The Remains Location -and the search

[Tink56]

VERY odd seeing the footage here on Fox 5 San Diego because that is ::not:: where KGTV was focusing on showing FBI searching.

They were focused on an area that slopes near that really messy area. They showed the messy area, and then panned to an area near the slope. So I'm totally confused how two stations are focusing on different parts of the crime scene.

In any case, more flyover video of the area.

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobe...-Combing-Area-Where-Amber-s-Bones-Were-Found-

When one sees the photos of just the search scene the steepness and remoteness of the site isn't visible.

The Fox video is great for seeing how "far up" the hill this really is!

Thanks!

 

[Ghostwheel]

VERY odd seeing the footage here on Fox 5 San Diego because that is ::not:: where KGTV was focusing on showing FBI searching.

They were focused on an area that slopes near that really messy area. They showed the messy area, and then panned to an area near the slope. So I'm totally confused how two stations are focusing on different parts of the crime scene.

In any case, more flyover video of the area.

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobe...-Combing-Area-Where-Amber-s-Bones-Were-Found-

My opinion from viewing that footage, they took pictures of everything AROUND the actual "crime scene". I believe that little cul-de-sac at the top is only used for examination of things they bring out, and that everything else is back in the bushes (like the grave site). I noted that many of the shots were just outside where it looked like people were searching in previous photos.

 

[TravelingBug]

TravelingBug, one area is a staging area, the other is the crimescene. They can't fit everything/everyone up in the little 'cul de sac" where the remains are.

I'm aware of staging areas. In fact, they had been showing it - and the cul de sac staging area - yesterday on the local news before images were out in print.

But I don't think they would be also staging 15-ish feet away literally on a slope. It was not a covered area, it was a cordoned off area where they were literally on their hands and knees searching and looking at stuff, and others bending over around them.

I believe the culdesac IS the main staging area, with another area further on the road.

 

[sarx]

If she's been up there for a year animals will have "moved" things around quite a bit, so that may be why you were seeing them on their hands and knees as well as looking in the bushes for where things may have been carried off to.

 

[carbuff]

There are several photos of the crime scene being taped off. Many are in the photos thread, but here's a news link to what I'm referring to:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/2010/mar/08/125915/

I wonder how far from the body this tree is. It's been marked by an underground locating company (they locate utilities before digging occurs in an area scheduled for any type of construction), and the spray markings look recent. I'm just speculating, but I wonder if a locator or other construction personnel spotted the body.

It says USA with an arrow -- so I'm guessing it marks a path for illegal immigrants. Or maybe meant to look like it. That's a rather distinctive tree and would make a good landmark for the road to a dumping ground, if this guy is the kind to want to go back to the scene.

 

[carbuff]

I'm aware of staging areas. In fact, they had been showing it - and the cul de sac staging area - yesterday on the local news before images were out in print.

But I don't think they would be also staging 15-ish feet away literally on a slope. It was not a covered area, it was a cordoned off area where they were literally on their hands and knees searching and looking at stuff, and others bending over around them.

I believe the culdesac IS the main staging area, with another area further on the road.

I agree. I see at least three different areas of investigation, not counting the staging area or the two small groups near the blue tarp (which I think is probably a sifting station). One of them could be a secondary staging area, but...I'm starting to think, more than one grave?

 

[Voice4theSilent]

It says USA with an arrow -- so I'm guessing it marks a path for illegal immigrants. Or maybe meant to look like it. That's a rather distinctive tree and would make a good landmark for the road to a dumping ground, if this guy is the kind to want to go back to the scene.

I do like that theory a lot however the "USA" with an arrow indicated there is electrical in that area. It is marked by Edison or construction to indicate that.

BUT now that you said that about illegal immigrants. ..about 18 years ago I dated a guy who lived in Rainbow who indicated to me on several occassions that there were numerous illegal immigrants who would pass through that area frequently (and when I say "that area" I mean the rocky, hilly uninhabited area between Pala Temecula road and Rainbow. I don't know if that is still true or even how accurate it was then. It does make sense though as traveling through there would circumvent the route through the border check on the 15 freeway.

 

[carbuff]

I do like that theory a lot however the "USA" with an arrow indicated there is electrical in that area. It is marked by Edison or construction to indicate that.

BUT now that you said that about illegal immigrants. ..about 18 years ago I dated a guy who lived in Rainbow who indicated to me on several occassions that there were numerous illegal immigrants who would pass through that area frequently (and when I say "that area" I mean the rocky, hilly uninhabited area between Pala Temecula road and Rainbow. I don't know if that is still true or even how accurate it was then. It does make sense though as traveling through there would circumvent the route through the border check on the 15 freeway.

Is USA the name of the electrical company or something? Around here, all such markings include the company name and sometimes a line designation (Verizon 2, or whatever).

That certainly looks like a reasonable road for avoiding authorities. Difficult, but not really impassible. Hm, wonder if the supposed "hiker" is code for an illegal immigrant on foot?

 

[Voice4theSilent]

There is a possibility that the tip came from someone afraid to come forward because of their own illegal status who may have seen something.

 

[SoCalSleuth]

Is USA the name of the electrical company or something? Around here, all such markings include the company name and sometimes a line designation (Verizon 2, or whatever).

That certainly looks like a reasonable road for avoiding authorities. Difficult, but not really impassible. Hm, wonder if the supposed "hiker" is code for an illegal immigrant on foot?

That would not surprise me. This is an area known for illegals passing through and camping out in the canyons--there's lots of work for them in the orange and avocado groves and there's too many of them for LE to do anything about. Someone posted earlier that they thought the area looked like a dumping ground--it actually looked to me like an illegal alien encampment. That said, I'm not sure that an illegal would take LE there for fear of deportation, for fear of being blamed etc. However, knowing the area there is no doubt in my mind they were told of the specific location --no other way they would find it--no way no how. Also, being a lawyer I am 100% certain that JAG did not verbally tell them.

 

[Voice4theSilent]

Is USA the name of the electrical company or something? Around here, all such markings include the company name and sometimes a line designation (Verizon 2, or whatever).

That certainly looks like a reasonable road for avoiding authorities. Difficult, but not really impassible. Hm, wonder if the supposed "hiker" is code for an illegal immigrant on foot?

I am not sure exactly what it stands for but it is standard in Southern California. I see it a lot, usually on streets.

 

[Lewydawg]

Underground Service Alert (USA) is an non-profit mutual benefit organization that links the excavation community and the owners of underground lines. Underground Service Alert has two (2) separate call centers for California, Underground Service Alert of Northern California (USA North) and Underground Service Alert of Southern California (USA South, aka DigAlert). Although they are not affiliated and ran by separate board of directors they share the common goal of safe digging. USA North handles Northern and Central California as well as Nevada, DigAlert handles 9 Southern California Counties. Calls to either center is FREE for all homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, excavating or otherwise moving any earth.

 

[carbuff]

That would not surprise me. This is an area known for illegals passing through and camping out in the canyons--there's lots of work for them in the orange and avocado groves and there's too many of them for LE to do anything about. Someone posted earlier that they thought the area looked like a dumping ground--it actually looked to me like an illegal alien encampment. That said, I'm not sure that an illegal would take LE there for fear of deportation, for fear of being blamed etc. However, knowing the area there is no doubt in my mind they were told of the specific location --no other way they would find it--no way no how. Also, being a lawyer I am 100% certain that JAG did not verbally tell them.

I'm not even a lawyer and I can't buy that explanation.

The migrant worker might fit, however. If they had stumbled across bones, or some indication of a grave, and not told at the time. Then with all the publicity surrounding Chelsea, and the renewed interest in Amber's case, they might have realized how important it was, and decided to do the right thing even if it cost them personally.

 

[sarx]

Most migrants are not violent by nature, they are here trying to support their families. I can't really picture them hanging out living in an area with a decomposing body or bones knowing they were there, I would think that would be a bit creepy.

 

[carbuff]

Underground Service Alert (USA) is an non-profit mutual benefit organization that links the excavation community and the owners of underground lines. Underground Service Alert has two (2) separate call centers for California, Underground Service Alert of Northern California (USA North) and Underground Service Alert of Southern California (USA South, aka DigAlert). Although they are not affiliated and ran by separate board of directors they share the common goal of safe digging. USA North handles Northern and Central California as well as Nevada, DigAlert handles 9 Southern California Counties. Calls to either center is FREE for all homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, excavating or otherwise moving any earth.

Thanks. That would make it the same thing as DigSafe in New England.

 

[Ghostwheel]

Underground Service Alert (USA) is an non-profit mutual benefit organization that links the excavation community and the owners of underground lines. Underground Service Alert has two (2) separate call centers for California, Underground Service Alert of Northern California (USA North) and Underground Service Alert of Southern California (USA South, aka DigAlert). Although they are not affiliated and ran by separate board of directors they share the common goal of safe digging. USA North handles Northern and Central California as well as Nevada, DigAlert handles 9 Southern California Counties. Calls to either center is FREE for all homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, excavating or otherwise moving any earth.

So now I have to wonder, last year there was no mark on that tree. Did LE call out USA because they had to move earth (dig up the grave) and make sure there were no lines in the area because it is on Rainbow Water District land?

 

[Voice4theSilent]

Most migrants are not violent by nature, they are here trying to support their families. I can't really picture them hanging out living in an area with a decomposing body or bones knowing they were there, I would think that would be a bit creepy.

I don't think anyone meant to imply that a migrant worker killed Amber or that any were intentionally hanging around a decomposing body. Some migrant workers stay where there is work (seasonaly) and then move on. Perhaps someone saw something questionable (a bone, a man who didn't belong in that area, etc.) but, for one reason or another, didn't think it would be in their best interest to go to LE with it. Just a possibility.

 

[sarx]

Sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like I thought someone was saying it was a migrant worker. I just meant that if it was an encampment most of the time they are established (the people who live in them may change, but they've often been around for some time) and I can't see them just now seeing her remains or having seen them and just not saying anything and living with them.

I'm not sure it was an encampment. Is the road up above the high side of that hill (which would be out of view in that picture)? We've got a lot of areas along roads out here where people pull off the side of the road and toss things over the hill, just wondering if it's somewhere like that.

 

[SoCalSleuth]

I'm not even a lawyer and I can't buy that explanation.

The migrant worker might fit, however. If they had stumbled across bones, or some indication of a grave, and not told at the time. Then with all the publicity surrounding Chelsea, and the renewed interest in Amber's case, they might have realized how important it was, and decided to do the right thing even if it cost them personally.

You can't buy what explanation? BTW CarBuff--I have a baby--a 54 Chevy Rag top 3 on a tree--fire engine red!

 

[carbuff]

You can't buy what explanation? BTW CarBuff--I have a baby--a 54 Chevy Rag top 3 on a tree--fire engine red!

Ooooooh. I don't actually own anything right now; New England is NOT the place for a car buff. I'm hoping that after we retire to someplace warmer, I'll have the money and space for something cool. Would love one of the new Chargers...

I meant that I didn't believe that JAG led them to Amber's remains. It just doesn't fit.