TN - Gail Nowacki Palmgren, 44, Signal Mountain, 30 April 2011 - #12

[Walker007]

This type of recovery is bittersweet. Death is tragic in itself but the not knowing on top of it is adding an insult to injury. I can't stop thinking about her two children. All these months of not knowing where their mom is had to be excruciating in itself - so having the answer I am sure is a prayer answered in one way but on the other hand with the holidays right around the corner... Just thinking of her little ones in my prayers and her family and friends. Rest in Peace Gail.

 

[Peliman]

If you view this area location on google maps - you can see that there is no way to see down when the foliage is in full effect. When you view from BING - you can see more clearly down the area. Obviously, the satellite imagery taken at a different season between bing and google. But I think it offers a good visual for those trying to see the locations.

Here's a visual from google earth overlooking E. Brow Rd and the drop-off. Two things I've noticed. In this stretch of Brow Road there are at least 4 overlooks along the edge of brow rd. Looking closely one can see the overlook with large rocks blocking someone from driving further.

This is going to be an intensive accident investigation to determine exactly what happened.

IMO - Someone doesn't just drive off the road over the embankment by accident, not at that location. I think in some way it was an intentional act. I don't know the exact details of what occurred though. JMO

Interesting view here, click on the pic a couple times to expand.

Oh, I also noticed a road runs along the bottom of this drop off. I suppose her SUV didn't make it that far. Yes, I've seen some very heavy overgrowth in this area.

 

[CatFancier]

Prayers for Gails loved ones during this terribly difficult time.

Glad they did not need to use dogs to recover.
Hopefully recovery will be complete.

So sad, all around.

Oriah, I just have to thank you for all your efforts all along. You were spot on in your triangulations, it appears. Too bad the person who now mentions the missing rock didn't notice that before, she could have been brought to rest much faster.

 

[SuziQ]

Just thinking if a body could actually scatter from impact 100 yards away from vehicle as is stated in news report; thoughts?

IMO, it was caused by animals. That was hard to think about and type.

RIP Gail.

 

[Juno]

RIP Gail, saying a prayer for your loved ones and all of those who relentlessly searched for you.

 

[sarx]

This type of recovery is bittersweet. Death is tragic in itself but the not knowing on top of it is adding an insult to injury. I can't stop thinking about her two children. All these months of not knowing where their mom is had to be excruciating in itself - so having the answer I am sure is a prayer answered in one way but on the other hand with the holidays right around the corner... Just thinking of her little ones in my prayers and her family and friends. Rest in Peace Gail.

Very nicely said, ty. May her family find some peace in the closure of her being found. My thoughts are with them.

 

[ThoughtFox]

RIP Gail, and condolences to her family, children, and friends. I'm very glad she has been found and healing can start.

Just thinking if a body could actually scatter from impact 100 yards away from vehicle as is stated in news report; thoughts?

This is nearly a vertical slope and we've had heavy rain countless times since the spring. Also you have to figure in scavengers in a wooded area.

I'm glad the Sheriff said that about the seatbelt - I was wondering that yesterday. Why would she not be wearing a seatbelt on Signal Mountain?

These past two days, my mind is literally exploding with questions. I can't quite grasp how this happened. I've never heard of someone just driving off E. Brow road. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it's one thing to think she might drive off a bluff back in the forest from a dirt trail, and another thing to imagine her driving off that particular area in broad daylight from a road she must have travelled many times. :waitasec:

 

[CoolMommy]

Thank you to all of the people who felt that Gail deserved a relentless search, and who conducted one. She would not have been found without you.

Peace to all, especially Gail's children.

 

[SurfieTX]

At this point, the Sheriff says they are trying to safely remove the vehicle. Hammond says they're unable to cut a trail to the wreckage, due to the steep terrain.

The Jeep Rubicon is resting against an uprooted tree, and Hammond says the vehicle is severely damage, appearing to have rolled several times.

At first glance, the Sheriff says, it does appear the driver's seatbelt was not connected.

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/16173262/remains-found-near-palmgren-jeep?utm_source=Gail+Palmgren+News&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Irish_Eyes]

This is so heartbreaking.

 

[SurfieTX]

What about skid marks on the roads there. Are they common? I would imagine there would have been some skid marks where she went off of the road, or no?

 

[ThoughtFox]

Here's a visual from google earth overlooking E. Brow Rd and the drop-off. Two things I've noticed. In this stretch of Brow Road there are at least 4 overlooks along the edge of brow rd. Looking closely one can see the overlook with large rocks blocking someone from driving further.

This is going to be an intensive accident investigation to determine exactly what happened.

IMO - Someone doesn't just drive off the road over the embankment by accident, not at that location. I think in some way it was an intentional act. I don't know the exact details of what occurred though. JMO

Interesting view here, click on the pic a couple times to expand.

Oh, I also noticed a road runs along the bottom of this drop off. I suppose her SUV didn't make it that far. Yes, I've seen some very heavy overgrowth in this area.

View attachment 19913

Thank you for that picture, Peliman ~ that illustrates the area better than any pic I've seen.

The fact that neighbors said she would have had to drive over a large rock to even pull over is a problem for me. Obviously she had a jeep that might maneuver over a rock, but why? There were hundreds of places on the mountain where she could safely and privately pull over to use a cell phone or just rest for a minute.

And if she was worried about being followed, that is a strangely exposed place to pull over. I'm really baffled.

 

[Salem]

Rest in peace Gail. I am so glad you are coming home to your loved ones.

Salem

 

[jd3223]

Picture of Gail's Jeep.

 

[JayCeeVee]

http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_214657.asp

It is good to know that UT Knoxville will be handling forensics!

 

[TheDuchess]

In retrospect, since she was not wearing seat belt, she was probably thrown out and the Jeep kept tumbling, makes total sense.

More questions I would love answered:

1.) Was Gail in the habit of wearing her seatbelt? I know I am. Never get in the car EVER without wearing it!
2.) Were the keys in the ignition?
3.) Was the cell phone charging?
4.) What was her state of mind? I am thinking they may be looking at a possible suicide? Is that possible or probable? It seems that it is very difficult to drive off the side of the road there.
5.) Where was the husband all day? Anyone have a good timeline, etc...of the day of her disappearance?

 

[JayCeeVee]

RIP Gail, and condolences to her family, children, and friends. I'm very glad she has been found and healing can start.



This is nearly a vertical slope and we've had heavy rain countless times since the spring. Also you have to figure in scavengers in a wooded area.

I'm glad the Sheriff said that about the seatbelt - I was wondering that yesterday. Why would she not be wearing a seatbelt on Signal Mountain?

These past two days, my mind is literally exploding with questions. I can't quite grasp how this happened. I've never heard of someone just driving off E. Brow road. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it's one thing to think she might drive off a bluff back in the forest from a dirt trail, and another thing to imagine her driving off that particular area in broad daylight from a road she must have travelled many times. :waitasec:

My hubby and friends used to travel this mountain as they lived on the mountain; actually trailed a goat once. Obviously Gail was very distraught, would imagine in most circumstances she would have been wearing a seatbelt. I don't want to think that she intentionally drove off the mountain as the thoughts of that are horrific but who knows what once will do when they are not thinking straight from so much trauma in their lives. My main thoughts are that the children will be okay. Everyone who lives on the mountain is super cautious in these areas so possibly with forensics all will be sorted out for closure. My prayer also is that she did not suffer or was trying to climb her way out.

 

[Oriah]

What about skid marks on the roads there. Are they common? I would imagine there would have been some skid marks where she went off of the road, or no?

I'm sure we will hear more throughout the rest of the day/weekend/week.
There may not have been skid marks.
I would think that the location of the top of the Jeep as well as its' final condition would help identify more specifically when it started to tumble, and how many times it did, and with what force it was propelled by. As well as the location of remains.

Has there been any word of the other vehicle located?

 

[Walker007]

More questions I would love answered:

1.) Was Gail in the habit of wearing her seatbelt? I know I am. Never get in the car EVER without wearing it!
2.) Were the keys in the ignition?
3.) Was the cell phone charging?
4.) What was her state of mind? I am thinking they may be looking at a possible suicide? Is that possible or probable? It seems that it is very difficult to drive off the side of the road there.
5.) Where was the husband all day? Anyone have a good timeline, etc...of the day of her disappearance?

BBM - I think the outcome will be determined with a good investigation. However, I do think in the pot of theories, this one should be considered.

I think it is easy for many who follow these types of cases to become jaded when a mom or wife goes missing because sadly, so many of them do end up being a result of Intimate Partner Homicide. However, when I step outside of the box and look at the circumstances involving this case. 1) Going through a divorce is a highly emotional and traumatizing thing to endure in general. Surely, there are many cases of documented suicides of those in that process of divorce, not missing. There are also many documented cases of people who have committed suicide who have been "missing persons". You just never know sometimes what people were thinking. The neighbor stated she saw Gail drive away stone faced. I do think it is possible she choose to drove off that cliff. At this point most anything could be possible but I guess we will just have to wait and see. Overall, it is tragic on all regards.

 

[StephanieH]

Sometimes people get SO familiar with a stretch of road that they take it for granted, though, and that can be dangerous. You take your eyes off to play with the radio or to grab your phone or whatever because you aren't being careful. You think you know the road because you have driven it hundreds of times. It only takes one miscalculation...