NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - # 7

[laytonian]

On the links provided, I could not find any live stream video of the press conference.

The newspapers seem to be full of massive NV budget shortfall, Nascar in town, and no mention of the press conference. Waiting to hear..

I think the 9am time is PST....so it hasn't started yet.

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

EDIT: It should have started a few minutes ago. I've got all four TV stations' websites open right now, and I see nothing about it...streaming or announced. Darn them.
Looks like this press conference is having to compete with the NASCAR PR blitz going on at the speedway. :furious:

One story written a couple of hours before:
http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12049777&nav=menu498_2

 

[fasteddy4]

So, I was there. But I don't have a lot of time. So, I'll give you the things that stuck out and I will have to give my impressions later.

-passport was found among his things in St. George.

-Subpoena of libraries in St. George showed the Steven had checked out a book on Pete Maravich (former NBA star),a book about the first settlers in St. George, and a Lord of the Rings DVD.

-still have no idea what he was doing here.

-police found no record of Steven on any passenger manifests for flights out of Vegas.

-family does not believe that he is wearing a hooded sweatshirt in video. But they believe that is Steven.

-Computer has been forensically checked. . .no info on it that would lead them to know why he was in Las Vegas or why he would have disappeared.

-people who saw him in the days leading up to Dec. 13 said he was good spirits and nothing seemed unusual at all.

-to quote his father, "No dark side to Steven has been found."

-new pamphlets are going to start be posted and handed out with Steven's picture and a $10,000 reward for info leading to the return or finding of Steven.

-his brother who started off the conference said it appeared that Steven had a noon appointment in the area. But, I reiterate, they have no idea what he was doing there.


I did not ask any questions. If I had started, I am sure I could have gone on for an hour. But, I think the family said everything they had to say. Channel 8 and 13 from Vegas were there. There were more people in front of the camera than spectators. Gotta go. But I will give you my other impressions later. In a couple of hours.

 

[laytonian]

So, I was there. But I don't have a lot of time. So, I'll give you the things that stuck out and I will have to give my impressions later.

-passport was found among his things in St. George.

Hmmmm.....must have showed up mixed in with things, or found during last clean-up of the apartment?

-Subpoena of libraries in St. George showed the Steven had checked out a book on Pete Maravich (former NBA star),a book about the first settlers in St. George, and a Lord of the Rings DVD.

Maravich was a New Orleans Jazz player who came to Utah when the team moved and played with the Jazz here before retiring, so there's some connection.

No word on computer usage at library, though.

-still have no idea what he was doing here.

-police found no record of Steven on any passenger manifests for flights out of Vegas.

-family does not believe that he is wearing a hooded sweatshirt in video. But they believe that is Steven.

-Computer has been forensically checked. . .no info on it that would lead them to know why he was in Las Vegas or why he would have disappeared.

-people who saw him in the days leading up to Dec. 13 said he was good spirits and nothing seemed unusual at all.

-to quote his father, "No dark side to Steven has been found."

-new pamphlets are going to start be posted and handed out with Steven's picture and a $10,000 reward for info leading to the return or finding of Steven.

-his brother who started off the conference said it appeared that Steven had a noon appointment in the area. But, I reiterate, they have no idea what he was doing there.


I did not ask any questions. If I had started, I am sure I could have gone on for an hour. But, I think the family said everything they had to say. Channel 8 and 13 from Vegas were there.

Thank you!

Channel 13 is http://www.ktnv.com/
Channel 8 is http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=5548&nav=menu102_2

(Channel 8 is the station Jaxon, who posted here before, works for)

 

[Lato]

Thank you fasteddy. I am most amazed that the passport was found and that computer was checked forensically - and that we used a lot of time
thinking of Steven in some foreign port. Are we to assume that someone
checked the library computers?

the bottom line is that I am thrilled that family has gone before the cameras and talked about Steven and offered a reward.

 

[laytonian]

Thank you fasteddy. I am most amazed that the passport was found and that computer was checked forensically - and that we used a lot of time thinking of Steven in some foreign port. Are we to assume that someone checked the library computers?

the bottom line is that I am thrilled that family has gone before the cameras and talked about Steven and offered a reward.

So....after re-reading everything, it's still believed that Steven disappeared right IN SCA after going there for a noon appointment.

I know that's the brother's statement, but LE obviously didn't step in an correct anything or mention any other information.

 

[webrocket]

So, I was there. But I don't have a lot of time. So, I'll give you the things that stuck out and I will have to give my impressions later.

-passport was found among his things in St. George.

-Subpoena of libraries in St. George showed the Steven had checked out a book on Pete Maravich (former NBA star),a book about the first settlers in St. George, and a Lord of the Rings DVD.

-still have no idea what he was doing here.

-police found no record of Steven on any passenger manifests for flights out of Vegas.

-family does not believe that he is wearing a hooded sweatshirt in video. But they believe that is Steven.

-Computer has been forensically checked. . .no info on it that would lead them to know why he was in Las Vegas or why he would have disappeared.

-people who saw him in the days leading up to Dec. 13 said he was good spirits and nothing seemed unusual at all.

-to quote his father, "No dark side to Steven has been found."

-new pamphlets are going to start be posted and handed out with Steven's picture and a $10,000 reward for info leading to the return or finding of Steven.

-his brother who started off the conference said it appeared that Steven had a noon appointment in the area. But, I reiterate, they have no idea what he was doing there.


I did not ask any questions. If I had started, I am sure I could have gone on for an hour. But, I think the family said everything they had to say. Channel 8 and 13 from Vegas were there. There were more people in front of the camera than spectators. Gotta go. But I will give you my other impressions later. In a couple of hours.

Thank you Fasteddy for the information.

I have occasionally followed the thread but have not posted in some time, but now we have a few more facts.

Not to say anything negative about Naegle, who has been pulled in all directions, but I know very early on I had asked about a birth certificate and a passport and we were told the passport was missing. Now they found it?

There was much speculation about travel and I had my doubts as to a penniless guy buying a plane ticket that would leave a clear paper trail. Had we known he did not have his passport, most of the flight speculation might have been avoided.

We know know the computer was forensically checked. What is missing is any mention of when he last used the laptop. If he was using it up to the end then he might not have been using a public computer. if he stopped using it six months sooner, then that alone would be suspect.

Note how fasteddy summarized that "no info on it that would lead them to know why he was in Las Vegas or why he would have disappeared". The first part is clear - there was nothing there about an appointment so if he was using his own laptop that would have been on there. The second part is far more subjective - why he would have disappeared.

I am not sure what that is supposed to mean. If he had been visiting dating websites (of any stripe) to most that would not be cause to disappear. However, I would find that relevant since the guy could not keep a date for more than a month or two (or so it seemed).

Also, even if there was no indication of a specific appointment in LV on the specific date, he might have been visiting websites that would seem totally out of character and that might cause suspicion but might not rise to the level of "cause to disappear" in the eyes of the family.

Not that I would expect the family to divulge this information on a public forum, but I would sure as heck like to know what email addresses he was using. That information should have been in some cache on the hard drive (even if passwords were not) and you would be surprised what can be gleaned from email addresses.

So even if nothing was apparent to the casual observer about an email address, oft times variants of them are used as screen names on other websites that can provide a wealth of information.

 

[dreamweaver]

Nothing in online news at this time.

I am glad to see family stating what has been found or not found in regards to Steven's disappearance.

It goes right back to the first thing anyone knew.
Steven's car found abandoned.
Video showing Steven arriving for what appears to be a noon appointment.
Steven shown walking briskly toward the unknown meeting.
And nothing.

Later, we discover Steven driving miles for a purpose we do not know yet.
Steven buying his gift exchange presents for his brother's family.
Steven helping out a family.
Steven not returning some phone calls.

Steven does not have a full time job.
He is behind on the rent and car payment.

IMO: Does this make him despondent? No.
It makes him ready to take on any kind of seemingly legit job.

IMO: Did Steve arrive at noon for a job interview or
to start a new job?
I know. I know. Not many jobs start at noon on a Sunday.

IMO: Steven is no longer with us.
What happened to Steven happened very near his abandoned car.

Where is Steven now?
I don't know.

Wonder if the real estate person would agree to be hypnotized in order
to draw out any other details of what was seen?

 

[hollyblue]

Just a few things I found that may or may not be related to his case:


Possible relative? Straight thru golf course.

http://www.411.com/maps/directions?lower=18&search_id=74261322975566231787

Possible relative? Band member in successful rock? band in LV: WARNING--

http://www.last.fm/music/Lydia+Vance

Also found another possible relative in North LV, 30's male, served in Korea, Air Force.

 

[Fairy1]

Hey all! Were you able to see the PC live? I'm at my real job now and need to get caught up here. Looks like fasteddy gave all the important points.

Re the passport - Steven's Dad said it was found just last week when they were going through his things. Said it wasn't really hidden, but not exactly out in the open either.

I took a bunch of notes and will try to add anything that may be missing as soon as I can.

I did ask about what Steven was wearing. Steven's Mom said she feels it's a matter of interpretation when viewing the video, but she said she agreed that it appears more to be a shirt and slacks. They really don't know for sure about the shoes. She said they believe one pair is missing, but he has a lot of shoes so they can't be sure.

I also asked if the family could shed any light on Steven's travels just prior to going missing. Nothing really major, but Steven's Mom did say that Steven told AN's Mom that he was on his way to Sacramento - and it sounded to me as if he meant when he left there. WTH?

There were reporters there from the Review Journal and the Las Vegas Sun as well as the CBS and ABC locals.

Detectives were there. I did ask them some questions too, but they really couldn't comment. HOWEVER, I believe that, even if we don't know where the cell phone pings were, LE certainly does.

Also met Frank Mahoney from the Nevada Center of Missing Loved Ones. Awesome.

LE confirms Steven has not travelled by air or bus.

 

[dreamweaver]

Just a few things I found that may or may not be related to his case:


Possible relative? Straight thru golf course.

http://www.411.com/maps/directions?lower=18&search_id=74261322975566231787

Possible relative? Band member in successful rock? band in LV: WARNING--

http://www.last.fm/music/Lydia+Vance

Also found another possible relative in North LV, 30's male, served in Korea, Air Force.

I hardly know what to say.
Congrats on finding out possible relevant information.

Of course, it is unknown if things are related to
Steven's disappearance or not.

But for me, it is kind of a puzzling find.

 

[hollyblue]

dreamweaver, I think it is unlikely he would show up for a job interview dressed as he was, unless the interviewer said keep it casual, because it was a Sunday. But......

Many questions---that still are not answered.

 

[hollyblue]

I hardly know what to say.
Congrats on finding out possible relevant information.

Of course, it is unknown if things are related to
Steven's disappearance or not.

But for me, it is kind of a puzzling find.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

 

[RubyRed]

Naegle just got this.

Well-written to get attention, for sure!

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

MEDIA ADVISORY

February 26, 2010

Press conference to announce reward, new case details in Steven Koecher missing person case.

Henderson, Nev. - The family of Utah resident Steven T. Koecher, who has been missing since Dec. 13, 2009, will announce a reward for information leading to his safe return or to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for his abduction or bodily harm.

A press conference in cooperation with Henderson Mayor Andy A. Hafen and Henderson police, will take place at 9 a.m., Friday, February 26, at the Henderson City Hall, 240 Water Street, Henderson, Nev. 89015.

The reward will be coordinated through Crime Stoppers of Nevada, as well as police agencies in Southern Nevada and Southern Utah.

In addition to the reward announcement, the press conference will cover several key topics, including:

§ Status of police investigations in St. George, Utah, and Henderson, Nev.

§ Status of Koecher's missing passport and resulting police checks of airline boardings.

§ An update on the campaign to put Steven's photo on Las Vegas area milk cartons.

§ A report of what police and family investigations have uncovered about Koecher's background.

§ Recent contacts between the St. George Police Department and the family of Susan Powell, a West Valley City, Utah, woman who went missing about the same time as Koecher.

Steven Koecher's parents, brothers, and extended family members will arrive from the Salt Lake City to be present at the press conference and to respond to questions from Las Vegas area media. Frank Mahoney from the Nevada Center for Missing Loved ones will also be on hand.
Press conference information:
Date: Friday, February 26
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Henderson City Hall
Address: 240 Water Street, Henderson, Nev. 89015

Contact information:
Dave Coon, Anderson Dairy............... 702-274-6937
Rob McKay, Henderson Police............. 702-267-5000
Peter Ferrante, Las Vegas Metro Police......... 702-205-2556
Francis Mahoney, Nevada Center for Missing Loved Ones. 702-564-1477
Rolf and Deanne Koecher (parents)........... 801-574-0746
Jeff Bradshaw, Las Vegas area family representative.... 702-591-0484

bbm Were these questions answered?

 

[Fairy1]

bbm Were these questions answered?

Susan's family contacted St. George PD asking them to communicate with WVC PD to determine if there is any connection to the two cases. That will happen - if it hasn't already. Steven's family doesn't believe there is a connection.

Anderson Dairy will continue the milk carton campaign for the forseeable future.

Also - the family is asking for a "week of vigilance" in connection with the reward offer. Asking folks in the area to be extra vigilant.

 

[Lato]

Family of missing Utah man offering $10,000 reward

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/26/family-missing-utah-man-seeking-publics-help/

 

[Mia]

I mean no disrespect to the church, however, someone is missing. That someone is Steven Koecher. Earth to the people, why can't a simple question be answered? It just seems burying their heads in the sand is not going to make it go away.If my son was missing I wouldn't care what dirty laundry came out, I would want to find the answer to what happened. If someone was keeping secrets, and I wouldn't give a damn to their reason, I would consider them a suspect. moo

Agreed 100 percent. This thread on Steven is now hundreds of pages long, and it's clear many of you have put a great amount of your personal time into helping to find Steven. I would bet anything that the majority of Steven's family and friends know this thread exists and have read some of all of it. So where are they? If a member of my family or a friend were missing and I saw there were a group of people online devoting great amounts of time to solving the mystery of what happened to him/her, I would be introducing myself to that group, or even just remaining anonymous but providing information/joining in the discussion/answering any questions that I could. Yet, no one. It seems that even KC doesn't come by much anymore. And this is something I cannot understand. How could you stop yourself from being proactive in any way possible to help find a missing loved one, church rules on 'gossip' be damned?

If Steven was despondent and ended it all, where is he? I just feel like his body would have been found by now - after all, he left his car on foot. How far could he have gotten? Is there an underground group out there which helps people who want to end their lives commit suicide without being found? Does one of their 'members' live in SCA? I know, sounds ridiculous, but I'm at a total loss.

 

[fasteddy4]

First, thanks all the "thanks" on that first post. I think you guys set a record there. And Fairy1, although we did not meet, I was the guy in the green jacket and the sunglasses. But I think I know who you were there (I mean, there were only like ten people behind the camera so it's kind of easy to tell. . .)

The only thing I might have messed up on in that other post is that I don't think it was his father who made the statement about Steven having no dark side. I could be wrong but the man who joined Steven's mother at the front of the group was the Missing Loved Ones guy. . .I think. He is the person who said that. In fact, I don't know if Steven's dad was there. But other than that, everything else was correct. And Fairy1 added some good stuff as well I see.

My impressions:

The family seemed in good spirits. They seemed to be smiling and talking quite a bit before the conference started. They had little kids running all over the place. Granted, they have had time to handle their emotions in the last two months but I have to admit they seemed a lot calmer than I would have expected.

Issuing a reward has a hint of desperation to it, doesn't it? It tells me one of two things: 1. They have no leads coming in at all. (Why pay for leads if you are continuing to get some.) 2. They know somebody knows something and they are hoping that the money will be enough for the person to come forward.

Having said that, it seems to me that the family, overall, really does not know what happened to Steven. They may know things that we will never know about him but they would not be things that had anything to do with him disappearing. But, I still stick to my idea that they predicted at some point in the past that something would happen to Steven given his tendency to just "take off." I compare it to Walter Koenig, the actor whose son just committed suicide in Vancouver. His son had disappeared and Mr. Koenig was upfront in saying his son had depression problems. He was very upfront about his son's problems. And I think that is generally the way families react.

But, the Koecher family said nothing of the sort. Steven had no problems. They don't know why he was here. They don't know why he was on Evening Lights. Etc. And I believe them. I should also say that there is no way they would offer a reward if they thought Steven had just taken off for a new life. That tells me that the police don't believe that happened.

Oh, something I forgot. . .his mother in her "statement" brought up the "window washing" thing again. Had we decided that he was not doing that? When she said it, I kind of paused to think if he was really doing that or not. Was he cleaning windows? Whose windows did he clean? If anybody's?

As I stated, I would have asked questions but they would have been many and far-ranging from the cellphone call the day after. . .to what GW knows. So, I didn't do it because I am sure I would have been cut off. But credit goes to Fairy1 for asking her question and then talking to the cops.

At least we know a few more things than we did this time yesterday. But after today, if this was truly some type of crime where Steven was lured there, whoever did it has gotten away with it so far. I just got the feeling today that the police and the family are at a dead end. Once again, if they aren't, why offer a reward? Remember: in the Morgan Harrington case, their reward was $100,000 I think and it was a guy in his field who found her body. . .not somebody who was investigating the case for the money. That may be what has to happen in this case. . .a lucky break needs to be got.

By the way, I also did not get the impression today that the family and police think Steven ended his life or became despondent or lost his mind. Once again, I think history holds that families who think those things reveal that information to help in the search. His family has said no such thing. Yes, he was down about not having a steady job. But that goes for about 7 million Americans right now. And most of them have not disappeared.

I know we all have our theories but the one I cannot get out of my head is that he came to Vegas because of GW. They met up. Did some things. Steven met some chick. . .a working girl probably. (Vegas has been rampant with them since our economy went to crap. . .women who would never usually do that have gotten into "the business"). They make an "appointment". She is staying in one of those casitas on that street. He shows up. Her boyfriend/pimp is there. Things go badly. That is the scenario that keeps popping into my head. The reason the owners of the house have not come forward is because they might have been out of town. Maybe the girl rents and the true owners don't even go to the house. This could also be why GW has been tightlipped.

 

[Mia]

Well, a few more details through the press conference. Ok, so his passport was found. I guess that means we can let go of the Brazil/foreign country theories. This also points away from a voluntary disappearance. Reflexively, if one were planning on running away and never coming back, they would take their passport. So it seems signs are pointing once again to Steven being lured to SCA or meeting the wrong person at the wrong time and something going horribly wrong.

Also, I know it says his computer has been forensically examined and nothing found to indicate what exactly he was doing in the Vegas area that day, but I would still LOVE to see a list of the websites he had visited in the past 3 months. Sometimes little clues can be found, if one is willing to think outside the box.

Very glad Steven's case got a bit more publicity today!

 

[fasteddy4]

One more thing, I discovered this last week and have been forgetting to post it. There is an employment agency on Portsmouth Creek Ave. I know I have my theory and it has nothing to do with finding employment. But, for those of you that still believe that, maybe you want to check into it.

It is obviously run out of somebody's house. The only problem is that it is kind of at the other end of Portsmouth, not on the end where it connects to Evening Lights. So, Steven would have had a bit of a walk to get there. But, it slightly piqued my interest anyway. Name of the place: Competency Management 2598 Portsmouth Creek.

Don't know if that has been mentioned before but there you go.

 

[webrocket]

I know we all have our theories but the one I cannot get out of my head is that he came to Vegas because of GW. They met up. Did some things. Steven met some chick. . .a working girl probably. (Vegas has been rampant with them since our economy went to crap. . .women who would never usually do that have gotten into "the business"). They make an "appointment". She is staying in one of those casitas on that street. He shows up. Her boyfriend/pimp is there. Things go badly. That is the scenario that keeps popping into my head. The reason the owners of the house have not come forward is because they might have been out of town. Maybe the girl rents and the true owners don't even go to the house. This could also be why GW has been tightlipped.

this was an age restricted community. do we know if the homeowners association permits renting (after all that could defeat the purpose of the age restriction)?

also if he went there with the specific intent to meet someone who lived there, where is the e-trail? no email? no website visit? no mapquest directions? no phone call to or from an unknown person?

I doubt he went there to 'rent' the 'services' of another. The guy was behind on his rent and I doubt paying for 'services' was in his budget.