 

[b4e]

According to this article, Elizabeth left ALL of Gabe's belongings behind - except the green diaper bag. That's why the SA police are focusing on the landfill.

http://www.kens5.com/news/Exclusive...-bag-with-Gabriel-Johnsons-body-84220907.html

 

[b4e]

I'm really hoping the article is wrong. If she left one or two things behind, that's a lot different from leaving ALL of Gabe's belongings. EJ leaving everything but the diaper bag makes my heart sink...

 

[not_my_kids]

Two leads led police to that section of the landfill, and it was closed on Jan. 9 at their request.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/150637
This the first I have heard there are two leads...it has always been A lead, from what I've heard.

 

[Concernedmomarizona]

Two leads led police to that section of the landfill, and it was closed on Jan. 9 at their request.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/150637
This the first I have heard there are two leads...it has always been A lead, from what I've heard.

Could it be the text AND missing diaper bag?

 

[TXHOPE]

Could it be the text AND missing diaper bag?

I hope that's all it is because these two items can be explained.

1)The phone call/text-We all know she could of lied about this.
2)The baby bag- He's a baby, he has toys, pacifiers, Tylenol for teething, diaper cream, diapers, formula etc. If she had a stack of diapers and a can of formula it makes sense that they may take the bag.

 

[BeanE]

Two leads led police to that section of the landfill, and it was closed on Jan. 9 at their request.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/150637
This the first I have heard there are two leads...it has always been A lead, from what I've heard.

The article doesn't make it clear who the source is for that info. I wonder if that also came from Jay.

 

[panthera]

According to this article, Elizabeth left ALL of Gabe's belongings behind - except the green diaper bag. That's why the SA police are focusing on the landfill.

http://www.kens5.com/news/Exclusive...-bag-with-Gabriel-Johnsons-body-84220907.html

Sadly I think this says a lot. Even if the new adoptive parents didn't want his things, there are items a baby grows fond of and would be comforting to him. I'm wondering just what constitutes "all of his personal belongings" though. Are they talking about clothes, his favorite blanket, bottles, formula, the medication he was taking, toys, or what? :waitasec: MOO

 

[dnrslucky1]

No one could know if ALL his belongings were left. No one but EJ knows. She may have just put diapers, formula, toys, bottle and medication in the bag.

I would like to know if diapers, bottles, formula and medication were left behind.

 

[LogicalMinds]

I know that LE feels they have isolated a section of the landfill where, IF he is there, Gabriel is most likely to be found. But how would anyone know WHERE EJ threw him away? (If she did). She could have driven ANYWHERE, including somewhere that is out of boundaries for this landfill. What was to stop her from driving somewhere else?

That is so sad but so true

In the Lori Hacking case, they knew which dumpster was used...and even then it was such a huge undertaking

there are thousands of missing people..and yet we don't see these landfill searches every day...IMHO they usually are only done when LE has some reason/evidence to warrant the landfill search

NOW we hear that "two tips" lead them to search this particular area of the landfill? I feel they must have some tip/information or they would not be doing this search.

I keep thinking that there IS one person who knows "for sure" where Gabe is and what happened to him...and that is of course Elizabeth

 

[LogicalMinds]

When they are saying "all of his personal things">> I think we can reasonably assume that is just what they mean...the ONLY thing missing is the green bag

they have pictures of Gabe in the hotel room....his blanket/s, his clothes, his bottles, diapers, his blinkie etc...all left behind?? that is what I think they mean....that is what they are saying. To me it is one more reason to think that this is NOT going to have a happy ending

 

[not_my_kids]

Has anyone put together a list of the things that we know from statements and pictures were definitely with Gabe in the hotel room? Things that could be considered "his".

 

[passionflower]

Do we know if the search is going on today Sun) and holiday (tomorrow)????