TX - James, 48 & Michelle Butler, 46, driving RV to Fort Lauderdale from Corpus Christi, 14 Oct 2019

[zecats]

T

I have assumed this wasn't a single perp. Somehow I just thought it woud be more likely that two people did this.

Did the sighting at the border specify if there was just one person seen in the truck ?

They got there somehow. Must have been more than one so the other one could drive back in his own vehicle. Unless they were dropped off there by another driver . Or a boat.

 

[zecats]

I have assumed this wasn't a single perp. Somehow I just thought it woud be more likely that two people did this.

Did the sighting at the border specify if there was just one person seen in the truck ?

Only person mentioned was the driver.

 

[Ruffianxc]

I remember reading something about the Mexican side of Lake Amistad as being almost a no-man's land where you didn't want to accidentally wander into.

Not too much else in the Mexican area, Ciudad Acuna. And a fairly long drive into anything else of note in Mexico. Makes me think again the perps know this area

Here's a little tourist blog about a visit there in 2017.

A Day on the Border: Lake Amistad, Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna

We went do Acuna, Del Rio , Lake Amistad in 2016 and its exactly as described.

 

[Cryptic]

Any local people can comment on the drive from the Butler's last place to the Del Rio crossing?

I am not local, and can only make a vague comment about the Del Rio Border Crossing. But...

The Del Rio crossing has a reputation for being remote, rural and where hmm.... "lax enforcement / less scrutiny" crossings from the U.S. to Mexico are more likely.

In short, Del Rio could be seen as the crossing of choice for fugitives. As it is not well known (though hardly a secret either), the choice could indicate that the fugitive(s) have a good knowledge of the border.

 

[Herat]

I think there have to be at least 2 perps.

One driving their vehicle. The other driving the murdered couple's truck and trailer

 

[otto]

Are there any leads on this, or did they just vanish? On the surface it seems that someone wanted the 2018 Silver Chevrolet 2500 four-door pickup truck and white Cedar Creek RV.





Bodies found on Texas beach identified as New Hampshire couple

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Are there any leads on this, or did they just vanish? On the surface it seems that someone wanted the 2018 Silver Chevrolet 2500 four-door pickup truck and white Cedar Creek RV.

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Bodies found on Texas beach identified as New Hampshire couple

Totally agree that's what it looks like from what we know at this point (which is not much).

 

[otto]

Totally agree that's what it looks like from what we know at this point (which is not much).

It must be someone they met just after noon on the day they vanished. I'm assuming this because their bodies are found 3+ miles from where their last location.

Is there any footage from a gas station around that time? Maybe someone at a gas station asked for a lift.

 

[Luckyzmom]

RVers are a target for many reasons , sad thing it's now dangerous to travel our country. Lots of couples travel in groups, harder target. Lots of off roaders camp in clusters when close to the border. And I am just speculating here, Del Rio has less commercial crossing traffic so probably less scrutiny. The BP officers and K9s are probably less aggressive with the general traveling public although I haven't been across for sometime. The cartels use every advantage available. Violent and ruthless . Prayers for family and friends to find comfort and peace hopefully answers as well. So sad, just enjoying their freedom and travel heart breaking MOO

 

[otto]

RVers are a target for many reasons , sad thing it's now dangerous to travel our country. Lots of couples travel in groups, harder target. Lots of off roaders camp in clusters when close to the border. And I am just speculating here, Del Rio has less commercial crossing traffic so probably less scrutiny. The BP officers and K9s are probably less aggressive with the general traveling public although I haven't been across for sometime. The cartels use every advantage available. Violent and ruthless . Prayers for family and friends to find comfort and peace hopefully answers as well. So sad, just enjoying their freedom and travel heart breaking MOO

What is the connection to Del Rio?

 

[Herat]

I also think the perps were not local.

The Butlers were camped at the very far end of that beach, but even though it seemed deserted and quiet, it was in an area nearby known for partying.

Locals would have probably disposed of their bodies in a different area

I fervently hope LE has ways of tracking that trailer and truck, even though the GPS was turned off. This seems like such a horrible crime of opportunity and coincidence.

 

[otto]

I also think the perps were not local.

The Butlers were camped at the very far end of that beach, but even though it seemed deserted and quiet, it was in an area nearby known for partying.

Locals would have probably disposed of their bodies in a different area

I fervently hope LE has ways of tracking that trailer and truck, even though the GPS was turned off. This seems like such a horrible crime of opportunity and coincidence.

They were travelling from Corpus Christi to Fort Lauderdale, planning to arrive on November 20.

Were they in Del Rio before they arrived in Corpus Christi? Couldn't the suspect come from a lot of other places? Is it because Del Rio is a border and this might have something to do with immigrants?

There must be some sort of tracking on the 2018 vehicle. If there isn't, it would not be the first time that GPS is de-activated during a murder.

 

[Luckyzmom]

If one wanted to cross to Mexico with less intense scrutiny Del Rio would be a better choice . Less commercial traffic less intense search less K9 teams was my thought. Sorry wasn't very clear. Need a nap !!

 

[zecats]

It must be someone they met just after noon on the day they vanished. I'm assuming this because their bodies are found 3+ miles from where their last location.

Is there any footage from a gas station around that time? Maybe someone at a gas station asked for a lift.

Their bodies were found in the exact location that their camper had been parked, as they were boondocking on the beach near mile marker 263. They were seen as they entered the area on the 14th. Family posted a timeline and I posted it upthread a bit.

I tend to believe that someone surprised them during the evening of Oct 16 or early morning of Oct 17. They texted family on the 16th and were supposed to face time a granddaughter for her birthday on the 17th, which they never did. Most opportune time for the attack would be if they were sitting outside before going to bed, maybe enjoying the water, reading, etc. James allegedly had a gun for protection according to family posting on the Missing FB page, so I think that would have made it more difficult for someone to break in during the overnight hours. All links previously posted and partially JMO

 

[zecats]

What is the connection to Del Rio?

The truck and RV was spotted on camera crossing into Mexico on Oct 21, at the Del Rio border crossing.

 

[Cryptic]

What is the connection to Del Rio?

I am not sure. I just saw questions regarding Del Rio crossing.

 

[Herat]

Their bodies were found in the exact location that their camper had been parked, as they were boondocking on the beach near mile marker 263. They were seen as they entered the area on the 14th. Family posted a timeline and I posted it upthread a bit.

I tend to believe that someone surprised them during the evening of Oct 16 or early morning of Oct 17. They texted family on the 16th and were supposed to face time a granddaughter for her birthday on the 17th, which they never did. Most opportune time for the attack would be if they were sitting outside before going to bed, maybe enjoying the water, reading, etc. James allegedly had a gun for protection according to family posting on the Missing FB page, so I think that would have made it more difficult for someone to break in during the overnight hours. All links previously posted and partially JMO

And someone would have to drive up to their vehicle, so unless they were asleep, they would have likely been aware of a vehicle approaching.

As I mentioned above, I also think the perps made contact with them before they were attacked.

 

[zecats]

They were travelling from Corpus Christi to Fort Lauderdale, planning to arrive on November 20.

Were they in Del Rio before they arrived in Corpus Christi? Couldn't the suspect come from a lot of other places? Is it because Del Rio is a border and this might have something to do with immigrants?

There must be some sort of tracking on the 2018 vehicle. If there isn't, it would not be the first time that GPS is de-activated during a murder.

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It was deactivated. Family tried to find them through their cell phones, their GPS /OnStar...whatever device they had. All turned off...links provided previously.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

And someone would have to drive up to their vehicle, so unless they were asleep, they would have likely been aware of a vehicle approaching.

As I mentioned above, I also think the perps made contact with them before they were attacked.

And as I said up thread, as a fellow camper, I can say most campers are friendly. When we camp it is not unusual for strangers to share a beer or campfire. If they were sitting out enjoying the beach at the camper, it would be easy to imagine someone walking up, striking up a conversation, etc. Moo and all that.

 

[zecats]

And someone would have to drive up to their vehicle, so unless they were asleep, they would have likely been aware of a vehicle approaching.

As I mentioned above, I also think the perps made contact with them before they were attacked.

Who knows if we'll ever find out what actually occurred, how it occurred. Or even who killed them. I guess the why is most obvious since the truck and RV were taken.

If the killers came in by vehicle, they would have passed the same park and pier area on the way in. Maybe they parked farther down and walked to where James and Michelle were camped. Possible they were dropped off by boat somewhere on the beach?