GUILTY TX - Alanna Gallagher, 6, Saginaw, 1 July 2013 - #2

[eileenhawkeye]

LE must know something to be that certain. I was thinking accidental drowning--kids playing around doing "escape" stuff maybe or even "prisoner" type play--she hopped in their pool and promptly sank with her hands and feet bound. Neighbor (or neighborhood child) puts body where it was discovered. As someone else posted, the tarp could have been laying there from flying off a truck, boat, etc. and was simply convenient.

Won't the autopsy show that she has water in her lungs? And by child, do you mean younger than a teenager? How did he transport the body to where it was found?

 

[matou]

I would love to know who first gave a statement about the red truck. The splotch on the right rear wheel well is so specific too.

 

[ArianeEmory]

She was secured in the tarp with a tightly cinched belt. My hope and prayer right now is that another child, an older child, was not involved.

Sorry, just checking, but we found out for sure the belt was around the tarp, not the interior bag? The teens took it off then?

 

[thepinkdragon]

22 hours, yeah I bet they have everything they need to match possible fibers etc.

Given the nature of KG's occupation IMO 22 hours seems pretty standard to me. There is a larger picture here than what is being speculated about this family. I will eat crow if I am wrong but I still stand by my opinion that Alanna's family had nothing to do with her death. Here are some observations, all MOO:

1. The items taken from the car do not strike me as out of the ordinary for a family who camps and does outdoor archery and SCA events. Add in the fact that KG is in the National Guard and had his annual training recently... items found are perfectly reasonable.

2. There are a few possible scenarios. All speculation of course.

A. There is a predator in the community that may or may not have known the family. They may or may not have abducted and killed a child before. Plus, there has always been doubt that the person convicted in the murder of Opal was really the perpetrator. Add in the other unsolved child abductions and murders in the region and you have a higher chance of this being the work of a serial killer. MOO

B. The adults in the family practice polyamory. They live an unconventional lifestyle which may have left other people feeling uncomfortable. Possibly, others perception of their lifestyle may have been taken out of context and someone then went off on a personal crusade to destroy the family.

C. KG is an aerospace engineer who holds patents and is a defense contractor. I can say with certainty that he has a very high security clearance, so IMO 22 hours in the residence combing through potential evidence would be standard. Who is to say that this family wasn't targeted and the murder was staged to look like the work of a sexual predator and/or the family?

There is a much bigger picture when looking at all of the facts of this case. I can see why 300 LE personnel are working to solve it. I think if one takes a minute to stop and observe this bigger picture, one may not be so quick to throw stones. MOO

 

[Threeplus1]

She was secured in the tarp with a tightly cinched belt. My hope and prayer right now is that another child, an older child, was not involved.

Me, too. I could just take an accident that someone attempted to cover up (for whatever reason) so much better than the brutal murder of this child. I think I read up thread that the cod is pending, so until it comes back as irrefutably intentional, I'm going to hope accident and sloppy cover up.

 

[bessie]

Sorry, just checking, but we found out for sure the belt was around the tarp, not the interior bag? The teens took it off then?

911 call
Earlier Wednesday, police released the audio of a 911 call made after Alanna’s body was found.
“We got a dead body on the corner of Roundrock and Cindy Lane,” caller Wesley Whiddon told the dispatcher. “It’s in a black trash bag. There’s a belt around it, tape.”
Whiddon said his children — two teens — found the body shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday.
“I think it’s a little girl in a plastic bag,” Whiddon told the dispatcher. “Someone dropped it off.”
Whiddon told the dispatcher that he didn’t open the bag.
“I don’t want to put my fingers all over it,” he said.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/07/03/4980912/911-call-i-think-its-a-little.html#storylink=cpy​

So was it actually a belt, or was it tape? Or both?

The older cousin is the one who said he felt around inside. I'll grab the link.

ETA: I just noticed this article refers to Mr. W's children. I believe that's an error.

"My son started feeling around and said, 'Mom, I think there's a body in there.' And I said, 'No, no, no,'" she said.

"At first, I just thought it was some rubber stuff ... and then I got a closer look, and all I saw was a bag, and I saw some hair sticking out and so, I was like, 'Oh my God. It's a girl!'" John Smith, 18, said. "And that's when I dropped to my knees and just started crying."
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Vigils-Held-for-Slain-Child-Found-Underneath-Tarp-214095201.html

 

[ArianeEmory]

So was it actually a belt, or was it tape? Or both?

And when they say there's a belt around "it", what is "it"? Body, trash bag, tarp?

 

[Wondergirl]

1. Who was late for work or coming home on Monday?

2. Who has taken an intense interest in this case?

3. Who has recently stopped driving their red truck?

4. Who has taken their truck in for body work?

5. Who plays paintball and drives a red truck?

6. Who has been drinking or doing drugs more than usual?

7. Who has recently bought a new red truck?

 

[matou]

Some residents said they aren't exactly sure what to think about the investigation: On one hand, Saginaw police spokesman Ofc. Damon Ing said at a press conference Wednesday that investigators believe the case is "isolated" and stressed the public shouldn't be worried.
But they also say the Gallagher family aren't suspects, and close to 40 investigators spent part of their July 4 holiday working the case. There also is a $10,000 reward in place for information that leads to an arrest and prosecution.

Sound like the area residents don't know what to think either.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Saginaw-celebrates-4th-while-mourning-little-girl-214308221.html

 

[eileenhawkeye]

Given the nature of KG's occupation IMO 22 hours seems pretty standard to me. There is a larger picture here than what is being speculated about this family. I will eat crow if I am wrong but I still stand by my opinion that Alanna's family had nothing to do with her death. Here are some observations, all MOO:

1. The items taken from the car do not strike me as out of the ordinary for a family who camps and does outdoor archery and SCA events. Add in the fact that KG is in the National Guard and had his annual training recently... items found are perfectly reasonable.

2. There are a few possible scenarios. All speculation of course.

A. There is a predator in the community that may or may not have known the family. They may or may not have abducted and killed a child before. Plus, there has always been doubt that the person convicted in the murder of Opal was really the perpetrator. Add in the other unsolved child abductions and murders in the region and you have a higher chance of this being the work of a serial killer. MOO

B. The adults in the family practice polyamory. They live an unconventional lifestyle which may have left other people feeling uncomfortable. Possibly, others perception of their lifestyle may have been taken out of context and someone then went off on a personal crusade to destroy the family.

C. KG is an aerospace engineer who holds patents and is a defense contractor. I can say with certainty that he has a very high security clearance, so IMO 22 hours in the residence combing through potential evidence would be standard. Who is to say that this family wasn't targeted and the murder was staged to look like the work of a sexual predator and/or the family?

There is a much bigger picture when looking at all of the facts of this case. I can see why 300 LE personnel are working to solve it. I think if one takes a minute to stop and observe this bigger picture, one may not be so quick to throw stones. MOO

I would think KG is one of many aerospace engineers for Lockheed Martin. So why he specifically be targeted? Can you expand a bit on this theory?

 

[bessie]

I'm going to throw this up here again for reference.

Her body was found at about 7:30 p.m.
Her parents reported her missing at about 9 p.m.,
and neighbors say her father told them she was last seen at about 5 p.m.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Saginaw-Child-Found-in-Tarp-Identified-214189511.html

 

[matou]

So the teens spoke to the dispatcher too or is this erroneous info?

Two teens, 14-year-old Wesley Whiddon and 18-year-old John Smith, said they found the body of the girl while attempting to move what they believed was a bag of trash. The teens said the girl was wrapped in tarp and her feet and hands were bound with tape. They told the dispatcher that a Walmart plastic bag covered her head.

I remember reading this info before but I guess it's another coincidence. JMO

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/fbi-...ng-confiscated-items-girl-tarp-214165241.html

 

[fred&edna]

I'm behind on the news and attempting to play catch-up. Red tape isn't exactly common but it could be used anywhere for anything. However, it reminded me of the Julia "Deede" Keller Dateline episode I watched recently. Red tape was used in wrapping her body and her murderer was her ex-husband who worked for American Airlines... the red tape was traced to American Airlines (it matched what their mechanics use).

Maybe, just maybe, the tape used in this case can also be traced to the perp.

 

[human]

Somer Thompson of Florida had tons of FBI working her case as well. Her parents were ordinary people.

I wonder why no info has been released about where she was seen?

It seems like there should be pictures of the red truck and pictures of her clothing.

Strange on the lack of information

 

[KMouse]

Given the nature of KG's occupation IMO 22 hours seems pretty standard to me. There is a larger picture here than what is being speculated about this family. I will eat crow if I am wrong but I still stand by my opinion that Alanna's family had nothing to do with her death. Here are some observations, all MOO:

1. The items taken from the car do not strike me as out of the ordinary for a family who camps and does outdoor archery and SCA events. Add in the fact that KG is in the National Guard and had his annual training recently... items found are perfectly reasonable.

2. There are a few possible scenarios. All speculation of course.

A. There is a predator in the community that may or may not have known the family. They may or may not have abducted and killed a child before. Plus, there has always been doubt that the person convicted in the murder of Opal was really the perpetrator. Add in the other unsolved child abductions and murders in the region and you have a higher chance of this being the work of a serial killer. MOO

B. The adults in the family practice polyamory. They live an unconventional lifestyle which may have left other people feeling uncomfortable. Possibly, others perception of their lifestyle may have been taken out of context and someone then went off on a personal crusade to destroy the family.

C. KG is an aerospace engineer who holds patents and is a defense contractor. I can say with certainty that he has a very high security clearance, so IMO 22 hours in the residence combing through potential evidence would be standard. Who is to say that this family wasn't targeted and the murder was staged to look like the work of a sexual predator and/or the family?

There is a much bigger picture when looking at all of the facts of this case. I can see why 300 LE personnel are working to solve it. I think if one takes a minute to stop and observe this bigger picture, one may not be so quick to throw stones. MOO

How do you know that is KG's car?

 

[ArianeEmory]

Somer Thompson of Florida had tons of FBI working her case as well. Her parents were ordinary people.

I wonder why no info has been released about where she was seen?

It seems like there should be pictures of the red truck and pictures of her clothing.

Strange on the lack of information

Sorry, but how would there be pictures of this stuff? Or do you mean an artist's rendering of the truck?

 

[IHAVENOCLUE]

In looking at the pic of the tarp on this link....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ation-daughters-murder.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
(Pic about halfway down the page)


It looks like, from the position of the tarp relative to the curb and the stop sign, that the perp would have either been : a) turning right to head southbound on Cindy, which dead-ends one block south at Westgrove- or b) continuing straight, heading eastbound on Roundrock. (The next left turn onto Woodcrest leads out of the neighborhood and easy accesses to head any direction)
Am I looking at that correctly? (I'm notoriously directional-challenged!)

Jumping off this post...

Two statements reported in the link above that stood out to me are:

"Alanna's parents have been ruled out as suspects in the case, Ing said."

And...

"Police say he [Mr. Gallagher], his wife and another man who lives in the house - along with the couple's two other children - were all home while Alanna played outside alone on Monday evening."

FYI...

 

[epiphany]

Last night

@ about 44 sec on video at link below

Reporter (in front of Saginaw PD):

They [investigators] told me that they are not looking for a child predator and that the city is not in danger...

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/fbi-...ng-confiscated-items-girl-tarp-214165241.html

 

[thepinkdragon]

How do you know that is KG's car?

I don't. However, I highly doubt he took the van to AT. Some of the items seen in pictures from news media show Army gear. The car does belong to someone in the family and one can speculate the adults use the vehicles interchangeably.

 

[cluciano63]

Last night

@ about 44 sec on video at link below

Reporter:

They [investigators] told me that they are not looking for a child predator and that the city is not in danger...

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/fbi-...ng-confiscated-items-girl-tarp-214165241.html

WTH does this even mean? Was the child not murdered? Was she run over by a car? What?