WA WA - Shantina Smiley, 29, & Azriel Carver, 8 (fnd deceased), Olympia, Mar 2010 - #4

[trigger]

Just saw this article...Reports of abuse...???

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/88624222.html

 

[Nancee Drue]

My theory is someone joined up with SS and son. This is not seen in the videos, because he either got in the van at an unknown stop, or a known stop where no video is available. This includes the beach area.

SS may be kidnapped, or she could have made the choice to leave/disappear. I don't think she meant harm to her son. Whatever happened was an accident.

 

[SMK]

Beautiful memorial article all about Azriel.

Azriel Carver Remembered at Memorial as 'a Joy and a Blessing'

Posted March 24, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.


“He was a happy-go-lucky boy with a wonderfully bright grin that made everyone who saw him smile in response to the sparkle in his eyes,” reads his obituary, which was printed in a leaflet and distributed at the service.

“He particularly enjoyed playing video and computer games and loved Gramma’s little dog Jasmine and his own little cat, CoCo,” the obituary said.

Reid relayed a tale from a few Sundays ago when Azriel was playing cards with another boy. Horseplay ensued, and the boys argued over the cards. Azriel, Reid said, ultimately gave the boy the cards and patted him on the back.


http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/mar/24/azriel-carver-remembered-as-a-joy-and-a-blessing/

Rest in peace, Az. You were a great guy.

Thanks for this. Vivid, beautiful, and sad. Poor baby. The part about the cat gets me. I can see it clearly in my mind. : (

 

[SMK]

Just saw this article...Reports of abuse...???

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/88624222.html

Oh yes, those CPS reports were out last week. It is part of what altered the whole complexion of the case, I believe.

 

[tlcya]

Just saw this article...Reports of abuse...???

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/88624222.html

CPS had been involved in little Azriel's life off and on for much of his life. From all reports I have read, Shantina was found to have abused by neglect (not properly supervised him while passed out drunk). While it was determined at one point that he was abused by a boyfriend of Shantina's, I have found no reports that indicate she was guilty in the past of physically harming the boy Although CPS apparently investigated allegations of physical abuse at one point and determined the allegation was "unfounded".

Poor little man. RIP

 

[eyes4crime]

My theory is someone joined up with SS and son. This is not seen in the videos, because he either got in the van at an unknown stop, or a known stop where no video is available. This includes the beach area.

SS may be kidnapped, or she could have made the choice to leave/disappear. I don't think she meant harm to her son. Whatever happened was an accident.

I agree - She loved her son and I highly doubt anything was done intentionally. With that said, she did appear very confused and sorta like she was unable to get things done. When a person is unable to concentrate on the task at hand, the situation can go bad quickly.

The appearance of looking confused, lost, and/or intoxicated also make her appear vulnerable to any predator around - and they are always around. There is always that possibility, but so far LE have found nothing to indicate a crime. moo

 

[SMK]

Yes, I too, believe that at MOST Shantina was guilty of having passed out intoxicated, and neglected him, all part of the alcoholism. Other than this, I think in her heart she was a loving and caring mother. Not in any way a "Casey Anthony" type.

 

[tlcya]

I know we covered waaaaay backin the thread the possible reasoning for backing onto the beach but something has just occurred to me so please bear with me.

It was suggested perhaps she was backed in to sit/lay in the hatch area and look out upon the water. It has been suggested that she backed in to keep an eye on the road because she expected someone.

It has just occurred to me an alternate reason. If I was lost/disoriented/tipsy and it is late and I have just taken yet another wrong turn and ended up on vacant small beachfront area and I decide SCREW IT! I'm just going to park here, collect myself, sober up a bit, whatever. But I am in an unfamiliar area, lost, just got done asking these people up the road for directions, can't go back there again, I will look like a lunitic or a moron, or worse yet, they will call the cops to report a suspicious possibly drunk stranger with a child in the area.

But I don't want to sleep it off here along the waterfront, what if someone pulls in behind me and I cant get turned around to escape? What if some freaky pervy serial rapist or killer traps me and Azriel back here?

I know, I will park facing the road.

Just a thought. You know, in that way that some men always prefer to have their back to the wall and face the door (the perceived entrypoint of danger).

Thanks for your patience while I stream of conscience/rambled

 

[BeanE]

While it was determined at one point that he was abused by a boyfriend of Shantina's, I have found no reports that indicate she was guilty in the past of physically harming the boy

This article says that CPS was unable to determine which of them committed the abuse - Shantina or her boyfriend.

The information appears to come from Sherry Hill from CPS.

After its investigation, CPS could not determine who had committed the abuse, Smiley or the ex-boyfriend. At that point, Smiley voluntarily sent the boy to live with relatives.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011393025_missing20m.html

 

[trigger]

I know we covered waaaaay backin the thread the possible reasoning for backing onto the beach but something has just occurred to me so please bear with me.

It was suggested perhaps she was backed in to sit/lay in the hatch area and look out upon the water. It has been suggested that she backed in to keep an eye on the road because she expected someone.

It has just occurred to me an alternate reason. If I was lost/disoriented/tipsy and it is late and I have just taken yet another wrong turn and ended up on vacant small beachfront area and I decide SCREW IT! I'm just going to park here, collect myself, sober up a bit, whatever. But I am in an unfamiliar area, lost, just got done asking these people up the road for directions, can't go back there again, I will look like a lunitic or a moron, or worse yet, they will call the cops to report a suspicious possibly drunk stranger with a child in the area.

But I don't want to sleep it off here along the waterfront, what if someone pulls in behind me and I cant get turned around to escape? What if some freaky pervy serial rapist or killer traps me and Azriel back here?

I know, I will park facing the road.

Just a thought. You know, in that way that some men always prefer to have their back to the wall and face the door (the perceived entrypoint of danger).

Thanks for your patience while I stream of conscience/rambled

Yes mostly cops sit against the wall. LOL. Anyway Wheres the Boy Scouts of America??? Why aren't they organizing a search party?

 

[slowpoke]

'Morning everyone!

Ok, this may be off the wall, but I happened to find this news article that said a gray whale had been spotted for a few days lingering in the lower Budd Inlet area. Is that near where the van was found?

Is it possible Shantina Smiley had read/heard about that and went to that area of the water to see if they could see the whale while they waited it out til it got light again to hit the road to Castle Rock?

Hope I'm linking the article correctly.

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/10/1167797/gray-whale-lingers-in-budd-inlet.html

 

[RubyRed]

'Morning everyone!

Ok, this may be off the wall, but I happened to find this news article that said a gray whale had been spotted for a few days lingering in the lower Budd Inlet area. Is that near where the van was found?

Is it possible Shantina Smiley had read/heard about that and went to that area of the water to see if they could see the whale while they waited it out til it got light again to hit the road to Castle Rock?

Hope I'm linking the article correctly.

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/10/1167797/gray-whale-lingers-in-budd-inlet.html

It was dark when she arrived at the beach.

 

[BeanE]

I agree - She loved her son and I highly doubt anything was done intentionally. With that said, she did appear very confused and sorta like she was unable to get things done. When a person is unable to concentrate on the task at hand, the situation can go bad quickly.

The appearance of looking confused, lost, and/or intoxicated also make her appear vulnerable to any predator around - and they are always around. There is always that possibility, but so far LE have found nothing to indicate a crime. moo

Based on the ME's determination of an accidental drowning, I don't think there was any foul play against poor Azriel.

LE says they abandoned the van, that there are no indications of a crime in the van, and that their scents never left the beach.

I think it is most likely that they both were accidentally swept into the water and drowned.

I think there is still a slight chance that Shantina might have survived and is holed up somewhere trying to figure out what to do, but as each day passes, I think this is even less likely.

I think there's only a very slight chance that Shantina may have met with foul play. The chances of Azriel having accidentally drowned but Shantina having met with foul play seem extremely low to me. Had there been any question regarding Az's cause or manner of death, I might have thought somewhat differently.

MOO

 

[belimom]

Welcome, Slowpoke! At this point, anything is possible.

I personally don't believe she (or should I say, the van) got to that beach by accident. There's no way. I just haven't figured out why she went there... that's the mystery. :twocents:

 

[Jules71]

'Morning everyone!

Ok, this may be off the wall, but I happened to find this news article that said a gray whale had been spotted for a few days lingering in the lower Budd Inlet area. Is that near where the van was found?

Is it possible Shantina Smiley had read/heard about that and went to that area of the water to see if they could see the whale while they waited it out til it got light again to hit the road to Castle Rock?

Hope I'm linking the article correctly.

http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/10/1167797/gray-whale-lingers-in-budd-inlet.html

Thanks for the post. Good article. They would not have been able to see anything at that time of night tho.

 

[tlcya]

This article says that CPS was unable to determine which of them committed the abuse - Shantina or her boyfriend.

The information appears to come from Sherry Hill from CPS.

After its investigation, CPS could not determine who had committed the abuse, Smiley or the ex-boyfriend. At that point, Smiley voluntarily sent the boy to live with relatives.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011393025_missing20m.html

Thanks BeanE, I hadn't seen that particular report. Hmmm, gonna have to give that one some more thought. My feel for this is still that she wasn't a physical abuser, but what does my gut know? It's just one gal's gut afterall, but I am always thrilled to have more clues.

 

[Jules71]

Welcome, Slowpoke! At this point, anything is possible.

I personally don't believe she (or should I say, the van) got to that beach by accident. There's no way. I just haven't figured out why she went there... that's the mystery. :twocents:

I wonder if she was trying to find the house of someone she knew in that area and that is how she ended up at that beach. I wonder if she has any connections to anyone in that area who lives on or close to a beach.

 

[trigger]

Video one

http://www.king5.com/video/featured...way-surveillance-video-view-one-88264282.html

Video two

http://www.king5.com/video/featured...way-surveillance-video-view-two-88264742.html

Sorry I never saw video two at this angle before. Sorry if you have. I put in alot of hours at work that week.

 

[SMK]

I know we covered waaaaay backin the thread the possible reasoning for backing onto the beach but something has just occurred to me so please bear with me.

It was suggested perhaps she was backed in to sit/lay in the hatch area and look out upon the water. It has been suggested that she backed in to keep an eye on the road because she expected someone.

It has just occurred to me an alternate reason. If I was lost/disoriented/tipsy and it is late and I have just taken yet another wrong turn and ended up on vacant small beachfront area and I decide SCREW IT! I'm just going to park here, collect myself, sober up a bit, whatever. But I am in an unfamiliar area, lost, just got done asking these people up the road for directions, can't go back there again, I will look like a lunitic or a moron, or worse yet, they will call the cops to report a suspicious possibly drunk stranger with a child in the area.

But I don't want to sleep it off here along the waterfront, what if someone pulls in behind me and I cant get turned around to escape? What if some freaky pervy serial rapist or killer traps me and Azriel back here?

I know, I will park facing the road.

Just a thought. You know, in that way that some men always prefer to have their back to the wall and face the door (the perceived entrypoint of danger).

Thanks for your patience while I stream of conscience/rambled

Yes, it makes sense, but then what happened? The scenario with the tide rising and they were swept away? It almost seems to me as though she is not found, in order to keep the possibility of another scenario always open.....

 

[BeanE]

Video one

http://www.king5.com/video/featured...way-surveillance-video-view-one-88264282.html

Video two

http://www.king5.com/video/featured...way-surveillance-video-view-two-88264742.html

Sorry I never saw video two at this angle before. Sorry if you have. I put in alot of hours at work that week.

In the first video, as she's leaving the store, is she talking on a phone? Would someone mind looking near the end of the video and sanity checking me?