The question I always ask myself is:
'What's the simplest, most boring way that this could have happened?'
and for the case of the Springfield 3, that question has had me banging my head against a wall for a very long time.
But then one night something occurred to me I hadn't thought of before, and I haven't ever seen discussed anywhere regarding the case. There seemed to be a little interest in it when I mentioned I was working on a new angle in a reply to the what's your deepest rabbit hole? thread.
So... as promised I thought I'd put it all together and see what everybody else thinks.
Go ahead and skip on down to the end if you don't want/need to read another summary on this case. I don't think my analysis is groundbreaking or anything, I simply thought it would be necessary to include the full write-up along with my admittedly flimsy theory just to demonstrate that I have done my research and haven't arrived at my current theory lightly (of course, that still doesn't mean it's correct).
At first I was going to simply add it as a reply to this post from /u/itsSweded, but I'd already been working on it for a while and figured it would simply be far too long.
So, here we all go down the rabbit hole.
Case Overview
"I had never worked a case like it before then and have not worked one like it since," former Springfield police Sgt. Mark Webb told AOL News
"If you look into the records of missing persons every year, you would not come across many cases like this"...
"I think they (other people) were brought into this not knowing what was going to happen. It's quite possible that the primary person did not know what was going to happen"...
"There are people that have knowledge who don't feel good about the knowledge they have. They may not be the primary person"....
"The abduction leader probably was an acquaintance 'who may have known their comings and goings'"
*"Secondary players may fear going to police because they think the primary culprit would retaliate."
"But anyone withholding information probably is feeling strong anxiety..."
"If you think you don't feel good about it now, don't think it's going to get any better. Don't think it's going to go away."
James Wright of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, who said his theory came from "the totality of information," but avoided specifics when speaking after a call-in-television show on KOZK-Ozarks Public television. Kansas City Star July 21, 1992...regrettably as transcribed on the topix forum
And it hasn't gone away.
For 25 years since the night of June 7, 1992, someone has been living with that guilt and anxiety. There are people who know what happened to Suzanne Streeter(19), Stacy McCall(18), and Suzie's mother Sherrill Levitt(47) after the three disappeared from Sherrill and Suzie's home at 1717 E. Delmar St. in Springfield, MO sometime between around 9-11 pm the previous night (reports conflict and no verified phone records are available) when Sherrill was last known to have spoken to a friend on the phone (Suzie and Stacy were last seen leaving a graduation party at their friend Janelle Kirby’s house between 1:30 and 2:30am. They had been expected to stay the night there after a party) and around 8am the next morning when friends of the teen girls arrived to find door unlocked and the house empty except for the dog, a Yorkie named Cinnamon who was found closed up in the bathroom.
Levitt's blue Corsica was parked in the carport.
Streeter's red Ford Escort sat in the circle drive with McCall's Toyota Corolla right behind.
Keys to the vehicles were found inside the unlocked house. The three purses were piled together at the foot of the steps leading into Suzie's sunken bedroom. Though the mother and daughter were chain smokers, Levitt and Streeter left their cigarettes behind. An undisturbed graduation cake was waiting in the refrigerator.
It was apparent the women had gotten ready for bed. Each had washed off makeup and tossed a damp cloth in the hamper. Jewelry was left on the wash basin.
McCall had neatly folded her flowered shorts, tucking jewelry into the pockets, and placed them on her sandals beside Streeter's waterbed… Yet, how she and the other women left is what baffles police, family and friends
Police cling to the idea that a single man could have used a ruse - something as simple as posing as a utility worker warning of a bogus gas leak in the neighborhood - to lure them out.
The family and friends of these three missing women have spent the past quarter of a century trapped in the agony of not really knowing even a single thing about what happened that night.
In all that time, there have been no new breakthroughs. No concrete evidence. A mere few shaky, dubious suspects. No productive leads. No significant developments even with advances in technology. No known motive, no known means, no known opportunity.
In short, nothing.
Suzie, Sherrill and Stacy might as well have vanished into thin air leaving literally nothing in their wake except questions met with an echoing silence where the answers ought to be.
It is by every sense of the word a pure mystery.
Since that night, almost all of the conversation regarding the fate of these three women has been speculation. Not only because the events leading up to their disappearance occurred in an era before caller identification, cellular phones, text messaging, GPS, and the various other bleeps and bloops we all take for granted leaving in the technological footprint of our everyday life, but also because the police have not been very forthcoming regarding the progress of the case over the past quarter decade, if it has in fact progressed at all.
But amid the official silence of those intervening years, the internet has been rife with theories, gossip, rumors and speculation about what could have happened. There have been many posts on this subreddit, threads on websleuths, topix, true crime television such as Disappeared, 48 Hours, America‘s Most Wanted, podcasts, countless other true crime blogs and forums of varying credibility, dedicated to the case and to finding out what happened to those women that night, where they could have gone and how it could have happened.
Streeter’s brother Bartt, a once and former suspect in the case (according to some) has a blog which he dedicates to “an attempt to assemble public information on the abduction of Sherrill Levitt, Suzanne Streeter, and Stacy McCall.”
Some of the well-worn "clues" in the case are known to veteran sleuths and include the much lamented broken porch light
which was actually not the bulb itself, but rather the glass covering around the porch light
that was broken and generally accepted to be found the next morning (by Janelle and her boyfriend who cleaned it up and threw the broken glass in the garbage only to be eventually recovered by police as evidence in the case), the apparent disruption of the crime scene by the friends who came looking for this girls the next morning (the number of people who supposedly showed up and “contaminated“ the crime scene rages from 6-20), the lined-up purses, an uncorroborated possible sighting of the trio by a server at George's Steakhouse less than a mile from the residence, the green van supposedly seen being driven by Streeter in an apparent state of duress by a witness who only came forward much later, and an obscene phone message that was accidentally erased.
The most complete list of people in and out f the house that morning I’ve been able to find is from websleuths
Officer Rick Bookout, responded to 1717 E. Delmar after Janis McCall contacted police, along with Officer Brian Gault. Wrote Incidental Report of 6/07/92.
Janelle Kirby; Mike Henson; Stewart and Janis McCall, and their daughters Meredith and Lisa; Adina Ruthrauff (a friend of Stacy and Suzie) and her mother Darlene; and Janelle's parents Randy and Kathy Kirby. The Tulsa World article states that 18 people had been in and out of the house, although only these 10 were listed in the Incidental Report.
If you know the case, then you know what I’m talking about. If you’re new to it, then you can find a plethora of information, speculation and outright conjuration regarding these topics for yourself simply by Googling it or checking out some of the above links. It gets to be a mess the more and more you over-think it, but by all appearances none of these three women had any discernable enemies, let alone the type of enemies who could simply make them disappear without a trace from an ostensibly locked home in the middle of the night without leaving evidence or signs of a struggle.
Or did they?
Records show that Suzie had a former boyfriend arrested alongside others for what amounted to grave robbery occurring on Feb. 21, 1992. Suzie had given a statement to officers with regard to the case on March 5, 1992 and may or may not have been scheduled to testify as a witness in the upcoming trial (I've been unable to find confirmation one way or the other).
Now, it’s debatable as to whether or not this was a semi-innocent act committed by misguided teens or something darker. But by all accounts, three boys had been caught vandalizing a mausoleum, stealing a skull, and attempting to sell said skull’s golden fillings to a local pawn shop.
Does that mean that they could be somehow involved with the disappearance of not only Suzie, but her mother and a random friend as well?
It's possible, but personally, I don't think so.
Clearly they were not master criminals, and they were all subsequently cleared by police. Although, some report that (at least) one of them was "cleared" very informally, by the chief of police himself, allegedly over coffee at a local restaurant. This only fueled subsequent internet fires over how well the police were able to handle the case from the beginning. Some sources even use quotes from the chief himself to show that the investigation was tumultuous and embattled from the outset.
Former Police Chief Terry Knowles micromanaged the case and questioned possible suspects himself. Information obtained was not properly shared among the investigators, Webb says.
"The whole case was so unusual in the way it was conducted," he said. "It became a very politically charged environment, and people started taking sides. [It] was not only an emotional ride for the family but [also] for the investigators. It was also a career-ender for some of the officers, and I was one.
"I didn't quit or get fired, [but] I ended up getting reassigned because of disagreements over the way the case was going."
Webb is not the only person connected to the case who has spoken about problems in the investigation. In 2002, George Larbey, former president of the Springfield Police Officers Association, told the Springfield News-Leader that detectives did not think Knowles had confidence in them.
"If your highest command tells you how it's going to be, simply put, that's how it's going to be," Larbey said. "Detectives felt powerless. ... The newer guys wouldn't have any idea what was going on, that this wasn't normally the way we did business.
"Knowles, who is retired, could not be reached for comment. But he gave an interview to the same reporter for a story about the 10th anniversary of the disappearance. He acknowledged being heavily involved in the case.
"I don't recall that being an issue back then," he said then about the criticism. "What anyone wants to say 10 years later -- I can't control that. It's certainly disappointing, and it's frustrating at the time to be doing everything you possibly can.
One of the most common theories floating around is that the three are buried under the Cox South Hospital Parking garage, only ten minutes from the house on Delmar. Of course, this is a theory largely purported by news sources as “credible” as The Daily Mail and first put forward by user Ken on the websleuths forum who happily states that he received the tip as part of a psychic encounter with the spirit of Stacy McCall. Personally, I think the hospital theory has zero credibility given knowledge of its origin. But of course, I am neither a professional investigator nor a professional psychic, so of course I could be wrong.
So, let's look at some statements from Websleuth Ken...
There are millions of people missing...not thousands. Imagine looking at a blue marble in a fish tank. You can "see" the blue marble through the glass and through the water. The frequency of light from the blue marble is different from it's surroundings, so you can easily see it. The principle used to find the 3MW is similar in approach. It's called Micro Impulse Radar. It can "see" through concrete because everything has a unique resonating frequency, including Mercury. Mercury is found in teeth fillings. When Tim Gray did his initial scan, his instrument picked up a signal unique for Mercury. Tim's instrument is unique in that it can detect resonating frequencies from considerable distances away and be able to pinpoint an objects exact location. This is the technology that found the three missing women at the parking garage. Tim's instrument is a prototype and it's not mainstream technology. It's a Pandora's Box in that if this technology were to go mainstream, there won't be anywhere to hide. Privacy will become a thing of the past. There is alot more at stake here with the Parking Garage dig than you can possibly even imagine. This is what you missed out on while you were sleeping in ignore mode. When this case breaks, you won't have to worry about eating your words; you will be asleep in ignore mode as usual. Pleasant dreams!
as well as
When the authorities dig up the concrete at the parking garage and they find the three missing women; Stacy McCall will make history. Stacy will have done what Harry Houdini failed to do...prove the existence of life after death. Even though I experienced a life changing vision with her in November of 1998, it was an uncomfortable and painful experience. She made it perfectly clear to me that she is furious.
Mrs. McCall has stated in the media that she believes her daughter could be alive. When the dig takes place at the parking garage; it will prove Mrs. McCall right. Just not in the way that she thinks. There is an old saying: "Dead men tell no tales." That myth is one that will soon be busted. Ken
advocated by users such as "Starlight"
Miles Draken said -- in part -- "so we can find out how wrong all these conspiracy theories and visions were. But, I guess everyone will just find new interpretations for them. Like Nostrodamus' predictions the events are predicted only in hindsight." Guess you watched the episode on Nostradamus over the week-end too! However, Ken Young's 'vision' has not been left up to humanity to 'interpret.' His vision[s] have been interpreted, not in 'hindsight' as you so boldly accuse, but far in advance of the discovery of these women. The location has already been named, along with the time period. Notice he said he could see the number in his vision. April is the fourth month of the year. That's when the first scan took place. There will be no 'new interpretations' for anything that is posted on my web site concerning this case or any other case. A 'prediction' is something given in advance. If it pan's out [comes true] then it becomes a fulfillment of a prediction. There's enough information posted concerning this vision, and enough people have read it to know if it 'comes true, then there's no 'hindsight' involved in it. I designed an entire web site because of this very type of accusation. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I do NOT have a history or a reputation for coming along after the fact and claiming credit for other people's work. That's not my style. And as far as everyone getting tired of this type of conversation -- what do you have contribute? The "Stacy Vision Theory" is the best bet in nearly 15 years. It gives more answers than anything before, or since. And, lest you forget -- there's been two 'scientific' scans conducted in the area, that seem to confirm there's something there, so I wouldn't say everything is 'psychic.' We've already verified the 'psychic' portions, and that's no longer debatable. What Miles Draken [and others] are bickering over at this point, and trying to debunk is actually scientifically accepted results that are used in many, many areas for various purposes! Pray tell -- what will you say when the vision, the interpretation and the tests pan-out, and the women are precisely where we said they are?
and investigative reporter/blogger Kathee Baird who petitioned semi-successfully to have that particular area searched and whose blog “The Crime Scene” I have referenced in this write-up.
Here is some video of the attempt to use the radar, or possibly a similar type of radar at the parking garage.
It’s reported that “anomalies have been found” on the radar, but nothing has been concretely (sorry for the pun) proven and the topic remains heavily debated online.
Many also seem to think that the coincidentally-named Robert Craig Cox, an army ranger and former Soldier of the Year with a complicated legal history (to say the least) who is currently imprisoned for an unrelated crime may have been involved. He is reported to have been in the area at the time and may have had a connection to Stacy McCall by virtue of working at the same business for a period of time. He has made some fairly cryptic statements regarding the case, but has so far produced nothing of significant value and may simply be seeking attention.
Another known person of interest is Steve Garrison, who is currently serving a 40 year sentence for an unrelated crime. Garrison reportedly gave police information allegedly unknown to the public regarding the green van and three murdered women, but it did not pan out after police searched.
Garrison told police a friend had confessed to killing the three women during a drunken party. He told police information unknown to the public that led investigators to serve three search warrants at two sites in western Webster County; that they would find the women’s bodies and clues about their abduction and deaths. He also said a moss green van believed used to take the women would be found about 12 miles away, south of Fordland.
The property searched was the same site where in 1990 LE searched for two of three missing Springfieldians. Property owner Francis Lee Robb Sr. pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in a case authorities said at the time they believed involve a drug deal gone awry. Garrison was believed enough that a gag order concerning the three search warrants was issued by a judge.“…certain aspects of the information we received fit with other (private) aspects of the case,” Springfield Police Capt. Todd Whitson said. Whitson said the gag order was rare, but he could not say why it was issued,“other than to say there is such an order, and it governs the operation and everything related to the operation out here.” Added Webster County Sheriff C.E. Wells:“We can’t tell you anything about it until the order’s lifted.”
The source of the above quote is fairly comprehensive list of people generally considered to be potential (and publicly named) persons of interest. It can be found at the streeter family blog which is maintained by Bartt Streeter.
There is also the curiosity of the so-called GJ3. Three men allegedly named before a grand jury with regard to their involvement in the case. However, no charges were brought, and the records are sealed by the court leading to much speculation online.
I could go on and on, but so far it hasn't gotten me anywhere.
KNOWN UNKNOWNS
Well, none of the proposed answers have so far yielded much in the way of results, so for my own investigation I figured that if I can’t trust the answers, then maybe I could at least trust the questions.
So, now I'm back to the beginning, asking that same question.
'What's the simplest, most boring way that this could have happened?'
After years of reading on the case, I might not have learned anything new, but at least I know what I don't know.
How could someone(s) have gotten those three women out of the house that night without leaving a trace of evidence or sign of a struggle?
Did they impersonate an authority figure to gain entry?
Did they fabricate some type of emergency in order to get the women to comply?
Did they have a weapon they used to control them?
How could they have been transported from the house in a vehicle, likely against their will, without arousing suspicion or attracting attention while the perpetrator(s) were still able to drive the vehicle and prevent the three women from escaping or calling for help?
Why have the police put forward almost nothing even a quarter century after that night?
Ok, so after all that here's my flimsy, two-word answer for all of it:
cop car.
An armed, uniformed officer arriving at the house that night in a squad car literally answers every single question I've ever had about
how they could have been taken quickly and quietly without leaving any evidence of an intruder
why they even opened the door in the first place
why the dog was locked up
how they could they have been taken without signs of a struggle
why they left without most of their important belongings, including keys, purses, and cigarettes
how they could be so easily controlled by one perpetrator in transit
how they could be transported in a vehicle they'd be unlikely to escape from
why has no one made a single peep in the past 25 years and there has not been much progress in the investigation
It's such a stupidly simple answer that even I think it has to be wrong.
But it makes a kind of sense I'm having trouble shaking, so I'm interested in what you all have to say.
I don't typically go for the "cops had to have been in on it" type theories but after everything else is gone, you have to look at what's left.
And right now it's the only thing I've got that explains all the answers and all the questions.
Of course, it's only my theory about how it could have happened, and does absolutely nothing to determine the who or more importantly, the why... which I admit I don't have even the slightest clue about.
If it happened like this, it had to be related to something, although I have no idea what, which means if I want to continue this line of reasoning, I have to start looking into everything else that went on around there except what happened to those women that night because maybe that's where the answer is.
And that'll be the brand-new part of the rabbit hole I'm gonna have to dig for myself if I want to keep going.
Anyway, I guess I'll close with one of the quotes I opened with. From one of the only FBI agents ever to speak publicly about the case.
See if it sounds different to you now.
"If you look into the records of missing persons every year, you would not come across many cases like this"...
"I think they (other people) were brought into this not knowing what was going to happen. It's quite possible that the primary person did not know what was going to happen"...
"There are people that have knowledge who don't feel good about the knowledge they have. They may not be the primary person"....
"The abduction leader probably was an acquaintance 'who may have known their comings and goings'"
*"Secondary players may fear going to police because they think the primary culprit would retaliate."
"But anyone withholding information probably is feeling strong anxiety..."
"If you think you don't feel good about it now, don't think it's going to get any better. Don't think it's going to go away."
edit: words, grammar and formatting
Submitted October 23, 2016 at 02:54PM by Max_Trollbot_ http://ift.tt/2euvIGr UnresolvedMysteries
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