Identified! Mystery couple murdered in South Carolina, 1976 - Pamela Buckley & James Freund #9

[Drew5571]

Other than the identities of the deceased, where the bodies were located, how they were killed and some personal belongings- everything is pure speculation. Even if the killer or killers were found, it would be hard to prosecute.

 

[Magnum P.E.]

Thank you! Glad I could provide some humor!

Hope I didn’t get too harsh. There is some outlandish stuff on here sometimes.
Interesting that LE seems to be actively running down leads, which must mean that they believe that the killer is alive.

 

[killarney rose]

Yep. Occam’s Razor. We seem easily distracted by rabbits....

 

[wary]

Other than the identities of the deceased, where the bodies were located, how they were killed and some personal belongings- everything is pure speculation. Even if the killer or killers were found, it would be hard to prosecute.

Is it true that LE ‘lost’ the gun?

 

[worm]

Hope I didn’t get too harsh. There is some outlandish stuff on here sometimes.
Interesting that LE seems to be actively running down leads, which must mean that they believe that the killer is alive.

I have to think that LE May have a good idea on the suspect(s) for some reason but don’t have solid proof. This occurs sometimes as police get a lot of info.

 

[Magnum P.E.]

Yep. Occam’s Razor. We seem easily distracted by rabbits....

Yes, we need an Occam’s Razor emoji!

 

[Satchie]

Other than the identities of the deceased, where the bodies were located, how they were killed and some personal belongings- everything is pure speculation. Even if the killer or killers were found, it would be hard to prosecute.

For solving the crime, I think it depends on whether, for eg, they can now trace a vehicle, or perhaps other possessions that have turned up, that can now definitely be linked to them.

IMO there is a difference between 'pure speculation' and informed theories. It's not pure speculation that Joran van der Sloot murdered Natalee Holliway, it's a very sound and likely theory, although unproven.

Or, in the unsolved French alps case, where a carload of tourists and a local cyclist were shot in a parking lot at the end of a scenic road, it isn't pure speculation when the chief investigator concluded it was likely a lone gunman who was slightly deranged (but not deranged enough that he couldn't carry on his life, unsuspected). The investigator had gone through a long process of eliminating all the other theories.

IMO, once police have collected evidence, it will start pointing them in one direction rather than others, but they will test the theories to see whether they can eliminate them as unlikely. For eg, in this case, it's unlikely this was the result of a drunken argument with a long term friend, as the victims hadn't consumed alcohol, and the shooter's actions indicates he was pretty sober, too. [ETA not to mention extremely cold-blooded, whereas an angry person's crimes show evidence of emotion, because they are well, acting out of emotion and not in cold blood]

IMO, a process of elimination is often more productive than trying to invent a theory out if the blue.

 

[Drew5571]

For solving the crime, I think it depends on whether, for eg, they can now trace a vehicle, or perhaps other possessions that have turned up, that can now definitely be linked to them.

IMO there is a difference between 'pure speculation' and informed theories. It's not pure speculation that Joran van der Sloot murdered Natalee Holliway, it's a very sound and likely theory, although unproven.

Or, in the unsolved French alps case, where a carload of tourists and a local cyclist were shot in a parking lot at the end of a scenic road, it isn't pure speculation when the chief investigator concluded it was likely a lone gunman who was slightly deranged (but not deranged enough that he couldn't carry on his life, unsuspected). The investigator had gone through a long process of eliminating all the other theories.

IMO, once police have collected evidence, it will start pointing them in one direction rather than others, but they will test the theories to see whether they can eliminate them as unlikely. For eg, in this case, it's unlikely this was the result of a drunken argument with a long term friend, as the victims hadn't consumed alcohol, and the shooter's actions indicates he was pretty sober, too. [ETA not to mention extremely cold-blooded, whereas an angry person's crimes show evidence of emotion, because they are well, acting out of emotion and not in cold blood]

IMO, a process of elimination is often more productive than trying to invent a theory out if the blue.

Good comment! Hope I was not rude!

 

[Drew5571]

Hope I didn’t get too harsh. There is some outlandish stuff on here sometimes.
Interesting that LE seems to be actively running down leads, which must mean that they believe that the killer is alive.

No offense taken, thank you for commenting on my post!

 

[Awsi Dooger]

Yeah, that was really sad. He seemed like a really cool guy, very nice and certainly talented. Hang gliding was new, I think, and very popular. Today, the equipment is probably much better.

The article following his death said Anthony had only been hang gliding for 3 years. That means he hadn't started yet when that Sunlending promotional photo was taken in 1971.

 

[MadMcGoo]

I've never studied her rings at all. There has always been mention that they may come from the American southwest. After finding out about Sunlending one page that always pops up on Google search is from Taos, New Mexico. It appears to be related to the Taos Fiesta, which is an annual celebration held over multiple days on the third week of July. Very possible Sunlending played Taos Fiesta in 1971.

I googled Taos rings and many entries popped up that look similar to her rings. In particular, the one with a turquoise and red stone is very common. I have seen versions on several sites. It is listed as turquoise and watermelon. This page has a big sample of Taos jewelry, many of which resemble those rings, other than the one with blue, blue, blue. That one doesn't appear to be a Taos style ring:

https://www.taosaccessories.com/

I did a lot of research on this awhile back too. The main distributor (wholesaler) of southwestern or Native American style jewelry similar to hers was located in Gallup, NM. They opened up in 1974. I even sent them photos of the rings, but no one working there now could tell me if those particular ones were sold there back then. I suspect some, if not all, were.

Thunderbird Jewelry Co. Inc.

 

[killarney rose]

Just MOO, but the jewelry and where it came from is another rabbit hole. That stuff was everywhere back then. It was extremely popular. I still remember buying some at Infinite Mushroom, Sears jewelry counter, and Witches Cove(trendy boutique) all in Orlando. Most stores, if they sold jewelery included turquoise (southwestern)jewelry in their selections.

 

[MadMcGoo]

Just MOO, but the jewelry and where it came from is another rabbit hole. That stuff was everywhere back then. It was extremely popular. I still remember buying some at Infinite Mushroom, Sears jewelry counter, and Witches Cove(trendy boutique) all in Orlando. Most stores, if they sold jewelery included turquoise (southwestern)jewelry in their selections.

Oh I know. I was just adding to the conversation because, months ago, I spent longer than I care to admit down that very rabbit hole. Plus, we still don’t know how they met, so who knows what might spark a connection.

 

[Dee Deforest]

Just MOO, but the jewelry and where it came from is another rabbit hole. That stuff was everywhere back then. It was extremely popular. I still remember buying some at Infinite Mushroom, Sears jewelry counter, and Witches Cove(trendy boutique) all in Orlando. Most stores, if they sold jewelery included turquoise (southwestern)jewelry in their selections.

I completely agree with. Every gift shop between Florida to California had that kind of jewelry.

 

[worm]

I completely agree with. Every gift shop between Florida to California had that kind of jewelry.

The jewelry is probably hard without I’d numbers and such. The bummer in this case is those watch company records getting destroyed and making that, even with serial/model, untraceable.

What bothers me is just the absolute lack of witnesses that would have came in contact with this young couple.

 

[killarney rose]

There were probably witnesses along the road if they were hitchhikers. But the story about their deaths was probably just a local news story back then. Was Unsolved mysteries the only national show that picked it up? Chances are really good that people who came in contact with them never heard about their deaths.

and if they did have a vehicle of their own, chances are even less likely that they came in contact with other people.

 

[Satchie]

What bothers me is just the absolute lack of witnesses that would have came in contact with this young couple.

Pamela, in particular, had been the local Snow Queen and voted Miss Killarney Falls, but left it behind to go off at a young age to tour as a folk singer. IMO to do that, she was not just pretty, but also had been very charming, extroverted, self-confident, and independent, at least when she was younger. That kind of young woman usually gets noticed wherever she goes.

 

[Kiranerys]

I've heard that too, but I'm baffled. If they were on a motorcycle, where would they have kept their belongings while on the road? They were clean, they probably would have had to have been carrying extra clothes, toiletries, laundry detergent, etc. James would also have had to have his driver's/motorcycle license, I assume. Granted, I've never been on a motorcycle, but it seems like it would be impossible to fit two people's belongings on it and ride around? The only thing I could think of is that one of them was carrying a very small bag with stuff for laundry and they would just wash and dry the clothes they were wearing when they could (maybe hand-washing?), and relied on using the free toiletries at motels to clean themselves.

Have you ever read the Jack Reacher novels?. The main character is completely transient just hopping on a bus or hitching a ride to wherever he feels like,no luggage, no change of clothes just a fold up toothbrush to his name. He just wears clothes until they are dirty and buys cheap new ones wherever he ends up. Showers in motel rooms and occasionally finds himself in the company of a beautiful woman with her own digs .
I mean its probably highly unlikely that this is how Pam and James travelled but it could be done on a motorbike. Picking up odd jobs here and there for cash and/or lodging and buying clothes from thrift stores.

 

[worldwatcher]

Just a random thought here, but have to bring it up.
Before I became a member of WS, I read the sad story of Sharon Marshall on My Space (who was ID-ed as Suzanne Marie) Sevakis.It brought me to WS.

A few days ago, when searching, I came across a PM picture of Pamela, wich seems only to excist/posted in/on MySpace. Haven't seen it published in msm, and before FB, Twitter and all other SM, I do think My Space was the first SM, where stories, like these were shared to gain attention into solving the mystery. The PM picture of PB is in my point of view, good quality.
Just thought, it was worth a mention to bring it up.
Unfortunately, I haven't kept up on my space,but have bookmarked the picture.

 

[Eman317]

RIP Pamela and James.