WA WA - Shantina Smiley, 29, & Azriel Carver, 8 (fnd deceased), Olympia, Mar 2010 - #1

[BeanE]

Well, I just listened to the video again. I missed it first time around. Her fiance said he knew she had been drinking. It's clear her drinking has been ongoing in the days before she disappeared. Very, very sad.

ETA: The video also said about the search being called off, and additionally, that no new searches are planned. This really is just awfully sad.

 

[LotsaLatte]

Okay, I've tried to read through all this and didn't see if a couple things were asked/answered. If so, please forgive the duplication.
Do we know that the stepdad in Castle Rock was expecting the fiance (RS) to visit?
Or was he thinking it was just going to be shantina and Azriel?
Is it possible that maybe she was in fact, going to visit the ex in Castle Rock and maybe RS decided he better go just in case?
This is a confusing story. I guess I feel there needs to be quite a few things verified before anyone will know anything. Like has anyone else verified that Shantina is an alcoholic? That she relapsed? That she is on anti-anxiety medication? That the stepdad was really expecting any/all of them?

I think someone also questioned RS health and his ability to do things like drive for a long time looking for her, scouting and other strenuous things with the possible threat of cancer. Well, my own fiance was diagnosed at stage 4 - yep! Stage 4 colon cancer. He wore a chemo pump 24/7 and kept working everyday. Some people are amazing. So, I think that it is possible that even if someone may be ill beyond belief, they can still function at a high level. Not that I am convinced that RS isn't hinky. Just need more info to figure it all out. KWIM?

 

[Texas Mist]

Well, I just listened to the video again. I missed it first time around. Her fiance said he knew she had been drinking. It's clear her drinking has been ongoing in the days before she disappeared. Very, very sad.

ETA: The video also said about the search being called off, and additionally, that no new searches are planned. This really is just awfully sad.

I can't watch the video right now, but did they say calling off search where the van was found, or any/all searching?

The way I understood Robb on NG tonite they weren't gonna be searching near where the van was found & were gonna spread out.

I also read that they couldn't use a helicopter today because it was too windy but they'd try tomorrow.

How could they stop searching this soon????

 

[eyes4crime]

My observations of Smiley walking and driving were not that she was drunk. Finding out she was on anti-anxiety medication tells me alot - maybe she took an extra pill or two because she was nervous about seeing her step-dad. That would explain her forgetfulness (leaving cell phone at home, forgetting directions, going in circles, and maybe forgetting she had made calls etc). If she added drinks and/or a head injury to the pills, her actions (falling, forgetting to take food, etc.) are what one would expect.

Someone mentioned a doctor wouldn't prescribe anti-anx drugs to a recovering alcoholic. Maybe not, but only if he knew she was recovering. As a pharmacist, I get questions all the time from recovering alcoholics about an RX for vicodin, Valium, Xanax etc., or if a certain cough syrup or mouth wash has alcohol in it. Most of the time, personal physicians haven't been told or aren't reminded. moo

Addiction is a terrible disease and if Smiley did relapse, she could very well have been disappointed in herself, consumed more pills for the anxiety, become disorientated, confused, forgetful, and determined that the relapse would not get in her way. moo

If Smiley hurt her head in any way, the anti-anx pills would cause the same problems.

I hope with all my heart she and her child are found safe.

ETA: I read that LE did verify she was a recovering alcoholic. One of the many links on this thread - sorry I don't remember what one.

 

[BeanE]

I can't watch the video right now, but did they say calling off search where the van was found, or any/all searching?

The way I understood Robb on NG tonite they weren't gonna be searching near where the van was found & were gonna spread out.

I also read that they couldn't use a helicopter today because it was too windy but they'd try tomorrow.

How could they stop searching this soon????

They only said no new searches are planned. It seems too soon to me too. I always want people to keep searching just on the off chance the persons could be alive out there. Based on the weather etc I think they could still be alive. Not that I'm an expert. But they could keep up ground searches while they search the water. I don't want them to give up hope so soon. Maybe they'll decide to keep going in the morning on the ground.

 

[eyes4crime]

Smiley had several stops where she may have attracted attention by looking lost, confused, and vulnerable. That behavior, as we all know, can attract a predator of the worst kind. Another terrible scenario. moo

 

[yosande]

Well, I just listened to the video again. I missed it first time around. Her fiance said he knew she had been drinking. It's clear her drinking has been ongoing in the days before she disappeared. Very, very sad.

ETA: The video also said about the search being called off, and additionally, that no new searches are planned. This really is just awfully sad.

bbm, and yet her friends say she is a responsible, loving person with no history of drug abuse...

So, now why would LE not plan any more searches when it's suppose to get below freezing tomorrow night? Wouldn't time be of the essense now?

The bff mentions at the very end of a video on website posted in my previous post, that he had like 3 days to get his affairs in order, does anyone have an unedited version of that video to clarify what he is talking about?

Has he been diagnosed with cancer?
Did she know he had cancer, if he does, on Saturday evening?

Was she given Rx for xanax due to that diagnosis?
Would she really do herself in, b/c she wasn't strong enough to stand with him through cancer, but strong enough to do her son in with her?

How did she go from being a responsible, loving person who had no history of drug abuse to a recovering alcoholic who relapsed, and has been drinking since her fiance of a year or more, asked her to marry him, b/c he might have cancer?

Ok, usually, when someone is expecting to hear they have cancer, they do not usually want to burden the one they love, and will usually say so, but he wants to make sure they finally get married?

I know he says he was in Castle Rock when she was on the beach, but, was he? Has the stepfather verified that? Even if he did, they haven't seen each other for several years according to RS, so would he be a reliable witness?

Is he attempting to tug on the heart drawstrings with this cancer story, for funds?
He sure is making the rounds on national tv, which in itself isn't bad, and I haven't watched them, so I don't know if he is providing "exclusive" photos, or videos.....

I truly am sorry for my lack of faith in humanity..

Does he have a life insurance policy on her and/or Az?
Did he just get one recently?

I sure would like some reporters go to Silverdale, and start snooping around.

Where are her family and friends? Why aren't they on tv? Why is it only him?

 

[yosande]

Having a wild imagination, and before I read the myspaces of these two wonderfully in love people, and watching the video of the store, where it appears to me that they are stalling for time, I had envisioned her going to that beach on purpose, to meet her grandfather who was on a boat, to whisk them away from this abusive man, who had hit her in the head, and hurt the son also.

If my wild imagination is anywhere close to correct, perhaps, SS has contacted LE to tell them she is ok, and that she simply wanted to disappear, so he couldn't find her.

This is all just my imagination, and moo, of course...

 

[Cher352]

Just an FYI, a close family member of mine was going through alcohol withdrawal and I was there went the doctor told them to take Xanax to relieve the anxiety they were going through.

 

[Texas Mist]

Fiance: Smiley wouldn't be drinking on the road with her son

Story Published: Mar 16, 2010 at 11:01 PM PDT
Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM PDT

SEATTLE -- The fiance of the missing Silverdale woman says she had a drinking problem and relapsed last week.

However, Robb Simmons doesn't believe Shantina "Kat" Smiley would do anything to endanger her 8-year-old son, Azriel Carver, who is also missing.

"To think that she would be drinking on the road with her son, that's an insane idea. I don't believe that would happen," he said.

And the missing boy's aunt agrees. Dana Carver suspects 29-year-old Smiley fell victim to the unfortunate sum of a series of events.

"I think she was just being a silly, stupid woman who trusted the wrong people. And (she) was in a bit of a jam and it was getting dark, and probably took kindness from the wrong stranger.

"Well, heck, she knocked on a stranger's door. Who in their right mind does that? Knocks on a stranger's door to use their phone? I just think she was scared and had no idea," said Carver.

Meantime, the missing boy's father traveled to Seattle on Tuesday to join the search for his son.

more here

http://www.komonews.com/news/88041897.html

 

[impatientredhead]

She was knocking on doors at 10pm, it was not getting dark, it was dark.

I can't believe they opened the door and let them in. I'm lost, forgot my cellphone, my boy is hungry, can we come in? I would be expecting the lunatic boyfriend to force his way in right behind that story. But I am not that trusting.

 

[annalyzer]

She was knocking on doors at 10pm, it was not getting dark, it was dark.

I can't believe they opened the door and let them in. I'm lost, forgot my cellphone, my boy is hungry, can we come in? I would be expecting the lunatic boyfriend to force his way in right behind that story. But I am not that trusting.

Yeah me too. I doubt I'd even answer the door at that time of night not expecting anyone.

 

[eyes4crime]

Fiance: Smiley wouldn't be drinking on the road with her son

Story Published: Mar 16, 2010 at 11:01 PM PDT
Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM PDT

SEATTLE -- The fiance of the missing Silverdale woman says she had a drinking problem and relapsed last week.

However, Robb Simmons doesn't believe Shantina "Kat" Smiley would do anything to endanger her 8-year-old son, Azriel Carver, who is also missing.

"To think that she would be drinking on the road with her son, that's an insane idea. I don't believe that would happen," he said.

And the missing boy's aunt agrees. Dana Carver suspects 29-year-old Smiley fell victim to the unfortunate sum of a series of events.

"I think she was just being a silly, stupid woman who trusted the wrong people. And (she) was in a bit of a jam and it was getting dark, and probably took kindness from the wrong stranger.

"Well, heck, she knocked on a stranger's door. Who in their right mind does that? Knocks on a stranger's door to use their phone? I just think she was scared and had no idea," said Carver.

Meantime, the missing boy's father traveled to Seattle on Tuesday to join the search for his son.

more here

http://www.komonews.com/news/88041897.html

BBM

Maybe a sober mom wouldn't do anything to harm her child and the thought that she would, seems insane. However, logic goes out the window when a recovering alcoholic relapses! An alcoholic person doesn't have one drink and say 'that's it - cause I have to drive now'. That's as absurd as saying that a coke addict can have only 2 snorts and call it a night. Seems her family isn't understanding the hard work she has put into being sober and how easy it can all disappear. MOO

 

[PaulR]

She was knocking on doors at 10pm, it was not getting dark, it was dark.

I can't believe they opened the door and let them in. I'm lost, forgot my cellphone, my boy is hungry, can we come in? I would be expecting the lunatic boyfriend to force his way in right behind that story. But I am not that trusting.

So you're saying the couple lied about letting her in? Maybe killed her and fed her body to some local wild pigs?

 

[anyoldtime48]

You don't know any alcoholics This happens all too often, sadly.



There is a law yes (just made more potent.) AZ would have needed physical access to it, and he was forced to be in the back seat due to his age. So she could have put the purse in the back, or given him the cell...



If she usually kept her cell in her purse, she would have taken "the purse" and assumed that the cell was inside. If the cell was outside of her purse (say, charging), she may have forgotten to put it back inside the purse before leaving.

Except she never had cell phone with her. Left it at home. Thus why she was used pay phone to initially call her fiance and later knocked on stranger's door at 10pm to use their phone to call her grandfather, after trying her fiance again -- his battery was dead by that time so she next called her grandfather.

 

[PaulR]

The reason we explore other "options" is that if anything we have all learned from previous cases such as this is that things sometimes are not what they appear to be.

And, people who have appeared all loving, caring, and innocent have turned out to be the perpetrators, and those who appear guilty sometimes are the innocent ones.

I think we get a very warped sense of what happens to people here.

Witness the focus on Katherine Huether recently - coverage claiming she had been murdered, frantic discussion about a mysterious man, and it turned out that she, well, fell off a cliff on a hike.

Or Sarah Rogers; the fingers were pointed at the husband, and then it turns out she died from exposure not too far from the car crash.

Both the threads on these poor people (I hate to use this phrase) died, and drop out of page 1, because they are the cases that turned out to be accidents, rotten luck, or something much, much more boring than someone hunting her down at night.

IMHO.

 

[PaulR]

Except she never had cell phone with her. Left it at home. Thus why she was used pay phone to initially call her fiance and later knocked on stranger's door at 10pm to use their phone to call her grandfather, after trying her fiance again -- his battery was dead by that time so she next called her grandfather.

Right...? She left the cell phone at home, I gave an explanation as to why this could have been done accidentally.

Heck, I've left my wallet at home several times. My coworkers forget their "badges" all the time. Happens more than we think.

 

[FifthEssence]

Have a few questions and hope someone can chime in:

1. What was the depth of the water the auto was found in?

2. How far from the shoreline?

3. Does anyone know anything about cold water and drowning victims? Would cold water hold a body down for a longer period then maybe warmer water? ( body gases to consider and rate of decomp )
I recall someone commenting the water temp there would be something like 40 degrees.

 

[annalyzer]

Right...? She left the cell phone at home, I gave an explanation as to why this could have been done accidentally.

Heck, I've left my wallet at home several times. My coworkers forget their "badges" all the time. Happens more than we think.

I would've turned around and went back to get my cellphone. I don't go anywhere without it.

 

[PaulR]

I would've turned around and went back to get my cellphone. I don't go anywhere without it.

Five miles down the road, sure.

But she was half-way - one hour into a two hour drive - to her destination. (More if she was stuck in traffic.) Either way, she was going to be without a cell phone for the next hour. Why not just finish the trip?