Sunday, February 16, 2014

Hindsight in the Case of Leanne Bearden

Here is the article that introduced Statement Analysis readers to the case of 33 year old Leanne Bearden.  
I have kept it the same, but have added, in blue, updated commentary on the analysis.  

Family members said the 33-year-old went missing after she left a relative’s house to go for a walk.
The report says that police do not suspect foul play.  They called off the search for her.  

This is our first indication that the family told police she was despondent and likely suicidal.  Searches are called off for things like critical weather conditions or extended time periods.  

“Her husband, Josh, has been cooperative with all investigations and is not a person of interest,” Garden Ridge Police Chief Donna O’Conner said in a statement. “Our heart goes out to the Hecht and Bearden families as they search for their loved one.”
This now sounds like condolences, in hindsight.  
The following is her husband, Josh Bearden's statements.  The video is broken up, which makes it difficult to analyze since we do not know what questions were posed to him.  

"Uh she said that she was going to go for a walk and then I said how long are you going to be gone
and then she said about an hour then I said ok Babe take your time.  Thats the last that thing I said to her."

We note the inclusion of the term of endearment, "Babe."  We find this in statements where one may feel the need to portray oneself as loving; not a good sign.  Here, however, he appears to be quoting himself.  Nonetheless, we take note of it just the same.  A term of endearment within a statement is often viewed as a negative and problematic because it shows the subject's need to portray himself in the positive, the necessity of such being a red flag.  

Note that it is the last thing he "said" to her.  Was it the last he saw of her?  Would it be more expected to hear, "That's the last I saw her"?

He only reports that this was the last thing he said to her, but not the last that he saw her.  

The analysis focused on "Babe" which, in Statement Analysis, is flagged as all terms of endearment.  Why do we flags terms of endearment?

They are often indicators that there is something wrong in the relationship.  

I use them all the time.

The difference is that in a public statement, especially given the circumstances, Josh Bearden shows two things:
1.  The need to portray the relationship in a favorable way
2.  Avoidance of the pronoun "I" indicating guilt of some form. 

If Leanne did, in fact, commit suicide, guilt is expected.  It is likely that he, and family, convinced police that this was not a domestic homicide, and that she was despondent, deeply, and that this was her wish to do so. 

Texas Equasearch, and other search organizations  would also be aware of the situation:  they often cannot afford to search for someone who does not want to be found.  This is likely how it was portrayed to police. 

 "I have no idea what happened "

It is very difficult to believe anyone who says that they have no idea, since we all have plenty of ideas about everything in life.  In fact, Josh Bearden goes on to give an idea claiming that there are lots of places not covered.  

Mark McClish uses the exploration of the moon to highlight this saying that he is not a rocket scientist and doesn't know how to get to the moon but has an idea that a rocket will be needed.  It's a humorous way to point out that it is difficult to believe someone who says this.  Sometimes it is just a lazy mind that needs prompts, but in a missing person's case, we do not expect to encounter a lazy mind from the husband, but one of a very highly in tune mind, seeking answers. 

In Analytical Interviewing, we remind the interviewer not to accept "I have no idea" as a "stop sign" for the flow of information.  Prompt the subject.  

"I have no idea" is not truthful.  He could have said that he wanted to keep his views private, but "I have no idea" only prompts more questions.  Next, look at the pronoun change: 
We have no clues  but theres still a lot of area 
that needs to be covered and that I feel Leanne could have walked.

Note the video breaks. 

 I would like to know what caused him to change his pronoun to "we" at this point.  
Note next that he does have an idea:  that there are places she could have walked to.  This makes his statement of having "no idea" not truthful.  

The change to "we" is distancing language.  This is often done when someone wishes to spread around guilt or responsibility, and another indicator that he and Leanne had some pretty difficult words in the moments before she left.  


That he had suicide on his mind is found in the strange wording here:   The second that I lose my hope Leanne is gone .

Why is Leanne's life tied to his hope?  Since others are searching and the family is fund raising to hire a private investigator, how is it that "Leanne is gone" at that "second"?

This is very strange, but in light of suicide, she was only alive, that is "hope", in his mind.  He likely feared suicide.  
and my biggest fear is that I’ll lose my hope.

The Expected versus the Unexpected.

We put ourselves in the shoes of the subject and presume innocence. We ask,
"What would I say?  What would you say?"

In this place, my biggest fear would be that my wife was dead, injured by injury or by foul play.  


It would be my biggest fear:  something terrible happened to her. 

He did not express fear that most of us would have.  
Would your biggest fear be that your wife has been killed, or died in an accident, or that you would lose hope?


I will never, ever going to stop looking for you. Ever.

Another strong indicator that he knew how serious she was about suicide and tells us a possible reason for guilt:  he was unable or unwilling to stop her.  How do we know this?  Simply because he did not stop her.  

All families of suicide victims go through this guilt.  "What could have been done?  What could have been said?  What should I have done?", and so on.   There is an element of fatalism in this statement, which tells us that he did not hope. 

Why did he have no hope of success?  In this case, it may prove to be that he knew she was serious about suicide.  People will know that suicidal ideation is real if there are attempts.  Attempts often increase in intensity over time, as the person 'tests the waters', even in a cry for help, while still uncertain if they wish to live. 

IF this was a suicide, it is clear that her husband knew, and police felt comfortable ending the search early.  

Yet why the nonsense with the sightings?  Why not come out with it which would have meant a concentrated search?  What about dogs?  Search and rescue dogs would have found her very quickly. 

Everything about this case is strange, which will lead some to believe homicide.  
Similar to a statement made by OJ Simpson about looking for his wife's killer, saying he would never stop searching for the "real" killer.  

Note that his search will never end, showing no hope for success.  He does not tell her that he will search for her until she is found, but that he will "never, ever" and "ever" stop looking. 

What has caused him to have no hope for success?  She has been missing for 8 days at the time of this statement.  

Has the passage of time caused this?
Have police told him something privately that has led him to believe she will never be found?
Or...

is this similar to Josh Powell in searching for Susan?

Stay tuned as we need more statement.  

233 comments:

1 – 200 of 233   Newer›   Newest»
JerseyJane said...

I also would be curious to know if Leanne had ever researched suicide under her login on the shared phone or the computer that the police took to check out. And was it taken in this 8 day period or a later time?

I totally forgot the police may have found evidence of her possible thoughts of suicide on these devices. I feel this suicide info, if it existed, would have been shared with Josh, next of kin. And if the husband knew, he certainly didn't share it with her parents or siblings. Someone in blog below this one found a fb entry of Leanne's mom wondering about the sudden brought on quickness of Leanne's suicide. Sounds as if this thought or knowledge wasn't shared if it was know (found evidence of search of devices or the husband's thoughts)...

Anonymous said...

It seems likely, given the statements from Law Enforcement and the Family throughout the case, that a suicide note of some kind was found.

Still-- even with note in hand, there is always the hope of saving the loved one.

--Det. Milton Wah

Anonymous said...

Lori Singer- Is the property her body was found in the direction she was last seen walking by a tree trimmer?

LawdyMama > Lori Singer
Nope. Opposite direction. She was found North of her in-laws' home.



"If you live in the northern area and have a big plot of land go check it out." - Josh Bearden

Anonymous said...

posted on Justice for Leanne Bearden Facebook page (02/16/14)
https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforLeanneBearden


Carolyn Sue Autry Deason- We live on 1/2 acre just outside of Garden Ridge, TX. The very small community of new and old pricey homes with high taxes, (no stores, one new school, one Mayberry type police department). We know this area well having lived here for many years. My spouse knows several Garden Ridge residents. Not one of them believe Leanne committed suicide, let alone hung herself in that rugged, tough terrain. This sad event is full of holes, way too many unanswered questions, and what clearly looks like to us, an expensive cover up for some strange reason. If this family and her many friends truly love Leanne, then do the right thing and hire serious, professional investigators to determine her death. If you think the family is going through too much grief, pain, and shock, how selfish is THAT? What about JUSTICE FOR LEANNE?

3 hours ago near San Antonio, TX

Anonymous said...

G-ALLin

Google maps tool is quite amazing, as you can drag and drop the yellow man symbol on any neighborhood and then walk around that neighborhood as if you were there in person. (street view)

It really gives you a sense of what it would be like to hike that route that Leanne must have hiked that day she went missing. Why I find this important is that I have to wonder how she picked this spot. How much planning went into this, or was it quite random?

When the news media said the approximate address for where the body was found, they of course used the address of the home owner who found the body and so the assumption is that Leanne must have walked in from that basic direction, so online there are various google map pics showing a walking route from Josh's parents home(9325 Sumac Lane).to the body recovery address (21643 Fairview Circle) that was 0.8miles away. Here is the google link for the walking directions.

I encourage any armchair detectives to use the streetview tools and walk the route.

here is the map. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/21643+Fairview+Cir,+Garden+Ridge,+TX+78266/9325+Sumac+Ln,+Garden+Ridge,+TX+78266/@29.6395912,-98.3084325,16z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x865c8e1fb0e566cb:0xac4d1e8c213cfff9!2m2!1d-98.310677!2d29.641658!1m5!1m1!1s0x865c91e24899c7b3:0xd6b26a7f4c8055c5!2m2!1d-98.306753!2d29.636751

Note that my first question was maybe Leanne actually came into the woods from the left side (along Forest Waters Circle), but when walking there on street view the homes are large and close to the street and no one would walk there without the fear of being caught or thought of as a burglar. Then walking the expected route, along Fairview Circle, there are a few trees or gaps between homes, but at no point do you feel you can just walk into the woods unseen to find a quiet place to pull off a possible suicide/hanging.

Then it hit me that directly behind this area there was an empty lot with a low wire fence along Schoenthal Road, where there are no homes and would be easy to cross the low 4 wire fence and then where the body was found.

Click here for street view as you might see just before crossing the fence https://www.google.com/maps/@29.642912,-98.311993,3a,75y,152.33h,65.48t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s--qgp14ONEMGIBQ8USeSuw!2e0

Anyhow, just speculation or common sense, but I don't think Leanne would have entered the woods where she was found by walking close to anyone's house as someone could report her as a burglar or as suspicious, so it makes sense she entered the woods from a vacant lot.

It does not make sense to me on why she might choose a place near her in-laws neighborhood vs. back in Denver or in Atl where you might know the area better, so maybe some event/fight triggered this (Did Josh know this area well?)

I can't find any reports of a note left with the body or backpack as confirmed, but hope Leanne left one to help explain why.

Anonymous said...

Looking at your map, shows she indeed was found south of her inlaws home...correct? And NOT North

Anonymous said...

Anom 1:33 PM

she was found NORTH of the in-laws house.

A= where she was found
B= in-laws house

Anonymous said...

Oh, thank you. i see my error in the address locations. Your clarification is apreciated

Skeptical said...

I need to speak for the other side. Just as caretakers for loved ones with physical illness can burn out, so can people with mental illness in their family wear out. I wonder if the lack of response on the part of Leeanne's family might be an indication of her having, over the years, used up all the compassion they were able to give.

It doesn't take much pressure to die by hanging. In recent years children and young people were in the news playing the choking game using belts and doorknobs. Once they applied enough pressure to black out, if there was no one there to save them, they died.

Did Leanne intend suicide or did she think her husband would follow her and rescue her? Had he done so before? I think Leeanne's past and any mental health issues need to be explored.

Having lived some of this story, I can say that the people left behind experience two mixed emotions - anger and compassion. Anger at the loved one because they use such a terrible means of manipulation as suicide threats and compassion because they are in such unrelenting distress and pain.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Skeptical said...
I need to speak for the other side. Just as caretakers for loved ones with physical illness can burn out, so can people with mental illness in their family wear out.>


A hearty "Amen" to this.

If people only knew...

Skeptical, I will go a step further and say that caring with those with mental illness is even worse because of the lack of society support and the unpredictable nature of mental illness.

I have reached out to Josh Bearden.

Peter

AnnieMouse said...

If he truly wanted her found and the possiblility of suicide was there I feel he would've said something about it at the beginning.
I find it strange when folks hold stuff back from public searches. There is a hidden agenda, for example Cindy Anthony.

Anonymous said...

Isn't hanging oneself in a tree near your in-laws'house a rather strange way for a woman to commit suicide? There are easier more delicate ways to go about it. If Leeanne did kill herself, did she have a grudge against her in-laws as well as her husband to kill herself in such a visible way in their neighborhood?

Anonymous said...

i agree, i dont think josh was a "insecure and controlling narcissist" and other things some have said of him, i think he just knew what was best for her and how to help her through her bipolarity.

Anonymous said...

I have spent a lot of time following this case on here, facebook, the news, etc. I know most people reading this have done the same. I haven't been satisfied with the speed of investigation or with what little information was disclosed. Josh Bearden's comments and lack of information from her immediately family have confused me. I never considered it might be suicide until the news reports stated it was and I thought I'd be the last one to believe it.

But, from the comments made by her mother and father on facebook since the discovery of her body. I believe that they accept and believe it was suicide. If a mother can believe her daughter did this, then I am more convinced of the same. So in reflection, I think what we saw throughout the search was two classic problems with suicide and mental illness today; stigma and ignorance.

I believe Josh and his side of the family withheld information as long as possible to avoid the stigma that can come with suicide and mental illness. It's as if they did not want to openly suggest it, even though they thought it might be case.To me it seems Josh and his father were trying to have maintain good PR even though it may have slowed down the search.

As Leanne's family is concerned. I think they may not have realized the seriousness of her situation. I think it is harder, especially for the older generation (her parents), to understand depression and suicidal thoughts if they have never experienced it. I know I have suffered from clinical depression and suicidal thoughts and it took almost a year of me going to therapy and my parents joining me for them to begin to understand it.

Therefore, if Leanne committed suicide, I believe the odd information cam from the combination of Josh not wanting to release certain information and her family not realizing what information needed to be released.

Of course, there is still the small possibility of foul play although it does not appear that the family will pursue it. If that is the case, and they do remain free, I can only hope whoever was involved spends the rest of their life haunted by the guilt and fear of one day being caught, that they lived imprisoned by their own memories.

Unknown said...

Hi Anon 11:41,

I read in one of the articles after Leanne was found that Josh's father Will Bearden is a retired chaplain. I guess that explains why Josh waited for his Daddy to call Leanne in missing.

It doesn't matter what the community believes, or what the rest of us recognise as blatant inconsistancies in logic, and Josh's story/behavior. Daddy was part of the LE community.

ima.grandma said...

I'm sorry Peter, I know this will be deleted and it should be because I generally follow the rules but I will never understand people such as the anon 10:17 a.m. poster. I would like to leave him with the following thought if only for a moment in time.


You are not entitled to your opinion.

You are entitled to your informed opinion.

No one is entitled to be ignorant.

Tracy said...

Granted, the comment about his biggest fear is odd. The only thing I can think if is that he was afraid he'd lose hope and collapse instead of staying strong to keep looking for her--or he really couldn't bring himself to even acknowledge his fear that she might be dead.

I think the comment though that maybe he was unable or unwilling to stop her is a little unfair. Once someone decides they're going to kill themselves, they often act as if everything is great--because in their tormented mind, it will be soon. I think it's highly likely that she seemed fine, he was busy doing something else and didn't really think twice about her going for a walk. And that may be what he feels guilty about--that he wasn't paying attention or "should have known" her mood change was too good to be true.

I also think some of the signs of deception could come from the family may not wanting to acknowledge publicly that she probably committed suicide just in case they were wrong--so they didn't want people to stop looking out for her. Especially since there had been some alleged sitings.

Question--can signs of deception come from someone trying to deceive themselves?

Anonymous said...

I agree with previous statements indicating how the facts MAY point to suicide, in hindsight. I think there is a strong possibility that Leanne did hang herself. However, given the unexpected comments and information throughout this case I don't think any conclusion will satisfy 100% of those following this case, and maybe will not even satisfy her friends and family. Unfortunately, it appears this is as much information as we will get (at least for now) and the results left many of us with more questions than answers. I hope her family and friends are able to find peace in their own conclusions so that they can mourn Leanne and move forward from here.

ima.grandma said...

Tracy, I don't know if you are right or wrong in this particular situation but your comment shows thoughtful insight.

Anonymous said...

Question:

Are there inconsistencies with this story?

In one report it said that Leanne left while everyone was home. Then later it said that only Josh was home and his parents came home several hours after Leanne "left". So there were several hours when Josh was without "alibi".

I hope the autopsy is thorough so anyone with doubts on either side can put this to rest along with any suspicions.

Anonymous said...


why would he direct people to search their wooded, large lots in the North ?

Anonymous said...

from Justice for Leanne Facebook page (02/17/14)


Patricia Kendrick I'd like to know just how Leanne's friends and family feel or I should say what they think happened ? Do they believe she actually took her own life ? Or do they have doubts ?
14 hours ago


Patricia Kendrick Carolyn: can you post links of those interviews here? I'm sure there's many local news coverage that many of us haven't seen....Janice I too hope he doesn't have her cremated,I really hope her family objects to that...Another thing what do we know about him ??
5 hours ago

Carolyn Sue Autry Deason: Hi Patriicia, great idea to post those links. Be patient with me as I am not real tech oriented, pretty old school self taught computer user. I agree with all of these comments, very concerned that Josh will have Leanne cremated. No funeral arrangements made to date, but I will be happy to keep posts current as I hear any news. I am no expert in any of this, just a very concerned citizen for Justice for Leanne. I did hear that Josh is staying with his parents claiming that he is suicidal. Not surprising. Guilt does that to a person. If it was not Josh, then pray tell, WHO? All of this gives a bad rap on Garden Ridge home sales, reputation as a quiet hamlet community, and certainly the super small Garden Ridge Police Department.
about an hour ago

Janice Alvarez Herberger: Agree. If for nothing else but to ease their minds and leave no lingering questions, they should have an autopsy by an independent medical examiner NOT from Garden Ridge. I sincerely hope this is done. If he has her cremated (which I have a feeling he will) they may never know the answers. Have funeral arrangements been made, does anyone know?
14 hours ago

Carolyn Sue Autry Deason: Hello. Interesting comments, and certainly we ALL feel compassion for those close to Leanne. We do not know the Bearden's in Garden Ridge. We own a home business of lawnmower and welding services on FM 3009, just past the Garden Ridge city limits. I have been here for 10 years, my husband for 40 years, his parents (father passed), lives up the hill, raised their 4 children next door. I said all of this extra info because I can assure you we mind our own business and hear a great deal of comments from Garden Ridge customers and area wide people we know. NO ONE is buying the story reported by her spouse, the local police, or the Bearden in laws. My husband knows the neighbors next to the property owner who found Leanne. He says those 2 properties have been there for a very long time, same home owners, and have done little to clear the land except their yards. The terrain is extremely hard, rocky, brushy, poor trees, snakes, small wildlife, and coyotes abound. If there is any lifeless thing left in those fields, the buzzards will flock readily and in numbers for days and days. The coyotes will encircle and howl. How could a body be hanging (poor trees and habitation), and NO ONE notices? Those homeowners are aged, does not make sense that that old guy would be looking in his back property. We have not heard anything as to Leanne's funeral services. Those older homes with the same people are clannish, old money. No one seems to be coming forward. Leanne's FIL is a retired chaplain, very much a fundamentalist. We would not blame her for leaving IF she was not trying to escape and just get away. The local interview of the spouse shows him changing his story, the details in every video. Sorry to ramble. We are so disheartened for the sake of this lovely young woman.
10 hours ago

Sus said...

People are trying to rationalize irrational behavior. It cannot be done.

Anonymous said...

found this posted on a fb page from a local:
I did hear that Josh is staying with his parents claiming that he is suicidal.
-------------
proceed with caution.

Anonymous said...

lol anon @ 1:39... do you have me blocked?

Anonymous said...

from Justice for Leanne Facebook page (02/17/14)

Tuckermimi Cardy: A friend and I offered to help in the search and were told we were not needed. They were going to leave it to the professionals.
23 hours ago


Chance Nunn: Tuckermimi Cardy, when was that exactly?
20 hours ago

Tuckermimi Cardy: Let me look.
20 hours ago

Justice for Leanne Bearden: Refuse help? That seems odd... But then again why send people on a wild goose hunt when you know where the body is...
23 hours ago

Tuckermimi Cardy: Chance Nunn, the 20th.
We were told we could pass out fliers.
19 hours ago

Chance Nunn :Were you also told you could feel free to donate funds? THat seems to have been a common mantra. Thanks for your answer.
18 hours ago

Tuckermimi Cardy: Not directly, but I did check my property.
17 hours ago

Sally Holmes: On that note Chance Nunn, I did donate and quite surprised to find my monies were deposited into a personal account bearing the name Josh Bearden.
6 hours ago


Chance Nunn: Sally Holmes, were you able to verify that and if so how? When the Friends of Leanne page was still up it was fairly easy to keep a running total of the monies collected from various fund raisers. Now shut down. SMH. When you ask for money repeatedly you owe the public an explaination and full disclosure of funds collected and how they are used. To collect and shut down with no such information is just plain wrong.
4 hours ago


Sally Holmes: In response to your question Chance Nunn, I contacted a few sources in relation to the solicitation of funds and fundraising activites that were referenced on the Our Friend LHB FB page. PayPal being one of the sources. PayPal provided that the account was, in fact, a personal account and NOT a business account. PayPal was not at liberty to share the names of the individual or bank associated with this account. This snipped portion of my PayPal receipt provided the verification.


Tuckermimi Cardy: Josh specifically said that his sister and Leanne's sister were handling the money/donations.
3 hours ago

Red Ryder said...

Dealing with emotionally fragile and/or mentally ill people can be like walking a tightrope~showing your love and concern but not pushing them away when they are agitated/angry. " take your time, babe'. It feels like a crapshoot when they walk out the door uttering threats and you don't know if you will see them in 2 hours or 2 days or not at all. I am sorry for Leanne's family that she did not come back. This is heartbreaking.

Anonymous said...

Just under a month after Leanne Bearden disappeared, there may be a break in the case. Though not yet confirmed to be the missing 33-year-old, human remains have been discovered in a wooded area outside of Garden Ridge, TX, less than a mile from where Leanne was last seen. Items located with the body, specifically a backpack and jewelry, are what lead police to believe it is the missing woman. An autopsy will be done to confirm cause and manner

Leanne and her husband, Josh, had just returned from a 22-month trek around the world before she disappeared. They had been staying at his parents' house in Garden Ridge, planning to return to Denver, where they had lived prior to their journey.

Early on in the investigation, Donna O'Conner, chief of the Garden Ridge Police Department, had said "We have exhausted the area surrounding our city..." If that's the case, how did they overlook the remains discovered today? Or were those remains placed there after the extensive searches? Fingers were pointed at Josh Bearden almost immediately after his wife's disappearance, but friends and family were quick to jump to his aid, saying that he was devastated and would never hurt Leanne. These same friends and family members also say that Leanne would never have just walked away, that it had to be foul play.

What really did happen to Leanne Bearden? Was she murdered? Was there some kind of accident or medical condition that could have led to her death? Hopefully, the discovery of the remains may shed some light on what happened in this situation, and if there be a need for justice, it will be swift.

http://www.examiner.com/article/what-happened-to-leanne-bearden

Statement Analysis Blog said...

ima.grandma said...
I'm sorry Peter, I know this will be deleted and it should be because I generally follow the rules but I will never understand people such as the anon 10:17 a.m. poster. I would like to leave him with the following thought if only for a moment in time.


You are not entitled to your opinion.

You are entitled to your informed opinion.

No one is entitled to be ignorant.
February 17, 2014 at 12:46 PM


:)

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
found this posted on a fb page from a local:
I did hear that Josh is staying with his parents claiming that he is suicidal.
-------------
proceed with caution.



I hope not.

Survivor's guilt in suicide is powerful.

Sus said...

Ok, I've sat back long enough.
SoCal
John Nunez
Hates Sociopaths
Eyes for Lies
Carlotta
Sally Holmes
FranceLondon?? ( not sure I have that in correct order and can't remember full name, but on CNN comment board pretending to know Leanne "very very well" and directing them to this blog)
Jerome
The pretend site that uses social media to seek the missing...can't recall name.
And ultimately....Tamara Merrill

Justice for Kyron Hormon, Justice for Baby Lisa, Eyes for Lies, now Justice for Leanne Bearden.

Stop using others' blogs to further your sick need for turmoil and drama.

Justice Warrior said...

Chance Nunn and Sally Holmes, once again you are jumping into a case and questioning finances. Did you not learn anything on the Hailey Dunn case? The facebook accusations bully game? Some things are just none of your business. Uncle Sam will handle the finances.

If you want to donate, then do it. If you have doubts, don't do it. I think people like you enjoy self created controversy. If you have already donated and are now questioning your actions, SHAME ON YOU.

Rest in peace Leanne.

Anonymous said...

amen Sus

Justice Warrior said...

Chance Nunn and Sally Holmes, once again you are jumping into a case and questioning finances. Did you not learn anything on the Hailey Dunn case? The facebook accusations bully game? Some things are just none of your business. Uncle Sam will handle the finances.

If you want to donate, then do it. If you have doubts, don't do it. I think people like you enjoy self created controversy. If you have already donated and are now questioning your actions, SHAME ON YOU.

^^^^^^^^

Oh, and Shadee lady too.

Anonymous said...

Carolyn Sue Autry Deason: WHO? All of this gives a bad rap on Garden Ridge home sales, reputation as a quiet hamlet community, and certainly the super small Garden Ridge Police Department.
___________________________
i think it gives a bad rap on your lawn &garden business & sales. wife is on facebook gossiping about a tragedy & referring to another family, the PD plus more..in bad terms. local busybody know it all, huh? why is the funeral arrangement any of your business? or how leanne is laid to rest? do you know her desire for a final resting place?

Anonymous said...

Sus...you go girl and dont hold nothing back!

Sus said...

And Carolyn Sue Autry Deason, who claims she doesn't know how to use a computer....sure comments on every bar and band site! Just sayin...

Sally said...

Sus said …

OK, I’ve sat back long enough …


I did post on the CNN. I did not know Leanne nor, did I pretend to know her.

Anonymous said...

“My biggest fear is that I lose hope.”

The said...

I don't think JB knew where LB was. His comments to her thru the media IMO showed he wanted to reassure her on the few good points in their finances.

The house is okay, the truck is running again (not verbatim)

I think he wanted to give her hope for the future, in getting out of a financial rut (if they were in a rut)

Maybe he wanted the locals to recheck their property again, because he knew the North area was wooded more than others. Also, its quicker and time efficient to have each prop owner to complete the individual task vs he and a search team doing it again inch by inch.

I think him asking for more help is natural.

Anonymous said...

“My biggest fear is that I lose hope.”
also the extreme use of "we", meaning his support team?

Anonymous said...

Imo, i think any searchers that were turned away could have possibly been because they weren't trained, or missed the training given to the available volunteer searchers on the day of that search. Professional search teams have rules and procedures they follow to protect themselves in a lawsuit.

Sharing flyers helps tremendously and should not be frowned on.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if this is a closed case now that they have ruled it a suicide. If so, could someone request more information regarding the Garden Ridge report based on FOIA (the Freedom of Information Act). I am not sure if this case would qualify.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Carolyn Sue Autry Deason: WHO? All of this gives a bad rap on Garden Ridge home sales, reputation as a quiet hamlet community, and certainly the super small Garden Ridge Police Department.
___________________________
i think it gives a bad rap on your lawn &garden business & sales. wife is on facebook gossiping about a tragedy & referring to another family, the PD plus more..in bad terms. local busybody know it all, huh? why is the funeral arrangement any of your business? or how leanne is laid to rest? do you know her desire for a final resting place?

February 17, 2014 at 3:57 PM
--------------------------------

I totally agree.... drama queen... have home sales suddenly plummeted in the area because a stressed-out, unhappy woman committed suicide?

Anonymous said...


Ironic they were travelling for 22 months and back for about 2 months and suicide clauses on Life Insurance policies typically are 24 months.


Hmmmmmmm.....

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ironic they were travelling for 22 months and back for about 2 months and suicide clauses on Life Insurance policies typically are 24 months.


Hmmmmmmm.....

February 17, 2014 at 5:01 PM
-------------------------------

And did they have life insurance? Or did just Leanne have life insurance? When was the policy purchased and how much does it pay out in the event of death?

Anonymous said...

Anon who mentioned FOIA (there is also PIA in Texas). I think under law it might be possible to get a copy of the police report (from the day they found her which would likely include more detailed information in to how her body was found and the condition it was in) and possibly the official autopsy report as recorded in the police file. Usually information that affects personal privacy cannot be accessed without consent, but since Leanne is deceased legally there is no personal privacy in effect. Other documents may not be available, but I think it might be possible to get the report and autopsy if the case has been officially closed as a suicide.

Anonymous said...

did anyone else notice at the end one of the interviews that the husband said something about "where ever you are (leanne) 'hand in there'…?" i did. that was either a terrible coincidence, or not.

Anonymous said...

*hang in there...

ima.grandma said...

This is a site for interested individuals to come together to learn and explore the use of Statement Analysis through intellectual and respectful communication.

Though it is somewhat of a puzzle where pieces of information are examined logically to solve, it is not intended to serve as a game or entertainment for personal agendas. People's lives and feelings are not puzzle pieces.

Fortunately there are hundreds of blog sites whose sole purpose is to solve crimes. I've been on some of them and there are a few fair and moderated ones that I enjoy reading. It is also relatively easy and free to begin your own blog if you wish.

Please remember to respect this community's space and blog owner's purpose.

Anonymous said...

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/missing-texas-woman-leanne-beardens-husband-pleads-22194468

it's just an observation. could mean nothing at all, and i hope it doesn't.

this entire situation is very sad.

Anonymous said...

ima.grandma said...
This is a site for interested individuals to come together to learn and explore the use of Statement Analysis through intellectual and respectful communication. Fortunately there are hundreds of blog sites whose sole purpose is to solve crimes.


Peter allows us to communicate and solve here. Who are you to try to stop our freedom of speech? We need to solve this case and bring Justice for Leanne. Thank you very much!

ima.grandma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maggie said...

It is VERY UNUSUAL for a woman to commit suicide by hanging.
Sometimes a person (usually male) will go off in the woods to kill himself, and it is usually because they don't want to be found as they realize how disturbing it would be for a family member to discover them. It sounds like Leanne was not deep in a wooded area but rather in someone's backyard? It doesn't make much sense as it does not seem she was trying not to be found.
I have a question: Supposedly, there was a suicide note found with her. Was this note in her backpack?
My opinion: Something about this story sounds off. All statement analysis aside, it is a very unusual way for a woman to commit suicide, the location is very odd,
even the time of day (broad daylight)--it seems enough to cast doubt on her having committed suicide.

Anonymous said...

It's highly suspicious that the husband knew exactly where to guide search efforts and in one reported case interfered with a comprehensive search effort by trained professionals.

ima.grandma said...

Anon said:
Who are you to try to stop our freedom of speech?

It is not my intention to do so.

I am nobody but Kailee and Kimberly's grandma and Brooklynn's great grandma. That's enough for me.

I had another heart attack on Christmas Eve day. The doctor has promised to lift my "bed rest" sentence on Wednesday if I pass his physical. I have only two days left and then I will be spending my time visiting my friends and family and spending little time in cyberspace.

I guess bossiness comes with my territory but my apologies to those I have offended. It's not the first time I have overstepped my boundaries and probably won't be the last but it will be the last time here.

It's been a pleasure Peter. Peace. Pam

Anonymous said...

Not from your country what is Chaplin?

Red Ryder said...

Hi Maggie. According to suicide.org hanging is is the #2 method among females in US for year 2005. (firearms #1 , poison #3) At 20.2 % I would consider hanging relatively common. I understand what you mean about the location though. It may be that she had no privacy, or was very uncomfortable at her in-laws, or had had a fight with her husband and left which might account for some of the odd language coming from him, the "we" guilt spreading etc if he suspected she was suicidal.

Anonymous said...

Suicide by hanging is a statement suicide. It’s a suicide meant for others. Suicide by overdose and gunshot is usually an “I just want to end it” method … not so with hanging.

Friend, if you see signs in any of your family and friends, listen. And you may find that their hurts and pains are based on real and actual problems. Problems that might be caused by you.

Listen. It just might help save a life.

http://www.calebwilde.com/category/death/suicide/

Anonymous said...

chaplin is like a preacher or pastor that will offer spiritual guidance and w/e to just about anyone, dont need to belong to his church.

Anonymous said...

Thank you! But then does what a chaplin have to do with law enforcement?

Apologize haven't mastered the languages.

Anonymous said...

not sure if they meant that will was the chaplin for the police force in that town maybe?

Anonymous said...

lets try to maintain a professional attitude and not let emotions cloud our judgements.

Anonymous said...

He was a career army chaplain. That's why Josh lived in Germany and attended high school in Korea, then Texas.

Anonymous said...

" He was a career army chaplain. That's why Josh lived in Germany and attended high school in Korea, then Texas."

And very well connected to the local LE community which likely explains why this case was brushed over without any serious attention paid to the likelihood that the Chaplain's son was involved in foul play in the mysterious and suspicious death of Leanne.

Anonymous said...

uploaded 12,14 hours ago
Bearden's personal travel videos
3 newly added personal picks? by husband? his chosen? for who's entertainment?

http://www.youtube.com/user/GoExplore365?feature=watch

Leanne swinging from a rope swing suspended from a tree
http://youtu.be/NTqusVG3Ho8

Auschwitz Poland, Leanne walking within the compound concentration camp, JB following her, filming her, -Nazi Death camp

I have no words

Anonymous said...

Thank you. Thank you. So kind!

Anonymous said...

As someone who knew Leanne personally, I have been contemplating writing something. I just don't know exactly how to word it.

The Leanne that I knew most certainly would have not taken her own life. She was vibrant, motivated, intelligent, and kind. She was a person that was so nice to others, that it was often hard to believe. She never appeared depressed, in fact the term "hyper" could most easily describe her. Had this changed? It is impossible to tell, as no one but Josh had constant contact with her for nearly two years. Correspondence was kept to emails, an occasional Skype, Facebook, and their blog to everyone else. Throughout my occasional correspondence with her throughout the two years of their trip there was no appearance that anything had changed. The last was just a few weeks before she was reported missing. She did admit that she was nervous about "coming back to reality," but appeared to be looking forward to the challenge, not attempting to avoid it. She loved a challenge.

The way that the case was handled I feel was highly questionable. Stories seemed to change, but the media could have had a lot to do with that. The police in Garden Ridge seemed in way over their head in my opinion. How can we ever trust if the witnesses they had were ever credible? Two of them as it turned out were not, leaving only the tree trimmers. The tree trimmers were reported to be witnesses discovered by LE not the family, but really, how credible are they? What was the initial interview with Josh like when he reported her missing? What was his demeanor? It is something that a LE officer with higher experience in violent crime might detect, but probably not in the case of a small town crime free police force. How can an area so close to the alleged disappearance sight be over looked by a professional search team, especially a highly wooded area? When did Leanne make actual voice contact with someone, not texts or emails? Why did Josh and his family's opinion on her disappearance change so swiftly upon the hiring of a PI? The interviews the PI gave seemed condescending to Leanne, almost as if were speaking about a child, not a grown successful woman. These are all valid questions that I doubt anyone will ever have an answer to.

I am not trying to make Josh out like some sort of monster. If something did occur I would doubt it was premeditated. You may ask if I have suspicions of him, and the answer is yes. The last couple of correspondences with Leanne stated that things had been rough for the last couple of months. It appears that I am not the only one she shared this with, and the police do have statements of the such. When this trip ended Josh had found himself with no job, limited finances, and now possibly his everything saying it was a time for a change. It could have pushed him over an edge and he lost control for a brief minute. Speculation, yes, but also motive.

There will always be unanswered questions in this case, and if it was indeed a suicide the only one who holds the answers is gone. The case files may never be seen. Her body was out in the elements for weeks before an autopsy. There were a multitude of other occurrences that make the reported official outcome of this case hard to take. If there truly was a verified hand written letter, it would be nice to know about it. I'm sure it would make many sleep much easier.

Anonymous said...

I didnt see anything alarming in the recent videos posted on explore365.

Their body language chemistry is also non-threatening and mellow.

Anonymous said...

First of all, my deepest and most heartfelt condolences in the loss of your amazing friend Leanne. Her spirit lives on in all of us.

I did not know Leanne personally yet have come so close to her in this story and in the case of her disappearance and subsequent demise. I am touched by the sensitivity and clarity in your observations and in your words and they have helped in validating some of my own suspicions as to what may have happened. You have effectively filled in some important gaps for me in respect to some of the unknowns such as the challenges that were being faced just prior to her disappearance.

A combination of subsequent events has led to many of the unanswered questions. A local LE agency with very little experience in homicide cases, a local Chaplain who has strong ties in the community and a husband who seemed to know all the tricks of the trade so to speak on how to guide an investigation to and away from where Leanne was found.

I too am hopeful more info becomes available surrounding whether or not there was a final note from Leanne. This could help many in the pubic with their suspicions surrounding the case. I would think that if there was a note that info would have been included in the initial press coverage as is the case in many, many other discoveries of potential suicides. The fact that no info has been provided just adds to the suspicions surrounding these events.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your personal insights and thoughts with this community. I think most will benefit from your words.

My heart tears at the thought that Leanne's life was cut short by any circumstance. She seemed like such a wonderful spirit. Sadly, we may never know the entire truth as to what occurred in those final hours of her life.

R.I.P Leanne

Anonymous said...

^^ the above was intended To Anon @1:36AM

Anonymous said...

To Anon @1:36AM Thank you for sharing your insight.

Local anon in the Hailey Dunn case said...

Imagramma, don't give up. There have been many times I have been frustrated with the posts here because people are rude or their imaginations run wild. Such is the case with this thread. You will see that for long periods of time I do not post for that reason. I understand your frustration. For the record, I think there is a lot of emotion in this case and people don't want to beleive Leanne committed suicide. I beleive she did, and that she choose a tree in the woods because she felt more comfortable in nature than at her in-law's house. Many here can't accept that and are looking for answers they can accept. Take a break and don't give up.

Anonymous said...

I wish i had my gramma back. I miss her. At least gramma used her signon to leave unpopular words insted of switching to anonymous like i think people often do. She has guts.

Local anon in the Hailey Dunn case said...

My thoughts too anon at 9:11. Hopefully immgramma won't give up on us.

Unknown said...

REALLY,,And who are you to Jump anyone for asking a Legit Question about Monies????I have a Gut Feeling this is None other than Graham Ward,,Aka SKE,,or even SR her self....Imagine That you Even Post Hailey Dunn's Nane....Justice Warrior said...

Chance Nunn and Sally Holmes, once again you are jumping into a case and questioning finances. Did you not learn anything on the Hailey Dunn case? The facebook accusations bully game? Some things are just none of your business. Uncle Sam will handle the finances.

If you want to donate, then do it. If you have doubts, don't do it. I think people like you enjoy self created controversy. If you have already donated and are now questioning your actions, SHAME ON YOU.

^^^^^^^^

Oh, and Shadee lady too.
February 17, 2014 at 3:41 PM

C5H11ONO said...

I have never been in the situation of having a suicidal loved one disappear, but if that happened, I would have told the police and gone as far as to speak to the media and if I was hesitant to use the word "suicidal" on tv, I just would have expressed how despondent my wife was upon returning to please help look for her. Why didn't he speak up?

Anonymous said...

C5H11ONO said...
I have never been in the situation of having a suicidal loved one disappear, but if that happened, I would have told the police and gone as far as to speak to the media and if I was hesitant to use the word "suicidal" on tv, I just would have expressed how despondent my wife was upon returning to please help look for her. Why didn't he speak up?

February 18, 2014 at 10:21 AM
-------------------------------

I'm not trying to be rude, but we don't know what he told law enforcement. Sadly, whatever information they had led them to call off the search for her pretty quickly. And all of the flyers (at least that I've seen in the Houston area) very clearly stated that she might be seeking medical attention. I'm not sure if Josh said it but one of the family members did say she was having trouble "adjusting." There are too many assumptions here that Josh did not tell the police this or that... the point is law enforcement had information that they didn't necessarily share with the public, for whatever reason.

The said...

I now understand why friends and family were upset with the blog article about checking sex offenders. It was one of many badly offensive written articles and IMO the family/friends had already lost respect for the author. IMO they weren't offending with the sex offender possibility, just the offensive way it was written....the author listed a scenerio. (Then she refers to the in-laws as an old couple) This author in my opinion has no respect.

http://crimejail.com/leanne-bearden-will-never-found-without-fbi-help/

Here are a few clips:
Enthusiastic websleuths love to point fingers at Josh, Leanne’s husband. It’s exciting. He is as easy mark. We’ve all seen those cases where it turns out to be the ‘not so grieving’ husband. There is no evidence that Josh has anything to do with this.

The ‘nervous about her future’ is a red herring. Yes, she may well have been depressed, 33, no job, no kids, and stuck visiting the in-laws, having to share bathrooms and make endless small talk with some old couple. All she really wants is to move on. Doesn’t mean she walked away from everything.

Logical scenario: Big Bubba a desperate sex offender with testosterone levels on overdrive – is cruising in his Silverado. He can’t believe his luck. A beautiful and petite woman, alone, in a dead end area, nothing but trees. Sadly, Leanne will probably have been abducted, and unless a proper FBI investigation is launched, the case is going nowhere.

The said...

Here's another one.
http://crimejail.com/missing-leanne-bearden-vanishes-world-trip/

IMO, the author is ignorant. <<<can be cured with education and experience.

See comment section for the reply from the admin friend of Leanne.

MizzMarple said...

@ February 18, 2014 at 1:36 AM

----------------

Are you in contact with Leanne's parents or siblings ?

What do they really believe ?

Thank You.

MizzMarple said...

Anonymous said...

As someone who knew Leanne personally, I have been contemplating writing something. I just don't know exactly how to word it.
...
I am not trying to make Josh out like some sort of monster. If something did occur I would doubt it was premeditated. You may ask if I have suspicions of him, and the answer is yes

------------------------------

I do not think it was "premeditated" either -- I think there was fight that escalated into physical violence, and then he went into "cover-up mode."

Everything that I have read about Leanne as a person was "positive" -- a talented, intelligent and caring person.

I still do not believe she committed suicide.

Just My Opinion.

Red Ryder said...

Anon 1:36 Thank you for sharing your memories of Leanne. I'm sorry you lost her. Your sharing puts a different light on what could have lead to her death, especially that the past couple of months were rough. If you don't mind me asking, could you see them as a couple that would split over differences in ambition or finances? When her Mom and Dad seemed to accept the cause of death I thought they must know she was capable of this at this time. However I agree a handwritten note from Leanne would go far in settling people's minds. Thank you again for sharing.

Local anaon in the Hailey Dunn case said...

I hope what I have to say here will help Leanne's family and friends. It is hard, impossible really, for us to accept the suicide of someone we love. My neighbor, a 16 year old girl, hung herself last year. I experienced her parents grief and inability to accept her suicide. Her mother was seeking answers talking to all the neighbors as to what we may have seen. She was convinced that her boyfriend had hung her. Law enforcement and the corener are convinced it was a sucide. My neighbor tried hrad to find evidence that it was not. As I think any of us would. That weekend 4 young people hung themselves. It was not in the media, I learned that becuase other people I know also had friends or neighbors who knew one of them. Counselors believe it may have been a suicide pact. My point being, it happens more frequently than you might think and it is something no loved one can accept. It is so hard to accept something that is so senseless.

Red Ryder said...

Anon 1:36 Thank you for sharing your memories of Leanne. I'm sorry you lost her. Your sharing puts a different light on what could have lead to her death, especially that the past couple of months were rough.If you don't mind my asking , could you see them as a couple that would split over differences in ambition or finances? When her Mom and Dad seemed to accept her cause of death I thought they must know something about her state of mind. However, I agree a handwritten note would ease a lot of people 's minds. Thanks again for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I wish her family (parents or siblings) would make or post a statement saying something along the lines of:

"While we don't understand Leanne's decision, we do believe this was a suicide and not foul play. From our experiences and conversations with Leanne leading up to her disappearance and information uncovered during the investigation, including much of which has not been made public, we believe Leanne did choose to end her own life. We are not investigating her death further and hope to put her body to rest soon. We thank you for your outpouring care and concern throughout the past month."

I think that they worked so strongly to bring in the public for help and support, but then left all the people who have been following and started to care about Leanne with more answers then questions. To rely so heavily on the public and help of others and then to shut them out as soon as answers are available seems harsh to the people who have cared about the outcome.

I just hope that some kind of statement or report will be given to give everyone, including friends,family and the public, closure. I know that for me personally, I would have much less doubt about the case if the family firmly believes Leanne's death was self-inflicted.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I wish her family (parents or siblings) would make or post a statement saying something along the lines of:

"While we don't understand Leanne's decision, we do believe this was a suicide and not foul play. From our experiences and conversations with Leanne leading up to her disappearance and information uncovered during the investigation, including much of which has not been made public, we believe Leanne did choose to end her own life. We are not investigating her death further and hope to put her body to rest soon. We thank you for your outpouring care and concern throughout the past month."

I think that they worked so strongly to bring in the public for help and support, but then left all the people who have been following and started to care about Leanne with more answers then questions. To rely so heavily on the public and help of others and then to shut them out as soon as answers are available seems harsh to the people who have cared about the outcome.

I just hope that some kind of statement or report will be given to give everyone, including friends,family and the public, closure. I know that for me personally, I would have much less doubt about the case if the family firmly believes Leanne's death was self-inflicted.

February 18, 2014 at 12:45 PM
------------------------------

You're right. It's been a few days now. Surely they can't still be grieving over their dead daughter by now.

To the family who I KNOW is checking this blog for advice on how to behave in your darkest moments on Earth: WRITE THE DAMN STATEMENT. People like the original poster above NEED to know what's happening. I mean come on -- the poster followed Leanne's case on his/her computer. This has taken A LOT out of him/her! You OWE him/her an explanation!!! Get over her death and get busy telling the rest of the world that she either did or did not kill herself. The fact that LE has ruled this a suicide and that you've made a few measly little facebook posts indicating that you've accepted her death as a suicide is simply not enough. We have a RIGHT to hear from you RIGHT NOW. Stop your sniffling and get to writing!

Anonymous said...

Love. Photo of Leanne from her blog

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-yTykpHcO8/UqH3ryJdrGI/AAAAAAAAEjU/I6a8xHneTfU/s1600/DSC05085.JPG

Anonymous said...

Explore blog photo. Could LB have been experiencing some sort of withdrawal effects back in the states

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqDdICoUrq0/UqHxjMdcXhI/AAAAAAAAEg4/lMEGH9RCPOo/s1600/DSC04915.JPG

Quote with photo
Altitude bothering you? Chew on some coca. There's enough to go around.

Wikipedia
Traditional medical uses of coca are foremost as a stimulant to overcome fatigue, hunger, and thirst. It is considered particularly effective against altitude sickness.[24] It also is used as an anesthetic and analgesic to alleviate the pain of headache, rheumatism, wounds and sores, etc. Before stronger anaesthetics were available, it also was used for broken bones, childbirth, and during trephining operations on the skull.[24] The high calcium content in coca explains why people used it for bone fractures.[24] Because coca constricts blood vessels, it also serves to oppose bleeding, and coca seeds were used for nosebleeds. Indigenous use of coca has also been reported as a treatment for malaria, ulcers, asthma, to improve digestion, to guard against bowel laxity, as an aphrodisiac, and credited with improving longevity.

John Mc Gowan said...

OT.

George Zimmerman Speaks To CNN:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1402/17/cnr.03.html

Anonymous said...

He caught her communicating with someone they had met overseas. They got in a fight about it. She said I'm going for a walk and left the house angry. He sat at the house thinking about their fight getting angrier and angrier by the minute and after about 15 minutes he decided to go after her. He took his parents car and met up with her near where her body was found. He strangled her with a white cloth or t-shirt. Whether he set up the suicide scene then or went back and did it later I'm not sure...Please get a 2nd opinion and investigate the husband.

Red Ryder said...

Sorry for the double post. I'm on a new phone and for some reason the 1st post didn't show up so I reposted it, THEN the first one shows up! Ah well!
Has there been any statements from Leanne's natural family? Her sister? I haven't seen any. I've been thinking how this is the first suicide on SA site that I can recall (and I have lurked here from the early days). There are so few statements to work from. I wonder if adding these and the personal experiences of posters has made Leanne's case so poignant.

Anonymous said...

You're right. It's been a few days now. Surely they can't still be grieving over their dead daughter by now.

To the family who I KNOW is checking this blog for advice on how to behave in your darkest moments on Earth: WRITE THE DAMN STATEMENT. People like the original poster above NEED to know what's happening. I mean come on -- the poster followed Leanne's case on his/her computer. This has taken A LOT out of him/her! You OWE him/her an explanation!!! Get over her death and get busy telling the rest of the world that she either did or did not kill herself. The fact that LE has ruled this a suicide and that you've made a few measly little facebook posts indicating that you've accepted her death as a suicide is simply not enough. We have a RIGHT to hear from you RIGHT NOW. Stop your sniffling and get to writing.
____________________________

Your sentence was negative and sarcastic. I think what the original poster was saying about making a statement would actually benefit the family. A statement confirming they believe in LE findings would allow more closure in the "case" and allow them to move forward with their grieving process out of the public's eye. Without a statement, many people like those of us here, may continue to question the suicide, claim murder or at least continue to rehash and analyze every detail of the final dark moments of Leanne's life. I think a statement confirming the family's reaction to LEs finding and asking for prayers and privacy would do a lot to allow everyone to move forward from this tragedy.

Anonymous said...

“It's hard to understand how it took this long to find her. It just doesn't make sense,” said Jess Edwards, 82, who lives beside the lot that was swarmed by police Thursday."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Police-say-missing-woman-s-death-a-suicide-5236582.php

Anonymous said...

Anon-1:46 said "He strangled her with a white cloth or t-shirt."

Why do you suspect that vs another method? A white cloth or t shirt seems odd supposing the rope was handy.

Anonymous said...


Your sentence was negative and sarcastic. I think what the original poster was saying about making a statement would actually benefit the family. A statement confirming they believe in LE findings would allow more closure in the "case" and allow them to move forward with their grieving process out of the public's eye. Without a statement, many people like those of us here, may continue to question the suicide, claim murder or at least continue to rehash and analyze every detail of the final dark moments of Leanne's life. I think a statement confirming the family's reaction to LEs finding and asking for prayers and privacy would do a lot to allow everyone to move forward from this tragedy.

February 18, 2014 at 2:07 PM
------------------------------

So, let me get this straight. This statement, where they THANK LE, isn't good enough for you?

FROM THE FAMILY

Official Statement:

Our family is understandably devastated by the news of the recovery of the remains of our beloved Leanne. We wish to thank the myriad of people who helped us search for Leanne and who supported us during this entire nightmare. We also wish to thank the members of the media who helped us tell our story. We thank the Garden Ridge Police Department and the other many agencies that provided such caring service to us. We especially thank the Heidi Search Center for their wonderful help and support. Although this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we draw comfort and strength from the outpouring of prayers, actions, and good wishes from all, including over 20,000 Facebook friends. We ask your continued prayers and good wishes for our family. Leanne was a lovely and remarkable young woman, and we will all miss her greatly.

Shelley said...

The comments from Leanne’s friend are very in-line with the person I think a lot of us on this blog picture in our minds.


I think in general Leanne has generated more interest than a lot of cases because she is extraordinary. It sounds like she was kind to everyone. Like she has a zest for life. Like she wanted to experience things rather than sit on the couch. She is the type that most of us strive to be like. If we are being honest.

I didn’t know her, I am only basing this off the way we know she lived life and the few things others have said about her.


She was not ordinary.


Just to travel around the world takes something extra in a person. Most of us are just not that courageous. I know just the thought of giving up a steady paycheck would be enough to make me say no to that even though the thought of a trip like is exciting. I also would be scared to visit some locations just out of fear.

It also takes a different level of energy. Its really not something that you can do if you are out of shape or lazy.



And that is why I still struggle with depression.

“Most” people who suffer from depression are not out living life to the fullest. Yes, there are always exceptions. I am just playing the majority rules game here.

And unless there was some other trauma we are not aware of, this is not adding up. Its not like she lost a child, its not like she was being bullied at school. We all see those stories and they make more sense. You can see where it came from.

She was living life for her. She was living.

Anxiety about coming back to a boring day to day life is not what usually pushes someone to the point of suicide. Especially one that she would likely have suffered from. That also has a different element to me.



I think she and Josh had a fight and what happened was an accident. I think he then staged the suicide. Its just the theory that seems to fit.

I just don’t see this type of woman just walking into someones backyard and hanging herself from a small tree.



And I have seen a lot of comments about how much interest she has generated. This blog alone It seems this case has more comments that most. I think that is because she is extraordinary. It’s not the typical case of druggie moms claim their child went “missing” or some of the typical cases we read about. This is different. She is different.

And I think the fact that Josh has not appeared scared or paniced has all of us wondering why.

My husband was late 4 hours once on the way home cause he stopped to talk to his dad it turned into something more. I was shaking and hysterical. I was driving his path to and from work. I went to the gym he goes to, drove by all the stores, called his whole family.

Josh was on the news petty early on and to me appeared to be just talking about a family pet missing.. Even then I have seen some more upset and panicked.


Something is off.

But I do fear that LE will call this suicide and close the case.

It won’t be the first or the last.

I think those of us on this blog may be more aware of that than most.

Anonymous said...

That comment "FROM THE FAMILY" I believe was made before the autopsy. Regardless, it does not mention specifically suicide and whether the family is accepting that determination of death, which is what people are questioning. Also, "THE FAMILY" is not necessarily Leanne's side of the family. Josh and his father have made the majority of comments to the public on Leanne's "story" and not everyone is trusting of their accounts. There is no reason to get angry over people requesting answers and asking questions.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
That comment "FROM THE FAMILY" I believe was made before the autopsy. Regardless, it does not mention specifically suicide and whether the family is accepting that determination of death, which is what people are questioning. Also, "THE FAMILY" is not necessarily Leanne's side of the family. Josh and his father have made the majority of comments to the public on Leanne's "story" and not everyone is trusting of their accounts. There is no reason to get angry over people requesting answers and asking questions.

February 18, 2014 at 3:42 PM
----------------------------

I'm not getting angry. I'm amused that you believe this family somehow owes you something. They knew it was a suicide before it was announced to you, by the way. LE tries very hard to keep the family aware of what's going to be in the media in high profile cases. Are you somehow aware that her parents were not involved in the release of this official statement? And if her parents were in disbelief over the cause of death, do you not think they would have mentioned it, likely publicly? (They have made statements on Facebook.) At what point do you ask yourself, "Why is this family's private pain -- unfortunately made public -- absolutely any of my fucking business?'

ATM said...

Members here need to pull their head out of the sand. It seems you are only focusing on speculations and warped opinions to fit your needs.

Some of the questions you have now, you missed in the early days of this case because you were only focused on looking for the news that fit your warped theories.

How long are you going to keep regenerating the same comments over and over again? (that you have already said previously?) What is your emotional payoff in this?

moo

Anonymous said...

I don't believe they owe me anything. Someone I dated and continued a friendship with committed suicide. I was not the one who found his body. To this day I do not know any specifics known to his family and the person who found him, nor have I ever asked. I don't expect nor would I ask Leanne's family either.

Like Shelley said, I believe a lot of people were pulled in closely to Leanne's story due to her beauty, spirit and experience of traveling the world. People continue to theorize and argue over her death and I think many will continue do so. If the case is in fact "closed" and no future investigation or second autopsy is planned, I still think a short statement from Leanne's family would help quiet the debate so that people who have been following can let the conspiracies go and everyone can focus on celebrating Leanne's life.

This may or may not happen. Either way, I don't think our differences of opinions on it needs to be discussed much further. I see your point of view but respectfully maintain mine.

Anonymous said...

"What is your emotional payoff in this?" ATM @ 4:12PM

What is YOUR emotional payoff in this ?

YOUR motivation seems far more suspicious than anyone else on this board.

YOUR need to somehow quell this discussion is very yielding.

I think it's time for you to turn your attention elsewhere and refrain from visiting this discussion.

YOU have shown that you have nothing to contribute to the discussion and your aggressive attitude is becoming more and more suspicious with each passing day.

ATM said...

"What is your emotional payoff in this?" ATM @ 4:12PM

What is YOUR emotional payoff in this ?

YOUR motivation seems far more suspicious than anyone else on this board.

YOUR need to somehow quell this discussion is very yielding.

I think it's time for you to turn your attention elsewhere and refrain from visiting this discussion.

__________

Conspiracy theories and paranoia runs deep eh? Do you always attempt run off new visitors here that don't agree with your views?


Anonymous said...

"They knew it was a suicide before it was announced to you, by the way" - Anon @ at 3:55 PM


And how is it that you know this ?

Anonymous said...

Do you always attempt run off new visitors here that don't agree with your views? - ATM @ 4:55 PM


It is your aggressive approach that is suspicious.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"They knew it was a suicide before it was announced to you, by the way" - Anon @ at 3:55 PM


And how is it that you know this ?

February 18, 2014 at 5:04 PM
--------------------------------

OK. I guess I don't. But I'd bet you a substantial sum that LE informed the family before reporting it to media. That's pretty SOP.

ATM said...

Anon said
It is your aggressive approach that is suspicious.

_____________

As I said, you are paranoid. I am a born leader.

I realize that you will come back with a reply. From here on out, I will ignore your replies Anon. Though there are many Anons here, which means I will have to ignore omost of the comments. (lack of confidence in using a screen name identifier?) :/

Lets get down to business in some education on statement analysis. I am interested in learning the basics.

Anonymous said...

When it was claimed that she was seen with a backpack, Josh changed his story saying she took his backpack with her.

When it was speculated that there may have been a rope in the backpack, most all of you changed your story and the rope in the backpack became a fact?

Why then is it so hard for you people to believe Josh's story grew as the facts became known.
Apparently he wasn't making it up, as the backpack was found near by Leanne.

Some of you are speculating yourselves into a crazed frenzy. Best to accept the facts for what they are.

Anonymous said...

This is Anon 1:36 just responding to a couple of questions presented.

First of all, thank you for your sympathies to those of us that were close to Leanne. It is much appreciated.

I cannot and will not comment about how her family feels or any suspicions that they may or may not have. I am not them. I will leave it at that. Leanne was not exceptionally close to her parents, but her siblings were her rock. She was very close to them.

There was a question about money or ambition causing a rift, but I don’t see that. Josh and Leanne were not driven by money or material possessions. That is frankly why they were able to fund their trip. Both of them were educated and had well paying jobs. They lived well, well within their means in a very modest home that Leanne had bought before they ever met. The truck was hers and paid off. He had a beat up old car that they sold before they left. Their ability to fund the trip was made possible by them essentially having no debt (other than housing) and living off of one income and putting the other in savings for nearly two years. They were not living off trusts, and the trip was not funded by anyone but themselves. The trip was made possible by hard work and solid financial awareness. The sheer fact is that even if they couldn’t have attained similar positions upon returning to Denver, they would have been able to live comfortably even if they had to start at the bottom again. This is why I feel that there was no money issue.

I can understand comments made that reflect that loved ones often have denial about the suicide of someone they know. This is very true. Unfortunately, the Leanne that we knew did not fit the profile. Mental illness is something that can be hidden though, especially when your only contact with someone for an extended period of time is by means of electronic communication. That is why I stated some of the things they way that I did.

My feelings and questions that were expressed in my previous comment were not intended to be an accusation of any kind. There is a lot of frustration that surrounds cases like this for those that were close, and in this case for many that were not, due to the intense media attention the story received. My criticisms of LE and SAR are stiff, although I feel may be warranted to this more than some, as I have worked closely with both (although not in Texas). From beginning to end there seemed to be a collection of holes, missteps, and odd nuances. Only to appear to be swept up neatly and rather quickly by local LE. I do not have all the facts, I only hope that someday more details of this case are made available to the public.

I think that Shelley stamped some good points on the reasons why this story has brought so much attention to it. Leanne was an extraordinary person. They type of person that did things that many others dreamed about but never had the courage of self-determination to fulfill. Regardless of what happened or how it happened, the ending of Leanne’s life was a tragedy.

Anonymous said...

Anon 1:36/5:30 - Thank you for your reflections and insight. I hope that even if the public is never given more information that you and the rest of her friends and family that knew Leanne personally are able to get enough information to come to your own understanding of what happened. Leanne seemed like an extraordinary woman and you were lucky to have known her.

Anonymous said...

Anon 1:36/5:30

It is refreshing to have a voice that resonates with such calm and reason in the face of such tragedy.

We may never know what happened to Leanne in those final days, hours, or weeks.

May she rest forever in peace and if there is or was foul play of any sort; may those involved be carried to justice swiftly.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

john said...
OT.

George Zimmerman Speaks To CNN:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1402/17/cnr.03.html
February 18, 2014 at 1:39 PM

I thought John liked me?

John Mc Gowan said...

Peter Hyatt said...
john said...
OT.

George Zimmerman Speaks To CNN:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1402/17/cnr.03.html
February 18, 2014 at 1:39 PM

I thought John liked me?

February 18, 2014 at 6:41 PM

...............................

I don't understand why you would think that Peter?

Am i missing something?

John Mc Gowan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

To Leannes anon friend....
I have read from their travel blog that Leanne was Bi-Polar...is that correct?
I have also read Leanne suffered fron ADD and or Hyper Activity Disorder...is that correct?
It was posted that Leanne found it nesessary to skip rope to burn off her ADD/HAD energy...is that correct?

Maggie said...


RedRyder--I don't know where that website gets it's information. What it is saying is not accurate. Women usually commit suicide through intentionally overdosing on pills or medication. (Women do not usually use aggressive, violent methods to kill themselves.) Firearms is not the #1 method of suicide for women. Hanging is not #2. Hanging is an unusual way for a woman to commit suicide. It is more common for men to use this method of suicide.

On a different note, I read people writing how maybe Leanne was nervous about entering back into real life. It seems understandable that she was nervous, but it would seem to be a very desperate move to go out in broad daylight and hang herself. In other words, it is a huge jump from nervous about getting back to reality and so desperate she goes out and hangs herself. I am curious what her relationship was like with her husband? How did he feel about coming back and settling back into reality?

This case is very strange.
I keep thinking of the husband's statement "she left of her own free will". I don't know why that statement sticks with me. One thing I wonder is whether there was a time or times in the past where she had not left of her own free will. Had he ever "thrown her out/kicked her out/locked her out" of their house or dwelling before? I feel from this statement that he may have, and I do consider this concerning.




Anonymous said...

This is a heartbreaking case as Leanne was quite unique, high energy, witty, resourceful, fun!
She had no devious motives in life, that is the best part.
She found the power to make things work for her, its admirable.

One thing that really irks me, is Josh in this video;

"New Theories Develop Around Missing Texas Woman" ABC NEWS.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFf_Hz7dy4k

Josh appears trance like, & the part that really gets me is when he says, @ approx 1:26,
"I hope that she is just taking a time out, or playing survivor woman, or something like that"
Leanne, "playing survivor woman," like off in a sandbox with a plastic shovel?!

Leanne didn't "play" anything, they were "Doing," survival couple for two years!


With all the assumptions about this case,

I think the biggest conclusion that everyone who reads into it feels,
that something is very wrong.
Intuition at its finest, even if the conclusions are not articulated well.

Jane

Unknown said...

Hi Anon 1:36/5:30,

Thank you for taking the time to share some words about your friend Leanne. Best wishes to you as you heal from this tragedy.

Lemon said...

John, Peter is making a joke :)

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
As someone who knew Leanne personally, I have been contemplating writing something. I just don't know exactly how to word it.

The Leanne that I knew most certainly would have not taken her own life. She was vibrant, motivated, intelligent, and kind. She was a person that was so nice to others, that it was often hard to believe. She never appeared depressed, in fact the term "hyper" could most easily describe her. Had this changed? It is impossible to tell, as no one but Josh had constant contact with her for nearly two years. Correspondence was kept to emails, an occasional Skype, Facebook, and their blog to everyone else. Throughout my occasional correspondence with her throughout the two years of their trip there was no appearance that anything had changed. The last was just a few weeks before she was reported missing. She did admit that she was nervous about "coming back to reality," but appeared to be looking forward to the challenge, not attempting to avoid it. She loved a challenge.

The way that the case was handled I feel was highly questionable. Stories seemed to change, but the media could have had a lot to do with that. The police in Garden Ridge seemed in way over their head in my opinion. How can we ever trust if the witnesses they had were ever credible? Two of them as it turned out were not, leaving only the tree trimmers. The tree trimmers were reported to be witnesses discovered by LE not the family, but really, how credible are they? What was the initial interview with Josh like when he reported her missing? What was his demeanor? It is something that a LE officer with higher experience in violent crime might detect, but probably not in the case of a small town crime free police force. How can an area so close to the alleged disappearance sight be over looked by a professional search team, especially a highly wooded area? When did Leanne make actual voice contact with someone, not texts or emails? Why did Josh and his family's opinion on her disappearance change so swiftly upon the hiring of a PI? The interviews the PI gave seemed condescending to Leanne, almost as if were speaking about a child, not a grown successful woman. These are all valid questions that I doubt anyone will ever have an answer to.

I am not trying to make Josh out like some sort of monster. If something did occur I would doubt it was premeditated. You may ask if I have suspicions of him, and the answer is yes. The last couple of correspondences with Leanne stated that things had been rough for the last couple of months. It appears that I am not the only one she shared this with, and the police do have statements of the such. When this trip ended Josh had found himself with no job, limited finances, and now possibly his everything saying it was a time for a change. It could have pushed him over an edge and he lost control for a brief minute. Speculation, yes, but also motive.

There will always be unanswered questions in this case, and if it was indeed a suicide the only one who holds the answers is gone. The case files may never be seen. Her body was out in the elements for weeks before an autopsy. There were a multitude of other occurrences that make the reported official outcome of this case hard to take. If there truly was a verified hand written letter, it would be nice to know about it. I'm sure it would make many sleep much easier.
February 18, 2014 at 1:36 AM

Want to re post the above

John Mc Gowan said...

Doh :-)

Anonymous said...

This case has obviously caught the attention of a lot of people and is pretty heartbreaking. From what I have seen in the articles and their blog posts Leanne seemed liked someone that had a lot to live for. That doesn't completely rule out the possibility she took her own life but it could cast some doubt on it. Only people really close to her would know if she was prone to depression and was overwhelmed.
I know everyone loves their conspiracy theories but it takes a lot of effort for law enforcement to cover something up. It is more likely it would just be shoddy police work.

On another note, if she did take her own life, and that is something we can only speculate about right now, can you imagine how her husband must feel right now? I would be absolutely devastated and would definitely beat myself up about it. How could I have prevented it? Did she not love me enough? It would be a mix of anger and heartbreak if that were to happen to my wife.
It's easy for all these armchair detectives to throw this guy to the wolves but we have to assume that law enforcement will follow every lead. They may know a whole lot more than we do. Maybe we should cut Josh a break until all the facts come out and not convict the guy in a court of public opinion.
Just a thought.

Anonymous said...


Anon @10:46 AM said:

"It's easy for all these armchair detectives to throw this guy to the wolves "

> It's only easy because he has made it easy with his actions.

"but we have to assume that law enforcement will follow every lead"

> No we don't. They are not skilled in complicated homicides. It's up to the Hecht family to push the case.



Anonymous said...

Check out this youtube video - "Why Do Killers Speak Out? My Body Language Analysis. The Behavioural Psychology of a Criminal. CJB"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isd0I3DY-lk

And then watch the interviews of Josh on youtube. One of the things that struck me is he talks about how fake smiles and deception usually go hand and hand. Josh does this a lot in his interviews. Especially the one where the interviewer asks him if Leanne had met anyone overseas...If my spouse were missing I wouldn't be laughing about anything or as he puts it "chuckling" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzR4q6YdGHU

I hope that the silence in this case indicates that they are conducting an investigation. If you remember when Laci Peterson disappeared they were taping Scott's calls with Amber trying to catch him confessing. Of course that wasn't out in the media while it was happening or it would have blown the investigation.

Anonymous said...

I have had direct, short communications with the Garden Ridge P.D. and also a member of the Leanne Hecht/Bearden family.

No new information has been officially released. The case is still open "pending toxicology" as previously commented by the PD.

There will be the 5k run/walk in Denver, Colorado on March 9th. A foundation will be set up in Leanne's memory around this time. Funeral services are being planned take place in Texas and Georgia for family and friends. The facebook page for the run/walk will likely maintain updates regarding the walk and potential foundation and is also a place where many people who did not personally know Leanne have chosen to leave their thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

Is it possible that she could have been suficated and then hung? Would the autopsy be able to see that if it happend since they both can cause blood shot eyes? If she was hung right after it could just cover it up maybe. I hope That a good autopsy was conducted and they can find everything.

Lemon said...

This is a very strange case indeed, with many more questions than answers.

Anonymous said...

"ASS_ U_ME"
Assuming makes an ASS out of YOU and ME.

Who cares about the" alive and well," josh who scammed tens of thousnds of dollars from helpful, careing, busy folks?

WE CARE, about the newly deceased "Leanne Hecht,"
that HE raised the funds for.

Anonymous...equals, bullshit...AND OR,
EQUALS ones who don't want to die just yet telling the truth...

PETER HYATT is taking a bullet for us all...
Helping to ENLIGHTEN THE MASSES to the truth,
the blind don't want to SEE or ADMIT.

Do you know how hard it is to get 500+ contacts on Linkedin?
Leanne's now "absent" profile had that.

We LOVE HER, and we will not let her die over a weekend.

Jane.

Anonymous said...

Service in Garden Ridge, TX

something tells me this was written by the family of the husband.

http://www.schertzfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1248253

(*another to be held in Georgia TBD)

Anonymous said...

So we went from 'feeling anxious' to 'battle with depression'?? Hmmmm.

"Leanne lost her battle with depression on January 17, 2014."

http://www.schertzfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1248253

Anonymous said...

So we went from 'feeling anxious' to 'battle with depression'?? Hmmmm.

do you understand what that means?
the depression is there always, the anxiousness comes and goes, sometimes it is strong.

Gail1925 said...

"inurnment" in Georgia, which means she will be cremated. I know some people were hoping she would not be, but I figured this would be the case given the probable condition of her body.

Anonymous said...

Why was the Justice for Leanne Bearden FB page taken down?

MizzMarple said...

benjamin nelson said...

Is it possible that she could have been suficated and then hung? Would the autopsy be able to see that if it happend since they both can cause blood shot eyes? If she was hung right after it could just cover it up maybe. I hope That a good autopsy was conducted and they can find everything.

-------------------------

I agree, and I think that is a good possibility of what actually happened.

BUT -- what I am trying to find an answer to is CAN a body hang from a tree for 3 weeks -- weather such as wind and storms -- had to be a strong rope and done correctly.

I still just do not buy "suicide."

Just My Opinion

Anonymous said...

Online memoriam states "Leanne lost her battle with depression on January 17, 2014". Does anyone know if her family wrote that or Josh? If they are allowing her to be buried then I doubt a 2nd autopsy is being done. Maybe the family has enough evidence that they believe it was truly suicide.

Anonymous said...

Online memoriam states "Leanne lost her battle with depression on January 17, 2014". I wonder if her family wrote that or Josh did. If the family is allowing her to be buried there is not likely a 2nd autopsy. Maybe the family has the evidence they needed to conclude it was suicide.

Anonymous said...

"So we went from 'feeling anxious' to 'battle with depression'?? Hmmmm."

It just doesn't add up.

Anonymous said...

Leanne lost her battle with depression?
(a statement taken off of http://www.schertzfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1248253)

Her friends are posting on various sites and have all stated the exact opposite.

I have no words.

Anonymous said...

An interesting comment posted in this article. Comment: UNLIKELY! I have a few questions that have really bothered me since the beginning of all this. Why was her husband selling her things within 30 hours after her disappearance? Why did he have to stop in the middle of searching for her in the first two hours after she went missing to go home and take a shower? Why did he leave Texas so soon after her disappearance? I don't these questions can be answered with good reason to change my mind. Yes, she toured the world for 22 months, but what about a life insurance policy with a 24 month suicide exemption clause that was obtained months prior to their travels? Is it easier to kill your significant other than to face the harsh reality of having to go back to real life and get a job? This equation does not take a mathematician to solve, Leanne is a victim and justice needs to prevail in her name

I saw this on another site, any clue where it came from?

Sam1962 said...

Anon at 8:53, the admin of Justice for Leanne Bearden posted the comment you are referring to as a post, then included a news link from where she/he had pulled the comment from.

Shamefully, the admin(s) are cowards and won't identify themselves. Here is the JFLB page as partly viewable in an Internet cache.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:J1yb1yjdP1AJ:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Leanne-Bearden/1466712886885782?ref=stream+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Anonymous said...

Accoding to Josh, Leanne was very, very sick. Something about hair pulling, biting nails etc. I missed that part on JFLB facebook page. Things just do not add up.

Anonymous said...

In addition to things I know which I wish I didn't know, I've done a lot of research, read Josh's comments, watched the videos, and I do think that it was a difficult adjustment, I do think that 22 months of traveling together revealed a lot, and I do think that someone was dreading the return to "reality", but I just don't think it was Leanne.

They met and married after 8 months. I think Josh saw a successful, happy, energetic woman who was far cooler than he wold ever be, and I think he decided to better himself by marrying, not by doing (Josh isn't really the "doing" type, it seems). Leanne was so nice, she didn't see thru him. This is just my opinion, of course.

Also, in my opinion, Josh's emotions just don't ring true. His responses to her in many of the videos are dismissive and/or disinterested. And I question his depth of real emotion. In one of Josh's letters to Leanne, he talked about how he would look at her and cry because he loved her so much. Really? Is that common? Because it seems to be (jmo) that's a little over-the-top, and maybe Josh wanted everyone to know how deep his emotions. Sometimes when people don't feel real emotions, they have to fake it and come up with what they think would be normal, and this seems like one of those things. And from watching the videos, and some of the negative things he's said about her, it's hard to see that overwhelming passion coming from him.

I also read that he had $700 to his name. The house -- it was Leanne's house, she bought it. People loved Leanne. It's hard to find many good things written/said about Josh (and I don't mean just on this site).

So here's what I think happened, and it's based on things I wish I didn't know -- just like Peter said
-- I think that Leanne might have begun to see the real Josh
and
-- I think that the real Josh had not a job or a life or a house, and if Leanne left him, he was going to be living at home with his parents again or in some other loser situation
and
-- I think that Josh was afraid he was going to lose what he had with Leanne (which, I believe, was far more important to him that losing the real Leanne)
and
-- I think that Josh knows he's kind of a "loser" guy, and Leanne had it all, and I think he saw an opportunity to "accept donations" and "start a foundation" and get all eyes on him (thanks for paying attention -- he said it how many times) and plus there's probably a life insurance policy and Leanne's house and all he had to do was lose the wife with the prominent nose (his is only 1/3 the size, he said on their blog)
-- I think that Josh had plenty of time while his parents were gone and plenty of opportunity to figure out how to kill Leanne and have her "commit suicide".
-- I think that the "hang in there" comments and the instructions on who should search their property were not random
-- I think that Josh wanted her body found after enough time had passed. The hot Texas sun and exposure to the elements can do a lot of things.

So that's what I think, and I'm sure that others will disagree, and that's their prerogative, but I think that if Leanne's family does pursue a second autopsy and investigation, they'll find more questions than answers surrounding Josh's behavior, and I hope for Leanne's sake, they'll do that. I believe what I believe based on things I wish I didn't know, too.

-- Interested 3rd party

Anonymous said...

The facebook justice for leanne bearden was a nightmare. one minute they are saying they just want justice, the next it's something totally different. people are speculating that it was many different individuals running the site, and it was chaos. earlier josh and admin of JFL were texting back and forth. the admin posted partial text messages of what josh said, some even claimed to have screen captured the episode. one question that i found interesting is josh commenting that this isn't the first time leanne has mentioned suicide. again his commentary was snarky and rude. i find him to be negative and mean. also it seems that anyone who still thinks it's foul play, has been silenced or banned on that facebook page. so totally bizarre. the facebook page is no longer a justice for, it's simply a memory page for leanne. the more people are hushed, the more suspicious they become.

Sam1962 said...


http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:J1yb1yjdP1AJ:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Leanne-Bearden/1466712886885782?ref=stream+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

This is where the comment came from

Unknown said...

She was cremated. (Surprise, Surprise!)

It was stated on the FORMER 'Justice for Leanne Bearden' page, which has been converted into a 'memorial' page, to be admin'd by Josh Bearden.

The announcement stated that Josh Bearden has been in contact with 'me' (the pages creator/admin) and the page will now be a memorial page, any further comments should be positive and uplifting, etc. (paraphrased)

Immediately some of the posters asked if the admin was threatened with legal action, and the admin replied that they couldn't/wouldn't answer, but questions should be posted directly to Josh, for him to answer when he took over. I checked back several times today, and each time comments by posters questioning the sudden 180 of the page's direction and tone had been deleted, as well as posts expressing outrage at the page being 'silenced' by more Bearden antics.

If I wasn't convinced this is more than a suicide before, I am now! I have never seen such bullying and attempts to silence of anyone with legitimate questions!

I have also never seen an obituary basically blame the deceased for being dead, "Leanne lost her battle with depression...".

SMH

Kellie Sue said...

The Justice for Leanne Bearden FB page is gone.

Lemon said...

Interested 3rd party-
Interesting post.

Anonymous said...

"do you understand what that means?
the depression is there always, the anxiousness comes and goes, sometimes it is strong."

----------------------------------------

The 'depression' was never mentioned to the public by Mr. Bearden when he asked for help.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that JFLB Facebook page is gone. It was completely out of control. There were almost no facts there, only rampant speculation. It seems like no one on that page (except for those people who raised objections) was able to focus on only the facts that are known.

No one seemed to be able to take into consideration the possibility that Josh is innocent and is a grieving widower whose wife had only been discovered days before, and who is also having to deal with hundreds or thousands of strangers who are convinced that he is guilty.

If some people would just stop and think clearly about what IS and IS NOT publicly known, and stop just guessing about things they have impressions about, that would lend a lot of sanity here.

How nice would you be if people were saying you offed your wife?

It IS possible for a person to show a happy face to the world most of the time and yet fight depression.

Also, when people post anonymously, no one knows for SURE who they are so people should not assume either way.

Leanne's siblings are not stupid and if they had serious questions, no doubt they have raised them with the authorities. Maybe there already was a second autopsy for all we know.

The public has not been given all the information. Just that fact alone is something people should keep in mind when posting guesses. Example: people talk about the life insurance and no one even knows if there was a policy at all. That would have already been investigated, or it may come out later, but right now, there is no information on that. I really don't think that JB is some kind of cold, calculating person who would be thinking about that. I think his main desire was to continue his life with Leanne.

Depression and mental illness does happen and maybe that is what happened here.

As we all agree, Leanne was obviously a shining star and that's why people who don't know her have been so drawn in to this story.

It has to be already known exactly when the last time anyone talked to Leanne on the phone. That fact is already settled. Her friends and family have already been contacted about that obviously.

The only things that seem "off" to me are the things coming from the filmed statements of JB. However, he looks very different from normal which is to be expected. There is a numbness effect that can happen if this is something he's experienced before - or - if he suspected that she had committed suicide. And it's not easy or fun to be on camera when you're experiencing the worst crisis of your life.

I have heard good things about Josh online several times. He and Leanne have countless friends. He didn't appear out of nowhere when this happened; he graduated from Texas A&M.

Also, the Texas Rangers and the County were all involved in the investigation, from what I've read. If there is more to what happened, I think that it will come out. What happened was tragic and strange, but these things can happen - they usually don't get this much coverage. Obviously Josh is going through the worst time of his life; it seems like people should be a lot more cautious about accusing him, out of respect that he is in grief and that this just happened, and take into consideration that we've already been told what happened.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe this douche bag is going to get away murder. I hope she haunts him until the day he dies. But knowing her kind soul she has probably already forgiven him.

Private said...

Anon at 9:01 said
The 'depression' was never mentioned to the public by Mr. Bearden when he asked for help.
---------
No, but they did mention that she may be seeking medical help and mentioned her walfare may be at risk. See flyer at link below that was circulated.

They may have been trying to protect Leannes personal privacy by not announcing to the world that she suffered from depression. I suffer from depression and would not have wanted my family releasing my personal medical details. I realize that others may feel differently.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152007222048591&set=a.10150328439443591.348204.678608590&type=1

Private said...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152007222048591&set=a.10150328439443591.348204.678608590&type=1

Private said...

MISSING PERSON PRESS RELEASE

UT Police is requesting your help and be on the look out for Ms. Leanne
Bearden. Ms. Bearden has been the subject of a nation wide missing person
search since 1/17/2014. Ms. Bearden was reported missing from Garden
Ridge, TX just outside San Antonio. A Texas Medical Center employee
reported seeing Ms. Bearden on TMC property at approximately 5:30pm
yesterday (01-27-2014). It was also reported to the missing persons’ hotline
on two other occassions yesterday that Ms. Bearden was sighted on
Richmond Ave, and along Westheimer. There is a good possibility she is in
the area and her welfare may be at risk. She may be seeking shelter or
medical help.

If you see Ms. Bearden or have knowledge of her whereabouts please contact
UT Police immediately at 713.792.2890.

ALERT
From The University
of Texas Police at
Houston
713-792-2890

Gail1925 said...

Private said, " I suffer from depression and would not have wanted my family releasing my personal medical details. I realize that others may feel differently."
__________________

I am medicated for and have suffered from depression for a decade, including a few periods filled with suicidal thoughts. So I ask this with no disrespect.

Suppose you were missing, suffering from asthma or diabetes, and your family knew that sharing that medical information might make the difference in finding you quickly and safely. Would you want them to share that information? I would. I don't think depression is any different. It's a malfunction of the body, that when addressed and treated, can allow a person to live a normal life. I eagerly await the day when the stigma is gone. If I were missing, especially in a depressed condition, I would want everyone to know if that meant I could be brought home quickly and safely.

Anonymous said...

They may have deleted the conversation between Josh and the admin of JFLB, but I have the screen shots.
I wonder why her family is so darn quiet, it bothers me. Seems like they are taking Josh's word.

Anonymous said...

"She may be seeking shelter or
medical help."

IMO that refers to a physical injury (ie: broken leg) that needs immediate attention.


Private said...

" I suffer from depression and would not have wanted my family releasing my personal medical details. I realize that others may feel differently."

^ Gail, here is my answer AGAIN.

Anonymous said...

@Lemon, thanks - I tried to present my perspective of all things considered.

Also, I want to respond to the comment re: the fact that Josh didn't just show up, he went to Texas A&M etc.... true, that, but there is no evidence that Josh was a driven success in his life, either. And college attendance can hardly be considered a "get out of jail free" card -- Ted Bundy was accepted to one or two law schools and worked on political campaigns, Scott Peterson went to Cal Polytech, etc. I'm certainly not saying that Josh is a Ted Bundy or a Scott Peterson, that's not my point, so please, let's not run away with that one. I'm not even calling him a douche-bag as did the previous poster (although I'm not wasting a paragraph debating it either, LOL) and I'm not calling him a user or a loser or anything of the sort, although I will say that Josh's appeal is far from obvious to me, and to others it seems.

Personally, I think Leanne probably felt sorry for him, and it's easy enough to get the pity/love wires crossed. I'm sure that, as the other poster said, if he did do her harm, she's already forgiven him. It is my opinion that Josh knows how to play the pity/sympathy card.

It's true that success can't be judged by appearances and material possessions alone, but from his beater car to his 'laid back' energy, I believe that Leanne's successes might have been very appealing to Josh for more than the most noble reasons. This is, again, my opinion only, based only on things I know which I wish I didn't know. I look at Josh and I see a lethargic, not-terribly-compelling, not physically attractive, not especially witty or charming or endearing or kind human being, but that's all just my opinion.

I really did want to believe his "story". I don't think most of us want to see Josh be guilty of anything, if for no other reason than that Leanne didn't deserve a lying, douche-bag, derisive, abusive and, in the end, physically violent husband. I bet almost everyone here tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and tried to consider that he was/is innocent in Leanne's death. But considering his innocent and believing in his innocence are two very different steps in the process, and any doubt Josh cast and any questions Josh raised and any negative opinions Josh stirred result not from us refusing to consider that Josh is innocent, but instead come from Josh's body language, detachment, snide manner, self-serving and evolving "story", and his lack of obvious real emotion -- or at least that combination of things from Josh in addition to things I know and wish I didn't, it's all that together that has me hung up on the question of Josh's innocence. -- Interested 3rd Party



Gail1925 said...

Leanne has been cremated according to the FB page. I don't think there will be any more answers in this case. I think both the people who accept her death as suicide and those who don't were all left with lingering questions and hope for a better understanding of what happened and how. I personally wish there was more information. Unfortunately not all cases are clear cut. I will just be glad she was found and that those who care about her were not left to worry and wonder indefinitely.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
They may have deleted the conversation between Josh and the admin of JFLB, but I have the screen shots.
I wonder why her family is so darn quiet, it bothers me. Seems like they are taking Josh's word.

February 21, 2014 at 1:54 PM

It is deleted now. What did Josh say that so completely changed the admins mind? I would like to hear from HER family too...

Rachel said...

Jen Ow (10:47): APPLAUSE! HUG! PAT ON THE BACK! It's like you can read my thoughts!!!

Anonymous said...

Well, its obvious the Nay sayers to this case are being heated out.

This is almost unprecedented as usually with these type of cases
people are allowed to speak their minds.

I commend those who UNDERSTAND what has happened to Leanne.
It really doesn't take a rocket scientist.

As a female who has traveled often with a back pack,
I will tell you,
IF I was going to kill myself, I would want to have
MY OWN backpack with me...

NOT my smelley boyfriends...
of which, NO DOUBT, would have HIS finger prints all over it, (Hint Hint)

I want MY backpack, with all my girly things in it, It's almost like a "teddy bear,"
for adults.

I don't want to say more as it is obvious the "GUILTY," Party is taking cues from this BLOG and DELETING things accordingly.

Anonymous said...

Anon @1:54 PM

"I wonder why her family is so darn quiet, it bothers me. Seems like they are taking Josh's word. "

You're the type of person I would want on my team if ever I disappeared under circumstances such as this.

You're diligence in not wanting to give up is admirable. I share your sentiments 100%. You're prior posts have been filed with the same concern and regard for truth and justice. You are easy to pick out of the bundle of anonymous comments.

Too many things do not add up and everything about this case seemed manipulated by a husband who has something to hide.

Lemon said...

Anon @ 9:40am

"He didn't appear out of nowhere when this happened; he graduated from Texas A&M."

Thank you for wrapping all that up so neatly for us. If only we'd realized he'd graduated from A&M! Of course, that changes everything.

Anonymous said...

What did they say?

Anonymous said...

@ Interested 3rd Party: thank you for your well thought out posts. I agree with everything you said.

Anonymous said...

@Interested 3rd party 2/20/14 at 10:18 PM

How could it take nearly a month for a sampling of the truth to finally surface for consideration?

In addition to suffering the loss of our beloved starlight, comments touting Leanne a "people pleaser," "unable to adjust," or "transition difficulty," have truly been insulting.

Why were we not surprised that only after Leanne disappeared did JB announce her truck finally road ready (she begged him for weeks). Surely Leanne could have taken charge of this task herself-- but don't forget this is Texas where one should not insult ones husband (esp. in his parent's home) by assuming such a manly task.

Makers and takers fill the world, but we know who the maker was here. Leanne proved herself responsible, disciplined, homeowner, and self made years before JB and his ratty old car (but nice mountain bike) ever hit Denver. Although Leanne was already well traveled before her final journey with JB, nobody was happier than her family when Leanne found a partner that shared her wonderlust.

Given a $100 gift, Leanne described herself as one that would donate some and bank the rest, whereas JB cites he'd blow the windfall buying rounds of drinks for himself and strangers.

Can you guess which of these characters splashed a delightful "HIRE ME" FB cover to announce their USA arrival? You can trust the announcement was met with cheers from networking friends and prospects alike.

Yes our friend was anxious(about getting out of Texas) and making her way home, but not even a prolonged stay in Texas deterred Leanne from searching for career work with the same gusto she gave everything. Real stress for Leanne would be living with someone who clearly didn't understand and/or share her sense of responsibility, disrespected her work ethic, and who after months of lounging, failed to grasp that the vacation was over. For Leanne, playing hard would always represent a reward earned by hard work. Now was the time to replenish the stock -- it was not the time to die.

Our hearts are shattered knowing that Leanne's last days were spent far removed from her confidants, and nowhere close to home.

Browsing the web, a land-line within reach, who sends their beloved wife out alone, on an hours walk, without a phone?

And that lack of urgency or emotion exhibited from the beginning -- let's just say JB disassociated his feelings for Leanne and attachment to his wife sometime ago.

We will forever miss our dear friend, and will keep reading the Post.
Please join the 5K

THE MILE HIGH CITY

Anonymous said...

I WAS going to post more of my thoughts but I'll leave it at :thank you interested 3rd party, you said everything I have wanted to, but didn't.

I dated a guy years ago from the Dallas area, he graduated top of his class from Texas A&M. He was extremely abusive and left lifetime emotional scars with me. It is not relevant what university someone graduates from, that means absolutely nothing.

Anonymous said...

>>>As a female who has traveled often with a back pack,
I will tell you,
IF I was going to kill myself, I would want to have
MY OWN backpack with me...

NOT my smelley boyfriends...
of which, NO DOUBT, would have HIS finger prints all over it, (Hint Hint)

I want MY backpack, with all my girly things in it, It's almost like a "teddy bear,"
for adults.>>>>>

She took the backpack because it contained the tool she needed to end her life. People don't grab for a "teddy bear" when they commit suicide. They don't surround themselves with comfortable squish toys or happy most favoritst things. They are beyond thinking about "huh, what will bring me the best olfactory experience and the most comfort?" They aren't going to a sleepover. They are checking out of life.

Why do you think they tend to choose motels, cars, the side of the road, the garage? Because those places are like "adult teddy bears"? Because they wanted to choose a place that FELT GOOD? Because the a garage, car, gun, inside of an oven, exhaust pipe or drug vomit smell so nice? Please.

Anonymous said...

Mile high city - my heart breaks for you and for everyone who truly loved Leanne.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to the Kindred Spirit Anonymous-es and Lemon.

I had to organize and share my thoughts for a number of reasons, but mostly
1) incongruence always focuses my attention and the best I can say for Josh's "story" is that it is very, very incongruent
and
2) I loathe a logical fallacy, and there were so many of them in play.

I believe that if Leanne's "suicide" had happened most anywhere else, far more focus would've been put on what actually happened (as in proven, definitive, concrete facts and detective work) as opposed to the Leanne-according-to-Josh meanderings (lost her battle with depression, did she, Josh?).
There are just so many questions....
I'd really like to know how Leanne spent her time between Enchanted Rocks and her final walk and I'd like to hear from the people in the neighborhood who saw her that last week -- after they got back from Enchanted Rocks -- because we all know Leanne wouldn't just sit inside for a week, so how about those people who saw her that last week?

And the photos of them at Enchanted Rocks, has Josh posted those? Or did they not have the cell phone with them that day?

And then, that final walk. I'd love to know what kind of rope, how long, where she got it, where she learned to tie a knot that would hold (it's tricky business those knots)

And why, why, why did Josh say he hoped Leanne was playing "survivor woman" if he truly believed Leanne was at risk of losing her alleged battle with depression? Seriously, that's got to be in the Top 10 List of DamnDumbest, Most Callous and Clueless Things Ever Said By Anyone Under Any Circumstances But Especially By Someone Who Believed Their Wife Was Suicidal.

And then, of course, all that time in the hot Texas sun and what kind of autopsy and by whom and did they have the skills, knowledge, and desire to explore all of the possibilities of the "suicide" or did they just look at the Chaplain's dead daughter-in-law and say "yep, that's a rope, she sure hung herself". I'd really like to know. Because let's remember, the GHPD stopped the search-and-rescue because Josh said Leanne probably wanted to leave and that's good enough because we all know a husband has never disappeared his wife before. I watched that like it was a B movie with the stereotypic good-old-boy-dumber-than-six-drunk-bunnies police department... only it actually happened.

So many questions....


@ Anonymous, THE MILE HIGH CITY
February 22, 2014 at 10:12 AM

Your post esp breaks my heart. All I can say is: "Damn straight!"

--Interested 3rd Party

Anonymous said...

Josh says she took the rope from his parents garage. It wasn't already in the back pack. And thanks Denver friend for speaking up. Josh went to a lot of trouble to silence her friends and shame them on the last facebook page. What a nasty cover up this has been.

Anonymous said...

The 'Tell-Tale Heart' comes to mind. No statute of limitations on M.

Anonymous said...

Yes he has, hasn't he. I attended college with her and have followed every comment on here, article on various websites, FB pages, etc. but I've never posted. The whole situation saddens me. It is amazing how concerned he is with what other people think. It is amazing the day before and day of her cremation he was messaging people from her FB page (myself included- I've never met him and did not answer him- but why not write from his page?) telling/asking people about her past and saying not to "like" that page on FB- you know, the same page he had shut down yesterday, the day of her memorial service (wouldn't that be what you'd be doing on such a day?). And it really saddened me to see Leanne defriended me on FB the day of her TX memorial service....it's amazing what people can do from heaven.

Troubled said...

MILE HIGH CITY, Anonymous -- the latest one, that is -- your thoughts and suspicions and frustrations echo mine precisely. I've never seen a case handled like this one was, with constant pronouncements of "Leanne sightings" and, especially, unfair and certainly unhelpful characterizations of her mental and emotional state. I, too, wonder about that last week, the interval when Josh and Leanne were reportedly alone -- because reportedly is all it is. Has it ever been solidly ascertained that Josh's parents were actually out of town? What sort of parents just up and leave for a week when their son and daughter-in-law come to visit after two years away? It has been reported that "the family" -- which I'm sure was basically Josh and his parents at that early stage -- told law enforcement that they had already searched in the area Leanne was eventually found, so, hey, no need to look around there ... Look over here!

I have a creepy feeling I've never experienced in a case like this: that steps are being taken in the shadows even right this moment to keep the truth about Leanne's sad demise from coming out at all costs.

There are so many other inconsistencies and incongruities swirling around this tragedy, many of which have been touched upon by posters here.

Bless you, MILE HIGH. If my concern for what happened to Leanne is profound -- and it is -- yours must be torturous. Let's all pray the truth will be revealed sooner rather than later.

Anonymous said...

I concur with the statements directly above. Can not imagine in this day and time that this has transpired with no consequences. It truly is surreal and a bad movie that has become a ridiculous reality. Still shaking my head.

Anonymous said...

@MizzMarple
(From other HE case blog comment, pertaining to this case of a FBk MSG. I moved my reply bc it got too long.)
Agree. And how convenient she was cremated. I guess the possibility of an outside case review just became much smaller. And an independent autopsy- impossible. Will it be years before justice, like slimeball Peterson? Just another narcissistic psychopath getting away with murder!
Any electronic transmissions in days before disappearance, supposedly made by LB to family/friends, should be suspect. Who was the last person to see a/o actually speak by voice with? And when?
I still question the date she was reported missing. No one but hub can validate it. In broad daylight, in a neighborhood, says everything of that particular void.
Unless the family of LB has handwtitten recent correspondence, or face to face conversations that suggest the possibility, it troubles me they are so passive to accept her fate.
Further if she was still in a state of adjustment & lost, I'd also question such a finality of certain death, as to her supposed means of suicide. Seems such a plan would involve forethought & a little planning. And more common for such a person to project a sense of calm, happiness, & peace of their secret decision just before. Why it often catches people off guard, & often said "I didn't see it coming."
I also can't imagine any woman choosing a random yard of a stranger that may have children living at, or nearby. That undoubtedly would play in the woods, & most likely be the ones to find. Thankfully not. But even irrational, who would potentially subject any child to such trauma?
I'd think if she seriously intended to do so, & by such violent means, she'd have gone much farther away to a more secluded location. Taken by cab or car.
I also made initial comments earlier, on the Feb 13 case blog. Some of pertaining to her possessions that she was said to have on her. Given one in particular ref he made on my first hearing of case, seemingly trivial, but was my red flag. In supporting my early gut- he was behind her disappearance.
And to add to what I posted there: He knew exactly how much cash she had, & "some cc's". Safe to assume in her backpack contents. In addition to the power bars-- indicates to me he went thru it, or packed it. Yet he didn't think to note, or mention a rope?
On a non morbid level, Seems that might indicate intent to rock climb, or rugged terrain by an avid hiker. And would be an important detail, for someone wishing to help find. seems they'd share with police & public.
But on the side of planting his later *alibi, or to contribute to delays finding-- so to allow for more body deterioration via misleading. So thinking he'd also have mentioned it. But I don't think it was ever in that bag, if she even took a bag, or even went on a hike.
And as someone who go to the effort of doc & posting on a blog of their adventures, is not the MO of a person who would fail to leave a suicide note explaining. Or letters left for, or sent prior, to loved ones (handwritten of course only valid).
I also have no doubt the b&a activities on JB PC & phone, would be quite revealing!
-CM

Anonymous said...

To anonymous. What do you know that you wish you did not know? You mentioned that several times

Rachel said...

In a screen shot of texts between Josh and the admin of the former JFLB page, he was asked if he killed Leanne. His response was "Absolutely not." He was asked if played a role in her death and he changed the subject. Any analysis on the response "absolutely not"?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Josh says she took the rope from his parents garage. It wasn't already in the back pack. And thanks Denver friend for speaking up. Josh went to a lot of trouble to silence her friends and shame them on the last facebook page. What a nasty cover up this has been.


Well, I DO believe that the rope probably DID come from his parents' garage! Put a check in the "What Josh Says that's True" column based on what I've learned from Peter's blog (Thank you so much, Peter!) I don't know what's in my parents' garage, so kudos to Josh for knowing where the "hanging rope" was found.

I do wonder, though -- if we take away everything Josh said about Leanne's state of mind, and where the rope came from, and when Leanne left, and what their final conversation was, and what she had in the backpack, and all the other Josh info, what else do we have that's definitive and proven by an independent 3rd party?

--- This from an Interested 3rd party

Anonymous said...

"Oh the tangled webs we weave, when we practice to deceive." I'm thinking this sums up JB quite well.
I had just noted in prior post, JB's specific details of backpack contents, in particular 3 items. Indicating he either went thru it, or packed it-- among other speculation regarding those items.

>The following quotes are from memory, so not exact<
But he stated early on, same timing of contents disclosed. Asking her, (as she headed out the door) "-when will u be back, babe?" Wait, no, think he said more to the phrasing of "-how long will u BE GONE, babe?" Which in itself seems odd choice of wording, if my memory serves correct. Anyhow point being, since only explanation for detailed contents, is that he'd gone thru it before she left.
How could she possibly have then gotten a rope from garage, as he claims, if he watched her actually leave the home? Even detailing the direction she went.
And sounds like he also has acknowledged going thru her bag, noted above. But Why?
If he really did, that indicates some very controlling & paranoid behavior. So was it standard op to search his wife's bags & pockets, taking inventory before she was permitted to go anywhere alone? To include a supposed innocent stroll around the block.
I think his "hiking" synopsis, he went in great detail to support (down to the shoes) has been negated, whether a suicide or not.
And on another angle, if she said "1 hour," coupled with interview time-- wouldn't a spouse get in their car or on foot, retracing the steps of looking for first? Say an hour after they were to return. Call hospitals, bc on foot she didn't get far? Contact police to ask
Of any incidents in the area bc wife is missing? No, he waits 3 hours, then calls to file certain missing persons report. Isn't there a 24 hour prerequisite to file on adults?
Did the interview call come in? If so did he answer, & what did he tell them??
-CM

Anonymous said...

-And I don't think it odd JB would happen upon this particular blog. Not at all. Especially when I found it by google search on analyzing statements of suspects- in some variation, & in general terms. But it just so happened my curiosity was sparked by this very case, & his statements that were troubling me. Note I did not specify the case in my search. In other words, quite expected of someone in a criminal investigation, with something to hide. Given he must have noticed speculation generating of his involvement.
A guilty minded & nervous person would very likely attempt to tailor his future comments more according to the expected. Certainly one so vocal in speaking to the public. A narcissist type who is too concerned with others perception of his character, a/o his possible guilt.
Only 2 major problems with his agenda. One, he had already made far too many IMO, incriminating statements. And two, his ego driven self got the best of him. Coming across what he felt was disparaging comments at him. He could not refrain from lashing out & trying to defend himself. Further that he was the subject of such personal scrutiny, he could not just ignore. He read every bit of it. And seems he did so on countless sites. If he had the local cops snowed over, how dare random strangers suspect & disect his alibi.
Yet if this were a case handled by seasoned detectives, his online activity would be scrutinized with a fine tooth comb!
And another thing I recall. I live in another part of TX, & had same thoughts re. Equisearch. If I'm not mistaken, it was commented elsewhere in defense, they did offer their assistance to the case. Might have been a person affiliated with, not certain though. It did not say if accepted or not. But if true in cases of willing exits, they won't search. Given he's likely familiar with their success being from Tx. Makes more sense the almost desperate attempt to indicate she left of her own accord, from the start. And that if they were used, no doubt only 0.7miles away, she'd have been found quickly.
But how would he ever explain it later, if she wasn't, but then found as & where she was later??
The family- whose? his or hers?- Steering away searchers from the area found in is too convenient.
All of these nconsistencies screams some need to delay the finding of. Or stalling until a plan & place could be staged. The need for delays, is to expose evidence to elements as long as possible.
If he was being watched, and knew, makes sense she was found in close proximity he could reach on foot. Assuming staged after police called. Not to say he didn't stage prior to calling in.
I also wonder if he was banking on cops giving up search so quickly? But not anticipating the natl & MSM interest? Foiling his initial plan to make it appear she left, with sightings & random use of those "some cc's". He later on here said he was "monitoring online."
Beyond normal, or even grieving behavior, to use his wife being found as leverage in challenging his skeptics. By demanding strangers to put their $ where their mouths are? Or to solicit DRONES, but no mention local & realistic equisearch, as to urging requests made of?? He makes absolutely no references to, or asks for help to pressure local police to continue searching for? Only seems relieved he has been cleared by! But by omitting their relevance to the case &
Search for, indicates he wants to keep them far from him, or the actual finding of. That is most telling to me!
My family member, I'd be calling daily, demanding in person their continued efforts! I'd be begging publics help to urge police to continue investigation. I'd be calling & perhaps via online petitions, asking the FBI to help in search efforts.
Criminals tend to be careless, amateurs more so, most will trip up at some point. The trick is catching their slip up. This guy has been slipping & sliding all over the Internet & in the press, why aren't the officials listening?
-CM

Anonymous said...

I don't think it odd JB would happen upon this particular blog. Not at all. Especially when I found it by google search on analyzing statements of suspects- in general terms. Just so happens my curiosity was sparked by this very case, & his troubling statements.
In other words, quite expected of someone in a criminal investigation, with something to hide. He must have noticed speculation generating of his involvement.
A guilty minded & nervous person would might attempt to tailor future comments more according to the expected. Certainly one so vocal in speaking to public. A narcissist type who is too concerned with others perception of his character, & possible guilt.
Only 2 major problems with his agenda. One, he had made far too many IMO, incriminating statements. Two, his ego driven self got the best of him. To then come across what he felt was disparaging comments. He could not refrain from trying to defend himself. Further that he was the subject of such personal scrutiny, he could not ignore. He read every bit of it, on countless sites. If he had the local cops snowed over, how dare random strangers suspect & disect his alibi.
Yet if this were a case handled by seasoned detectives, his online activity would be scrutinized with a fine tooth comb!
Equisearch. If I'm not mistaken, it was commented elsewhere in defense, they did offer their assistance to the case. Might have been a person affiliated with, not certain though. It did not say if accepted or not. But if true in cases of willing exits, they won't search. And he's likely familiar with their success being from Tx. Makes more sense the almost desperate attempt to indicate she left of her own accord, from the start. And that if they were used, no doubt only 0.7miles away, she'd have been found quickly.
But how would he ever explain it later, if she wasn't, but then found as & where she was later??
The family- whose? his or hers?- Steering away searchers from the area found in is too convenient.
All of these nconsistencies screams some need to delay the finding of. Or stalling until a plan & place could be staged. The need for delays, is to expose evidence to elements as long as possible.
If he was being watched, and knew, makes sense she was found in close proximity he could reach on foot. Assuming staged after police called. Not to say he didn't stage prior to calling in.
I also wonder if he was banking on cops giving up search so quickly? But not anticipating the natl & MSM interest? Foiling his initial plan to make it appear she left, with sightings & random use of those "some cc's". He later on here said he was "monitoring online."
Beyond normal, or even grieving behavior, to use his wife being found as leverage in challenging his skeptics. By demanding strangers to put their $ where their mouths are? Or to solicit DRONES, but no mention local & realistic equisearch, as to urging requests made of?? He makes absolutely no references to, or asks for help to pressure local police to continue searching for? Only seems relieved he has been cleared by! But by omitting their relevance to the case &
Search for, indicates he wants to keep them far from him, or the actual finding of. That is most telling to me!
My family member, I'd be calling daily, demanding in person their continued efforts! I'd be begging publics help to urge police to continue investigation. I'd be calling & perhaps via online petitions, asking the FBI to help in search efforts.
Criminals tend to be careless, amateurs more so, most will trip up at some point. The trick is catching their slip up. This guy has been slipping & sliding all over the Internet & in the press, why aren't the officials listening?
-CM

Anonymous said...



Leanne Bearden, Up, up but never far away... Leanne's Life Celebration on Sunday March 9th @ 8am Location: TBD
Please RSVP ASAP-click the RSVP tab
or email us questions:
RSVP@leannebearden5k.com

Leanne Bearden 5k- Celebrating Leanne's Incredible Spirit

Please RSVP & donate today.
 
**Each T-shirt cost us $15 to make so please take that into consideration and add the $15 cost of the t-shirt to your very generous donation. Thank you so much for your support and loving Leanne.

1) Paypal Website- donations@lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wells Fargo Donation Acct: to Leanne Bearden Donation
 - email us with any questions at donations@xxxxxxx) All donation methods will be accepted at Leanne's Life Celebration where you'll pick up your t-shirts, balloons, feathers & candy!
RSVP & Donations
http://www.xxxxxxx$$$$xxxxxxxxx

It's significant how many times the word DONATE was posted in an advertisement for Leanne's memorial celebration. It was posted 7 times and the word support (aka donation) was typed once. Leanne's name was only mentioned 3 times when excluded from the donation fund's name.

Don't forget that there were SEVEN fundraisers for Leanne, in the first two weeks after she disappeared, raising over $16.000.

Anonymous said...

Hmm. Wasn't Josh changing his wife's fundraiser 5K run to a respectful memorial celebration? I guess he changed his mind. He's panhandling for donations on the RSVP page for her "respectful" memorial.

Last week he posted this:
"I am honored that Leanne's family has asked us to honor Leanne's life and to have this LeanneBearden5k on Sunday, March 9th as planned, and we are changing it from a fundraiser into a wonderful, respectful celebration & memorial service for all the friends and family.
February 14 at 1:06pm"

Anonymous said...

On one of Leanne's travel blogs she had said that they had washed their clothes in the sink, and she had made a make shift clothes line on the balcony...I don't remember what she put it together with. She then said that in the morning the clothes line broke overnight & their clothes were strewn all over the place & she lost her treasured Columbia shorts!
She was sad but bid them goodbye and gave thanks to them for being so reliable on the trip! It was so funny & cute!

Anyway, maybe tying knots wasn't her specialty, unless the line just broke in the middle or something.

I wish I could remember which blog date it was, its a really extensive blog to go through!

Anonymous said...

?.... "The Bearden family has graciously paid the upfront cost of putting this 5k together, and all proceeds will go to the foundation Leanne's husband Josh is starting in her loving memory."

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad for this blog. All of these thoughts have been swirling in my brain, and something just feels wrong about this.

While we don't know all the details (and maybe never will, i.e. if she has had prior suicide attempts), I have been astounded at all the strange comments that I have heard and seen. I hope this blog continues.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know how much time Josh spent living in the Garden Ridge area? I was just wondering if he was familiar with the location that Leanne's body was found. It's hard to imagine Leanne knew about such a hidden spot and yet so close to his parent house. Did he hang out there as a youth...Would love to have one of his friend come forward with stories of spending time together in those woods.

Anonymous said...

Leanne Bearden, Up, up but never far away...

Seriously!? This reads like a synopsis of what actually happened. I'm sorry, guilt or innocence, this is awful. She was HANGING IN A TREE never far away from where she started and somehow she got "up, up" there. That is just downright tacky, in my opinion, and I grew up in TX, so I know tacky.

--Interested 3rd Party


and to Anonymous, Anonymous said
February 23, 2014 at 7:47 PM...
To anonymous. What do you know that you wish you did not know? You mentioned that several times


To Anonymous above: I'm sorry, but I can't share that information this publicly. It is specific enough to me that a select few would then know who I am, and I prefer that not to be "out" there. If you need to disregard my posts as a result, I do understand. I'm just expressing my opinions.
--Interested 3rd Party

Troubled said...

To CM --

**If he was being watched, and knew, makes sense she was found in close proximity he could reach on foot. Assuming staged after police called. Not to say he didn't stage prior to calling in.**

Yet another point (among many!) that continues to bother me. If his parents were indeed gone for the week, and they were alone in the house, "stage prior to calling in" could even have been DAYS prior to calling in.

The "incongruities" we talk about here just keep adding up. It's so frustrating. I think the very first thing that set my "Spidey sense" tingling about this case was the parents being gone, and somehow happening to show up just when Leanne goes missing. Simply seems so weirdly coincidental.

Anonymous said...


Josh and Leanne Bearden were alone at the house when she told him she was going for a walk, Will Bearden said. A tree trimmer working in the neighborhood reported seeing her leave on foot.
....
Although the tree trimmer described the pedestrian he saw as a teenager, Will Bearden said that description fits his youthful-looking, petite daughter-in-law, who is 5-foot-2 and weighs 100 pounds.


I swear, this man should get his own CSI reality TV show -- eyewitness accounts are notoriously unreliable*, but it seems Josh's father can take an unreliable account and determine who the eyewitness really saw! That is amazing, and remains my favorite "fact" from Josh's "story".

And I imagine that the interrogation of Josh went something like this:

"Now, son, I hate to have to ask you this, but you know it's my job.... did you do anything to your wife?"

And Josh replied with "Well, you know, she was a little crazy and she maybe went off to play Survivor Woman, and I told her 'that's okay, babe', 'even if I never see you again, that's okay', but no, I mean, I know you have to ask that, but that would make me a murderer".

And so, Josh is "cleared".

Then, the father decided the gardeners saw Leanne, and then Josh raised money and bullied people online while asking for donations, and then a month later, after lots of conjecture and denigration of Leanne, and voila, Leanne's lost her battle with depression. And now here we are.

Again, all just conjecture and superficial understanding and knowledge, but that seems to be okay in this specific case, so I'm going for it, too.

Snarky of me, maybe unfair, and obviously just my opinion and vivid imagination, but I just spent a few hours researching asphyxiation with soft objects followed by hanging, and then I read more about what happens to bodies left in the elements and saw photos of what happens to bodies that have been hanging for extended periods of time and things like pooling, and peeling, and bursting, etc. Also, from what I have read, pillow or other soft object suffocation wouldn't leave tell-tale strangle marks, but would result in pooling of blood around the nose and mouth area. But after enough time, what the body goes thru... And all that left me wondering: But how would he get her up, up in that tree with the requisite "rope" indicators of suicide? Well, unlike Josh who had "no idea" about what happened, I have a number of them.

I remain less convinced than ever that Leanne just walked away and killed herself, but there's nothing I can say to change the course of this, so I'm going to have to let it go. I just hope that there is no next truly good woman who gets suckered by Fat Elvis.

--Interested 3rd Party

*Since the 1990s, when DNA testing was first introduced, Innocence Project researchers have reported that 73 percent of the 239 convictions overturned through DNA testing were based on eyewitness testimony. One third of these overturned cases rested on the testimony of two or more mistaken eyewitnesses. (from a Scientific American article, Do the Eyes Have it, for those who want to check.) .... So 1/3 of the 73% of overturned case had not just one but two or more eyewitnesses! IMAGINE, both Father Bearden and the gardener could have been wrong.

Anonymous said...

And Peter, don't you always say that in a list of things, order matters? This from the 5K website:

Please email us with any questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!

donations@leannebearden5k.com
rsvp@leannebearden5k.com
questions@leannebearden5k.com

Anonymous said...

Some posts from JB on Leanne's Memorial Page;

Page Link;

http://www.schertzfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?page=documents&user_id=1248253&MAIN_EVENT=MEMSOL&SUB_EVENT=VIEW_GUESTBOOK

02/21/2014 -
Joshua Bearden
Leanne's spirit remains with us in all of your hearts. Thank you for the love.

02/20/2014 -
Will Bearden
Our beloved daughter-in-love. May you find peace in your soul. We will love you forever.

02/19/2014 -
Joshua Bearden
We miss your beautiful smile, baby. You'll live forever in our hearts. Rest in peace my love, my life.


There is that word "baby," again, used in a public forum, like Peter had talked about...
It seems to be the most unoriginal "pet," name out there,
especially to be used on such a formal website,
Especially considering everything...
Usually fun loving couples have pretty unique "pet," names for each other,
But that's just my opinion.


F.Y.I;

The Bearden Family, Flicker Pic DSC02355,
Set, "Parents in Australia"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goexplore365/7327559070/in/set-72157630031931116

Anonymous said...

Interested 3rd Party - A well known medium feels he strangled her with a white cloth or white t-shirt. This wouldn't leave any marks and then as you said when left in the elements for so long...

Anonymous said...

I thought once the outcome was delivered no matter what, I'd let it go, yet here I am.

I think women and intuition is something you have to believe in, and there are too many women here saying the same thing, thinking the same thoughts. It's a hard fact to know that he is not being held accountable. I do not for one minute believe she was ever suicidal or depressed. I believe that description goes to the husband.

I hope to see more posts from interested 3rd party.

Anonymous said...

To anonymous at 12:07 pm:

I completely agree. I think the only way I would put this to rest is if even one person from her own family commented on a history of depression. While they certainly don't owe that to anyone, I think that is the only way JB will ever be able to move on if he really is innocent.

By the way, does anyone know when the tox report will come back? Will it be public?

Anonymous said...

In response to the question about Josh living in Garden Ridge when he was growing up and playing in the woods, it is highly unlikely. From what I have found, his parents bought the house on Sumac Ln in 2003. He graduated in 1992 from Cole HS on Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, attended U of Maryland in Germany the next couple of years and then went to Texas A&M from 1994-98.

Another anonymous JRSB from VA

Troubled said...

I agree with you about Interested 3rd Party. I3P, your posts have been interesting and wise. Please stay around. I doubt very much this is over yet.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your reply anonymous. I just wanted some concrete information since we have so little I understand your not wanting to be recognized but as a few details are being revealed things become a little clearer and the story is easier to put together

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