Found Deceased MT - Rita Maze, 47, Wolf Creek, 6 Sept 2016 #1

[Inthedetails]

In the warrant file, it's reported that the officer said there was "silence."

"Newly filed court documents bring up even more questions, an officer said she called Maze's cell phone number about 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Someone answered and the officer said there were gunshots, then silence."

http://www.khq.com/story/33054514/fbi-confirms-no-person-of-interest-in-rita-maze-case

Thanks. I just can't get past the silent trunk closing (with complete understanding she had a flip phone that doesn't pick up noises very well).

jmo

 

[eucalyptuz]

Could somebody please direct me to a source which identifies Rita's phone as a flip phone?

According to her FB page many of her photos are "mobile uploads" which would indicate that she had some kind of smart phone, no?

 

[Gardener1850]

In the warrant file, it's reported that the officer said there was "silence."

"Newly filed court documents bring up even more questions, an officer said she called Maze's cell phone number about 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Someone answered and the officer said there were gunshots, then silence."

http://www.khq.com/story/33054514/fbi-confirms-no-person-of-interest-in-rita-maze-case

Thank you. I would still like to see a direct quote of the officer's wording or a picture of the document they pulled this info from. Hearing a recording of the call would be even better.

 

[blue22]

Thanks. I just can't get past the silent trunk closing (with complete understanding she had a flip phone that doesn't pick up noises very well).

jmo

Depends on the phone. My father uses a smart phone for personal use, but has a fip for his job. I've told him not even to call me unless he's in his truck. I can't stand hearing the background noise when he's out. I can hear everything on that sucker. He's the only person I know still using a flip phone, but a least with his I can hear noise very well.

 

[blue22]

Thank you. I would still like to see a direct quote of the officer's wording or a picture of the document they pulled this info from. Hearing a recording of the call would be even better.

Since her death was less than a week ago, I cant imagine they would make that available anytime soon.

 

[Gardener1850]

Some new details here: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/st...s-question-womans-kidnapping-report/90117736/

Gregory described the case as a death investigation, not specifically a homicide.

“We are looking at all options,” said Gregory, adding, “We deal in facts not in speculation.”

Sheriff Leo Dutton of Lewis and Clark County in Montana, where Maze reported she was taken, said nothing is being ruled out.

“It does have some odd characteristics that we still need to completely explore,” Dutton said of the case.

A warrant filed in Spokane County Superior Court Thursday to search Maze’s vehicle provided additional details in the case.

Deputies with the Spokane Sheriff’s Office located Maze’s vehicle at 12:36 a.m. Pacific Standard Time Wednesday.

“The vehicle appeared to be unoccupied with the keys in the ignition and a female purse in the front seat,” the search warrant says.

At 1:19 a.m., deputies located blood on the ground near the vehicle, then located Maze’s body in the trunk and called for medics.

Maze was pronounced dead on the scene at 1:37 a.m.

The area was searched but nobody else was found.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office investigators found $50 in cash, a folding knife and two semi-automatic 9 mm pistol magazines in Maze’s purse.

In the trunk, a Ruger LC9, which is a 9 mm pistol, was discovered, including the magazine and a bullet in the chamber.

Two shell casings were found in the trunk — one by Maze’s left arm and one by her right arm.

A flip cell phone, a blue hoodie and keys and a key fob for locking and unlocking cars or homes also were found in the trunk. The warrant does not specify what kind of keys they were.

New quotes and new details BBM. It was previously reported the gun Rita owned was a 9mm Ruger so it seems pretty clear now this was her own weapon. The key fob found in the trunk is pretty interesting if it was an extra one for the car she was in (could be for another vehicle though).

ETA: It is good to finally see exact times and the time ZONE they are using in the report. I think the different time zones really messed with some of the reporting of event times and has led to more confusion.

Could somebody please direct me to a source which identifies Rita's phone as a flip phone?

According to her FB page many of her photo's are "mobile uploads" which would indicate that she had some kind of smart phone, no?

See my earlier post above. It comes from the search warrant.

 

[SpanishInquisition]

Wonder why he picked that parking lot to stop driving? Seems like such an inconvenient place.

jmo

Actually it's right by Geiger Correctional Center, which if there was a perp, he could know someone there and could have visited there afterward or they could live around there as there's a number of mobile parks in the area even though it's mostly industrial.

 

[Gardener1850]

Could somebody please direct me to a source which identifies Rita's phone as a flip phone?

According to her FB page many of her photos are "mobile uploads" which would indicate that she had some kind of smart phone, no?

Her facebook profile picture also has a reply from her daughter that implies she is helping her mom get on facebook. The mobile uploads could be from the daughter's phone. I could be wrong but I get the impression from that comment that Rita was not super tech-savy.

 

[Inthedetails]

Actually it's right by Geiger Correctional Center, which if there was a perp, he could know someone there and could have visited there afterward or they could live around there as there's a number of mobile parks in the area even though it's mostly industrial.

Interesting info. How far of a walk, do you estimate?

 

[Doghairrules]

The family has started to investigate on their own because they claim the FBI has not given them answers:



http://www.nwcn.com/news/local/spok...d-they-want-answers-after-her-death/316789897

Another instance of bad reporting, I think. She wasn't kidnapped from that store, it's where her card was used.

I also hope the cousin doesn't screw up the investigation that would be used to bring charges. It's not like it's been months.


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[Gardener1850]

Actually it's right by Geiger Correctional Center, which if there was a perp, he could know someone there and could have visited there afterward or they could live around there as there's a number of mobile parks in the area even though it's mostly industrial.

Just looking at google earth, it also appears to be a busy trucking lot. Lots of places to hide OR if he was a trucker and his truck was in the lot he could have parked there and taken his rig out of there. I'm still bothered by the buried report that a suspect was heading north according to tracking dogs on the scene. It was a really vague reference and no media followed up on that or elaborated on what happened to that lead.

 

[Doghairrules]

I think they do have answers, but there are so many loose ends to the story, they have a lot of things to investigate. LE's priority is to the investigation, not to provide instant answers to the family. That might sound harsh, but LE needs to be absolutely sure of the case before information is released. LE are probably skeptical of every story they hear until they themselves check it out. They are not looking at the video of the credit-card user and jumping to any conclusions that he must be guilty of murder.

I think LE has done a fine job with this case. They found Rita only five minutes too late. She didn't stay in that car alone for long - LE was actively doing their best to help her.

Who hasn't done a fine job are reporters. It's like they don't think to ask questions - even to ask themselves if their sentences are clear and to double check their article matches what LE said. Usually in a case I find one particular news outlet or reporter that I trust and like....but I haven't settled on one yet with this case.

jmo

Yes, this!!!


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[Inthedetails]

Just looking at google earth, it also appears to be a busy trucking lot. Lots of places to hide OR if he was a trucker and his truck was in the lot he could have parked there and taken his rig out of there. I'm still bothered by the buried report that a suspect was heading north according to tracking dogs on the scene. It was a really vague reference and no media followed up on that or elaborated on what happened to that lead.

Not wise to commit murder and leave all the evidence near to your own rig....but worth looking at who uses the parking lot. I would think there are cameras in a place like that.

jmo

 

[SpanishInquisition]

Interesting info. How far of a walk, do you estimate?

It depends as there are multiple. If you look at the satellite, you can see multiple mobile home enclaves including the small one right across the street from where she killed, which if someone was willing to murder, I don't think he'd have an issue with jaywalking or trespassing to cut distance, like there is for instance the Google-recognized Hideaway Mobile Home Park that is 2 miles by foot if you use all the proper pedestrian paths, but much shorter as the crow flies, which 2 miles itself isn't that bad as you could stop by Denny's and get a bite to eat and rest on that route:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/S...e800b6a5f39da!8m2!3d47.6123603!4d-117.5186552

 

[Doghairrules]

This looks like an accurate timeline - includes phone calls and credit card use:
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2016/09/12/rita-maze-timeline/90257174/

And all in the same time zone!!!


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[DatelineFan]

What? So now she made multiple calls to 911?! Well that changes things too. What exactly is going on here? I'll wait for a statement from le.

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[DatelineFan]

In her purse with fingerprints on ? I wonder if she may have given someone a ride.Is that blue hoodie in the Dpic the hoodie found in her trunk? DNA? JM

It would be strange if he returned the card to her wallet, no?

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[blue22]

Another instance of bad reporting, I think. She wasn't kidnapped from that store, it's where her card was used.

I also hope the cousin doesn't screw up the investigation that would be used to bring charges. It's not like it's been months.


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I agree. Of course, they want answers. Of course, they are upset and devastated. But it has not yet been a week. To go out investigating, like LE and the FBI have been doing nothing and have no cares...is completely ridiculous. They could seriously jeopardize witness statements. I am not judging their want of answers. I just think they are being hasty and potentially reckless.

They don't like the mention of possible suicide. They don't want that to be the answer. They are going out to find the answers to what they think happened. (IMO.) It must be very frustrating for LE. While I don't dismiss the family's frustration, they might want to listen to the FBI and LE.

 

[eucalyptuz]

Just looking at google earth, it also appears to be a busy trucking lot. Lots of places to hide OR if he was a trucker and his truck was in the lot he could have parked there and taken his rig out of there. I'm still bothered by the buried report that a suspect was heading north according to tracking dogs on the scene. It was a really vague reference and no media followed up on that or elaborated on what happened to that lead.

In response to the bit underlined:
I guess it all depends what the dogs were tracking from...eg: what was the source scent?
-If LE were under the impression the was an abductor maybe they used the hoodie after it was found in the trunk as a source scent?
-If, however there no one else involved, I guess the dogs were only following Rita's own movements to and from the car (which might be the case with the hoodie too)

 

[SpanishInquisition]

Looking up crime data for the nearby Hideaway Mobile Home Park there has been three reported assaults and three reported thefts there this year:
https://www.spotcrime.com/wa/spokane#4315 S Cheatham Rd, Spokane, wa