Omaha Double Murder #2

[geojeffrey]

They continue to live there, very strange, how do you go about your daily routine in this house??!! Grieving is horrible enough without constant daily reminders of what happened.

Also, at present, i believe there are NO visible signs of intruder proofing of the house or security alarms. How could anyone sleep in that house? Every sound you hear could be the return of the knife wielding murderer.

Then the lack of the reward.

All of these things point to something.

Frankly, prior to the the last few days, I never considered a family connection to the murders. Rather, I had been thinking that the family had some idea what had transpired.

 

[Snick1946]

They continue to live there, very strange, how do you go about your daily routine in this house??!! Grieving is horrible enough without constant daily reminders of what happened.

Also, at present, i believe there are NO visible signs of intruder proofing of the house or security alarms. How could anyone sleep in that house? Every sound you hear could be the return of the knife wielding murderer.

Then the lack of the reward.

All of these things point to something.

Frankly, prior to the the last few days, I never considered a family connection to the murders. Rather, I had been thinking that the family had some idea what had transpired.

I may be reading into your comment but I gather you have been past the house and seen this for yourself. I have occasion to be in that neighborhood from time to time and have driven and in one case got out of my car and walked slowly past. I see no signs of any security system, keypad lock or whatever. I know some of the stuff that is used leaves no apparent trace but I just do not think they changed their lives to adjust to this. That does not mean any culpability on the family's part. It may simply be a case in which they feel no need for such. Not all of us are alike.
I was cleaning out my old emails this week and ran across a series of exchanges I had back in early 2009 with the then city councilman for the Dundee area, Jim Vokal. I came to like and respect Jim's concern and I don't think I am breaking any confidences when he told me that he felt frustration as many of us at OPD's handling of the case. He is a good man- he ran for mayor last year and lost. I wish he hadn't- he was dedicated to shaking things up at OPD. The police union took ads out against him. He told me at that time that there wasn't a day that he didn't wonder what happened and think about the families.
Anyway, one of the last emails he sent me said something to the effect that he was told by OPD to tell anyone asking about this case that there is no killer out there running around. It was 'not a random act'. The implication was left dangling. I had the feeling he was told more than this and wanted to at least reassure those of us worried about family in the area. I sensed not to press past that.
We may never know what happened that March afternoon.

 

[thesaint]

They continue to live there, very strange, how do you go about your daily routine in this house??!! Grieving is horrible enough without constant daily reminders of what happened.

Also, at present, i believe there are NO visible signs of intruder proofing of the house or security alarms. How could anyone sleep in that house? Every sound you hear could be the return of the knife wielding murderer.

Then the lack of the reward.

All of these things point to something.

Frankly, prior to the the last few days, I never considered a family connection to the murders. Rather, I had been thinking that the family had some idea what had transpired.

It's kinda like the old cop show routine where they say that if a suspect sleeps well in his cell that first night or even falls asleep in the interrogation room, he's likely guilty.

NOT SAYING THE FAMILY HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

But, yeah, the implication is sort of there that they aren't overly concerned about their safety staying in that house; which when combined with the Councilman's statement might suggest that, whatever happened, the family knows that it's done and nothing more will come of it.

This did happen just as the real estate collapse was getting into full-swing combined with the stigma of a double homicide might've simply made it too much of a financial loss to sell. I guess one could maybe rent it out until the market recovers, but a house like that, who knows.

 

[geojeffrey]

I agree with the last couple posts, I certainly do NOT mean to imply the family has culpability, but rather, they may have a general idea of what happened and why, and this is why they don't have to be hyper-vigilant about the return of the perp.

I just hope OPD is aggressively working this case, but that seems unlikely too.

Despite the forensics/true crime shows on TV these days, few cases get high-tech dedicated and sustained attention by groups of investigators. This sad fact is true across the country.

 

[Snick1946]

It's kinda like the old cop show routine where they say that if a suspect sleeps well in his cell that first night or even falls asleep in the interrogation room, he's likely guilty.

NOT SAYING THE FAMILY HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

But, yeah, the implication is sort of there that they aren't overly concerned about their safety staying in that house; which when combined with the Councilman's statement might suggest that, whatever happened, the family knows that it's done and nothing more will come of it.

This did happen just as the real estate collapse was getting into full-swing combined with the stigma of a double homicide might've simply made it too much of a financial loss to sell. I guess one could maybe rent it out until the market recovers, but a house like that, who knows.

As I mentioned, I have visited the area many times since then crime. Homes are selling in that neighborhood. The house just to the north of them was on the market earlier this year and apparently sold.
Could LE have told the families some facts that would explain all this? I note that some of Shirlee's family were on here last year, then abruptly stopped. Did someone at OPD waive them off? Could a 'protected informant' be involved here- someone OPD does not want to move on prior to the conclusion of a drawn out investigation on another case?

 

[YellowDog]

Maybe LE does know who did it but still need that last bit of proof to make the charges stick. Perhaps they have instructed the family members of the deceased to remain silent.

 

[YellowDog]

If we knew for sure which one was killed first, we might be able to piece things together a little better.

 

[Snick1946]

I was cleaning out some drawers today and ran across a paper I saved from March 2009 with coverage of a memorial service for Tom on the then first anniversary.
I was struck by a quote from the then lead detective in the case. He was saying that the public still neded to generate leads and input because the perp is 'still out there.' There was also a clear implication that he could strike again.
OPD needs to get the story straight; was this an isolated incident as they first pronounced? I was struck in looking back over the case how many times they shifted on this. IMO, they have never had a clue either way. They put out the stuff about this being limited and specific to the victims to hold down panic. It seems to matter if the spokesperson is a detective or a PR person for OPD.
I am fearful that the ball was dropped on this very early. They ought to have gone outside the box and instead lost valuable weeks and months harassing Shirlee's family for some 'drug' connection.
The victims' families IMO need to be mad as hell. They also need to be asking why AMW was not allowed to help, or why CU didn't want their staff talking to LE.

 

[Snick1946]

If we knew for sure which one was killed first, we might be able to piece things together a little better.

I have little to base this on, just my feeling. But, I would guess that Shirlee was killed first. Crime scene evidence indicated she was taken by surprise, from behind, while cleaning (vaccuming?). If the perp was there to hit Tom he would not have expected to encounter her and had to take her out as well. Tom could have been in the basement, perhaps heard something and paused the game. The perp could then have come downstrairs after him- he eluded the guy and ran upstairs where he was cornered in the DR.
One thing I noted in the old article, Dr Hunter said Tom was 'covered with blood'. How in heavens name did this guy get out of there unnoticed?

 

[YellowDog]

I tend to agree with you Snick. I don't think OPD has ever even had a suspect in this case. I wonder how much interviewing was even done with the neighbors and I wonder how large an area that covered.

I still find it curious that two families conncted with the medical profession had violent deaths though one was called a murder/suicide.

Have they ever interviewed the children that rode the school bus home the same day Tom was killed and, if so, did they notice anything unusual that day?

After 2 3/4 years, I think it's time for OPD to share some of their findings and maybe someone might remember something important from that day.

This is a VERY strange case and I keep feeling that Omaha just wants it "swept under the rug and forgotten".

 

[Snick1946]

I tend to agree with you Snick. I don't think OPD has ever even had a suspect in this case. I wonder how much interviewing was even done with the neighbors and I wonder how large an area that covered.

I still find it curious that two families conncted with the medical profession had violent deaths though one was called a murder/suicide.

Have they ever interviewed the children that rode the school bus home the same day Tom was killed and, if so, did they notice anything unusual that day?

After 2 3/4 years, I think it's time for OPD to share some of their findings and maybe someone might remember something important from that day.

This is a VERY strange case and I keep feeling that Omaha just wants it "swept under the rug and forgotten".

Soon, probably after the Holidays, I want to start a list of the strange factors in this case, there is an abundence of them. Such as, how did the perp get out unnoticed in broad daylight after wittnesses observed
his arrival? Did he change his clothing? If so, wouldn't he have left DNA?
It's as if he dematerialized.
This case should be profiled on Dateline: I doubt they care if OPD likes it or not.

 

[omaha]

You would think that if people can get a petition together to oust the mayor, they could get one to reform OPD. It's just so disapointing. I'm sure it's tough on the detectives, which I am sure do care, to have to sit silently -- either by lack of evidence or otherwise.

I really wish there were strong forces pushing on OPD to solve this. I sent a letter to the mayor and governor, but never heard back. Not even a form letter.

 

[Snick1946]

You would think that if people can get a petition together to oust the mayor, they could get one to reform OPD. It's just so disapointing. I'm sure it's tough on the detectives, which I am sure do care, to have to sit silently -- either by lack of evidence or otherwise.

I really wish there were strong forces pushing on OPD to solve this. I sent a letter to the mayor and governor, but never heard back. Not even a form letter.

As many of you live outside Omaha I need to explain, we are currently undergoing a recall of the Mahyor, Jim Suttle. I will not go into the issues involved, but one allegagtion against him is that he has coddled the Omaha Police Union. I'd like to think that a change would bring a shakeup at OPD but perhaps not. Those behind this are complaining about spending,
etc and if anything we may see more funding cuts for police operations.
I have made several email contacts and written letters since this began, your experience is similar. Vokal was about the only public figure who seemed at all to care.

 

[geojeffrey]

Such a frustrating case! Some obvious clues exist, but not enough to find clear answers.

When the perp (or accomplice) was seen by neighbors getting out of the Honda CRV and walking over to the Hunter's home, he cut across the neighbors yards.

This strikes me as an important clue. The organized and methodical stabbing that occurred displayed some knowledge of anatomy. This killer thought out what they were going to do and made it happen. Why would a methodical and organized killer walk across neighbors yards? Most people never walk across yards when trying to find a house, its a violation of a social norm and it goes against the grain of most folks. This tells me the guy had a very high level of familiarity with the location and the Hunter's home.

The only people who ever walk through my yard are kids and high school age teenagers from the neighborhood.

 

[Snick1946]

Such a frustrating case! Some obvious clues exist, but not enough to find clear answers.

When the perp (or accomplice) was seen by neighbors getting out of the Honda CRV and walking over to the Hunter's home, he cut across the neighbors yards.

This strikes me as an important clue. The organized and methodical stabbing that occurred displayed some knowledge of anatomy. This killer thought out what they were going to do and made it happen. Why would a methodical and organized killer walk across neighbors yards? Most people never walk across yards when trying to find a house, its a violation of a social norm and it goes against the grain of most folks. This tells me the guy had a very high level of familiarity with the location and the Hunter's home.

The only people who ever walk through my yard are kids and high school age teenagers from the neighborhood.

Could this have actually been a teenager? Wittnesses stated him as being at least mid twenties but perhaps not. Could he have been a hitman wannabe hired by someone older, someone who found that more affordable than the $10,000 or so that I understand to be the going rate?

 

[YellowDog]

I wonder how many neighbors actually claimed to have seen the stranger in the SUV?
If it was only one person, I'd be taking a strong hard look at that person. Since apparently no one has ever come forward about the identity of this person or the exact model or color of the SUV, could it be a figment of someone's imagination?

How can a brutal killer just vanish into thin air in the middle of the day in a well occupied area of the city?

I'm still not convinced it's not someone from right around that area. Any teenagers living in that area with a history of arrests for burglary?

 

[Snick1946]

You would think that if people can get a petition together to oust the mayor, they could get one to reform OPD. It's just so disapointing. I'm sure it's tough on the detectives, which I am sure do care, to have to sit silently -- either by lack of evidence or otherwise.

I really wish there were strong forces pushing on OPD to solve this. I sent a letter to the mayor and governor, but never heard back. Not even a form letter.

Does the fact you never heard back- not even a routine acknowledgment of your concern- suggest something? I have contacted public officials in the past on other matters and usually get at least a token reply. That doesn't happen when it's about these murders. Sort of chilling if you think about it.

 

[YellowDog]

I can't believe public officials not responding to mail or email. In most businesses wouldn't that would be considered insubordination?

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Hi all. Just checking in for any updates after a long 2 weeks without computer connectivity! So glad to see that you all are coming up with great new ideas for sleuthing this case.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and properous 2011. I also wish for this case to be solved in 2011 and justice served for Tom and Shirlee.

wm

 

[YellowDog]

I wonder what time of the month the meters are read in that neighborhood and whether they are located at the front or in the back?