WA - Unidentified Male: "Lyle Stevik", Grays Harbor, 17 Sept 2001 - #5

[htiff]

Maybe the boots are not authentic, but if they are real - maybe the product number can be retrieved and help lead to the location where they were sold. imo.
rbbm.
http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Spot-Fake-Timberland-Shoes-/10000000178468103/g.html

Good point. Also, when I spoke with Timberland (they are super nice), they directed me to a history, and apparently in the '80s and possibly later, Timberland expanded big time, and produced 500 models of boots and shoes. So Lyle's style may have been one they improved on. My guess is that it had a very short run.

But you could be right. It might be a knock-off. And that's why it's so hard to identify.

 

[rosesfromangels]

If my memory serves, Lane Youmans did contact one of the local tribes in the immediate vicinity, without luck. But I agree, he is distinctive looking.

There are many tribes in Washington/B.C., and frankly, I couldn't see any of them being overly eager to cooperate with "the man". However, I think the best lead would be to find teachers that taught on the reservations. Surely they would remember this strikingly handsome young man.

 

[htiff]

There are many tribes in Washington/B.C., and frankly, I couldn't see any of them being overly eager to cooperate with "the man". However, I think the best lead would be to find teachers that taught on the reservations. Surely they would remember this strikingly handsome young man.

The only problem is that its been 17 years now. A lot of people have tried to find Lyle by way of identifying his ethnicity. So far, no cigar.

It's very possible that Lyle was from one of these tribes, but why then did no one from any of the reservations report a young man from their tribe as missing?

Below is a link to 970 missing person's reports that have been ruled out as not being Lyle. And I'm sure there are even more. If someone was looking for this guy, I have to think that one of the many who have been trying to make the match, over the last 17 years, would have found it by now.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fat50H8N_Yn-Ndqh80FLP3YzK_-JCT70LgxsfU6jYUY/edit#gid=0

If you google the name Lyle Stevik about 20 pages of search options pop up.

After 17 years, the big new clue on this case may be what hasn't been found. And I think it may now be safe to assume that no one has been actively looking for this guy.



Side note on similar case Grateful Doe/ Jason Callahan:

Even though no one was actively looking for Callahan either, but once Jason Callahan's picture hit the internet, someone did come forward. And though I think people have been looking for Callahan for almost a decade, it was the crowdsourcing that finally culled out the right identity. And once his picture got out there, I believe his identity was discovered pretty quickly.

Lyle's picture, and story, has been out there for almost two decades now and nothing.

 

[htiff]

By the way, whoever put this list together---

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fat50H8N_Yn-Ndqh80FLP3YzK_-JCT70LgxsfU6jYUY/edit#gid=0


Kudos to you!!!

That is some seriously amazing work. Exceptional.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Gracie: I don't think they report much of anything.
He looks to be mixed race, and that may be a factor as well.

 

[ALTCMT]

The only problem is that its been 17 years now. A lot of people have tried to find Lyle by way of identifying his ethnicity. So far, no cigar.

It's very possible that Lyle was from one of these tribes, but why then did no one from any of the reservations report a young man from their tribe as missing?

Below is a link to 970 missing person's reports that have been ruled out as not being Lyle. And I'm sure there are even more. If someone was looking for this guy, I have to think that one of the many who have been trying to make the match, over the last 17 years, would have found it by now.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fat50H8N_Yn-Ndqh80FLP3YzK_-JCT70LgxsfU6jYUY/edit#gid=0

If you google the name Lyle Stevik about 20 pages of search options pop up.

After 17 years, the big new clue on this case may be what hasn't been found. And I think it may now be safe to assume that no one has been actively looking for this guy.



Side note on similar case Grateful Doe/ Jason Callahan:

Even though no one was actively looking for Callahan either, but once Jason Callahan's picture hit the internet, someone did come forward. And though I think people have been looking for Callahan for almost a decade, it was the crowdsourcing that finally culled out the right identity. And once his picture got out there, I believe his identity was discovered pretty quickly.

Lyle's picture, and story, has been out there for almost two decades now and nothing.

I had never heard of this site until coming across a news article about caledonia jane doe in 2015 when her case was solved by a long lost high school friend who was looking for her, if I remember correctly. I have been following "Lyle" ever since. I believe his case will only be solved with luck and DNA, as Lori Kennedy Ruff's case was.

 

[htiff]

I had never heard of this site until coming across a news article about caledonia jane doe in 2015 when her case was solved by a long lost high school friend who was looking for her, if I remember correctly. I have been following "Lyle" ever since. I believe his case will only be solved with luck and DNA, as Lori Kennedy Ruff's case was.

In the case of Lori Ruff, there was a trail that could be followed, by way of SS# to help figure out her real identity. The Lyle case could be like Caledonia Jane doe. But unlike that case, Lyle's case has gotten international attention for almost two decades.

But you never know...

And you never know what will trigger someone's memory.

And there's always the possibility that someone has recognized Lyle--knows what happened now, saw the story, only they have no need of retrieving his remains, and they wish to keep that discovery private. Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight.

The conclusion to this story may already have played out, only we weren't invited.

 

[htiff]

Gracie: I don't think they report much of anything.
He looks to be mixed race, and that may be a factor as well.

Unfortunately we don't know what ethnicity Lyle was. But we do know what boots he wore-without socks. And wore a lot. Those boots got a lot of use.

 

[Brainy]

I have no idea why there is so much interest and invested effort in his boots. Honestly, I don't see anything special about them at all, or anything about them that could disclose Lyle's identity. At this point, it serves as a distraction.

---
update:

I have had a few exchanges in the recent months with Det. Wallace assigned to this case, and he informed me that he hasn't looked at this case much due to workload and overwhelming amount of current/active cases that demand attention. So, I can tell you from a direct source that not much is going on with the case now because resources are being directed where they are needed most. I have had a chance to also talk to Dr. Fitzpatrick who offered a wealth of information about the use of DNA in this case. It all sounded very promising, and I forwarded the information to the detective. Dr. Fitzpatrick also said that she has never worked on this case but had a very brief exchange with Mr. Youmans a year or so ago.

Even with the given info, the detective assigned to the case said that he hasn't had a chance to look at anything yet due to his workload. It's been about 6 months from when I forwarded him Dr. Fitzpatrick input. Last time I emailed him a few weeks ago and he was honest in his reply that he still hasn't looked at anything yet. I offered my understanding and expressed my hope that he would dedicate the time to this when he can.

So, clearly, I know now that there aren't necessarily dead ends, but that Grays Harbor PD doesn't have the staff to work on this case. Time passes, things get prioritized, cases forgotten... files left untouched on shelves...

I even assured Det. Wallace that if there is any problem with funding, the public would be willing to assist their department in bringing closure to this case.

 

[Roselvr]

In the case of Lori Ruff, there was a trail that could be followed, by way of SS# to help figure out her real identity. The Lyle case could be like Caledonia Jane doe. But unlike that case, Lyle's case has gotten international attention for almost two decades.

But you never know...

And you never know what will trigger someone's memory.

And there's always the possibility that someone has recognized Lyle--knows what happened now, saw the story, only they have no need of retrieving his remains, and they wish to keep that discovery private. Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight.

The conclusion to this story may already have played out, only we weren't invited.

Lyle hasn't had much exposure until recent years. I run his find a grave and have an album for him on an MP/UP FB page I co-own. I have everything in his narrative. He hasn't had much press and hasn't had any done in his isotope states like Buckskin Girl

You mention 2 cases I've followed and worked hard on for years. I run cali's FB page. She and Grateful Doe were the worlds best known Does from all of the press they've had, yet they went unsolved. There were fliers hung in Tammys town yet not one person recognized her from it. It was a miracle Tammy's friend got an MP report because its very hard to get. I have a few offline cases in NamUs due to no MP report

Even though Grateful Doe had a lot of press his case was never solved until greymetal posted on imgur. You can read his section here; we worked very hard to find Jason's family. There were a lot of people involved in the social media push.

 

[bears10]

I think we all have a skewed perception of how publicized certain cases are because while they may be really popular cases within our "circle" (true crime and sleuthing), most people would never have a reason to hear about these cases. Lori Ruff was alive for years, lived a whole entire life under her assumed identity, and her case could only be solved through DNA. Her case (IMO) was a very publicized one within the unresolved mysteries community. But if you ask any of my friends or family, I am certain none have ever heard of her. So I don't think it's far fetched that no one has recognized Lyle to date.

 

[htiff]

Lyle hasn't had much exposure until recent years. I run his find a grave and have an album for him on an MP/UP FB page I co-own. I have everything in his narrative. He hasn't had much press and hasn't had any done in his isotope states like Buckskin Girl

You mention 2 cases I've followed and worked hard on for years. I run cali's FB page. She and Grateful Doe were the worlds best known Does from all of the press they've had, yet they went unsolved. There were fliers hung in Tammys town yet not one person recognized her from it. It was a miracle Tammy's friend got an MP report because its very hard to get. I have a few offline cases in NamUs due to no MP report

Even though Grateful Doe had a lot of press his case was never solved until greymetal posted on imgur. You can read his section here; we worked very hard to find Jason's family. There were a lot of people involved in the social media push.

Yes. That I totally get. And you all did a fantastic job. But once Jason's pic got out there, it seems that his identity was resolved pretty quickly. I've been following Lyle's case for 11 years now. And it would be true to say, that when I would check on the status, every few years, I would type his "name" in, and voila--the name he gave himself, pops right up! If the name is a pseudonym, then that way of looking wouldn't work for someone. Whereas, I knew about Jason Callahan because he popped up on my feed one day. And maybe that's what it will take, for Lyle's pic to go viral in that way.

However, that said, I do think if someone were actively looking for Lyle, they absolutely would have found him by now. Or a missing person's report would be matched. But like Caledonia Jane, it may take someone to suddenly wonder where is "so-and-so", and then make that effort to find him. And if Lyle was on the streets, it might be now that someone does this.

No one was really looking for Caledonia Jane, until that moment a friend suddenly got curious about her. And Lyle may very well have a similar history, where the people we would imagine should be looking for him aren't, but someone who's life he touched, does finally think to make a move.

What I feel pretty certain of is that no one is actively trying to find him. (or again, if someone did this, they are keeping their discovery to themselves--(unless you want to retrieve the remains, there is no real reason to tell anyone that you recognize a deceased person)

 

[htiff]

I have no idea why there is so much interest and invested effort in his boots. Honestly, I don't see anything special about them at all, or anything about them that could disclose Lyle's identity. At this point, it serves as a distraction.

---
update:

I have had a few exchanges in the recent months with Det. Wallace assigned to this case, and he informed me that he hasn't looked at this case much due to workload and overwhelming amount of current/active cases that demand attention. So, I can tell you from a direct source that not much is going on with the case now because resources are being directed where they are needed most. I have had a chance to also talk to Dr. Fitzpatrick who offered a wealth of information about the use of DNA in this case. It all sounded very promising, and I forwarded the information to the detective. Dr. Fitzpatrick also said that she has never worked on this case but had a very brief exchange with Mr. Youmans a year or so ago.

Even with the given info, the detective assigned to the case said that he hasn't had a chance to look at anything yet due to his workload. It's been about 6 months from when I forwarded him Dr. Fitzpatrick input. Last time I emailed him a few weeks ago and he was honest in his reply that he still hasn't looked at anything yet. I offered my understanding and expressed my hope that he would dedicate the time to this when he can.

So, clearly, I know now that there aren't necessarily dead ends, but that Grays Harbor PD doesn't have the staff to work on this case. Time passes, things get prioritized, cases forgotten... files left untouched on shelves...

I even assured Det. Wallace that if there is any problem with funding, the public would be willing to assist their department in bringing closure to this case.

I'm not sure why an actual known fact about this man, would ever be seen as a distraction.

We don't know very much for certain about Lyle except what he chose to call himself, what he wore, an address of a cheap motel he had memorized, and where and how he chose to die. Every detail that we actually know for certain, seems very important to me.

The fact that you don't find actual evidence of interest, doesn't make it any less real. What we wear, what we choose to keep in our final hours, where we choose to die (if we make that choice as Lyle did) every single part of that, reveals some aspect of who we are.


FYI-Lyle didn't commit a crime. LE was involved in Caledonia Jane's case and Lori's case, because actual crimes were committed.

Lyle, like Jason Callahan, will not be a priority for LE, because they have actual crimes to solve. And budgets for some precincts have shrunk. LE is working pretty hard as it is.

Lane Youmans was unusual, and Youmans is a major part of this story--that someone who really didn't have to, did care about this man (Lyle), is very moving. But for Youmans, Lyle might have been forgotten completely.

But you keep hammering away at this the way you feel best. And I'll do the same. I am writing a piece on this case, and hoping to bring fresh eyes to it.

 

[bears10]

LE was only involved in Lori's case because the Ruff family were friends Joe Velling, who was a SSA investigator and they asked him to look into her history. It became sort of a personal goal for Velling to solve the mystery, same as Youmans.

 

[htiff]

LE was only involved in Lori's case because the Ruff family were friends Joe Velling, who was a SSA investigator and they asked him to look into her history. It became sort of a personal goal for Velling to solve the mystery, same as Youmans.

Yes. But I'll bet the fact that she committed identity fraud, may have helped him justify the search. All these cases have their trigger. But I wouldn't count on LE to do too much more on Lyle's case.

And what more can they do, really?

They've done so much. All Lyle's info has been sent to the correct authorities, AFIS, etc. LE has released a great deal of info, more than usual. They have done their job. Honestly, LE has been very impressive on this case.

I think what Lyle's story needs at this time is a little freshening up. Something to get people who aren't already engaged, interested.

 

[htiff]

Up until these new pictures were posted (and I only just saw them in the last month) we actually haven't known that specifically what Lyle was wearing. And to date, there has been no real investigation into the clothing. The boots are distinctive.

 

[htiff]

Brainy's statement : "...he didn't commit a crime but he killed himself and I think it should be the commitment of our society to dedicate ourselves to finding his identity so we all have closure. "

brings up an interesting question about cases like this.

With Jason Callahan, his death was accidental, and so reuniting him, in a way, with those who didn't know he died does support closure. Caledonia Jane Doe was murdered, so she also had no choice in how she left the world. And, again, reuniting her with those who cared about her, is again facilitating closure. (Also, maybe the crime of her murder can now be solved.)

But Lyle Stevik chose his manner and method of death. And he chose not to be known. Or at least it seems that way. Are we in any way dishonoring Lyle's wishes when we insist on knowing more about him?

That won't stop me from trying. But it's an interesting question. Do we really have an entitlement to this young man's story, if he didn't choose to tell it himself?

 

[htiff]

I think we all have a skewed perception of how publicized certain cases are because while they may be really popular cases within our "circle" (true crime and sleuthing), most people would never have a reason to hear about these cases. Lori Ruff was alive for years, lived a whole entire life under her assumed identity, and her case could only be solved through DNA. Her case (IMO) was a very publicized one within the unresolved mysteries community. But if you ask any of my friends or family, I am certain none have ever heard of her. So I don't think it's far fetched that no one has recognized Lyle to date.

That's true. Except that if Lyle was being actively looked for, it wouldn't be hard to find him. Any search for a man identified, around his age, would result pretty quickly in his picture popping up.

And certainly no one has posted him as missing, because the search to match Lyle up with a known missing person has been very thorough.

Again, this may be one of those cases where it will take someone suddenly deciding to find out what happened to their friend for it to be resolved.

 

[psych-nurse]

Forgive me if this has been mentioned before: I've read that it was determined Lyle had lost a considerable amount of weight in a short time prior to his suicide (possibly from walking - look at the soles on those boots). Has anyone attempted to take his photo and digitally add weight to see if that new image generates more recognition from the public? Many people who knew Lori Ruff early in life had stated they wouldn't have recognized her necessarily as an older woman. Maybe the weight loss is skewing the perception of those who could recognize him as well.

 

[Roselvr]

Forgive me if this has been mentioned before: I've read that it was determined Lyle had lost a considerable amount of weight in a short time prior to his suicide (possibly from walking - look at the soles on those boots). Has anyone attempted to take his photo and digitally add weight to see if that new image generates more recognition from the public? Many people who knew Lori Ruff early in life had stated they wouldn't have recognized her necessarily as an older woman. Maybe the weight loss is skewing the perception of those who could recognize him as well.

I agree. Carl made his facial recon heavier but he didn't do a full body one