OR - Brooke Wilberger, 19, Corvallis, 24 May 2004 - #1

[spydog]

Since her flip flops were left behind, I would think that would be an excellent tool for the scent dogs!! We leave cells in our shoes, etc. And if her flops were left behind, she must have been barefoot, even more reason to use a dog.

Does anyone know if dogs have been used? If dogs tracked Laci down several roads and to Berkely, don't you think dogs could at least point the police in the right direction?

It's not too late, they need to use them now if they haven't already. And survellance tapes. It took LE in Modesto 3 weeks to find out that the salon where Laci and Scott had gone on the 24th had tapes!! This just appauls me!!

Media needs to ask ALL business or anyone else you has tapes to review them before they get erased! Even if it isn't close to the place Brooke was abducted. YOu never know, some tape may have a car driving down the street and you may see Brooke in the back or something! Gas stations!!
There certainly are more leads to go on!

 

[dannyodie]

I have wondered to myself if it has been thought of that there are two people involved in this case, one driver and one person to grab her as the duo pulled up, I wonder if the police have used dogs also, the longer they wait the less scent that will be left. only grassy areas will retain the scent well into a year after the scent is left, but on pavement the scent is gone in as little as two weeks. I am feeling that this is not going to be a good outcome for this family, seems like she could have gotten away or something, but since a body has not been found then that leads us to believe she was taken out of the area.

 

[Juliana]

I don't know, but I have a feeling that LE has done everything they can, including the use of dogs and looking for video tapes. They seemed to jump right on this and handle it seriously as an abduction for the get-go.

 

[scandi]

Well last night on the late news, I saw Brooks Mom and she set my heart at ease.

She made a quick statement, something like, is't OK, the police have a plan! The'll still be searching, but they had to do this to put their plan into effect.

Now that is my wording - I then fell asleep and didn't even log off! LOL But anyway, what she was saying in my mind was that LE has a new plan that they need to put into effect, and she must know the plan and feels very good about it. She seemed at ease and was smiling.

One thought that creeps into my mind is that they are now going to try and draw somebody out. They must have formulated the plan for some reason, right. And they have added #6 person to the list.

It is certainly possible there is an accomplice. The other OSU co-ed who was being forced into a car by 2 men and bit one of them, it might be connected for all we know.

They are still running that commercial for her like every hour in the Portland area. A really beautifully put together commercial!

Keep you posted!


xoxo
Scandi

 

[spydog]

Well last night on the late news, I saw Brooks Mom and she set my heart at ease.

She made a quick statement, something like, is't OK, the police have a plan! The'll still be searching, but they had to do this to put their plan into effect.

Now that is my wording - I then fell asleep and didn't even log off! LOL But anyway, what she was saying in my mind was that LE has a new plan that they need to put into effect, and she must know the plan and feels very good about it. She seemed at ease and was smiling.

One thought that creeps into my mind is that they are now going to try and draw somebody out. They must have formulated the plan for some reason, right. And they have added #6 person to the list.

It is certainly possible there is an accomplice. The other OSU co-ed who was being forced into a car by 2 men and bit one of them, it might be connected for all we know.

They are still running that commercial for her like every hour in the Portland area. A really beautifully put together commercial!

Keep you posted!


xoxo
Scandi

That's interesting Scandi.

Maybe they are thinking someone has Brooke hidden somewhere and want to follow one of their suspects somewhere. Maybe they are just trying to look like they are stopping the search, so if someone has her hidden they will think it's a good time to move her.

 

[Newsperson]

Hi again.

I'm going to rip through some of your questions and try to keep things a little briefer than usual.

Polygraphs-With one exception they cannot be required for anyone in Oregon. The exception being that they can be required as part of a release agreement.

Fundamental LDS connection- Yes, this is one of several theories that investigators are exploring. Nothing to prove or disprove the connection is what I was told. Actually very little evidence to prove anything in this case, other than the fact Brooke is gone.

Dogs-Search dogs have been used quite a bit. They have searched cars, the apartments and property and have been used in field searches as well. I believe that they used dogs on the very first day of the search.

FBI-Nothing new, the investigation in Utah hasn't turned anything up, at least that's what they are saying.

Taken out of area-She didn't need to be taken out of the area to not be found. Anywhere within 10 miles in any direction of her abduction point has literally thousands of areas where a body could be secreted and never found.
That's one of the things that made the search so daunting, and why a public plea went out for property owners to search their property.

I think the family is coming to grips with the possibility that they will never see alive Brooke again. Saturday I was talking to one of the family members after the morning press conference and just wanted to say how much I hoped that Brooke will be found. For the first time since this started the response wasn't about how they thought she alive, but how they wanted closure. Big change there.

While mother Cammie remains strong and upbeat, I have to say that to me she looks like she's aged 10 years in the last two weeks. Not surprising really, just a random observation.

Yesterday they had another prayer vigil in Corvallis. It was nice to see 200-300 people show up considering how lousy the weather was. It was a very nice service. It was just as much for the volunteers, searchers, and officers investigating the case as it was the family. It was very nice I thought and really exemplified how the community has pulled together in so many ways to bring Brooke home.

Yes, I live in the Albany/Corvallis area.


Best wishes.

 

[Newsperson]

By the way Annemc2, was just checking my notes and I forgot to include a kind of answer to your question regarding the tip you called in.

Each and every time that a tip comes in, it's prioritized by either the lead investigator or the shift commander depending upon who happens to be in the office. From that point it goes to an investigator who follows up.

First priority has been to those tips that include names/persons of interest or supposed spottings. From that point on it's up to the discretion of the officer in charge how something is prioritized. I was told that EVERY tip that has or will be recieved will be followed up on, even if those tips are on the ridiculous side. They generally haven't called people back on their tips unless they need further information.

They have had plenty of item sightings including last week a sweatshirt that caused quite a stir that looked something like Brooke's but it turned out it wasn't.

The CPD reiterates, any tip can help. Call them. I haven't called with any tips, but I have bugged the search coordinator to get someone to search a couple of pieces of property that have been bugging me. They did search one of them, another still requires permission as they haven't been able to contact the owner.

Sorry I forgot to include your query in my earlier post.

Best wishes.

 

[Anngelique]

Our ward (or congregation) had a Ward trip to the Portland Temple on Thursday. I was going to attend but I was very sick. I wish I had been able to make it. As one of my friends in church went and she said Brookes Mom and I think Dad were there. They spoke to the members in the chapel and thanked them for their prayers and for all those who have been fasting for her return. I was told she was trying hard to be in good spirit, but you could see how hard it has been for them. Their family has been amazing in the same manner that the Smart family was. They have drawn close together and have gathered strength from each other.

 

[scandi]

Hi Anngelique,

They are all remarkable parents. So full of heart and they just have to trust at this time oftheir lives. It is so hard to imagine having your child just poof! gone and not know where she is and if she is safe.

I watched the Temple being built, and what a sight it was to watch as it grew. It is inspiring to see, all white stone with all of it's spires reaching up.

Thanks Newsperson for all of the information. Did they ever go search Hwy 20? Do you have any idea what their plan could be that Brookes mom talked about? Well keep us posted as we do appreciate it!


Scandi

 

[Anngelique]

Hi Scandi,

Did you get to take the tour when it was open to the public? I think the outside does not do the inside justice. Part of the reason is the feeling you get when you are in there. Total peace and calmness. I know if my child was missing that is where you would find me when I was not working on the searches.


Yes, thanks Newsperson for the updates. Never apologize for your posts length as you are writing what we all want to hear. (Well we would rather hear she is found safe and alive, but we want to hear all news)

I feel so at a loss about Brooke. I felt the same way with Elizabeth Smart and so many others I have followed. I don't know why I feel a certain connection with certain cases, but I do. It tears me up inside when I hear another beautiful daughter of God is missing or murdered.

For those of you who don't fully understand the demeanor Brooke's family is showing, I can honestly say it is because of their faith. Being LDS we have faith and knowledge of our after life. We like most Christians feel this is just a stopping place, but the after life is for eternity. If Brooke is found dead she will be missed terribly by those who love her, but we know she is in good hands in heaven. I don't want to sound callous at all, but it is actually a comforting thought. (My mom died when I was 12 and this has helped me so much at such a young age)

I still pray for Brooke to be found alive. It could happen (look at Elizabeth Smart) but it is unlikely this far into time. I will continue to pray for her until we find out otherwise.

 

[annemc2]

thanks for getting back to me about the tip thing - interesting to see how some things inside the investigation work. thanks, also, for keeping us all updated with your excellent information - much appreciated!

 

[scandi]

Gosh, no one has posted here for 2 days! Have you heard anything more Anne? I'm still seeing these ads to help find her all the time in Portland.

Just hoping there was something new!



Scandi

 

[Newsperson]

Right now there really isn't anything to report. If anything is happening, it's behind the scenes.

About the only things that have been going on, is that a new suggestion list to the public has gone out, outlining what the public can do to help find Brooke. Nothing new has been suggested. I think it's mostly to try and get people thinking about it again.

There is also going to be some "debriefings" which are more like a chance for people to deal with some of the depression they are experiencing because of the inability to locate Brooke. It's mostly for police and searchers.

That's it really. Sorry I couldn't have anything to share that is a little more positive on the investigative front.

 

[K777angel]

I too live in Oregon and have been watching the Brooke case closely.
It breaks my heart.
This apartment complex Brooke was abducted from is right across the street from some of the dorms at Oregon State University. A friends' freshman daughter lives in one. She is scared to death for her safety! As all parents are. Even parents of boys. (Like me - whose son will attend OSU next fall.)

I pray they find out soon what happened to Brooke. My family considered going down to search for her a couple of weeks ago. But we heard they were turning searchers away.
Our youngest son is a Search & Rescue Explorer for the county we are in (outside of Corvallis) and we've been surprised they have not called upon them to help in the search. It was brought up a few times - but they must not have been asked because no search was organized. To date anyway.

Keep praying everyone. Put yourselves in those parents shoes.
Not to mention poor little Brookes'. God help this country and the perverts it is producing at an alarming rate......!!

 

[dannyodie]

I was reading the post that k777angel made and would like to say that maybe they are turning searchers away, any one as far as I am concerned can go out and search, you don't have to get permission from the law enforcement to do so, the only thing of course is that to search private property you have to have permission from the owner of that property, most people won't mind, especially in a missing persons case. I feel that every one in that area that owns property should get up and spend a day looking over the remote areas of there property for any sign of this young lady. hey more power to you for wanting to go out and search, If I lived in colorado I would go out and do what I had to do to help this family out. I have been involved in the search for a missing nashville girl that went missing on april 29th of 2003, this child disappeared without any trace and still to this day we are no closer to finding out what happened to this child which would be 14 now. so go out and search I am sure the family would be greatful of any effort in finding there daughter. have any of you all there heard of a prostitution ring that got busted some months ago? seems I remember hearing of it all the way down here in nashville, I believe that some of the girls were as young as 13, if they got the people that were running it, I am sure there are others that have not been found yet, many of these groups move there girls to nevada to slave to the world of prostitution to the creeps that do that sort of thing. to many clowns not enough circuses.

 

[Newsperson]

I'm still trying to find out more about this but....

A MAN DESCRIBED AS A POSSIBLE PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE BROOKE WILBERGER ABDUCTION IN CORVALLIS IS DEAD AFTER A SHOOTING RAMPAGE. SALT LAKE CITY POLICE SAY 39 YEAR OLD RICHARD WILSON SHOT AND SERIOUSLY INJURED TWO WOMEN AT TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS BEFORE SHOOTING HIMSELF WHEN TRAPPED BY POLICE. WILSON WAS RECENTLY RELEASED FROM A WASHINGTON PRISON FOR RAPING A WOMAN AT GUNPOINT AND IS ALSO A PERSON OF INTEREST IN A SIMILAR CRIME IN OREGON.

(Sorry about this being in all caps, but I cut and pasted this is from an e-mail I recieved from a newsperson I know out of state.)

 

[Anngelique]

Here is a bit more information about this last news....

Man of interest in kidnap kills self

The Associated Press
June 11, 2004

GRANTSVILLE, Utah — A robbery-shooting suspect who killed himself following a high-speed chase had been released from a Washington prison only months ago and was suspected in a number of crimes in the Pacific Northwest.

Richard Wilson, 39, had served a sentence for raping a woman at gunpoint in Washington a decade ago.

He was released in February and moved in with his parents in Walla Walla, Wash., but was suspected in other crimes in Washington.

“He also has thefts, unlawful vehicle possession, drug violations and other assaults,” Walla Walla police Sgt. Matt Wood told KSL-TV in Salt Lake City.

Wilson also was wanted in Oregon for an alleged “rape at gunpoint,” the station said.

In Idaho, Elmore County Sheriff Rick Layher says his investigators left for Utah to see if there was a a connection between Wilson and the slaying of 17-year-old Teresa Garcia at a rural home at Mountain Home on Tuesday.

“They’re going down there to check it out. Right now, it’s hard to say if there is or isn’t.” Layher said.

In addition, police in Corvallis told KTVX in Salt Lake City that Wilson could be a person of interest in the disappearance of Brigham Young University student Brooke Wilberger. She disappeared May 24 from an apartment complex owned by her family near the Oregon State University campus.

The chase that led to Wilson’s suicide followed two shootings Wednesday in the Grantsville area of western Utah.

The first shooting occurred at Grantsville laundry. Kimberli Lingard, 17, who worked at the laundry, was found by patrons about 7:30 p.m. and was flown to University Hospital in Salt Lake City, Police Chief Danny Johnson said. Less than $50 was taken.

Her family issued a statement Thursday saying that after hours of brain surgery, “she is doing better than we initially expected.”

The second shooting occurred about 9:30 p.m. at a gas station/restaurant in Delle, 70 miles east of the Nevada line, Tooele County spokesman Wade Mathews said. A clerk, 59-year-old Dee Jensen, was shot in the neck. She was flown to a local hospital, where she is listed in serious condition.

After the second shooting, investigators received descriptions of the gunman and his vehicle, and roadblocks were set up.

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=81761

I sure hope he did not go to his grave with information about Brooke. That would be heartbreaking!!!!

 

[annemc2]

whoa - thanks for the updates, guys. that is truly terrifying. like Anngelique said, i sincerely hope that this guy didn't go out with valuable information about what happened to Brooke.....

 

[dannyodie]

question; how far from where brooke went missing is any desert land? just thinking if the man that killed himself could or would have gone to the extreme to bury a body or if he would just find a place to dump a body? just wonder if he was the person that did this if he would drive so far as a desert area to dispose of it?

 

[Anngelique]

http://katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=68145

GRANTSVILLE, UTAH - Police investigating the Brook Wilberger disappearance are frustrated because a "person of interest" in her case killed himself.
Utah police told KATU that Richard Wilson shot two people, execution style during a robbery Thursday then killed himself after a police chase.

Wilson is also a suspect in two other murders and a rape in Biggs Junction, which is east of The Dalles.

Ten-years-ago he served a sentence for raping a woman at gunpoint in Washington.

Wilson served time for the rape, and was recently released from prison. Corvallis investigators are aware of a possible connection to Brooke.

"He's just a one name of many that we'll take a look at. We've added him to our list of people to look and determine if he's in this area," said Corvallis Police Lt. Ron Nobel. "He's obviously tied at least to the Columbia Gorge in Oregon and Biggs area. He is a person in the Northwest that's obviously engaged in some pretty bad activity, so were gonna take a lot to make sure he's not involved."

It's been 19 days since Brooke disappeared in Corvallis. Police have received more than 2,700

There is a video as well.