NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - # 5

[hollyblue]

That is precisely why in my book Steven was an EXCELLENT candidate to make a clean break - he had NOTHING to lose.

Right On.

 

[Fairy1]

We can't discount anything, but it's so beyond his personality and ability to carry off such a deceit.....that I've (personally) got it low on my list. Just because a high-powered adman can pull it off for almost two years, doesn't mean a young man with no money or resources, can do the same.

Francisco prepared for a long time, and took his computer with him.

Steven drove around (aimlessly?), left his computer, and walked away far from a bus stop.

If Steven did pull off "the perfect disappearance", I say he's a criminal mastermind that has missed his calling and should be immediately hired by a research institute.

See - I don't consider him to be a criminal mastermind or necessarily deceitful. I don't want to upset or offend anyone close to Steven, but here we are nearly 2 months later and no closer to the answers, so here goes....

I have considered Steven perceived that his folks were a bit disappointed with him and his situation. His Mom sent him money, which he obviously needed but did not use. After the call from the landlord, his Dad called him and asked him what was up and maybe voiced his concern over how Steven was handling his obligations.

Steven is now somewhat desperate to get a handle on things quickly and so he searches for an opportunity - or decides to take advantage of one that had been previously offered to him. Possibly, that opportunity led him to the Las Vegas area. Perhaps it didn't pan out - like most "get rich quick" schemes - and he was too embarrassed or ashamed or afraid to go back and admit it and face his responsibilities.

Now he knows he can't afford his car payments, so he leaves the car in a "safe" place and takes off.

Now - it's been too long to just pick up the phone and tell his family he's ok and he's sorry to have worried them.

Just a theory...

 

[carbuff]

I've been thinking along those lines too -- as one possible scenario.

I'm still not convinced he went to Vegas...

 

[hollyblue]

In addition with Nicholas Fransico, I did a search of his name and "secret life" and it came up with 15,000 hits. He had other bank accounts and, in retrospect, it looked like he had planned it for a while.

In any case, although the very general idea of a guy disappearing puts Nicholas and Steven in the same category, they are hardly similar cases. In fact, because of the secret accounts, there was a general idea among his searchers that he was still alive. I realize that there are some people here that think Steven is still alive but they believe it with much more sketchy evidence than the investigators did in the Nicholas case.

Nothing would make me happier than for Steven to appear on his parent's doorsteps with an explanation that he needed to get away for a while. But the evidence and the odds point to something else.

What if he had gotten a whole new identity and moved to different country? I would think psychologically, if would be easier the younger you are. Less ties to anything "old".
And it was mentioned that Steven was younger than his actual age.

 

[laytonian]

Exactly. So I'm thinking we need to look deeper into where he started as out as opposed to where he ended up. I've always felt that he seemed to be rather isolated in St. George outside of his church. But maybe not.

Maybe the St. George media needs to be nudged a bit....

Three words that do not belong in the same sentence: "St George media".

No TV stations originate in St George. Everything they get, is from Vegas or SLC, or one tiny station in Cedar City.

This is their only "real" newspaper -- you can write a letter to the editor or send that nudge. They're actually the laggards in this entire case...having published two spots on Dec 24th, one with the word "description" misspelled.

http://www.thespectrum.com/customerservice/contactus.html

Count is 1, so far.
The more the better, I'd say.

 

[laytonian]

See - I don't consider him to be a criminal mastermind or necessarily deceitful. I don't want to upset or offend anyone close to Steven, but here we are nearly 2 months later and no closer to the answers, so here goes....

I have considered Steven perceived that his folks were a bit disappointed with him and his situation. His Mom sent him money, which he obviously needed but did not use. After the call from the landlord, his Dad called him and asked him what was up and maybe voiced his concern over how Steven was handling his obligations.

Steven is now somewhat desperate to get a handle on things quickly and so he searches for an opportunity - or decides to take advantage of one that had been previously offered to him. Possibly, that opportunity led him to the Las Vegas area. Perhaps it didn't pan out - like most "get rich quick" schemes - and he was too embarrassed or ashamed or afraid to go back and admit it and face his responsibilities.

Now he knows he can't afford his car payments, so he leaves the car in a "safe" place and takes off.

Now - it's been too long to just pick up the phone and tell his family he's ok and he's sorry to have worried them.

Just a theory...

You've got the beginnings of a new scenario for the "scenarios" page.

It needs a bit of work, though.
To disappear and stay that way, when something didn't pan out, means you have to have means and money. Nudge that part along ... because your scenario starts him out with nothing, and now he has to have found "something".

 

[Fairy1]

You've got the beginnings of a new scenario for the "scenarios" page.

It needs a bit of work, though.
To disappear and stay that way, when something didn't pan out, means you have to have means and money. Nudge that part along ... because your scenario starts him out with nothing, and now he has to have found "something".

Deseret Industries - welfare services....

 

[Fairy1]

I've been thinking along those lines too -- as one possible scenario.

I'm still not convinced he went to Vegas...

Yep - another reason to focus closer to home - and perhaps all points in between.

 

[laytonian]

I've been thinking along those lines too -- as one possible scenario.

I'm still not convinced he went to Vegas...

He may have gone to Vegas on the 12th...but he came back.

On the 13th? I'm not convinced it's him, either.....unless he's walking to get into a car with someone else, who has promised to pay him for those "errands".

That's scenario 1-2 on the "scenarios" page:
http://sites.google.com/site/parallelcooler/home/koecher-html/scenarios

 

[laytonian]

Deseret Industries - welfare services....

They don't hand out money. You have to perform work of equal value to what you are given (unless you are given a limited amount of clothing or household items).

You have to bring a signed Bishop's Order form (even if you are not LDS). (I double-checked yesterday.)

 

[hollyblue]

I was watching an interview with one of Susan Powell's friends tonight. She, with the help of others, has organized a very complete "search party" that posts heavily on Facebook and Twitter. Friends in her ward participate in activities weekly that promote her name and situation. These are people with husbands, children, jobs, wives, deeply established and BUSY lives. I know how busy they must be, I am one of those people. BUT, when I was in a student ward or a Singles Ward in college, we were always planning activities and hanging out b/c we had few "established" commitments aside from work and school.

SOOO...with that observation in mind, why is the same kind of searching and organization not taking place for Steven? I have not heard more than a few sentences from anyone in the ward, other than the Elders Quorum leaders, about Steven. Weekend searches, media blitzes, twitter discussion or any of the like are virtually absent from Steven case. People in his ward would seem to have more "expendable" time. And if you read the articles were GW is quoted, he calls himself a "good friend". Why has he virtually disappeared as well? He should be like Susan's friends, out there every day in some manner, getting the word out.

Is there something that people know that deters them from spending time of this? Did they know something that the rest of us don't, that would make us want to walk away from this case?

I have 10 different, unrelated friends on Facebook living in St. George, who didn't/don't know ANYTHING about this case, and two of them go to church in the same building. They learned of it only from me suggesting they join his Facebook page.

That BOTHERS me!!!

Not enought room ----but thanks for the post CC--well stated. I too am aghast by that info.
I think there may be a few things separating Steven's case from Susan's and other well *mediazized cases. Steven was Single with no family of his *own*, big possibility he took the passport, and absolutely no connection to anything smelling like foul play--either from the outside or within Steven's character itself. Although, we do know more here than what has been stated in the media, and as you know and feel, there is still a lot we do not know or want some answers on.
SP's family is going to be on Dr. Phil next week for a whole hour of national coverage. If Steven's case is going to get noticed or more media attention, then it needs a specific factor to make it as unique as Steven.

 

[Fairy1]

Three words that do not belong in the same sentence: "St George media".

No TV stations originate in St George. Everything they get, is from Vegas or SLC, or one tiny station in Cedar City.

This is their only "real" newspaper -- you can write a letter to the editor or send that nudge. They're actually the laggards in this entire case...having published two spots on Dec 24th, one with the word "description" misspelled.

http://www.thespectrum.com/customerservice/contactus.html

Count is 1, so far.
The more the better, I'd say.

E-mail sent! Thank you.

 

[Fairy1]

Not enought room ----but thanks for the post CC--well stated. I too am aghast by that info.
I think there may be a few things separating Steven's case from Susan's and other well *mediazized cases. Steven was Single with no family of his *own*, big possibility he took the passport, and absolutely no connection to anything smelling like foul play--either from the outside or within Steven's character itself. Although, we do know more here than what has been stated in the media, and as you know and feel, there is still a lot we do not know or want some answers on.
SP's family is going to be on Dr. Phil next week for a whole hour of national coverage. If Steven's case is going to get noticed or more media attention, then it needs a specific factor to make it as unique as Steven.

We know there is extremely uneven (unfair!) reporting concerning missing people. It's sad, but true. I would say the majority of people familiar with Susan Powell's case are positive that Josh killed her and she is hidden somewhere in the winter Utah wilderness. We just don't have anything really to point to similar circumstances with Steven. He doesn't have 2 sweet little boys and a dumbazz spouse telling ridiculous stories about the day he went missing. I'm afraid it's just not "sensational" enough for big media. :furious:

 

[laytonian]

Not enought room ----but thanks for the post CC--well stated. I too am aghast by that info.
I think there may be a few things separating Steven's case from Susan's and other well *mediazized cases. Steven was Single with no family of his *own*, big possibility he took the passport, and absolutely no connection to anything smelling like foul play--either from the outside or within Steven's character itself. Although, we do know more here than what has been stated in the media, and as you know and feel, there is still a lot we do not know or want some answers on.
SP's family is going to be on Dr. Phil next week for a whole hour of national coverage. If Steven's case is going to get noticed or more media attention, then it needs a specific factor to make it as unique as Steven.

I think the key is this: Steven isn't considered "endangered missing".

When I read quotes by LE, I see "no evidence of a crime" -- which pretty much tells the reader that this is a purposeful disappearance.

There's not a lot of sympathy for those unless, as you say, he left a pregnant wife behind (and two other children). I don't believe his church friends would be very sympathetic towards a single guy who "just took off". At least that's the vibe I'm getting.

 

[Fairy1]

They don't hand out money. You have to perform work of equal value to what you are given (unless you are given a limited amount of clothing or household items).

You have to bring a signed Bishop's Order form (even if you are not LDS). (I double-checked yesterday.)

Is it possible he got a Bishop's Order from a ward here in Vegas?

Has the family checked this avenue?

 

[Fairy1]

I think the key is this: Steven isn't considered "endangered missing".

When I read quotes by LE, I see "no evidence of a crime" -- which pretty much tells the reader that this is a purposeful disappearance.

There's not a lot of sympathy for those unless, as you say, he left a pregnant wife behind (and two other children). I don't believe his church friends would be very sympathetic towards a single guy who "just took off". At least that's the vibe I'm getting.

So true. AND he appears to have gone missing in Las Vegas. That certainly doesn't help. I believe if something was found that would change his status to "Endangered Missing" we could get a lot further.

 

[laytonian]

So true. AND he appears to have gone missing in Las Vegas. That certainly doesn't help. I believe if something was found that would change his status to "Endangered Missing" we could get a lot further.

If there were evidence of a crime, mental health issues, threats against him, or some little loose ends that no one could figure out......maybe? :waitasec: Nah.....couldn't be.

 

[laytonian]

Is it possible he got a Bishop's Order from a ward here in Vegas?

Has the family checked this avenue?

He'd have taken the Bishop's Order to the DI complex for fulfillment....and you've ever been there

 

[Fairy1]

He'd have taken the Bishop's Order to the DI complex for fulfillment....and you've ever been there

I tried! I would like to know if the family has gone that route. There's no way I can get there when they're open as I have a full-time job (knock on wood!). But I'll send an e-mail and Steven's poster if it hasn't already been covered.

 

[hollyblue]

Snipped:

fasteddy4[/B];4797183] Never thought of it that way. But that's funny. I suppose it would be a good way to keep them out of the neighborhood. Gotta write that one down.

Sorry I haven't been posting recently but other duties call. I am continuing to read all of the posts even though I may not be posting personally. But a brief thought:

I truly believe that the answer to what happened to Steven is "out there". And I don't mean that in an X-Files type of way. But there is a news story, a website, a Facebook page, a blog. . .something like that, that may not seem related to Steven at all but hold the key to solving this. Very much like how some serial killers have been caught, it is usually something not having to do with any particular crime that leads police to the killer. . .a license plate, a nosy neighbor, a jilted lover, a chance meeting.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Agree, and all that's needed is for that coincident to be brought to light. They are not obvious and most times at the edge or realm of probabilities.

OT: RE: Your discussion with missionaries. Upon reading your post, I could hear my X saying that as BS to them. He was quite the prankster and comedian, besides an Eastcoaster. He would have said it almost as written, but in his own accent and connotations.