Excellent posts, Vee! Your objective insight has really given me a lot to ponder. Thank you. I have several thoughts I'd like to share, if I may.
In reality, isn't it possible that the prior LE (Bridgeport & BV) were not as forthcoming as everyone was expecting because initially they weren't told the truth by FG and they couldn't even be sure WHERE Eric was actually last seen, WHO really last saw him, and WHEN he was last seen- it's easy to lie and say Eric just drove on down the road off into the sunset- but why haven't we EVER heard his clothing description if FG watched him drive away? Oh, come on, FG. Eric is missing, his car is missing, his belongings are missing, and she cleaned out his room without him, as well as his security deposit.
All that, then compounded by the fact that Bridgeport got the missing persons report from Archbold, OH PD and were talking with immediate family from Ohio, but not the official
legal next of kin for Eric? With Eric being married, his wife would be the legal NOK, technically.
It's not uncommon for missing persons cases to get jazzed up, unintentionally, in the process of FG's stories as well as transferring investigative agencies so many times. It's unfortunate, but
inter jurisdictional linkage blindness issues are inevitable. Just like playing post office, in a sense, except with a huge ring binder of notes and papers, interviews and searches and dozens of people involved. It has been said that 5 agencies have worked on this "case"; are they Archbold, Bridgeport, Buena Vista, Saginaw, & MSP?
Now that the MSP has been & will be handling the "case", if they haven't contacted Eric's wife, could she step up to the plate and initiate the call to Detective Gary Thomas- to open the lines of communication, get the ball rolling, and help move this investigation forward? It just seems to me that more information would possibly be shared and verified with the next of kin. Maybe Eric's SS number could be checked now, and the past requests for FB, email, phone records, and whatever might be helpful or has been requested could be addressed again somehow? Now that 3+ years have passed, it might be best to quit looking in the rear view mirror analyzing how the case was handled years ago and focus more on what can be done here and now to help the investigator move it forward, while spreading the word that ERIC IS STILL MISSING to encourage tips!! Someone knows....
From watching the interview video with Det Thomas on the most recent news article (link following), I respectfully beg to differ with generalizations that the MSP aren't doing anything or don't know what they're doing. Just by calling to get the correct anonymous tip line, as a complete stranger, I found the MSP to be very concerned, highly professional, and extremely dedicated to solve this mystery; So much more than they're getting credit for:
http://www.abc12.com/story/25081701/no-sign-of-eric-franks-missing-for-more-than-3-years
In my past experience, the State of Michigan takes their missing person cases quite seriously, and as a result, Michigan has a lot less missing people than most states of their size and population. And considering how hard they have been hit the last decade with the economy and their resources, the MSP are still open 24/7 and are ready to serve. This is what they do for a living. Eric is out there somewhere, just waiting to be found. :twocents:
Det/Sgt Gary Thomas,
(989) 495-5560 Office
Case 31-495-13
Michigan State Police
Tri-City Post
2402 Salzburg Road
Freeland, MI 48623
Anonymous Tip Line (989) 495-5557
IMO, MOO, and all that...