Missouri - The Springfield Three--missing since June 1992 - #15

[TedMac]

Might I break this ominous silence to suggest someone propose what it is you feel most likely happened that night in June, what transpired and for what reason, and where the bodies might now be?

Here is my post from 1 April 2020 (post #147 on page 8) explaining my theory on motive & what happened:

Neal Falls, Man Killed By Escort, Had Cache Of Weapons And List Of Prostitutes, Police Say | HuffPost

I have been following this case for quite a while, though I rarely post here. Since a lot of theories have been put forth, I wanted to share some of my theory on what MAY have happened. Before I start, I will add that I am now retired, but I did work in the criminal justice field for 37 years (police officer, Probation officer, parole officer and pretrial services). However, I have never seen a case quite like this one.

After reading all I could find on the case and watching all the videos, podcasts and documentaries, I believe that the women were abducted and subsequently killed by a serial killer who set out that night looking for a victim or victims. He was prepared to abduct and may have had the tools with him to do the job-something like Neal Falls had with him (see the link above). He may or may not have known one, two or all three of the women. While searching for potential victims, he may have seen seen Suzie and/or Stacy as they drove to Suzie's home after leaving the party. He also may have been someone who knew one of the women and was stalking them in particular that night. He also may have known one or more of the women and they may not have known him. I think he simply followed them at a distance where they didn't detect him. After they got inside the home, he may have used a ruse (gas company official, police officer impersonator, etc) of some sort to get them to open the door or he may have simply knocked on the door and they responded by opening the door enough for them to see out and he forced it open once they did. Once inside, he could have brandished a firearm and ordered them to lay down on the floor and once they did, he either handcuffed or tied them with a rope and individually loaded them in his vehicle. Somewhere in the process of loading them, the front porch cover was broken. He may or may not have had an accomplice. Some have asked how he could have controlled three women even with a gun. It would depend on how intimidating and convincing he was. Plus, you never know how you will react when a gun is pulled on you until it happens. I know this from personal experience. They may have been too scared to resist. If he had a sedan, he may have simply loaded them into the trunk of the car. Or if he had a van, he could have tied them to the seat or if he had an accomplice, he could have put them in the floor and sat on them where they would not have been visible if another vehicle pulled up beside them.

I believe the motive for all of this was sexual assault and a serial killer. He was looking for women to rape and to kill. They were driven to a different location where the assault and probably the murder occurred. The bodies were disposed of in a place where they wouldn't be found. The perp or perps didn't want to take a chance on the women identifying them so they were killed. Again, I think the killer had planned to do all of this. I am uncertain if the three victims were his target or if he was just on the prowl for a victim and he saw them as they drove toward Delmarr.

@ Missouri Mule: I believe there is a good chance of your theory of a Florida connection is correct.

Again, all of this is just my opinion. Feel free to agree or disagree. I always welcome constructive criticism.

 

[Boston Corbett]

Here is my post from 1 April 2020 (post #147 on page 8) explaining my theory on motive & what happened:
Again, all of this is just my opinion. Feel free to agree or disagree. I always welcome constructive criticism.

Thanks! I hope this will encourage others to bring posts containing their theories forward, or to discuss for a first time what they think likely occurred.

It helps to have these in one area, together, and thus easily available. Ideally they should comprise a single, separate thread, but this helps greatly for now.

 

[Nixaeagle]

Can we agree to rule out the silly pfi / Cox south rumors ?
Could they be at one of the locations digs were made( Webster Co / Barry Co and just not found ? Or somewhere entirely different / different state ?
My thoughts are , I wouldn’t want to be traveling FAR with three women in my trunk or van . You’re just exposing yourself to further risk imo .

RCC- I believe they’re near Springfield , is probably right .

 

[Boston Corbett]

Can we agree to rule out the silly pfi / Cox south rumors ?
Could they be at one of the locations digs were made( Webster Co / Barry Co and just not found ? Or somewhere entirely different / different state ?
My thoughts are , I wouldn’t want to be traveling FAR with three women in my trunk or van . You’re just exposing yourself to further risk imo .

RCC- I believe they’re near Springfield , is probably right .

Cox rumor was always one of my least favorite pieces of - speculation. Don't get me started. Now, if out-of-state, nearby NE OK has a wide variety of mines, easily accessible, many of them, for permanent hiding. Ozarks though has so many good places, too, in the hills and the hollows, and one wouldn't have to haul them far. I do wonder if they were taken somewhere alive, first, as (speaking of OK) the two girls in the Freeman-Bible case seven years later apparently were.

 

[nye bevan]

Cox rumor was always one of my least favorite pieces of - speculation. Don't get me started. Now, if out-of-state, nearby NE OK has a wide variety of mines, easily accessible, many of them, for permanent hiding. Ozarks though has so many good places, too, in the hills and the hollows, and one wouldn't have to haul them far. I do wonder if they were taken somewhere alive, first, as (speaking of OK) the two girls in the Freeman-Bible case seven years later apparently were.

Agreed on the Cox South. One can dismiss certain arguments just on the basis of if the person making the case also ascribes to this "theory." Now the other Cox in the case - Robert Craig Cox, much more credible, yes, but I'd doubt that one too. And you are right, as a dumping ground, that corner of Oklahoma has long been notorious, mainly for Mafia bodies out of K.C. No telling how many, and who else.

 

[Nixaeagle]

Cox rumor was always one of my least favorite pieces of - speculation. Don't get me started. Now, if out-of-state, nearby NE OK has a wide variety of mines, easily accessible, many of them, for permanent hiding. Ozarks though has so many good places, too, in the hills and the hollows, and one wouldn't have to haul them far. I do wonder if they were taken somewhere alive, first, as (speaking of OK) the two girls in the Freeman-Bible case seven years later apparently were.

Another reminder Lauria and Ashley could have been rescued , just makes me furious .

 

[Boston Corbett]

Another reminder Lauria and Ashley could have been rescued , just makes me furious .

Yes. I knew a family member of one of the girls. Completely infuriating.

 

[Seeker994]

Remembering them tonight.

 

[nye bevan]

Still waiting for more theories to mull.

 

[Boston Corbett]

Still waiting for more theories to mull.

Mine - always "evolving," as in, I could change my mind tomorrow - is basically that one of the women, mother or daughter, heard something extremely disadvantageous to a very dangerous person - quite possibly involving drugs, as drugs will get you killed. Whether the info was from client or acquaintance or boyfriend, something overheard proved deadly. And arrangements were made; out of town guys did the job and only the job they were there to do - end the problem and leave no traces. They had to get them both, as either would quite possibly share the info with the other. Stacy was collateral damage, an unexpected problem dealt with severely. The operation was a huge success - twenty-eight years later we're still baffled, and taking shots in the dark.

The crime I think was planned by a local or area drug bigwig capable of pulling off a crime of this magnitude. SPD must know the names of those who that description would fit. I do like a biker angle.

I certainly don't think this was a random crime, the work of a serial killer, or work done by teenagers or others in the girls' age range.

Okay, next!

 

[Will_Graham]

He could have always helped LE solve the case especially after they couldn't get the one who "knew too much & got in over his head" (or words to that effect) to turn. This case as always gone thru him. But he could leverage nothing for himself after being convicted of rape in the top 1% as classified by the FBI. Obviously there's no incentive for him to help LE now.

There are a few others who are complicit at various levels, at different crime scenes. This case took a unfortunate turn about 2 yrs ago & will probably never come into a court of law now. It would probably even take more than a deathbed confession of someone who is just complicit to get it there.

Hurricane - is the unfortunate turn are you referring to the passing of RED.. or am I way off?

 

[nye bevan]

The reason no one's spilled the beans in the many years afterward? This suggests a fear enforced by organizational means -- something outlaw bike gangs are notorious for.

 

[lisaNYC]

The reason no one's spilled the beans in the many years afterward? This suggests a fear enforced by organizational means -- something outlaw bike gangs are notorious for.

Or someone just got lucky and away with it.

 

[nye bevan]

Or someone just got lucky and away with it.

Is that your theory.

 

[Boston Corbett]

Or someone just got lucky and away with it.

Well, that wouldn't leave us with much. One could say that about any aspect of the case, and it's the same dead end. Not much to build on there. Why speculate at all.

I'm here to learn. Anyone have something to add?

 

[lisaNYC]

Well, that wouldn't leave us with much. One could say that about any aspect of the case, and it's the same dead end. Not much to build on there. Why speculate at all.

I'm here to learn. Anyone have something to add?

 

[Seeker994]

It's been a while since my last post. I've been reading through some of the comments on here and hope we can all get along for the women's sake.

I don't think the women were taken far from Sherrill's home. I've been trying to think outside the box when it comes to this case. I'd like to steer the conversation back to who could have been trusted enough to gain entrance to Delmar at such a late hour?

I do think this was somewhat planned. Some details may have changed at the last moment.

 

[asyousay]

I have multiple theory’s but I feel like Suzie was the target along with her mum because Suzie knew something and being so close to her mum she also had to be shut up.


Janelle knows a lot more than what has been told. I don’t think she killed them but I definitely think she could of helped stage the home because she was involved in something probably drugs looking at her year book photos and was under some kind of pressure.


Graveyard Thief’s at least one of them is involved

I think to some extent this was planned in the weeks leading up to graduation and it all came together that am.


I don’t believe a serial killer did this.


IMO
MOO

 

[Nixaeagle]

Or someone just got lucky and away with it.

Exactly . No one could have foreseen 10-18 people trampling the crime scene . Regardless of opportunity or planned , he got a big assist .

 

[Seeker994]

Yup! I agree. I don't think whoever committed this crime planned on so many people coming by the next day. That was all due to circumstance, including the fact that it was 1992. I do think that at least one to two people who were involved were at Delmar on June while everyone else was there.