Blink On Crime 2014 Year In Review With DANA PRETZER
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On February 28, 2014 The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Director Mark Gwyn announced the search of 29 year old Zachary Rye Adam’s residence in conjunction with the abduction of Holly Lynn Bobo. Bobo, a 20 year old nursing student, was abducted from her Darden, TN home nearly 3 years earlier. Gwyn made it clear during that announcement that they expected to find Holly alive at one of the ensuing searches occurring in multiple counties that day.
"This is a very important time in this investigation," Gwyn told reporters today as the TBI and FBI searched property on Adams Lane in northern Decatur County. "We're not going to say or do anything at this point to interfere with this investigation. Hopefully we'll be able to return Holly home safely to her parents. That's our goal.
Five days later, after a Circuit Judge called the 24th Judicial District Grand Jury back into session, it took them less than three hours to return an indictment for especially aggravated kidnapping and first degree murder.
Zachary Rye Adams and Jason Wayne Autry have been indicted for the especially aggravated kidnapping and first degree felony murder in Holly Bobo’s case. A third suspect, Shayne Kyle Austin was about to be indicted when his criminal defense attorney, Luke Evans, filed a civil suit against the State of Tennessee to enforce an immunity agreement Austin signed. John Dylan Adams, Zachary’s brother currently incarcerated and awaiting sentencing on Federal weapons charges will be testifying as a witness in this case. He says Holly was last seen following her abduction- ALIVE.
The “A-Train” as dubbed by locals who knew them based on the initials of their last names and the frequency for which they were seen together were household names to the residents of the tiny community in Decautur County, TN. They have various criminal histories dating back to their teens.
They’re creepy and their kooky, … altogether spooky.. The Adams Family
The Adams brothers, Zach and ‘Dylan’ as John is referred to, live in multiple houses perched on the land bearing the family surname which was passed down to them by their grandfather John and Grandmother Becky who died 12 days before Holly’s abduction. Tim Adam’s, the boys’ father, died of complications from drug use in 2003.
Donna “Karen” Bobo, Holly Bobo’s Mother and elementary school teacher, had young Zach and Dylan in her class.
Zach Adams, in the lead between the two for the size of his rap sheet, has felony convictions for shooting his Mother Cindy at point blank rang with a 9MM handgun, and within 6 months of his release on that charge wielded a shotgun at his grandparents during a drug binge. In a pre-sentencing report on his current gun charges, Dylan Adams reports he has had alcohol and substance abuse issues with minor burglary charges since he was a teen, and would like to serve his sentence in a minimum Federal prison in Atlanta, GA.
Zach Adams was out on bond or on probation from three separate criminal incidents to involve booze, drugs, assaulting a Natchez Park Ranger when Bobo was abducted from her home. On April 4th, Adams was arrested in Natchez Park with the assistance of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office along with his passenger, Robert "Shawn" Moody.
From the Jackson Sun:
Zachary Adams was arrested in Natchez Trace State Park on April 4, 2011, following a traffic stop.
Adams and his passenger Robert S. Moody, seemed nervous, the report says. Adams told the ranger he was bringing Moody to look at the damage and that the two men needed to get to the other side of the park.
"...Hill saw a six-pack of beer bottles in the back floorboard, and two of the bottles appeared to be open.
Hill asked Adams to step out of the truck and asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Adams said “no,” and gave Hill permission to search the truck.Rangers also found a pill bottle on Moody containing seven different pills, the report said.
Along with resisting arrest and assaulting the officer, Adams was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, drug possession, tampering with evidence, reckless driving and violation of the open container law.
Moody was charged with drug possession..."
Moody is also a convicted felon and was arrested in Florida in 2005 for failing to register as a sex offender for a statutory rape charge he was convicted of in Decatur.
"Shawn" Moody's wife Stormy Winters Moody was convicted of aggravated burglary in 2013 for stealing the contents of her neighbor's home. Ms. Moody was wearing some of the clothing from her heist when police arrived, while standing in the front yard of her home.
For several locals and this author, Zach Adams, Jason Autry and Shayne Austin were names associated with the investigation within weeks of Holly’s disappearance. Prior to Adam’s indictment he was arrested on drug possession charges in Benton County at his girlfriend’s home. On the day his home and property were searched by investigators he was also charged with aggravated assault against the sister of his girlfriend, Amber Bray. Charges from the incident which occurred February 6th, 2014 included Adams holding a gun to her head and threatening to “gut her” for speaking with police about his possible involvement.
On February 24th, 4 days before the multiple searches conducted on different counties in the Bobo case, Ms. Bray’s son Christopher and his girlfriend Toni Craig were operating a van that was pulled over in a traffic stop; the van was registered to Ms. Bray. The Benton County Sherriff’s Office recovered over $60,000 in cultured pearls in several duffel bags from the van and when investigators went to the Bray home to recover the rest- Adams was standing in the front yard with a handful he said he wanted to “turn over”. He was arrested on a drug possession charge shortly thereafter, posted bond again and released.
In what can only be described as an extremely odd coincidence, the last major theft of pearls or in this case, pearls in shells, involved extended family members and friends of Adams. Danny Vine and Stella Thornton were brutally murdered in their Camden, Tennessee home on the evening of January 16, 1991. Danny, an accomplished shell buyer with an assortment of day workers, sold much of his yield to or through the Tennessee Shell Company (TSC). In 1998 The Tennessee Shell Company agreed to pay a $1,000,000 fine after 18 people were indicted for selling illegally harvested pearls/shells. While the Tennessee Shell Company no longer has an active business license, members of the Arnold family, associated with the management of TSC are friends of Bray’s. Two local brother’s, and extended kin, Gerry Lee and Charles Bruce were eventually tried and convicted.
But not before Sheila Kay Bradford, the live-in girlfriend would visit the TBI to turn over information about Bruce after leaving the residence in fear. She was offered Federal protection but refused when she learned she would have to testify. Two days later, on September 22, 1992, Bradford’ car was found with the keys in the ignition at a relative’s home. She has never been seen since and her disappearance has been ruled suspicious.
Kissing Killing Cousins
Jason Wayne Autry is Holly Bobo’s second cousin. He has an extensive criminal history which includes, by his own admission, leadership in the Aryan Brotherhood.
He also claims to have converted his past sins and deeds since finding faith after a near fatal infection in prison. Autry is serving the equivalent of a life sentence in Federal prison. Indicted on March 28th, Autry, an impeding chum at 6’ 7” tall, is not likely to be the suspect Holly encountered in her backyard as described by her brother Clint.
Shayne Kyle Austin, whose parent’s property is situated closely to the Bobo property was at one time, close friends with Holly’s Cousin Natalie Bobo. He also worked for a time for Dana Bobo, Holly’s Father, until he fired him. It is not known if the incident is related, but this occurs around the time that Natalie’s Father Leonard, and Dana Bobo travel across state lines to bring Natalie home in an effort to intervene and provide an avenue for substance abuse issues she was suffering, as well her choice of activity to fund same.
He has an extensive criminal history and closely resembles a sketch developed by Candace Wood, a friend of Holly’s who attended the Coon hunt with her 4 days before her disappearance of a man who appeared to be fixated on her, and speaking into his phone at the same time. Austin is approximately 5’10” and wears glasses.
Out of the three suspects to date, he also closely matches the description of the man seen walking into the woods with her, we know now as alleged by the TBI, with a weapon to insure her compliance. Austin, and Michael Lee Alexander were moved from different county correctional facilities into Decatur jail on March 2, 2014. Lee lives in the adjacent property to Adam’s on Pughe Rd.
Two days later, on March 4, Zach Alexander “coerces” his brother through one, or both of them.
On March 5th, former Decatur resident and convicted rapist Victor Dinsmore, an associate of all three of the accused claims he passed a polygraph, thus, “clearing his name.” Sources inside the investigation have confirmed that Dinsmore and his wife Sandy are material witnesses in the case against all three men- but specifically informed investigators that Zach Adams openly bragged about what happened to Holly Bobo while a guest at the Dinsmore residence.
On March 6th, Austin signed an immunity deal a day after Adams indictment.
So- how does a 20 year old nursing student and aspiring singer cross paths with the likes of Adams, Autry and Austin? The old adage You can’t pick your family may be a factor. (more...)
Join S. Christina Stoy, Editor In Chief of www.blinkoncrime.com
“Blink” will be discussing case developments in The Holly Bobo murder indictment, upcoming news in the Jennifer Kesse disappearance and other current cases.
Erika
At 24, Megan was committed to her education in her nursing program and she was anxious to secure a position in line with her studies and gain some relevant experience.
Megan’s partially charred remains were discovered by a motorist at 1:18AM the morning of July 2, 2012 while observing what he thought was a holiday brush fire. Megan was doused with gasoline and set ablaze very shortly before.
Mercifully, she was deceased by that time and investigators believe she met her end somewhere else. The reporter of the grass fire who backed up twice into the gravel pull off area for a closer look identity has not been released.
Finding Megan was the start of the discovery of a deadly lure by a man who is no stranger to the law, and investigators know his identity.
Speaking on the sole condition of anonymity, a source has confirmed to www.blinkoncrime.com that Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Franklin County Sheriffs Department (FCSD) and law enforcement personnel from surrounding Coffee and Bedford counties have identified a suspect based on a forensic match to evidence found at the scene.
The starry and promising young woman who used to donate items and volunteer for programs that support the underprivileged and homeless was beaten, sexually assaulted and burned from her nude waist down. While several reports of her cause of death indicate blunt force trauma, investigators have not released additional details that would likely only be known to the suspect.
S. Christina Stoy, Editor In Chief, reached Kelly Hale Sharpton earlier today and asked the bereaved mother if she had been given the information about a DNA match to a suspect.
..”The FCPD has asked that we do not discuss any of the case sensitive details publicly so I cannot address your question directly. I will say that I met with the prosecutor Michael Taylor and expressed my great concern that an arrest be made immediately based on information I was told. He declined and I showed him a picture of Megan and I and told him he could not allow this to happen to someone else and this was Megan’s way of stopping this and I am frustrated with the decision to wait for an indictment of the man who murdered my child. Chief Fuller and Det Chris Guess have been a phenomenal support and I trust them without reservation and I believe they are equally frustrated..”
Megan had two star tattoos on her neck to honor her siblings, as well as three others. She had refused a potential job offer last Fall because her sister was expecting and she was concerned that she would have to leave immediately if she were to go into labor.
When Megan’s mother Kelly saw a post on facebook about the woman found at the base of the bridge had star tattoos, she immediately knew it was her child.
Megan fought her attacker like a banshee. A t 5’9″ banshee was no match. (more…)
Don’t miss Editor In Chief Blink, www.blinkoncrime.com discussing 2011′s most sensational and haunting true crime cases with national radio Host Dana
Special Guest, RED, featured political columnist and owner of www.scaredmonkeys.com at 9:50 PM.
Click HereTo Listen To The Previously Recorded Podcast
January- David Anthony Durham shoots police officer after playing hookie from work in anticipation for an arrest, his house is located in the grid search for missing 7 year old Kyron Horman. **Unsolved, **Unrecovered
February- “Onda” Chris George- featured in a cold case investigative report in November 2010, Chris was recovered on February 21, 2011 . **Unresolved Possible Homicide
April 1 2011- Successful prosecution and life sentence of James Hattaway. No April Fools joke. Hattaway, a suspect in the disappearances of Onda Chris George, and Tracy Ocasio, was convicted of attempted murder of Rachael Clark .
The alarming violent abduction of 20 year old student Holly Bobo. Miss Bobo has not been located and their have been no updates by the TBI in her case for several months. No named person of interest in the case. **Unsolved, **Unrecovered
May- Terrorist leader Osama bin Laden is executed upon refusal to surrender by US Navy Seals.
May/July- The trial of Casey Anthony resulting in her acquittal in all changes except 4 counts of lying to police. Ms. Anthony has been renamed the C-word by www.blinkoncrime.com and recently released her first video diary as a blonde with a really bad cut.
June- Disappearance of Jacque Waller, wife of former cop and general con man Clay Waller. Jacque has not been recovered, but Clay is in prison on unrelated charges currently and the couple’s children are in the custody of Jacque’s family. According to Clay’s dad , he has already confessed to her murder.
June -Successful prosecution resulting in a life sentence for the murder of Christine Sheddy, a 5 part cold case series developed in 2010 and featured on BOC for the purposes of progressing her case. Justen Hadel, one of the primary suspects in the case ending up confessing, and our information was correct that Christine was murdered on the Byrd road property. I spent a day on in 105 degree weather followed by a mini-hurricane on this hell-hole property I will never forget. I continue to seek justice in the hope a prosecution will follow for Clarence Jackson and Tia.
July/August 2011- Celina Cass missing, and recovery of her remains. While it is presumed a homicide, her cause of death has not been determined or released. Wendell Noyes, her stepfather is the only non-official person of interest. Celina’s mother left him while he underwent psychiatric care upon the news of Celina’s recovery. It is my solid opinion that Wendell is involved in Celina’s death and disposal of her remains in a water treatment (). There have been no arrests or indictments in this case to date.
August 19, 2011. West Memphis Three- Two days after I wrote a series about the murders of 3 8 year old boys in June of 1993 by 3 teenage boys known as the West Memphis Three, all three plead guilty to an alford plea after the state agreed to a deal proffered by the defense team, funded by the Hollywood elite. So far, Reese Witherspoon has been cast as Pam Hobbs, mother of Stevie Branch. In November, the parents wrote a letter to the Chair of the AMPAS documentary committee asking that they not con sider the HBO commissioned Paradise Lost 3, Purgatory for an award. We featured the entire letter as a front page on the site, in support.
September 2011- The Susan Powell case- The roller coaster of we found remains, wait, not remains, but former remains in burned wood chips. The subsequent arrest of Susan’s freak in law
October 2011- The disappearance of Karen Swift, mother of four. Karen was located on December (), and has yet to have her autopsy completed or her remains released. Sheriff Box of the Dyer County Sheriffs Office has not named a suspect, but it is widely known that the primary person of interest is David Swift, Karen’s recently estranged husband.
Missing 10 month old Lisa Irwin- No new anything in this case, since Joe Tacopina of Joran VanDerSloot fame took the case to represent the parents. A lead developed from Deb Bradley’s phone produced a juggalo chic whose phone was called in what is believed to be in the middle of the alleged crime, and did ping close to the Irwin residence. Megan Wright’s former boyfriend known as Jersey was subsequently arrested for tampering with a vehicle. She claims not to know anything in the case and that her phone was used by several members of a household she was since asked to leave.
Amanda Knox Acquittal- what many did not know about the prosecutor will change most of your opinions in this case. Blink dubs Giuliano Mignini “The Mike Nifong” of Perusia.
November/December: The Nittany Nightmare-
Over 40 counts of child sexual abuse are filed in an indictment against former PSU offensive coordinator and Second Mile founder Jerry Sandusky. Tim Curley and Gary Schwartz are indicted and held for trial for perjury in their grand jury testimony. Mike McQueary stands firm in his testimony during the preliminary hearing. Blink uncovers a possible insurance scandal paying the legal bills.
Dyersburg, TN- 44 year old Mother of four Karen Johnson Swift has been missing since early Sunday morning following the drop off of her two youngest children at the marital home where the couple continue to reside following Ms. Swift’s divorce filing October 10, 2011.
Friends
Swift’s 2004 Nissan Murano was located approximately one mile away near the intersection of Millsfield Hwy and Harness Rd with a flat tire, and her missing cell phone was last accessed at approximately 5 am, linking to a web browser. According to her husband David, the two spoke briefly in the stairwell at approximately 1:30am, Karen Swift left and Mr. Swift returned to bed. There is a residence within visual distance of the location of the vehicle and a volunteer fire company within walking distance as well.
This leaves a nearly 4 hour window in which Karen Swift appears to be unaccounted for. Sources inside the investigation have confirmed to www.blinkoncrime.com that Karen Swift’s phone pings were last traced to the area of Mississippi River and her phone has since lost power.
Although David Swift has been interviewed by Dyer County Sheriff ‘s Office, it is unclear at this time why Karen would have left the home again after dropping off the couples two young daughters, or why she would not have called her husband for assistance following discovery of the the alleged flat tire. Mr. Swift operates a business from the Willie Johnson address since 2004 in the aerosol packaging industry.
Calls to the Dyer County Sheriff have not been returned at the time of this publication.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Dyer County Sheriff at