Found Alive UT -Brent Neil Brown set to take a plea deal in kidnapping of college student Ephraim, 13 Dec 2021

[Yesiamapirate]

Ephraim is a rural college town. The student population is in the low-to-mid four digits, and to me the town feels like the population about doubles when the college is in session (but I don't know the exact numbers.) The college is the largest employer. When combined, other government agencies (Forest Service, City Gov, a jail and a prison) are probably the second largest employer, followed by healthcare. There are also a lot of ranchers, tradesmen, and seed distribution companies. The town has a Walmart and some other restaurants/coffee shops/etc. There's also some small manufacturing businesses and call centers. A new LDS temple and a new hospital are both in the works, as well. The majority of the town are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) but there are a couple of other denominations with churches in Ephraim and the nearby towns, and at least some of the college employees are pretty openly secular. Ephraim sits at the foot of the Manti LaSal Mountains, and there are a lot of outdoor activities (mountain biking, ATVs, backcountry skiing, fishing, etc.) Thanks to covid and remote-work, the town has grown a fair amount in the last two years. Everyone is Ephraim is rooting for Maddie. I hope that we as a community get the chance to welcome her back with open arms. It doesn't matter why she left (faith crisis, mental health, something entirely different) we all want her safe.

Thank you for this great insight. It is great to have a local here.

 

[Beans]

She may be having a mental health crisis but it also worries me that she seems very vulnerable. When you look at everything we can see on social there’s a sweet girl who comes across as impressionable, and someone who is looking for something. Looking for answers and trying to understand herself and the world. Someone that would be vulnerable to people with less than honourable intentions. She may be having a crisis but it doesn’t sound like she’s doing this disappearance alone.

And for what it’s worth I’m always a teeny bit cautious when someone involved with a highly disciplined church is described as having a mental health crisis. From experience that description can sometimes have a different sort of meaning.

 

[iamnotagolem]

I’m afraid this girl left with someone she trusted but maybe shouldn’t have trusted.

 

[indicolite22]

If she left due to a mental health crisis, how would she get to Wayne County on her own? It doesn't seem she used public transport. Someone had to have given her a ride. If they were a stranger, they likely would have come forward by now. Another option is that only her phone traveled there. Do we know when the last ping was detected?

 

[wnk]

SPECULATION:

The longer this goes without releasing phone ping information, the more I'm starting to think that LE already has some idea of who she's with (based on texts, emails, etc) and are trying to keep the story in the news to pressure them into voluntarily coming forward. So far, there seems to be no evidence of a crime, which is going to limit what they can get warrants for, and the way they've phrased things and focused on her "mental health crisis," makes it feel like they're trying to send the message that, so long as she's returned safely, no one will be charged with anything.

From the press conference:
Q: Do you believe that someone could be with Maddie or could be helping Maddie?
A: Um... Everything associated with that would be a speculation, but I do hope someone is with her, and I hope that they are friendly.

The strategy may work, if the person she was with truly did have Maddie's best interests in heart, but if they didn't...? I worry that they may be wasting valuable time.

MOO.

 

[?!?]

SPECULATION:

The longer this goes without releasing phone ping information, the more I'm starting to think that LE already has some idea of who she's with (based on texts, emails, etc) and are trying to keep the story in the news to pressure them into voluntarily coming forward. So far, there seems to be no evidence of a crime, which is going to limit what they can get warrants for, and the way they've phrased things and focused on her "mental health crisis," makes it feel like they're trying to send the message that, so long as she's returned safely, no one will be charged with anything.

From the press conference:
Q: Do you believe that someone could be with Maddie or could be helping Maddie?
A: Um... Everything associated with that would be a speculation, but I do hope someone is with her, and I hope that they are friendly.

The strategy may work, if the person she was with truly did have Maddie's best interests in heart, but if they didn't...? I worry that they may be wasting valuable time.

MOO.

Isn't she considered an adult in Utah (at 19)? She clearly left of her own volition; therefore, she is free to not return if she so chooses, and noone ELSE can 'return' her (maybe give her ride back, but at her own choice).

 

[indicolite22]

Isn't she considered an adult in Utah (at 19)? She clearly left of her own volition; therefore, she is free to not return if she so chooses, and noone ELSE can 'return' her (maybe give her ride back, but at her own choice).

BBM. How do we know that she wasn't kidnapped after getting outside? Only when her safety is established, it will be up to her whether she returns or not.

ETA: If the premise was that LE knew who she was with, perhaps they don't know the location or if she's safe.

 

[CluelessWonder]

Isn't she considered an adult in Utah (at 19)? She clearly left of her own volition; therefore, she is free to not return if she so chooses, and noone ELSE can 'return' her (maybe give her ride back, but at her own choice).

You are correct. I assume you're responding to someone else, and I don't know what that person said. But, I wanted to clarify your great point. Yes, she is an adult. Yes, she can do what she wants. However, police must do two things. First, they need to confirm that she is voluntarily away (for lack of a better term). Secondly, they must make sure that she is safe and not in need of medical care. The latter requires police to evaluate both her physical and mental state.

 

[NalphJros]

SPECULATION:

The longer this goes without releasing phone ping information, the more I'm starting to think that LE already has some idea of who she's with (based on texts, emails, etc) and are trying to keep the story in the news to pressure them into voluntarily coming forward. So far, there seems to be no evidence of a crime, which is going to limit what they can get warrants for, and the way they've phrased things and focused on her "mental health crisis," makes it feel like they're trying to send the message that, so long as she's returned safely, no one will be charged with anything.

From the press conference:
Q: Do you believe that someone could be with Maddie or could be helping Maddie?
A: Um... Everything associated with that would be a speculation, but I do hope someone is with her, and I hope that they are friendly.

The strategy may work, if the person she was with truly did have Maddie's best interests in heart, but if they didn't...? I worry that they may be wasting valuable time.

MOO.

After Gabby Petito and how Brian was on the run and wasn’t found until dead, they probably learned that the less they say about the possible culprit, the less likelihood that the perp would bolt or do something drastic

 

[Turkeytrot]

https://fb.watch/9ZZK1ZKDRb/

UPDATE—PLEASE WATCH: The family spokesperson (Jacob Allen) gives a family statement.

"Please continue to help us. Please look at her pictures, watch her videos, learn who she is, share this information widely, and watch for her at gas stations, mini marts, motels, and roadside restaurants. We urge people everywhere to call the tipline (435-835-2345) with anything that could possibly accelerate the investigative efforts."

 

[SuziQ]

https://fb.watch/9ZZK1ZKDRb/

UPDATE—PLEASE WATCH: The family spokesperson (Jacob Allen) gives a family statement.

"Please continue to help us. Please look at her pictures, watch her videos, learn who she is, share this information widely, and watch for her at gas stations, mini marts, motels, and roadside restaurants. We urge people everywhere to call the tipline (435-835-2345) with anything that could possibly accelerate the investigative efforts."

Her uncle is a very good speaker.

So the gist of her mental state is that emotionally she is much younger than 19. That as a teen she had difficulty protecting herself?

Imo, she sounds very vulnerable and would not recognize the signs of a bad person. She could very well be in danger. How did she meet this person though? A customer at work? Certainly LE has access to her social media accounts? Some of them anyways.

Moo.

 

[LaborDayRN]

https://fb.watch/9ZZK1ZKDRb/

UPDATE—PLEASE WATCH: The family spokesperson (Jacob Allen) gives a family statement.

"Please continue to help us. Please look at her pictures, watch her videos, learn who she is, share this information widely, and watch for her at gas stations, mini marts, motels, and roadside restaurants. We urge people everywhere to call the tipline (435-835-2345) with anything that could possibly accelerate the investigative efforts."

I feel so bad for her family. This must be heartbreaking for them.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Her uncle is a very good speaker.

So the gist of her mental state is that emotionally she is much younger than 19. That as a teen she had difficulty protecting herself?

Imo, she sounds very vulnerable and would not recognize the signs of a bad person. She could very well be in danger. How did she meet this person though? A customer at work? Certainly LE has access to her social media accounts? Some of them anyways.

Moo.

I agree. She seems to be very vulnerable and could be an easy target for a predator. Where are you Madelyn???

 

[Turkeytrot]

Log into Facebook

"We need the help of our community.

Tag influencers in the Utah region who have social media influence—we need their help spreading the word."

 

[samsmom]

Gray Hughes covering

 

[?!?]

THIS is the family-hosted FB page:

Help Find Maddie Allen - Home | Facebook

 

[annpats]

It sounds like Ephraim is one of the safest places on earth, so I definitely think someone came from outside of both her college and Mormon world, and drove to collect her. I think she was groomed.

 

[SteveP]

Her uncle is a very good speaker.

So the gist of her mental state is that emotionally she is much younger than 19. That as a teen she had difficulty protecting herself?

Imo, she sounds very vulnerable and would not recognize the signs of a bad person. She could very well be in danger. How did she meet this person though? A customer at work? Certainly LE has access to her social media accounts? Some of them anyways.

Moo.

I get the sense, from her uncle's words, that Maddie may have met someone online earlier in her teens, and either met up with, or was caught trying to make plans to meet up with that person, and her parents fear, perhaps rightfully so, that is what has happened now. She certainly seems to have lived a sheltered life, and may be far too trusting of people. JMO

 

[Nosurprise]

This was posted on Colleges website about previous suspicious behaviour this year.

 

[whitelilac]

I get the sense, from her uncle's words, that Maddie may have met someone online earlier in her teens, and either met up with, or was caught trying to make plans to meet up with that person, and her parents fear, perhaps rightfully so, that is what has happened now. She certainly seems to have lived a sheltered life, and may be far too trusting of people. JMO

Much as I've wanted to stay positive, in that she left with someone trustworthy to temporarily escape the pressures she may be under, I'm beginning to fear the same.
It's getting too long. I would have hoped she or her "friend" would have contacted her family, friends or LE by now to ensure them she's safe, and needs a break.