NC NC - Shannon Rippy VanNewkirk, 54, Wilmington, 5 April 2014 *GUILTY

[lonetraveler]

I was searching tonight to see if a thread had been opened for Shannon Rippy. I met Shannon right after the St. Patricks' Day parade in Wilmington. I parked near a popular restaurant on the riverfront. Standing at my parked vehicle talking with my daughter, Shannon and two other people rode up on their segways. I commented to her that I was amazed at how good she could ride the sedgeway on the steep hill leading straight to the river and that I would probably be in the river if I was riding it. She was very friendly and proceeded to get off of the segeway to show me how "easy" it was to ride. I immediately recognized her when she was reported missing a short while later. I followed the stories about the search for her and was very dismayed when my daughter called me early this week to tell me that her remains had been found just walking distance from my daughter's home. I was very surprised to read that the medical examiner had stated that the remains were not hers. LE still feels confident that he is not only responsible for Shannon Rippy's disappearance and death but also is a suspect in the death of the person whose remains have been found.

I'm very curious as to how long the remains have been buried in this area. Of course if they have been there longer than the suspect has been out of prison, then LE will have to rethink their arrest.

I've heard many stories from the locals regarding this case and there is much speculation about who may be involved.

 

[lonetraveler]

Here is a crime map for Wilmington:

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100504/MULTIMEDIA/100509884?Title=Wilmington-Crime-Map

That is a 2010 map, it is much worse now with all the gang violence. I've lived here for 41 yrs. I no longer go downtown at night alone to eat out or to concerts. Always have someone with me.

 

[Treelights]

That is a 2010 map, it is much worse now with all the gang violence. I've lived here for 41 yrs. I no longer go downtown at night alone to eat out or to concerts. Always have someone with me.

It is updated. If you click on the red balloons, you will see the dates, in addition to it being stated it is updated since May 2, 2014 above the map.

 

[SStarr33]

That is a 2010 map, it is much worse now with all the gang violence. I've lived here for 41 yrs. I no longer go downtown at night alone to eat out or to concerts. Always have someone with me.

Mine says "Last updated at 12:12 pm Friday, May 2, 2014". It looks like a ton of crime to me.

Also found this site about crime in Wilmington:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crime-in-Wilmington/229244093799652

 

[mrsobrien]

I agree! Usually they don't tentatively release a name, they wait until it is reasonably certain. I really want to know what is causing LE to be so confident that he killed Shannon.

Thanks guys for answering my questions. Just some really strange stuff that I have never come across in any other cases before. Has anyone here ever had experience following a case where they identified and then said whoops, not the right person?? I would think, at least for the moment, that the police owe her family a big "sorry about that!" Very odd indeed! :moo:

 

[SStarr33]

It looks like there is renewed interest in finding Elisha. Her mother posted a comment on Facebook saying that she did an interview for a news station a few hours ago.

Do you have a link to the FB page?

 

[Just K]

New info here about Bradley:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...-in-Hampstead-field+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Can post the most important snippet re: work release...
I can't access their site. When did he fist start the work release?

 

[SStarr33]

Can post the most important snippet re: work release...
I can't access their site.

I can't access it anymore either, that is why I posted the cached version. Have you tried a proxy like anonymouse.com or hidemyass.com. I just got anonymouse to work. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you.

 

[sophiebelle]

That really just blows me away. Why would Mott even say something like this? Does anyone know what the laws are in NC for hiring someone with a police record? Do they have the question on most job applications out there asking if you have any convictions on your record? Is the employer allowed to say they aren't going to hire someone because of said record? In Wisconsin where I am at, they CAN tell you they aren't hiring because of your record IF it has something to do with your job directly. So if you were convicted of theft of money, they can say we aren't going to hire you as a cashier. Just curious about that. Thanks!

All is IMO....

Most don't want the liability of a murderer I would think. I don't think there are laws against it, just businesses don't want the headache. But in this man's own words, he has no regrets and would do it again. Even for a child killer. I know a lady who had a DUI and had major troubles getting a job. She was a CNA and had to work in retail at the Dollar General Store.

 

[lonetraveler]

Mine says "Last updated at 12:12 pm Friday, May 2, 2014". It looks like a ton of crime to me.

Also found this site about crime in Wilmington:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crime-in-Wilmington/229244093799652

Thanks, I didn't see the update. There is a major controversy about the statistics on the crime in downtown Wilmington, NC. Due to the tourists visiting the area, the town council and mayor decided to move the boundary lines for the historic area downtown, tightening them so that the percent of crimes would be tallied showing the newly defined Historic Downtown Wilmington! How do you like that? The previous crime ridden areas on the edge of town are now "outside" of the downtown area.....:facepalm:

 

[SStarr33]

Thanks, I didn't see the update. There is a major controversy about the statistics on the crime in downtown Wilmington, NC. Due to the tourists visiting the area, the town council and mayor decided to move the boundary lines for the historic area downtown, tightening them so that the percent of crimes would be tallied showing the newly defined Historic Downtown Wilmington! How do you like that? The previous crime ridden areas on the edge of town are now "outside" of the downtown area.....:facepalm:

There is bad crime all over the city. From downtown to WB to the scary areas. It is underreported for obvious reasons.

 

[lonetraveler]

There is bad crime all over the city. From downtown to WB to the scary areas. It is underreported for obvious reasons.

That's pretty much what I was saying.

 

[SStarr33]

That's pretty much what I was saying.

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were saying it was just downtown.

 

[borndem]

There is bad crime all over the city. From downtown to WB to the scary areas. It is underreported for obvious reasons.

I've been in NC all my life & know the W'ton area well -- my best friend now lives there, as do a couple of other good pals connected with the hospital and the university.

Many, many years ago, when I was in H.S. and in the band, we would march in the Azalea Festival, then we'd go tour the USS Battleship NC, and eat picnic lunch in a beautiful garden which name I have forgotten. I have gone down to Wrightsville and Carolina Beach many, many times. I am so sad to hear of the gang activity and the "scary areas" -- where are they? TIA.

 

[borndem]

In my part of NC, the towns seem to use Inmates to do landscaping work in public areas. They are out working fairly often during the warmer months. I've often tought that it was a great way to gain work experience that could be used once out of prison if the inmate found a sympathetic boss. I wonder if Bradley had some such experience.

Hmmm, I dunno, thordis. IMO, a 1st Degree murderer shouldn't have that type of freedom or privilege. It could be, tho, since the Dept. knew he would be getting out "soon," they may have allowed it to help him make the transition to freedom and, as you said, to learn a trade. Interesting and thoughtful comment.

 

[2Hope4]

I think Bradley was Shannon's "secret date" that night & someone knew about it.

THIS!! I've been getting that feeling as well! Shannon had worked at Mott's for many years. Is the owner married? Could he have been involved with Shannon?? I know I read an article where the owner seemed to highly value Shannon as an employee, but also stated she kept the business going and he didn't know if he would keep the business open now. Really makes me wonder about their relationship status. I guess if there is one, it'll come out in the wash!

:twocents:

 

[2Hope4]

Vannewkirk and Bradley worked for Mott Roofscaping and Landscaping.
Owner Steve Mott, Vannewkirk's boss and friend, said Vannewkirk worked for him for more than 10 years. Bradley began working for him a year ago.
Mott owns the land where the remains were found.



http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...-in-Hampstead-field+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[2Hope4]

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...-in-Hampstead-field+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Federal court records show that while in prison, Bradley unsuccessfully sued the N.C. Department of Corrections at least four times. In handwritten complaints, Bradley alleged such things as he was retaliated against by prison staff for complaining about drug trafficking in the prison and he had personal items and money taken from him and other inmates by staff. Each case was dismissed by the federal courts. By the time he was paroled, he was being held in the New Hanover County Correctional Center on Division Drive, a minimum-security prison that, according to the N.C. Department of Correction website, has more than 50 inmates who "participate in work release, leaving the prison for part of the day to work for a business in the community."

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I've been in NC all my life & know the W'ton area well -- my best friend now lives there, as do a couple of other good pals connected with the hospital and the university.

Many, many years ago, when I was in H.S. and in the band, we would march in the Azalea Festival, then we'd go tour the USS Battleship NC, and eat picnic lunch in a beautiful garden which name I have forgotten. I have gone down to Wrightsville and Carolina Beach many, many times. I am so sad to hear of the gang activity and the "scary areas" -- where are they? TIA.

borndem, Lot's of people flock to downtown Wilmington to enjoy the bars and restaurants and WPD patrols the area pretty well. Here is a slideshow of an accident that occurred last night that will give you an idea of the foot traffic. The accident occurred on Front and Dock Streets very close to the Husk where Shannon was last seen. It's the residential areas that I avoid after dark unless it is a tour of those beautiful historical homes or a carriage ride.

http://www.wect.com/slideshow?widgetid=112653

BTW, Carolina Beach just had it's first murder in 13 years (IIRC). Two ladies (sisters) got into a quarrel and one shot the other. The locals weren't happy about her ruining the 13 year streak.

Sorry for the OT.

wm

 

[zelmajane]

Ok. My friend has now been asked to help with the investigation since he lives in the area. A lot of how things looked before vs how they are now.

There are a lot of sick, disturbing theories floating around.

If you want to be safe, head on up to Pender county.

I grew up in the worst town in the Triangle. (If you're from NC you know). Wilmington has nothing on it yet.

Bad areas, Castle Street, Greenfield lake, near the hospital, downtown has gotten rough at night. Carolina Beach has some meth issues.

I've never had an issue or seen one at WB and go often and stay late. The police presence there is excessive.