NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - # 3

[webrocket]

Whoa, I leave and come back a couple of hours later and everyone has crashed and burned? We need a regroup, big time. Whether or not people are criticizing the way we are sleuthing, Steven is the one who matters here. We are doing our best to dissect the details on here, and those who are close by have gone above and beyond (thank you so much, Fairy) to do what they can in Vegas.

The family is doing everything to the best of their ability, as emotionally distraught and inexperienced sleuthers.

We might be short of fresh clues right now, but we are close to hearing from Naegle regarding the trip to Vegas this weekend, and there are still plenty of loose ends worth sleuthing.

Come on people, we can do this.

I don't see myself as having crashed or burned. Someone had suggested splitting the threads into competing categories. I personally don't think that is a good idea as we would not be learning from each other even if we disagreed.

My earlier comment was that until I see a new fact, all I'd be doing is repeating my theories I've held from the beginning. I was not trying to discourage the sharing of ideas and I indicated I would still follow the thread.

 

[looneymama]

Hmmmm. With all due respect, I do recall seeing the names of all the homeowners on the street where Steven's car was located. I'm really not sure how sleuthing foreclosed homes would help us find Steven, but please feel free to enlighten me as to your train of thought there.

This actually made me think of a story I read a few weeks ago. It's about a different area but it's something to think about.
Squatters

It basically talks about how the massive amounts of foreclosures are making it easier for people to squat at these houses without getting caught right away and when they are caught it's not always easy to kick them out. They don't answer the door and the banks that own the houses are usually out of state and hard to get a hold of. Many of them go unnoticed because they drive up to the house and walk in. They don't look like a stereotypical "squatter" so neighbors usually assume the previous owner is renting to them while trying to sell their house. I know it might be different in this case because there is a HOA but I thought I'd mention it anyways. :runaway:

eta: I usually don't post before reading everything but I did this time and now I see the sqatter thing has already been mentioned. Sorry guys

 

[harleysnana]

I've read all the threads and I have a question.
For those who may know....
is parking allowed on the street in this subdivision or do
guests have to park in certain spots?
If we can find this out then we may be able to figure
out if Steven parked in the Cul-de-sac because he
was told there is no parking in front of houses..
or if he parked there for some other reason.
Has anyone local driven by to see if people
park in front of the houses?

 

[harleysnana]

Here are the owners to all the homes in the immediate area by street. I personally have not looked into the people on all the streets b/c I feel like we can eliminate some...Savannah Springs for example.

Anyway, any home that has been foreclosed on or has a Trustee Sale pending in the last few months, shows a yellow or orange house in the last column. There are very few! And it does not look like any of them are owned by the bank.

I have a spreadsheet of any information I have found on people at these exact addresses...not just where a name matches. I still have a few more to go then I will post. Maybe one of these names will ring a bell with Steven's family or friends.

Are these all the houses on both sides of Evening Lights St?
If so then maybe we can start with house #1 and find out info on them.
Are they close to Stevens age, do they have kids close to his age,
do any of them have charges etc.
We need to be careful and not list their whole name.
Only fist name last initial or last name firs initial etc.
Let's sleuth them!

 

[ella's mom]

From the Facebook page:
Post #37
(J S) wrote on January 19, 2010 at 4:30pm
I have mainly been following the threads on www.websleuths.com. Um, they have said that his computer checks out normal.

-------------------------

I don't think anyone here has said anything close to that, have they?

In fact, hasn't it been the consensus here that the computer needs to be forensically scanned by independent experts?

I'm not going to say anything over there, but why would someone (purposely?) misrepresent what's been said here?

I am just arriving back on here after being gone for several days. I am sure this has been addressed by now, but I have read back through threads #1 and #2 and I do believe on one of the posts, Neagle states that they (family members) have looked at the computer and there is nothing there. I believe that is where the person got that info from. Of course it's not how we would have liked the computer checked.

 

[ella's mom]

Hi Gang. I am back. Haven't been on in several days and have finally caught up. Although I "left" the thread for personal reasons, it did help to take a break from it and come back with a "new set of eyes."

First, Laytonian - Thank you so much for taking my very long e-mail and putting it up on your timeline site. I will continue from page 23 on, although I don't think there are a ton more answers there. As far as the unanswered questions, I kind of stopped working on that section, because I hadn't advanced to the third thread, so wasn't sure if we had answers to some questions or not.

If anyone wants something specific added to the unanswered section, or if you think I missed something significant, please PM me, so I can put it in one place for Laytonian to post!

P.S. Laytonian - You mentioned you sent an e-mail. I did not get it. I relized later that the e-mail I had listed was old. I tried to take it off my CP, but I am having trouble. If there is anything I needed to see, please PM me.

 

[laytonian]

I will keep the website active and updated, for your discussion purposes -:

http://sites.google.com/site/parallelcooler/home/koecher-html/qa-100123-24

A: --Yeah, Police Dogs. ;-) (aka idk)
Q: Have the runoff ponds/water lakes in the nearby golf course been checked?
A: (sorry) I know the golf course has been cheked extensivly, but I really don't know if that includes the water traps.

Q: We get pictures? Of every IHOP in Vegas, every DI, or what?
A: I made the fam park our rental just like Steven's car was found and took pictures for you all. I probably won't get those out to you until tomorrow though.

A: You ask below if the phone records would show a cab.
Q: Yeah...but what if he was using a pay phone? (We can't discount that.)
A: There were no pay phones in that neighborhood so if one did pick him up it wouldn't be on Mr. Security's camera. I'll look into getting someone to call the cab companies though.

Q: What areas were searched, with ATVs/dogs/air? Near where the car was found?
A: I'm not sure about the exact area, but I believe the around the car was searched with dogs, air and ATV search the mountiains nearby, and volunteers canvassed the whole neighborhood again.
A: Also, the police plan another search soon. "To see if anything washed out with the storm." I'm trying my best to think that "anything" means his cell or wallet. =/

OTHER COMMENTS FROM NAEGLE:

We are getting more people involved and everyone is being so good to us.

Like I said in one of the other emails the police are planning another big search. We're also trying to get another LE agency involved, but apparently they don't play well together so it may be slow going.

That neighborhood is incredible! There's no way he went there randomly! Just crazy.

 

[webrocket]

That neighborhood is incredible! There's no way he went there randomly! Just crazy.

I agree. Deep in the heart of a subdivision with circular roadways and few businesses.

You know how many of those pesky businesses have video cameras. Whoever made the decision to have Steven park there figured there would be NO cameras from any business entities and that was correct. They did not count on Mr. Security having what, 7 cameras on his property?

 

[NicoleinVegas]

Maybe North Las Vegas PD needs to get involved too, if he was possibly spotted near Craig and MLK. I lived about two intersections from there, it isn't as bad as it may sound. Did anyone contact the RTC for the bus cameras to be checked yet?

 

[ella's mom]

I had a few more thoughts while I was gone. Some of this may have already come up and I missed it. I ran through the third thread pretty quick.

#1 - Going on the premise that Steven is still alive, he needs to get money from somewhere. Neagle can you find out if the family knows of any jewerly or if anything of significant value is missing? There are pawn shops and "we buy gold" places all over Vegas. I was wondering if he could have pawned something to at least have some cash to get by with. Those might be good places to show his poster to as well.

#2 - Do we know if when Steven was working for the window washing company and putting up christmas decorations, if he was paid by check or under the table?

#3 - Is there a way to get a list of who has been questioned to date so far by LE? There may not be a specific list out there, but maybe someone that LE has been updating would know.

#4 - Have any of the LE agencies involved given their thoughts on this case to the family. Do they believe we have an adult "Runaway" or is foul play suspected? Any indication of POI's?

#5 - Is a reward being offered? I have seen this question before, but don't believe I have seen an answer.

#6 - Are fundraisers being set up to raise money for a reward fund, search efforts, travel and lodging, etc? Candlelight vigils? Not only will this help lend financial and emotional support to the families, but it will also keep Steven's name "top of mind." Might be a good way to keep him in the Media as well.

 

[hollyblue]

I agree. Deep in the heart of a subdivision with circular roadways and few businesses.

You know how many of those pesky businesses have video cameras. Whoever made the decision to have Steven park there figured there would be NO cameras from any business entities and that was correct. They did not count on Mr. Security having what, 7 cameras on his property?

I would think if Mr. Security had 7 different cameras around the perimeter of his house, why are we not seeing one showing Evening Lights further up the street---a view from the side or back of the house facing that way? I have always wondered why there is no mention of this?

It's really a shame there is no street level view from Google available.

 

[capoly]

I would think if Mr. Security had 7 different cameras around the perimeter of his house, why are we not seeing one showing Evening Lights further up the street---a view from the side or back of the house facing that way? I have always wondered why there is no mention of this?

It's really a shame there is no street level view from Google available.

Not street level but gives a clearer overhead view if that helps any.....

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pzqq9d5d7bnv&scene=5116743&lvl=2&sty=b

 

[ella's mom]

I would think if Mr. Security had 7 different cameras around the perimeter of his house, why are we not seeing one showing Evening Lights further up the street---a view from the side or back of the house facing that way? I have always wondered why there is no mention of this?

It's really a shame there is no street level view from Google available.

If I had security cameras on my house, due to expense, I would be most interested in areas directly related to my home (front of house, back of house, side of house). I don't think up the street would be something I would think about. Although it would be helpful for this case.

I am surprised other residents didn't have cameras.

 

[capoly]

If I had security cameras on my house, due to expense, I would be most interested in areas directly related to my home (front of house, back of house, side of house). I don't think up the street would be something I would think about. Although it would be helpful for this case.

I am surprised other residents didn't have cameras.

Interested in your thought on this, ella's mom, if you don't mind giving it......as you look at the Bing overhead, and you take a mental walk following Steven's path, if you were new to this neighborhood with no knowledge of its layout, would you have crossed the street at the point Steven did?

Just curious for another viewpoint.....TIA

 

[carbuff]

I'm not ella's mom, but...no. No, I wouldn't. He looks to me like he knows exactly where he's going. Like he's either been there before or can see his destination.

 

[hollyblue]

Not street level but gives a clearer overhead view if that helps any.....

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pzqq9d5d7bnv&scene=5116743&lvl=2&sty=b

Thanks capoly, but the only view I get is an old satellite view before the development of the subdivision.

 

[hollyblue]

If I had security cameras on my house, due to expense, I would be most interested in areas directly related to my home (front of house, back of house, side of house). I don't think up the street would be something I would think about. Although it would be helpful for this case.

I am surprised other residents didn't have cameras.

I should have clarified, EM, sorry. If they had cameras in the other areas like the side or back, I was hoping there might be a view of the side street as well; but I don't know if there isn't a wall or partition of some kind there.

 

[capoly]

I'm not ella's mom, but...no. No, I wouldn't. He looks to me like he knows exactly where he's going. Like he's either been there before or can see his destination.

Thank you, carbuff. I didn't intend to sound limiting re replies so am glad you didn't take it that way. Was typing as I was thinking re "wonder what Ella's mom thoughts would be".....just forgot to come out of that focus lol.

Your view is the same as mine.....doesn't mean it was Steven's of course. But if ours is an average reaction....then one of the possible scenarios is this was not his first visit to this neighborhood.

 

[capoly]

Thanks capoly, but the only view I get is an old satellite view before the development of the subdivision.

To the left of the map there is a little turn icon....click and the map will give a different view.

 

[Chili Fries]

I still think there are two main reasons he would have parked in the cul-de-sac away from his destination if he were visiting a specific house:

There was no parking available in the driveway or in front of the house he was visiting because there were already a lot of cars there. Some neighbors are very serious about not letting people park in front of their house, especially if it happens all the time. If whatever house Steven was visiting consistently had overflow parking so their guests had to park in front of neighbors yards then the neighbors could have gotten sick of it and said no more. Steven's car was parked at the closest area to Evening Lights which is not in front of a house. So he would have had to have been told to park there or he could have visited before and known the routine.

Whoever he was visiting didn't want somebody to see a strange car parked in the driveway or in front of the house. That could be a jealous spouse or significant other issue.