Saturday, October 20, 2012

Jessica Ridgeway: Police Seek Public Help

First, they assured the public that there was no predator out there for them to worry about; casting suspicion upon Sarah Ridgeway, Jessica's mother.  Then they said the parents were not suspects.
Now they seek to learn who owns a small cross that can be worn as a necklace.


Police investigating the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway are searching for the owner of a small wooden cross found during the investigation.
Police Friday did not say where the 1-1/2 inch-by-1-inch cross with an offset horizontal bar was found or why it might be associated with the case. Police released pictures and asked the public for information about anyone seen with such a cross or businesses that sell it.
The cross can be worn as a necklace.

 Police have no suspects in Jessica's Oct. 5 abduction and slaying. Investigators believe an attempted abduction May 28 at Ketner Lake in Jessica's neighborhood may be related.
A 22-year-old woman reported that a man grabbed her from behind and placed a rag with a chemical smell over her face.
Authorities have been tight-lipped about the investigation since they announced a week ago that a body found on the edge of town belonged to Jessica.
The girl was last seen alive walking down a quiet street in her modest Westminster neighborhood Oct. 5. Her school backpack was found three days later in Superior, another Denver suburb about seven miles northwest of her home.
Jessica's body was found Oct. 10, the same day authorities ruled out her parents as suspects in her disappearance. Her body was found along a remote road that locals say few knew about.
Authorities usually are reserved in what they say to the public, out of concern for causing unnecessary alarm. But they issued a statement last week advising residents to be suspicious of their bosses, friends and family members.
Authorities asked the public to keep an eye out for people exhibiting unusual behavior -- like leaving town unexpectedly, missing appointments, consuming unusual amounts of alcohol or changing their appearance. The idea was that the killer would not be able to act normally after committing the crime.
"They may have no suspects," said Kenneth Lanning, a retired FBI behavior analyst in Fredericksburg, Va., who is now a consultant specializing in crimes against children. "But likely at this point, they have so many suspects and now they're trying to sort through them."
Lanning is not involved in the Colorado case but described such investigations as multi-track efforts, with volunteers and deputies searching homes, bushes, drainages and open space near the child's house while investigators develop a criminal case.
Police likely are pouring through hours of surveillance video taken at banks, gas stations, government buildings and elsewhere, Lanning said.

37 comments:

Jazzie said...

The cross found:

http://twitter.com/MissingCases/status/259457761010647040/photo/1/large

could also be part of a bracelet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cross-Bracelet-Charm-W-Wooden-Cross-Pendant-Catholic-Police-Patron-St-Michael-/321005042950?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abd643d06

"Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Anonymous said...

What does "pivotal" mean when using that word with "evidence?"

They never outright state the cross was found at or near any site. They just say "may" have a connection. If it was connected, they would have released this information early on as it would make finding the suspect a lot easier and faster.

Sorry, I'm not buying it as a "pivotal piece of evidence."

They have three towns, more than three witnesses that may have been approached by this maniac, and loads of people that have unwittenly hauled themselves into the churches for the memorial only to become a suspect.

A small town(s) is easy to get others to turn on each other as some are naturally suspious.

This is for writers fodder or that of the retired force seeking to destroy at their own profit.

Vita said...

Update: The Westminster Police have released a new piece of evidence in regard to its search for the kidnapper and killer of Jessica Ridgeway, a ten-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago today (and whose body was found last week).

It's a small wooden cross, and while a WPD rep doesn't come right out and say investigators believe it may have belonged to the murderer, the possibility that it might be is implicit. See photos below.

In the latest release, the WPDs Trevor Materasso doesn't reveal where the cross was found, or whether it was in close proximity to her body, recovered in an Arvada open-space area.

However, he notes that it "could become a pivotal piece of evidence that helps authorities identify and locate Jessica's killer."

Large Photos of Cross:
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2012/10/jessica_ridgeway_case_abductions.php

--
Jazzie, I found the cross you found on Ebay, posted here, last night. There is so many wood carved crosses on line, that are pendants. The one found, LE asking for help, is different than what I found. It's not symmetric, it's offset, swaying like a tree in the wind. There are countless handmade wooden cross pendants on Etsy, not one could I find that was remotely similar to the one found. All are missing the " sway" or the hole is drilled at the top, not thru the cross :(

http://www.etsy.com/search?q=wood%20cross%20pendant&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US

Jazzie said...

VITA:
The cross found does have a "sway", and handcrafted (not machined) look. Nothing I found came close either. I posted the bracelet to show that the cross could be on either a necklace or bracelet. The 3 marks could represent the Holy Trinity but also represent the 3 nail holes of crucified Christ: One in each hand, one thru the feet. Hard to tell if 3 marks etched were done as part of the cross design or after.

Jazzie said...

"“It could be your boss, it could be your friend and ultimately it could be your family member,” says FBI media coordinator Dave Joly. “So we’re asking people to bring this information to law enforcement, and let us (bring) that to a close.”

I keep going back to this statement. In SA isn't order important?

I'm confused re: importance in order: "boss" is mentioned first, but "ultimately" is used with "family member".

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

The abductor tried before and failed.
He may drive a car with a dent in the rear passenger side door. Leads me to belevie he lives on a street, or at least where the car came from, where many have to park in the street (quite possiblebly near an older woman or someone with a long car that would back into a vehicle parked near their driveway).
He may have tried to abduct a woman near the lake around Memorial Day. Not successful.
He may have tried to lure other children who were easily on to his game.
He may have targeted women in neighborhoods near where the body was eventually found as he seemed to already have that spot in mind.(Wonder if any of them had or currently having problems) He may have followed their children, even them, around as they went about everyday mundane tasks:grocery shopping, soccer practice, selecting curtains and linens and things, paying bills, etc.
He may be renting a place with a short lease or living with others.
He may be disabled or sits a lot and is not strong.
He has to sleep sometime, so it's probably at night since he is out and about in the daylight.
He has to eat. Now that his sketch is out there, what does he do?
Does he hate large people like Jessica's mom?
Had he been trolling during times children would normally be walking to and from school? (These mothers know something).
Does he have something against the man whose house the backpack was left near? Did he convince Jessica to place it there herself?
If it is the same person, he first targeted boys. why?

shayshay said...

Not sure if my comment posted goint to try again, sorry if two show up.

@ANON 11:28: Where did you come up with the fact that the killer "may be disabled or sits alot and is not strong" and the info on his sleep/eating habits? I have not heard alot of what you posted, did LE/FBI release it or is this your personal opinion?

Thanks in advance!

Ney said...

I read an intersting article about this case:

"Defining the perpetrator’s awareness space is critical to solving Jessica’s case, because in the vast majority of child abduction murders, as well as other crimes, researchers have found that the perpetrator lives within his awareness space, commits his crimes close to home and within that awareness space, and disposes of his victims and other evidence at the outer edges of the awareness space, generally along the space’s transportation corridors."

http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-9976-jessica-ridgeway-killerrss-lsawareness-spacers-may-lead-to-clues.html

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla


What of Behavioral Analysis?

Behavioral analysis looks at the story, background, profile, and the behaviors of the parents.

In a child protective abuse assessment, for example, there are 'risk factors' which do not prove that a parent abused or neglected a child, but help formulate an opinion. For example, as the social worker interviews, he or she will make a check list of certain things to look for:

__ drug involvement
__ acute stress due to divorce, finances, etc
___alcohol abuse
___involved in court
___parent reports abused as child growing up
___ neglected pets
____mental health history
____criminal history

and so on. If enough factors are present, the interview will explore these factors to learn if any impacted the parent's behavior towards the child. These are only 'risk factors', not specific behaviors. At any time, any one of us could be stressed by bills, and it doesn't mean that a child has been abused, but if there is a credible disclosure of abuse, (neighbor reported hearing slapping noises) and the parent is known to drink, and just lost her job...

This builds a picture. When a crime has been reported, it is not just an allegation: something happened and a child is missing so the behavioral analysis becomes magnified. http://seamusoriley.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

I think the mom was at best neglectful; zealously profiting from Jessica’s death is horrible.

Anonymous said...

The bikers and the car shows are raising money for the family. That should pizz others off who think they should just suck it up and do volunteer work and give speeches.

Doubt they ever actually connect the cross to the crime. Just another gimmick to raise money, recruit "volunteers," and let the retired "experts" come out of the woodwork as consultants and fodder for their new book.

If the NGers are in there, everyone will pay and dearly.

Wonder what the price tag is for tearing up the three towns?

Jazzie said...

DONATE
A Paypal account has been set up for Jessica's Family, All donations go directly to an account owned by the family.

You can also send donations to:
Jessica's Fund c/o Sarah Ridgeway
PO Box 132
Lafayette, CO 80026

I don't know when "donate $$$ to the family" became acceptable protocol for showing one's condolence/compassionate sympathy to the bereaved family. But I maybe from another world. It all seems so off to me.

I bet I'm going to catch flak for this comment. If anyone can explain why there is a fund set up for the family (is it to pay for Jessica's burial, LE searches, FBI investigation, CSI, Firefighters??) please educate me.

Money doesn't bring back the dead. Nor ease the pain. I'm having a hard time understanding the fund.

Jazzie said...

Do predators go from preying on adults to focusing on children in the wake of their failed attacks? I read the "geographical/awareness space" article a couple of days ago.

"Statistics outline her abductor as likely a white male in his late 20s or 30s, without a girlfriend, a wife or children...

He was, likely, an isolated child with few friends and, possibly, a history of bed-wetting, raised by both biological parents in a home environment he would describe as stable. A lonely child has probably grown to a lonely adult who lives on the margins of society.

There’s a 49 percent chance he had selected that tree by the side of the highway as where he would leave her body before he’d kidnapped her, and a 22 percent chance he has returned, or will, to the site where he disposed of her remains. There’s also a 21 percent chance he’s already left town.

http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-9977-jessica-ridgeway-sketches-of-a-killer.html

Anonymous said...

Again, I wish I could get over my anger at the negligence/stupidity of Jessica's immediate family.

That said, I took a look at the cross the Westminster Police hope could provide a link in this case.
I wish I knew who did this to this little girl, even though I am thousands of miles away.
God Bless Jessica Ridgeway, every morning since I have learned about you, I wake up and check my computer. I hope that at least your killer will be found.

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla

Jazzie said...
I bet I'm going to catch flak for this comment. If anyone can explain why there is a fund set up for the family (is it to pay for Jessica's burial, LE searches, FBI investigation, CSI, Firefighters??) please educate me.

Updated: 10/08/2012 09:53:05 PM MDT
By Kieran Nicholson
The Denver post

On Monday, Jessica's grandmother said the family is close and rallying around Jessica's mother, Sarah Ridgeway.
Family members have been talking about putting out a statement, and may do so later, Christine Ridgeway said. "We are doing a family conference right now, GETTING OUR DUCKS IN A ROW."
"We are not letting Sarah decide on this by herself," Christine Ridgeway added

The dotcom that's asking for donations started on the same day Jessica's Grandma made the above comment. Quack!

Anonymous said...

Money doesn't bring back the dead. Nor ease the pain. I'm having a hard time understanding the fund.
Jazzie, October 20, 2012 9:53 PM
------------

Indeed, like you, Jazzie, I have a hard time understanding the zealous fundraising for this (neglectful at best) mother.
-She works for a government contractor doing computer-related work; has benefits
-Her employer publicly announced she'd have time off, & their employees wouldn't have to donate their vacation time to her for that
-Law Enforcement from 35 agencies are conducting the investigation(s), it's not through private investigators, so it's at no cost to her
-She hasn't paid for private search k-9s, hasn't gotten Texas Equuasearch out to search for Jessica's missing lower body & skull & hands.
-She has only partial remains, so either they'll be cremated, or held by the morgue, until the rest of her is found in a certain span of time one would imagine. There's no funeral costs at this time.
-She has not set up a REWARD for information leading to the arrest & conviction of a suspect, that I know of.
-She hasn't set up any sort of scholarship in JR's name, so far.

So, what's she collecting the money for ? Pure profit motive ?
She got $267/month for child support that I'd imagine the father is petitioning to stop; she has her own paycheck, her mother has a paycheck (as I understand it, she's still working & is not retired & on social security), she lives w/her mother & reportedly an aunt. She was so cheap she didn't pay for Jessica to be bused to school (at a minimal cost, it was something under $90/yr). Just pure greed ?

Jazzie said...

This article is interesting. It walks you through the timeline:
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21820092/jessica-ridgeway-what-happened-colorado-girl

It states that the website was setup by Sarah Ridgeway's co-worker. Donations to offset funeral costs. A foundation "to help underprivileged children do things" is in the works.

Anonymous said...

To Jazzie, ref your beautiful post from yesterday morning @ 9:49 which is so lovely and well meaning; in the Bible, Jesus, tells us not to pray to the angels. The angels are sent by God and are here to help us, and yes they do have names; but we are not to pray to them or any other heavenly spirit or being.

We are to ask God, asking all things in the name of Jesus, to send them to help us. There are scriptures relating to calling on the angels, Mother Mary, bowing the knee to a human and calling him father, and so on.

Jesus said, "None cometh to the father but by me." "You have not because you ask not". "And when you ask, you ask amiss". "You call not on the name of the one I sent to you."

This is not a judgment or a chastisement, Jazzie, this is a caution taken from the scriptures. You are a beautiful person, a good heart and soul. I wish you everything beautiful.

Jazzie said...

Anon @8:55
That's not my poem, it's the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer. I posted along with the bracelet because it was called St. Michael Pendant Bracelet. St. Michael being the Patron St. of Police.

“It could be your boss, it could be your friend and ultimately it could be your family member,” says FBI media coordinator Dave Joly."

SA says something about order is important. This statement mentions "boss" 1st. He uses the pronoun "it" instead of "Killer" "He", "Suspect". Don't know if that's significant either.

Anonymous said...

IMO, the tiny wooden cross will never be determined as being relevant to the case unless Jessica's family or a close friend are able to identify it as belonging to her. I would think if it was hers they would have already said so.

Tiny little pieces of jewelery and adornments get lost and misplaced all the time; on beaches, in woods, parking lots, schools, on streets, wherever. It could be days old, weeks, months, even years. Most people don't even bother to look for them unless they have some particular significance or value. I guess now this will be one for the psychics to run with, like they'd ever be able to find its' owner.

Dear God, poor Jessica, what a horrible horrible nightmare end for her. Too gruesome and horrible to imagine. I wish I'd never heard how brutally she was killed, butchered and vital body parts still missing. It sickens me that there were three adult women living in that house and not one of them could take this child to school or pick her up everyday. I hope they have to live with this guilt until their dying day.

Although LE may now have reason to believe the killer is a local or nearby, and are trying to tie Jessica's murder to a local; well and good, but this may not prove to be true. Many killers and perpetrators skirt the country looking for their victims and have been found years later having lived miles away from their victims.

IMO, this requires a national data base search as soon as DNA is taken from Jessica's sparse remains if there is any; and if not, by comparison to similar killings across the country, which I'm sure there are many.

As to the child support, I'm in no way excusing this negligent and self-centered mother, but $267 a month is nothing. $267 a week wouldn't be enough either. It costs a LOT to provide a home, support, clothe properly, feed and raise a child. I'd be ashamed of myself if I were a father (or mother) contributing such a small amount of support for my child(ren). Not having more income is not good enough, moonlight then.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jazzie, for your explanation. It's really no different than Benny Hinn going to the crypt of Catherine Kuhlman, calling up her spirit and praying to her to send him the holy spirit. MANY are decieved in these practices and similar ones, still they follow blindly, failing to call on the one who can help them.

Again, thank you for your kind response.

Jazzie said...

http://kdvr.com/2012/10/21/exclusive-dna-from-jessica-ridgeway-suspect-linked-to-unsolved-attack-sources-say/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla

Note the order:
RECENT INFORMATION
We have Created “Jessica’s Ribbon”
Boulder Cheesecake Factory Bake Sale
Jessica’s Run (Candle Vigil) Tuesday at 6:00PM Siena Reservoir (Anthem Park) Lowell & Sheridan PRKWY
Tattoo Event
Cross Found May be a Clue in Jessica’s Case

Jen said...

I just saw the cross for the first time on NG...those marks look like notch's....as in an attempt to indicate more victims or abductions? If they were meant to represent the crucifixtion I would expect to see them on the spots where the hands & feet would be....plus they look to have been carved very roughly, not as an adornment. JMO, but I see the cross, backpack & receipt as attempted diversions... otherwise this guy must want to be caught! But they just said that DNA left on the backpack matched up with the DNA of the attacker of the female jogger...so ???

Jazzie said...

HelpFindAyla:

OK. Now I'm more confused. BTW you forgot the Motorcade Run for Jessica.
Order:
1. Recent Info - "clump of blond hair which investigators believe may be Jessica Ridgeway’s" & "two receipts discovered in an open field near where Ridgeway’s remains were placed...One of the two receipts had garbage bags as an item purchased on it. "
2. Jessica's Ribbon - 4 Sale @ www.jessicaridgeway.com
3. Boulder Cheesecake Factory raised "$5,343.00 for Jessica’s fund"
4. Jessica's Run (Candle Vigil): http://www.facebook.com/events/266453416790933/
4a. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4772006824645&set=oa.468552343189044&type=1&theater
4b. Pumpkin @Jessica's memorial:http://twitter.com/BerthaLynn7News/status/260416372616622080/photo/1
5. Tattoo Event: "were able to collect $2828.00 for Jessica’s Fund"
6. Motorcade/Biker Run: "raised an estimated $40,000"
7. Cross found may be ""pivotal". Westminster PD say they "are not looking for explanation or meaning of the markings, but we are looking for who may have worn or had one of these, has or displays other items with identical marks and in particular, a person that fits the suspect description: light skinned male, medium build, average height. Thank you."

I see the $$$ trail. The Jesus/Jessica Isaiah pic/Halloween pumpkin is another level of creepy for me. But what are we to conclude from all this with regards to LE statements? If nothing else, you got me to forget about those scary ANON posts.

Jazzie said...

"Police aren't saying where the cross was found. Nor will they say whether the owner left it behind accidentally or intentionally.

Raschke says it's possible that someone left it behind to taunt investigators.

"If so," he said, "that person is really full of himself. They think they have the power and that no one can touch them."

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/jessica-ridgeway/du-religious-studies-professor-says-markings-on-cross-in-jessica-ridgeway-case-could-be-significant

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla

I see unreliable denials, dropped pronouns and incorrect tenses in the mom’s story, disparaging of Jessica by the aunt, embedded statements of guilty knowledge by the people Jessica lived with. During the interview they smiled and laughed. They sanctioned a profit off of Jessica web site before going to the media about her disappearance.

Jazzie said...

CBSDenver ‏@CBSDenver
RT @ricksallinger: Reward to be offered in #jessicaridgeway murder case. CBS 4 5pm

Is a portion of the $$$ raised for Jessica's Fund being used for this reward?

Jazzie said...

Westminster PD:
"The only official source of accurate information is from Westminster PD. Some news agencies chose to use sources outside of the the PD to try to confirm information. We will comment on certain aspects of the investigation when we can. We will not say anything that we think will hinder the capture and prosecution of the person responsible for Jessica's death."

"At this time, we do not believe a sketch would aid in identifying the predator responsible for Jessica's abduction and murder."

https://www.facebook.com/westminsterpolice?ref=tn_tnmn

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/crime-stoppers-opens-reward-account-in-jessica-ridgeway-case
Posted: 10/23/2012 
Last Updated: 1 hour ago
WESTMINSTER, Colo. - Crimestoppers is opening an account for community members who want to donate to a reward fund in the Jessica Ridgeway abduction and murder case.
This is in response to the high number of people who have been calling and asking how they can help find the killer, according to Westminster Police investigator Trevor Materasso.
Westminster police hope to have more details on how to donate to the account on Tuesday evening.

Jazzie said...

HelpFindAyla:

Kripes. Not what I want to hear.

Jazzie said...

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21838983/police-seek-donations-reward-find-jessica-ridgeways-killer

A reward is offered.
Who is the target of the $$$ baiting?
Someone who has knowledge?
Or the killer?

Who dismembers a child? I'm sure, like everyone else, this aspect freaks the bejeebers out of me.

A reward didn't do anything to bring justice for Ayla.
I'm not feeling hopeful.

Jazzie said...

It's about children who are maligned further after being murdered. Like Carnel Chamberlain.

It sends me over the edge.
Who does this? What evil incarnate does this?

Who protects a killer or can not recognize evil on this level?
Who stays silent if they have witnessed such horror? What fear or punishment stops them from speaking the truth?

I'm trying to understand. I've seen a lot in my life, but these unanswered questions rattle me.

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla
after being murdered.

I think Jessica’s mother killed her by violently removing her from the top bunk. The mother may see it as an accident:
Accidents, the leading cause of childhood death, do not happen; they are caused, and so can be prevented. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1520569/

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla
Jessica great aunt, Gay Moore, said she wasn't going to say that Jessica was a perfect little girl.
"Jessica was an ordinary little girl, brought up by an ordinary family," Moore said. "SHE ARGUED WITH US. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A BATH. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO BED ON TIME."


She stayed up too late and couldn’t wake up in the morning. The aunt was one of three caretakers.

"But she touched all of our lives in a special way, just by being who she was," the aunt said.
"I wish we could go back to being that ordinary family. I WISH WE COULD GO BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN HER MOTHER AND HER GRANDMOTHER CALLED HER REPEATEDLY TO GET OUT OF BED TO GO TO SCHOOL,"

Remove the s from days and this sounds like she’s going back to the scene of the crime.

Moore said.
"But we can't and we are going to move forward into our new normal. We'll be a strong family as we always have been."
Moore thanked "the people, who searched, donated food, made signs and held candlelight vigils and prayer services."
"We can't say thank you enough to the Westminster police, the FBI and the many agencies who worked so hard to find OUR SCARED LITTLE JESSICA and who are now determined to find her killer," Moore said.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/memorial-service-for-jessica-ridgeway-will-be-held-tuesday-at-faith-bible-church


Anonymous said...

Suspect arrested:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/24/jessica-ridgeway-arrest-colorado/1654699/

Anonymous said...

Please help find Ayla

It doesn't add up