OH OH - Shasta Himelrick, 20, pregnant, Richmond Dale, 26 Dec 2014

[passionflower]

I just read on SH that the family just state though a friend or relative:

"the family has asked me to inform everyone that there will
not be any public memorials or services. The family thanks everyone who
has searched, prayed and followed in the efforts to find her. I assure
you every effort and prayer meant more than words can express. I would
also like to personally thank everyone who shared the status's when
asked. Please feel free to also share this one."

looks like everything will be private

 

[Tillicum]

Thank you Droopy. What if for argument's sake she took 35 to her house (not grandma's) then went to the bridge?

 

[Tillicum]

BTW Someone asked how cell service was near the bridge, I read an older post by Shasta's cousin on BSH. She was posting while watching the dives so there must be at least fair reception there.

 

[Droopy]

BTW Someone asked how cell service was near the bridge, I read an older post by Shasta's cousin on BSH. She was posting while watching the dives so there must be at least fair reception there.

I sifted through numerous websites trying to find out what service and how strong the signal is out in the area. The coverage maps of AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile all show they have coverage in the area. I'm not sure how strong their signals are though.

 

[Tillicum]

I sifted through numerous websites trying to find out what service and how strong the signal is out in the area. The coverage maps of AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile all show they have coverage in the area. I'm not sure how strong their signals are though.

Not so good with any but AT&T. Good on 35 where land is open but not between hills and down in hollers.

 

[passionflower]

wonder if any weapon was looked for? any other evidence? will this just be classified as another suicide or OD death?

 

[Tillicum]

wonder if any weapon was looked for? any other evidence? will this just be classified as another suicide or OD death?

I think I read the car was being processed by BCI, I'll try to find it. I think pending any charges it would be COD- drowning (possibly OD) MOD- undetermined. By saying manner of death undetermined, they can go back and determine homicide or suicide if more evidence is found later. They don't want to make a determination that later could be a major issue with a defense team if there's a trial. IOW they will not determine suicide or accidental unless they're pretty darn sure.

 

[Tillicum]

http://www.wkkj.com/articles/local-...arch-continues-for-shasta-himelrick-13101696/

"A maroon 1993 Lexus ES300 was found abandoned, out of gas, and the battery was dead along Three Locks Road there by the railroad tracks by the Scioto River at what they call 'Higby Bridge,'" according to Sheriff Lavender, who added BCI has been called in to process the vehicle.

 

[Annie1004]

What if Shasta was drowned by someone holding her under the water? Any bruises, etc. would be attributable to the water's motion against rocks and branches. The car with its doors open, dead battery and out of gas in an out-of-the-way area very early in the morning points to foul play IMO.

BTW, I remember reading someplace that SH had her own place or lived with BF.

 

[Tillicum]

I would think the coroner would be able to discern whether the bruising happened before or after death. Does anyone think the crime scene could've been staged in some way? It's so bizarre.

 

[TC_MN]

Have they stated whether the car was left running? I would think it was if it was out of gas? Or did she run out of gas at that spot and shut it off?

 

[Annie1004]

I would think the coroner would be able to discern whether the bruising happened before or after death. Does anyone think the crime scene could've been staged in some way? It's so bizarre.

I would think so, too, but then the body doesn't bruise per se after the heart stops beating blood through the system. That's when lividity occurs.

Sherlock Holmes asked the same question!

 

[MamaJoJo]

Have they stated whether the car was left running? I would think it was if it was out of gas? Or did she run out of gas at that spot and shut it off?

I haven't read specifically that the engine was left running. However, since the car was found out of gas and the battery dead, I believe an inference can be made that it was left running. Does anyone know if the ignition left in the "on" position?

 

[Droopy]

I haven't read specifically that the engine was left running. However, since the car was found out of gas and the battery dead, I believe an inference can be made that it was left running. Does anyone know if the ignition left in the "on" position?

I haven't read anything that specifically states that the ignition was left on. As you say, it's inferred. It is possible that she could have ran out of gas on her own in that spot and either the key being left on or just the doors being opened would eventually drain the battery, although none of that seems to make sense given the circumstances.

Earlier in the thread I was curious to know how much gas may have been in the car. I did some research into how long would it take a car to run out of gas while idling in park. The answers seem to vary by a lot. I read answers that ranged from 2-3 tenths of gallon per hour to half a gallon an hour to a full gallon an hour.

We don't know how well maintained that car was, but it was 21 years old. The car couldn't have had much gas in it to begin with unless it had a leak or it was siphoned out. Even if you use the high end of one gallon of consumption per hour, the car would have had less than 4 gallons at that location in order for it to be out of gas if it was left running.

 

[Tillicum]

I still find it hard to believe LE didn't put out a pic of that car in case anyone had seen it during the unaccounted for time period. I'm sure BCI is doing forensics on her phone, maybe they've already filled the gaps? :dunno:

 

[Tillicum]

There are some interesting screenshots at BSH page.

 

[Topcat]

This is what is so strange. At the time the Sheriff made the statement they had already seen the gas station footage from 3:15. Yet he was asking for anyone who saw any of these things where the car was found as early as 2:30. Do they think she was also there before the gas station?

"We're reaching out to anyone who may have been passing through the area (about 2:30 to 3:30 a.m. Friday) who might have seen a female walking, a vehicle next to (the Lexus), a car on the roadway picking somebody up — anything that might have seemed strange at the time," Lavender said.

Maybe the sheriff was looking to see if anybody looked to be just hanging around ,someone who wasn't on the surveillance tape (out of view ). Or looking for anybody who saw the car and the perp was present.

 

[Topcat]

Were the headlights in the on position ?

 

[psyquestor]

The following is my opinion only and is not meant to imply factual information.

It is possible that after leaving the gas station she got high. Symptoms of heroin overdose include disorientation and delirium. This could have led her to jump off the bridge. This is my hypothesis as her shoes were left on the bridge. Who would take the time to remove her shoes if they had thrown her or pushed her? I'm very sorry for the family, it looked like she had tried hard to overcome her addiction.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/poison/heroin-overdose/overview.html
Pertinent information:
Nervous system
Coma
Delirium
Disorientation
Drowsiness
Muscle spasticity

 

[Confusion]

I've been trying to remember and don't have time to look it up, but did she actually buy gas when she was at the station? TIA

If she didn't, theory 1:
She was tired and thought she had enough gas to get home and to a station in the morning (or just didn't notice how low the tank was), so she didn't bother putting any in then. She ran out of gas (where the car was found) and ran the battery down trying to restart it. Someone stopped to "help" while she was there, so she didn't bother calling anyone for help, possibly before the battery died. He kept telling her to try it again while he pretended to be making adjustments until the battery was completely dead. He got into her car and started making inappropriate comments about keeping her warm, etc., which made her nervous, so she got out of the car and said she was going to just walk since it isn't that far. He got out and chased after her, and for lack of a better defense weapon, she took off her shoes and threw them at him. He just caught them, dropped them there and continued after her. Since I don't know how high the sides are on the bridge, I'll just say that either she climbed over and jumped/fell trying to get away, he caught her and she fell over the side while struggling with him or he caught her and pushed her over the side.

If she did, theory 2:

Basically the same thing, except that she gave somebody a ride somewhere to pick up his car, and used more gas than expected. He was following her back (or she was following him), and she ran out of gas. Since she had put gas in before leaving, she didn't realize what the problem was and tried to get it running again. From there on, it's the same as theory 1.