VA - Meghan Landowski, 16, raped & murdered, Portsmouth, 10 April 2008 #1

[mmmbrownies]

Currently there's not much else being said about it. I hear variations on rumors every other day or so, some seem plausible, some not so much. Until there's something said definately, it's pretty much a waiting game. It'll be something that will never fully be understood anyway with the age of the victim and whatever the circumstances were leading up to that day. Sadly, like so many of these crimes, the answers will only bring more questions.

 

[Chicogirl36]

May this nightmare be over soon so that her family can go on and not have to hear all of the speculation. I hope they have moved them into another residence.

God Bless their souls and may Meghan rest in peace soon!

 

[mmmbrownies]

I hope they have moved them into another residence.

That's actually a good statement/question there, I often wonder what actually happens to the families of the victims especially when the crime occurs in the home. I'm assuming that they're displaced for a bit of time while the initial evidence gathering goes on. I do know that the police departments don't do clean up - there's been some discovery channel specials on companies through the US that actually have formed to clean up after a crime occurs.

Personally, I don't think I could ever live in my house again if something like that happened to me.

 

[Chicogirl36]

That's actually a good statement/question there, I often wonder what actually happens to the families of the victims especially when the crime occurs in the home. I'm assuming that they're displaced for a bit of time while the initial evidence gathering goes on. I do know that the police departments don't do clean up - there's been some discovery channel specials on companies through the US that actually have formed to clean up after a crime occurs.

Personally, I don't think I could ever live in my house again if something like that happened to me.

You and me both- I understand that some families have no financial help to move, but this looks like a upper/middle class neighborhood, and hopefully they will be able to relocate-
I couldnt imagine the thoughts that would go thru your head- imagining what happened in every room. Sorry if I upset anyone with this question- As I am answering brownies post, I am upset and I again apologize if I upset anyone else. (then again, maybe Im uber-sensitive )

 

[lizzybeth]

The last I heard the family was staying in a hotel; that's what some of the fund that was set up was being used for.

I agree, I could never live in that house knowing what happened to my daughter there.

Mmmbrownie, do you agree with me that this area isn't really upper class? MAYBE middle class. Sorry, I don't want to offend anyone in the neighborhood (I live there too) but there are much more expensive neighborhoods (although this one is nice) in Portsmouth.

Sorry, maybe I should just shut up.

My point being, I'm sure this is difficult on them emotionally as well as financially.

ETA: I did read that the company the mother works for is continuing her pay. I'm not sure how long that will last but it was wonderful of them to do this.

 

[Blink34]

I dont know Blink- They just dont seem connected to me, but then again, we have no SOLID info in Meghan's case. Anything could be possible. The boards have sure died down. That makes me worry.

IF the perp isnt the man who they think it is, then there is a killer in Portsmouth like I have said from the beginning.

Lock your doors locals- Go to city hall and demand JUSTICE!!!! You deserve it. Or you at least deserve to know that someone is being watched and you can sleep with some peace of mind-

I know it seems remote, but my gut tells me when this shakes out, there's a connection. The other thing that supports that, is that there has been no press conference update on a murder going on 2 weeks ago of a minor child. Has there been increased patroling? School announcements on safety? Makes me think it is military and they have jurisdiction. Additionally, and again this could be coincidence, but I was re-reading coverage in this case and I missed this the first time: the NCIS, Local LE, AND Federal agents went to the scene to POI #1.. The indictment against the 17 sailors is a Federal one-
With all due respect, If I lived where you do as you all have children, teenagers, etc, I would be demanding an update on this case. Organize a candlelight vigil and invite the media- try to keep the press live- send them a list of questions you want them to ask- seems silly, I know, but I am shocked at the lack of investigative reporting in some of these cases. Let me know what I can do to help

 

[lizzybeth]

Blink,
I haven't noticed an increase in patrol in our area. Another thing that could mean they know who the person is and are watching him.

I wonder if LE has contacted the media and told them to not report anything on this case.

 

[Blink34]

I do not think they would do that as the public would freak out. It may just be that there is no new information. I have learned that in general, most local reporters report what they are given, with little investigation on the facts. Also, Meghan is a minor. They will follow up with LE if the public starts raising questions- frankly, my personal opinion is that the bulk of this is being handled by NCIS/VBI, jurisdiction may be weighing on whatever testing they have sent out as to a link-
I hope that you are correct, but if not, I really feel as neighbors in that area you have a right to know if you need to take extra precautions of some kind- agree?

 

[mmmbrownies]

With the current economic standards I think the middle class has all but vanished. Right now everyone is struggling with $3.30 a gallon gas and better-off-growing-your-own food prices. I'd guess the average household income in this neighborhood is 45-65k ish. Not poor, not rich either.

Any violation of the UCMJ (uniform code of military justice) is considered a federal crime, like in this case that blink's speaking of, they defrauded the government so it's an auto federal thing. As far as the murder being related, there's probably 500,000 or more military (more if you count dependants) in the tidewater area, so I just can't put the marriage scam and a murder together. Geographically this area is HUGE, considering Newport News and Hampton - driving from one side to the other on the interstate is an hour long affair, more in rush hour.

I dunno, I see slightly more police now than before, but it's been cyclic over the time we've lived here - for a bit none, then all of a sudden someone drives by. Nothing to make me think anything is going on in the neighborhood. Personally, at my house there's always someone here, so if it is a random looney, which I doubt, and he's got the misfortune of picking my house, he'll more than likely run into me and wondermutt.

There probably is some federal involvement, since in 1995 Portsmouth fell into a joint crimes task force program where the city was getting federal assistance on violent crime. Portsmouth used to be where everything happened, not so much anymore, Virginia Beach seems to be leading the pack this year in violence. I don't know if that's ended or not.

 

[lizzybeth]

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-meghan.a22,0,1538091.story

 

[Blink34]

Is anyone else sick of reading what we already know. How about a question like- if you are not commenting on suspects, can you comment on whether or not there is a psychopathic murderer loose in our town?
Sorry, don't mean to be glib, just frustrated for the locals

 

[gaia227]

Yes, saw that quote as well.

As far as the family not being in the media, I don't see it curious at all. Truthfully, I wouldn't either. I'd be sticking to the police and trying to stay away from the media, after something like that happened I'd just be trying to pick things up in my life. One of the things that I find abhorrent about the society that we live in is when there's something tragic happen and some reporter comes running up to someone and jams a microphone and camera in their face. "The public has a right to know" - but the family has the right to grieve and deal with the loss, which is much greater than the "right to know".

I couldn't agree with you more. I only said something about it because so many times in these instances you see the family using the media to keep the case in the public eye, put pressure on LE, etc.
I absolutely do not subscribe to the notion the 'public has a right to know' and I find today's culture of paparazzi and reporters essentially stalking people absolutely abhorent. If I were in this families situation I know I would want my privacy and I hope if that is what they want people are being respectful of that.

 

[noZme]

Thank you mmmm & lizzy for keeping us informed of local news. Many of us from far away are praying with you for a resolution soon to this senseless killing. Keep up the great work.

Hopefully, the investigators know what they are doing and have reasons for not making information public. I believe they have a suspect and will come forward when the case is airtight. Now having said that, do any readers have personal knowledge of the detectives' experience with murder investigations? Is this the way such cases have been handled in the past?

 

[Blink34]

yes, I do, and they can all differ. Do you mean do I know the detectives working on this case and their experience or in general?

 

[lizzybeth]

The murders that do happen around here are usually pretty cut and dried. I think the police know who did it as soon as they are called to the scene.

This is different though. Different neighborhood then where most crime occurs, a young girl, etc.

The only thing I can compare it to is that a twenty yr. old girl that my son went to school with was murdered and found dumped in another neighboring city (Chesapeake). Everyone that knew her knew that her ex-boyfriend had to be the one. It was months, possibly a year before anything else was written about it and that was to say that this guy had been arrested. It'll probably be just as long before we hear about him going to trial.

 

[mmmbrownies]

Portsmouth Police are some of the most non-talking folks I've ever met.

However, with the resolute sureness that they've said "It isn't random" and a few other things I've heard them say (nothing personally since I refuse to ask people I know about their jobs, at home time is just that) - It isn't random and they're on it. They don't say anything unless they're sure of it. Which, believe it or not, is a good thing.

I had to make a pit stop today and noticed an unmarked police car tooling around the neighborhood... don't know what he was there for, just smiled and waved like normal.

 

[lizzybeth]

I've been assured it isn't random too but because they aren't talking and they haven't named any suspects it still makes me a little nervous.

On my way home from the grocery store I rode past Meghan's house. The whole front porch (and it's a long one) is covered in flowers and teddy bears. It just goes to show how much this little girl was loved.

 

[MeoW333]

If Portsmouth LE are working together with NCIS, then it's even more reason they're going to keep mum about the case. It does not seem to be random from what we've read. So it is good they aren't talking; as to do so could potentially ruin a case, especially being NCIS involved also, then they all have good reason. They wouldn't want to tip off whoever they have their eyes on.

 

[Blink34]

I've been assured it isn't random too but because they aren't talking and they haven't named any suspects it still makes me a little nervous.

On my way home from the grocery store I rode past Meghan's house. The whole front porch (and it's a long one) is covered in flowers and teddy bears. It just goes to show how much this little girl was loved.

Has LE made a statement that it was not random? I definately do not think it is, but I have not seen that on record.

 

[mmmbrownies]

Has LE made a statement that it was not random? I definately do not think it is, but I have not seen that on record.

Yeah, they said that night on the 11 pm news. They dropped it every so often after that before they were totally silent.