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

[CluelessWonder]

I was hoping she just needed a break. This sucks. It is ridiculous that people kill and get out of prison and do it again.

 

[1&2&3]

Another example of our justice system letting a murderer out early! A life sentence means life, not a measly 23 years. Now, unless he confess's, look how much money he will cost the state for a trial.

The saddest part is a woman's life is gone, and her family and friends are left devasted by this cruel monster's acts! And, their grief will be borne out in the media throughout the trial as Shannon's life is torn into pieces in the media.

In my eyes, her life is not up for discussion! One does not murder, clear and simple!

My thoughts and prayers to her family. As a mother, this would be horrendous.

 

[Momoffourboys]

Another example of our justice system letting a murderer out early! A life sentence means life, not a measly 23 years. Now, unless he confess's, look how much money he will cost the state for a trial.

The saddest part is a woman's life is gone, and her family and friends are left devasted by this cruel monster's acts! And, their grief will be borne out in the media throughout the trial as Shannon's life is torn into pieces in the media.

In my eyes, her life is not up for discussion! One does not murder, clear and simple!

My thoughts and prayers to her family. As a mother, this would be horrendous.

Very well said. I agree 100%.
This wasted no time! Out of jail in 2013 and commits murder, AGAIN, in
2014. Epic failure. RIP Shannon.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Dang! I took a catnap and woke at the end of the story on the press conference on WECT. They will interview some of Shannon's friends at 6 pm if I heard correctly. I checked out WECT News on FB and learned that James Bradley pleaded guilty to murdering his 8 year old stepdaughter in 1990. !

 

[terracotta]

Yes, it was in 1988 that he killed her....because they were arguing about the TV. You're right...truly a !!!

Poor Shannon...I'm interested in what her friends have to say. Being a co-worker of hers she might have told her friends about him.

I wanted to watch the Presser this morning but none of the stations carried it...what is up with that? If anything at least one of the news station could do so...after all what are they for, other than to inform the public? I just don't get it when they don't televise them.

So glad he is arrested....now put this guy away and throw away the key please...jeesh...first degree murder...he strangled a 2nd grader...and he doesn't do life with no parole? If he didn't get paroled Shannon would be with her friends and family...laughing, having fun and loving life!

 

[borndem]

Well, just dammit.

I guess we knew this would be the outcome...

Here's a link to his NC-DPS record. Hard to understand when the charge is Murder 1st, the sentence is "LIFE," isn't it?

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi...turl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Dammit.

ETA: For those not from NC and/or who may not know, there are only two sentences for 1st Degree Murder in NC, and that has been the law here for a long, long time. They are Life Without Parole (and it does mean no parole, believe it or not), and Death. Just those two.

 

[Amster]

He killed a 8 yr. old girl? And, he is still breathing??

 

[borndem]

RIP Shannon..

Welcome

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tamsher

We're glad you're here!!
​

 

[borndem]

OMG I am so sad for Shannon's family and friends. I just texted the news to Mr wm at the movie studio and he just heard.

Bradley is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday. According to officials, Bradley has a prior murder charge on his record.

http://www.wect.com/story/25387900/...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Wilmington Police Department will hold a press conference to announce the arrest and information on Vannewkirk at 9:30 a.m. today, said WPD spokeswoman Linda Rawley.

http://www.wwaytv3.com/2014/04/30/happening-now-body-of-shannon-rippy-found-arrest-made

How can we find info on James Bradley's prior murder charge? I am so upset I can't think straight.

wm

Here's a little bit of info, 'matilda:

"He was released from prison on Feb. 11, 2013, under the Fair Sentencing Law, which governed sentencing and parole in North Carolina from July 1, 1981, until Sept. 30, 1994, according to the N.C. Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission."

The article:

http://portcitydaily.com/2014/04/30...of-murdering-8-year-old-stepdaughter-in-1988/

 

[rosesfromangels]

So very, very sad. R.I.P
Prayers to her family
Thank you LE, for bringing this to closure. Well done.

So, very sad indeed.

 

[margarita25]

Here's a little bit of info, 'matilda:

"He was released from prison on Feb. 11, 2013, under the Fair Sentencing Law, which governed sentencing and parole in North Carolina from July 1, 1981, until Sept. 30, 1994, according to the N.C. Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission."

The article:

http://portcitydaily.com/2014/04/30...of-murdering-8-year-old-stepdaughter-in-1988/

From this article:

"According to a June 1988 Fayetteville Observer article, Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies reported that 8-year-old Alisa Ivy Gibson was beaten and strangled before her body was left in a dumpster and found days later in a landfill."

 

[2Hope4]

http://www.wwaytv3.com/2014/04/30/m...-charged-with-murder-of-missing-shannon-rippy

VERY interesting comments following the article.

 

[2Hope4]

They were coworkers. So very sad. No matter how much you think you know someone, you never really do. This should have NEVER been back on the streets to repeat murder! So wrong!

 

[margarita25]

I wonder of this can be linked to any other unsolved cases...

 

[sophiebelle]

Goes to show even a psycho can behave long enough to impress the parole board. I do think if an employer hires a former inmate, they should have to inform co-workers. I would refuse to work with a child killer.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I hope you're wrong, 'matilda, but my logical side says you're right... I have just read all this thread tonight, I'm a bit familiar with W'ton and that coastal area -- lived in NC all my life w/many trips to Wrightsville & Carolina Beaches, and Wilmington as well.

There are several similarities in some of the murders that have been discussed on this thread, and that's disturbing. And Carolina Beach, where my in-laws had a little house for several years, has had its share of ne'er-do-wells. That is not so much the case now, and hasn't been so for 20 years or so, but it does still attract some of the drifter types. Dunno, just a thought.

And WTH is it that makes it dangerous for a grown woman to walk down a street at dusk?? Maddening. No one should be foolish or flippant about the things around one, but still, you'd think a grown woman, sober or mostly so, would have the right to walk home without it being a risk to her very life. And if there is a serial attacker out there, is he so slick so as to outsmart every LE in W'ton/Hanover County? Or are there not enuff investigators to really dig into this mystery or what? Maddening, again.

Bless you folks, and thanks for putting all this info together for us. Maybe this case will turn out good.... but again, I'm shaking my head as I post those words. Shannon sounds like she would be a very interesting person to know, probably a bit "artsy" and creative, and just plain fun. I hope the world and the ones who love her have not lost all of that forever.

Another sad one, folks.

Hi borndem, It is great reading you again and I am glad you joined the discussion. The reason it isn't safe to walk in downtown Wilmington at dusk and after dark is because of all the gang activity. One is safer down by the riverfront on both Water and Front Streets because there is alot of people but there are some dangerous areas on the residential streets. Mr wm called me the other day while he and his crew were headed to a film location, they happened to be on 5th Ave so I asked him if he would feel it safe for me or any woman to walk alone at dusk/dark and he said absolutely NOT! Wilmington reminds me of New Orleans' French quarter. One can literally walk one block over and be in a crime area. We witnessed this ourselves in NOLA when we witnessed a purse snatching and two guys running with guns in air to the next block over and disappearing into the parade crowds. Hope this helps and hope this doesn't deter anyone from visiting our beautiful little city.

I've never met Shannon but mr. wm knew her and describes her as fun, liked by everyone, outgoing and a hard worker . It is so sad she was taken on the day before her birthday while she was out having fun at her local haunt 4 1/2 blocks from home.

The beat and strangled his stepdaughter it turns my stomach to think about what Shannon may have endured from the . My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends who loved her so!

JMO wm

p.s. Mr. wm and I are going downtown for a rally this weekend. I may just take a tour of the Husk and Shannon's neighborhood and snap some pics if we have time. Someone will have to explain to me how to post them though because I am the queen of blown margins when I try to post pics. LOL!

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I wonder of this can be linked to any other unsolved cases...

Elisha Tucker is the only person who disappeared since he was released that I recall. I hope LE questions him about her.

http://www.ncmissingpersons.org/elisha-tucker/#comments

 

[sophiebelle]

I spent a lot of time in the Wilmington area when it was pretty much all safe. I lived in Shallotte, NC which is about halfway between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. Shallotte was a tiny town and had no shopping, few doctors, and a small hospital. If you had health issues, you had to go to Wilmington. I chose Wilmington for shopping as opposed to Myrtle Beach due to safety. Now one is as bad as the other. Wilmington is beautiful and quaint, but times have changed. I have a dear friend whose daughter has moved to Wilmington to teach at the college. I worry about her now. My own SC town is now full of crime and SC is top of the list for DV. Bad and sad times for females.

 

[Just K]

Elisha Tucker is the only person who disappeared since he was released that I recall. I hope LE questions him about her.

http://www.ncmissingpersons.org/elisha-tucker/#comments

I just heard from my family. Until I came here, I was thinking he fit the Long Island MO. (51 yo landscaper...) But now I see he was in prison...just another among many evil killers out there

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Don't worry about your friends daughter sophiebelle. There are many more safe areas than crime ridden areas in Wilmington. Her realtor will advise her well and so will her fellow academics at the college about areas to avoid. I believe she will love it here and I wish her well.

Here's today's Star News story....

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140430/ARTICLES/131209714/1177?p=1&tc=pg

wm