AMBER ALERT: Missing 7 Year Old Somer Thompson Found Deceased in Landfill
Clay County, FL– Missing 7 year old Somer Thompson, last seen walking home from school on Monday after running ahead due to an argument with a friend, has been found by Police in the Georgia landfill used by the Clay County area. While officials will not confirm the childs identity prior to confirmation from the Medical Examiners Office, a source inside the investigation has told blinkoncrime.com that Somer’s family has been notified it is her.
Sheriff Rick Beasler said it is routine for Investigators to check garbage routes in a missing persons investigation, and the FBI is on the scene, which has been undisturbed, recovering the child.
Check back to blinkoncrime.com for updates
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Although this crime was probably somewhat planned (as I believe this person probably had their eye on this little girl for a while), it does seem that it was also a crime of opportunity.
In this case, I would think, as was pointed out,there would likely be DNA within. Since it happened in such a short amount of time, and parents/LE were so quick to respond, let’s hope the suspect would not have had time to successfully clean up all evidence.
Though I do not like to think about it, I would imagine this is perhaps their best chance at obtaining DNA, which would cause a “without a doubt” conviction.
Thank you Chris, for explaining the “behind the scenes” complicated work that must go on to successfully arrest and convict this perpetrator. I cannot even imagine — just looking at my own household trash, I can see how difficult that must be.
You have given me some relief in that I now believe they probably already have their suspect. It would haunt me forever if this person is not captured and punished.
I was also glad to see your posts on RememberingSomer.com. Whoever made that site did such a nice job on it. Every time I visit there, the song along with the slide presentation of Somer brings tears.
This is just so very, very sad.
Chris very interesting read. Thanx for yr imput. What I was hoping for was LE finding evidence around her body, like address on a letter and then finding the dumpster he had put her in and hoping for a video of the suspect putting her in that dumpster but that never happen. The soot ties into that burned down house on Gano. Unless of course the suspect is a mechanic of some sort and he had it on his workboots or in his greased out car or garage. That soot on her is a very big clue.
Good morning, mjh,
In an earlier post, you had written; “I don’t believe she would go up to the house to say they were doing a good job, when the renovations are INSIDE the house. But, I DO believe that she would have said hello to someone if he were standing there, and he could easily have lured her into the house by asking if she wanted to see the good job they were doing on the inside.”
I’ve been trying to imagine the most probable scenario myself.
I have very little to work with here, as far as victimology goes.
From what little I have read from various media sources concerning Somer’s personality, from those who knew her, it wouldn’t seem out of character for her to have entered the fensed yard and approached the house in order to comment on the work being done there.
I am also taking into consideration the statement made by one of the workers there who confirmed this.
But then, as you had suggested, it’s quite possible too, that Somer was initially confronted by this worker while she was walking by and he may have coaxed her towards the house in some way.
I don’t have any kind of information whatsoever regarding this worker/anything pertaining to his background to establish his level of credibility.
His story could have simply been a precautionary measure when police came asking questions.
It’s interesting that no no other attempted or actual abductions have taken place in this area for quite some time and so there is no pattern of behavior.
That this particular house is the primary focus of this disappearance.
That the work being accomplished there was in regards to renovation process after a fire had pretty well gutted the structure.
Therefore, the major undertaking involved disgarding any refuse that remained.
That Somer was in fact DISGARDED AS ONE WOULD DISGARD REFUSE.
And when you include those elementals with the overall analysis as to various windows of opportunity, her age and sex, and that she had been murdered for some reason/in some manner not disclosed to the public, collectively, suggest this as being the result of a sexually motivated child killer.
You also wrote; “In any case, whoever did this, I believe, watched the children walk home on a regular basis, and already had their eye on Somer, as she was a very friendly and trusting little girl. He was just waiting for his opportunity.”
I also believe that although this was an opportunistic crime.
That meaning, the offender took advantage of his particular location and time in relation to committing his crime.
The point the offender and the victim meet can tell more about where he starts and returns.
This point must be approximated by using the place where the victim was last seen alive.
The location where the victim was last observed can be developed from any number of sources.
In this case it has been established by several witness accounts.
It seems likely that what you have suggested, his seeing her from day to day, time to time as she was walking from school to her home may be the case.
It also suggestes that this crime of opportunity may have elements of premeditation as well.
He selected this child (victim) based on certain criteria.
That criteria may include the fact that she was relatively friendly and unafraid of him, most people.
This may have been established on prior occasions as she walked by him.
He may have selected her for her relatively small physical size where he believed he could better control her.
He may have found her sexually stimulating for one reason or the other, physical attributes such as the color and length of her hair, facial appearance, body structure, or some emotional quality.
That she was alone at the time.
Or a comination of thses.
Whatever his selection criteria may have consisted, he chose her and not another child on their way home that particular day.
As I’ve said, this particular offender committed a very high-risk crime in the abduction of this child in broad daylight on a busy Monday afternoon/after school in an extremely narrow window of opportunity and in a location that didn’t provide much in the way of cover and concealment.
If he knew her route as well as some have suggested, then he’d have made a better choice in waiting untill she was walking North on Debarry Avenue before snatching her away.
This location is a better choice for an abduction than from the location she was most probably abducted from.
Any well-versed, organized offender would have known this in advance.
I don’t accept the theory our man was stopped in a car or truck along her route and snatched her away.
Too many unknowns/unexpected possibilities to contend with.
No.. This little girl was taken by someone who was familiar with this location and felt confident enough to risk abduction.
he also felt comfortable with the place he did this.
This was not a thrill kill.
This little girl was murdered because the one who murdered her didn’t want to be discovered and arrested.
And it will not stop here.
If he’s not successfully identified and prosecuted, he will commit similar murders in the future, possibly in another location.
Chris
Hello, Maureen.
You had written: “The soot ties into that burned down house on Gano. Unless of course the suspect is a mechanic of some sort and he had it on his workboots or in his greased out car or garage. That soot on her is a very big clue.”
I would have to agree that the soot allegedly found (from her father’s statement to media) on Somer’s clothing would go a good distance in establishing a link to the house on Geno Avenue.
Although it is theoretically possible that soot could have come from another source unrelated, I would have serious doubts in regards to this particular event.
Soot of course would be composed primarily of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The fuel source or types of materials that burned can be used to determine the types of soot particles.
Soot residue can be organic, synthetic, or a combination of both. The soot composition could be oily, dry, greasy or acidic, or a combination of all four.
And a comparative chemical analysis of the residue sampled from Somer’s clothing and that sampled from the house being renovated, will generate a chemical fingerprint as well.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry..
Chris
Maureen..
I’m sorry I had not discussed your earlier comments further, but I have been multitasking for the last few hours and simply forgot.
You had also written” What I was hoping for was LE finding evidence around her body, like address on a letter and then finding the dumpster he had put her in and hoping for a video of the suspect putting her in that dumpster but that never happen.”
I noticed you are also using the term “dumpster” instead of trash can, garbage can.
I like your particular choice of wording here.
I believe the evidence suggests she was placed into a “dumpster” since not only would it provide a better way to conceal her within as it’s deeper and various dumpsters are located in relatively isolated locations behind stores and other businesses as well as apartment complexes.
And they are mechanically lifted and dumped into the garbage trucks without prior inspection.
Many times the same goes for residential-type garbage cans and containers, but sometimes these are handlifted and dumped by waste management workers and one would expect that the weight might possibly elicit further inspection of the can’s contents?
I’m not a child killer of course, but I would imagine that if I were to think like one, I’d choose a dumpster as opposed to a residential-type garbage container for disposal if my method of body disposal was via transport to the landfill.
I would think that this offender would have felt more comfortable in utilizing an isolated or otherwise out of the way dumpster that provided him little to no traffic and a good deal of cover from prying eyes and anyone that may happen to cahnce upon his activities and recall later on, his vehicle at this location, just in case the police are smart enough to figure it out.
Looking at the situation from his personal perspective, he doesn’t know for certain that the location he selects is one hundred percent safe and so he’ll give a good deal of consideration in the matter before he makes that selection.
There aren’t that many dumpsters in the immediate vicinity to the last location Somer was observed.
If this were someone who had no access to a vehicle for transport, as was suggested by another criminal profiler I will not name, this would presnt a serious problem.
As he’d have no viable way to transport the victim to any of these dumpsters without risk of exposing himself, his crime to others who may observe him doing this.
We know Somer was not placed inside a neighbor’s residential garbage container as this is not a logical behavior and would be difficult anyway.
We know she had not been placed inside the metal dumpster located at the house being renovated because this dumpster was nearly full to capacity the day she went missing and was soon after inspected by evidence recovery personnel.
They were not searching for evidence she had been placed into this dumpster, but instead searching for evidence that the assault had taken place at this location/within that structure, and then disgarded after, in this same dumpster.
Chris
Hi Blink,
I’ve been thinking again….
I know that this “Kyle” character sent up red flags from the beginning.
As Chris pointed out, this crime was committed in daylight with lots of people around.
If “Kyle” does exist, and he came forward right away to say that Somer had approached that house — why? Why insert himself into it?
Well, for me, the answer is because, he did it. He wants to cover himself in case someone actually saw the child on that property or going up to/into the house. He wants to cover the fact that her DNA might be found in that house.
My conclusion….Kyle is the guy.
I agree, but doubt his name is Kyle. I also think he had a level of confidence there is no physical evidence to tie him to the crime, which is of concern to me about the skillsets of this predator.
B
B
I, too, have doubted that his real name is Kyle. However, if he brought himself into this as a “witness”, then LE would know his true identity. Especially since he claimed to have been working there that day.
And, I am assuming he is one of the 3 (along with Vinson Bros.) that were swabbed for DNA.
As you say, his confidence that there is no physical evidence to tie him in makes it all the more scary:
Possibility he has done this before….guarantee that he will do it again.
Good afternoon everyone, B., and mjh especially
I believe his actual name is indeed, Kyle.
As the reporter who spoke with him over the telephone, Ryan Hughes, said so on a news video that was aired.
(I have this on one of my flashdrives and will give you the link ASAP))
He does not say, though, who exactly initiated the telephone phone call, Kyle or himself
Many sleuths on other boards are under the impression that the worker called the news media, but this is yet to be verified.
I would have to agree with mjh’s assertions that; “He wants to cover himself in case someone actually saw the child on that property or going up to/into the house.”
If he was in fact the one who initiated this call (and in fact had been involved) this would be a logical and expected behavior, to ensure he’s covered all possible avenues.
I’ve seen it many times in other cases.
Chris
Posted by The Real Suspect Zero: Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:13 pm
Found it, though it took some time..
http://www.wftv.com/video/21409330/index.html
The WFTV.com news9 video that claims the owner’s brother had once worked at the house being renovated, according to another worker for Vinson Design & Build, a man named Kyle.
“That’s right Martie, I just talked to a man over the phone named Kyle.
HE CLAIMS HE IS THE LAST PERSON TO HAVE SEEN HER ALIVE.
HE SAYS HE WAS AT THIS HOME MONDAY AFTERNOON AND SOMER RAN UP TO THE PLACE AND TOLD WORKERS THEY WERE DOING A GOOD JOB ON THE RENOVATIONS. CLAY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES QUESTIONED HIM AND A COLLEGUE, GEORGE VINSON, WHO WORKED AT THIS HOME MONTHS AGO.”
-Reporter Ryan Hughes
I’d also like to repost a few more excerpts of messages that I had posted on another forum (Mindhunter and rememberingsomer.com) as I believe it’s important to get as much detail as possible for any kind of analysis members here on this site are undertaking in this matter.
There seems to be an ongoing conflict in people’s minds as to “IF” George Christopher Vinson (a registered sex offender) had actually worked at the house under renovation at 1080 Gano Avenue, tghe loaction where Somer was last seen alive by a worker there named Kyle.
“We have been given two accounts of George Vinson’s having once worked at this house, one by his own sister alissa Barrs, who lives in the same household as he and his brother, and one by a man who told the reporter his name was Kyle and that he was a co-worker of George Vinson and was working at the house the afternoon Somer came up to the house and spoke to the workers.
Yet, we are told (on news video) by James Vinson, George’s brother and owner of the company contracted to do the renovation, that his brother George never actually worked at this house at all.
“WAS NOT OUT HERE AT ANY TIMES THEY’VE WORKED HERE..”
Now is it my mind playing tricks on me or is someone not being honest here.
It was suggested in an earlier message posted here on the Mindhunter Forums that possibly his sister was not as informed as she might have believed and that her information was not correct.
That’s understandable, since she’s apparently not a worker there.
But we also have a worker’s verification that George did in fact work there a few months prior.
That statement appears to match the sister’s, that he did a few months back but found other work since then.
I believe the sister and the co-worker’s account, rather than his brother’s.
Another interesting thing is that the contractor, George’s brother, James, says, that investigators had performed a dna swabbing of him, his brother who he refers to as “Chris” (George) and a helper who was working at the house (although he does not name this worker)
Now if George has never worked at this house then that leaves two other men, the contractor/owner-James, and this helper that was there that afternoon.
And from the reporter’s telephone conversation with a man who gave his name as Kyle and said he was working the day Somer came up and spoke to workers at the house, then we can assume that the helper’s name is also Kyle since no other workers or helpers are mentioned by anyone involved and, according to the contractor/owner, James, police have only swabbed three men having any kind of relationship to the renovation process going on there.
In my opinion, there is an intentional attempt at confusing the picture here regarding these three men and the helper’s true identity for some reason.
It’s also interesting to note that George C. Vinson and Alisa Barrs are listed as having prior residence in Green Cove Springs (Where the Rosemary Hill Landfill is located and where garbage from Orange Park is taken prior to pickup and transport by a contracted waste service to the Chesser Island Landfill in Folkston, GA.
There is also a prior residential listing for a Alisa G. Barrs in the city of Orange Park.
(I realize that the news media has spelled her name “Alissa”, but when cross-referencing the 12237 Plummer Grant Rd, Jacksonville residence of James and George Vinson, along with an Alisa G. Barrs, this spelling comes up as well.)
DISCLAIMER:
I am in no way implying or suggesting a connection between the Somer Thompson homicide and that of either James, George Vinson or their sister, Alisa Barrs.
I am simply stating facts in order to clarify information that is contained within the public domain and which have been reported on already to some extent in the news.
Chris
Here is another interesting devlopment that i feel is relative to the overall analysis of this case..
Comment by Christen Allen Iman
Monday Dec 14, 2009
http://www.news4jax.com/video/21352846/index.html
Apparently the earlier account we had been given, the one that I had based my time/distance calculations on, was incorrect.
According to Detective Sgt. Dan Mahla, Clay County Sheriff’s Department,
in a videotaped press statement, stated that Somer had not ran from her sister and brother’s location, but walked away.
Therefore, I will take this statement as being based in fact due to his professional status as the lead investigator for the CCSO.
And perform further analysis in this area.
This verification is found at approximately the 8:48 spot on the above video.
An unseen female reporter ask’s him if Somer had walked off or ran off from her sister and brother.
She brings up the earlier reports that she may have dashed off and the detective says she had “walked” off.
This information alters my analysis quite a bit since the window of opportunity for the perp to accomplish the abduction is drastically narrowed.
Before, with her having run off, it provided the perp a several minute window of opportunity (estimated between 2.5-4.5 minutes depending on a few factors) to initiate contact with her and then remove her from the scene in some manner without being observed or her giving resistance (if this was done in the open)
With her walking.. This time is drastically shortened.
Chris
Well it certainly does. Where do they lose sight of her?
B
Hi, B.
From my interpretation of the information provided thus far, it appears that her sister, abigail, had lost sight of her as she merged with a group of other children somewhere near Solomon Street which was approximately a block to the West.
Detective Mahla had indicated that Somer had met up with her sister after leaving the school in the 100 block of Gano Avenue and soon after walked away.
This location is a matter of a few meters from the tanks where Juan DeStefano, the little boy riding his bicycle, saw her.
What’s also interesting is that these children would have been closer to her than her sister and the other children and would have also observed any kind of attempt to abduct her along the street.
Chris
Hi Chris, Blink –
I wrote this all before, but lost it somehow when I hit the submit button. I hope I’m not posting it twice. If so, you can delete one…
Thank you for the updates.
I had doubted that this guy’s name was really Kyle, but thinking on it, it seems by giving a false name, it would actually make him look more suspicious. So, I don’t know.
So, the time of opportunity was actually much less than initially thought. This guy was pretty brazen to do this in the middle of the day with all kinds of people around. And, confident that he would not get caught. Makes me think that he has definitely done this before. Very scary.
Now, I’m wondering why he would identify himself as “A co-worker of George Vinson’s” if this is in fact what he said. Why would he mention George Vinson? Why not just say “I work for Vinson Design and Build”, or “I work for James Vinson”, or even “I was part of the crew working on the house that day” ??
Please don’t tell me that two guys did this horrific thing to poor little Somer. I am starting to feel sick again.
I have a question regarding the trash. Somer was not put into the trash bin on the property for house renovation work. But, I am assuming she was put into some kind of commercial trash bin. Where nearby would they have been able to take her where they would not be noticed? If they were working in the house that day, they must have had a work truck. They could have easily rolled her up into something (a carpet?) and put her into the back of the truck without being noticed. But, where did they put her? Any idea?
Good morning, mjh.
I’m pretty certain as to this man’s name being “Kyle”.
And yes, you are very correct in suggesting that there was quite a bit of activity along Gano Avenue that day and at that time.
(Monday-2:50-3:00, primary route to and from school)
I’ve received a few emails from those who either came to pickup their children from school or live in the area, and they all told me the same thing, that it’s a busy street after school lets out.
This would not have been a predator waiting along the street or driving along the street looking for the opportnuity to grab a lone child as many expect happened.
(He’d also not have known that Somer would walk alone that particular day either)
The level of risk is much too high and there’d have been “someone” who would have noticed this, noticed Somer wearing her bright cranberry outfit and carrying her bright pink notebag with the pink “piggy” lunchbox inside.
There were a couple dozen kids in various groups in front and behind Somer on that side of the road, including the chidren in the group she was seen getting lost in near Solomon Street.
I’ve never been to Orange Park, proper, only to Jacksonville, itself.
But I feel I now know enough about that particular community’s geographic layout as if I myself have lived there for some time, from constant visualization using maps, arial photographs, satellite images and photographs, as well as street-level visualization through Google.
I have a few photographs that wre sent to me via email from a resident that show this same area about a year ago and there was quite a bit of vehicle/foot traffic seen along Gano Avenue.
I don’t feel this particular event expresses that two or more offenders are responsible for Somer’s abduction and murder.
I feel the event appears to be a single perpetrator.
But it is quite possible someone has information relevant to the investigation but is holding back for some reason or the other.
I believe the police are also taking this same position.
I don’t believe Somer was placed into a refuse container/dumpster, near the abduction location but instead somewhere a distance from this site.
The most logical location for “assault” if it had not taken place within this house being renovated would of course be somewhere the perp is familiar or is very comnfortable,
Somewhere he felt he’d not be disturbed and most likely a good distance from the abduction location.
Could have been his place of residence/on the property or somewhere near that location.
Could be a location that has alot of cover and concealment such as a backroad surrounded by trees, lots of foliage or even a past fishing spot.
It would be hard to say because we don’t have any kind of background to analyze on possible suspects/POI’s.
And there are a good number of possible locations found here.
I would think that even without this background, we could assume with a good deal of reliability, that he chose a location that was isolated such as what I suggested above.
Inside his home?
Less likely in my opinion.
Too much chance for forensic/trace adherence.
Outside and isolated location?
Most likely.
Chris
Chris,
You have given me a lot to think about. Thank you.
I have always thought that because of the very limited time this person had, whatever happened, happened right there in that house. But, then, too, I wondered how he could/would take the chance and be so sure he would not get “caught”. This would be a very high risk to take.
Somer’s mom came right home when she realized that Somer had not made it there, and she flagged down police on her way. So, they were right on top of this from the beginning. This is also why I thought he must have put her somewhere close-by.
My thinking was that there was no vehicle. As, otherwise, I would think he would take her to a far away distance, where nobody would ever suspect.
But, if he/they were there working on that house at the time, they must have had a vehicle with them.
You had mentioned the prior residence near the Rosemary Hill landfill. Is it possible that Somer was actually thrown into that landfill, and then picked up with the trash going to Georgia? I’m really not sure how this all works.
I have also been quite curious about what is behind that property. Maybe an easy way out, through the back side of the property. I decided to take a look at the street view for myself.
One thing I noticed was a mail truck. It made me wonder what time mail is delivered in that area. My children used to run up to the mail truck all the time to get the mail. If Somer was also used to this, she would think nothing of approaching the mail man in his truck. Just a thought.
The first thing I noticed about the property is it did not have a closed gate as I had previously thought. The gate to the property seems to curve in at the driveway, leaving the entrance to the driveway wide open and inviting. I had always thought the gates were all closed to that property. But, it does not seem that way.
On my street view “walk”, I also noticed a crossing guard. Not sure if these pictures were taken in the morning or afternoon, though. But, the crossing guard and the mail truck were both in the vicinity at the same time. And, the mail truck just happens to be parked next to what I believe is the restrooms at the park across the street. Maybe this is why it caught my attention.
I then proceeded on my “walk” down a street to get to the backside of the property. I Turned right onto Bay Circle. When I am standing directly behind the Gano Ave property, I am facing right in between two houses around the 1084 mark of Bay Circle N. I am looking straight at a white camper type thing parked on the grass in the back of one of the properties (not in a driveway). I had thought I heard mention before that there was a camper parked on a property nearby, and that LE had checked it. I am sure they probably did. But, this also brought back memories of the man (professor?) who was found guilty of murdering the little girl next door in his camper.
It still doesn’t seem like this guy had enough time to do what he did, or get where he wanted to go without being noticed.
I agree with you that somewhere outside and isolated would be the most likely location, but how did he get her there? Did he just back his truck out of the driveway without being noticed?
I guess there are more possibilities than I was first thinking. Unfortunately, I have not been able to research as much as I would like, as my computer has been acting up lately.
At this point, I think I would be checking into what time the mail is delivered in that area, and who was the carrier that day. Although, since Kyle inserted himself into this, in my opinion, for “cover”, I still think all paths lead back to him and that house. But, I also think all possibilities need to be checked into.
Again, I love reading your comments. I did not even realize that I could do a “street view” on google. So, thank you. I will definitely use this tool in other cases that I am following. It puts you right in the area, which is very helpful. I will be heading to Ocoee, Florida soon on street view. There are some things there that I would be very interested in seeing.
Good morning, mjh.
You had written; “I have always thought that because of the very limited time this person had, whatever happened, happened right there in that house. But, then, too, I wondered how he could/would take the chance and be so sure he would not get “caught”. This would be a very high risk to take.”
I don’t know what exactly had taken place within that house being scrutinized, if Somer was indeed murdered there, but the chances are, that the victim was most likely “secured” at this location prior to being transported to another location.
The perp may have felt he had ample time to do whatever he had done, but he may also have simply secured her there and took her to another location to continue.
“You had mentioned the prior residence near the Rosemary Hill landfill. Is it possible that Somer was actually thrown into that landfill, and then picked up with the trash going to Georgia?”
This is, of course, a possibility.
“The first thing I noticed about the property is it did not have a closed gate as I had previously thought. The gate to the property seems to curve in at the driveway, leaving the entrance to the driveway wide open and inviting. I had always thought the gates were all closed to that property. But, it does not seem that way.”
According to a neighbor who lives close to this residence, the evening that Somer went missing, he himself made a cursory check of this location peering into the windows using a flashlight and he also noticed that the gate was locked with a chain.
“On my street view “walk”, I also noticed a crossing guard. Not sure if these pictures were taken in the morning or afternoon, though. But, the crossing guard and the mail truck were both in the vicinity at the same time. And, the mail truck just happens to be parked next to what I believe is the restrooms at the park across the street. Maybe this is why it caught my attention.”
The crossing guard seen on Google street view at the Gano Avenue/Grove Park Drive, is someone Somer often times hugged.
Mr. Woolsey.
“I then proceeded on my “walk” down a street to get to the backside of the property. I Turned right onto Bay Circle. When I am standing directly behind the Gano Ave property, I am facing right in between two houses around the 1084 mark of Bay Circle N. I am looking straight at a white camper type thing parked on the grass in the back of one of the properties (not in a driveway). I had thought I heard mention before that there was a camper parked on a property nearby, and that LE had checked it. I am sure they probably did. But, this also brought back memories of the man (professor?) who was found guilty of murdering the little girl next door in his camper.”
Thias white camper appears to be within the confines of the the property located at 1084 Bay Circle.
In the satellite view there also appears to be a smaller-sized, white vehicle, most likely a van either on the same property or in the backyard of the house at 1080 Gano Ave.
Though it appears to be on the same property as 1084 Bay Circle.
I know there are a few reports of a “suspicious” white van concerning Somer’s disappearance, but police have refused to answer any questions from the media on this issue.
I don’t have a particular suspect or Person OF Interest here.
But I do believe that the abduction was at this house by someone having a reason to be there that day.
The house itself is what I am focused on.
Who exactly it was who was involved is unknown at this point.
I hope you and your loved ones have a very merry and safe Christmas, mjh and B.
As well as everyone else here on this forum.
Chris
There was an article published on Thursday January 14th, 2010 reporting that apparently a school social worker reportedly warned Diena Thompson about the danger of the child walking home from school as long as a year before she was killed.
The worker told the Department of Children and Families that Somer and her siblings has got lost at least one time while walking home from school and they were found in the woods WITH A STRANGER.
The DCF supposedly investigated the complaint and concluded the allegation had no basis.
They say that the girl’s mother had properly arranged for her children to be taken to and from school.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1425537.html
This is very unfortunate information.
A stranger.. Written in singular form.
A male I assume, but who exactly was the stranger and what was taking place?
Chris
Hold on a little while longer..
I feel that this case will in fact be solved at some point.
Don’t give up….
I’m not going to.
Chris
Hey Chris,
I had seen that article, and they said it was unfounded. But why would a school social worker make something like this up?
If it is true that the children were found in the woods with a stranger, wouldn’t somebody know who this “stranger” was? Who found them there?
I know you had said before that you felt that Somer had had contact with her abducter previously, probably brief and just in passing. I agree with that. I was thinking that she had probably spoken with him before at the location of the house being renovated. Probably just passing by on another occasion on her way home from school, and saying “hello” to the guy.
But, if she was actually found with a stranger in the woods…hmmmm…
Unfortunately, children this age who are friendly and outgoing, as Somer was, tend to think that once someone says hello to them, he is their friend.
I have a 6 year old niece, who I am afraid would be just as trusting of someone like this as Somer was. Maybe that is why this case has touched me so deeply.
If the children were really found in the woods at one time with a stranger, and the social worker was privy to this information somehow, feeling it necessary to “warn” Diena, then, someone must know who this stranger was. No?
I really do hope this case is solved soon. This monster needs to be captured and put behind bars before he strikes again.
Although, I feel helpless knowing that there is really nothing I can do to help….only hope….I am not giving up either.
Hi, mjh.
I agree with what you said.
There’s something not being said about this situation, possibly it’s a part of the investigation?
I don’t know since it’s difficult to get any new information from the investigation.
It’s been awfully quiet lately and that bothers me.
I do hope something is learned soon because time passing will only make it much harder in the end, for… everyone.
I’m glad you are holding on too, my friend.
That’s what we should do, for Somer..
Chris
Hey, mjh..
I once again re-read the article which brought this up, and it seems there may not be any validation for that earlier statement concerning the children having gotten lost and a stranger being involved.. but one can never know..
Chris
Fears for Somer Thompson’s safety expressed a year before her slaying
Social worker’s warning a year before slaying was later shown to be without basis
By Jim Schoettler
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010
“….Children and Families spokesman John Harrell said he couldn’t disclose by law who made the report and whether the agency had fielded other reports from Somer’s school. The school’s principal, Lynda Braxton, declined to comment.
Harrell said the case was handled properly.
“Our investigator did the right thing and went above and beyond … by checking to make sure if these services were being followed up on,” Harrell said.
The social worker called the agency’s abuse hot line on Oct. 9, 2008.
“There is overall concern for the safety and well-being of the children,” the investigator wrote, based on the social worker’s statement.
Thompson told the investigator she was unaware of her children ever getting lost in the woods or being found by a stranger. Somer and her older brother told the investigator they never got lost. Somer’s twin, Samuel, said he got lost once, but gave no details. Somer’s sister was never asked. Thompson said a family friend had been transporting the children and that would continue.
Thompson also told the investigator the school suggested the children attend an off-campus YWCA day-care program. But she said it ended before she could pick them up from work and she couldn’t afford the cost of picking them up late.
Thompson was later told the day-care program was at the school and that school officials were trying to arrange for Somer to attend for free or at a reduced rate. She said she would consider the option, though the children weren’t sent.
A Children and Families supervisory review of the case on Oct. 12 – three days after the initial report – states that the “risk is low” and that “the children are old enough to walk to school.” It also states that if Thompson can’t afford day care, she shouldn’t be placed in a “financial bind.”
Two weeks into the case, Thompson reiterated to the investigator that her friend was helping with transportation, “but on occasion the children still do walk,” the records show. The family friend told the investigators she had been transporting the children.
The investigator concludes that the “risk remains low” and that Thompson had been very cooperative.
“No services necessary at this time,” the report said.
Thompson said she is hopeful the public will not to use the report to criticize her parenting ability, a problem she had to endure from some people after Somer’s death.
“Walk a day in my shoes,” she said.”
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:CWlEFoWP1OcJ:jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-01-13/story/fears_for_somer_thompson%E2%80%99s_safety_expressed_a_year_before_her_slaying+somer+thompson+having+gotten+lost&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
[...] Harrell a POI in the kidnapping and killing of Somer Thompson, the 7 year old Florida girl whose body was found in a landfill after she vanished on her way home from school. Jared Harrell lived at a home on 1152 Gano Avenue [...]
This is NOT the man police are seking for the murder of Somer Thompson.
The FBI’s profile and their arrest of this man, even though he’s a danger to the community, is all wrong..
That’s my take!!
Christen
Really Chris?
How so?
B
Hi, B.
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your question.
I just don’t believe this man is the one responsible for Somer’s murder.
Certainly, there’s some pretty disturbing points made/circumstantial evidence such as his parent’s residence was located in proximity to the abduction location/location where Somer was last seen alive, and he has a propensity for child pornography, that he was observed at this house at the time of her disappearance, that Somer had been observed petting the parent’s white dog here on occasion, and that he does somewhat fit most of the profile points I suggested in my own profile, et cetera..
But I think there’s an obvious “rush to judgement” here because everyone wants to see “someone” charged in this case and they just don’t realize that these disturbing points may be simply that, disturbing.. and this proves nothing from a behavioral perspective.
He doesn’t appear to match the individual I personally picture in my mind.
I don’t see a “gentle giant” type offender(as this obviously mentally and emotionally immature individual appears to be)
being responsible for this particular type of crime.
It’s simply my opinion.
But I’m not seeting it aside just because most people are in opposition.
Chris
OK.. Before anyone gets too confused at my conflicting posts as to Jarred Harrell’s culpbilty in this crime or not..
YES..
I honestly believe he is responsible for sexually assaulting and murdering Somer Thompson.
He in fact fits my own profile of the UNSUB quite well.
I explained why I was posting the opposite just a short time ago.
But this is my final answer and you can take that to the bank, I promise.
Sorry for all the wishy-washy..
hehehe
Chris
does anyone here know how i can get a hold of christen iman?
i really need to talk with him but i can’t get through to him at his myspace page, facebook or several email addresses he has used in the past. thanks
I have received your message, toothpick, and have already sent you a response.
Thank You so very kindly for your information on the case..
Christen