MI MI - Jessica Heeringa, 25, Norton Shores, 26 April 2013 #6

[margarita25]

If the perp was local and the van hidden....I would think that the nearest neighbor would know if they had a neighbor with that type of a van. I am thinking, in my opinion, it isn't a "local" perp, but perhaps, someone that knows the area well, and possible could live in another town in Michigan.

Nice. Makes sense.

 

[margarita25]

If the perp was local and the van hidden....I would think that the nearest neighbor would know if they had a neighbor with that type of a van. I am thinking, in my opinion, it isn't a "local" perp, but perhaps, someone that knows the area well, and possible could live in another town in Michigan.

Can any locals suggest some neighboring towns that might be a good start for checking for RSOs and possibly linked crimes?

 

[missgulfsouth]

Can any locals suggest some neighboring towns that might be a good start for checking for RSOs and possibly linked crimes?

Holland
Grand Rapids
Manistee
Ludington
South Haven
Grand Haven
Kalamazoo
Jackson

To name a few......

 

[Marilynilpa]

Sorry if this has already been posted:

Over the last month WZZM 13's investigator talked to people who were among the hundreds who called in tips, but some said their tips were never followed up by police.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/259133/2/Private-investigator-reveals-clues-in-Heeringa-case

 

[margarita25]

Holland
Grand Rapids
Manistee
Ludington
South Haven
Grand Haven
Kalamazoo
Jackson

To name a few......

Jackson, jackson, why is this ringing a bell? Another case here....resolved? Going back through my old posts....saw Jackson in another thread....

 

[margarita25]

Hey Woe! Tell us something You've been awfully quiet today...I see you lurking

 

[Flutterby80]

I've followed many missing persons cases and can't recall one that didn't involve ground searches. If local LE doesn't have enough manpower to conduct grid searches, they should contact TES or another reputable organization to do it. After this long, it's unlikely that Jessica will suddenly reappear. If she is being held somewhere against her will (personally, I doubt it), ground searches, door-to-door canvasing, etc. seem imperative. If I were a relative or friend of Jessica's, I'd be :furious: and :banghead: that this has not been done. :moo:

At least one reputable search team offered to come and search for Jessica a early on. Both LE and Jessica's family declined. LE because they didn't want "evidence" trampled, the family because it would mean giving up hope that she is alive. I am still shaking my head at this.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

At least one reputable search team offered to come and search for Jessica a early on. Both LE and Jessica's family declined. LE because they didn't want "evidence" trampled, the family because it would mean giving up hope that she is alive. I am still shaking my head at this.

I might have supported this in the first or second week following Jessica's disappearance. After nearly 8 weeks, not so much. I doubt that NSPD has had many missing persons' cases, if any. Their lack of experience in investigating/resolving a case of this magnitude is blatantly obvious, and it's just plain silly to go it alone under these circumstances. Chief Shaw needs to swallow his pride, admit that local LE is at a standstill, pursue and accept any/all outside resources that are available to conduct competent ground searches for Jessica Heeringa. This young woman needs to be located whether she is alive or deceased. :moo:

 

[Flutterby80]

Unfortunately, not all police departments are experienced missing persons investigators, simply bc they may not come across such a case during their employment. But, there have been other agencies assisting the local LE, or so I thought, right?

I do believe Chief Shaw sincerely wants to find this young woman. Just not sure his team is experienced enough in these types of situations.

I absolutely believe lack of experience is a problem here. It might be a reason, but it is no excuse. Ask for and accept help. Find resources. Lives are at stake. Not only Jessica's, but everyone else the perp comes in contact with. The more I think about it, the more I believe that denying ground searches was a huge mistake. What if he threw something identifiable of hers out the window as he drove away? It would at least give us a direction of travel.

 

[Flutterby80]

Can any locals suggest some neighboring towns that might be a good start for checking for RSOs and possibly linked crimes?

While it doesn't prove anything, I would not concentrate on cities North or South of Norton Shores as it would be quicker to jump on US31 NB or SB to get to them. The way the van headed....

City of Muskegon
Muskegon Heights
Cloverville
Ravenna
Anything East of Muskegon in the direction of Grand Rapids...Coopersville would be one.

 

[Flutterby80]

I would sure like to know if the complaints about a creepy stalker in a van watching people work at area gas stations have stopped. If so, it seems very likely they are related.

 

[Flutterby80]

Sorry if this has already been posted:

Over the last month WZZM 13's investigator talked to people who were among the hundreds who called in tips, but some said their tips were never followed up by police.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/259133/2/Private-investigator-reveals-clues-in-Heeringa-case

This is a witness I have never heard from before! And talking about a silver van sitting across the street staring at the Exxon station...that is news to me as well. G&L Chili Dogs is the only business across the street. I parked there and took one of the pics that I uploaded on this thread.

Have I completely missed this, or is this new information to everyone else as well?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

This is a witness I have never heard from before! And talking about a silver van sitting across the street staring at the Exxon station...that is news to me as well. G&L Chili Dogs is the only business across the street. I parked there and took one of the pics that I uploaded on this thread.

Have I completely missed this, or is this new information to everyone else as well?

I recall having asked you (or other locals) about the "silver van that was parked across the street from the Exxon station". To me, "across the street" meant exactly that - a business/parking lot that was on the same street (Sternberg) as the Exxon station. You clarified that the music store was actually to the side - left or right - of the gas station and not across from the front of the Exxon station. This new information - if it is new and different - adds more confusion about where the silver van was prior to Jessica's disappearance.

 

[nerosleuth]

I get the impression that this is a small town PD that has no idea how to run a missing persons investigation.

Not all small town PD's have the expertise to conduct a major high profile criminal investigation.

This could be a case of a small town PD being reluctant to let a bigger LE agency (county sheriff or state police) that has such expertise take over the investigation from them. The small town PD doesn't want a bigger LE agency getting the credit of solving the case.

 

[Flutterby80]

I recall having asked you (or other locals) about the "silver van that was parked across the street from the Exxon station". To me, "across the street" meant exactly that - a business/parking lot that was on the same street (Sternberg) as the Exxon station. You clarified that the music store was actually to the side - left or right - of the gas station and not across from the front of the Exxon station. This new information - if it is new and different - adds more confusion about where the silver van was prior to Jessica's disappearance.

Yes, I am truly confused!

And is it unusual for news stations to hire their own PIs? I have never heard of this.

 

[Flutterby80]

Not all small town PD's have the expertise to conduct a major high profile criminal investigation.

This could be a case of a small town PD being reluctant to let a bigger LE agency (county sheriff or state police) that has such expertise take over the investigation from them. The small town PD doesn't want a bigger LE agency getting the credit of solving the case.

If this is truly what is going on, then heads need to roll. I don't want to believe it, but I suppose it could be true. There was involvement from MSP and Muskegon Co. Sheriff early on. Not sure if that is still the case. Also, where is our suspect profile?

 

[Tangie]

Can any locals suggest some neighboring towns that might be a good start for checking for RSOs and possibly linked crimes?

Did anyone mention Sparta? That's where she graduated from high school I believe.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Hey Woe! Tell us something You've been awfully quiet today...I see you lurking

Hi! I've been out of commission for over a week. Today is the first day I've been able to spend any time here. After reading the first couple of posts from where I left off, I thought there may have been a break in the case. As I read further, I realize there's been no such luck. :maddening:

Wish I had some bright :idea:. Unfortunately, I have nothing to add other than further speculation.
Based on hunches in other cases, I'm batting zero regarding any psychic abilities. If I had them, I'd go with the idea that the perp is someone who is somehow related to one of the people we've heard from because of their relation to the case (witness of some sort, person who found something in park, guy who called 911, guy who saw someone at the gas station earlier, guy who visited the store earlier, related rso to any of these peeps). Not those exact people but someone they know or suspect in some way. Could also be someone the family knows personally imo.

 

[CatFancier]

Since LE publicly has had the Secret Service involved on the cell phones (http://wtvbam.com/news/articles/2013/may/06/fbi-joins-search-for-jessica-heeringa/) and the FBI (http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/muskegon_county/2-interviewed-no-person-of-interest-) involved on the profiling, I don't think it's that they don't want to accept help. But the family may be influencing their decision on SAR operations since they both seem focused on her still being alive (https://www.facebook.com/FindJessicaHeeringa) and (http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...ce/-/1719418/20319226/-/125phswz/-/index.html).

 

[Strangeworld]

I wonder if the bell on the front door was working on the night Jessica disappeared? If she had gone out the back for a smoke, would she have heard a customer entering? I would think the bell would work, but then again, no security cameras....