GUILTY NC - Thomas Bryson, 68, Mills River, 26 July 2017 *Arrests*

[Gardener1850]

Here's another link to the presser video in case anyone can't watch on fb: http://www.foxcarolina.com/clip/13538531/sheriffs-reveal-new-details-in-bryson-search-stroupe-case

 

[Gardener1850]

[h=1]Third suspect now in custody; 3 accused of harboring Phillip Stroupe[/h]

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — UPDATE: Larry Jay Hawkins III, the one suspect still at large after being charged with harboring Phillips Stroupe, is in police custody Saturday.



Sheriffs Duncan and McDonald, of Henderson and Buncombe County, said in a Saturday morning press conference that three people have been charged with harboring Phillip Stroupe II.

• Jennifer Elaine Hawkins, 40, of Rocky Lane in Barnardsville was charged with felony harboring an escapee on July 28, 2017.
• Frederick Aurther Badgero, Jr., 45, of Nebo was charged with felony harboring an escapee on July 28, 2017.
• Larry Jay Hawkins, III, 23 of Rocky Lane in Barnardsville is charged with felony harboring a escapee. The warrant is still outstanding.

The Buncombe County District Attorney is reviewing to determine if additional charges are appropriate against Hawkinses and Badgero. He said the potential exposure for any who helped Stroupe is life without parole, depending on what happened to Bryson after he encountered Phillip Stroupe.

http://wlos.com/news/local/2-arrested-3-charged-with-harboring-phillip-stroupe

 

[Gardener1850]

Jennifer Hawkins (left), Frederick Badgero (center), Larry Hawkins (right)

According to the deputies, the three assisted Phillip Michael Stroupe II evade law enforcement.

Jennifer Hawkins and Frederick Badgero were arrested on Friday and have been released on bond. Larry Hawkins was arrested Saturday afternoon.
Henderson County officials are still searching for missing man Thomas Bryson.

http://wspa.com/2017/07/29/3-accused-of-aiding-stroupe-during-manhunt-in-buncombe-co/

 

[Henry2326]

Wonder is this group has any idea of the location of Mr. Bryson? Hopefully LE is putting some pressure on them.

 

[auburnmomof2]

I made a map. The only thing we know about Stroupe's route is that he made it from Mills River to Marion, was on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell, was in Barnardsville, and was possibly in East Tennessee (unknown area), so this is NOT his actual route, just my thoughts on how to hit those known areas by taking the back roads. This map indicates 175 miles. Depending upon how much gas was in the truck to begin with, Stroupe may have had to stop somewhere for gas. There could be cameras that could tell us if Mr. Bryson was with him. If he did follow this route or something similar, there are VERY few gas stations along the way. I myself wouldn't get up on the Parkway without at least half a tank of gas. The mountains really reduce your mpg. In fact, that might be why he was heading down into Marion - to get gas. It would be interesting to know how much gas he had left when caught. This is all speculation of course. I'm sure LE has thought of all these things. I'm just really holding out a little hope that they can still find Mr. Bryson alive somewhere, maybe hurt after jumping out of a moving vehicle. I know, wishful thinking. :-(

Again, NOT the actual path of travel... my speculation only....

My parents and sister live in Spruce Pine so I am somewhat familiar with the area. Great map, thank you ! I wonder where all he went. He could've gone up through bakersville and down the mountain to Marion in Little Switzerland but would've been seen more easily that route

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

New information released that Stroupe and the truck were spotted in Gatlinburg and Sevierville, TN on Wednesday morning after 10am. What the heck? Those are extremely populated tourist areas, even on a Wednesday morning. He must have needed a quick fix is all I can guess. From the article, it seems they are certain the truck was there, so I'm thinking they got it on camera. IF they did not see Mr. Bryson in the truck on camera, that would explain the sudden shift back to the South Mills River area for the search.

http://wlos.com/news/local/new-info...n-tennessee-where-missing-mans-truck-was-seen

I updated my map, but with the new information, I don't think it's even relevant any more. This is NOT Stroupe's actual path of travel - just my idea of how to get to known areas via back roads. (And, if he went to Gatlinburg, he wasn't that worried about being seen, so he may have just run right up I-40 -- what an idiot.)

My speculation only - NOT actual path:

 

[Gardener1850]

New information released that Stroupe and the truck were spotted in Gatlinburg and Sevierville, TN on Wednesday morning after 10am. What the heck? Those are extremely populated tourist areas, even on a Wednesday morning. He must have needed a quick fix is all I can guess. From the article, it seems they are certain the truck was there, so I'm thinking they got it on camera. IF they did not see Mr. Bryson in the truck on camera, that would explain the sudden shift back to the South Mills River area for the search.

http://wlos.com/news/local/new-info...n-tennessee-where-missing-mans-truck-was-seen

I updated my map, but with the new information, I don't think it's even relevant any more. This is NOT Stroupe's actual path of travel - just my idea of how to get to known areas via back roads. (And, if he went to Gatlinburg, he wasn't that worried about being seen, so he may have just run right up I-40 -- what an idiot.)

My speculation only - NOT actual path:

If he made it to Gatlinburg in broad daylight, I don't understand why he didn't just go right up the highway and drive several states away? I'm glad he was stupid and caught, but this doesn't really make sense. I thought they had roadblocks up that would have prevented him getting that far. I wonder if maybe it was one of his accomplices driving to Gatlinburg in Bryson's truck as a test run and when they didn't get caught they went back and sent Stroupe off in the middle of the night to take the same route-- but then he was caught? IDK. I hope they don't have to cut a deal with the to find Tommy Bryson.

 

[2Hope4]

Just torture him and make him tell what he did with Mr Bryson and where Mr. Bryson is! These criminals seriously piss me off....

 

[Gardener1850]

Not sure if there is anything new here, but it's a good summary of everything we know so far: http://www.seviernewsmessenger.com/2017/07/30/thomas-bryson-search/

 

[Capebluff]

Not sure if y'all have seen this interview with Jennifer Hawkins & Frederick Badgero!!
http://wlos.com/news/local/full-interview-2-suspects-accused-of-harboring-phillip-stroupe


Whenever I hear, “It can’t be done,” I know I’m close to success!!

 

[Gardener1850]

Not sure if y'all have seen this interview with Jennifer Hawkins & Frederick Badgero!!
http://wlos.com/news/local/full-interview-2-suspects-accused-of-harboring-phillip-stroupe


Whenever I hear, “It can’t be done,” I know I’m close to success!!

Thanks, I had not seen that. I can't watch the video right now, but here is some of the text from the interview:

Jennifer Hawkins, her boyfriend Frederick Badgero, and her nephew Larry Hawkins Jr., are all charged with felony harboring an escapee. News 13 spoke to Badgero and Jennifer Hawkins.

They claim they didn't help Phillip Stroupe.
“I just don't understand why he just showed up at my house, why he would think it would be OK to come there, and I would help him,” said Jennifer Hawkins.

Hawkins calls Stroupe an acquaintance. She says that when he knocked on her door Wednesday between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., she said he used another name and had covered his tattoos with makeup.

“I came out to see who 'John' was, really didn't recognize Stroupe at first because he had makeup on,” said Jennifer Hawkins.

Jennifer Hawkins and Frederick Badgero also claim Stroupe, who was armed, threatened their lives.

“He told me to come outside, and I come outside and that's when he pulled the gun, and showed me the gun, and opened it up and showed me two spent bullets and said he'd do it to them,” said Badgero, gesturing to his girlfriend.

Hawkins and Badgero said Stroupe had one request: to help him sink Thomas Bryson's Honda Ridgeline truck in a nearby lake.

“He said he was wanting to take the truck and dump it in the lake, Lake James, and he said to follow him. I feel like he was going to kill me,” said Badgero.
Badgero and Jennifer's nephew, Larry Hawkins Jr., followed Stroupe.

“We were just trying to get him to go peacefully without any altercations,” Hawkins said.

Badgero said he was there as law enforcement caught up with Stroupe on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Law enforcement are not convinced by their story.

 

[Capebluff]

Thanks, I had not seen that. I can't watch the video right now, but here is some of the text from the interview:

I'm eager to see what you think after watching the interview. I have mixed feelings; different toward each individual. I need to rewatch it when I can give it my full attention & re-evaluate.

Most importantly, I am hoping & praying Mr Bryson is found soon!!

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

I'm eager to see what you think after watching the interview. I have mixed feelings; different toward each individual. I need to rewatch it when I can give it my full attention & re-evaluate.

Most importantly, I am hoping & praying Mr Bryson is found soon!!

Thanks for the video. Just wow. I have mixed feelings, too. The gang affiliation would scare me if I were in their shoes.

 

[bearhunter]

I'm not sure if this is ok but the sheriff says they have located Mr. Bryson's body.

#BREAKING: Sheriff McDonald says they believe the body found in the Arden area near Glenn Bridge Road is that of Thomas Bryson." @WLOS_13

 

[Gardener1850]

Details of the 3 accused accomplices' criminal records:

Larry Hawkins III has multiple convictions including robbery with a dangerous weapon and first-degree burglary.

On Sunday, Larry Hawkins remains in jail.
Jennifer Hawkins has convictions ranging from shoplifting to forgery. Her boyfriend Frederick Badgero has convictions including DWIs, burglary, assault on an officer, and indecent liberties with a child.

Jennifer Hawkins arrest record
Frederick Badgero arrest record

Larry Hawkins III arrest record
Badgero says he knew Stroupe in passing as the two served prison sentences at the same facility.

http://wlos.com/news/local/3-accused-of-harboring-stroupe-have-extensive-criminal-records

 

[Jenjen37]

I just don't understand why they wouldn't call the cops after he left. Seems fishy too me. Plus were those hickeys on her neck. .. another thought i had was she said she just bought and moved to this house. How did he know where she lived if he was a friend of a friend?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Gardener1850]

I'm not sure if this is ok but the sheriff says they have located Mr. Bryson's body.

#BREAKING: Sheriff McDonald says they believe the body found in the Arden area near Glenn Bridge Road is that of Thomas Bryson." @WLOS_13

Welcome bearhunter! I'm so sad to hear this but not surprised. I'm glad they found him. Prayers for his family. At least justice will be done now.

 

[carole]

I'm not sure if this is ok but the sheriff says they have located Mr. Bryson's body.

#BREAKING: Sheriff McDonald says they believe the body found in the Arden area near Glenn Bridge Road is that of Thomas Bryson." @WLOS_13

http://wlos.com/news/local/body-found-in-arden

 

[Gardener1850]

http://wlos.com/news/local/body-found-in-arden

:tears:RIP Mr. Bryson :rose:

 

[formerjerseygirl]

http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/36...ssing-man-continues-in-south-mills-river-area

updated-body found-RIP Mr. Bryson