MS - Jessica Chambers, 19, found burned near her car, Panola County, 6 Dec 2014 - #7

[FindHG]

He was driving a 1999 white Cadillac Seville. Crime of opportunity while on the run would certainly fit. He had already killed someone so what did he have to lose? Psychotic break I doubt as he seemed in control enough to make it to Detroit, MI after maxing the cards and dumping the car. Did he need money when he went by her area? Why did he dump the car and why there?

They should have him on camera if he stopped for gas at AA's store. There was no mention of him using the stolen cards there, however.

I'd look for signs of him having been in Batesville maybe?

 

[SeriouslySearching]

blunt force trauma to the head MOD. "The state medical examiner’s office said Fox died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. The death was ruled a homicide."
http://newsok.com/sheriffs-office-seeks-man-in-connection-with-logan-county-homicide/article/5377619

Hmmmm...interesting. Modus operandi? Blunt force trauma did not kill Jessica, but it doesn't mean someone didn't believe it did before they took off. (Providing it is for certain she did have blunt force trauma to her head)

Good catch, Absentia!

 

[FindHG]

I apologize for being so far behind and not catching up completely before posting but I just have to say that maybe LE suspected George Mister of the one that supposedly choked Jessica the week before she passed.
Maybe that's what he was going to say until Rachel said something about a lovers quarrel. I really wish she had let him finish his sentence and more.

JMO

I think perhaps in relation to the DNA swab and such, he may have said the same thing the other witnesses said about having been asked about having relations with her and may have been trying to find a way to say it, but RT then feeds him the line that LE asked them about a "lovers' quarrel," it seems to me.

 

[MotherOcean]

I agree. My husband has reviewed the video footage and he thinks that, what some people would say was wave from JC, that JC was actually holdind up a finger as if to say "wait a minute".

Which I can believe because JC was only going in the store for a second.

He feels that regardless of the "wait a minute" gesture...whoever called to her was more like "come here right now" because JC headed toward them.

One more thing we discussed...was JC called over so she wouldn't see a certain someone filling up the gas cans? Like was it to distract her?

These are the things being discussed in my house. Lol

It looks to me as if she is gesturing toward her car. Something like, "Hey, Jessica, do you have a smoke?"
"Yes, in the car." Gestures toward car.
"What? I can't hear you!"
So, Jessica moves closer to the cig Lady.

OR

"Hey, girl, what's up?"
"Just getting gas." Gestures toward car.
"Oh, come here..."

 

[SteveP]

Respectfully, I would think an experienced arson investigator would be able to determine very quickly if the fire was the result of a mechanical malfunction. Since they are still investigating it as a homicide, I feel confident that mechanical malfunction was eliminated as a possible cause of fire. And before everyone assumes that the young fire chief probably wouldn't have the experience or knowledge to make that determination, I would only point out that it has been reported here that PC has an arson investigator with some 28 years experience, and also the ATF was involved almost from the beginning, and surely they have the experience. JMO

 

[flatfootjoe]

hi ffj.
So there's no possibility the victim was sitting in her vehicle, had accelerate put on her and was lit afire within seconds? Causing her to immediately enter a survival mode that made her jump out of the vehicle?
Is there no possibility that AFTER she was set afire accelerate was then put inside the car?
Good intention meant with no snark.

tia
all moo

It's not only possible, it's probable. Assuming she were in the vehicle when it was set aflame her first reaction assuming she were conscious would be to exit the vehicle immediately.

The following again, MOO.

I think a highly volatile accelerant was used on the vehicle. I don't think you would find a vehicle so close to a total burnout if a mere combustible agent were used. There isn't a great deal of complimentary fuel inside the vehicle to burn, by complimentary I mean flammables exclusive of the accelerant. Yet you have paint that's been vaporized on the exterior, and hardly any combustibles remaining on the interior. To me that suggests an extremely hot fire.

Also, how hard would it have been to find some healthy branches to just wedge the doors shut. Assuming I wanted to burn someone alive inside their vehicle, that simple detail would add a modicum of control to the situation. In a fire that intense, the victim wouldn't last more than two or three minutes tops. They'd probably suffocate before the fire could kill them.

Considering that, a really volatile accelerant usually has a good woosh factor, and every professional in the firefighting field I've talked with about this case tells me that "they really used a lot of fuel" to get this done. I don't think you could do that successfully post ignition.

I really don't think she would have survived as long as she did, if she had been in the vehicle at all when it was burning.

No need to clarify snarkiness, you've never posted anything to me that I've ever considered snarky, you've always been polite and respectful, and I hope I've done the same with you. The snarky critters round here are pretty visible, easy to identify, and to block :laughing:

Sorry for the sort of late reply, I'm still under the weather a bit, my time online, and the frequency of my visits have been a little haphazard and sparse.

 

[PeterThomasFan]

Wow! Enlightening and terrifying!

Would the fire resemble one with an accelerant used as they believe in this case? Couldn't the ATF determine if it was a mechanical fire stemming from the car itself?

Great research, PTF! I had not heard anything about the recall or fires. I am passing this on to a couple of Kia Soul drivers I know! Thanks!

Thanks @SeriouslySearching!

We would certainly hope that they check all angles.

IMO, the source of the fire could be determined — whether an accelerant was used or there were mechanical issues.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I'd look for signs of him having been in Batesville maybe?

He went directly through Batesville, MS if he took I-55 from Hazlehurst, MS to where the car was dumped. I hope LE checked some cameras out in the vicinity and looked for the white Cadillac. He may or may not have gone via Courtland route into Batesville, however.

 

[flatfootjoe]

that is the ONLY thing that makes sense. but why would LE spill that info to AA?

You have to remember a few things. This is a very small close knit town. LEOs, are ultimately just human beings like the rest of us. This is probably the most sensational case this town has ever (will ever) seen.

Local LE probably stop there frequently for drinks and the like while on patrol and have regular conversations with AA, that's sort of inevitable as a customer. As such they very likely have a comfortable attitude with him. I could see one of them making that mistake while in conversation, like I said, they're just human, and it had to be something that just stunned them. This isn't your run of the mill shooting or even someone taking a bat to the face, it's something that would disturb you at a core level, you have to talk about it.

You could also assume the deputies were talking amongst themselves and AA overheard them, but AAs language describing the incident was very clear, IIRC his exact words were, "That's how I knew, the sheriffs told me."

 

[absentia]

He went directly through Batesville, MS if he took I-55 from Hazlehurst, MS to where the car was dumped. I hope LE checked some cameras out in the vicinity and looked for the white Cadillac. He may or may not have gone via Courtland route into Batesville, however.

looks like the car was dumped on the north edge of Pope County? Or is Pope a town in Panola County? very close territory.
I hope they search that car for evidence in JC's death. you never know.

 

[absentia]

You have to remember a few things. This is a very small close knit town. LEOs, are ultimately just human beings like the rest of us. This is probably the most sensational case this town has ever (will ever) seen.

Local LE probably stop there frequently for drinks and the like while on patrol and have regular conversations with AA, that's sort of inevitable as a customer. As such they very likely have a comfortable attitude with him. I could see one of them making that mistake while in conversation, like I said, they're just human, and it had to be something that just stunned them. This isn't your run of the mill shooting or even someone taking a bat to the face, it's something that would disturb you at a core level, you have to talk about it.

You could also assume the deputies were talking amongst themselves and AA overheard them, but AAs language describing the incident was very clear, IIRC his exact words were, "That's how I knew, the sheriffs told me."

his words are what make me question him. too much unnecessary detailed info. no one asked how he knew. he offered it as if he felt the need to explain it. like someone who wants you to believe something that isn't the truth.

 

[flatfootjoe]

Kid or adult. Someone that's financially struggling, IMO, would take into consideration that kind of money. JMO

I read recently the average annual income for that state is somewhere around 37k dollars. I imagine in a depressed area like Courtland, with limited opportunity for employment, it's probably closer to two thirds, or possible even half of that. I think they're getting very close to the amount of money to get people squealing. That's more than average Joe's salary for the year.

 

[flatfootjoe]

I really think this case may never be solved as its solution would expose the investigation's early mistakes. It may be deemed more important to preserve the official status quo than it would to look honestly at what actually took place.

I agree with you wholeheartedly, and the fact of the matter is that I don't find this just possible, but probable.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

looks like the car was dumped on the north edge of Pope County? Or is Pope a town in Panola County? very close territory.
I hope they search that car for evidence in JC's death. you never know.

No, it was dumped to the side of I-55 north of Como, MS on the county line of Panola/Tate.

Yes, Pope is a town in Panola County, but is off I-51 not I-55.

 

[flatfootjoe]

<ffjsnip>
They chose this place either due to circumstance, may have needed to get back for an alibi because they thought they would be a suspect or to get away on foot. Or it could have been as far as they got with her. Or it could have been a place to that meant something to them and/or to send a message. Can the consequences say anything about the suspect?

The thing that is still chewing away at me, is that vaporous Tom Dees tweet. You're not going to find what you're looking for on any video, it's not in any interview, you have to be on foot. On foot Still driving me crazy. Almost crazy enough to make a road trip to Courtland crazy.

 

[flatfootjoe]

I've got my husband addicted to this case now..
Makes for great discussion but my husband is stuck on the gas can man.
He is convinced that the gas can man is involved in some way and he will not back down from that.
No matter what I say....his response is "oookkk...but the gas can man set that car on fire or gave that gas can to someone else who set that car on fire. Either way HE'S INVOLVED."

Needless to say he's not hearing anything else if it does not involve the gas can man.

I know, it could be some sad cosmic coincidence that the night Jessica was burned to death, BB was filmed at the M&M buying his jug o gas, while Jessica was there, and called away for a cigarette which was refused. It could be just a big coincidence. Or your hubby may be on to something.

 

[FelicityLemon]

his words are what make me question him. too much unnecessary detailed info. no one asked how he knew. he offered it as if he felt the need to explain it. like someone who wants you to believe something that isn't the truth.

I thought that at first, but then remembered that this wasn't the first time he'd been asked that same question and was really trying to drive it home by explaining the circumstances. He was likely aware of what people were saying about him on the hardcore right wing racist websites, death threats (accusations that he did it, he knows who did it, blah blah blah) and was anxious. I may be projecting, but I can understand trying to explain yourself and knowing that lots of people aren't going to believe you.

I'd be anxious, too.

I agree, it's a very small town and it's not unreasonable to think word spreads easily and quickly. In the interviews I've seen, there really isn't a depth to them and there are so many questions that are either not asked, or edited out before we see them. Not a whole lot of follow through where you think there'd be.

My opinions only and frankly, I could be completely wrong.

 

[suspicious1]

I know, it could be some sad cosmic coincidence that the night Jessica was burned to death, BB was filmed at the M&M buying his jug o gas, while Jessica was there, and called away for a cigarette which was refused. It could be just a big coincidence. Or your hubby may be on to something.

Did he fill up one or two cans? I thought I read somewhere that he made two trips to the gas pump. Is that true?

 

[MizStery]

It's not only possible, it's probable. Assuming she were in the vehicle when it was set aflame her first reaction assuming she were conscious would be to exit the vehicle immediately.
<snip>

Sorry for the sort of late reply, I'm still under the weather a bit, my time online, and the frequency of my visits have been a little haphazard and sparse.

fftopic:
Sorry to hear you are still under the weather!

i laughted the other day. We were like :flashback: time.

You were like Bob Sieger,"Night Moves" about the best stealthy way to 'park'with your future wife.

And

I was like, Stop!Hammer! Yeah,I was breakin' into all my outstanding dance moves ifrom the 80's .MC Hammer's,"Don't Touch This" ,Wow,did I ever love that music video!

Get better! I hope I made you :smile:

'Nite. :bed:

 

[MotherOcean]

I think there are two perps. One rode with or drove JC to the place where the car was found. Someone else followed (or led) in another vehicle. One perp. doused the car with gasoline and set it on fire while another perp. doused JC, who was not in the car at the time, with lighter fluid, and set her on fire. I think a male took care of the car and a female dealt with Jessica. Both perps. left in the other vehicle. It's very possible that no one else knows, though some may expect involvement. Two deranged, hateful people who are totally consumed with one another may have not told anyone else or involved anyone else in any way. I think they were looking for a target to unleash their hate and Jessica fit the bill. I think it's very possible that a sexual crime occurred, but probably not where the car was found. Could be though - maybe one perp., presumably the female, acted as a look out right there on Herron.

I think LE may know who they are dealing with, but they need something or someone to give them a stronger basis for arrests. I don't think the perps. are smarter than LE. I know the state of M-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-hump back-hump back-i has a rep. as being all backwards and ignorant. The citizens' casual dress, laid back mannerisms, and low level of higher education among some sectors of the smaller communities do reinforce that rep., but some of the smartest men I know (I live in a neighboring state) are "good 'ole boys" who care passionately about their neighbors. There are some fine men and women involved in small town LE, volunteer fire depts., and other community entities. I think those handling this case with Jessica are good 'ole boys who talk and move slow, but that doesn't mean they think slow and it doesn't mean they don't know how to investigate a crime of this nature. I think they care very much about justice, and they aren't nearly as inept as it may appear.

All just IMO, of course.