NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - #10

[RubyRed]

Actually, there is.

Look at the satellite view of where the car was parked, and then follow Evening Lights up all the way. Zoom in. There is a golf cart path that leads into the golf course area, at the very top of Evening Lights.

The homes sit on ridges, with Revere Golf Course laid out in the "canyons".

Few agree with me, but I see the possibility that Steven saw the mountains in the distance, parked, and walked. Through the golf course, west -- and would have ended up quite near where the search was held...if he made it that far.

We've been told the family walked the golf course. It was also reported that, after the heavy rains, the drainage channels and outlets were checked.

But I wonder about all of those drainage ponds in and around that neighborhood. Or the rocky slopes leading down into the golf course.

bbm

That theory is as good as any other. If he did that I wonder what made that particular area ( Vegas) special to him that he would end his life there.

I also think even though it was Sunday he could very well have went to see someone about a job. I know some think he was too religious to do that, but his life seemed in the dumps to me. To be 30 years old and have your parent notified that you are behind on your rent, is enough to make anyone feel like a failure.

It is also enough to make him say screw this and walk away. So there is another theory.

 

[laytonian]

bbm

That theory is as good as any other. If he did that I wonder what made that particular area ( Vegas) special to him that he would end his life there.

I also think even though it was Sunday he could very well have went to see someone about a job. I know some think he was too religious to do that, but his life seemed in the dumps to me. To be 30 years old and have your parent notified that you are behind on your rent, is enough to make anyone feel like a failure.

It is also enough to make him say screw this and walk away. So there is another theory.

I don't have a pet theory, because every scenario we've poked around with, has holes in it.

Like what I just proposed: why would he choose that location?

There's always randomness. Like I've explained many times, when we try to find a certain location, it can seem difficult. But if we're just driving around and take a turn, we can land there.

It's a safe place to leave a car. Fortuitous, maybe.

But there's holes in the theory, so I'll ridicule myself

 

[gsmith]

bbm

That theory is as good as any other. If he did that I wonder what made that particular area ( Vegas) special to him that he would end his life there.

I also think even though it was Sunday he could very well have went to see someone about a job. I know some think he was too religious to do that, but his life seemed in the dumps to me. To be 30 years old and have your parent notified that you are behind on your rent, is enough to make anyone feel like a failure.

It is also enough to make him say screw this and walk away. So there is another theory.

I think he was looking for a job. I really believe Steve didn't have a dark side. Interviewing for a job under desperate situations on Sunday is not a "dark" side.

Steve was religious but he wasn't crazy. If someone wanted to interview him on Sunday I can see him trying to change it to another day but I don't think he would cancel an interview if Sunday was the only option.

 

[sarx]

And there were no incoming or outgoing calls to anyone in that neighborhood? Actually, no calls to anyone but family and friends on his records right?

And why Ruby Valley?

Thanks Laytonian, that's what I was wondering, wondering about hilly areas, for whatever reason, it seems like when people decided to go to reflect on their life, talk to their God, get away, or end their life they often attempt to go to high places.

I see the big missing link is why here? Why Henderson?

 

[gsmith]

That's why I think GW told Steve on the phone to "do what you have to do". Meaning interview or look for a job on Sunday because you're screwed. It isn't something he would proudly announce to his ward but not a deep dark thing either.

 

[Lato]

That's why I think GW told Steve on the phone to "do what you have to do". Meaning interview or look for a job on Sunday because you're screwed. It isn't something he would proudly announce to his ward but not a deep dark thing either.

gsmith, when was the last time you attempted to contact Steven by phone or texting? I wonder why the family did not see your phone number and think
"who is this"? Was it a long time ago?

 

[RubyRed]

I think he was looking for a job. I really believe Steve didn't have a dark side. Interviewing for a job under desperate situations on Sunday is not a "dark" side.

Steve was religious but he wasn't crazy. If someone wanted to interview him on Sunday I can see him trying to change it to another day but I don't think he would cancel an interview if Sunday was the only option.

I do not see a job interview on Sunday to be a dark side either. So let's say that is what he did. The next day voicemail is called. Does that mean he was checking to see if he got the job? He was hoping for a call from someone?
He didn't get it and became despondent, and checked his messages one last time? Did he sleep in his car Saturday and Sunday night? That in itself is enough to make you feel like a failure. After the voicemail call if it was him, he has just vanished. A lot of what ifs. The only person that knows the answers, is Steven and for whatever reason he is not here to tell us. There could possibly be one other person or persons that know also, but they are not talking either.

 

[gsmith]

And there were no incoming or outgoing calls to anyone in that neighborhood? Actually, no calls to anyone but family and friends on his records right?

And why Ruby Valley?

Thanks Laytonian, that's what I was wondering, wondering about hilly areas, for whatever reason, it seems like when people decided to go to reflect on their life, talk to their God, get away, or end their life they often attempt to go to high places.

I see the big missing link is why here? Why Henderson?

He went to Ruby valley for a girl he liked.

Also, St. George is surrounded by mountains. He could have climbed those mountains. He could have also abandoned his car in St. George instead of Vegas.

 

[laytonian]

And there were no incoming or outgoing calls to anyone in that neighborhood? Actually, no calls to anyone but family and friends on his records right?

And why Ruby Valley?

That's where the parents of a girl (who he'd dated a few times about 18 months before he disappeared) lived. He'd been there for some sort of group event to see cattle branding.
She lives and works in SLC, and they had evidently met at church.

For some reason, he thought she'd be in Ruby Valley mid-week, but when he got there...after driving 550 miles, she wasn't there after all. His visit was totally unexpected.
"Change of plans", is evidently what her parents told him.

Speculation:
Possibly he contacted her about getting together again, and she gave him a bit of a brush-off "I'll be at the ranch, sorry". SO...he goes there.

Thanks Laytonian, that's what I was wondering, wondering about hilly areas, for whatever reason, it seems like when people decided to go to reflect on their life, talk to their God, get away, or end their life they often attempt to go to high places.

I see the big missing link is why here? Why Henderson?

Or maybe: why NOT Henderson?

He's a guy without a GPS, apparently had no maps in the car. Did he even know where he was? I know, I know. It's a hard place to find if you are looking for it. BUT...if you are driving around, it's also possible to just stop there.

I always go back to the Yosemite Murders, when Carole Sund's car was found burnt, down a logging road. "Oh! The killer must have known about that road because it's so hard to find!" Cary Stayner later admitted that he just saw the turn-off and drove down it. Then he called a cab.

If Steven had left SCA alone, a cab would have been the only way he'd been able to leave. The closest bus stop is 5 miles away. And it was Sunday.

I know the people who love Steven, don't want to think about this. They believe he was looking for work. But there were jobs in St George. The company my husband works for has a branch in St George (within a mile or two of where Steven lived), and they're frequently looking for trainees.

All the odd things that happened in that last week, occurred after he'd had that argument on the phone, and hung up on his Dad.

 

[sarx]

He went to Ruby valley for a girl he liked.

Also, St. George is surrounded by mountains. He could have climbed those mountains. He could have also abandoned his car in St. George instead of Vegas.

The girl, this would be the ranch? Was he rejected by her?

I could see him wanting to get out of St. George, especially if he didn't want to be found.

Was there any indication he had been anywhere else in Vegas or did he just drive straight out to this subdivision?

 

[gsmith]

gsmith, when was the last time you attempted to contact Steven by phone or texting? I wonder why the family did not see your phone number and think
"who is this"? Was it a long time ago?

Yeah it was months before he dissapeared and he never texted me back.

 

[laytonian]

He went to Ruby valley for a girl he liked.

Also, St. George is surrounded by mountains. He could have climbed those mountains. He could have also abandoned his car in St. George instead of Vegas.

Unless he didn't want to be found by anyone he knew.

I think the important thing is this: why did he drive south on Dec 12th? Was there a purpose, or was he just driving?

What if he'd been locked out of his apartment (due to the 3+ months past-due rent)? Remember, it was days past when the landlord had called his parents, and he never used the money his parents had deposited, to pay that rent.

We don't really know when he was last in that apartment, do we?

 

[laytonian]

The girl, this would be the ranch? Was he rejected by her?

I could see him wanting to get out of St. George, especially if he didn't want to be found.

Was there any indication he had been anywhere else in Vegas or did he just drive straight out to this subdivision?

(I had to check the timeline)

The first indication he was in Vegas, came at 7:57am (PST) when GW called him, and he told GW he was in Vegas.
It's almost exactly a two-hour drive from his place in St George to that point south of Vegas.

That indicates, to me, that the LATEST he could have left St George, would have been about 7:00am MST.

(The hour time change can get confusing, so I try to always put down the time zone.) Several coats were found in his car, as well as his shaving kit.

 

[sarx]

And when he talked to people and told him he was in Vegas did nobody say "What the heck are you doing there?" Nobody thought it odd?
Was it common for him to miss church?

 

[gsmith]

That's where the parents of a girl (who he'd dated a few times about 18 months before he disappeared) lived. He'd been there for some sort of group event to see cattle branding.
She lives and works in SLC, and they had evidently met at church.

For some reason, he thought she'd be in Ruby Valley mid-week, but when he got there...after driving 550 miles, she wasn't there after all. His visit was totally unexpected.
"Change of plans", is evidently what her parents told him.

Speculation:
Possibly he contacted her about getting together again, and she gave him a bit of a brush-off "I'll be at the ranch, sorry". SO...he goes there.



Or maybe: why NOT Henderson?

He's a guy without a GPS, apparently had no maps in the car. Did he even know where he was? I know, I know. It's a hard place to find if you are looking for it. BUT...if you are driving around, it's also possible to just stop there.

I always go back to the Yosemite Murders, when Carole Sund's car was found burnt, down a logging road. "Oh! The killer must have known about that road because it's so hard to find!" Cary Stayner later admitted that he just saw the turn-off and drove down it. Then he called a cab.

If Steven had left SCA alone, a cab would have been the only way he'd been able to leave. The closest bus stop is 5 miles away. And it was Sunday.

I know the people who love Steven, don't want to think about this. They believe he was looking for work. But there were jobs in St George. The company my husband works for has a branch in St George (within a mile or two of where Steven lived), and they're frequently looking for trainees.

All the odd things that happened in that last week, occurred after he'd had that argument on the phone, and hung up on his Dad.

Well I thought for a while that maybe he killed himself. However, wouldn't he have mentioned to at least one person he was running out of options hinting of suicide? Would he be going to numerous group activities if he was so down and sad?

I'll admit, Steve was average at work skills. He was working a lot of crappy jobs that wasn't helping his resume. Employers hire the best and he wasn't what they were looking for. Sometimes to get on your feet in a career you have to move far away.

 

[laytonian]

And when he talked to people and told him he was in Vegas did nobody say "What the heck are you doing there?" Nobody thought it odd?
Was it common for him to miss church?

Not that we are privy too. GW says he didn't ask. We don't know if SA asked, nor if SA asked on behalf of PD in the third call.

GW did state that he "usually" told them, if he wasn't going to be there.

Absent more info, I kinda hear it as "guy conversation".

 

[gsmith]

(I had to check the timeline)

The first indication he was in Vegas, came at 7:57am (PST) when GW called him, and he told GW he was in Vegas.
It's almost exactly a two-hour drive from his place in St George to that point south of Vegas.

That indicates, to me, that the LATEST he could have left St George, would have been about 7:00am MST.

(The hour time change can get confusing, so I try to always put down the time zone.) Several coats were found in his car, as well as his shaving kit.

Don't go by google maps for driving times.

I drove from St. George to the search site in 1 hour 10 minutes.

 

[Malini2001]

That's why I think GW told Steve on the phone to "do what you have to do". Meaning interview or look for a job on Sunday because you're screwed. It isn't something he would proudly announce to his ward but not a deep dark thing either.

Hopefully, if Steve told GW that he was seeing about a job, GW would have told the police that and the police would have a starting point. That's why I don't think Steve told GW that - because his family and the police have always said they didn't know why he was in Henderson.

 

[laytonian]

Well I thought for a while that maybe he killed himself. However, wouldn't he have mentioned to at least one person he was running out of options hinting of suicide? Would he be going to numerous group activities if he was so down and sad?

Did he go to any group activities, after Dec 9th? Not that I've been able to confirm. (Sure would like to!)

I even wonder if maybe he prayed about something at the temple, and that set him off on his search for AN. That would have been a downer, to someone with two goals in life: a job, and a wife.

People don't always mention suicide.

PD mentioned that Steven seemed quite "down". Outside of the argument with his Dad and cutting off the call, I think he was putting on a brave face for the family and close friends. One of his best, life-long friends (Tommy U from Amarillo) texted and FB'd -- and Steven didn't answer.

I sense some signals, though.
He didn't use the money his parents had deposited, to pay the rent.
Buying Christmas presents two weeks before Christmas, and leaving them in the car he abandoned.

I'll admit, Steve was average at work skills. He was working a lot of crappy jobs that wasn't helping his resume. Employers hire the best and he wasn't what they were looking for. Sometimes to get on your feet in a career you have to move far away.

But you still have the same resume.

I just hope he didn't feel like a disappointment in life.

I'm not trying to be depressing, but so far, we can't rule it out.

 

[laytonian]

Hopefully, if Steve told GW that he was seeing about a job, GW would have told the police that and the police would have a starting point. That's why I don't think Steve told GW that - because his family and the police have always said they didn't know why he was in Henderson.

...and since no one else was privy to the conversation, GW could easily have said he WAS (if he wanted to throw them off).