Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Leanne Bearden Family Offers Reward






The family of missing woman, Leanne Bearden has now offered a total of  $20,000 in reward: 

$10,000 for her exact location and an additional $10,000 for information that leads to her return.
If someone gives her "exact" location, would that not lead to her return?  Is the word "exact" defined? 

 Do they believe she does not want to return?

This is not a usual reward.  

Josh Bearden's statement:  

"While there are many more questions than answers, the only thing we do know is that lack of contact to anyone she loves is very worrisome.  We strongly feel that if she could have contacted us, she would have by now ... We are hoping offering a financial reward will encourage that person or people to share that information."

Please note that the media reported that this statement came from Josh Bearden, the husband.

Please note the absence of the pronoun "I" in the statement is not expected. 

Please note the absence of the pronoun "I", particularly here:  "We strongly feel that if she could have contacted us, she would have by now..."

This is not expected, yet is consistent with Josh Bearden's statements since he first reported his wife's disappearance.  He has rarely used the pronoun "I" in his statements. 

A missing spouse is very personal and up close.  

"Again, at this time there is no evidence that points to any crime being committed, but the lack of any real credible information and lack of contact by Leanne to any of us has us extremely worried and we just want to know that Leanne is OK"  Josh Bearden.  

It is very unexpected that he would avoid the singular "I" in his statement here.  This is distancing language, and it is often the language found when one wishes to share responsibility or guilt (Dillingham) and is something parents of teenagers are quite familiar with.  At times, the guilty will use plurality as one wishes to dilute guilt within a crowd, as if to fade into a larger group, and not feel so singled out.  

The word "just" is reduction; that is, as if to say "only" by way of comparison with another thought.  In Analytical Interviewing, the follow up questions seek to learn what the subject was comparing something to.  
This may refer back to the split in the reward.

Anyone with information can call the Garden Ridge Police Department at 210-651-6441 or the Heidi Search Center at 210-650-0428.

113 comments:

Sus said...

"Lack of contact by Leanne to any of us has us extremely worried..."

He seems to be sharing the "lack of contact" by using us.

He states it in passive voice, "lack of contact ..... has us extremely worried." This is another manner in which to distance himself from that "lack of contact."

OS said...

Going back to square, this presser dated Jan 19th, 2014

Leanne reported poofed on Jan 17

Josh Bearden in video speaking to press, he quoted

"I knew after 3 hours something was really really wrong, she could be 10 miles away, cut up and say this is a really nice rocky drainage ditch and it's pretty and she could have slipped"

Interesting wording, chosen words, his. I replayed it and yes he does say " Cut up". I used the captions that is for hearing impaired and the same is typed, as he said it
" Cut up"

Note he says I as his favorite pronoun is we. I knew, not WE knew. She could be ten miles away, pause, cut up. Not she could have been cut up, this the after thought of she could be 10 miles away.

He speaks more, the video is linked.

http://www.kens5.com/news/Garden-Ridge-police-looking-for-woman-missing-since-Friday-241077051.html?fb_action_ids=1440722849477956&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=feed_opengraph

Anonymous said...

Dead or alive is what the reward says.

Anonymous said...

OS - The term "cut up" is also a term occasionally used in hiking and in general to mean taking a route toward, like "she cut up the hill to get to the top". It is still an odd choice of words. What is weirder to me is that she might have slipped while check out "a really nice, rocky drainage ditch". Presumably Leanne would not have gone out of her way to walk ten miles, skipping an important phone interview, to explore a drainage ditch. She could have gotten to many scenic areas and parks in a shorter distance.
-Gail

Anonymous said...

I guess she could have fallen in to a "pretty" drainage ditch closer to the hike and Josh may be suggesting it could have carried her away up to 10 miles at that point if she had fallen in somehow. -Gail

Sus said...

Let's say he was using "cut up" as a verb phrase, which I think he was.

The he dropped the pronoun before it. He wasn't committed to her cutting up or through anything.

He does use pronouns before ten miles away and could have slipped.

Back to "cut up". It seems funny he omits what he believes she "cut UP." I would say, "cut up the hill" or "cut up the bank" etc. he does seem to think it was UP, though.

Last, I find his portrayal of Leanne as easily distracted by the pretty drainage ditch derogatory toward her.

elf said...

You have to wonder if the husband even wrote that. Even if he didn't, at the end of the public statement, a frantic worried husband would add a personal message to his missing wife. Especially if she disappeared after an argument! Dude at least needs to say he's sorry for whatever they argued about if he's really thinking that she took off because she was pissed.

Big Russian said...

Many years ago, I was married to a very mean drunk. The first years were great, but it went downhill. I won't bore you with the gory details, but when I finally made my escape, I only had my purse and the clothes on my back. I was in fear of my life. I met a long haul truck driver and disappeared. God was watching over me and my husband died shortly thereafter. But I continued to have nightmares for 10 years. I guess that is what they call PTSD? I live a different, wonderful (not perfect!) life now. But I want to tell everyone: These things can and do happen.

Unknown said...

I'm reposting this from the other thread. The split reward is too weird! They are basically saying its not worth as much to them to know her whereabouts, unless she returns home. Considering they want us to believe Leanne ran away from her life, this means the person who 'finds' Leanne, or helps them locate her, would be denied half of the reward based on Leanne's decision to return home, or not.

I would think they would want to know where she was, even if it's in 'a pretty drainage ditch', (wth) or alive and well, but not interested in coming home. The information that leads to Leanne's whereabouts should be worth the same reward regardless!

This story gets stranger every day! From the other thread...

I also find it strange that the reward is split. 10k for info on Leanne's EXACT location, and an additional 10k for her safe return. What does that mean?Why not, 20k for ANY information that leads them to Leanne. Isn't that what any family of a missing person wants, to FIND THEM whatever the outcome?! The way the reward is split makes it sound like in the event that Leanne is not alive, they don't want to pay as much for just her body, or if alive her location...it's only worth 10k. That is the strangest 'reward', I have ever seen. 

Anonymous said...

Peter, has any person in your experience used similar statements like Josh Bearden? As in "us" instead of I. He does not really say I that I've seen. Oh and by Person I meant to say innocent person, someone that had been found Not Guilty.

OS said...

Gail thank you for the explain of the term, cut up, within hiking.

"I knew after 3 hours something was really really wrong, she could be 10 miles away, cut up and say this is a really nice rocky drainage ditch and it's pretty and she could have slipped

No pronoun, and say, as if Leanne would say to herself, how he can speak for her, is his presumption of what she would say.

Leanne to say this? this is what is called persuasive language he using upon, not fact, yet fiction. I find it quite left field. As Leanne is of the two the more educated, the more experienced outdoors active person.

"this is a really nice rocky drainage ditch and it's pretty"

A REALLY NICE rocky drainage ditch
and it's pretty.

He insinuating that Leanne is fluffy minded, ooh it's shiny, it's pretty. I Leanne gravitate myself without forethought.

*and* she could have slipped
Slipped into his fiction?

And, she could have slipped as it was pretty, his to share she doesn't have skills of honed, as a seasoned hiker. Unlike himself.

Where did I find this presser that I added here. I found it by going to Leanne's Dad's facebook. A person to post his link the other day.

They to write, her dad doesn't have any posts on his wall of Leanne missing. They not being snarky, yet to note this.

I think Mr. Hecht has within his own way posted, on his FB, his way. He to add his photos, upload pics of his own self, right after Leanne's vanishing. I saw within his eyes a heart broken father. I choked up viewing his pictures. He on his facebook recommended that specific presser for his friends to read. Leanne reported missing.

I have gone through posts on the travel blog, the BEAR Den, and I did see an entry where Leanne's father was mentioned.

I found it offensive.
I found the entries of written and the photos added in for show, extremely offensive. This within the entries that Josh and Leanne were in Vietnam.

The entry there was a tour provided, they not wanting to pay that they went on without paying. They to venture into, on their own. To find the tunnels and fox holes of the Viet Cong. A photo of Leanne inside a fox hole, she to squeak herself deep in, she staring up at the camera. Dead leaves surrounding her, the original hatch, next to the open hole.

An entry of by Josh? that during war, 1968 the Viet Cong created these fox holes to be hidden. Two more photos of Josh underground, he with a bottle of water, in the tunnels. He his face, GEE this is great!

Then came afterward me reading that Leanne's father served Vietnam. Is a Nam Vet. That they sent him their photos of Nam. The written is, her dad, he to have no response.

The Hallmark quip added, it's been over 40 yrs since her dad was in Nam, he not to recognize nor comment on the present day Vietnam. Did they send him the photos of Leanne inside the Fox Holes, Josh in the Tunnels for added frosting on the cake? Thinking of you Mr Hecht!

What did they expect from him?
Who in their right mind would send a Veteran served Nam a photo of their daughter in a Viet Cong fox hole. Hanoi Jane repeat, they not to think? or He Josh not to think?

As I do NOT believe they are friends, nor family, for reasons of, her dad remains silent.

He, Leanne's Dad not to dignify him with respect, as he Josh has never earned it. This is my personal opinion as my father is a veteran. Vets are silent when they are hurting the most. No words are necessary.

elf said...

Ugly fields=pretty drainage ditch
Sounds familiar huh?
When I read what the husband says about 'cut up' it made me think he means cut up by the rocks in the pretty drainage ditch. I think he said exactly what he knows- his wife is in a drainage ditch and suffered many cuts.

Anonymous said...

lmao
just be walking along enjoying the scenery then decide to suddenly cut up through a ravine.
see, he knows her well enough, and loves that about her, it is a compliment, a reason he cherishes her, that she would and can see beauty in what most people meh, to her the drainage ditch would be something to explore for it's inner beauty, to others it's ugly.

Anonymous said...

Where is she?!?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know how this reward is funded? It sounds as though he is only really offering 10K and he is still left with 10K either outcome...

Sus said...

Anon 10:56
Maybe that's what he meant, except Josh Bearden didn't say "cut up through a ravine" or cut up anything.

He simply said "cut up." Supposedly he wasn't with Leanne, yet he sees an upward direction. He could have easily have said 'cut through a field" or whatever.

I want to know why he said up. Drainage ditches aren't usually "up", are they? Someone help me out here.

Anonymous said...

I keep wondering where this timeline is that Josh promised. He has been so purposely vague about the days and hours before he reported her missing. I want to hear if he drove around in the truck to try and find her? If my wife was to be back in 1 hour and had important call, I would not just look for her on foot.

I keep asking myself why she would go hiking by herself, close to the house. Did she EVER do this before? Yes, they both went hiking together and when they actually wanted to see something worth their time, they drove 22 miles away to Enchanted Rock.

Yeah, she might be adventurous with Josh there, but would she really just cut up some drainage ditch... and then she is due back in 1 hour, yet Josh is going to put her 10 miles away... Just more distancing and wild speculation about what could have happened.

One minute he says there are just no clues.. the next minute he gives wild ideas of what could have happened. Yet no actual details of any value on the days, or hours leading up to the disappearance that would be critical to establishing the mood she was in, or what Leanne and Josh were talking about, leading up to her disappearance. Josh may be too close to the trees to see the forest and is another reason if he wants her found he has to share detailed timeline and info.

So busy to pass out fliers, but 23 days later to post the flier on their blog. (what?)

Anonymous said...

Why does Josh hint that she could be 10 miles away and cutting up drainage ditch if she is due back from walk soon for a job call.

How far would you walk/hike if you had a call in 1 hour or so?

I think we find out later that she never went on a hike solo from his folks house (ever). I think the tree trimmer eyewitness account turns out to be someone other than Leanne. I think it was said that yard guy saw a black backpack and this missing daypack was gray/red.

My gut is that the 3 eyewitness accounts saw someone similar, but not necessarily Leanne. Was the backpack the same, was the description including details like with sunglasses, etc?

the more fliers we get out, the more possible sightings we might get.

She would not have taken that backpack (she never used it before, it was not her backpack). The hike story is just an excuse how she left on her own free will.

I have a bad feeling the truck is involved somehow.

Anonymous said...

Love to see this recent statement analyzed here.

http://www.goexplore365.com/

All, we have terrible news. Leanne went missing on January 17th while going for a walk in Garden Ridge, Texas. It is extremely disturbing that we can visit 58 countries in 22 months just to have her disappear in our home country. Unbelievable is an understatement. What's even more baffling is that there are no leads and few credible sightings since the first day she left. If you'd like to follow more closely please go to https://www.facebook.com/ourfriendleannehechtbearden

Also, make sure you click "Like" so we can get the numbers up so the media will continue to follow the story.

Don't let Leanne disappear twice!!

I'll write more later with more insight but if you see her LET SOMEBODY KNOW.

Leanne, if you're reading this I love you more than anything. Remember when I would look at you and cry because I love you so much. I cry everyday thinking about how much I love you and can't wait to have you in my arms again. If you're unable to reach us we're not giving up. Keep hope and stay strong. Try to get away when you can but be safe. Think about how beautiful our trip was and never let go of our love or your hope. You have a beautiful soul and I know you'll make it through this. If you needed to get away for a little bit let somebody, anybody know that you're ok. If you don't want to come back that's ok. Take your time but please let one of your thousands of friends or family know that you're ok. Nobody is mad at you and you're not in any trouble at all. Just let us know you're ok. I'm still in San Antonio looking for you and I won't leave here without knowing you're ok. The house in Denver is fine and the truck is up and running. You're everything to me and my whole existence is making sure you are safe. I love you.

Look what Megan wrote about you:

A statement from Megan Spicer (Leanne's dear friend):

Since many of you don't know Leanne, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about her. She dances and sings at the drop of a hat without the fear most of us have- probably doesn't hurt that she's amazing at it:). She laughs a lot and really hard. She has seen a lot of the world and isn't scared of it and sees the beauty in it. She is so smart and resilient- nothing is beyond her realm of possibility. But above all- she loves and takes care of others. Everyone is a friend to her- everyone. There is nothing she wouldn't do for her friends. She'll call you days in advance of your birthday just to be sure she doesn't miss it. If her friends are going through hard times- she will do everything in her power to make it better. We need to do the same for her now. We just need to know she's ok- that's all. Thank you so much for your help.

Anonymous said...


and the truck is up and running.


please tell me why this is so important to add this in his statement for her to read?

...well if I had only known you fixed the truck then I would have returned...

(or is it that maybe the truck was supposedly not running before?)

...i am missing something

Anonymous said...

I do think it is great that they did offer a reward and this gives the media another story to get the word out.

I think the term for "exact location" was to ward off the crazy people that say to check in a shelter, or check in a park but don't give any details. Maybe this applies to psychics more than others?

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Anonymous said...
Peter, has any person in your experience used similar statements like Josh Bearden? As in "us" instead of I. He does not really say I that I've seen. Oh and by Person I meant to say innocent person, someone that had been found Not Guilty.
February 11, 2014 at 9:29 PM


I have not seen such avoidance of the pronoun "I" since Baby Lisa's mother.

Anonymous said...

I think he might run...just like the truck. He's been all over the world and probably has some ideas of where to go.

elf said...

For those of you pondering the husband Josh's words 'cut up': if someone doesn't say something, we cannot say it for them. Josh didn't say 'cut up the drainage ditch' he said 'cut up AND say there's this really nice rocky drainage ditch....'
This tells me that leeanne is cut up AND (temporal lacuna? Right? ) *attempt to persuade * SAY there's a pretty rocky drainage ditch...
Get it? Statement analysis is taking someone's word literally. By saying he was using a hiking term your putting words in his mouth.
If/when leeanne is found I bet she has many cuts to her face,arms,legs, and in a ditch. Dude staged the scene.
From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Skeptical said...

The liars number 3 rears its ugly head again. 3 hours?

I hope the words "cut up" are not marbles spilling out of Josh Bearden's mouth. Perhaps the San Antonio police need to be checking drainage ditches, irrigation areas, or even the sewer system within a 10 mile radius or even 1-1/2 hours drive outside of San Antonio. The country outside of San Antonio is ranch country.

Kerrville is about 50 miles from San Antonio and is in the center of the Texas Hill Country which is full of ravines and gullies.

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

Does anyone know if JB called local LE to report her missing, or 911?

He stated he called LE after 4 hours of her not returning..Did he call friends and family first?..Why didn't he look for himself, surely he must have known which route she may have taken?

If he called LE first WHY?.

OS said...

From local Texas news, reporter following Leanne's case. He interviewed Josh Bearden and his dad, Will Bearden. This is WOAI where the statements of Bearden's have been a bit controversial.

The reporters lack of writing skills, who approved this for print? Below is exact copied pasted.

Reply to John, you asked about who called 911. As it is reported below.

Friday Jan 31, 2014

It was two weeks ago today that Leanne Bearden vanished.

Here is the statement I recieved today from Garden Ridge Police Chief Donna O'Conner:

"I met with Josh, his parents & Mr. Parker. No new evidence has developed to cause us to believe that foul play was involved. The possibility that Ms. Bearden is in a period of adjustment could make her vulnerable and I continue to ask others to notify their local police agency if they see her. Our mutual goal is to find Leanne and provide her the support that she needs."

Josh is Josh Bearden, Leanne's husband. Mr Parker is Private Investigator Charlie Parker.

Here's the timeline as best as I can put it togheter.

1:30 - leanne leaves

Josh notices she is going. Goes searching. Can't find her. Freaks out. Calls parents. They tell him to call the cops

5:20 - police are called.

Literally, that's all we can pin down.

The first reported sighting is a tree trimmer working in the neigborhood. No idea when that happened.

The last reported sighting of Leanne was the day she went missing, January 17th, on FM 3009, near the FedEx shipping center. It's about 2.5 miles away from the home. No idea when that happend.

Read more: http://www.woai.com/onair/michael-board-17319/leanne-bearden-two-weeks-later-12024064/#ixzz2t7cKjUzq

OS said...

2/3/2014 from article below:

Leanne has been added to a national DNA registry. The family saved a hairbrush and used that.

The hairbrush saved? opposed to tossing it out? the hairbrush has Leanne's DNA on it? Hair is not said, Hairbrush is.

WOAI, same reporter, follow up article written Feb 3, 2014.

Here's a rundown of some updates from the weekend.

Tips: somebody saw her walking along i-35. One was a bike rider between here and Houston that looked strange. One spotting in Laredo. Saw her shopping at a Ross store with an hispanic woman. Leanne does not speak Spanish.

They've been in contact daily with homeless shelters and women's shelters. PI Charlie Parker checking homeless shelter in Austin, today.

Leanne has been added to a national DNA registry. The family saved a hairbrush and used that.

The family is asking people to keep checking their property.

That spotting on FM 3009: It was a friend of the Police Chief. He stopped and looked at her because he thought she was a kid who was skipping school. Carrying the backpack that they think she was carrying. It was early afternoon, maybe 2:30.

here's a photo of the backpack

Read more: http://www.woai.com/onair/michael-board-17319/bearden-update-23-12029878/#ixzz2t7dWIT78

John Mc Gowan said...

Thanks OS.

OS said...

Leanne registered NamUS

One screen, all information that was added, can be read here, info provided by Garden Ridge Police
Date entered 01/22/2014

https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/case_report_html/23305

Missing: Leanne Mary Bearden

Circumstances: Bearden was reported missing after she left the house to go for a walk and did not return. All avenues of this situation are being investigated.

Height (inches) 60.0 to 64.0
Weight (pounds) 90.0 to 110.0

A Florida poster here asked if Leanne has a mole, her finger, as reported.

Scars and marks
birth mark on her left ring finger

DNA Status:
Samples submitted - Tests not complete

Her clothing, reported last seen,

Clothing
blue jeans and unknown colored t-shirt

Footwear
possibly hiking boots

Jewelry
wedding ring set in white gold with a round diamond weighing 0.70ct. possibly sized at a 4

Day Pack Back Pack the info is dated, entered on NamUS
Jan 22, 2014.

Under Jewelry is Accessories
entry: black backpack

Wasn't there an added here of conversation, Facebook, a local man going back and forth with Josh's sister. He to meet her, she to state Leanne was last seen with a back back, she then to retract it. He to reply he distinctly remembered she saying Leanne had a back pack. Josh's sister responded he was mistaken, she did not say this. Was not hers to know, to state, JOSH had not discovered his Day Pack was missing yet.

Her foot wear: Possibly Hiking Boots, it's not known what shoes for sure she was wearing? Josh now concentrating on Pink shoelaces, not her shoes. He wants everyone to pay attention to her Pink shoelaces.

Her rings, possibly sized at a 4, Josh doesn't know her ring size?
It's guesstimated, easy to confirm with the jeweler? or no, it's not necessary.

Jan 29, 2014: San Antonio Press
Charlie Parker Private Investigator hired by Bearden's.

He is quoted, Leanne's rings.

Also Wednesday, Parker released photos of two rings — size 3 1/2 — worn by Bearden in hopes that someone might recognize them.

“They're unusual rings,” he said. “If she's running, she might try to pawn them. And if someone else has them, they might try to pawn them.”

On the facebook set up by Friends of Leanne, Josh to write within days ago, she was wearing 3 rings. He to add a third band, that he gave her for their 1st anniversary. He in his written that photos were on the FB of her 3 rings. No, there isn't photos of her wedding ring, band. This 3rd ring not on her NamUS file, this not said by P.I. Parker.

Seems the common thread of reports of Leanne, her case. It isn't imperative to collaborate for who is involved her case, to state factuals. Not necessary to verify first prior to posting on FB. It's all depending on who says what when. There is zero consistency, no one of camp Bearden to say, that info is wrong, this information is correct. As for the sitings of Leanne, that have been said by Will Bearden, Josh Bearden, in pressers, on the FB set up by family. It's beginning to be Wheres Waldo, within their saids. Their inconsistencies of their statements, sitings it was her, is not aiding Leanne.

No Law Enforcement agency is backing them, with their sitings said to be truth. LE is within pressers, this more than once, the siting was a false lead.

Unknown said...

YES Peter!

Or, Mark Redwine who was also notorious for his plural pronouns while speaking alone. "WERE gonna take the polygraph", etc

Unknown said...

I didn't think HE (Josh) called at all, according to the early reports it was Josh's dad who called when he returned home and learned she was missing?

Same as Cindy Anthony having to call for Casey Anthony, and we all know how that turned out!

Unknown said...

Great posts OS,

I noticed both the lack of urgency and the lack of commitment to 'identifying items', too. First they didn't post these items until day 23 of her disappearance, then the description of each item contained qualifiers, 'sunglasses Leanne MAY have', 'watch band SIMILAR to the one Leanne wore' (only hers was thinner and blue), etc.

It seems they are intentionally vague to generate more 'sightings'.

Anonymous said...

My husband has NO clue what my ring size is nor do I know his.

OS said...

Jan 22 2014, WOAI, same reporter, Michael Board.

Where is Leanne Bearden?

Parts of his commentary

On Friday, January 17th, Leanne and her husband Josh were the only ones in the home. At about one in the afternoon, she told Josh (who was on the computer) that she was going for a walk and she would be back in 30 minutes.

Leanne was wearing merrill size six hiking shoes, jeans and a t shirt. She took cash and credit cards.

A landscaper across the street saw her leave down the street.

She was walking away from her in-laws neighborhood and towards a major road, 3009, which cuts from i-35 across the middle of Garden Ridge.

Then, poof, she's gone.

She did not have a phone. They were sharing one and because they were chasing new jobs, she left it with Josh because cell reception can be spotty in areas.

Did Leanne leave? Not likely. She had just finished a round-the-world trip of a lifetime. You don't do that if you're not in love with someone. I've talked to more than a handful of friends and family and they all said the marriage was great.

About that trip. I spoke to one family friend who said Leanne and Josh watched the movie UP over and over again. If you've seen the intro, it's about a young couple that dreamed of traveling but the wife died before they could do it. Leanne and Josh were bound and determined to travel.

They scrimped and saved to afford this. This was not a couple that was going through a rough patch.

I know, anytime a woman is missing, the spotlight is on the husband.

Is it possible that Leanne could have left the home... and then Josh could have followed her... and there was a confrontation someplace else? Yes. Is it likely? No.

Jan 22, 5 days post her reported missing, Michael Board WOAI was told the brand and size of Leanne's footwear. Who disclosed this to him? Why isn't this information on the registry, NamUS her case file. Has Josh restated the brand, size 6? or it wasn't him who provided this to WOAI?

Merrill size 6 hiking boots
Merrell, the proper spelling.

All the quotes, majority of statements of who is within her case, representing Leanne? or themselves, or Josh? Leanne in their statements the tone is she is less than, she is secondary. She is diminished.

Leanne Hecht Bearden is voiceless, she is only as aided found, recovered, as who is her voice. Her life did not begin on Jan 17th. Many missing person cases that a direct related person is perp, isn't it strange as this is repeat in these cases. The missings life prior to date of poof, is sucked into a vacuum. The who was closest to victim, they not to volunteer the days, weeks leading up to their loved one poofing, no details. I read on the FB a woman, Sally(?) asked such questions, of the days/wks leading up to LB's poof, and she was not received well.

Even this reporter he doesn't recognize Leanne's person victimized, she is a victim even if the circumstances are unknown. Josh, this reporter his written that again it's Good Josh, Negative Leanne. Why? This reporter did he drink the Kool Aid? his commentary is not objective it's his perceived by who he gained the personal couples information from.

Leanne Bearden isn't normal? she doesn't have a heart? her vanishing is normal? her friends family are the victims. SMH

Reporter: Is it possible that Leanne ran away? Yes. I'm only saying it's possible, not probable. After seeing the media coverage, any normal person with a heart would have come home. Normal people don't let their friends and family twist in the wind.

Read more: http://www.woai.com/onair/michael-board-17319/where-is-leanne-bearden-11995660/#ixzz2t84hA1IG

OS said...

Anonymous said...
My husband has NO clue what my ring size is nor do I know his.
February 12, 2014 at 12:17 PM

You are not missing
Leanne is
Her Husband is who has informed she was wearing her rings when she walked off, her to vanish.

Verification of her exact ring size purchased from the jeweler/s is a phone call.

John Mc Gowan said...

Josh Bearden
Ok guys, I'll try to make this my last post for the night. I've reluctantly moved my Facebook page to public so here it is, warts and all. Friends and people who care, please go Our Friend Leanne Hecht Bearden and invite your contacts to "Like" the page. I feel the media interest dropping off and I want them to know that we won't let Leanne disappear twice. Please help us find our sweet Leanne Hecht Bearden
View Post · 15 hours ago

https://www.facebook.com/ourfriendleannehechtbearden

John Mc Gowan said...

Josh Bearden
Ok guys, I'll try to make this my last post for the night.

Takes ownership with the possessive pronouns "I" and "MY"

I've reluctantly moved my Facebook page to public so here it is, warts and all. Friends and people who care, please go Our Friend Leanne Hecht Bearden and invite your contacts to "Like" the page.

I feel the media interest dropping off and I want them to know that we won't let Leanne disappear twice. Please help us find our sweet Leanne Hecht Bearden
View Post · 15 hours ago

Note he takes ownership "I" when talking about the media interest.

He then changes to "US "WE" and "OUR" when talking about not letting her disappear twice and helping to find her.

https://www.facebook.com/ourfriendleannehechtbearden

Anonymous said...

Why would he move his FB page to public? No one cares about this. People care about Leanne. Where is the timeline that he promised? Why not take a polygraph so his name can be cleared? Why is he so defensive and sarcastic in his FB replies? This case is

Anonymous said...

Yes true, why does the take a polygraph so then the public and LE can focus on other possibilities. If he had nothing to with her dissapearance it's only logical to demand for one when there is so much speculation in this case.

Randie said...

I remeber a statement Billie Dunn made about being harrassed. She said something like "the pain of this is on top of losing my daughter"

Peter wrote an paragraph about the words "on top of"... Listen carefully to her words. Billie's concern about harassment took precedence or was on top of or was MORE important than loosing her daughter.

Look what Josh posted:

Josh Bearden: "I think anybody who feels or likes the way Rochelle feels is not interested in helping finding Leanne. On top of the person I love more than anything missing there are cruel, thoughtless comments on our page. What is wrong with you people? You need help.
Like · Reply · 70 · February 9 at 5:05pm"

He puts cruel and thoughtless comments ABOVE the person he loves more than anything missing.

PS..."More than anything missing" is a strange strange sentence.

Anonymous said...

with modern day internet access social media, things have changed. perhaps "remember not to slander me" and "the pain of this is on top of" is the new norm? much like hannah anderson created a new norm by going to social media basking in her new found fame.

Rachel said...

Making his fb page public has not changed one thing. I'm not his "friend," and I've looked at his page several times. It looks exactly the same now as it did then. I'm not sure WHAT that was all about, other than 'Josh the hero."

He made a comment last night on a post about "not letting Leanne disappear twice" - meaning not also letting the "story" disappear from the media. Here are some of the comments, including his.

Laura Rogers Clark
Just wondering maybe I've missed something...on the explore 365 blog page I noticed Josh posted don't let Leanne disappear twice. what does that mean. Has she done this before. If I misread please correct me.
Like · · 23 hours ago

Top Comments
Rachel Williams Hester
Write a comment...
Ashley Burell Burns I believe he was referring to not letting her story disappear from the media spotlight and from everyone's minds. If people stop paying attention and looking for Leanne, she will have disappeared a second time.
Like · Reply · 9 · 23 hours ago
Laura Rogers Clark Thanks Ashley, that's logical...now that I think of it that way.
Like · 1 · 22 hours ago
Josh Bearden Yes, Ashley. Please don't let Leanne disappear twice.
Like · 1 · 21 hours ago
Josh Bearden and no, she has never done anything like this before. This was not planned.
Like · 21 hours ago

Suddenly, he is CERTAIN that "this was not planned." Haven't we read numerous news articles about how "the family" thinks she may have planned this?!?! And NOW, he's certain she didn't?!?! Hmmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Well there is a 5K on March 9th that is getting pushed now. If it is a hoax that means we have at least another month. If it is not (which is most likely) then the timeline for answers is still unknown. I am sure everyone reading this blog has been following the case closely, but I am not sure how much more time I can read about it with no advances in theories, let alone credible evidence, witnesses or suspects. I am hoping the infamous timeline is shared soon or that some credible lead arises. If only cases could be solved quickly like on tv.

Big Russian said...

JB spends lots of time on the computer. LE spent lots of time looking at his computer. What did they see that made them feel it was LB's idea to leave? He says he was "working" on his computer the day LB went missing. What was he working on? Resumes, job searches? Porn, FB chats, World of Warcraft? All or none of the above?
He continues to be on it. As would be expected he posts on FB about his wife. He says he made their respective FB pages public, but they have been scrubbed. He goes to the local news websites and engages in namecalling under a pseudonym.
If there was an argument about his computer use, it wouldn't be the first time a quarrel started because of something someone was doing on a computer that was upsetting to his wife.

John Mc Gowan said...

Leanne Hecht Bearden Missing: Siblings Say She 'Would Never Leave' Without Telling Anyone

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/12/leanne-hecht-bearden-update_n_4776484.html

Randie said...

Rachael: You took the words right out of my head!

"Suddenly, he is CERTAIN that "this was not planned." Haven't we read numerous news articles about how "the family" thinks she may have planned this?!?! And NOW, he's certain she didn't?!?! Hmmmmm."

Randie said...

"...some people speculated she might have voluntarily vanished. Perhaps, they thought, the pressure of transitioning from a two-year trip back into a "normal" life had prompted her to take off.

Not so, say her brother and sister.

"She would never leave of her own free will. That is not her at all," Leanne Bearden's brother, Doug Hecht, told HuffPost.

"She's very responsible," Colombo added. "She loves her family and she would never put us through this."

Police, search-and-rescue crews and the Texas Rangers have all come up empty in their search for Leanne Bearden. Authorities have investigated possible sightings, but to date they have all turned out to be cases of misidentification.

Those cases of misidentification, as well as a lot of misinformation online, have made it difficult for Leanne Bearden's family. Every day, they said, they are presented with false hope, baseless conjectures...

"And there has been no evidence found on her computer," Colombo said, referring to Internet rumors. "All of the tips, sightings, and everything else has led to nothing."

william said...


Tracey Tavolacci Hecht posted this to the LHB facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ourfriendleannehechtbearden) - it seems as though the Hecht family is growing increasingly frustrated with how the investigation and dissemination of info is being handled by "the family".

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

"We keep having people ask why Leanne's family has not spoken. The fact is that her siblings were interviewed a few weeks ago by GMA and the interview was cut. So we have been trying to get out there and speak. Finally an article came out today from the Hecht family..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/12/leanne-hecht-bearden-update_n_4776484.html

william said...


from the FOLHB facebook page:

Scarlett Scarpetta - This has been sitting on me for days and I think it needs to be talked about. I want her found alive and healthy some where. That is my hope for Leanne and her loved ones, But everything we see about her does not look like a woman on the run with no contact with the ones she obviously loves so dearly. We have to start to get out that someone could have indeed taken her, is holding her, Or has hurt her. There needs to be a search because she could be in horrible danger. IT seems so much of the news is that she ran away.. And that is only one possibility.. People seem to be discounting the other options. That needs to get out there. Can someone hold a press conference and get that out there? The news articles have so much misinformation. There needs to be more good info out there.
13 hours ago



Josh Bearden - Scarlett, I agree with you. She did not do this on purpose. What that means exactly I'm not sure but I know if she could have contacted somebody by now she would have.
9 hours ago


Scarlett Scarpetta I just see so much of people saying she left and walked off but that is not what I gather about her and I don't know her. IT just makes no sense that she is gone into thin air. To me it makes it clear she could be in danger or hurt somewhere. IT is nearly a month. There needs to be a shift in reporting and people realizing that she may need help.
8 hours ago


Tiffany Mills - Josh Bearden we are all stilling looking. I just want to know if it was a good ID on her at that Subway? If so then we can move on instead of searching in San Antonio area and get more searches over there and farther
7 hours ago

Josh Bearden - Nothing has been confirmed. Keep looking everywhere. If you're asking me my opinion then the answer is no, I don't think it was her but I've been wrong before (just ask Leanne!).
5 hours ago




william said...

interesting tidbit from Texas Equusearch website :

http://texasequusearch.org/about/how-when-and-why-we-search/

"Texas EquuSearch will do whatever it can to find a missing person, but will not search for any person that has disappeared of their “own free will” or by their own choice.

Anonymous said...

Here are some questionable comments made by Josh on the Facebook page earlier today. This was under the thread regarding websleuths and the search dogs when they stopped following her scent.

Josh Bearden Regarding the dog. Her sister was with us. Ask her. I still have to keep good relations so I can't comment.
Like · 1 · 6 hours ago

Why does he say he 'still' has to keep good relations?? Or even mention keeping good relations at all? There must definitely be tension between the two families.

Josh Bearden Also, when I went out looking for Leanne I drove my parent's car because the battery in the truck was dead and it wasn't registered. Feel free to message me any questions. We have to find Leanne, it's been almost four weeks. Way, way past desperation time

From what I understand they left the truck at his parent's house while they were gone on their trip. So the truck not running/expired tags would make sense. Now we know that he did go out looking for Leanne after she didn't return home, and that he was in his parent's car. Interesting that he lets on these clues little by little...

A

william said...


from FOLHB facebook page :


Jaime Junior - Hello Josh, my thoughts are with LeAnne, You and your family. Do you think maybe the specialty rescue dogs should return and attempt to follow LeAnne's scent again. Sending you hugs
9 hours ago

Martina Ash Renken - I agree, dogs should be brought in once more. It's not too late.
8 hours ago

Martina Ash Renken - And why would a search dog be told to stop?? And by whom?
8 hours ago

Josh Bearden- I think Texas Equusearch may help us now. Fingers crossed! They have dogs right?
8 hours ago

Martina Ash Renken - Yes they do as far as I know. They have a lot of resources. That would be awesome!!
7 hours ago

Martina Ash Renken - http://texasequusearch.org/about/how-when-and-why-we-search/
7 hours ago

Scarlett Scarpetta -Praying TES will help. I really feel not only will they help find her but them being involved will turn the "mood" of the search. TOO many people seem to think she walked off. I don't think that is true. I think she needs help and people to find her now.. Keep fighting for Leanne!
7 hours ago

Deb Mowers- TES will get the resources you need. Dogs, planes helicopters, drones, boat, sonar equip, ground searches etc
7 hours ago

Josh Bearden - It's not confirmed yet but we're trying as hard as we can. We WANT their help. I'll beg them if they need me to.
6 hours ago


Josh Bearden - Regarding the dog. Her sister was with us. Ask her. I still have to keep good relations so I can't comment.
6 hours ago

Josh Bearden - Also, when I went out looking for Leanne I drove my parent's car because the battery in the truck was dead and it wasn't registered. Feel free to message me any questions. We have to find Leanne, it's been almost four weeks. Way, way past desperation time.
6 hours ago

Martina Ash Renken - Josh if it doesn't work out with TES maybe you can try to get that dog back which was stopped.

5 hours ago

Josh Bearden - We're looking at getting more dogs too. We're checking out everything we can. Thanks for continuing to give us ideas.

Anonymous said...

Terry elvis also spoke of the fake texts being too much to take on top of loosing their daughter. not saying i know what that means but food for thought.

Anonymous said...

Josh - i dont know you but gotta say everything you are putting out makes me think you murdered leanne. scott perterson esque. can you see whyyou give that impression? What are your thoughts on that?

Iva said...

If I were Josh (and innocent) I would be scouring the woods everyday! He says she went on a hike, if that we're true wouldn't you go try and find her?! I wouldn't need a dog or a horse---I'd definitely try and get one--but it wouldn't matter. I'd be looking!

Anonymous said...

Im impressed with how so many people knew he was guilty since day one. i totally bought his storyfor at least a week. it was when he said she probably left of her own free will i realized he was a lying murderer. It was the flip flopping from despration to lack of urgency while there was still no sign of her. now i see hes a killer crystal clear. but i didnt before that.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

I am curious:

what has Josh said or done that make people think he is a murderer?

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

In my opinion, he has not showed deception in his language. His accounts of events, however, have been strange to say the least?

John Mc Gowan said...

Also im not happy with his pronoun usage.

summer skye said...

I didn't believe Josh had anything to do with Leanne disappearing up to now, but I'm beginning to suspect now that he might have had a hand in her "situation".

Too many things just don't add up at all. I also sense that her sister and family do not believe Josh at all.

I also suspect that the Cops stopped their search and are not looking for her anymore because they know something, are remaining quiet and are busy building their case towards an ultimate arrest.

I hope I'm wrong, but somehow, I think my gut feeling is right on this one.

Shelley said...





Peter said: I am curious: what has Josh said or done that make people think he is a murderer?



To me, it is the lack of pronouns only when speaking of Leanne. He uses them otherwise.

Also, I am deeply concerned about the comment that she could have seen a “really nice rocky drainage ditch” and “slipped”. Just seems like this could be leakage. And if she is found in a ditch, it can be viewed as she “slipped” and it that it was an “just” an accident.



Now, from what I have seen, most the time the way the body is found can tell us how the person feel or if they fell vs being pushed. BUT…. IF there was a body of water below that carried her body off… and is not found soon… there may be no way to ever know.



Jordan Graham pushed her husband off a cliff. And… she initially stated that “he went hiking with 3 friends”. All lies. She took him to that spot and pushed him. But she tried to lead the scene to an accident.

I feel like this is what Josh is doing.

Unknown said...

Hi Peter,

I still flip flop back and forth believing this could be a hoax, or a murder. Josh's emphasis seems to be fundraising, as he has repeatedly requested monitary donations, (on multiple platforms, including FB, article comments, blogs).

His plural pronoun usage, distancing/passive language, and his multiple strange references like, "if you have a big plot of land go search it", or his "pretty, rocky drainage ditch" comment, plus the split reward push me more toward a murder cover up.

Overall Josh's behavior and language has been unexpected, and grows stranger everyday. (Split reward!?!) From his delay reporting her missing, (despite stating that he knew something was wrong after '3' hours), waiting for his parents to call in LE, waiting for an 'organized search' with drones/dogs, spending his time arguing and insulting ANYONE who dares question his 'story', repeatedly referencing her disappearance as a 'story', his constantly changing 'story', (he has done a 180 in the last few days from 'she left of her own free will and WE believe she planned this', to 'she did not plan this, and she would have contacted us if she could'), his continued delays in providing information that could help find Leanne, etc, etc.

In a nut shell, I find his actions contrived, like he is just going through the motions of looking for his wife. He acts like he's desperate to find Leanne, but his lack of urgency/effort to do anything PRODUCTIVE toward finding her has convinced me that this is something other than a legit 'missing' situation.

Shelley said...





Peter..


The other thing that bothers me is the statement that he knew something was wrong at 3 hours.

Now, he says there was an interview in an hour. Ok, so IF this is true…. I would be worried at the 1 hour mark when the interviewer called and she was not there.

But on the other side, I do question this interview even was scheduled….. Just so little has been said about this this I am not sure I believe it. Partly because who goes on a hike with a backpack (as he claims) that soon before an interview. And, she does not know the area and that would be a risk. It would be easy to get lost and be late.

So I lean towards the interview just being part of his plan.

So then let’s say the interview was a lie….

Not only do we now have more cause to question Josh since why would you like about an interview…. But, if she went for a hike… being the adventurous types that they are, I would have assumed my spouse had found a cool path or area and was exploring at the 3 hour mark and I would not be worried. 5-6 hours maybe. To me it would be when it started to get dark before I would be alarmed.



ALSO.. the fact that she left the cell phone at home is a huge concern. Here is why.

Now, I get they share a phone. But being that he was safe at his parents… who I am assuming would have a land line ( my parents (I am close in age to him) and most my friends parents all still have them) then why would he not have Leanne take the phone.

For a couple reasons:

1. Most husband would worry about their wives being out alone in an area they don’t know and would want them to have the phone just in case

a.. She could get lost – She does not live there or know the area

b. She could get hurt and would be stuck without any way to contact someone for help

And Josh made it sound like she left the phone because he was also job searching… But her safety is more important than actually being there to answer a call.

I was a recruiter for over 10 years…..and 70% of the calls I make to applicants initially go to voice mail. This has never deterred me from contacting them. So it’s not like missing a call would ruin his chances of a job. So to not have the phone for a couple hours to make sure his wife was safe says a lot.

Unknown said...

I'll also add, that I could be totally wrong. God forbid Leanne was abducted by a predator. Even when I consider that scenario, I still can't square away Josh's behavior.

Imagine Leanne IS being held captive somewhere, and like Amanda Berry, she can see the media coverage of her 'story'. How hopeless would she feel to see her husband telling the world for WEEKS that she is a mentally fragile runaway, who planned to leave her life behind!!

To me it is VERY unexpected, for Josh to even consider that Leanne planned this and walked away with only the clothes on her back, UNLESS she had a reason to do so, (which still doesn't explain why she hasn't contacted her family). If I didn't come home from a walk, my husband would never accept or perpetuate the idea that I just walked away to start a new life. If Josh truly didn't have ANY idea what happened to Leanne, how could he talk about her that way, knowing that if she were in danger, those could be the last words she heard her husband say about her, and their relationship!

It goes back to disparaging the victim. I find his portrayal of her disparaging, in that he originally and repeatedly suggested that Leanne had caused her disappearance, and caused all of the pain her family and friends were going through.

elf said...

1.) Pronoun usage regarding leeanne.
2.) I see no desperation a husband would feel over a missing wife.
3.) It seems to be all about fund raising.

Shelley said...





I just read a quote by Josh…. That interesting enough again uses pronouns when it is about him…







See he uses pronouns just fine. And its interesting when asking for help for himself… He does not say “we need all the help we can get”


Amaleen6 said...

Peter,

What got me was the "She left of her own free will" statement the husband made. Over and over. It reminded me of Cindy Anthony's "You won't find Caylee in the woods."

Unknown said...

I agree Shelley,

I can't imagine Leanne going out for a walk/run/hike an hour before a scheduled phone interview. I don't believe Leanne was even at the house the day that Josh claims she walked away into oblivion. I believe she was gone before that, and it was only reported that day due to the return of his parents.

The 'tree cutter' supposedly stated that he saw a 'teen', with a BLACK backpack. That has been twisted to fit into a Leanne 'sighting', by Josh saying that she is 'small stature', and that although the pack is grey and RED, it could look black?! As far as I know, LE has never specifically confirmed that the tree cutter actually saw Leanne, they have only made general statements about her last known sighting, which could refer to Josh's statement that she was there.

John Mc Gowan said...

As Peter has pointed out.

"She left of her own free will"

I think most of us got onto that statement straight away.

Q.

Peter, have you picked up on any deception in the language he as used, in the statements he has issued?


Big Russian said...

The question is: what has Josh said or done that make people think he is a murderer?

If someone is a murderer, they don't leave a cell phone with the victim, because the body can be tracked.

He waited until immediately before his parents returned home to announce LB's disappearance. Was this a coincidence or procrastination?

He states that a tree trimmer saw LB leave the house, at the time JB said she did. In fact, the tree trimmer said he saw a teenager with a black backpack.

JB says he didn't notice the backpack missing until days later. How can this be when the tree trimmer stated from day one he saw a backpack. (Maybe she didn't have a backpack. Maybe JB changed his story to fit tree trimmer's sighting, and thus the "escape story")

He is withholding information, even from his own PI, regarding their couch surfing group membership. Which begs the question of what else is he hiding?

He refuses to admit that he and LB quarreled, but we know through statement analysis they did. ("she left of her own free will")

He disparages LB ("we are not mad at you, you are not in trouble")

The use of "we" as opposed to "I" in discussing the situation. (If even one of LB's family has come to his defense, I have not heard it.)

His obsession with internet chatter about himself.

His obsession with raising money.

He has not taken a lie detector test. That we know of.

Shelley said...


I posted a comment above but noticed that the quote he said was not included. Not sure why as I pasted my whole comment. But posting again with the quote.


I just read a quote by Josh…. That interesting enough again uses pronouns when it is about him…

"Hope is what's keeping me going," said Josh Bearden. "My entire existence is about finding her, and I need all the help I can get."

See he uses pronouns just fine. And its interesting when asking for help for himself… He does not say “we need all the help we can get”

Big Russian said...

JB has never said "I did not do it". I should have made this first on my list.

Sus said...

I don't know that Josh Bearden murdered his wife, but something happened (his words) that he distances himself from.

Pronouns do not lie. He uses "we", "our", "us" when speaking of FINDING Leanne. Yet, he uses "I" to say WHERE to search. This makes me think he could lead searchers to her body and planned to do "accidentally" do just that at the beginning. Then his family stepped in with a better excuse...she was anxious and ran off.

Added to the above is all the unnecessary information he gives in his interviews. When asked if Leanne had a cell phone, he gave too much info on why she didn't. He added that their truck is now up and running on a letter to her. He introduced the truck running correctly as a problem to he and Leanne. Now I wonder if the truck is involved in her disappearance. Argument? Accident?

In summary, I don't know that he murdered Leanne, but something happened (outside of the home) he does not take responsibility for.

Anonymous said...

Peter Hyatt said...
I am curious:

what has Josh said or done that make people think he is a murderer?

I cannot conclude that he is a murderer. I am suspicious of him though unlike other cases because he:

- has flip flopped about why Leanne is gone (abduction, would never runaway, runway on purpose, hurt in the drainage ditch, etc.)

- has talked about her in subtle disparaging ways

- refuses to use "I" pronouns where it would be appropriate

- shows a consistent unexpected lack of emotion

- doesn't share all information with public when asked questions

- reacts strongly to accusations he was involved in her disappearance

- the need to boast about himself looking for Leanne (focus on what he is doing, rather than on the search itself)

- lack of statements from Leanne's family

- fishy timeline of waiting 4 hours before acting on her disappearance

- providing important information about what she was wearing and photos long after she disappeared

- and also, most importantly, the need to portray her as a runaway. If she had a reason to runaway and wanted to be left alone, and the husband had evidence to believe this was the case, his reaction is not one I would expect to see. It is not appropriate to chase a woman in the media who wants to be left alone.

Has he been polygraphed?

KerseyJane said...

I agree with all the above postings that reveal Josh in a different light..
Look at Williams posting at Feb 12, 2014 at 11:20pm. Especially the last paragraph and more so the last sentence. ..
The dude is the computer search master; but he plays dumb that Texas EqiuuSearch has dogs??
He seems to also be listing in his words what HASN'T been accomplished in finding Leanne, like he is not being found out as the murderer. Example: someone spoke of moving on to new areas to search but he insisted to them continuing searching there but softens it by saying,Well just search everywhere..
The last sentence in last paragraph is showing how even in Leanne's disappearance he can't help but put a dig in. Josh can't stop putting her down 24/7. If he said it jokingly it's in poor taste.. But I think it's killing him to be in charge and having to be nice about his wife, cuz more of the opposite is true..he is showing more negative like he has to continue fighting with a dead person.
I'm not expressing myself to well with this.. Can some of u guys weigh in on the last paragraph, last sentence.. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

The Sherlock in me says:

Both of them went for a walk, on their 'own free will' - leaving in JB parents car for cover - they walked to a remote location about '10 miles' to a 'large property' where JB pushed LB down a 'pretty rocky drainage ditch' where she got 'cut up' and he left her for dead. He returned to the house and waited until his parents returned so as to add some form of creditability to his reporting of her being missing.



Anonymous said...

Josh Bearden - We're looking at getting more dogs too. We're checking out everything we can. Thanks for continuing to give us ideas.

Does that mean he knows there are things that the can't check out?

JerseyJane said...

JerseyJane not KerseyJane

Add this:

"just ask Leanne!"- said by Josh

Who the hell can do that???

It's chilling, its whack, it's a dig?,..what is it?

But who can? Is he happy, no one can? But maybe...he can??

R said...

JB just threw his sister in law under the bus on a public forum. Who would do that when their wife was missing?

"Regarding the dog. Her sister was with us. Ask her. I still have to keep good relations so I can't comment."

Sus said...

I do think a vehicle was involved. He certainly wants us to know 1. Why his parent's car was out of the garage. 2. The truck didn't run that day.

"I drove my parent's car"
GOOD ENOUGH. He could have stopped here.
"because the battery in the truck was dead"
BECAUSE is flagged. He gives a reason we don't need for taking the car.
"and it's not registered."
TACK ON ANOTHER REASON FOR TAKING THE CAR.

Add to that...Josh put in his post to Leanne that the truck is now "up and running."
WAS THAT FOR LEANNE OR THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC?

william said...


Rebecca McGowan - I have been pulled into this story and have been checking the updates daily. I really think that if she left on her own account there had to be some serious planning that went on ahead of time (or she would have been found by now). Something doesn't add up. Either they need to dig deeper or someone isn't talking.
6 February at 17:06


Anderson-Blythe Kaitlyn - The last thing this family needs is a bunch of armchair CSI agents pointing fingers.. People do strange things sometimes. Sometimes people don't do the predictable thing. Sometimes our brain fails us and is weak to changes and upset - and our thoughts go to crazy impulsive things that are unexpected. I lived in several countries for MANY years... coming "home" to the U.S. was an unexpected let down (and I love my country). It's very hard to explain. You realize how much you DIDN'T know before you went to other countries, and how naive you were about the struggles of other human beings across the planet... I was overwhelmed with guilt after returning from years of living in a very poor country. If Le's brain became temporarily hard-wired for the suspense of living minute to minute, with survival mode kicking in - that causes a lot of changes in the brain. You think completely differently. Suddenly, you're back in the land of having everything at your whim... Wal mart 24 hrs... vehicles... clean bathrooms.... air conditioning (or heat)... It's just very difficult to explain. What I fear, is that all this publicity is causing her to feel too humiliated or embarrassed... and may even feel a bit of relief if people think she has died or met with foul play -- it may be her only emotional refuge in her mind because she may feel she has hurt so many people. So back up, everyone... and give this girl the time she needs to just breathe in and out and make the decision to reach out to someone.
6 February at 18:52

Josh Bearden - That was actually a great post Kaitlyn and something that I personally have thought of several times. The only problem I have with that thinking is what if she is in danger and does need our help? It's a very complicated predicament to be in as a family member. If somebody told me right now "She's ok but just wants to be left alone." Obviously, I would require proof that she is indeed, ok and able to move about on her own free will. I would back off right now and let her take as much time as she needs even it required me never seeing her again. The problem is that nobody knows she's ok for sure so we have to keep looking. We MUST keep looking until we know she is safe. Then and only then will we stop looking not because "Hey, maybe she just needs some time to breathe."

Unknown said...

Yes Amaleen6,

This is one of the first quotes from Josh Bearden, and it contains multiple red flags.

"Josh Bearden says his wife is adventurous, and could have possibly injured herself while out for her run if she took a turn and decided to go exploring. He says that she would have had at home sixty dollars in cash, and some credit cards, but no cell phone.

BEARDEN SAID, Garden Ridge police DID SAY Leanne decided to leave the house on her own. (Although not a direct quote, Josh's emphasis and need to bolster his assertion is noted.)

"She LEFT on her own free will that is what she did that is absolutely true, but what happened after she LEFT the house on her own free will I don't know," Bearden told me. 

------------
Quote broken down:

"She LEFT on her own free will that is what she did that is absolutely true,

-He starts out with the highly sensitive, "She left', adding that it was 'on her own free will'. Then he adds emphasis by stating 'THAT is what she did' (distancing), and again adds futher emphasis/attempts to persuade by saying, 'THAT is absolutely true'. Leading us to wonder if THAT is true, then what is the 'this' that isn't true? What is the difference between just true, and 'absolutely' true?

cont. quote:

"but what happened after she LEFT the house on her own free will I don't know," Bearden told me. 

-"But" refutes or negates what came before it.

-"what happened after she LEFT the house", shows that the topic of Leanne leaving is extremely sensitive to Josh. The word LEFT to describe a departure is assigned high sensitivity, and it is repeated twice in this short statement.

-'on her own free will', is also repeated twice, making it sensitive.

-I don't know is stated in the negative, making it sensitive.

The amount of sensitivity in such a short statement is striking. While a missing spouse is clearly a sensitive topic, it still seems over the top, imo. What do you think Peter, is the sensitivity appropriate, or indicative of something more?

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Anonymous said...
Peter Hyatt said...
I am curious:

what has Josh said or done that make people think he is a murderer?

I cannot conclude that he is a murderer. I am suspicious of him though unlike other cases because he:

- has flip flopped about why Leanne is gone (abduction, would never runaway, runway on purpose, hurt in the drainage ditch, etc.)

- has talked about her in subtle disparaging ways

- refuses to use "I" pronouns where it would be appropriate

- shows a consistent unexpected lack of emotion

- doesn't share all information with public when asked questions

- reacts strongly to accusations he was involved in her disappearance

- the need to boast about himself looking for Leanne (focus on what he is doing, rather than on the search itself)

- lack of statements from Leanne's family

- fishy timeline of waiting 4 hours before acting on her disappearance

- providing important information about what she was wearing and photos long after she disappeared

- and also, most importantly, the need to portray her as a runaway. If she had a reason to runaway and wanted to be left alone, and the husband had evidence to believe this was the case, his reaction is not one I would expect to see. It is not appropriate to chase a woman in the media who wants to be left alone.

Has he been polygraphed?
February 13, 2014 at 12:33 PM


Intelligent post...

This is the type of response that can lead to some excellent discussion.

It is ok to say something is just intuition, but how much more insightful is when one an express an opinion, and then give reasons for it. This person can then have the reasoning dealt with, and can easily change his or her mind.

Peter


PS: "her own free will" could sound like the language of control, or, which I think may be the case,

Josh entered the language of the police.

It happens.

That they are/were eccentric, is a given. This changes lots of expectations.

My concern remains the instinctive removal with the word "we" when "I" is appropriate.

It makes me very uncomfortable. There is a reason for it.

I do not know the reason.

Unknown said...

Hi JerseyJane,

Thanks for pointing out William's comment and Josh's quote, I had missed it somehow.

I agree that JB's remark about how he's 'been wrong before, just ask Leanne', is very inappropriate, and in poor taste.

The commenter asked if an out of town sighting had been confirmed as Leanne, so they could move on in their search. JB answered that NOTHING has been confirmed, but if she is asking his opinion, then the answer is no.

Clearly the person was asking for factual confimation and NOT Josh's opinion, but his answer reveals his desire to direct the search, despite his claims that he has 'no idea' where Leanne has gone. If that is true, then how does he have an opinion on the likelyhood of her being spotted in San Antonio? His 'opinion" is the opposite of what I would expect, which is for him to cling to hope that EVERY possible sighting IS her, until proven otherwise.

Like you said, saying 'just ask Leanne' is callous, and very poor taste. Nobody can ask Leanne anything because she is missing.

I want to hear from HER family. What do they have to say about all of Josh's bizarre behavior?

John Mc Gowan said...

SA 101 is pronouns, articles. Then we look for "Because" "Left" etc.

JB is lousy with his pronouns (And as we know, it is NOT a good sign) switching from "I to We to Us, and then Our"in the same sentence, it throws up red flags everywhere. But. that's just it. Red flags..

Given that it is so personal, we expect possessive pronouns. Taking ownership of his concern, and his "Wife"..JB. From what i have read, he only takes ownership of his words when it comes down to, (and this is only my opinion) he talks about things that are NOT in his control. (media etc)..When its about the day, or days leading up to LBs disappearance he dilutes, or shares his responsibilities and worries by using the plural pronouns "Our" etc.

This language usage as we are all aware of, is NOT good.

As Peter says, a good journalist, without their own agenda, and NOT wanting to look good on tv, will yield so much more when they interview him.?

I guess they are few and far between?

PS..NOT Nancy Grace..lol

OS said...

Press 1/19/2014
San Antonio

Raucherman is Josh Bearden's online name. I broke up his run on paragraph.

raucherman: Normally I would never leave a comment in the comments section but I'm so desperate that I have to.

What is not being said is that Leanne had $60 cash at most, no cell phone or electronic devices, is from out of state and not at all familiar with the area.

She had her wallet with credit cards, which I have checked every 15 min. Nothing has been charged.

Also, she left with her wedding and engagement ring. She is MISSING. I mean, for real missing.

Not like some of the cruel comments left here.

She absolutely did not run off like this article is implying.

Leanne is in TROUBLE. This article has damaged our search.

Everyday we are searching day and night. Please, help us!!

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

A poster to respond, there is 44 comments total under the article

Dotdotdot wrote:
Read the article, she is "just missing"...this means they can't prove a crime so they consider her missing of free will. Her friends and family are still searching...do you think they would be if she was hanging out someplace else...her and her husband just returned home from traveling the world for over a year...they hadn't been home a month. She went for a walk and never came back. She needs help. Her family needs help. If I go for a walk and never come back...trust me...there is something wrong.

raucherman: @Dotdotdot Thank you for using your brain. She is absolutely missing. Please read my comment above. Please, don't let this disappear. We're from out of state visiting my parents. All of her siblings are here looking for her. They drove all night Friday from Atlanta without stopping. Please don't let the media bury this.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Police-missing-woman-left-of-her-own-free-will-5157513.php

His Josh's flippant personality is his owned. This is who he is. I do believe he is a jerk. His statements it is detected he has no empathy for Leanne, nor Leannes' family, her sister as he wrote the below recent.

HER sister, this is at Leanne's expense not her sister. ASK Her is begrudging not the event with the dog, yet Leanne again. I still have to, keep relations with the Hechts? Wow, that is brutal.

Leanne poofed: his felt? No More Hechts that I have to fake myself as their brother in law, son in law.

Josh Bearden: "Regarding the dog. Her sister was with us. Ask her. I still have to keep good relations so I can't comment."

If Leanne's sister is reading here, did Leanne create a will prior to her 2 yr trip? That is in her sole name. Possibly not known by anyone, in a safety deposit box? Or she had it in her papers that were left with the Bearden's.

An entry of Leanne's Dec 2013, in the blog is that Bearden's Josh's parents were in charge of all their financials, while traveling. She Leanne is said, she was/is dedicated and responsible. This would be one who preprepared for major life events.

Anonymous said...

Where's the timeline Josh ?

He made a statement that he used his parents car to search for her.

What time did he leave the house to search for her ? Where did he go and for how long ? Did he mysteriously pick her up where the scent the dog was tracking her ended ? Did she leave the house on her "own free will" because of an argument and he drove off to catch her being the controlling figure that he has know shown himself to be ? Did he then do something to her because she was showing signs that she was fed up and exhausted by this guy after being with him 24/7 for 22 months ? Did he break into a rage and end her life out of fear that she was eventually going to dump him once she got close to her family and friends again ?

I know these are just theories and speculation but they fit a common theme that has been played out many times before.

Are there any witnesses to how they were getting along after all the fun and frolics overseas ? Any red flags that were shared with he immediate Hecht family ?

He seems cold. He also seems annoyed at having to play nice to all the sophisticated inquiries that are being brought out and yes he seems intent on guiding the search. I think he thought that this would have all gone away by now and that people would've just believed that his well-travelled wife was picked up by a stranger in broad daylight in a nice residential neighborhood and that was that. The trail ended where the dogs stopped so she was kidnapped in broad daylight without any struggle whatsoever, and with no one seeing or hearing anything? Strange ! As a backup, he has planted the seed that she may have hiked to a pretty rocky drainage ditch and slipped probably hoping that if she was found that all bases were covered. He seems intent on making sure the stories in the publics eye are all buttoned up.

The police need to stay on this. Now that it is determined that she did not "likely' leave on 'her own free will', the search can resume and all resources should be focused on Josh. Detectives should be grilling him with reckless abandon as to what happened to his wife on that day and documenting his whereabouts over the course of that day. I think he would likely break under a forceful interrogation.

in my eyes, he is now a 'Person of Interest and should be classified as such with LE.

Anonymous said...

You all
Are awesome. I agree with everythjng that's been said.

OS said...

The article dated 1/19/2014
Josh made his first comment, normally would never do, he using his nick: Raucherman

Leanne reported missing 1/17/2014
Evening

1/19/2014 Chief of Police Garden Ridge O'connor 2nd person quoted:

O'Connor said her agency did a 'canine' search initially for Leanne Hecht Bearden but now considers her “just missing.”

Full Article: A 33-year-old woman reported missing on Saturday from the Garden Ridge area left “of her own free will” and is not a typical case of this kind, said that city's police chief, Donna O'Connor on Sunday morning.

O'Connor said her agency did a canine search initially for Leanne Hecht Bearden but now considers her “just missing.”

The woman left her parent-in-law's home for a walk in the early afternoon on Friday, according to police. Her husband contacted the Garden Ridge police department, O'Connor said, after she did not return from the walk.

Bearden is about 5 feet tall with brown eyes and hair.

* Comment below of this article written by Josh Bearden, this article has damaged our search. How? the Chief of Police, a Canine search was initially performed, it came up with ? results? Not said by O'connor.

A 33-year-old woman reported missing on Saturday from the Garden Ridge area left “of her own free will” and is not a typical case of this kind, said that city's police chief, Donna O'Connor on Sunday morning.

First it is poorly written. O'connor is not directly quoted. The convey is she was reported missing, her agency to react with Canines is they acted. A person to leave of her/his own free will is not typical for her agency to react with Canines. It's not written to allude there isn't foul play, do not search for Leanne Bearden.

The response of Josh, the article has harmed the search, is pondering. He to insert what isn't his normal. Normally I would never leave a comment in the comments section, BUT, why the need for a Hat? why not post I am Josh Bearden, Leanne Bearden is my wife. " I am so desperate that I have to" do something that normally I would never do.

Normally I would never leave a comment in the comments section but I'm so desperate that I have to. What is not being said is that Leanne had $60 cash at most, no cell phone or electronic devices, is from out of state and not at all familiar with the area. She had her wallet with credit cards, which I have checked every 15 min. Nothing has been charged. Also, she left with her wedding and engagement ring. She is MISSING. I mean, for real missing. Not like some of the cruel comments left here. She absolutely did not run off like this article is implying. Leanne is in TROUBLE. This article has damaged our search. Everyday we are searching day and night. Please, help us!! If you live in the northern area and have a big plot of land go check it out. Josh Bearden

Anonymous said...

JB is talking about keeping good relations w/ police

Anonymous said...

Attn: Law Enforcement
RE: Clues in the search for LHB

"If you live in the northern area and have a big plot of land go check it out" - Josh Bearden 1/19/2014

John Mc Gowan said...

Hi Anon 2:58,

If only Leanne's family could get those answers.

Sus said...

"Providing needed information about what she was wearing and photos long after she disappeared"

This is also troublesome to me. Josh Bearden and family ask people to look for Leanne.

Yet, it seems they wait for a sighting then match the evidence to that sighting.

Examples:
The tree trimmer reported seeing a "teenager" with a backpack. Then Josh finds a backpack missing.

The tree trimmer said the backpack was black. Well, lo and behold, Josh says Leanne took HIS backpack she's never taken before, and it has grey siding which probably looked black to the tree trimmer.

At the beginning, Leanne disappeared on a simple walk. Then LE said she left of her "own free will". Why, then Josh's sister tells how anxious Leanne was and she had difficulty adjusting to being back. Oh, and Josh comes out with how she can stretch a dollar and has power bars with her.

I could go on, but you get the picture. Josh Bearden is matching his evidence to the sightings and theories.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to do a bit of my own research on how to spot a liar and I came across this great video on TED featuring Pamela Meyer.

http://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar.html

Watch the whole video if you can, but pay special attention to 10:20 onward and again at 14:50 onward. Note the smirk at the end of the clip of the woman who is lying. Now watch this news clip of Josh's interview. Note his chuckle at 1:55.

http://www.kens5.com/news/Garden-Ridge-police-looking-for-woman-missing-since-Friday-241077051.html

It's eerily similar is it not? It seems like each characteristic of a liar that Pamela listed out match's Josh to a T. His attitude, his getting angry, giving irrelevant details, etc.

Also note in the news clip Josh's in depth knowledge of the map to the area. He certainly knows the surrounding area extremely well.

Watching Josh's interview makes me so uncomfortable. Everything from his tone of voice to body language just makes him seem very insincere. I really hope he's been given a polygraph that we're not aware of yet. I can imagine he would have easily failed.

A

John Mc Gowan said...

Hi Anon 4:03.

We have to be very careful applying other peoples findings in such a short 20min clip..

I have Pamela Meyer's book, and my personal opinion is, its not one i would recommend.

She is very good at the presentational side of things, and a good confidence builder, if thats your thing.

Here comes the but.

When it comes down to deception detection, she is very generic.

It is very rare that a "Body Language" expert (Ekman) excluded, will actually come out and say "I detect deception". Retrospective analysis is all well and good. We see it all the time on tv. Ask them however, before someone has been found innocent or guilty whether the person is one or the other, they skirt the question, lol.(this is why SA is so good).

I am yet to see a BL expert apart from (Ekman) to put themselves out there and say xyz is so an so.

I have been wrong in the past ONCE, and i have learned from that mistake why i was wrong..

There is NO 1 BL tell that tells us someone is lying. And if someone tells you different, ironicly their lying.

Anonymous said...

NOTE: BREAKING NEWS: (from FOLHB Facebook Page)

"press conference with reports of a female body found in GR back yard."

Anonymous said...

Garden Ridge Police to hold press conference on Leanne Bearden

http://www.kens5.com/news/Garden-Ridge-Police-to-hold-press-conference-on-Leanne-Bearden-245429961.html

John Mc Gowan said...

Anyone got a live feed link?

Anonymous said...

BREAKING NEWS:

Garden Ridge Police say they've found the body of Leanne Bearden:

http://www.kens5.com/news/Garden-Ridge-Police-to-hold-press-conference-on-Leanne-Bearden-245429961.html

Anonymous said...

Leanne is dead?

http://www.kens5.com/news/Garden-Ridge-Police-to-hold-press-conference-on-Leanne-Bearden-245429961.html

:-(

Local anon in the hailey Dunn case said...

Holy moley found three blocks from the Beardon home? I am trying to find the live link.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I feel so heartbroken on the terrible news :-( I didn't even know Leanne, but felt such a connection to her by getting to know her through her blog. I wish I could have known her. She was such a lovely person. I've never taken a missing person's case so personally before. RIP.

John, thank you for your input about the body language and Pamela Meyer's video. Thank you for a different perspective.

A

Sus said...

Oh man. This is so sad.

OS said...

Leanne Hecht, Mr and Mrs Hecht, Leanne's siblings, her dear friends, I pray for justice.

My gut was she was no longer, to read it in print, is not my gut. It's the truth. She is now free, as she has been found.

I dedicate this to the appropriate party - as if they are singing it out loud, this is who they are, as they have all but said it.
http://youtu.be/GFQYaoiIFh8

Monsters do not have witnesses
They do leave a trail of crumbs
Close to home, where they claim themselves, and their victims.
All the statements of, from, are that she wasn't far.

No, in fact, as he is on video:
she didn't run off,, she's she's out here, somewhere,
Out Here, not out there, " out here" is possessive to the property he dwelling at. The adjacent property. HERE

Women are not a commodity. If you are in a relationship no longer your wanted, your needed. Call An Atty, file for a divorce.

This what I did search on, Leanne's assets, that she was is the sole owner of their house in Denver. If I am not correct of this, than it will said different.

What was there to lose to gain?
Pride
Humility?
Sloth as I said it before, of, it defines even more so.

A beautiful life, person snuffed out. No words
I am not to write who, as it's not mine to name, he knows who he is.

Anonymous said...

Well, I guess now things get interesting. I was hoping for her to be alive but figured it was a long shot after the amount of time that had passed.

Judging by the news footage and stated location (near block)(21600 Fairview Circle, Garden Ridge) you can google it and see the house with the pool appears to be the same location. It has a large amount of wooded area considering the neighborhood, but not that large IMO. Surprised she was not found sooner.

Also, there doesn't seem to be any reason that she would have been in that area on her own. It does not seem an area someone would likely explore, nor does it seem like there was a reason someone would cut through that particular yard since there were other road routs she could have taken to to the east or west. And even if she did cut through for some reason and had gotten hurt, it was close enough to houses she could have crawled for help if she had really needed it.

So in my mind that means she was dead when she found her way to that spot, which only leaves foul play (or a covered-up accident). If it was a dump site for her body it seems in odd one IMO. Why not go further out and leave the body where it is less likely, if ever, to be found? Maybe because you want the body TO BE FOUND? Possibly you care about the family having closure? Or maybe because the person who harmed her really was a stranger and thinks there is no possibility of connecting him/her to the crime. Just my thoughts for now. RIP Leanne.
-Gail

Anonymous said...

Heartbreaking

Anonymous said...

So just thinking outloud.

If you did get in a fight and choke your wife to death and then you decided to try and cover it up, would you use hanging as the excuse to cover any possible choking damage/marks?

Could you think that fast and come up with that idea?

or try and get rid of the body, or make it so hard to find that there is no way to confirm cause of death?

why choose that particular area or spot (was it just random or convenient or did they know that area?)

Anonymous said...

I would still like to see Josh take and pass a lie detector test.

Still like to see that timeline that was promised for days before and hours after she was reported missing.

I guess all reported sightings were all false, except maybe the tree trimmer, but will be interesting to hear if that really can be confirmed for sure.

Need to hear more details after the autopsy comes out, but I just don't see her committing suicide or hanging herself.

I hope Leanne has some close friends or family that can come forward and confirm that she was depressed or could have done this as it just seems too hard to believe.

I did a quick search on Wiki to see what percentage of women use hanging to commit suicides and it was higher than I thought. I thought really high percentage of men use guns and I thought women used pills.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_hanging, "The proportion of hangings as suicides in 2005 among women aged 15–34 was 47.2 percent, having risen from 5.7 percent in 1968".

I just don't get it...?

Sure would feel better with a lie detector test. I still think I am missing something big. (like a real reason she would).

wouldn't she leave a signed note?

Anonymous said...

You can google map these 2 points.

9325 Sumac Ln, Garden Ridge, TX 78266


21600 Fairview Circle, Garden Ridge

Anonymous said...

I haver enjoyed you all and learning from each and every one of you. I also feel as though Leanne was a personal friend and have never felt so heartbroken over a stranger. We can all agree that Leanne touched so many of us, on a personal level. Look forward to justice for Leanne!

Thank you Peter for all the teachings! xx
YG