NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - #20

[laytonian]

(by the way, not to confuse anyone, but this is not a unique occurrence. Erick Wales vanished from the San Diego area. He was another devout Christian who from all accounts is now leading an 'alternative lifestyle' elsewhere. At least Erick left a note of some sort. Steven left none.)

The Erick Wales case has even more similarities:

``Erick worked for a TV station's website; Steven worked for a newspaper's website.
``Erick's vehicle was found abandoned in a populated area, as was Steven's. It took four days to "find" each car.
``Erick was a amateur musician (more pro than Steven, but the interest is there).

I think we can learn from other cases. CLICK HERE for the news reports on Erick Wales' case. Erick's family website never mentioned the note in his car, which said he was purposely leaving (although they were quick to disclaim suicide note rumors). Even after the media reported the "left on his own" note, the family was organizing searches.
I believe all "missing" people deserve to be found, but an adult who clearly left on their own (and said so in a parting note) shouldn't be the subject of searches. Let's look for the victims and unknown cases.

There are basic differences between Erick and Steven: Steven, I think, was more dependent, obviously unemployed, and lacking in funds. Erick was able to withdraw money from an ATM and leave a note.

Unless Steven's "cookies and bib gift" were his parting note.

 

[sophieness]

I haven't made my way through all the threads yet, so I apologize if this has been mentioned.

his father said on the ID show that steven's trunk was full of copies of job applications. how many were there, how recent were they, and where were they for? were there any for nevada jobs instead of utah?

IMO opinion steven's financial troubles were tops on his list. his not being married doesn't necessarily point to him being gay. a lot of men who do not feel settled or established in life do not want to get married until they feel like they can provide for a family. I think finding a job had become his number one priority: food and shelter are even more important than love on the hierarchy of needs. HOWEVER, I do not think steven would compromise his values greatly for money, bc if he would he would have accepted money from his family. he seemed determined to do things the right way. he had a job that he left in SLC, but I have not heard if this provided him with a good and steady enough income to not have to worry about money. there seems something in this young man that he may have had some depression or wistfulness for something different before he moved away from SLC hence the desire for somewhere new. however once there, he quickly ran into even more financial difficulty. his pride led him to not give up right away, he wanted to show that he could do it but things were getting desperate.
I think his financial situation was not good before he moved because his mother had access to his financial accounts etc which seems unusual for a grown man. I know my parent's have never been able to get into mine, those are private to me and I am only 28. he was also under his familys cellphone plan instead of having his own and it sounds like that had been going on for some time. I think it's possible in the days before he died, he was casting a wider and wider net for jobs as was feeling desperate, especially after the phone calls to his family etc. thus he may have seen the gas money used as a necessary investment. it is too bad we don't have access to his internet activities in the library. many people also have more than one email address for various reasons other than secrecy: he could have one that is not searched simply because others do not happen to know about it. I for instance have two: one that I mainly use, and an old one I have largely abandoned that I use every now and then for things which might generate spam etc.

 

[laytonian]

I haven't made my way through all the threads yet, so I apologize if this has been mentioned.

his father said on the ID show that steven's trunk was full of copies of job applications. how many were there, how recent were they, and where were they for? were there any for nevada jobs instead of utah?

All we know, is that the many unsent applications and few rejections have been reviewed - and nothing suspicious was ever found. That includes the many in his email (which he had never emptied).

As for his mother having access to the account: she works at the bank. There was a joint family account.
If you disappeared, your next-of-kin would be able to quickly access your accounts, too.

Email addresses: his computer was fully searched (plus subpoenaed by LE and scoured). Any/all email addresses would show up, unless he never accessed him via the laptop.

(If you click on the timeline link, right below - and then scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll read pages of Q&As that should help answer your questions.)

 

[sophieness]

just because they weren't suspicious though, does that mean his job search was local or that he was seeking jobs from a very wide area? also the most recent ones seem relevant, ie if there were ones from the week before he went missing that is a clue he did not intend to disappear, unless it was at the very last minute. yes my family may be able to access my accounts if I disappeared but that is different, from already being on my accounts. just what I think...his computer was searched but was it the internet history etc and documents that were searched or was it the more intensive searches of a hard drive that can show deleted things and history? I have thousands of emails in my accounts but that is just bc it is a pain to delete them all, not because I have never deleted things on my computer. he did not always use his laptop I read he often used computers at the library.

 

[laytonian]

just because they weren't suspicious though, does that mean his job search was local or that he was seeking jobs from a very wide area? also the most recent ones seem relevant, ie if there were ones from the week before he went missing that is a clue he did not intend to disappear, unless it was at the very last minute. yes my family may be able to access my accounts if I disappeared but that is different, from already being on my accounts. just what I think...his computer was searched but was it the internet history etc and documents that were searched or was it the more intensive searches of a hard drive that can show deleted things and history? he did not always use his laptop I read he often used computers at the library.

Please don't think I'm being rude, but can you do us all a favor?

Before you respond to a post, please press "QUOTE" and the post you are replying to, will precede your reply. Like yours is just above this reply of mine.

As for your questions:
We do not know.
LE has not revealed the contents of his hard drive (checked forensically).
The library does not keep records of websites/emails of their users, so it's moot.

 

[sophieness]

Please don't think I'm being rude, but can you do us all a favor?

Before you respond to a post, please press "QUOTE" and the post you are replying to, will precede your reply. Like yours is just above this reply of mine.

As for your questions:
We do not know.
LE has not revealed the contents of his hard drive (checked forensically).
The library does not keep records of websites/emails of their users, so it's moot.

That does seem a little sharp, since my reply was right after yours but I will do this in case there is any confusion.
I know they didn't keep records at the library. that is why I said previously, that it is too bad, bc I think it would shed light on something. people have said it would be easier for him to wifi from his laptop from multiple places where free wifi is available, but then that seems like it would have been easier than using the library computers, which he still did.

 

[webrocket]

Email addresses: his computer was fully searched (plus subpoenaed by LE and scoured). Any/all email addresses would show up, unless he never accessed him via the laptop.

LE would only care about evidence of a crime. if LE found stuff like dating websites, etc., I doubt it's anything they would check out seriously unless there was a date set up for that fateful day in SCA.

we have NO idea what was on that laptop and if the family chooses not to share, that is their prerogative; however, it does not help to find him unless people have a starting point beyond where he walked away from the car.

 

[carbuff]

That does seem a little sharp, since my reply was right after yours but I will do this in case there is any confusion.
I know they didn't keep records at the library. that is why I said previously, that it is too bad, bc I think it would shed light on something. people have said it would be easier for him to wifi from his laptop from multiple places where free wifi is available, but then that seems like it would have been easier than using the library computers, which he still did.

Your reply happened to fall right after the one you were replying to, but when more than one person is on the thread, it often happens that other replies intrude and it can become quite unclear which post you're replying to. It just makes it easier to keep track of the discussion if you quote.

Of course if you're making a general comment, or starting a new thought, quoting isn't necessary.

 

[laytonian]

Your reply happened to fall right after the one you were replying to, but when more than one person is on the thread, it often happens that other replies intrude and it can become quite unclear which post you're replying to. It just makes it easier to keep track of the discussion if you quote.

Of course if you're making a general comment, or starting a new thought, quoting isn't necessary.

Thank you. I was just trying to be kind, because down below, I was very confused.

Sometimes, two people just don't understand each other very well - which probably is the case here.
Since it's my fault, I'll step away and let others answer her questions.

 

[sophieness]

I'm not trying to offend anyone! anyone can answer me. it just seemed to me like the actual job applications may provide clues to his recent whereabouts etc. like you guys say here, every recent thing can be relevent even if it isn't suspicious right? something, somewhere, has been missed....I know you all know more about this case than me but sometimes it doesn't hurt to start at the beginning. that being said, I am still reading through things, trying to catch up, etc. there is so much info and posts it will take forever but I still might post my thoughts or questions from time to time.

 

[laytonian]

LE would only care about evidence of a crime. if LE found stuff like dating websites, etc., I doubt it's anything they would check out seriously unless there was a date set up for that fateful day in SCA.

we have NO idea what was on that laptop and if the family chooses not to share, that is their prerogative; however, it does not help to find him unless people have a starting point beyond where he walked away from the car.

I found Steven on ldslinkup.com (wasn't hard, since I knew his email addresses).

Remember how we joked about the "Not exactly Martha Stewart" description he chose? ldslinkup.com - sign up, and he's there. Was friended by one person, and it never changed.

ldslinkup has a mirror site for some reason, but it's all the same stuff.

 

[OldSteve]

I'm not trying to offend anyone! anyone can answer me. it just seemed to me like the actual job applications may provide clues to his recent whereabouts etc. like you guys say here, every recent thing can be relevent even if it isn't suspicious right? something, somewhere, has been missed....I know you all know more about this case than me but sometimes it doesn't hurt to start at the beginning. that being said, I am still reading through things, trying to catch up, etc. there is so much info and posts it will take forever but I still might post my thoughts or questions from time to time.

Like you, I'm new here too... by now I'm sure you have read more and know more than I do about this case, so please post your thoughts and questions.

 

[Sin City]

Would someone help me remember? Was there a Sacramento angle in the beginning based on a conversation SK had with the family who lived near Ruby Valley? I've tried to find it in the beginning threads, but I haven't had much luck.
The reason I ask is that we are moving to Sacramento in August, and I wanted to keep these details regarding the case in the back of my mind while I'm living there. Not that I believe there was anything to gain by that angle, but I just want to keep the details fresh in my mind.

 

[fridaybaker]

Hello, new here. I've been through every post, I think, but still am uncertain about a few things. Sorry if my initial questions are redundant or irrelevant. Re: the videos: In the second video, I can see how people think that he's walking out of view, but recently someone replied in the comments section at UTube that he looks like he's entering a house at the very tail end of the video in the mirrored reflection. Then I looked it after having read the comment and saw that myself. It looks possible to me that a door opened and he walked in -not onward out of sight.

Secondly, perhaps this is just "TV", but I thought that there exists equipment, actually quite easily obtained, that could assess personal features, such as stride, size, mannerisms, etc. and compare them to later video and pretty definitively make a valid ID. It does seem a little flimsy to have to rely on the family's ID when the video quality is poor. The ramifications of it actually being SK vs. some other person is so key.

Lastly, if that is, indeed, a porfolio that the person's carrying, I would find it rather distinctive if SK routinely a portfolio or such thing -a book, whatever- in that manner. It's obviously a sterotype, but I think most men, by far, carry a book or porfolio in their hand, down by their side. I've rarely seen a man carry one with his elbow bent, up by his chest. (Think of high school and how a girl carries her books, vs. how a boy does.) Also, would SK carry it in his left hand? Anyway, just thought that this might be an identifier if someone could remember how SK would do this.

 

[lieber32]

I'm not trying to offend anyone! anyone can answer me. it just seemed to me like the actual job applications may provide clues to his recent whereabouts etc. like you guys say here, every recent thing can be relevent even if it isn't suspicious right? something, somewhere, has been missed....I know you all know more about this case than me but sometimes it doesn't hurt to start at the beginning. that being said, I am still reading through things, trying to catch up, etc. there is so much info and posts it will take forever but I still might post my thoughts or questions from time to time.

I am with you, I have also been called out for not knowing imformation by someone and there is 19 threads, with about 300 post or more in each thread and I work two jobs one that is in LE (law enforcement). Some people don't have time to read so much and I am a speed reader, have masters in Sociology and for my thesis read over a hundred books, and countless articles and worked 32 hours a week in a three month time span. I can read a book in three hours. Give us a break please:banghead: I admire the dedication you all have devoted for this person but remember we all want to help <modsnip>.

 

[laytonian]

Would someone help me remember? Was there a Sacramento angle in the beginning based on a conversation SK had with the family who lived near Ruby Valley? I've tried to find it in the beginning threads, but I haven't had much luck.
The reason I ask is that we are moving to Sacramento in August, and I wanted to keep these details regarding the case in the back of my mind while I'm living there. Not that I believe there was anything to gain by that angle, but I just want to keep the details fresh in my mind.

Hey, Sin!

It's not you. It's not here....it was on the FB page. It's against TOS to quote from social media.

It was first reported by AN on the "Help Us Find Steven" FB page, under Discussions/Last Time You Saw Steven.

When KC recently reactivated the FB page, she disabled discussions from view -- so I can't even link to it (I was hoping to).

The best I can offer, is what I paraphrased on the 2009 Timeline Page which says "Unexpectedly, SK shows up at AN's family's ranch. (SK and AN met at their SLC ward "a couple of years ago" and SK had attended a cattle-branding at the ranch on Apr 26, 2008.) AN wasn't there, but her family invited him to stay for lunch. The visit lasted a "couple of hours". He mentioned going to Sacramento to visit friends/family."

Later, we learned that no one knew about friends in Sacramento, and he had no family there. There was also mention of the N family telling him that a snowstorm was coming from the west, so travelling further wasn't a good idea. The N family also mentioned that the mention of Sacramento could just have been "chit chat". (IMO, it might have been a way for him to explain "I was just driving by" even though he was far off-route).

Hope that helps. It may be on AN's FB page, but it would be about early Jan, 2010 and lots to go through.

 

[laytonian]

Hello, new here. I've been through every post, I think, but still am uncertain about a few things. Sorry if my initial questions are redundant or irrelevant. Re: the videos: In the second video, I can see how people think that he's walking out of view, but recently someone replied in the comments section at UTube that he looks like he's entering a house at the very tail end of the video in the mirrored reflection. Then I looked it after having read the comment and saw that myself. It looks possible to me that a door opened and he walked in -not onward out of sight.

Welcome, fridaybaker! I like your name!

We had a very long discussion here about that very thing (the reflection in the van window). We first started discussing it in Thread 4, and it's come up a few times since.

Hopefully, this link (CLICK HERE) will help. It's the results of a Websleuths search for our discussions about that reflection. It was a fairly complicated discussion, so it's best not to paraphrase it. It'd be best for you to read all the discussions, and how we came to a conclusion.

After reading those threads, maybe you can tell us if you agree with our conclusion?

Secondly, perhaps this is just "TV", but I thought that there exists equipment, actually quite easily obtained, that could assess personal features, such as stride, size, mannerisms, etc. and compare them to later video and pretty definitively make a valid ID. It does seem a little flimsy to have to rely on the family's ID when the video quality is poor. The ramifications of it actually being SK vs. some other person is so key.

Lastly, if that is, indeed, a porfolio that the person's carrying, I would find it rather distinctive if SK routinely a portfolio or such thing -a book, whatever- in that manner. It's obviously a sterotype, but I think most men, by far, carry a book or porfolio in their hand, down by their side. I've rarely seen a man carry one with his elbow bent, up by his chest. (Think of high school and how a girl carries her books, vs. how a boy does.) Also, would SK carry it in his left hand? Anyway, just thought that this might be an identifier if someone could remember how SK would do this.

The "equipment" that would help identify a person in a video, is usually a triangulation based on the known height of the person, their position on the sidewalk, time of day, shadows, etc.

All we know, is that the family is very sure that it's Steven walking in the security video.

Portfolio: I believe it's more like a file folder or a light cardboard school folder (no handle, flimsy, with papers inside). It'd be best carried that way, if you don't want the contents to fall out. (IMO, of course). Folders like that, were found by the family inside his room/apartment.

 

[OldSteve]

sniped:

Lastly, if that is, indeed, a porfolio that the person's carrying, I would find it rather distinctive if SK routinely a portfolio or such thing -a book, whatever- in that manner. It's obviously a sterotype, but I think most men, by far, carry a book or porfolio in their hand, down by their side. I've rarely seen a man carry one with his elbow bent, up by his chest. (Think of high school and how a girl carries her books, vs. how a boy does.) Also, would SK carry it in his left hand? Anyway, just thought that this might be an identifier if someone could remember how SK would do this.

Welcome!
Good observations!
Not sure if what was shown was actual or a re-enactment...
Keep in mind the kind of wide-angle lens distorts motion as one moves out of center position..
I walk around with a portfolio (a manila folder that closes) when going to various office visits... when I'm in a hurry, I will sometimes raise it up to my chest (I used to jog allot) ...
If I feel happy that I've got something good inside my portfolio, or I have something I really want to show you, I'll raise it up too, as if patting myself on the chest with it...

 

[laytonian]

sniped:


Welcome!
Good observations!
Not sure if what was shown was actual or a re-enactment...
Keep in my the kind of wide-angle lens distorts motion as one moves out of center position..
I walk around with a portfolio when going to various office visits... when I'm in a hurry, I will sometimes raise it up to my chest (I used to jog allot) ...
If I feel happy that I've got something good inside my portfolio, or I have something I really want to show you, I'll raise it up too, as if patting myself on the chest with it...

Good explanation

The security videos:
You can see both of the actual videos, from the 2009 timeline page, Dec 13th events, CAM3 (first) and CAM7 (second).
What was shown on "Disappeared", was a recreation of the first video, and a partial of the second actual video.

 

[carbuff]

I am with you, I have also been called out for not knowing imformation by someone and there is 19 threads, with about 300 post or more in each thread and I work two jobs one that is in LE (law enforcement). Some people don't have time to read so much and I am a speed reader, have masters in Sociology and for my thesis read over a hundred books, and countless articles and worked 32 hours a week in a three month time span. I can read a book in three hours. Give us a break please:banghead: I admire the dedication you all have devoted for this person but remember we all want to help and being rude to newbies is not going to help Steve Koecher.

My apologies to both of you; I was trying to be helpful and did not mean to sound rude. I didn't mean anybody should have read all umpteen gamillion threads, and when I referred to the FAQ and the timeline, I didn't mean it as a putdown, I was trying to point to where there were more complete and useful answers than anything I can give.

Again, my apologies. That was not my intent.