The Murder of Janet Abaroa #1

[golfmom]

I think that it's possible that Raven might be a fairly good soccer player. It seems that a lot of the stuff on his resume would be able to be verified, (although there is some that probably can't). But when considering the number of men that are playing the sport as opposed to the number of women playing, perhaps Raven wasn't a "shining star" amongst the males as Janet was amongst the females. It's much harder to stand out in a group of a million than it is to stand out in a group of a thousand. (I have no idea what the actual numbers are but I'm sure you get the idea.)

I understand what you're saying completely because my daughter plays in a traditionally boy's sport (FORE), the competition is way more fierce for the boys than for her. However, unless you're designated as a junior varsity player in a sport, you get press and stats tracked.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Ok maybe it was her assistant or someone else, but they signed it Greta!
I wrote to her to thank her for covering this on the news Monday night and told her that she is very powerful and influential (as if she doesn't know that already!!) and that since she ran the blurb, the traffic to this thread has really increased.

I also wrote to her about some things that we're writing about here (e.g. the computer) and asked that she please not give up on this case yet!

She wrote back a very short but sweet response:
"i hope we can help solve this...greta"

woo hoo!

PS: I just thought of something...
One thing also to keep in mind ... Raven could be reading here.
I was going to write something but I'm afraid if I write it that it would give him ideas if he is reading here.

 

[angrymom]

Anyone else wonder about the possibility that he could have done it thinking he might get out of the embezzlement charges because the company might decide not to prosecute a grieving father? Also, since he is still alive to take care of his son, why are they trying to get a trust fund? I am used to seeing that in cases where the child is left without parents or family or to help with funeral expenses if the family was destitute in the first place, but he is alive and able to work and take care of the child...so why do they need to solicit for funds to set up a trust fund?

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

JerseyGirl, IMHO, since he was born into an LDS home, the father was definitely the head of the household, and the dominant figure. The children would have had birth certificates with his name on them originally. It's the way the church works, regardless of any Hispanic traditions.
It's also US law when a baby is born to a married couple for the baby to have the father's last name, as I understand it, and he was born in the US.

Good points. You might be correct there.

As for his behaviors and not spotlighting Janet on his blog because of his LDS background, I'm not too willing to put a ton of weight into his LDS background just yet. I'm sure that LDS don't condone embezzlement, and that didn't seem to stop him so I don't really know how much of a driving force his "religion" might have been in his life & his decisions. (I put religion into quotes because of some of his behaviors, not at all as an indication of my perception of his stated religion.)

I must say that his statement about his "poor business decisions", (if that's how he phrased it), and "tunnel vision" reminds me of the case of the Jehovah's Witness that murdered his wife and 3 (?) children, and dumped them into the water in suitcases. I wish I could remember his name now but the sad truth is that so many crimes occur on a daily basis that after a couple of years pass, I can't remember the names anymore. (I also think this is why Greta had to ask where Janet was murdered - she probably has countless murder stories on her desk each and every day - truly, truly sad.) In any case, his attorneys apparently tried to talk him out of taking the stand, but he insisted because in his mind, he was cunning enough to fool the jury, and save himself on the stand. (He was wrong, and was sentenced to death - I don't know about any appeals.) Anyway, he had an answer for everything. Any bad decision he made was simply explained away by him. Nothing he did was wrong or his fault; he somehow managed to justify them by calling them things other than what they really were. His religious upbringing was quite a factor in his trial. Maybe that is what reminds me so much of this case.

I have no idea of whether or not to suspect the husband. As you've all stated, information on this case is frustratingly scarce. I don't even have close to enough to make a decision about his guilt or innocence yet.

 

[misterallgood]

Ok maybe it was her assistant or someone else, but they signed it Greta!
I wrote to her to thank her for covering this on the news Monday night and told her that she is very powerful and influential (as if she doesn't know that already!!) and that since she ran the blurb, the traffic to this thread has really increased.

I also wrote to her about some things that we're writing about here (e.g. the computer) and asked that she please not give up on this case yet!

She wrote back a very short but sweet response:
"i hope we can help solve this...greta"

woo hoo!

PS: I just thought of something...
One thing also to keep in mind ... Raven could be reading here.
I was going to write something but I'm afraid if I write it that it would give him ideas if he is reading here.

I am sure it was Greta. I'm also sure Raven, if he has a computer still, is reading a lot. If ideas are an issue, I'd think he may have his own, though.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

I am sure it was Greta. I'm also sure Raven, if he has a computer still, is reading a lot. If ideas are an issue, I'd think he may have his own, though.

True he probably has his own, he just doesn't strike me as very smart. Especially in the email I saw that he wrote to a client of his... He's a wannabe smart one but it seems Janet graduated with some honors and I wonder if he graduated at all??

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Good points. You might be correct there.

As for his behaviors and not spotlighting Janet on his blog because of his LDS background, I'm not too willing to put a ton of weight into his LDS background just yet. I'm sure that LDS don't condone embezzlement, and that didn't seem to stop him so I don't really know how much of a driving force his "religion" might have been in his life & his decisions. (I put religion into quotes because of some of his behaviors, not at all as an indication of my perception of his stated religion.)

I must say that his statement about his "poor business decisions", (if that's how he phrased it), and "tunnel vision" reminds me of the case of the Jehovah's Witness that murdered his wife and 3 (?) children, and dumped them into the water in suitcases. I wish I could remember his name now but the sad truth is that so many crimes occur on a daily basis that after a couple of years pass, I can't remember the names anymore. (I also think this is why Greta had to ask where Janet was murdered - she probably has countless murder stories on her desk each and every day - truly, truly sad.) In any case, his attorneys apparently tried to talk him out of taking the stand, but he insisted because in his mind, he was cunning enough to fool the jury, and save himself on the stand. (He was wrong, and was sentenced to death - I don't know about any appeals.) Anyway, he had an answer for everything. Any bad decision he made was simply explained away by him. Nothing he did was wrong or his fault; he somehow managed to justify them by calling them things other than what they really were. His religious upbringing was quite a factor in his trial. Maybe that is what reminds me so much of this case.

I have no idea of whether or not to suspect the husband. As you've all stated, information on this case is frustratingly scarce. I don't even have close to enough to make a decision about his guilt or innocence yet.

Name is Longo I believe:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/archives/00001549.html
"On Dec. 27, the bodies of MaryJane, 34, and 2-year-old Madison were found stuffed in suitcases in Yaquina Bay. Their bodies were recovered just yards from a second-floor balcony in an upscale condominium where Longo stood in a biting coastal drizzle and admired the "perfect setting" late on the night of Dec. 16.
"

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Wow, while I was looking for that other story, I found a mess of Jehovah witness family murders... these are terrible:

http://www.watchtowernews.org/familymurders.htm

 

[golfmom]

I'm reading an interesting Reader's Digest article "Secrets and Lies" When their doubles lives fell apart, these men turned to murder.

"Some people who end up in couble lives start out simply as chronic liars ....... They're people who "badly need the turth to be different than what it is." Galatzer-Levy

"These people are consummate risk takers. If they aren't living on the edge, they don't feel fully alive."

This article goes indepth into the Peterson / Hacking cases as well as Mark Hoffman. So much of it just jumps out to me as applicable to the Abaroa case as well.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Anyone else wonder about the possibility that he could have done it thinking he might get out of the embezzlement charges because the company might decide not to prosecute a grieving father? (1)

Also, since he is still alive to take care of his son, why are they trying to get a trust fund? (2) I am used to seeing that in cases where the child is left without parents or family or to help with funeral expenses if the family was destitute in the first place, but he is alive and able to work and take care of the child...so why do they need to solicit for funds to set up a trust fund?

1) Good point, didn't think of that. I definitely think money played a role in this some way, somehow. Maybe just a way out from under it all was what Raven was seeking?

2) I don't know much about trust funds, so I did a search.
Here is one link with a lot of good info http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/trust-fund/trusfund.htm

Here's a few paragraphs from that site
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/trust-fund/trusfund.htm
<LI class=p>A bypass trust allows a married couple, in certain cases, to shelter more of their estate from estate taxes. The first spouse to die can leave assets in a trust which can provide income to the surviving spouse for the rest of his or her life, taking advantage of the unified credit provided under Federal Gift and Estate Tax law. Upon the death of the second spouse, the assets in the trust pass directly to the children or other beneficiaries, without being taxed at the second spouse's death. <LI class=p>A spendthrift trust can be a good idea if your beneficiary is too young or does not have the mental capacity to handle money. The trust can be established so that the beneficiary receives small amounts of money at specified intervals. It is designed to prevent that person from squandering money or losing the principal in a bad investment. "

 

[angrymom]

I could see them setting up a trust fund together, but she is dead and he is now soliciting funds from strangers to set up this fund? That seems weird to me, like he's just trying to see what he can get. After all the cases lately where the victim's family has been showered with money from kind strangers, I wonder if he decided it would be a way to get some money himself. Someone would have to administer the trust fund and it's usually the parent(s) until the child reaches majority or whatever age is set out in the fund.

I'm just thinking off the top of my head, but it raised a red flag for me when the family solicits money like that even though he can darn well work.

 

[Thinkoflaura]

Anyone else wonder about the possibility that he could have done it thinking he might get out of the embezzlement charges because the company might decide not to prosecute a grieving father? Also, since he is still alive to take care of his son, why are they trying to get a trust fund? I am used to seeing that in cases where the child is left without parents or family or to help with funeral expenses if the family was destitute in the first place, but he is alive and able to work and take care of the child...so why do they need to solicit for funds to set up a trust fund?

If Raven killed Janet to try to elicit sympathy from a DA to get out of embezzlement charges, that's delusional thinking, isn't it? Trading a possible short prison sentence and restitution for either LWOP or the death sentence?Who knows?

I think the best answer to the trust fund for Kaiden is this: Raven has multiple criminal charges hanging over his head for embezzlement. He may be absent from the household. His role in the crime, if he has a role, has yet to be determined, but the police have said this was not a random killing. They are not looking for a killer on the loose.
It can be reasonably argued, then, I think, that Kaiden lacks a stable support system from his remaining parent at least.

People usually want to do something in a tragedy. Instead of handing money over to Raven with his questionable misuse of money, a trust fund is established for Kaiden's college education. I think it is the best altruistic solution possible.

I don't think the trust fund was set up as a solicitation means, but for people who know her family and knew her, and expressed a desire to do SOMETHING in her memory. That's my take on it.. I could be way off the mark...

 

[Thinkoflaura]

I could see them setting up a trust fund together, but she is dead and he is now soliciting funds from strangers to set up this fund? That seems weird to me, like he's just trying to see what he can get. After all the cases lately where the victim's family has been showered with money from kind strangers, I wonder if he decided it would be a way to get some money himself. Someone would have to administer the trust fund and it's usually the parent(s) until the child reaches majority or whatever age is set out in the fund.

I'm just thinking off the top of my head, but it raised a red flag for me when the family solicits money like that even though he can darn well work.

OK, I am clueless.
I am missing ANY statements from Raven after Janet's murder.

It is my understanding that HER family set up the trust fund. Maybe I have it all wrong. Could you post a link to the article or statement from Raven that he set the trust fund up and is the administrator?
Thank you!

 

[PrayersForMaura]

OK, I am clueless.
I am missing ANY statements from Raven after Janet's murder.

It is my understanding that HER family set up the trust fund. Maybe I have it all wrong. Could you post a link to the article or statement from Raven that he set the trust fund up and is the administrator?
Thank you!

Look like the family is setting it up, not Raven...
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2374592p-8752598c.html
Maybe they are setting it up for Kaiden knowing that since his mother is dead and his father will possibly be charged with the crim, he has no parents left to support him??



"

TRIANGLE BRIEFS

Published: May 5, 2005
Modified: May 5, 2005 3:00 AM
Funeral, fund set in stabbing death

From Staff Reports

DURHAM -- Family and friends of Janet Abaroa, a young mother found stabbed to death in her Ferrand Drive home, were planning two memorials and a trust fund for her 6-month-old son.

The funeral for Abaroa, 25, will be held at noon Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Buena Vista, Va., where Abaroa attended Southern Virginia University. Abaroa's family also will participate in a memorial in her hometown at 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Annandale, Va. Family members were working Wednesday to establish a trust fund for Abaroa's son, Kaiden, who is being cared for by his father and family friends, said Abaroa's sister, Dena Kendall. Details on contributing to the fund were expected to be available by Friday.

"

 

[angrymom]

Ah...I misinterpreted it that HE was soliciting for the fund. That's what raised my hackles.

That link someone posted to the Jehovah's Witnesses murders is so creepy. I grew up in that religion and hated it, stopped going when I turned 17. I never knew of anything like that happening to anyone in the congregation we were in, but I hated going to those meetings and started faking sick at about 8 years old so I wouldn't have to go.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

That link someone posted to the Jehovah's Witnesses murders is so creepy. I grew up in that religion and hated it, stopped going when I turned 17. I never knew of anything like that happening to anyone in the congregation we were in, but I hated going to those meetings and started faking sick at about 8 years old so I wouldn't have to go.

I couldn't believe some of those stories on that link. Terrible and shocking and quite disgusting!

 

[Thinkoflaura]

I am sure it was Greta. I'm also sure Raven, if he has a computer still, is reading a lot. If ideas are an issue, I'd think he may have his own, though.

I hope they have darned good surveillance on him. I keep expecting him to bolt, a la Scott Peterson.

 

[misterallgood]

I couldn't believe some of those stories on that link. Terrible and shocking and quite disgusting!

I believe the JayDub originally referred to was Christian Longo. Immediately I realized there were a few commonalities between him and Raven that are striking.

Here's an article about Longo, and here's some quotage (emphasis added) that will blow the minds of those who have read Raven's ravings-er-writing:

...(E)xperts in criminal psychology who talked in general about such crimes said Longo fits a profile of one of the most imperceptible types of killers: those who derive power from petty crime and then, as the law and desperation close in, graduate to murder. Shedding a family can be seen as a way to start over. If it's true, he is a calculating killer, they say.


​

Yes, I found that pretty chilling, myself.


Quoth the Raven, from the page at ravenstree.com that is titled "Show Me the Money!":

Its amazing how the choices I've made have been through tunnel vision! I haven't always made smart decisions in my life and due to some bad business decisions I am starting over.


​

Creeped out by this case yet? I am.

**Edited to add Google search link in Longo's name.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

The computers were not seized, or they would have been on the inventory on the warrant -- they listed other major items, like checkbooks and even the balance in the checkbook. I worked with a police department briefly in a clerical job, and let me tell you; they are required by law to make that thing thorough.

I seem to remember reading somewhere in this thread that they returned to the home to take additional evidence on Thursday. Is the warrant in question from the night of the crime or the Thursday after? I can't seem to find it now.

 

[misterallgood]

Oh yeah, and appropos of nothing, my scariest cousin is a dead-ringer for Longo. Don't know why I felt the need to share.