Because Long seems to have his suspected and known victims placed years apart, I have come up with a few theories. From what i could see, he is suspected of three or four murders in Wyoming over a two-month period in 1974, followed by radio silence until 1981 in Oklahoma, then nothing until South Dakota in 1984. To add to that, he was 39 in 1974 and as he worked as a trucker and at public events such as rodeos or carnivals, he could have gone anywhere.
None of my suggestions are very pleasant.
1. Royal Russell Long chose hitchhikers over girls from public events.
By this, I mean that as far as we understand his MO, we only know part of it. I cannot find anything on his life prior to 1974. Maybe he did choose to take girls or young women from big events, but that would still be somewhat noticed. perhaps he preferred to pick up hitchhikers. This again would be a nightmare to follow up because we don't know his routes or where he liked to work. This theory came up when I was wondering if Carolyn Eaton (Valentine Sally) was a victim, as speculated by many online.
2. He worked for a trafficking ring.
This theory is supported by the fact that out of his known or suspected victims, four or five of them (Carlene, Deborah, Cinda, Charlotte and Sharon) have not been found. While it is true that Long might have preferred using back roads and carefully hid the bodies, I think this possibility should still be looked at.
Cinda and Charlotte were 13. Sharon was 12 and her friend Sandi was 15. Carolyn Eaton was 17. Young enough to appeal to pedophiles, but old enough to possibly pass as adults (or for pedophiles interested in the revolting part of children dressed as adults).
This theory might fall flat in regards to Carlene Brown and Christy Gross (who were 19) and Jayleen Baker (whose body was found) and probably with Carolyn (found deceased a few days after she was probably sighted). But consider that 19 would still be pretty close for 'passing' for these kinds of people and Christy's remains were only found nine years after she went missing. As for Jayleen and Carolyn, maybe Long was genuinely a killer, but only killed some of the victims.
Then there is the most unsettling theory...
3. He kept the girls for a while before killing them.
I have always stated on this website that at least one Jane or John Doe in NamUs could be a Jaycee Dugard or Steven Stayner. That is, somebody abducted as a child or a young adult and held for a considerable amount of time. I have also put forward the possibility that said abductor may be a trucker.
It would explain the long gaps where he committed no known or suspected crimes. It may explain why Christy's remains were not recovered for some years. Perhaps the place where he held them wasn't even in Wyoming; remember, he travelled the country excessively.
Yes, there was an examination of the vehicle he used in 1981, where there was an outline of 'one large body or two small bodies'. But forensic science has moved on since then and it was impossible to tell whether the blood was human or animal.
Of course, this leaves the rather horrifying idea that Long took Sharon to a secondary location and simply left her there...
Long definitely targeted hitchhikers, he was shameless in his acts and had no issue taking victims in broad daylight.
He is a possible suspect in the February 1982 murder of Carolyn Eaton aka Valentine Sally. Eaton ran away from her home in Missouri in late 1981 and was last seen in the company of an adult male trucker wearing a cowboy hat with a feather, which matches up eerily with Long. She was last seen alive in early February 1982.
I seriously doubt Long kept any of his victims alive or sold them into trafficking. It’s believed he kept Cinda and Charlotte captive for a day at most before murdering them. Deborah Meyer’s family and friends do not believe she is alive though they held out hope for many years she would return. Carlene Brown likely met the same fate as her friend, Christy Gross.
I suspect Long killed all four girls from Rawlins. Christine and Jayleen Banker both died from blunt force trauma to their heads which has led me to believe the same person killed them both along with Carlene. Deborah Meyer i’m fairly confident was also killed by Long due her being in the Rawlins area during the summer of 1974 when he was also there.
I believe Deborah Meyer could also be Ted Bundy’s victim that he picked up in Boise, Idaho on September 2nd 1974. He said the girl appeared to be a teenage runaway and she mentioned she was trying to get to Montana. Bundy murdered the unnamed girl before dumping her in the Snake River where he would later dispose of Lynette Culver in May 1975. Deborah is originally from Red Lodge, Montana and friends recall she was unhappy about being in Rawlins so it’s possible she tried to travel back to Montana and unfortunately crossed paths with Bundy.
As for Sharon Baldeagle, I unfortunately am inclined to believe she is also deceased. I know her father still believes she is alive and will be found someday.
Long had a pattern and had no shame in taking girls in pairs:
Carlene Brown and Christine Gross
Cinda Pallett and Charlotte Kinsey
Sharon Baldeagle and Sandi Brokenleg
I have a feeling had Sandi not escaped Long’s home that night in 1984… both her and Sharon would’ve never been found and probably would’ve been classified as runaways still today. Her escaping definitely thwarted his plans and he made sure to get rid of Sharon so she couldn’t also testify as to what he put them both through.
I believe Long was involved in other cases. I’ve been eyeing him for years as a possible suspect in the Pocatello abductions and murders (1975-1983). Specifically the cases of Patricia Campbell and Tina Anderson, two young girls who disappeared from a Pioneer Day Celebration being held at Alameda Park in Pocatello on July 22nd 1978.
Both were found murdered near Malad City in 1981. People from all over Pocatello were in attendance at the park that evening. The case fits Long’s MO since he was known to work at carnivals or fairs in whatever area he was staying/working in.
