NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - # 9

[carbuff]

It will reveal the IP address, not the computer. If the IP belongs to a specific customer, they gotcha. If it's free wifi, you're anonymous. It's only if they find the map ON the computer, that it can be linked up (working backwards).

Those were mighty long directions.
The actual directions would have been much simpler, to the exact address the car was parked at.

1 - You know how to get onto I-15 and go south. Do it. Drive through Las Vegas.
2 - Take exit 34 to merge onto I-215 E toward Henderson 5.8 mi
3- Take exit 7 for Eastern Ave 0.3 mi
4 - Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Eastern Ave S and merge onto S Eastern Ave 3.5 mi
5 - Slight right to stay on S Eastern Ave 0.7 mi
6 - Turn left at Sun City Anthem Dr 0.3 mi
7 - Take the 2nd right onto Anthem Pkwy 1.8 mi
8 - Turn right at Laurel Heights Ln 167 ft
9 - Turn left at Savannah Springs Ave 0.1 mi
10 - Turn right at Evening Lights Ave
Destination is on the right

People have different abilities with navigation, too.

I could get there from this:

I-215, exit 7 for Eastern Ave. Follow signs for S Eastern Ave
Left at Sun City Anthem Drive, then right onto Anthem Parkway
Right on Laurel Heights, Left on --

Wait. If "they" were directing him to that cul de sac, they'd have told him to turn left on Savannah Springs and go to the end. There's no need for him to have ever been on Evening Lights. The way he came in only makes sense if he drove past the address on Evening Lights and walked back to it.

 

[laytonian]

People have different abilities with navigation, too.

I could get there from this:

I-215, exit 7 for Eastern Ave. Follow signs for S Eastern Ave
Left at Sun City Anthem Drive, then right onto Anthem Parkway
Right on Laurel Heights, Left on --

Wait. If "they" were directing him to that cul de sac, they'd have told him to turn left on Savannah Springs and go to the end. There's no need for him to have ever been on Evening Lights. The way he came in only makes sense if he drove past the address on Evening Lights and walked back to it.

Unless the person at his destination didn't want him to be associated with his/her residence.

There's two ways of looking at it:

1--He was told to park there, so the car would not be associated with someone's address. That's why knowing if strangers/visitors had previously been directed to park there, would be valuable.

2--He was told to park there by someone familiar with the neighborhood, and told to walk until he met up with someone.

It's a perfect place to hide a car, undisturbed, at least for a day.
Because of the walled neighborhood, the car is practically invisible.

And best of all, it's not one of those public parking places that has all the security cameras.
Whoever told him to park there, thought a private, walled neighborhood would be more discrete.

I'll bet the PI knows why, and has found interesting things on the security tapes.

 

[sbakker]

Does anyone know, if Steven's boss(window washing place) was involved with the search, or involved with any aspect of the case? i have not heard about him for awhile.

 

[carbuff]

Unless the person at his destination didn't want him to be associated with his/her residence.

There's two ways of looking at it:

1--He was told to park there, so the car would not be associated with someone's address. That's why knowing if strangers/visitors had previously been directed to park there, would be valuable.

2--He was told to park there by someone familiar with the neighborhood, and told to walk until he met up with someone.

It's a perfect place to hide a car, undisturbed, at least for a day.
Because of the walled neighborhood, the car is practically invisible.

And best of all, it's not one of those public parking places that has all the security cameras.
Whoever told him to park there, thought a private, walled neighborhood would be more discrete.

I'll bet the PI knows why, and has found interesting things on the security tapes.

I didn't explain my point very clearly. I agree about any of those options and reasons. My point was that the easiest way to get to that cul-de-sac is just turning left off Laurel Heights onto Savannah Springs and driving to the end.

There's no reason to follow Laurel Heights to Portsmouth and back down Evening Lights to the cul de sac unless you WANTED to go past the address on one of those streets.

If he had driven straight in on Savannah Springs, there wouldn't be any association with Evening Lights at all.

 

[laytonian]

Another possibility that wouldn't show up on the video, might be he followed a resident home and the resident pulled into his garage and SK just found the parking space that seemed right and walked back to the person's home.

Here's the security video, showing him driving west on Savannah Springs YouTube

We see Steven's car approach from about 1/2 block away, and there's no car in front of him.

Also, he waits in his car for about 4-6 minutes before getting out. By that time, whoever he was following, would be invisible to him.

ETA:
Apologies for inserting the video. I only wanted to insert a clickable link. Arrrrgghhh

 

[carbuff]

Here's the security video, showing him driving west on Savannah Springs (YouTube)

We see Steven's car from at least a block down the street, and there's no car in front of him.

Also, he waits in his car for about 4-6 minutes before getting out. By that time, whoever he was following, would be invisible to him.

I don't think we can rule the other scenario out simply based on the video. That only shows that the car he might have been following stopped out of range of the camera.

The car pulls into its driveway. Steven makes note of location and drives on past. Parks in the cul de sac, either by direction or because it's a good place away from his destination. Gathers his stuff. Waits a couple of minutes to make sure (that he hasn't been followed, too?) And walks back to the other house.

Do I think it's likely? Not really. But it's certainly possible and would explain the confidence -- he wouldn't have to have walking directions because he knows the house he's heading back to.

 

[laytonian]

He lost his train of thought quite a bit in the middle of a sentence. I mentioned it so everyone could get a feel for who he was and perhaps diagnose something no one had ever diagnosed.

I have had day's where my words come out twisted. He could have been nervous or just uncomfortable.

I know meds can do some crazy things but he had it quite rough a year ago. The weather in northern Utah was affecting him, he disliked his job, he just broke up with a girl and he was lonely.

I got a sense from those there at the search that he was doing better socially. A couple years ago he was very happy and he had a good sized group of friends.

I just wonder how many people he knew that no one in this investigation knows about. No one at the search knew me including his family and I've been his friend for years.

I think they should be posting his face everywhere in St. George. Someone there knows why he went to Vegas. Who did he meet there that had ties to Vegas?

Probably a lot more than you think. And I agree. Whatever happened, had its start in St George. Without something on his cellphone or computer, a face-to-face seems most likely.

During his last week, we see him taking "one-point" trips that begin and end in St George. Except, of course, for the last one.

I'm having a hard time believing that the trip to Ruby Valley, and the drive to Mesquite/Overton, are NOT connected to whatever happened to him on Dec 13th.

Some believe that he met someone on Dec 11th, a date we knew he was passing out his business flyers; but he'd already driven to Ruby Valley.

Why did he pull out of his driveway, after only being home for 20-30 minutes, on Dec 12th?

His "missing" posters were placed in several public areas, a few weeks ago. That's how one of his missionary companions, who visited from out of town and went swimming in the Washington pool, found out he'd been missing.
BUT apparently whoever he'd been visiting, didn't know about Steven.

Have you had a chance to sit down and talk to his parents, especially his mother? Or talk to the detective?

I believe it's entirely likely that Steven knew a lot more people than his family knew about; there's nothing sinister about it. We all know people that mean a lot to us, but don't discuss them with others.

 

[gsmith]

People have different abilities with navigation, too.

I could get there from this:

I-215, exit 7 for Eastern Ave. Follow signs for S Eastern Ave
Left at Sun City Anthem Drive, then right onto Anthem Parkway
Right on Laurel Heights, Left on --

Wait. If "they" were directing him to that cul de sac, they'd have told him to turn left on Savannah Springs and go to the end. There's no need for him to have ever been on Evening Lights. The way he came in only makes sense if he drove past the address on Evening Lights and walked back to it.

I agree the directions could have been simple.

Look at the instructions given out to the search party. Add two lines and you're there. Some people are good at giving directions. Clear and simple.

 

[Fairy1]

I agree the directions could have been simple.

Look at the instructions given out to the search party. Add two lines and you're there. Some people are good at giving directions. Clear and simple.

And the "begin" point would not have to be St. George, just from the outskirts of Vegas. Or maybe from Mesquite - where we know he had been. It's a straight shot from St. George to Vegas - I-15 all the way. Directions to where his car was found would only be necessary once he arrived in Las Vegas.

 

[laytonian]

Well Steve's mom said that he was expecting to see A.M. up in ruby valley but she wasn't there because of a last minute change in plans. He liked her but she didn't reciprocate the same. They think Steve tried to save face with the parents by saying he was on his way to California. Going all that way for a girl that doesn't like you can come across desperate.

Poor guy.

Unless she had some time off from work in SLC, she'd have had to drive hundreds of miles for that meeting. In mid-week. Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

Was it a meeting, or did he just "expect" her to be there for some reason? There must have been some sort of communication. MAYBE he wanted to come see her in SLC, and she told him that she was going to RV - not expecting him to show up there?

I wonder if the reason he went through SLC both directions, is because he was trying to link up with her.

This is why this case is so difficult for everyone. You have a young man whose entire life is in desperation (work, love) and he just turned 30.
Yet, there must be some signs he got involved with someone he shouldn't have.

 

[carbuff]

Probably a lot more than you think. And I agree. Whatever happened, had its start in St George. Without something on his cellphone or computer, a face-to-face seems most likely.

During his last week, we see him taking "one-point" trips that begin and end in St George. Except, of course, for the last one.

I'm having a hard time believing that the trip to Ruby Valley, and the drive to Mesquite/Overton, are NOT connected to whatever happened to him on Dec 13th.

Some believe that he met someone on Dec 11th, a date we knew he was passing out his business flyers; but he'd already driven to Ruby Valley.

Why did he pull out of his driveway, after only being home for 20-30 minutes, on Dec 12th?

His "missing" posters were placed in several public areas, a few weeks ago. That's how one of his missionary companions, who visited from out of town and went swimming in the Washington pool, found out he'd been missing.
BUT apparently whoever he'd been visiting, didn't know about Steven.

Have you had a chance to sit down and talk to his parents, especially his mother? Or talk to the detective?

I believe it's entirely likely that Steven knew a lot more people than his family knew about; there's nothing sinister about it. We all know people that mean a lot to us, but don't discuss them with others.

bbm

The most likely reason to only spend 20 minutes at home before leaving again is that he had to stop for something he needed for the next trip, or had to drop off something he didn't need. Maybe check the mail, maybe make sure some piece of evidence wasn't left behind, maybe have a quick meal.

I'm starting to think there might not be any connection to anything that happened before, except to the extent it would explain why he was in Henderson. Everything seems to be pretty normal up to the point where he walks off that video. There are oddities and anomalies, but whose life doesn't have those?

I can't rule out suicide, of the black and impulsive kind. But I more and more think that he ran into some sort of violence shortly after we see him last. Possibly random violence.

 

[laytonian]

I agree the directions could have been simple.

Look at the instructions given out to the search party. Add two lines and you're there. Some people are good at giving directions. Clear and simple.

Yup. I-15, hard to miss. Big freeway

The search party directions WERE easier, even though they kept people on the freeway longer - but that's also smarter, because there's not all of that confusing drive through town.

Very good point. Thank you.

 

[gsmith]

Probably a lot more than you think. And I agree. Whatever happened, had its start in St George. Without something on his cellphone or computer, a face-to-face seems most likely.

During his last week, we see him taking "one-point" trips that begin and end in St George. Except, of course, for the last one.

I'm having a hard time believing that the trip to Ruby Valley, and the drive to Mesquite/Overton, are NOT connected to whatever happened to him on Dec 13th.

Some believe that he met someone on Dec 11th, a date we knew he was passing out his business flyers; but he'd already driven to Ruby Valley.

Why did he pull out of his driveway, after only being home for 20-30 minutes, on Dec 12th?

His "missing" posters were placed in several public areas, a few weeks ago. That's how one of his missionary companions, who visited from out of town and went swimming in the Washington pool, found out he'd been missing.
BUT apparently whoever he'd been visiting, didn't know about Steven.

Have you had a chance to sit down and talk to his parents, especially his mother? Or talk to the detective?

I believe it's entirely likely that Steven knew a lot more people than his family knew about; there's nothing sinister about it. We all know people that mean a lot to us, but don't discuss them with others.

The first time I've ever talked to them was at the search and we talked a good hour. I didn't talk much to the PI other than asking him a few questions.

I guess all that traveling could be the same trip but I think he was at a crossroad. He was looking to move and trying to decide where it should be. Go back up north and to get closer to a girl he liked or to move to another state.

After the ruby trip he decided to go to the hypothetical interview in Vegas.

I just made that trip from salt lake to Vegas. I did it without stopping once while my wife slept. All the driving gave him a lot of thinking time to decide where he should take his life.

Remember, he made his St. George move decision so abruptly that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye in person.

 

[laytonian]

bbm

The most likely reason to only spend 20 minutes at home before leaving again is that he had to stop for something he needed for the next trip, or had to drop off something he didn't need. Maybe check the mail, maybe make sure some piece of evidence wasn't left behind, maybe have a quick meal.

If he was being that careful, wouldn't he leave his cellphone behind, too?
But it took it. Just not the charger.
Why not take the computer?

I'm starting to think there might not be any connection to anything that happened before, except to the extent it would explain why he was in Henderson. Everything seems to be pretty normal up to the point where he walks off that video. There are oddities and anomalies, but whose life doesn't have those?

I can't rule out suicide, of the black and impulsive kind. But I more and more think that he ran into some sort of violence shortly after we see him last. Possibly random violence.

Unless he'd been fired from his job and locked out of his apartment, he should have been in St George -- working, earning money to pay the rent.

All of this started happening after the phone call from his Dad, after the landlord got so desperate he contacted his parents.

 

[laytonian]

I just made that trip from salt lake to Vegas. I did it without stopping once while my wife slept. All the driving gave him a lot of thinking time to decide where he should take his life.

Remember, he made his St. George move decision so abruptly that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye in person.

Do you mean "which direction his life should take", or "take his life"?

It just seems it could have gone either way.

If he was thinking of moving back north, I'm sure his family wanted him there, especially since he was in financial trouble. The Ruby Valley trip would have been a huge disappointment to him.

St George was kinda cold last winter; maybe further south looked good.

The only person we know of, who was trying to find him a job, was his Bishop.

 

[carbuff]

If he was being that careful, wouldn't he leave his cellphone behind, too?
But it took it. Just not the charger.
Why not take the computer?



Unless he'd been fired from his job and locked out of his apartment, he should have been in St George -- working, earning money to pay the rent.

All of this started happening after the phone call from his Dad, after the landlord got so desperate he contacted his parents.

I didn't say he was being careful about everything. I was speculating on some of the things he might have stopped for, one of which might have been related to hiding his tracks.

"after the landlord got so desperate he contacted his parents"...hmmmmmmm and more hmmmmmmm. That does not strike me as the normal way to deal with a 30-year-old man who is behind on his rent. My brother has been behind any number of times over the years and nobody has ever called my parents over it. They've just evicted him, even when he was a lot younger than Steven.

 

[laytonian]

I didn't say he was being careful about everything. I was speculating on some of the things he might have stopped for, one of which might have been related to hiding his tracks.

"after the landlord got so desperate he contacted his parents"...hmmmmmmm and more hmmmmmmm. That does not strike me as the normal way to deal with a 30-year-old man who is behind on his rent. My brother has been behind any number of times over the years and nobody has ever called my parents over it. They've just evicted him, even when he was a lot younger than Steven.

But that's what happened, isn't it? We have their own word on that point.

 

[Paulette]

One thing we know from the video is he didn't cross to the other side of the street. So that eliminates the perp living on the other side of the street. I can't really tell if he turns the corner or just crosses the street & keeps moving forward. It kinda looks like he turns at the corner.

My thoughts are that teams, armed with a flyer AND a still shot of him walking past the house with the camera, should go knock on each and every door and ask if they've seen him. Explain that he never left this area & his car was found abandoned. You never know what people are willing to divulge until you ask them. Someone may have heard a bit of gossip at the clubhouse or a barbecue or admit Mr. X is a bit strange.

There's no law against knocking on someone's door and asking questions.

If this were my child, that's what I'd do. Because absolutely nothing else has worked.

 

[carbuff]

The first time I've ever talked to them was at the search and we talked a good hour. I didn't talk much to the PI other than asking him a few questions.

I guess all that traveling could be the same trip but I think he was at a crossroad. He was looking to move and trying to decide where it should be. Go back up north and to get closer to a girl he liked or to move to another state.

After the ruby trip he decided to go to the hypothetical interview in Vegas.

I just made that trip from salt lake to Vegas. I did it without stopping once while my wife slept. All the driving gave him a lot of thinking time to decide where he should take his life.

Remember, he made his St. George move decision so abruptly that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye in person.

I didn't realize he had left for St. George that abruptly. Does this mean that it would be in keeping with previous behavior if he decided to move to Henderson without telling anybody?

 

[Fairy1]

But that's what happened, isn't it? We have their own word on that point.

Yes - we do have their word, and only their word, as far as I know. It does seem odd to me too. But since it was so close to the holidays, perhaps they were trying to give him an opportunity to get current. And being so close to the holidays, they probably needed the rent money too. They could have gotten the Koecher's names and number from the rental application field "nearest relative not living with you."