WA - Mackenzie Cowell, 17, Wenatchee, 9 Feb 2010 - #7

[Liz]

[respectfully snipped]

(1) transport MC’s body all the way from Wenatchee to CB; and

(2) then haul MC’s body from the CB house’s driveway, down through the brushy-area, along a rough, two-bit trail in the dark (probably early evening around 7:00 p.m.), past the creepiest house in the world, and to the brush-line near the river where they place MC’s body in a not-so-ideal spot to hide a body at?

BBM
Unless, as the astroanalysis suggested:

Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Forensic Astrology - CASE BRIEFINGS only

(Not trying to be vague but I guess I'm not supposed to say what the astroanalysis suggests?? )

 

[Cosmictadpole]

"...They weren’t expecting blind it was an unexpected bonus. ..."

It sounds to me they couldn't even have been expecting a trail as del rio is reporting it was recently made too, unless killers scouted the area more recently. (Correct del rio?)

**** If the perps went to CB expecting to use those trails, then you are correct that they must have been at the CB property sometime between November 6 and the date they placed MC's body there.

I totally agree with you that, if the perps were merely trying to buy time, then there would have been hundreds of other places that were closer and offered way more concealment than the CB property. And the perps would have driven past dozens of better places on the way to CB.


One thing that has always bugged me about this case is that, if the perps were intending to permanently hide MC’s body (which they were), then why would the perps expend all the effort, time and energy (plus the risk of apprehension) to:

(1) transport MC’s body all the way from Wenatchee to CB; and

(2) then haul MC’s body from the CB house’s driveway, down through the brushy-area, along a rough, two-bit trail in the dark (probably early evening around 7:00 p.m.), past the creepiest house in the world, and to the brush-line near the river where they place MC’s body in a not-so-ideal spot to hide a body at?

Was it all merely to hide her body at the brush-line near the river? This makes no sense because they would have driven past dozens of more remote hiding places while driving from Wenatchee to CB. Moreover, while going from the driveway to the river, they would have walked right past (and through) several spots that would have been far better for permanently concealing a body.

It seems like the perps must have placed her body as close to the river as possible, while still concealing it, for some specific purpose or reason.

Phrases bolded by me.
What makes you so sure that the perp/s were intending to permanently hide MC's body where it was found? Also, I've seen reference to the house being creepy before, but I thought it was because of the fact that MC was found on the property. What would have made it the "creepiest house in the world" prior to this?

 

[del rio]

That's what I was trying to point out. So yes. When searching for someone alive, much - MUCH - more leeway is taken and received from the courts on searches.

Alt.theory: I respectfully disagree. Art. I, Sect. 7 of the WA constitution provides more rights and protections than the federal constitution.

 

[del rio]

AND............when she last put gas in the car and how much gas was left in the tank when her car was found.

I had the same idea. Depending on when when MC last filled her gas tank (could get info from her gas card statement), LE might be able to determine (within a reasonable degree of accuracy) how many miles her car was driven on February 9.

Plus, the amount of gas left in her tank when the perps were moving her car may have determined or limited the locations at which her car would be ditched. IMO, the perps would not risk stopping at a gas station to get more fuel.

 

[James Vic]

While I was working, I had a thought. What if the initial murder was an accident and the killer panicked, and then called a friend to help them. They did not know what to do, but this close friend knew about a location where the body could be dumped.
The killing was accidental. The perpetrator panicked and called a friend. The murder, panicky and distraught, did not know what to do. This friend knew where to dump the car and the body. Not premeditated, but planned after she was gone, by someone who knew the murder.

Maybe they were a friend, owed them a favor, or worked for them?

What this would mean is that the Crescent Bar location may not be that important. It could be that a second or a third person knew a good place to dump a body?
Just a thought, now I need to get back to work before I get in trouble.

 

[alt.theory]

**** If the perps went to CB expecting to use those trails, then you are correct that they must have been at the CB property sometime between November 6 and the date they placed MC's body there.

Could the suspect(s) have expected to find another trail down to the river on the CB property? Or was the recently made trail the only one? My thought would be it was a recently made trail because there was no access down to the river. But, since you are slightly more familiar with the area I thought you could shed some light on this topic.

And could a wheel-barrow make it all the way back to where you think the body was placed?

 

[jarethamarie]

Regarding probable cause/warrants for the spec house:

Aren't the need for probable cause and warrants in searching a house completely a non-issue if LE has the cooperation/permission of the owner of the home?

In this case, WC.

I can't imagine any reason they would need a warrant to search the house owned by MC's mother if she gave them access to it willingly, and why wouldn't she, right?

JMO

 

[jgk10414]

I had the same idea. Depending on when when MC last filled her gas tank (could get info from her gas card statement), LE might be able to determine (within a reasonable degree of accuracy) how many miles her car was driven on February 9.

Plus, the amount of gas left in her tank when the perps were moving her car may have determined or limited the locations at which her car would be ditched. IMO, the perps would not risk stopping at a gas station to get more fuel.

Wouldn't it make sense that she filled up and purchased a car wash at the same time? It's cheaper this way...am I correct? Therefore, you should be able to determine distance very accurately.

 

[giddyup]

Wouldn't it make sense that she filled up and purchased a car wash at the same time? It's cheaper this way...am I correct? Therefore, you should be able to determine distance very accurately.

No gas associated with said car wash. Gas station is separate location, although next door.

 

[del rio]

Do people at CB put their trash out in cans, or in communal dumpsters?

The reason I ask is that there have been some court cases that question the legality of LE searching people's trash, and in many states (IDK what WA's statutes provide) it is legal if the trash receptacle is off private property and there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in a common dumpster, where anyone could go through it. LE wouldn't need a warrant in that case.

Here's a link with just a little info on the subject:

http://www.free-legal-document.com/can-an-officer-dig-through-your-garbage-without-a-warrant.html

About whether or not a search warrant is needed to search a person's garbage, here is the Washington Supreme Court case holding that the police MUST obtain a search warrant before searching garbage cans or etc.:

State v. Boland, 115 Wn.2d 571, 800 P.2d 1112 (1990)

 

[AutumnRose]

I had the same idea. Depending on when when MC last filled her gas tank (could get info from her gas card statement), LE might be able to determine (within a reasonable degree of accuracy) how many miles her car was driven on February 9.

Plus, the amount of gas left in her tank when the perps were moving her car may have determined or limited the locations at which her car would be ditched. IMO, the perps would not risk stopping at a gas station to get more fuel.

And my experience with 17 year olds is that they wait until they are running on fumes to put gas in the car!

MOO

 

[jgk10414]

I know it contradicts what someone else has said, but I remember February 9th as being dark, dreary and overcast, and remember the high as being around 41. I remember so clearlybecause I had been down at the boat launch that day around 2 to kill some time waiting for someone. But maybe up at saddlerock it cleared up a little! I dunno. I seem to remember it sprinkling a little bit here and there later in the day as well.

Just to play devil's advocate, who washes their car on a rainy day.
Except to say, Whenever I wash my car - it rains!

 

[AutumnRose]

No gas associated with said car wash. Gas station is separate location, although next door.

It's my feeling that, since her debit card and gas card were not in her purse, she either had gotten gas or was planning on getting gas.

MOO

 

[del rio]

Phrases bolded by me.
What makes you so sure that the perp/s were intending to permanently hide MC's body where it was found? Also, I've seen reference to the house being creepy before, but I thought it was because of the fact that MC was found on the property. What would have made it the "creepiest house in the world" prior to this?

No, I meant that the perps were trying to permanently dispose of MC's body forever and where ever.

I don't believe the perps meant for the CB property to be the final spot for disposing of MC's body.

As for the "creepiest house in the world," those who were on this site on Monday evening might know. But I'm not talking about that anymore.

 

[Liz]

And my experience with 17 year olds is that they wait until they are running on fumes to put gas in the car!

MOO

I tend to believe they would not 'fill' the tank either.

 

[James Vic]

Regarding probable cause/warrants for the spec house:

Aren't the need for probable cause and warrants in searching a house completely a non-issue if LE has the cooperation/permission of the owner of the home?

In this case, WC.

I can't imagine any reason they would need a warrant to search the house owned by MC's mother if she gave them access to it willingly, and why wouldn't she, right?

JMO

This also points to something that I do not understand. If MC is underage why would LE need a warrant to get her cell phone records? Does that mean that her cell phone contract was not through her parents; I would think that if I was her parent, I would have went down and got the records for the police myself.

 

[James Vic]

No, I meant that the perps were trying to permanently dispose of MC's body forever and where ever.

I don't believe the perps meant for the CB property to be the final spot for disposing of MC's body.

As for the "creepiest house in the world," those who were on this site on Monday evening might know. But I'm not talking about that anymore.

I am surprised that LE would let people near the home????

 

[Cosmictadpole]

No, I meant that the perps were trying to permanently dispose of MC's body forever and where ever.

I don't believe the perps meant for the CB property to be the final spot for disposing of MC's body.

As for the "creepiest house in the world," those who were on this site on Monday evening might know. But I'm not talking about that anymore.

Hmmm, that might explain why I now can't find what I remember seeing now that I'm going back and searching the threads :waitasec:

 

[giddyup]

It's my feeling that, since her debit card and gas card were not in her purse, she either had gotten gas or was planning on getting gas.

MOO

The way I read the first article regarding her missing debit card is that it was used for gas, not that there was a "gas card" missing. IDK, the way it is written could be interpreted both ways:

"He did say that in addition to her cell phone, authorities did not find Cowell’s debit card, or her gas card, in the vehicle where her purse and clothing were left.

He said the debit card only had about $20, and was used for incidental expenses. There has been no activity on the card since Tuesday, he said."

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/feb/13/police-will-analyze-teens-phone-records/?online

 

[del rio]

Could the suspect(s) have expected to find another trail down to the river on the CB property? Or was the recently made trail the only one? My thought would be it was a recently made trail because there was no access down to the river. But, since you are slightly more familiar with the area I thought you could shed some light on this topic.

And could a wheel-barrow make it all the way back to where you think the body was placed?

I'm pretty sure you can access the river if you go through the grassy area where the figure 8 is at. So, yes. But the trails going through the brushy-area would offer a lot more concealment than any other way.

Yes, a wheel barrow could make it to the place where I THINK MC's body was found.

Maybe it wasn't a wheel barrow, but a dolly (with big wheels) or something. Does anybody in construction know of any wheel barrow-like or dolly-like aperatus used in construction or building houses?